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266

1You try all sorts of things, but your thirst is still not satisfied.

2Wearing various religious robes, the fire is not extinguished.

3Even making millions of efforts, you shall not be accepted in the Court of the Lord.

4You cannot escape to the heavens, or to the nether regions,

5if you are entangled in emotional attachment and the net of Maya.

6All other efforts are punished by the Messenger of Death,

7which accepts nothing at all, except meditation on the Lord of the Universe.

8Chanting the Name of the Lord, sorrow is dispelled.

9O Nanak, chant it with intuitive ease. ||4||

10One who prays for the four cardinal blessings

11should commit himself to the service of the Saints.

12If you wish to erase your sorrows,

13sing the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, within your heart.

14If you long for honor for yourself,

15then renounce your ego in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy.

16If you fear the cycle of birth and death,

17then seek the Sanctuary of the Holy.

18Those who thirst for the Blessed Vision of God's Darshan

19- Nanak is a sacrifice, a sacrifice to them. ||5||

20Among all persons, the supreme person is the one

21who gives up his egotistical pride in the Company of the Holy.

22One who sees himself as lowly,

23shall be accounted as the highest of all.

24One whose mind is the dust of all,

25recognizes the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, in each and every heart.

26One who eradicates cruelty from within his own mind,

27looks upon all the world as his friend.

28One who looks upon pleasure and pain as one and the same,

29O Nanak, is not affected by sin or virtue. ||6||

30To the poor, Your Name is wealth.

31To the homeless, Your Name is home.

32To the dishonored, You, O God, are honor.

33To all, You are the Giver of gifts.

34O Creator Lord, Cause of causes, O Lord and Master,

35Inner-knower, Searcher of all hearts:

36You alone know Your own condition and state.

37You Yourself, God, are imbued with Yourself.

38You alone can celebrate Your Praises.

39O Nanak, no one else knows. ||7||

40Of all religions, the best religion

41is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct.

42Of all religious rituals, the most sublime ritual

43is to erase the filth of the dirty mind in the Company of the Holy.

44Of all efforts, the best effort

45is to chant the Name of the Lord in the heart, forever.

46Of all speech, the most ambrosial speech

47is to hear the Lord's Praise and chant it with the tongue.

48Of all places, the most sublime place,

49O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides. ||8||3||

50Shalok:

51You worthless, ignorant fool - dwell upon God forever.

52Cherish in your consciousness the One who created you; O Nanak, He alone shall go along with you. ||1||

53Ashtapadee:

54Think of the Glory of the All-pervading Lord, O mortal;

55what is your origin, and what is your appearance?

56He who fashioned, adorned and decorated you

57in the fire of the womb, He preserved you.

58In your infancy, He gave you milk to drink.

59In the flower of your youth, He gave you food, pleasure and understanding.

60As you grow old, family and friends are there to feed you as you rest.

source: Sri Guru Granth Sahib · BaniDB