Eyes, Hands, and Feet Are Good by Direction

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

Your eyes, hands, and feet are made truly good by what you use them for.

The first verse asked what makes a life worth living. This verse goes through the body, part by part, and asks what makes each part good. The answer each time: using it for the One.

Say naytar parvaan jinee darsan paykhaa — accepted are the naytar (eyes) that have seen the darsan (the sight of the One). Eyes are not made good by being sharp or pretty. They are made good by what they look at.

Say kar bhalay jinee har jas laykhaa — good are the kar (hands) that have written the jas (praises) of the One. Hands are not made good by strength or skill alone. They are made good by what they do.

Say charan suhaavay jo har maarag chalay — beautiful are the charan (feet) that walk the maarag (path) of the One. Feet are made beautiful by where they go.

This is a new way to look at our bodies. We usually praise what a body can do. Good eyes see far. Strong hands work hard. Fast feet win races. The verse praises where a body is pointed. Think of a phone. The best phone in the world is only as good as what you use it for. An ordinary pair of eyes that has looked on the Beloved counts for more than the sharpest eyes that only stare at shiny things.

This is the Sikh way of living in the world. You do not run away from your body or your life. You turn every part of yourself toward the One, and the ordinary becomes blessed.

The verse ends with love for the sangat, the holy company. Ha-o bal tin sang pachhaanaa — I give myself to the company where the One is recognized. A blessed body is most at home among people who love the One.