The Closing Saloks, Savaiye in Praise of Guru Amar Das (the bard Keerat)
Stand near the good, and the good rubs off on you.
The Arc
A single verse: the Teacher’s darshan gives meditation, truth, and contentment; he is a river of pearls who lifts the sinking in an instant; and those who serve Guru Amar Das have their pains and poverty carried far away.
Themes and Cross-Connections
The theme is transformation by nearness — the gifts of company (sat sangat) received almost effortlessly. The river-of-pearls image makes rescue swift and gentle.
Translation Notes
An original reference to a cleared account in the City of Death is set aside in favor of the verse’s own images of rescue and relief, per the wellbeing rule.
Stand near the good, and the good rubs off on you.
The Arc
A single verse: the Teacher’s darshan gives meditation, truth, and contentment; he is a river of pearls who lifts the sinking in an instant; and those who serve Guru Amar Das have their pains and poverty carried far away.
Themes and Cross-Connections
The theme is transformation by nearness — the gifts of company (sat sangat) received almost effortlessly. The river-of-pearls image makes rescue swift and gentle.
Translation Notes