Purity That Hides From the World Saves No One

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

Purity is a heart that holds the Name, and it sets others free.

In Guru Arjan's India, an apras was a holy man famous for touching nothing. No money, no cooked food, sometimes no other people. He stayed pure by staying away.

The salok, the short opening verse, keeps the title and gives it a new job. The true apras is not the one whose hands touch nothing. Ur Dhaarai jo antar naam — it is the one who holds the Name in the heart. Sarab mai paykhai bhagvaan — who sees God in everyone. Nimakh nimakh thaakur namaskaarai — who bows to the Master every moment.

And here is the test. Naanak oh apras sagal nistaarai — such a person sets everyone free. Think of the difference between a candle kept in a box and a candle that lights other candles. Real purity spreads freedom. It is not cleanliness kept locked away.

The whole ashtapadee, this song of eight verses, will now do the same with one honored title after another. The Vaishnaav, the Bhagaautee, the Pandit, the servant, the one free while alive. It keeps every name, and moves every meaning inside.