Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You are vast and strong, and my own understanding is small — and that's okay.
You're kind even to those who forget to thank You; Your gentle glance is perfect.
Your wisdom is deeper than I can measure, and I'm still learning — I know so little.
Sometimes I've held onto small, fading things and let go of the real treasure.
I've clung to what slips away and let the good grow faint — but I can choose again.
"I come to You for shelter — please keep me safe."
A verse of humble self-knowledge that the qMonk voice renders as gentle honesty rather than self-attack. The striking image is ratan tiaag... kaudee sangraahee — "forsaking the jewel, I have saved the shell." We often clutch the cheap, fading thing (the kaudee, a tiny shell once used as a coin) and let go of the priceless jewel — choosing the shiny wrapper over the real gift. The Literal Meaning's harsh self-labels ("lowly ignorant beast") are set aside; what's kept is the humble, teachable recognition "I'm still learning, I know so little" — and, importantly, the added note of agency: but I can choose again. The One who "cherishes even the ungrateful" removes any fear that the confession will be met with rejection. For a child: it's easy to grab the shiny wrapper and miss the real gift — but noticing you've done it is the first step to choosing better.
Have you ever wanted the package or wrapper more than what was actually inside? What was that like?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI