Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
A person can twist their body into the hardest poses — standing on one foot, balancing upside down, holding their breath, tucking their chin to their chest — and feel very impressive doing it.
But it is worth asking: what is any of that resting on? Where does the strength behind it come from? Nanak says: what can anyone say about who is blessed by the Maker? Whatever we can do, the ability itself was given to us — it flows from the One who holds everything within its steady order. Forgetting that, it is easy to start showing off as if the power were our own. Remembering it keeps us humble and light.
Shalok, First Mehl. Elaborate yogic austerities (head-standing, one-foot meditation, breath control, the chin-lock) all meet one question: what do they rest on (kis upar tik tikai)? All power is given, held within the Hukam. The fool who counts himself great (moorakh aap ganay-ay) is anyone who forgets the source and shows off, and remembering the source is the way back to humility.
What is a talent of yours that you didn't earn — it was just given to you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI