Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The treasure of sweet nectar, the love of the One, is found through the true Guru.
The Guru is the true Banker. He gives the Sikh the Name as money to start with.
Blessed is the trader, and blessed the trade! How wonderful is the Banker, the Guru!
Says Nanak, those who find the Guru carry this gift, written on their foreheads from the start.
The best start in life is a gift the Guru hands you first.
Guru Ram Das loves pictures from the market. Gur satgur sachaa saahu hai — the Guru is the true saah, the banker. Sikh day-ay har raasay — he gives the Sikh, the learner, raas, starting money. Here that money is the Name.
A trader cannot trade with empty pockets. The lovely thing is that the starting money is given first, for free. Think of a friend lending you their best bike so you can join the ride. The verse bursts with joy: dhan dhan vanjaaraa vanaj hai — blessed is the trader and the trade, how wonderful the Banker! The last line says those who find the Guru are the ones whose foreheads carry that blessing, written from the start. The Name is a treasure worth more than any money, and all we have to do is receive it.
What is something valuable you were given freely, that you didn't have to earn?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI