Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Chanting, deep meditation, strict self-discipline, good deeds, every careful way of seeking peace: none of them equals even a tiny bit of the Naam.
Nanak says: the One's lotus feet have pierced my mind with love, and there it rests, held close.
Good practices are worth something, but the Name is worth more than all of them together.
The verse names good practices. Jap is repeating a holy word. Tap is hard self-discipline. Sanjam is self-control. Karam is good deeds. It weighs them all and finds them tul na kachhoo-ai, not equal to even a little bit of the Name.
These practices are never called bad. They are simply outshone by the very thing they were pointing toward.
Think of practicing scales on the piano. Scales are good and useful. But they were always meant to lead you to the music itself.
Charan kamal naanak man bayDhi-o — "Nanak's mind is pierced by the lotus feet." The lotus feet are a loving picture of the One's presence. The heart is held fast by love, and it rests there.
What is something you do that is a way of getting closer to what you love?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI