Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I saw the world drowning, and I ran away in fear;
how very fortunate are those saved by the true Guru. O Nanak, they are attached to the feet of the Guru.
When you see the world sinking, the wise thing is to run to safety with the Guru.
The shabad ends with a strong picture. Boodat jag daykhi-aa ta-o dar bhaagay — I saw the world drowning, and I ran away in fear. The world is like a deep ocean, and many people are going under. Seeing that danger, the soul runs for safety.
Satgur raakhay say vadbhaagay — how fortunate are those the True Guru saves. They hold on at the Guru's feet, like someone holding tight to a lifeboat in a storm. This is a good kind of fear. It is the fear that sends you inside when the lightning starts.
What danger, seen clearly, would make you run toward safety?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI