Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Where someone tries to tear another down with words, that unkindness loses its power and falls away on its own. And so, without any fear, I sing what is beautiful about the One who is beyond all fear.
Unkindness loses its power on its own, and the one rooted in the One can sing without fear.
Nindak kee parabh pat gavaa-ee — God takes away the honor of the nindak, the one who slanders. To slander means to spread hurtful untruths about someone. This is not about cheering when someone falls. It means unkindness loses its power by itself. The trusting person does not need to fight back. Cruelty is like a candle in the wind; it burns out without your help.
If someone is being unkind to you or hurting you, that is never something you have to accept. Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do.
Then naanak har gun nirbha-o gaa-ee — Nanak sings the praises of the Fearless One. Nirbha-o means without fear. Fearlessness is who the One is. It is also the gift given to the one who sings.
When someone is unkind, what is a braver response than being unkind back?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI