Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O learned one, read about the One and let go of what pulls you off course. Turned toward the teaching, you cross safely over the vast, deep ocean of the world.
Let what you learn change you, and it becomes your boat.
This is the rahao, the "pause" line. It is the center of the shabad, the hinge everything turns on. It speaks to a pandit, a learned scholar. Pandit har parh tajahu vikaaraa — O pandit, read about the One, and let go of vikaaraa. Vikaaraa are the wrong ways that harm us and pull us off course.
Guru Amar Das is giving learning a respectful challenge. He does not say "stop studying." He says, let your study change you.
Gurmukh bha-ojal utarahu paaraa — the one facing the teaching crosses the bha-ojal, the great, scary ocean of the world. Knowledge alone floats on the surface, like a leaf. Knowledge that reshapes the heart becomes a boat that carries you across. Think of reading all about swimming in a book, and then actually learning to swim.
What is something you know is true but have not yet let change how you live?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI