ਪੁਤੁ ਕਲਤ੍ਰੁ ਲਖਿਮੀ ਦੀਸੈ ਇਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਛੂ ਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਲੀਆ ॥
put kalatar lakhimee deesai in meh kichhoo na sang lee-aa.
You look upon your children, spouse and wealth; none of these will go along with you.
ਬਿਖੈ ਠਗਉਰੀ ਖਾਇ ਭੁਲਾਨਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਗਇਆ ॥੧॥
bikhai thag-uree khaa-ay bhulaanaa maa-i-aa mandar ti-aag ga-i-aa. ||1||
Eating the poisonous potion, you have gone astray. You will have to go, and leave Maya and your mansions. ||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You look at your children, your husband or wife, and your money, but none of them will go along with you.
You have swallowed a drink that fogs the mind, and you have lost your way.
One day you will have to go, and leave behind Maya, the shine of the world, and your big houses.
Hold what you love, but hold it knowing none of it is yours to keep.
In meh kichhoo na sang lee-aa: none of it goes along with you. Family and wealth are good gifts. Clinging to them as if they were forever is what leads a person astray.
The thag-uree is the drugged drink a robber gives a traveller before taking everything. Grasping works the same way: it fogs your sense of direction.
A Question to Sit With
What matters to you that isn't a thing you could ever pack in a bag?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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