Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You can pile up rituals as high as you like, but by themselves they do not set the heart free.
You can even read all the holy books and win every argument, yet miss the whole point, and lose what really matters.
What frees you is the true guide and the true Word, real, steady, trustworthy. Rest in that, and you are safe.
This verse says rituals by themselves do not free the heart. The true Word does.
Bin satgur sayvay janam na chhodai: without following the True Guru, the round of being born again and again does not let go. Jay anayk karam karai: even if you do countless rituals.
Vayd parheh tai vaad vakaaneh: some read the Vedas, ancient holy books, and argue about them, but without the One in their hearts, they lose what matters. This is not a criticism of the Vedas or of reading holy books. It is about reading only to win arguments while missing the heart of it.
Think of learning every rule of football, then never playing a single game. You know everything, and have missed the whole joy.
Sachaa satgur saachee jis banee: true is the Guru, and true is the bani, the Guru's Word. Rest in that shelter, and you are free.
When has winning the argument mattered less than actually understanding?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI