Savaiye in Praise of Guru Arjun (Bhatt Mathura), Verse 1 — one flame lighting the next
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The One, as pure light, was called Guru Nanak.
From him came Guru Angad, essence merged into essence, like one flame lighting another.
Guru Angad, in his kindness, set Guru Amar Das firmly in place as the True Guru.
Guru Amar Das gave Guru Ram Das the canopy of lasting life.
Mathura says: seeing Guru Ram Das, my words became as sweet as nectar.
With your own eyes, look at the proven First Being, Guru Arjun, the fifth form of the Guru.
The light of the One is a single flame, passed from Guru to Guru, like a relay torch carried by one runner after another.
It starts with Guru Nanak. The One, as pure light, was called Guru Nanak. From him came Guru Angad. Tat si-o tat milaa-ya-o means "essence merged with essence." It was the same light, poured into a new lamp.
Guru Angad, in his kindness, set Guru Amar Das firmly in place. Guru Amar Das gave Guru Ram Das the amrat chhatar, the canopy of lasting life. It shelters each Guru in turn.
The bard Mathura, one of the bhatts who sang the praise of the Gurus, says that seeing Guru Ram Das made his own speech sweet as nectar. Then he invites us: pikhahu na-yan, "see with your own eyes." He makes us witnesses. Look at Guru Arjun, the fifth Guru, proven true. One light, five lamps.
Have you ever passed something good to someone and still had it yourself?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI