Savaiye in Praise of Guru Arjun (Bhatt Mathura), Verse 2 — the boat that carries the whole world
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
He is truth in a human form. He holds the True Name, truth and contentment in his heart.
From the very beginning, the First Being wrote this destiny on his forehead.
His light shines out, dazzling, and its glow spreads across the world.
Meeting the Guru, touching the stone that turns iron to gold, he was called the Guru.
Mathura says: I keep my mind fixed on him always, and I stay facing him.
In this dark age, Guru Arjun is the ship. Holding on to him, the whole world is carried across.
Guru Arjun is a ship strong enough to carry the whole world across. Kaljug jahaaj arjun guroo means "in this dark age, Guru Arjun is the ship." Picture a big, steady ferry on a stormy lake. Everyone who climbs on gets across.
It starts with truth. Sat roop sat naam sat santokh: he is truth in form, he holds the True Name, and he is full of truth and contentment.
Achhar mastak Dhur means "letters written on the forehead from the start." It is an old way of speaking about destiny: this light was part of who he was meant to be. His light shines out and spreads through the world.
He touched the paaras, the stone that turns iron to gold, and became one who can change others. The bard Mathura keeps his mind turned toward him. Sanmukh means facing him, heart and all. The age may feel dark, and the ship is here.
What is something worth giving your full attention to, not just half?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI