Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You can read and recite for years, travel to far-off places, wear the robes of a seeker, and still feel like something is missing — if it is all on the outside and the heart is not in it. Reading holy words only to look impressive, or to get something, does not fill the emptiness.
There is a simpler center to all of it: serve the Guru, quiet the loud sense of 'me first', and peace arrives. Nanak says the one thing worth reading and dwelling on is the Naam — the living presence of the One. Rare are the people who think about this and understand, but you can be one of them.
The Naam is the one thing worth reading and dwelling on.
Parh parh pandit monee thakay — scholars and silent sages read until they are tired, and people in robes wander far lands until they are worn out. Doojai bhaa-ay — loving "a second thing" in place of the One leaves a heavy ache. Reading holy words only udar bharan kai taa-ee, to fill the belly, leaves the heart empty, and that can happen among the learned of any tradition. Satgur sayvay so sukh paa-ay — whoever serves the Guru and lets go of haumai finds peace. Parhnaa gunnaa ik naa-o hai — the one thing to read and reflect on is the Naam.
Is there something you know by heart but have not yet let into your heart?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI