Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Whoever does not drink the sweet nectar of the Naam, by the Guru's grace, stays thirsty and hungry inside.
The foolish one who follows only his own mind burns in the fire of pride. His "me, me, me" brings him pain.
Coming and going, he wastes his life for nothing. When pain comes, he is sorry and full of regret.
He does not even think of the One he came from. That life is wasted, and even the food he eats is wasted.
When you turn away from the Naam, a thirst sets in that nothing else can fill.
Gur parsaadee amrit nahee pee-aa: whoever has not drunk the amrit, the sweet nectar of the Naam, by the Guru's grace, stays thirsty and hungry.
The verse names the manmukh, someone led only by their own small self. Such a person burns in pride. The heat of ego is like a fever that needs cooling. It speaks to our own heart first, before it points at anyone else.
Aavat jaat birthaa janam gavaa-i-aa: coming and going, a life is wasted, and afterward comes regret.
The verse ends very strongly: Dharig jeevan Dharig khaa-ee, "cursed is that life, cursed is that food," for one who forgets the One they came from. A life that forgets its source stays empty, however full the plate. Jis tay upjay: the One you came from is the One to remember.
What is something you keep chasing that never quite satisfies you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI