Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The One is like the magic stone that turns iron to gold, and like fragrant sandalwood. I am only dry wood and iron.
Staying close to the One, in the Sangat, I have been made gold and sandalwood too.
What we stay close to, we slowly become.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. Raam paaras chandan ham kaasat losat — the One is the paaras and the sandalwood; I am dry wood and iron. The paaras is a stone from old stories. Its touch turns plain iron into gold. Sandalwood is a wood with a sweet, lasting smell.
"I am dry wood and iron" is an honest look at where we start. Then comes the change: har sang haree satsang bha-ay har kanchan chandan keenay — keeping company with the One and with the Sangat, I was made gold and sandalwood. Satsang is the Sangat — people gathered together to remember the One. It is the touch that changes us. Think of a tea bag in hot water. Stay together long enough, and the water takes on the flavor.
Who or what has brought out a value in you that you did not know was there?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI