Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The one the world cast out as lowest becomes noble.
The one shoved aside as untouchable becomes pure and fine.
And the burning desire that reached through every realm is finally quenched.
This one says grace lifts up the people the world pushed aside.
In Guru Arjan's time, society ranked people by the family they were born into. This was the caste system. Some people were called "lowly" or "untouchable." Others were never allowed near them. A Brahmin was someone from the priestly families, placed at the top.
The verse says grace turns this upside down. Adham chandaalee bha-ee barahmanee — the one the world called lowest becomes as honored as a Brahmin. The one pushed aside becomes pure and noble. Grace melts away the rankings people make. Guru Nanak lived this welcome for everyone, and Shabad 28 shows it too.
Think of a team captain who picks the kid always chosen last, first. Suddenly everyone sees that kid differently.
And the burning want that reached everywhere, below and above, is finally put out, like water on a fire.
Have you seen someone the world wrote off turn out to be the most worthy of all?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI