Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
This body is the puppet of Maya. The evil of egotism is within it.
Coming and going through birth and death, the self-willed manmukhs lose their honor.
Serving the True Teacher, eternal peace is obtained. And one's light merges into the Light.
This verse says our body can act like a puppet, pulled by strings we did not choose.
Ih sareer maa-i-aa kaa putlaa — this body is a puppet of Maya. Maya is the pull of the world: wanting things, wanting to look good, holding on tight. Inside the puppet sits ha-umai, the ego, the loud voice of "me, me, me."
Picture a marionette on a stage. It moves its arms and legs and seems to be choosing. But look up, and you see the strings. Wanting, pride and clinging are the strings. We think we are deciding, but often we are being pulled.
The manmukh, the person who follows only their own wants, keeps going round and round. The verse calls this coming and going through birth and death, and says they lose their honor.
Then comes the good news. Serving the Satgur, the True Guru, brings lasting peace. Jotee jot milaa-ee — one's light merges into the Light. Your little light is not lost. It is like a candle flame held up to the sun and finding it was part of that same fire all along.
What strings are pulling you — what forces (external expectations, fears, habits) move you in ways you haven't fully chosen? Can you name even one?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI