Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Sometimes we drop the real jewel to chase a shiny shell — and the shell gives back nothing.
So, my mind, keep the One near, always: the perfect, everywhere-present Source.
Don't trade the real jewel for a cheap shell.
Ratan chhaad ka-udee sang laagay — leaving the jewel, a person clings to a shell. A ka-udee is a tiny seashell once used as the smallest coin, worth almost nothing. Jaa tay kachhoo na paa-ee-ai — nothing comes of it.
It is a picture of a common mix-up. We pour our time into things that cannot hold value, while the real treasure sits waiting. Think of spending a whole Saturday scrolling videos while your best friend was free to play all day. The fix is not a scolding. It is a gentle turn back: mayray man sadaa Dhi-aa-ee-ai — O my mind, keep the One in mind, always. The One is pooran paarbarahm parmaysur, the Perfect, Supreme Lord. Keep looking there, and the true jewel comes back into focus.
What is something shiny that once felt huge but turned out not to matter much?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI