Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The understanding of the way — the actual practice of living in alignment — these are my horse, my saddle, my bags of gold.
Pursuing virtue is my bow, my arrow, my sword, my shield.
Being genuinely distinguished — known for what I actually am, not what I pretend to be — that's the drum that announces me.
This pauri redefines the symbols of power and status in 15th-century India: horses, weapons, drums were symbols of royal and military prestige. Guru Nanak maps each of them onto inner qualities.
This is consistent with his reversal of worldly values throughout Siree Raag: what the world considers powerful is not power. What the world ignores — inner virtue, genuine alignment — is the real treasure.
Is there a quality you have — not a skill or achievement, but a genuine quality — that you feel actually protects you in life?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI