Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Be kind to me, merciful God, and let me receive this treasure, this success.
I take the dust from the feet of the saints and put it on my forehead.
Here is the center of the shabad: a prayer for the treasure that lasts.
It is the rahaa-o, the "pause" line, the one the shabad keeps coming back to. Kar kirpaa da-i-aal parabh — be kind, merciful One. Ih niDh siDh paava-o — let me receive this treasure and this success.
Which treasure? Sant janaa kee raynukaa lai maathai laava-o — the dust of good people's feet, placed on my forehead. In India, touching the feet of an elder is a way of showing respect. Here the dust is worn like a crown. Humility becomes an honor, worth more than gold.
What is a treasure that money cannot buy?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI