ਹਉਮੈ ਮਮਤਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਆਇਆ ॥
ha-umai mamtaa kardaa aa-i-aa.
Practicing egotism and possessiveness, you have come into the world.
ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਬੰਧਿ ਚਲਾਇਆ ॥
aasaa mansaa banDh chalaa-i-aa.
Hope and desire bind you and lead you on.
ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਤ ਕਿਆ ਲੇ ਚਾਲੇ ਬਿਖੁ ਲਾਦੇ ਛਾਰ ਬਿਕਾਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੧੫॥
mayree mayree karat ki-aa lay chaalay bikh laaday chhaar bikaaraa hay. ||15||
Indulging in egotism and self-conceit, what will you be able to carry with you, except the load of ashes from poison and corruption? ||15||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
We often arrive in the world already reaching and grabbing for mine.
Wishing and wanting can lead us around by the hand for years.
But hands clenched only around me and mine end up holding nothing that lasts — so open them, and hold the Name instead.
Hands clenched around me and mine end up empty; open them for the Name.
Haumai mamtaa (ego and clinging to "mine") and aasaa mansaa (hope and desire) lead the person along. Saying mayree mayree — mine, mine — the grasping hand carries away only ashes (chhaar), while open hands can hold the Naam.
A Question to Sit With
What is something you are gripping tightly that you could hold more loosely?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
Use ← → to navigate