Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Those who leave their Master and think of someone else are foolish, as stubborn as donkeys.
How can they cross the ocean in a paper boat? Their proud boasting that they will cross over means nothing.
Trusting only in yourself is like trying to cross the sea in a paper boat.
Kaagar naav langheh kat saagar — how can anyone cross the ocean in a paper boat? A paper boat looks like a boat. It even floats for a moment in the bathtub. But in deep water it goes soft and sinks. Baritha kathat ham tartay — boasting "we will cross" does nothing.
The leaky boat is haumai, the ego, the "I can do it all myself" feeling. It is the idea that we cross life's deep waters on our own bragging.
The first line uses sharp, old-fashioned names for this kind of foolishness. They point at a habit, not at other people to look down on. Hear it as a note to yourself: check your own boat, and hold on to what is strong.
When has confidence without substance let you down?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI