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1Reflecting on the True Word of the Shabad, death is overcome.

2Speaking the Unspoken Speech of the Lord, one is adorned with the Word of His Shabad.

3Nanak holds tight to the Treasure of Virtue, and meets with the Dear, Beloved Lord. ||23||

4Shalok, First Mehla:

5Born because of the karma of their past mistakes, they make more mistakes, and fall into mistakes.

6By washing, their pollution is not removed, even though they may wash hundreds of times.

7O Nanak, if God forgives, they are forgiven; otherwise, they are kicked and beaten. ||1||

8First Mehla:

9O Nanak, it is absurd to ask to be spared from pain by begging for comfort.

10Pleasure and pain are the two garments given, to be worn in the Court of the Lord.

11Where you are bound to lose by speaking, there, you ought to remain silent. ||2||

12Pauree:

13After looking around in the four directions, I looked within my own self.

14There, I saw the True, Invisible Lord Creator.

15I was wandering in the wilderness, but now the Guru has shown me the Way.

16Hail to the True, True Guru, through whom we merge in the Truth.

17I have found the jewel within the home of my own self; the lamp within has been lit.

18Those who praise the True Word of the Shabad, abide in the peace of Truth.

19But those who do not have the Fear of God, are overtaken by fear. They are destroyed by their own pride.

20Having forgotten the Name, the world is roaming around like a wild demon. ||24||

21Shalok, Third Mehla:

22In fear we are born, and in fear we die. Fear is always present in the mind.

23O Nanak, if one dies in the fear of God, his coming into the world is blessed and approved. ||1||

24Third Mehla:

25Without the fear of God, you may live very, very long, and savor the most enjoyable pleasures.

26O Nanak, if you die without the fear of God, you will arise and depart with a blackened face. ||2||

27Pauree:

28When the True Guru is merciful, then your desires will be fulfilled.

29When the True Guru is merciful, you will never grieve.

30When the True Guru is merciful, you will know no pain.

31When the True Guru is merciful, you will enjoy the Lord's Love.

32When the True Guru is merciful, then why should you fear death?

33When the True Guru is merciful, the body is always at peace.

34When the True Guru is merciful, the nine treasures are obtained.

35When the True Guru is merciful, you shall be absorbed in the True Lord. ||25||

36Shalok, First Mehla:

37They pluck the hair out of their heads, and drink in filthy water; they beg endlessly and eat the garbage which others have thrown away.

38They spread manure, they suck in rotting smells, and they are afraid of clean water.

39Their hands are smeared with ashes, and the hair on their heads is plucked out-they are like sheep!

40They have renounced the lifestyle of their mothers and fathers, and their families and relatives cry out in distress.

41No one offers the rice dishes at their last rites, and no one lights the lamps for them. After their death, where will they be sent?

42The sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage give them no place of protection, and no Brahmin will eat their food.

43They remain polluted forever, day and night; they do not apply the ceremonial tilak mark to their foreheads.

44They sit together in silence, as if in mourning; they do not go to the Lord's Court.

45With their begging bowls hanging from their waists, and their fly-brushes in their hands, they walk along in single file.

46They are not Yogis, and they are not Jangams, followers of Shiva. They are not Qazis or Mullahs.