ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮ ਰਵਿ ਸਸਿ ਗਹਨੈ ਦੇਉ ਰੇ ॥
tirath barat naym such sanjam rav sas gahnai day-o ray.
Pilgrimages, fasting, vows, purifications, self-discipline, austerities and breath control through the sun and moon channels - all these I pledge.
ਸੁਰਤਿ ਪਿਆਲ ਸੁਧਾ ਰਸੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਏਹੁ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਪੇਉ ਰੇ ॥੩॥
surat pi-aal suDhaa ras amrit ayhu mahaa ras pay-o ray. ||3||
My focused consciousness is the cup, and the Ambrosial Nectar is the pure juice. I drink in the supreme, sublime essence of this juice. ||3||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Trips to holy places, fasts, vows, washing rituals, strict rules, and breathing through one side and then the other: I hand them all over as a pledge.
My gathered attention is the cup, and the sweet nectar is the pure juice. I drink this finest, sweetest essence.
Looking holy on the outside is not the same as being awake on the inside.
Every outward religious performance, pilgrimage, fasting, vows, austerities, is 'pawned' in exchange for the inner nectar. The challenge is to empty show wherever it appears, never to any people. The gathered mind (surat) becomes the cup that receives the amrit.
A Question to Sit With
What is the difference between doing something to look good and doing it because you mean it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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