ਸਿੰਮਲ ਰੁਖੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਮੈ ਮੈਜਨ ਦੇਖਿ ਭੁਲੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ॥
simmal rukh sareer mai maijan daykh bhulaNniH.
My body is like the simmal tree; seeing me, other people are fooled.
ਸੇ ਫਲ ਕੰਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਤੇ ਗੁਣ ਮੈ ਤਨਿ ਹੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ॥੪॥
say fal kamm na aavnHee tay gun mai tan haNniH. ||4||
Its fruits are useless - just like the qualities of my body. ||4||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is a tall tree so grand that travelers hurry over to it, hoping for shade and sweet fruit.
But its fruit turns out useless and its shade is thin — and I know my own showy qualities can be just like that. What looks impressive isn't always what helps.
Impressive on the outside means little if it doesn't help anyone.
simmal rukh — the silk-cotton tree is tall and grand, but its fruit is useless and its shade thin; Nanak turns the mirror on himself, tay gun mai tan hann, my own showy qualities are like that. Self-examination, not accusation.
A Question to Sit With
What is a quality you have that truly helps others?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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