Raag Soohee, Shabad 72 - The Song That Sets You Free
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Doing things just for show - going through the motions to look holy - never really adds up. It slips away and leaves you empty-handed.
But sing the praises of the One with a free and open heart. Even a single moment of truly remembering carries you home.
This one means doing things just for show adds up to nothing, but sincere praise sets us free.
karam Dharam pakhand jo deeseh — religious acts done only to be seen. Pakhand means putting on a show. The verse says that at the end of life these are taken away, the way a tax collector takes whatever has no lasting value. The point is empty show, not practice itself.
nirbaan keertan gaavhu kartay kaa — sing the praises of the Creator from a free and quiet heart. Keertan means singing the One's praise. Nirbaan means free of wanting.
nimakh simrat jit chhootai — even one moment of true remembering sets you free. Think of a birthday card. One line written from the heart means more than a whole card signed in a hurry.
What is the difference between doing something for show and meaning it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI