Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some spend their days performing, acting and dancing.
Some spend them taking the lives of others.
Some spend them ruling by fear.
And the saints spend their days singing the One's praises.
Some lives are spent performing, some on harm and fear. The saints spend theirs praising the One.
Kaahoo bihaavai nat naatik nirtay — some spend life acting, performing, and dancing.
Jee-aa-ih hirtay — some spend it harming others, even taking lives. Raaj meh dartay — some spend it ruling by fear, making people afraid so they will obey.
The verse looks honestly at how power and fear can fill a life. It does not pretend these things do not happen.
If someone is being unkind to you or hurting you, that is never something you have to accept. Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do.
Then comes the turn. Sant bihaavai har jas kartay — the saints spend their days praising the One.
Think of a playground. Some kids push others around to be the boss. Others just play and share. The second group has something the bullies never get: deep peace.
Would you rather lead by fear or by kindness, and why?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI