Savaiye in praise of Guru Ram Das, Verse 5 — the light passed from Guru to Guru
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
He fills the empty until it overflows. He has set the Endless One inside his heart.
In his mind he thinks on what is true: the One who breaks pain and wakes up the soul.
He always longs for the One's love, and he himself knows how sweet that love is.
By the True Guru's grace, he enjoys that love with natural ease.
By Guru Nanak's grace and Guru Angad's wise teaching, Guru Amar Das spread the One's command.
Kal says: Guru Ram Das, you have reached the state that is steady and lasts forever.
The light passes from Guru to Guru, like a flame from candle to candle.
The verse opens with the same promise: he fills the empty until it overflows. He holds the Endless One inside his heart. In his mind he thinks on the One who breaks pain and wakes the soul. He always longs for that love, and by grace he tastes it with ease.
Then the verse names the line of Gurus. By Guru Nanak's grace, and through Guru Angad's teaching, Guru Amar Das spread the One's command. Gur amar amar vartaa-i-o plays on his name, since amar can also mean command. Now the light rests in Guru Ram Das.
Think of lighting one candle from another. The new candle burns bright, and the old one loses nothing. Kal says Guru Ram Das has reached a place of lasting, unshakable dignity.
Who taught the person who taught you something important? How far back can you imagine the chain going?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI