Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You cannot win the One over with a performance. Not with beautiful music, not with clever arguments, not with being the saddest person in the room, not with good looks or riches or fun.
Not by traveling to far-off holy places, not by giving away money so everyone can see, not by hiding away alone, not by being the toughest fighter, not by making yourself small in the dust so people call you humble.
What is written in you is simply what your heart loves. Nanak says: the One is won by one thing only, the True Naam held close in your heart.
The One is won over by love for the True Naam, and by no show at all.
It is a shalok, a short verse, by Guru Nanak. It lists everything people think might impress the One. Music, songs, and the Vedas, the old holy books. Clever knowing and Yoga practice. Being sad all the time. Good looks, riches, and fun. Traveling to holy places. Giving to charity. Sitting alone in the wild. Being the bravest fighter. Making yourself low as dust.
One by one, each is set aside. Na bheejai — the One is not won over by it.
Then comes the heart of it. Laykhaa likee-ai man kai bhaa-ay — the record written in us is what our mind truly loves. What we really love is who we really are. Naanak bheejai saachai naa-ay — only the True Name wins the One.
Think of a friend's birthday. A huge, showy present means less than a small card you made with real love.
If your love could be written down like a list, what would honestly be at the top?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI