Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
When the 'me first' feeling quietly steps aside, something wonderful fills the space. A song of love for the One hums in you morning and night.
Lit up from inside, you begin to shine like gold. Your small light melts into the great fearless Light, with nothing left to be afraid of.
When ego steps aside, a song of love for the One fills you day and night.
Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru, wrote this ashtapadee, a song of eight verses.
It begins with the short blessing ik-onkaar satgur parsaad: there is One Creator, known by the true Guru's grace. Then aapai aap khaa-ay ha-o maytai: the "me first" self is used up, and ha-o, ego, is erased. This means ego gently stepping aside, nothing harsh or violent. In its place: an-din har ras geet gava-ee-aa, day and night, songs of love for the One.
Kanchan kaa-i-aa: the body shines like gold. Nirbha-o jotee jot mila-ee-aa: the small light melts into the Fearless Light. Think of a candle flame joining a big, warm bonfire. Nirbhau, fearless, is also a word from the Mool Mantar, the opening lines of the Guru Granth Sahib.
What fills you up so much that you cannot help humming or smiling?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI