Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some have not met the Primal Being, the True Guru. They are most unfortunate, and subject to death.
They wander in reincarnation over and over, like maggots in manure.
Some hearts are filled with terrible anger. Do not meet with them, or even go near them.
This one warns that life without the Guru is a sad loop, and tells us to keep away from people full of cruel anger.
The words are strong on purpose. Those who have not met the Guru are called very unlucky. Vich vistaa kar vikraal — they go round and round like worms in dung. Guru Amar Das used a picture like this too. The harsh picture is there to show what is at stake, next to the shining jewel of the verse before. It isn't there to call any real person names.
Onaa paas du-aas na bhitee-ai — don't go near those whose hearts are full of terrible anger. Anger spreads. It's catching, like a cold in a crowded room. The same teaching as good company, only turned around: the people you spend time with shape who you become. So choose them with care.
Have you ever noticed how spending time with someone angry or bitter affects your own mood and outlook? What about someone genuinely peaceful? What does that tell you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI