Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
People dream of four great rewards and eighteen magic powers. Higher than all of those are the saints, the humble people who live close to the One.
Nanak says: I long for the dust under the feet of the Guru's people. Holding onto the edge of their robe, I am lifted up.
Humble, good people are worth more than any superpower.
Chaar padaarath are the four great blessings people hoped for in old times. Asat dasaa sidh are the eighteen magic powers yogis were said to gain. Guru Arjan says the humble saadh, the good and holy, stand above all of these.
Think of a superhero with every power, next to a kind neighbor who always helps. The verse says the kind neighbor is greater.
Dhoor jan means the dust of the feet of the humble. It is a picture of treasuring humility. And palay means the edge of a robe. Holding on to it is like being carried along by someone's goodness.
Who are the quietly good people in your life, and what do you catch from simply being near them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI