Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The great old books of wisdom, treasured for ages, all say the same thing when you really listen.
They point past themselves to the living presence of the One. They say that without keeping that in mind, even the finest words stay just words.
This one means even the great old books point past themselves to the living Name.
simrit bayd puraan pukaaran pothee-aa — the Simritees, the Vedas, the Puraanas and other holy books all call out the same thing. These are old holy books of India, treasured for ages.
naam binaa sabh koorh — without the Name, everything is koorh, passing and hollow.
Notice that the books are not being put down. They themselves say that words point beyond words. Think of a map. It is useful and good. But the map is there to lead you to the place itself. The Name is the place.
Can you think of a book or teaching that told you the real thing is out beyond the page?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI