Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
I give myself, heart and soul, to the Guru's Word, brothers and sisters. I give everything I am for the Guru's Shabad.
I praise my Guru always, brothers and sisters, and I keep my mind at the Guru's feet.
The Guru's Word is worth giving your whole heart to.
Gur kee banee vitahu vaari-aa — I give myself to the Guru's Bani, the Guru's words. Vaari-aa and bal jaa-ee both mean "I give myself over, completely, in love." It is how you feel about someone you would do anything for. Here that feeling is for the Word.
The shabad begins with a short opening blessing called the Mangalacharan. It is sung in Basant Hindol, a blend of two raags, two musical moods.
Listen for one small word that comes back again and again: bhaa-ee, meaning brother, sister, family. The Guru speaks to everyone as family. No one is placed above anyone else. The Word is for all people, whatever their rank or caste. Then comes gur charnee chit laa-ee — I keep my mind at the Guru's feet. That means staying humble and close, like a student who sits near the teacher to catch every word.
What is something you care about so much you would give it your all?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI