Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
While the sickness of old age has not yet come to the body,
while death has not yet taken hold of the body,
while your voice has not yet grown weak,
O my mind, sing to the Lord of the World.
While you are strong and your voice is clear, sing to the One.
Jab lag jaraa rog nahee aa-i-aa: as long as the sickness of old age has not come. Jab lag kaal garsee nahee kaa-i-aa: as long as death has not seized the body. Jab lag bikal bha-ee nahee baanee: as long as the voice has not grown weak. Old age and death come to every body in its own time; that is how bodies are. The three lines name them plainly so the call that follows rings clear: bhaj layhi ray man saarigpaanee, sing now, O mind, to the Lord of the World. Saarigpaanee means "the One who holds the bow," a name for the One who protects the world.
What good habit is easiest to build now, while you're young, rather than putting off for later?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI