Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Even the mightiest rulers, with countless castles, eventually moved on.
The most powerful people in history all had their time and then passed.
So don't lean your whole heart on power or things that don't last.
The verse gives a striking memento mori, gently rendered: "many have proclaimed sovereignty over millions of fortresses, but they have now departed... those whom even the sky could not contain" were humbled. The mightiest kings of history — who seemed unstoppable — all had their time and passed on. The frightening 'torment' imagery of the last line is set aside; the gentle kernel is kept: don't lean your whole heart on power or possessions, because they don't last. For a child: even the mightiest kings eventually moved on — so don't lean your whole heart on power or things that don't last.
Why isn't being powerful or having lots of things enough to make a life truly good?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI