Sikhism·Raag Soohee·Shabad 2
Verse 5 of 7

The Tall Tree With Fruit No One Can Use

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

In plain words

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.
The deeper layer

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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