Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Keep me safe, O One who keeps everything safe. I come with empty hands — small, in need of care — and I trust myself entirely to that care.
Coming to the One with empty hands is how you open up to being cared for.
Raakh lay-ay parabh raakhanhaaraa — keep me safe, O God, the Keeper of all. That is the whole prayer: asking to be kept safe, and trusting the One who cares.
The last line is kaho naanak ki-aa jant vichaaraa — says Nanak, what a helpless little creature I am. This is not saying you are worthless. It is honest smallness. It is like a child holding up open hands to a parent. Empty hands are the ones that can receive.
When has admitting you needed help actually made you safer, not weaker?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI