bwhr kI Agin bUJq jl srqw kY nwau mY jau Agin lwgY kYsy kY buJweIAY ]

baahar kee agani boojhat jal sarataa kai , naau mai jau agani laagai kaisay kai bujhaaeeai |

Fire burning outside the stream can be extinguished with the water of the stream, but if the boat in the river catches fire, how can that be extinguished?

bwhr sY Bwig Et lIjIAq kot gV gV mY jau lUit lIjY kho kq jweIAY ]

baahar sai bhaagi aot leejeeat kot garha , garh mai jau looti leejai kaho kat jaaeeai |

Escaping from the attack of a robber while out in the open, one can run and take shelter in a fort or such other place but when someone robs in the fort, what can be done then?

corn kY qRws jwie srin ghY nirMd mwrY mhIpiq jIau kYsy kY bcweIAY ]

choran kai traas jaai sarani gahai narinda , maarai maheepati jeeu kaisay kai bachaaeeai |

If for fear of thieves one takes refuge with a ruler and if the ruler starts punishing, then what can be done ?

mwieAw fr frpq hwr gurduArY jwvY qhw jau mwieAw ibAwpY khw ThrweIAY ]544]

maaiaa dar darapat haar gurduarai jaavai , tahaa jau maaiaa biaapai kahaa tthaharaaeeai |544|

Fearing the dragon-net of worldly compulsions, if one goes to the door of Guru, and if maya overpowers on him there too, then there is no escape. (544)