Stay Unstained Like a Lotus on the Water

ਸਾਚੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਚੀ ਸੀਖ ॥

saachay gur kee saachee seekh.

True are the Teachings of the True Guru.

ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਸਾਚੁ ਪਰੀਖ ॥

tan man seetal saach pareekh.

The body and mind are cooled and soothed, by the touchstone of Truth.

ਜਲ ਪੁਰਾਇਨਿ ਰਸ ਕਮਲ ਪਰੀਖ ॥

jal puraa-in ras kamal pareekh.

This is the true mark of wisdom: that one remains detached, like the water-lily, or the lotus upon the water.

ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਮੀਠੇ ਰਸ ਈਖ ॥੩॥

sabad ratay meethay ras eekh. ||3||

Attuned to the Word of the Shabad, one becomes sweet, like the juice of the sugar cane. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The true teacher's words are true. Touch your life to truth, the way you test gold on a stone, and your body and mind grow cool and calm. This is real wisdom: to live right in the middle of the world and stay unstained, like a lotus resting on water. Tuned to the teaching, your life turns sweet, like the juice of sugar cane.

Stay unstained like a lotus on water -- in the middle of everything, sweet and cool.

The deeper layer

Three classic images. The touchstone of Truth tests the genuine from the counterfeit (Rang). The lotus rooted in muddy water yet unstained is the emblem of grihast -- engaged detachment, liberation in the midst of the world. And attunement to the Shabad makes the soul sweet as cane juice: realization actually tastes like something.

A Question to Sit With

How can you be fully part of your life and still not get pulled under by it?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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