ਤੀਰਥ ਵਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕਰਹਿ ਉਦਿਆਨਾ ॥
tirath varat naym karahi udi-aanaa.
Some make vows to visit sacred shrines of pilgrimage, keep fasts and live in the forest.
ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਕਥਹਿ ਗਿਆਨਾ ॥
jat sat sanjam katheh gi-aanaa.
Some practice chastity, charity and self-discipline, and speak of spiritual wisdom.
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਿਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੧੩॥
raam naam bin ki-o sukh paa-ee-ai bin satgur bharam na jaa-i-aa. ||13||
But without the Lord's Name, how can anyone find peace? Without the True Guru, doubt is not dispelled. ||13||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some vow to visit holy places, keep fasts, and live in the forest.
Some practice self-control, give to others, and speak wise words.
But without the One's Name, how does anyone find peace? Without the Guru, doubt does not lift.
Good practices matter most when the One's Name lives at their center.
Pilgrimage, fasting, forest-dwelling, charity, and self-discipline are practices found across many traditions, and they are treated with respect. They are good but incomplete: without the Name and the Guru at their center, they do not by themselves bring peace.
A Question to Sit With
How do you keep the heart of a good practice from getting lost?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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