Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
"Please listen to my little prayer," my heart says to the One.
Even when I've made lots of mistakes, I'm still Yours — I still belong to You.
You take away pain and give kindness, and you charm the worry right out of a heart.
I've come to You for shelter — please keep me safe; You're everywhere, and always good.
The One hears and sees everything, and is nearer to us than the nearest thing.
"Hear my prayer, and look after Your own."
This Chhant is a prayer of belonging — its refrain-feeling is "I am Yours even when I fall short." The most beautiful phrase is sang sahaaee nikat hee neraa — "God is with us, the nearest of the near." Nearer than the nearest thing you can name: closer than your own breath. This answers the raag's ache of longing at the root — the One we feel far from is actually closest of all. The plea "preserve my honor" (paij raakho) is the trust of one who has thrown themselves on another's kindness. And notice the confidence inside the humility: "I am filled with millions of mistakes, but still I am Your slave" — belonging is not cancelled by failing. For a child: the One you love is nearer than near — closer than close — and you belong to that love even on the days you mess up.
Who loves you so much that you belong to them even when you make mistakes?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI