Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The Guru's greatness was passed on by the Guru, recognized as a mark of the One's will.
Sons, relatives, and family were all gently tested, and everyone's puffed-up pride was quietly set down.
Wherever anyone looks, my True Guru is there; the One has blessed the whole world through him.
Whoever meets the Guru and takes it to heart is lifted here and everywhere.
Nanak says: my Master stands by my side -- the wise and dear Friend.
Seeing the shared table where everyone is fed the same, they all came and bowed, and pride simply melted from every heart.
Pride melts at a shared table.
This is a pauri, one verse of the Vaar, by Guru Ram Das.
Satgur kee vadi-aa-ee satgur ditee — the Guru's greatness was passed on by the Guru himself. It was a sign of the One's hukam, the One's will.
This recalls real history. The Guruship passed from Guru Amar Das to Guru Ram Das. It did not go by family line. It went to the most humble. Sons, nephews, and relatives were all tested. Laahi-on sabhnaa kaa abhimaan — and everyone's pride was set down. Abhimaan means pride.
The last line shows the langar, the free shared kitchen. Pa-udee bhit daykh kai — seeing the food being shared. Everyone came and bowed, and pride left their hearts. In langar, everyone sits on the same floor and eats the same food. Rich and poor, high and low, sit side by side. It is one of the founding pictures of Sikhi.
Think of a family dinner where everyone passes the same bowl. It is hard to feel better than anyone while you are sharing bread.
Why do you think sharing a meal as equals is such a powerful way to bring people together?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI