Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You may possess vast riches, maintain virtuous conduct, and have a spotless reputation.
You may have the loving affection of mother, father, children, siblings, and friends.
You may have armies well-equipped with weapons, and all may salute you with respect.
But still — if you do not come to remember the Supreme Lord God — you shall be taken to the most hideous hell.
This one says that even a good name and a loving family are not enough without the One.
The verse before was about power and pleasure. This one adds goodness. Achaarvant sobhaa nirmal reet: good conduct, a spotless name, and following the customs of faith. There is love from maat pitaa sut bhaa-ee-aa, mother, father, children, brothers and sisters, and friends. There are armies too, and everyone bows in respect. This is not just a powerful person. This is a good powerful person, kind, admired, loved and safe.
Taa kharh rasaatal deet: yet without the One, they are taken to the deepest, darkest place. Guru Arjan is not only saying they miss heaven. He is saying that even the life that looks most complete, if it forgets the One, ends in the worst place. They had everything and missed the one thing that mattered.
Chit na aa-i-o paarbarahm: "the One did not come to mind." It is the same missing piece as before. The good king who forgets the One is in the same place as the pleasure-loving king. Think of a beautiful cake with no sugar inside. It looks perfect, everyone praises it, but the center is empty. Goodness on the outside without the One is still empty at the heart.
Is it possible to be good, respected, and loved by everyone — and still be missing the most important thing? What would that feel like from the inside?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI