Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The wealth and beauty that once gave them so much pleasure turned into their enemies — the very things that drew the soldiers upon them.
The order was given, and the soldiers seized them, disgraced them, and carried them away.
If it pleases His Will, He bestows greatness; if it pleases His Will, He bestows punishment.
This one is about how the gifts people were proud of became the very reason they were hurt.
Dhan joban du-ay vairee ho-ay — their wealth and their youth became their enemies. These gifts had brought them joy. Now they drew the soldiers to them. The soldiers were given orders, and they took the women away and shamed them.
If someone is being unkind to you or hurting you, that is never something you have to accept. Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do.
Then Guru Nanak names "Hukam," the One's will, at its hardest. Jay tis bhaavai day vadi-aa-ee jay bhaavai day-ay sajaa-ay — if it pleases the One, greatness is given; if it pleases the One, punishment comes.
He does not pretend this is comforting. If nothing happens outside the One, then this too happened while the One was watching. The hymn holds that hard thought honestly. It does not run from it, and it does not rush to explain it.
It is like a grown-up who says, "I don't fully understand why this happened," instead of making up an easy answer. That honesty is brave. The hymn's last verse will not give a neat answer either. It will ask a question.
Is it harder to trust the One in good times or in terrible ones?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI