Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I am the water-carrier for the servants of His servants; I treasure the dust of their feet in my soul.
By the good fortune written for me, I gain their company — and through love, the Master meets me.
This one says: choose the lowest place, because that is where the One meets you.
Guru Arjan goes very low on purpose. Daasan daasee kee panihaar — I am the water-carrier for the servants of His servants. Not even a helper. The helper of the helpers of the helpers.
And he treasures rayn, the dust of their feet. In his time, this meant the deepest respect for good people. Then he says: by good fortune I found their company, and through love, the Master meets me.
Think of a big family event. The kind uncle is in the kitchen washing dishes. That is where the real warmth is, and where you find him. Love, not rank, is where we meet the One. Guru Arjan says the same in another song too.
Why might the humblest place be the surest place to meet what is greatest?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI