1245

1By Guru's Grace, the heart is illumined, and darkness is dispelled.

2Iron is transformed into gold, when it touches the Philosopher's Stone.

3O Nanak, meeting with the True Guru, the Name is obtained. Meeting Him, the mortal meditates on the Name.

4Those who have virtue as their treasure, obtain the Blessed Vision of His Darshan. ||19||

5Shalok, First Mehla:

6Cursed are the lives of those who read and write the Lord's Name to sell it.

7Their crop is devastated - what harvest will they have?

8Lacking truth and humility, they shall not be appreciated in the world hereafter.

9Wisdom which leads to arguments is not called wisdom.

10Wisdom leads us to serve our Lord and Master; through wisdom, honor is obtained.

11Wisdom does not come by reading textbooks; wisdom inspires us to give in charity.

12Says Nanak, this is the Path; other things lead to Satan. ||1||

13Second Mehla:

14Mortals are known by their actions; this is the way it has to be.

15They should show goodness, and not be deformed by their actions; this is how they are called beautiful.

16Whatever they desire, they shall receive; O Nanak, they become the very image of God. ||2||

17Pauree:

18The True Guru is the tree of ambrosia. it bears the fruit of sweet nectar.

19He alone receives it, who is so pre-destined, through the Word of the Guru's Shabad.

20One who walks in harmony with the Will of the True Guru, is blended with the Lord.

21The Messenger of Death cannot even see him; his heart is illumined with God's Light.

22O Nanak, God forgives him, and blends him with Himself; he does not rot away in the womb of reincarnation ever again. ||20||

23Shalok, First Mehla:

24Those who have truth as their fast, contentment as their sacred shrine of pilgrimage, spiritual wisdom and meditation as their cleansing bath,

25kindness as their deity, and forgiveness as their chanting beads - they are the most excellent people.

26Those who take the Way as their loincloth, and intuitive awareness their ritualistically purified enclosure, with good deeds their ceremonial forehead mark,

27and love their food - O Nanak, they are very rare. ||1||

28Third Mehla:

29On the ninth day of the month, make a vow to speak the Truth,

30and your sexual desire, anger and desire shall be eaten up.

31On the tenth day, regulate your ten doors; on the eleventh day, know that the Lord is One.

32On the twelfth day, the five thieves are subdued, and then, O Nanak, the mind is pleased and appeased.

33Observe such a fast as this, O Pandit, O religious scholar; of what use are all the other teachings? ||2||

34Pauree:

35Kings, rulers and monarchs enjoy pleasures and gather the poison of Maya.

36In love with it, they collect more and more, stealing the wealth of others.

37They do not trust their own children or spouses; they are totally attached to the love of Maya.

38But even as they look on, Maya cheats them, and they come to regret and repent.

39Bound and gagged at Death's door, they are beaten and punished; O Nanak, it pleases the Will of the Lord. ||21||

40Shalok, First Mehla:

41The one who lacks spiritual wisdom sings religious songs.

42The hungry Mullah turns his home into a mosque.

43The lazy unemployed has his ears pierced to look like a Yogi.

44Someone else becomes a pan-handler, and loses his social status.

45One who calls himself a guru or a spiritual teacher, while he goes around begging

46- don't ever touch his feet.

47One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has

48- O Nanak, he knows the Path. ||1||