Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The true hermit does not chase arguments or put on a show;
turned toward the Guru, they simply think about the Word.
A true hermit spends time with the Word instead of in arguments.
Bayd baad na pakhand a-oDhoo — the true hermit stays out of debates about holy books, and out of pretending. An a-oDhoo is a hermit, someone who has left ordinary life to seek the One. Pakhand means putting on a show of being holy.
Gurmukh sabad beechaaree — the one turned toward the Guru thinks about the Word instead. Think of two friends arguing about the rules of a game until it is too dark to play. The hermit would rather just play. This is aimed at empty arguing in any tradition, and at no one group. The better way is simple, honest reflection.
When is it wiser to live something quietly than to argue about it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI