Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Fall in love with the One — the treasure of every good thing, the heart of all that is. Do this, and the wishes of your heart bear fruit, and the restless thirst inside you is finally quenched.
When your heart is full of the Name, no fear can shadow your path; your mind lights up with understanding, and you find your true place — at home in the Presence.
Not wealth, not house, not youth, not power travels on with you — only remembering the One in the Sangat is of use to you. And here is the tenderness at the center: there is no burning left when the One Himself cools your fever. Nanak says: the One cherishes us like this — our own Mother and Father.
Fall in love with the One who cherishes you like your own Mother and Father.
This is the verse for the letter Tatta. Its ending is the warmest moment in this part of the Baavan Akhree. Paratipaalai naanak hameh aapeh maa-ee baap — the One cares for us; the One is our own Mother and Father.
The verse begins with taa si-o pareet kar, fall in love with the One. Around that it weaves themes the Baavan Akhree keeps returning to. Taahoo sang na Dhan chalai garih joban nah raaj — wealth, house, youth and power do not travel on with you. What helps is satsang simrat, remembering the One in the Sangat.
The taap, the fever or burning, is turned all the way into comfort. Ja-o taap nivaarai aap — the One Himself takes away your fever. It is a healing picture, not a threat. Think of a parent's cool hand on your forehead when you are sick. Being cherished by a One who is Mother and Father is the note this verse lands on.
What does it mean to you that the One is described not as a distant king, but as a Mother and Father who cherishes you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI