Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Through every age of the world, the Name is the highest thing there is, and reflecting on the Word is the surest path. Even in a confused and cloudy time, the one who turns toward the teaching crosses safely over.
In every age, the Name stays the highest thing, and turning toward it carries you across.
Jug chaaray naam utam — through all four ages, the Name is utam, the highest. Old Indian teaching divides the world's story into four long ages, each called a jug. The highest thing does not change with the times. Sabad beechaar means reflecting on the Word. That is the steady practice in every age.
Then a hopeful line: kal meh gurmukh utras paar. Kal is the confused, cloudy age. A gurmukh is someone who faces the teaching. Even now, that person crosses over. So a "dark age" is never a reason to give up. The door is open right now, in these very times. It is like a lighthouse that shines no matter how stormy the night. The crossing is always there for whoever turns toward the light.
Even when the world feels confusing, what is one steady, good thing you can always turn toward?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI