I cannot conceive of any other, who could be seated upon the royal cushions.
ਨਰਕ ਨਿਵਾਰਣੁ ਨਰਹ ਨਰੁ ਸਾਚਉ ਸਾਚੈ ਨਾਇ ॥
narak nivaaran narah nar saacha-o saachai naa-ay.
The Supreme Man of men eradicates hell; He is True, and True is His Name.
ਵਣੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਣੁ ਢੂਢਤ ਫਿਰਿ ਰਹੀ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਰਉ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
vantarindhoodhat fir rahee man meh kara-o beechaar.
I wandered around searching for Him in the forests and meadows; I contemplate Him within my mind.
ਲਾਲ ਰਤਨ ਬਹੁ ਮਾਣਕੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਹਾਥਿ ਭੰਡਾਰੁ ॥
laal ratan baho maankee satgur haath bhandaar.
The treasures of myriads of pearls, jewels and emeralds are in the hands of the True Guru.
ਊਤਮੁ ਹੋਵਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਏਕੈ ਭਾਇ ॥
ootam hovaa parabh milai ik man aykai bhaa-ay.
Meeting with God, I am exalted and elevated; I love the One Lord single-mindedly.
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਰਸਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈ ਪਰਥਾਇ ॥
naanak pareetam ras milay laahaa lai parthaa-ay.
O Nanak, one who lovingly meets with his Beloved, earns profit in the world hereafter.
ਰਚਨਾ ਰਾਚਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਰਚੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਿਰਿਆ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥
rachnaa raach jin rachee jin siri-aa aakaar.
He who created and formed the creation, made your form as well.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੇਅੰਤੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰੁ ॥੪੬॥
gurmukh bay-antDhi-aa-ee-ai ant na paaraavaar. ||46||
As Gurmukh, meditate on the Infinite Lord, who has no end or limitation. ||46||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
In plain words
I can picture no one else worthy of the highest seat.
The greatest of all does away with hell — true, and true is the Naam.
I wandered through forests and meadows searching; now I think on the One in my own mind.
The treasure of countless rubies, jewels and emeralds is in the True Guru's hands.
Meeting the One, I am lifted high; I love the single One with a single heart.
Nanak says: whoever lovingly meets the Beloved earns the profit for the world beyond.
The One who made all creation shaped your form too.
Turned toward the Guru, keep the endless One in mind, the One with no end and no edge.
The treasure you're searching the world for is in the Guru's hands.
The deeper layer
Narak nivaaran — the One does away with narak, hell, the lowest state a life can fall to. The treasure (laal ratan) is in the True Guru's hands, not in the forests one searches. Jin siri-aa aakaar — the Maker of all creation made your form too, an intimate belonging.
A Question to Sit With
Where have you been searching far for something a guide could hand you?
