Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
It's easy to forget what matters for the sake of small, passing things — but they can't help us in the end.
Chasing only those leaves a heart burning and restless.
Yet the good is forgiving — turn back, and peace is found.
A warning-Shalok, softened. It laments forgetting the good "for the sake of mere objects, but they will not come to your rescue in the end," leaving one restless. The frightening imagery is dropped; the hopeful close is kept: "Nanak has found peace; the Forgiving Lord has forgiven him." For a child: it's easy to forget what matters for small passing things — but the good is forgiving, so turn back and find peace.
What small things sometimes make you forget the big things that matter?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI