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Sikhism·Closing Sections·The Closing Saloks
Verse 62 of 152

Salok Vaaraan Te Vadheek (Mehl 3), Salok 62 — held, mistakes and all

ਅਸੀ ਖਤੇ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਕਮਾਵਦੇ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰੁ ॥
asee khatay bahut kamaavday ant na paaraavaar.
I make so many mistakes, there is no end or limit to them.
ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਬਖਸਿ ਲੈਹੁ ਹਉ ਪਾਪੀ ਵਡ ਗੁਨਹਗਾਰੁ ॥
har kirpaa kar kai bakhas laihu ha-o paapee vad gunahgaar.
O Lord, please be merciful and forgive me; I am a sinner, a great offender.
ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਲੇਖੈ ਵਾਰ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਤੂੰ ਬਖਸਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
har jee-o laykhai vaar na aavee tooN bakhas milaavanhaar.
O Dear Lord, if You made an account of my mistakes, my turn to be forgiven would not even come. Please forgive me, and unite me with Yourself.
ਗੁਰ ਤੁਠੈ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਲਿਆ ਸਭ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਕਟਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥
gur tuthai har parabh mayli-aa sabh kilvikh kat vikaar.
The Guru, in His Pleasure, has united me with the Lord God; He has cut away all my sinful mistakes.
ਜਿਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਜੈਕਾਰੁ ॥੨੯॥
jinaa har har naam Dhi-aa-i-aa jan naanak tinH jaikaar. ||29||
Servant Nanak celebrates the victory of those who meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. ||29||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

We make so many mistakes; there is no end or limit to them.

O One, be kind and forgive me; I have done much wrong, and gone far astray.

Dear One, if You kept count of my mistakes, my turn would never come; You are the One who forgives and joins me to You.

The Guru, pleased, has joined me with the One, and cut away all my wrongs.

Nanak says: victory to those who meditate on the Naam of the One, Har, Har!

If the One kept count, our turn would never come; forgiveness draws us close.
The deeper layer

No one could pay off an account of their mistakes; the One forgives and draws us close.

Asee khatay bahut kamaavday: we make so many mistakes, with no end to them. The speaker stands with nothing to show and asks, bakhas laihu, forgive me. Laykhai vaar na aavee: if the One kept the account, the turn would never come.

The answer is grace. Gur tuthai: when the Guru is pleased, the One draws the person close and cuts away every wrong. The salok ends in celebration, jaikaar, for those who meditate on the Naam.

A Question to Sit With

Is it easier for you to forgive others, or to let yourself off the hook?

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

← Verse 61 of 152 Salok Vaaraan Te Vadheek (Mehl 3), Salok 61 — the fire of wanting goes quiet
Verse 63 of 152 →Salok Vaaraan Te Vadheek (Mehl 3), Salok 63 — the priceless jewel
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