ਖਟੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਅਰੁ ਆਸਣੁ ਧੋਤੀ ॥
khat karmaa ar aasan Dhotee.
You perform the six religious rituals, and sit wearing your loin-cloth.
ਭਾਗਠਿ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਪੜੈ ਨਿਤ ਪੋਥੀ ॥
bhaagath garihi parhai nit pothee.
In the homes of the wealthy, you read the prayer book.
ਮਾਲਾ ਫੇਰੈ ਮੰਗੈ ਬਿਭੂਤ ॥
maalaa fayrai mangai bibhoot.
You chant on your mala, and beg for money.
ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਤਰਿਓ ਮੀਤ ॥੩॥
ih biDh ko-ay na tari-o meet. ||3||
No one has ever been saved in this way, friend. ||3||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You do the six rites and sit in your loincloth.
In rich people's homes, you read the prayer book every day.
You turn your mala and ask for money.
No one has ever crossed over this way, friend.
No ceremony, by itself, does the inner work for you.
Rites, postures and paid recitations, done without a turned heart, carry no one across.
Khat karmaa are the six prescribed rites; add the postures and the recitations-for-hire, and you have the full outward machinery of religious work. The gentle meet (friend) at the end keeps it warm: this is counsel, not condemnation. Technique without a turned heart moves no one.
A Question to Sit With
What is something that only counts if your heart is in it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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