ਲੈ ਤੁਰੇ ਸਉਦਾਗਰੀ ਸਉਦਾਗਰੁ ਧਾਵੈ ॥
lai turay sa-udaagree sa-udaagar Dhaavai.
The traders buy horses, planning to trade them.
ਧਨੁ ਖਟੈ ਆਸਾ ਕਰੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਵਧਾਵੈ ॥
Dhan khatai aasaa karai maa-i-aa moh vaDhaavai.
They hope to earn wealth; their attachment to Maya increases.
ਤਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਜਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਬੋਲਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਬੋਲਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
ti-o har jan har har boltaa har bol sukh paavai. ||2||
In just the same way, the Lord's humble servants chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har; chanting the Lord's Name, they find peace. ||2||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Traders buy horses to sell at a profit, hoping to grow rich -- and their attachment to the world only grows. In just that way, the One's servants keep its name -- and saying it, they find peace.
Chasing profit grows attachment; keeping the Name grows peace.
The contrast is sharp: the horse-trader's pursuit of profit increases attachment to Maya (more begets more wanting). The devotee's "trade" -- the Name -- yields peace instead. Two economies: one inflames craving, the other satisfies it.
A Question to Sit With
Have you noticed how getting more can make you want more, not less?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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