Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O my mind, how could you forget the One's Naam?
When this body comes to its end, you will have to meet death.
Keep the Naam close now, because the body does not last.
This is the rahaa-o, the pause line, the center of the shabad: a gentle wake-up call from Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru. Man kahaa bisaari-o raam naam means my mind, why have you forgotten the Naam?
Tan binsai means the body does not last. The verse also speaks of meeting death's messenger. We can hold this gently. The point is not to be scared. It is to see that today is precious. Think of the last week of summer holidays. Knowing it will end makes you want to enjoy every day. So keep the One close now, while there is time.
What good thing could you give a little more attention to today, while you have the chance?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI