Sikhism·Raag Kaanraa·Shabad 64
Verse 8 of 9

Do Not Judge By High Or Low

ਜਾਤ ਨਜਾਤਿ ਦੇਖਿ ਮਤ ਭਰਮਹੁ ਸੁਕ ਜਨਕ ਪਗੀਂ ਲਗਿ ਧਿਆਵੈਗੋ ॥
jaat najaat daykh mat bharmahu suk janak pageeN lag Dhi-aavaigo.
Do not be fooled by appearances of high and low social class. Suk Dayv bowed at the feet of Janak, and meditated.
ਜੂਠਨ ਜੂਠਿ ਪਈ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਖਿਨੁ ਮਨੂਆ ਤਿਲੁ ਨ ਡੁਲਾਵੈਗੋ ॥੭॥
joothan jooth pa-ee sir oopar khin manoo-aa til na dulaavaigo. ||7||
Even though Janak threw his left-overs and garbage on Suk Dayv's head, his mind did not waver, even for an instant. ||7||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Do not be fooled by high birth or low birth. Suk Dev bowed at the feet of King Janak and meditated.

Even when Janak threw leftover scraps onto his head, Suk Dev's mind did not waver, not even for an instant.

A steady, humble heart matters more than any label of rank.
The deeper layer

Every person carries the same dignity, and a steady, humble heart is what counts.

Jaat najaat: high birth and low birth. Do not be fooled by them. Suk Dev was a great sage, the son of Vyaas. He went to learn from King Janak and bowed at his feet. Janak tested him with scraps thrown on his head. Manoo-aa til na dulaavaigo: his mind did not shake even a little. Rank turned upside down, and a humble heart stood steady.

A Question to Sit With

Have you ever seen someone judged by a label instead of who they are?

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

About this shabad →
Use ← → to navigate