Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The One who cares for the whole world is like a loving parent to me.
Just as a mother watches over her little ones, the One gently looks after us.
The One cares for us the way a mother cares for her child.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. hamray pitaa gopaal da-i-aal — our Father is the kind Keeper of the world. Then comes a very tender picture. ji-o raakhai mehtaaree baarik ka-o taisay hee parabh paal — just as a mother keeps her child safe, so the One looks after us.
This care is patient, and nobody has to earn it. Think of a baby asleep on a mother's shoulder. The baby does nothing to deserve being held. It simply rests there. That is the love this verse describes.
Think of a time you felt completely taken care of. What did that safety feel like?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI