Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The washerman washes the clothes, his heart soaked in love and longing.
My mind is soaked through, dyed deep in love for the feet of the One.
Ordinary work can be full of love for the One.
Dhobee Dhovai birah biraataa — the washerman washes clothes, soaked in love and longing. Har charan mayraa man raataa — my mind is dyed in love for the One's feet. The feet stand for humble closeness to the One.
Namdev came from a family of cloth-printers and tailors. People in his time often looked down on this kind of work. But he makes the washerman's everyday job into an act of love. Think of someone making dinner for their family, humming while they cook. The work is plain, but the love is in every stir. Any honest work can be prayer.
What everyday task could you do with a little more love in it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI