Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
It slips in through feeling clever and proud, sure we're smarter than everyone. It slips in through how tightly we hold our family close.
It slips in through nice things — fine clothes, fancy possessions — and through the rush of feeling young and good-looking.
Guru Arjan lists more of the disguises that the restless wanting wears.
It slips in through pride in being clever. It slips in through putar kaltar, love for children and spouse, when we hold on too tightly. It slips in through elephants, horses and fine clothes, the fancy things of that time. And it slips in through roop joban mad mastaa, being drunk on beauty and youth.
Notice that even good things are on the list. Loving your family is good. But when we grip it, the wanting can hide there too. Think of holding sand. Hold it gently and it stays in your hand. Squeeze it and it runs out. The tone is like a doctor naming symptoms, so we can spot them.
Where does "wanting to look good" or "wanting to be the smartest" quietly sneak into your day?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI