Savaiye in Praise of Guru Angad, Verse 1 — the light passes, hand to forehead
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
Blessed is the First Being, the Creator, the all-powerful Cause of all causes.
Blessed is the True Guru Nanak, who placed his hand on your forehead.
When he placed his hand on your forehead, sweet nectar began to pour down like rain. Gods and people, heavenly helpers and sages were soaked in its fragrance.
You faced down death, that cruel thorn, and held back your wandering mind. You brought the five wild pulls inside under control and keep them together in one home.
Through the Guru's door you have won the world. You play the game evenly, and you keep your love steady on the Formless One.
Kal Sahaar says: sing the praise of Lehnaa through all seven continents. He met the One and became the Guru of the world.
Guru Nanak's hand rests on Lehnaa's forehead, and the light of the Guru passes on: Lehnaa becomes Guru Angad.
This begins the Savaiye in praise of the second Guru. Guru Angad was born Bhai Lehnaa. Guru Nanak placing his hand on his forehead is the passing of the Guruship, the one light handed on. Ami-o vuth-o: nectar rained down.
Panch bhoot ayk ghar raakh: keeping the five in one home. The five can mean the five elements a body is made of, or the five pulls of the mind: lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride. Either way, Guru Angad holds them steady instead of being pulled apart by them. Winning the world, jag jeeta-o, means this inner steadiness, with love held firm on the Formless One, nirankaar.
The bard is Kal Sahaar.
What does it feel like when your mind settles down and stays steady?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI