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1They alone meet Him, whom the Lord causes to meet.

2The virtuous soul bride continually contemplates His Virtues.

3O Nanak, following the Guru's Teachings, one meets the Lord, the true friend. ||17||

4Unfulfilled sexual desire and unresolved anger waste the body away,

5as gold is dissolved by borax.

6The gold is touched to the touchstone, and tested by fire;

7when its pure color shows through, it is pleasing to the eye of the assayer.

8The world is a beast, and arrogent Death is the butcher.

9The created beings of the Creator receive the karma of their actions.

10He who created the world, knows its worth.

11What else can be said? There is nothing at all to say. ||18||

12Searching, searching, I drink in the Ambrosial Nectar.

13I have adopted the way of tolerance, and given my mind to the True Guru.

14Everyone calls himself true and genuine.

15He alone is true, who obtains the jewel throughout the four ages.

16Eating and drinking, one dies, but still does not know.

17He dies in an instant, when he realizes the Word of the Shabad.

18His consciousness becomes permanently stable, and his mind accepts death.

19By Guru's Grace, he realizes the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||19||

20The Profound Lord dwells in the sky of the mind, the Tenth Gate;

21singing His Glorious Praises, one dwells in intuitive poise and peace.

22He does not go to come, or come to go.

23By Guru's Grace, he remains lovingly focused on the Lord.

24The Lord of the mind-sky is inaccessible, independent and beyond birth.

25The most worthy Samaadhi is to keep the consciousness stable, focused on Him.

26Remembering the Lord's Name, one is not subject to reincarnation.

27The Guru's Teachings are the most Excellent; all other ways lack the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||20||

28Wandering to countless doorsteps and homes, I have grown weary.

29My incarnations are countless, without limit.

30I have had so many mothers and fathers, sons and daughters.

31I have had so many gurus and disciples.

32Through a false guru, liberation is not found.

33There are so many brides of the One Husband Lord - consider this.

34The Gurmukh dies, and lives with God.

35Searching in the ten directions, I found Him within my own home.

36I have met Him; the True Guru has led me to meet Him. ||21||

37The Gurmukh sings, and the Gurmukh speaks.

38The Gurmukh evaluates the value of the Lord, and inspires others to evaluate Him as well.

39The Gurmukh comes and goes without fear.

40His filth is taken away, and his stains are burnt off.

41The Gurmukh contemplates the sound current of the Naad for his Vedas.

42The Gurmukh's cleansing bath is the performance of good deeds.

43For the Gurmukh, the Shabad is the most excellent Ambrosial Nectar.

44O Nanak, the Gurmukh crosses over. ||22||

45The fickle consciousness does not remain stable.

46The deer secretly nibbles at the green sprouts.

47One who enshrines the Lord's lotus feet in his heart and consciousness

48lives long, always remembering the Lord.

49Everyone has worries and cares.

50He alone finds peace, who thinks of the One Lord.

51When the Lord dwells in the consciousness, and one is absorbed in the Lord's Name,

52one is liberated, and returns home with honor. ||23||

53The body falls apart, when one knot is untied.

54Behold, the world is on the decline; it will be totally destroyed.

55Only one who looks alike upon sunshine and shade

56has his bonds shattered; he is liberated and returns home.

57Maya is empty and petty; she has defrauded the world.

58Such destiny is pre-ordained by past actions.

59Youth is wasting away; old age and death hover above the head.