Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O my true Guru, protect me, Your child, by the power of Your play.
Give me the good sense to sing Your praises always, my unreachable, infinite Master.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. It is a child's prayer.
Mayray satgur apnay baalik raakho — my true Guru, keep me safe; I am Your child.
Then Guru Arjan asks for something surprising. Dayh sumat sadaa gun gaavaa — give me the good sense to sing Your praises always. Even the wish to praise is something we ask for.
Here wisdom is not being clever. It is the simple good sense to keep turning toward the One, like a sunflower that keeps turning toward the sun.
What would 'good sense' look like if it meant wisdom of the heart, not cleverness?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI