Raag Soohee, Shabad 72 - One Word Lived Beats Many Books Read
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
A person can read all the holy books there are - from every tradition - and still not be set free, if the reading stays only on the page.
But one who takes even a single true Word to heart and lives by it becomes clear and bright inside.
This one means one true Word, lived, does more than many books only read.
bayd katayb simrit sabh saasat — the Vedas, the katayb, the Simritees and the Shaastras. The Vedas, Simritees and Shaastras are old holy books of India. Katayb means the holy books of Jews, Christians and Muslims. They are all named side by side, with equal respect.
The verse says reading them alone does not set a person free. No holy book is being called worthless. The point is that reading without living does not change us.
ayk akhar jo gurmukh jaapai — whoever, turned toward the Guru, lives by the One Word becomes clear and bright. Think of a recipe book. Reading every page will not feed you. Cooking one dish will.
Have you ever known the words to something without really living them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI