Sikhism·Raag Basant·Shabad 9
Verse 5 of 5

From Gray Crane to White Swan

ਬਗੁਲੇ ਤੇ ਫੁਨਿ ਹੰਸੁਲਾ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੇ ਤੂ ਕਰਹਿ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥
bagulay tay fun hansulaa hovai jay too karahi da-i-aalaa.
The crane is again transformed into a swan, if You so will, O Merciful Lord.
ਪ੍ਰਣਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸਾ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥੪॥੧॥੯॥
paranvat naanak daasan daasaa da-i-aa karahu da-i-aalaa. ||4||1||9||
Prays Nanak, the slave of Your slaves: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me. ||4||1||9||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

If You so wish, kind One, a plain gray crane can be changed into a shining white swan.

Nanak prays, the servant of Your servants: kind One, please be kind to me.

With grace, even the plainest of us can be changed into something shining.
The deeper layer

By the One's kindness, a plain crane can become a shining swan.

The close holds out a picture of complete change: the bagulaa (a common gray crane, an old symbol of a pretend holy man) becomes a hansaa (a pure white swan, symbol of a wise soul), but only jay too karahi, if You will it. Change this deep is a gift of grace, asked for humbly. In a spring raag, it is the ultimate greening: even the plainest bird can be made to shine.

A Question to Sit With

What is something ordinary that can turn into something beautiful with the right care?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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