Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Without the Guru, the fire burning inside is not cooled, and outside, the fire still burns.
Without serving the Guru, there is no loving devotion to the One; how could anyone come to know the One all alone?
Speaking badly of others only darkens my own heart.
Wandering to all sixty-eight holy places does not wash that darkness away.
The fire of restlessness inside can only be cooled from inside, with the Teacher's help.
Antar agan means the fire within. It is the burning of wanting, worry and anger. The verse says it does not cool without the Guru, the true Teacher. Outer things cannot reach it.
Then the verse warns about nindaa, speaking badly of others. It says this is like living in hell, with darkness inside. The one who talks badly about others ends up darkening their own heart first. Ill-will turns back on the one who holds it.
The verse also names the athsath tirath, the sixty-eight holy places people visit to wash away wrongs. Travel alone cannot clean the heart. This is not against visiting holy places. It is about doing it without turning inward.
Think of a phone that is overheating. You can put it in the shade outside, but if too many apps are running inside, it stays hot. You have to close what is running inside.
Have you noticed how criticizing someone can sour your own mood?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI