Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
By what goodness in me could I ever come to meet the One who holds my very life, O my mother? What do I even have to offer?
This one asks an honest question: what could I ever bring to meet the One?
This is the start of a shabad in Raag Gauree Poorbee. It begins with Ik Onkar, "One Creator of all," and then the Rahao, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad.
The whole shabad is sung by a soul who feels she has nothing to bring. Kavan gun — by what goodness? It is the honest question of empty hands. It is not putting herself down. It is seeing that meeting the One is not something you earn or buy.
Think of a child running to hug a parent. The child brings no gift and needs none.
Paraanpat means the Lord of the life-breath, the One who holds our life. Mayree maa-ee — "my mother." She shares her question gently with her mother.
Have you ever felt you had nothing special to offer, and been welcomed anyway?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI