Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O true Guru, by Your Words,
even the worthless have been saved.
The Guru's words can lift up anyone, even someone who feels they have nothing good to offer.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. It says the main idea plainly. Satgur bachan tumhaaray — O True Guru, by Your words. Nirgun nistaaray — even the nirgun are carried across to safety. Nirgun means someone without virtues of their own to show.
Think of a lifeguard at the pool. The lifeguard does not ask if you are a good swimmer before pulling you out. The help comes because you need it.
It is the same with the Guru's Word. The saving comes from the Word itself, not from how good the person already was.
What would it mean to be saved not for what you are, but by something freely given?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI