Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
People have read every holy book aloud and listened for lifetimes, and still felt they were searching.
Travelers have walked to sacred place after sacred place until their feet were tired. What finally settles the heart is simple: resting in the One, pure and true, who was here all along.
An ashtapadee is a song of eight verses. At its head stands Ik Onkar Satgur Prasaad: there is One Creator, known by the Guru's grace.
Many wise people have read and listened to the old holy books. Bayd puraan kathay sunay haaray munee anaykaa: countless sages grew tired reading the Vedas and Puraanas aloud. These are sacred books of the Hindu tradition, named here with respect. Others put on special robes and walked to the athsath tirath, the sixty-eight holy places, until they were worn out.
The verse does not say study or travel is bad. It says the restless search outside finds its rest inside. Man maanai aykaa: the mind is satisfied only by the One. Think of hunting all over the house for your glasses while they sit on your head. The One, pure and true, was here all along.
Where do you look for peace when you feel restless?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI