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1Ruined by the Merciful Lord, they wander around in disgrace, and their entire troop is contaminated.

2The Lord alone kills and restores to life; no one else can protect anyone from Him.

3They go without giving alms or any cleansing baths; their shaven heads become covered with dust.

4The jewel emerged from the water, when the mountain of gold was used to churn it.

5The gods established the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage, where the festivals are celebrated and hymns are chanted.

6After bathing, the Muslims recite their prayers, and after bathing, the Hindus perform their worship services. The wise always take cleansing baths.

7At the time of death, and at the time of birth, they are purified, when water is poured on their heads.

8O Nanak, the shaven-headed ones are devils. They are not pleased to hear these words.

9When it rains, there is happiness. Water is the key to all life.

10When it rains, the corn grows, and the sugar cane, and the cotton, which provides clothing for all.

11When it rains, the cows always have grass to graze upon, and housewives can churn the milk into butter.

12With that ghee, sacred feasts and worship services are performed; all these efforts are blessed.

13The Guru is the ocean, and all His Teachings are the river. Bathing within it, glorious greatness is obtained.

14O Nanak, if the shaven-headed ones do not bathe, then seven handfuls of ashes are upon their heads. ||1||

15Second Mehla:

16What can the cold do to the fire? How can the night affect the sun?

17What can the darkness do to the moon? What can social status do to air and water?

18What are personal possessions to the earth, from which all things are produced?

19O Nanak, he alone is known as honorable, whose honor the Lord preserves. ||2||

20Pauree:

21It is of You, O my True and Wondrous Lord, that I sing forever.

22Yours is the True Court. All others are subject to coming and going.

23Those who ask for the gift of the True Name are like You.

24Your Command is True; we are adorned with the Word of Your Shabad.

25Through faith and trust, we receive spiritual wisdom and meditation from You.

26By Your Grace, the banner of honor is obtained. It cannot be taken away or lost.

27You are the True Giver; You give continually. Your Gifts continue to increase.

28Nanak begs for that gift which is pleasing to You. ||26||

29Shalok, Second Mehla:

30Those who have accepted the Guru's Teachings, and who have found the path, remain absorbed in the Praises of the True Lord.

31What teachings can be imparted to those who have the Divine Guru Nanak as their Guru? ||1||

32First Mehla:

33We understand the Lord only when He Himself inspires us to understand Him.

34He alone knows everything, unto whom the Lord Himself gives knowledge.

35One may talk and preach and give sermons but still yearn after Maya.

36The Lord, by the Hukam of His Command, has created the entire creation.

37He Himself knows the inner nature of all.

38O Nanak, He Himself uttered the Word.

39Doubt departs from one who receives this gift. ||2||

40Pauree:

41I was a minstrel, out of work, when the Lord took me into His service.

42To sing His Praises day and night, He gave me His Order, right from the start.

43My Lord and Master has summoned me, His minstrel, to the True Mansion of His Presence.

44He has dressed me in the robes of His True Praise and Glory.

45The Ambrosial Nectar of the True Name has become my food.

46Those who follow the Guru's Teachings, who eat this food and are satisfied, find peace.

47His minstrel spreads His Glory, singing and vibrating the Word of His Shabad.

48O Nanak, praising the True Lord, I have obtained His Perfection. ||27||Sudh||