Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Rare is the one, turned toward the Guru, who tastes the One's sweetness. That one lives in bliss day and night, through deep good fortune.
The Word is a lamp lighting up the whole world. Whoever tastes it becomes clear and clean; the pure Name washes off the grime of ego, and true, loving devotion brings lasting peace.
Once you taste the sweetness of the Name, you live in joy.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. Gurmukh har ras chaakhai ko-ay — rare is the gurmukh, the one who faces the Guru, who tastes the One's ras. Ras means sweet juice, the very essence of something. That person lives in anand, bliss, day and night. It comes through deep good fortune.
The verse goes on. Sabad deepak — the Word is a lamp that lights the three worlds, all that exists. Whoever tastes it becomes nirmal, clean and clear. Nirmal naam ha-umai mal Dho-ay — the pure Name washes off the grime of ha-umai, ego, the feeling that "I" am the center of everything. It is like warm water washing mud off your hands. And saachee bhagat, true devotion, brings lasting peace.
What is something you tasted or tried just once that you never forgot?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI