Savaiye in Praise of Guru Ram Das (Bhatt Sall), Verse 1 — the throne of truth, unshakable
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
He crushed clinging and brought it under control. He grabbed craving by the hair and threw it down.
With his power he broke anger to pieces, and sent greed away in shame.
Birth and death stand with folded hands and follow whatever the Guru's command is.
He brought the frightening ocean of the world under control, and, well pleased, carried his Sikhs across.
A royal canopy is over his head, and he sits on the throne of truth, strong in both stillness and the joys of life.
Sall says: Guru Ram Das, your rule is true and lasting, and your army can never be beaten.
The Guru has beaten the pulls inside and sits on a throne of truth that cannot be shaken.
The poet is Sall. He lists moh, clinging; kaam, craving; krodh, anger; and lobh, greed. The verse uses strong, battle-like words for how the Guru beat each one. The point is plain: these pulls no longer rule him.
Hukam jo ho-ay so mannai — life and death stand with folded hands and follow the Hukam, the way all things flow.
He calmed the wild sea of life. Gladly, he carried his Sikhs, his learners, across.
He sits on a throne of truth. Jog bhog sanjut means both still and joyful: at home in quiet prayer and in everyday life.
Think of a captain who stays calm in a storm. The crew feels safe because the captain is steady. Sall ends: your rule cannot be shaken, and your strength cannot be broken.
What is something inside you that you are learning to master?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI