Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The essence of all service is to obey the True Guru.
The essence of all practice — scriptures, meditation, wisdom, service — is this: follow the Guru.
One who pleases God is above all in this world and the next. O Nanak — such is the glory of the devotees.
The fourth "essence": the essence of all service is Satgur maan — following the True Guru. And the four essences together form a complete map:
- Study: chant the Naam
- Practice: hold the Naam in heart
- Wisdom: gather the Naam's merits
- Service: obey the Guru
All four activities, when followed to their core, produce the same instruction. The four-fold convergence is Guru Arjan's gift to anyone who asks "but how?" — whatever you are already doing, take it to its root.
"Above all in this world and the next" — the one who pleases the Lord transcends both realms. Not resident of either, but above both.
Which of the four — study, practice, wisdom, or service — is your natural home? Which is weakest for you? What would strengthen the weak one?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI