Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I have worn the shape of so many plants and trees, and so many animals. Again and again I have been a snake, or a bird in flight.
The soul has passed through countless shapes before this human life, so this life is precious.
Kaytay rukh birakh ham cheenay kaytay pasoo upaa-ay — so many plants and trees I have been, so many animals. Again and again a snake, again and again a bird in flight.
It is a vivid picture of a very long journey. In Gurbani, the Guru's Word, this shows how rare and precious a human life is. The next shabad says the same. Think of waiting in a very long line for something you really want. When your turn finally comes, you would not just walk away. After such a long journey through other forms, wasting this one would be a real loss.
If this life is rare and hard-won, how would you want to treat it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI