Savaiye Sri Mukhbak (Mehl 5), Verse 12 — A rare and precious life
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
From a tiny seed planted in the mother's body, this human body, so hard to get, is shaped and made beautiful.
You eat and drink and enjoy good things; your troubles are cut away and your pain is taken off.
You are given the sense to know your mother, father, brothers and relatives.
You grow bigger day by day, and hard old age comes closer and closer.
O you without virtue, small, a little worm caught in Maya — remember your Master, even for a moment!
Nanak prays: O Kind One, Treasure of kindness, take me by the hand and cut away this heavy load of doubt.
A human life is a rare gift, so remember the Master before old age comes.
Ranchak rayt: a tiny seed. Durlabh dayh: the body that is hard to get. Gurbani often calls a human life a rare chance to remember the One. Bikhamm jaree: hard old age, coming nearer every day.
Maa-i-aa kiram: a worm of Maya, someone so caught up in the world's pull that they forget the Giver. The harsh name is a wake-up call. Kar geh layho: take me by the hand, the way a parent takes a small child's hand to cross a busy street.
What is something ordinary in your day that you could pause and be grateful for?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI