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Sikhism·Closing Sections·The Closing Saloks
Verse 116 of 152

Salok Vaaraan Te Vadheek (Mehl 4), Salok 116 — the hard path that brings deep peace

ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰਾਂ ਕੀ ਚਾਕਰੀ ਮਹਾਂ ਕਰੜੀ ਸੁਖ ਸਾਰੁ ॥
gur peeraaN kee chaakree mahaaN karrhee sukh saar.
To work for the Guru, or a spiritual teacher, is terribly difficult, but it brings the most excellent peace.
ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਾਏ ਹੇਤ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
nadar karay jis aapnee tis laa-ay hayt pi-aar.
The Lord casts His Glance of Grace, and inspires love and affection.
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵੈ ਲਗਿਆ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਤਰੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
satgur kee sayvai lagi-aa bha-ojal tarai sansaar.
Joined to the service of the True Guru, the mortal being crosses over the terrifying world-ocean.
ਮਨ ਚਿੰਦਿਆ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਇਸੀ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
man chindi-aa fal paa-isee antar bibayk beechaar.
The fruits of the mind's desires are obtained, with clear contemplation and discriminating understanding within.
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਐ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਭੁ ਦੂਖ ਨਿਵਾਰਣਹਾਰੁ ॥੧੬॥
naanak satgur mili-ai parabh paa-ee-ai sabh dookh nivaaranhaar. ||16||
O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, God is found; He is the Eradicator of all sorrow. ||16||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Serving the Guru, or a pir — a spiritual guide — is very hard, but it brings the finest peace.

The One looks with kindness and plants love and affection in that person.

Joined to the True Guru's service, a person crosses the frightening ocean of the world.

They receive what the mind wishes for, with clear, wise understanding inside.

Nanak says: meeting the True Guru, the One is found, who takes away all sorrow.

Serving the Guru is hard, and it brings the deepest peace.
The deeper layer

Serving the Guru is hard, yet it brings the deepest peace, and the One's kind glance makes it possible.

Chaakree is service; mahaa karrhee means very hard, yet sukh saar, the best of peace. Gur peeraa names the Guru and the pir, the Sufi word for a spiritual guide, side by side. Nadar, the kind glance, plants love; bha-ojal tarai, the world-ocean is crossed; bibayk beechaar is clear, wise thinking; the One is dookh nivaaranhaar, the remover of sorrow.

A Question to Sit With

Is there something hard you have done that turned out to be worth it?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

← Verse 115 of 152 Salok Vaaraan Te Vadheek (Mehl 4), Salok 115 — carrying the treasure everywhere
Verse 117 of 152 →Salok Vaaraan Te Vadheek (Mehl 4), Salok 117 — when love points the wrong way
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