ਦੇਹੀ ਕਾਚੀ ਕਾਗਦ ਮਿਕਦਾਰਾ ॥
dayhee kaachee kaagad mikdaaraa.
The body is frail and perishable, like paper.
ਬੂੰਦ ਪਵੈ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਢਹਤ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਬਾਰਾ ॥
boond pavai binsai dhahat na laagai baaraa.
When the drop of water falls upon it, it crumbles and dissolves instantaneously.
ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਹੇ ॥੪॥
kanchan kaa-i-aa gurmukh boojhai jis antar naam nivaasee hay. ||4||
But the body of the Gurmukh, who understands, is like gold; the Naam, the Name of the Lord, dwells deep within. ||4||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
On its own, the body is fragile, like a sheet of paper that a single drop of water can dissolve.
It does not last, and that is alright; it was never meant to be the treasure.
But fill it with the Name, and even this fragile body turns golden, holding something that lasts.
The body is fragile paper; what you fill it with is the gold.
The body is like paper, and that fragility is a reason to treasure this short day. Filled with the Name, the fragile body becomes gold, holding what endures.
A Question to Sit With
What is something small and short-lived that is still precious?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
Use ← → to navigate