ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਪੁੰਨ ਪਾਪ ਬੀਚਾਰਦੇ ਤਤੈ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣੀ ॥
The scholars read Simritees and Shashtras to learn and distinguish between good and evil, but they do not relish the real essence of the teachings.
ਤਤੈ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਤਤੈ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣੀ ॥
Without the grace of Guru, the taste of spiritual essence, ecstasy and bliss eludes them.
ਤਿਹੀ ਗੁਣੀ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਸੁਤਾ ਸੁਤਿਆ ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ ॥
The world lies deep in the slumber of the three modes of Maya and duality. It squanders away its sublime night of precious life and opportunity sleeping.
ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਜਾਗੇ ਜਿਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
Awake are those, who, with their Guru’s blessings, keep the Lord in their consciousness, reciting the ambrosial verses of the their Guru.
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸੋ ਤਤੁ ਪਾਏ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੈ ਜਾਗਤ ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ ॥੨੭॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 920}
Says Nanak, only they taste the real essence of divine bliss, who remain focused on the One. They spend the night of worldly woes and attachment, keeping spiritually aware and awake.
(27) SGGS 920
Note: As long as the majority of us are caught in the web of the three Modes (Gunnas) of Maya, Tammo, Rajjo, Satto, there will always be strife in the world. But, the precious few who rise above these, fortunately, hold the balance between chaos and tranquility, between sanity and insanity.