ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਤੇ ਗਤਿ ਮਿਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
gur pooray tay gat mit paa-ee.
From the Perfect Guru, the way to salvation is obtained.
ਇਹੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਬਿਖੁ ਵਤ ਅਤਿ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਰਿ ਲੰਘਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ih sansaar bikh vat at bha-ojal gur sabdee har paar langhaa-ee. ||1|| rahaa-o.
This world is a terrifying ocean of poison; through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, the Lord helps us cross over. ||1||Pause||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
From the Perfect Guru, the way across is found.
This world is a terrifying ocean of poison; the Guru's Word ferries us over it.
The world can be a poison-ocean; the Guru's Word is the boat across.
The Pause gives the governing image: the world as a "terrifying ocean of poison" (bhavjal), and the Guru's Shabad as the ferry across. Note poison, not merely water — the danger is not just drowning but the slow toxicity of a grasping life. The Word is the only reliable crossing.
A Question to Sit With
What helps you stay afloat when life feels overwhelming?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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