Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The worshippers of Bhagaauti practice self-discipline.
The Yogis speak of liberation.
And those who live a hard, simple life are lost in their training.
Here are three more groups, each giving everything to their own path.
Bhagutee rahat jugtaa: the bhagutee are those who worship Bhagauti, God as the Mother, the great power also called Shakti or Durga. They keep a careful, strict way of life.
Jogee kahat muktaa: the Yogis speak of mukti. Mukti means being set free from the circle of being born and dying again and again.
Notice the word "speak." Talking about freedom and having it are two different things. It is like talking about swimming versus being in the water. Guru Arjan does not say the Yogis are wrong. He only notices the gap.
Tapsee tapeh raataa: the tapsee are people who live a very hard, simple life on purpose. They give up comforts to train themselves. The words tapsee and tapeh repeat, and you can hear how completely they are lost in their practice.
Each group is sincere and fully committed. And the question from the opening line still hangs over them all: does this please the Lord? Does any method, by itself, bring you close to Him?
What would you call the spiritual practice you are most committed to? And how do you know whether it is actually moving you toward what you are seeking?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI