1354

1Cursed is loving attachment to one's mother and father; cursed is loving attachment to one's siblings and relatives.

2Cursed is attachment to the joys of family life with one's spouse and children.

3Cursed is attachment to household affairs.

4Only loving attachment to the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, is True. Nanak dwells there in peace. ||2||

5The body is false; its power is temporary.

6It grows old; its love for Maya increases greatly.

7The human is only a temporary guest in the home of the body, but he has high hopes.

8The Righteous Judge of Dharma is relentless; he counts each and every breath.

9The human body, so difficult to obtain, has fallen into the deep dark pit of emotional attachment. O Nanak, its only support is God, the Essence of Reality.

10O God, Lord of the World, Lord of the Universe, Master of the Universe, please be kind to me. ||3||

11This fragile body-fortress is made up of water, plastered with blood and wrapped in skin.

12It has nine gates, but no doors; it is supported by pillars of wind, the channels of the breath.

13The ignorant person does not meditate in remembrance on the Lord of the Universe; he thinks that this body is permanent.

14This precious body is saved and redeemed in the Sanctuary of the Holy, O Nanak,

15chanting the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, Har, Har, Haray. ||4||

16O Glorious, Eternal and Imperishable, Perfect and Abundantly Compassionate,

17Profound and Unfathomable, Lofty and Exalted, All-knowing and Infinite Lord God.

18O Lover of Your devoted servants, Your Feet are a Sanctuary of Peace.

19O Master of the masterless, Helper of the helpless, Nanak seeks Your Sanctuary. ||5||

20Seeing the deer, the hunter aims his weapons.

21But if one is protected by the Lord of the World, O Nanak, not a hair on his head will be touched. ||6||

22He may be surrounded on all four sides by servants and powerful warriors;

23he may dwell in a lofty place, difficult to approach, and never even think of death.

24But when the Order comes from the Primal Lord God, O Nanak, even an ant can take away his breath of life. ||7||

25To be imbued and attuned to the Word of the Shabad; to be kind and compassionate; to sing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises - these are the most worthwhile actions in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga.

26In this way, one's inner doubts and emotional attachments are dispelled.

27God is pervading and permeating all places.

28So obtain the Blessed Vision of His Darshan; He dwells upon the tongues of the Holy.

29O Nanak, meditate and chant the Name of the Beloved Lord, Har, Har, Har, Haray. ||8||

30Beauty fades away, islands fade away, the sun, moon, stars and sky fade away.

31The earth, mountains, forests and lands fade away.

32One's spouse, children, siblings and loved friends fade away.

33Gold and jewels and the incomparable beauty of Maya fade away.

34Only the Eternal, Unchanging Lord does not fade away.

35O Nanak, only the humble Saints are steady and stable forever. ||9||

36Do not delay in practicing righteousness; delay in committing sins.

37Implant the Naam, the Name of the Lord, within yourself, and abandon greed.

38In the Sanctuary of the Saints, the sins are erased. The character of righteousness is received by that person,

39O Nanak, with whom the Lord is pleased and satisfied. ||10||

40The person of shallow understanding is dying in emotional attachment; he is engrossed in pursuits of pleasure with his wife.

41With youthful beauty and golden earrings,

42wondrous mansions, decorations and clothes - this is how Maya clings to him.

43O Eternal, Unchanging, Benevolent Lord God, O Sanctuary of the Saints, Nanak humbly bows to You. ||11||

44If there is birth, then there is death. If there is pleasure, then there is pain. If there is enjoyment, then there is disease.

45If there is high, then there is low. If there is small, then there is great.