Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The One fills the water, the land, and the sky. It lives close by — not far away at all.
Spending your life trying to impress other people gains you nothing real. But when your heart holds onto what is true, the tight knot of ego loosens on its own.
Guru Arjan is saying: the One is close, and trying to impress people gets you nowhere.
Jal thal mahee-al rahi-aa bharpoor means the One fills water, land and sky. Nikat vasai naahee prabh door means God lives near, not far. This feeling of nearness comes back again and again in Raag Soohee.
Lok patee-aarai kachhoo na paa-ee-ai means "pleasing people, you gain nothing." Think of chasing likes on a post. The number goes up, but you don't feel any fuller inside. Saach lagai taa ha-umai jaa-ee-ai means "hold on to the True One, and ego goes." Truth does this quietly, all by itself, with no force.
What is something you have done just to impress others — and did it fill you up?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI