Sikhism·Raag Maaroo·Shabad 10
Verse 5 of 5

A Mind Once Cleared Stays Bright

ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਲਾਹੀਐ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥
saachaa naam salaahee-ai saachay tay taripat ho-ay.
So praise the True Name, and through the True Name, you will find satisfaction.
ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਜੀਐ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਮੈਲਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
gi-aan ratan man maajee-ai bahurh na mailaa ho-ay.
When the mind is cleaned with the jewel of spiritual wisdom, it does not become dirty again.
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਬਿਘਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
jab lag saahib man vasai tab lag bighan na ho-ay.
As long as the Lord and Master dwells in the mind, no obstacles are encountered.
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿਰੁ ਦੇ ਛੁਟੀਐ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਸਾਚਾ ਸੋਇ ॥੪॥੧੦॥
naanak sir day chhutee-ai man tan saachaa so-ay. ||4||10||
O Nanak, giving one's head, one is emancipated, and the mind and body become true. ||4||10||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

When I praise the true Naam, a deep satisfaction settles in, a fullness that lasts.

A mind polished by wisdom, like a cleaned jewel, keeps its shine.

As long as the Master lives in my mind, nothing blocks my way.

Nanak says: when I set my proud self aside and offer it up, the heart comes free and true.

Wisdom cleans the mind the way polishing brings back a jewel's shine.
The deeper layer

A mind cleaned by wisdom stays clean. And a heart that sets down its pride becomes free.

It starts with praise. Saachaa naam salaahee-ai: praise the True Name, and you will feel full and satisfied. Then comes the jewel. Gi-aan ratan man maajee-ai: polish the mind with the jewel of wisdom, and it will not get dirty again. Think of cleaning a pair of glasses. Once the smudges are gone, everything looks clear.

As long as the Master lives in the mind, nothing can block the way.

The last line says sir day chhutee-ai: by giving your head, you become free. This is not about the body at all. It means handing over your pride, your haumai, the loud "me, me, me" inside. When that proud self is set down, man tan saachaa: mind and body become true and steady. Freedom is what grows when the ego is set aside.

A Question to Sit With

What helps clear your mind and keep it bright and steady?

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

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