Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
People come with all kinds of labels and ranks that the world hands out.
But whoever holds the One in their heart rises above every one of those labels and becomes truly worthy.
Just as a plain plant growing beside sweet-smelling sandalwood slowly takes on its fragrance, anyone who keeps good company is lifted and made whole.
This verse is one of Gurbani's clear leveling moments. It names the four castes and four life-stages of the society Guru Ram Das lived in — and then dissolves the whole hierarchy in one line: jo har dhi-aavai so pardhaan — whoever holds the One is the most worthy, regardless of birth. The castor plant near sandalwood is a gentle image: nearness to goodness changes you. Everyone becomes parvaan (welcome, accepted); no one is written off.
Have you ever been judged by a label instead of who you really are?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI