Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I offer this one prayer to my true guide.
Let me be blessed with the real treasure: the True Name, the only wealth that is truly real.
Out of everything he could ask for, the Guru asks for the one treasure that is real.
This is the closing line. Kara-o ardaas apnay satgur paas — I offer this prayer to my true Guru. Ardaas is a humble prayer, a request from the heart.
What does he ask for? Naam milai sach raas — may I receive the True Name, the real treasure. Raas is the money a shopkeeper starts a business with. Sach means true and lasting.
Guru Arjan, who signs as Nanak, uses shop words on purpose. He does not ask for gold. He asks for the one thing that is truly real and lasts. Everything else washes off like cheap dye. Think of a pile of shiny toys next to a hug from someone who loves you. Only one of them stays with you.
If you could ask for one thing and truly receive it, what would you ask for?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI