Savaiye in praise of Guru Ram Das, Verse 2 — seeing the Guru, like the sacred river
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Holy people sing the Guru's sweet, nectar words with delight in their hearts.
Seeing the Guru makes life in this world worth it. It brings joy every day.
Seeing the Guru is like the sacred river Ganga in this world. Meeting him, you reach the highest, purest place.
Even people who have done wrong win over the city of death, if they become the One's humble servants and are filled with the Guru's wisdom.
He shines like Ram in the house of King Dasrath, of the Raghu family. Even the silent sages long for his shelter.
So serve the true Guru, whose ways no one can know. Guru Ram Das is the boat that carries us across.
Seeing the Guru is like coming to the sacred river: you leave washed and new.
Gur darsan means the sight and presence of the Guru. The bard compares it to the Ganga, the river where people go to bathe and feel clean. Holy people sing the Guru's words with delight, and being near him brings joy every day.
Jeeteh jam lok patit jay paraanee means even people who have done wrong can win over the city of death, the place old stories say all must go. They do it by becoming humble servants of the One, filled with the Guru's wisdom.
The bard also compares the Guru to Ram, born in the house of King Dasrath, a hero honored in Hindu tradition. The closing line returns: Guru Ram Das is the boat that carries us across.
Have you ever seen someone turn things around after a big mistake? What made it possible?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI