ਖਤ੍ਰੀ ਕਰਮ ਕਰੇ ਸੂਰਤਣੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
khatree karam karay soortan paavai.
The Kh'shaatriya acts bravely, and is recognized as a warrior.
ਸੂਦੁ ਵੈਸੁ ਪਰ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥
sood vais par kirat kamaavai.
The Shoodra and the Vaisha work and slave for others;
ਮੈ ਮੂਰਖ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਛਡਾਵੈ ॥੩॥
mai moorakh har naam chhadaavai. ||3||
I am just a fool - I am saved by the Lord's Name. ||3||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The warrior is praised for his courage. The laborers toil and serve. And me? I am just a fool -- but the One's name is what saves me.
Warrior or laborer, high or low -- it is the Name, not your rank, that saves.
Ram Das runs through the caste roles -- warrior, laborer, merchant -- and sets them all aside: the Name saves regardless of caste or role. Salvation is not a function of where you stand in the social order; it is open to the "fool" who chants.
A Question to Sit With
Do you ever judge people by their job or status? What might matter more?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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