Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The troubles ran deep, like a wide and stormy sea.
But the good-hearted crossed right over them, carried in the sturdy boat of the Name.
This one says that however deep the troubles, the Name is a boat.
Paavak saagar gahro — the ocean of fire is deep. It is a picture of troubles, wide and hard to cross. Char santan naav taraa-i-o — the saints climb into the boat and are carried across. Naav is the boat, and the boat is the Name.
A boat carrying people across the world-ocean is a central picture in Gurbani. Think of a sturdy ferry on rough water. You don't have to swim the whole way. You just have to get on board.
When troubles feel like a stormy sea, what has helped carry you through?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI