Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The mind is caught up in Maya, the pull of shiny things. The mind runs and chases. The mind is a bird flying across the sky.
When the Shabad, the Guru's Word, drives off the thieves inside, the town of my body settles down and cheers.
When You keep someone safe, they are kept safe, and all their riches stay whole.
The mind is a restless bird, and the Guru's Word gives it a place to land.
Guru Nanak uses three quick pictures. Man maa-i-aa means "the mind is maa-i-aa," the pull of shiny things. Man Dhaa-i-aa means "the mind is a runner," always chasing. Man pankhee aakaas means "the mind is a bird across the sky."
Think of a sparrow darting from branch to wire to rooftop, never resting. That's a busy mind.
Taskar sabad nivaari-aa means "the thieves are driven off by the Sabad," the holy Word. The thieves are the pulls inside us that steal our peace. Then nagar vuthaa saabaas: "the town is settled and happy." Your whole self becomes a thriving village.
Jaa too raakhahi raakh laihi saabat hovai raas means "when You keep someone safe, their riches stay whole." Raas means your true savings, the good inside you. A mind settled by the Word keeps it safe.
When your mind will not stop racing, what helps it settle?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI