ਲਾਲਾ ਹਾਟਿ ਵਿਹਾਝਿਆ ਕਿਆ ਤਿਸੁ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥
laalaa haat vihaajhi-aa ki-aa tis chaturaa-ee.
I am a slave, purchased in Your market; what clever tricks do I have?
ਜੇ ਰਾਜਿ ਬਹਾਲੇ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਲਾਮੁ ਘਾਸੀ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਢਾਈ ॥
jay raaj bahaalay taa har gulaam ghaasee ka-o har naam kadhaa-ee.
If the Lord were to set me upon a throne, I would still be His slave. If I were a grass-cutter, I would still chant the Lord's Name.
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਦਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੪॥੨॥੮॥੪੬॥
jan naanak har kaa daas hai har kee vadi-aa-ee. ||4||2||8||46||
Servant Nanak is the slave of the Lord; contemplate the Glorious Greatness of the Lord||4||2||8||46||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I am a servant, bought in your market -- what clever tricks could I possibly have? Put me on a throne, and I am still your servant. Make me a cutter of grass, and I will still say your name. I am simply the One's servant.
Throne or grass-cutter, the devotee is the same servant, singing the same Name.
The shabad's great close: total surrender and equanimity. Whether enthroned or a grass-cutter -- the highest or lowest station -- the devotee is equally the One's servant and equally chants the Name. Status does not change the soul's identity (Sahaj: unshaken by high or low). The "slave" who has no tricks is the freest of all.
A Question to Sit With
Would you be the same person whether you were celebrated or overlooked?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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