Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The one who becomes humble — happy to serve, glad to learn — carries a quiet blessing.
Nanak says: in the shelter of the True Guru, the knots that once held tight come loose. You walk lighter, free.
Becoming humble is itself a gift, and it sets you free.
Daas rayn so-ee ho-aa jis mastak karmaa — the one who becomes the dust at the feet of the One's servants is the one with blessing on the forehead. To be "dust at their feet" means to be truly humble. Karmaa here means grace, a gift, not a reward we earned.
Kaho naanak banDhan chhutay satgur kee sarnaa — Nanak says, in the shelter of the True Guru, the knots come loose. BanDhan means ties or knots that hold us tight.
Think of a knot in a shoelace. Pulling hard makes it tighter. Loosening it gently sets it free. Humility works like that. The shelter of the teacher is where the knots of the self come undone.
When has letting go of something made you feel lighter?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI