ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥
salok mehlaa 3.
Shalok, Third Mehl:
ਲੋਕੁ ਅਵਗਣਾ ਕੀ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਗੰਠੜੀ ਗੁਣ ਨ ਵਿਹਾਝੈ ਕੋਇ ॥
lok avganaa kee banHai ganth-rhee gun na vihaajhai ko-ay.
People tie up bundles of demerits; no one deals in virtue.
ਗੁਣ ਕਾ ਗਾਹਕੁ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਇ ॥
gun kaa gaahak naankaa virlaa ko-ee ho-ay.
Rare is that person, O Nanak, who purchases virtue.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਗੁਣ ਪਾਈਅਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥੧॥
gur parsaadee gun paa-ee-aniH jis no nadar karay-i. ||1||
By Guru's Grace, one is blessed with virtue, when the Lord bestows His Glance of Grace. ||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Many people gather up their faults and carry the bundle around; few go looking to gather goodness.
Nanak says: rare is the one who sets out to purchase virtue.
By the Guru's grace, when the One casts a glance of kindness, virtue comes as a gift.
Goodness is worth seeking, and in the end it arrives as a gift.
A shalok of the Third Mehl. People collect demerits easily but rarely seek virtue. The resolution keeps grace primary: virtue is ultimately 'blessed' by the Glance of Grace (nadar), given rather than earned, echoing the Vaar's opening image of virtue's true worth.
A Question to Sit With
Do you find it easier to notice faults or to gather good qualities?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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