ਹਉਮੈ ਕਰਦਿਆ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥
ha-umai kardi-aa janam gavaa-i-aa.
Acting egotistically, one loses his life.
ਆਗੈ ਮੋਹੁ ਨ ਚੂਕੈ ਮਾਇਆ ॥
aagai moh na chookai maa-i-aa.
Even in the world hereafter, emotioal attachment to Maya does not leave him.
ਅਗੈ ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ਲੇਖਾ ਲੇਵੈ ਜਿਉ ਤਿਲ ਘਾਣੀ ਪੀੜਾਇਦਾ ॥੯॥
agai jamkaal laykhaa layvai ji-o til ghaanee peerhaa-idaa. ||9||
In the world hereafter, the Messenger of Death calls him to account, and crushes him like sesame seeds in the oil-press. ||9||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
When I let the me, me, me feeling run everything, the precious days can slip through my fingers.
The grabbing and clinging just tightens its own grip, and keeps me spinning in place, tiring myself out. There is a gentler way — and it is always open.
The ego's tight grip mostly tires out the one who is gripping.
Acting from ego wastes a precious life, and attachment keeps its hold. Haumai (the ego's grip) wears itself out, and a gentler way always stays open.
A Question to Sit With
What is one thing you are holding a little too tightly right now?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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