Literal translation vs Idiomatic translation

[Redoptics]

So I brought this up in a different post, so I just finished my Japji paath, could not sleep today, its like 4.23 am. Anyway I wanted to understand more of pauri 20, so I went to two random websites and two different translations. What was interesting one looks pure literal translation the other seems Idiomatic translation. Think we need to unify this somehow.

 

Pauri 20 Japji Sahib Ji

ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਆਵਹੁ ਜਾਹੁ ॥੨੦॥

You shall harvest what you plant.

O Nanak, by the Hukam of the Divine Command, we come and go in reincarnation. | 20 |

https://www.sikhdharma.org/japji-sahib-translations/

What you sow is what you shall eat .

O Nanak, by God's Command, we die and take birth. 20

https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Learn_all_of_Japji_Sahib#Pauri_20

 

 

[Not2Cool2Argue]

Where's the difference? The only difference I see is the different synonyms for reincarnation. 

[Redoptics]

3 hours ago, Not2Cool2Argue said:

Where's the difference? The only difference I see is the different synonyms for reincarnation. 

1st says - you harvest what you plant

2nd says - you eat what you sow 

Think this was supposed to be translated to the term you reap what you sow

 

 

 

[intrigued]

On 3/26/2021 at 5:11 AM, Redoptics said:

Think this was supposed to be translated to the term you reap what you sow

Yh it is the same meaning. In Jap Ji Sahib, it is eat (ਖਾਹੁ). In Bhai Gurdaas Vaaran it is

ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਉ ਤੇਹਾ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥

As someone sows, so shall he reap

[Redoptics]

1 hour ago, intrigued said:

Yh it is the same meaning. In Jap Ji Sahib, it is eat (ਖਾਹੁ). In Bhai Gurdaas Vaaran it is

ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਉ ਤੇਹਾ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥

As someone sows, so shall he reap

Translations become problematic, if the context is lost on the reader.