They are not equal to Har, Haray - O Nanak, the Lord's Invaluable Name. ||1||

ASHTAPADEE:

Chanting, intense meditation, spiritual wisdom and all meditations;

the six schools of philosophy and sermons on the scriptures;

the practice of Yoga and righteous conduct;

the renunciation of everything and wandering around in the wilderness;

the performance of all sorts of works;

donations to charities and offerings of jewels to fire;

cutting the body apart and making the pieces into ceremonial fire offerings;

keeping fasts and making vows of all sorts

- none of these are equal to the contemplation of the Name of the Lord,

O Nanak, if, as Gurmukh, one chants the Naam, even once. ||1||

You may roam over the nine continents of the world and live a very long life;

you may become a great ascetic and a master of disciplined meditation

and burn yourself in fire;

you may give away gold, horses, elephants and land;

you may practice techniques of inner cleansing and all sorts of Yogic postures;

you may adopt the self-mortifying ways of the Jains and great spiritual disciplines;

piece by piece, you may cut your body apart;

but even so, the filth of your ego shall not depart.

There is nothing equal to the Name of the Lord.

O Nanak, as Gurmukh, chant the Naam, and obtain salvation. ||2||

With your mind filled with desire, you may give up your body at a sacred shrine of pilgrimage;

but even so, egotistical pride shall not be removed from your mind.

You may practice cleansing day and night,

but the filth of your mind shall not leave your body.

You may subject your body to all sorts of disciplines,

but your mind will never be rid of its corruption.

You may wash this transitory body with loads of water,

but how can a wall of mud be washed clean?

O my mind, the Glorious Praise of the Name of the Lord is the highest;

O Nanak, the Naam has saved so many of the worst sinners. ||3||

Even with great cleverness, the fear of death clings to you.

Section 07 - Raag Gauree - Part 116

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

Wearing various religious robes, the fire is not extinguished.

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

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

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

All other efforts are punished by the Messenger of Death,

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

Chanting the Name of the Lord, sorrow is dispelled.

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

One who prays for the four cardinal blessings

should commit himself to the service of the Saints.