Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Only that person serves the Guru whom the Lord Himself inspires to serve.
O Nanak, the one who offers his head is freed — and honored in the Court of the Lord.
Even the wish to serve was planted in you.
The last verse ties the shabad's two threads together. First, grace all the way down. Gur kee sayvaa so karay jis aap karaa-ay — only the one the One moves to serve serves the Guru. Even the wish to serve comes from the One. It is the root beneath the root.
Second, a surprising trade. Naanak sir day chhootee-ai — offering the head, one is set free. "Offering the head" is a picture. It means handing over pride, the need to always be the boss of yourself, the crown of "me." In return comes freedom, and honor in the dargeh, the true court of the One.
The self-willed person in the pause line lost his honor by clutching it. The servant gains honor by letting go. Branches cut off burn to ashes. The root, well fed, lasts through every season.
What would you have to hand over to feel completely free?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI