Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
How could I ever tell how good You are? You are bigger than the biggest.
I praise Your Name day and night. That is my one hope.
I am a fool. I know so little. How could I find where You end?
Nanak serves You. He carries water for those who serve You.
You don't need all the answers. You just need to hold on to the Name.
The verse is happy to be small. Ham ki-aa gun tayray vithreh — what good things of Yours could I ever describe? You are bigger than the biggest. The singer is not upset about this. Har naam saalaahah din raat — I praise the Name day and night, and that is my one hope and support.
Then an honest line: ham moorakh kichhoo-a na jaanhaa — I am foolish and know nothing. This is not putting yourself down. It is the relief of not having to know everything. Think of a small child on a parent's shoulders at a parade. They cannot see how the whole thing is run, and they do not need to. The last picture is almost playful: panihaaro, the water-carrier for the One's servants. The singer is happy to do the humblest, most helpful job. Being small, held cheerfully, is its own kind of freedom.
Does it feel freeing to admit there's a lot you don't know yet?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI