Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Listening, always, to Your glory, I live.
I am worthless — save me, Lord!
Guru Arjan says two things at once: I live by hearing about You, and I need You to lift me up.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. Sun sun jeevaa so-ay tumhaaree — I live by listening again and again to Your glory. Listening is like breathing for the soul. Japji Sahib calls this Suniai, deep listening.
Then comes a humble cry. Mohi nirgun ka-o layho uDhaaree — I am nirgun, without any goodness of my own, so lift me up and save me. It is like a small child reaching up both arms to be carried.
These two go together. Hearing how great the One is, and admitting how much we need the One. They are the two halves of a life of love for the One.
What gives you life when you really stop and listen for it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI