Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
When we build our lives around 'me' and 'mine,' we tire ourselves out — and none of it travels with us anyway.
But the one who faces the teaching keeps the Name close, holding it always in mind.
Singing the One's praises through the true words of the teaching, blessed by grace, they light up with joy.
The middle pauri contrasts haumai mayraa — the "me-and-mine" life that vigutay (wears itself out) and takes nothing along — with the gurmukh who holds the Name. The literal's harsher "ruined" is softened to "tire ourselves out": ego is a self-exhausting habit to heal, not a crime. The payoff is nadree nadar nihaal — "blessed by the Glance of Grace, enraptured/joyful." Grace is the turn, as always, and the fruit is nihaal, a lit-up gladness. The contrast is between an exhausting grip and a light, joyful holding.
When has holding on too tightly to something actually made you more tired or unhappy?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI