Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The One, out of its own mercy, gives the Name — always a gift. Rare is the heart that receives that jewel and holds it close. So sing the wonder of the One: unseeable, past all understanding, and closer than close.
The Name is always a gift, and few hearts take it.
Har aapay kirpaa karay naam dayvai — the One, out of its own kirpaa, grace, gives the Name. It is a gift, not a paycheck. Gurmukh ratan ko virlaa layvai — rare is the gurmukh, the one facing the Guru, who receives the ratan, the jewel. It is received, not earned. Think of a present held out to you. It only becomes yours when you open your hands to take it.
The last line names the mystery. Naanak gun gaavai har alakh abhayvai — Nanak sings the praises of the One who is alakh, beyond sight, and abhayvai, beyond being figured out. And yet, as the whole shabad has shown, the One is nearer than our own breath. Nanak's name at the end seals the shabad.
How can something be beyond all understanding and yet feel closer to you than anything else?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI