Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The teacher's word goes with the soul. It is the master of those who have no master. It saves you from falling into misery. Through it, the tongue tastes the nectar.
The Guru's Word walks with you, protects you, and tastes sweet.
Gur kaa bachan jee-a kai saath — the Guru's Word goes with the soul, just as the Name goes with you. Gur kaa bachan anaath ko naath — the Guru's Word is the naath, the master and protector, of the anaath, those with no one to protect them.
Gur kai bachan narak na pavai — through the Word, one does not fall into narak, hell, a place of misery. Gur kai bachan rasnaa amrit ravai — through the Word, the tongue tastes amrit, sweet nectar. That sweetness is Har Ras, the taste of the One.
Think of a big brother or sister who walks you home and shares a snack on the way. The Word is both of these: a protector, and a sweetness.
Who is a "master of the masterless" -- someone who looks after those no one else does?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI