Sikhism·Raag Saarang·Shabad 165
Verse 6 of 9

No One Advised the One

ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਣਾ ਸੁ ਆਪੇ ਕਰਣਾ ਮਸਲਤਿ ਕਾਹੂ ਦੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ॥
jo kichh karnaa so aapay karnaa maslat kaahoo deenHee.
Whatever He does, He does by Himself. Who has ever given Him advice?
ਅਨਿਕ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਹ ਦਿਖਾਏ ਸਾਚੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਚੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ॥੫॥
anik jatan kar karah dikhaa-ay saachee saakhee cheenHee. ||5||
The mortals make all sorts of efforts and showy displays, but He is realized only through the Teachings of Truth. ||5||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Whatever the One does, it does entirely on its own — no one ever stood beside it giving advice.

People try every trick and put on every kind of show, but the One is known only through the teaching of Truth.

Truth reaches what a show never can.
The deeper layer

The One needs no one's advice, and is known through the teaching of Truth.

Jo kichh karnaa so aapay karnaa means whatever the One does, the One does alone. Maslat kaahoo deenhee asks, "Who ever gave the One advice?" The One is complete and needs no one's help.

People try anik jatan, all sorts of efforts, and put on shows. But the One is known saachee saakhee, through the teaching of Truth.

Think of someone showing off to get a teacher's attention, while a quiet, honest kid simply learns. Show can't reach what only truth reveals.

A Question to Sit With

When have you seen trying to impress get in the way of what matters?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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