ਪਉੜੀ ੧੨

paurree 12

ਗਲੀਂ ਜੇ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਤੋਤਾ ਕਿਉ ਫਾਸੈ ।

galeen je sahu paaeeai totaa kiau faasai |

If mere chatter could help meet the beloved, why should a parrot remain encaged?

ਮਿਲੈ ਨ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਸਿਆਣਪੈ ਕਾਉ ਗੂੰਹੁ ਗਿਰਾਸੈ ।

milai na bahut siaanapai kaau goonhu giraasai |

He is not attained by over-cleverness and the clever crow ultimately eats faeces.

ਜੋਰਾਵਰੀ ਨ ਜਿਪਈ ਸੀਹ ਸਹਾ ਵਿਣਾਸੈ ।

joraavaree na jipee seeh sahaa vinaasai |

The power also does not win (the intellect wins) because an hare caused a lion killed (by showing its reflection and making it jump into the well).

ਗੀਤ ਕਵਿਤੁ ਨ ਭਿਜਈ ਭਟ ਭੇਖ ਉਦਾਸੈ ।

geet kavit na bhijee bhatt bhekh udaasai |

The beloved is not lured by lyrics and poems, otherwise why should minstrels adopt the garb of sannyasis.

ਜੋਬਨ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਮੋਹੀਐ ਰੰਗੁ ਕੁਸੁੰਭ ਦੁਰਾਸੈ ।

joban roop na moheeai rang kusunbh duraasai |

He is not attracted by youth and beauty because the colour of safflower is not permanent.

ਵਿਣੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਦੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਪਿਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਨ ਹਾਸੈ ।੧੨।

vin sevaa dohaaganee pir milai na haasai |12|

Without service (to the Lord and His creation) this soul is deserted woman and the beloved is not attained merely by laughing (foolishly). He is attained through service.