Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Mother, father, children — the One made them all.
Every bond between us was set in place by the One.
This line says the people in our family were placed in our lives by the One.
This shabad (hymn) has very short verses, just two lines each. It starts with a quiet, strong idea. Maa-ee baap putar sabh har kay kee-ay — mother, father and children are all made by the One. Sabhnaa ka-o san-banDh har kar dee-ay — every bond between people was set up by the One.
So our families are not an accident, and not only our own doing. They were arranged.
That changes how we hold them. Think of a friend who lets you look after their puppy for the summer. You love it and care for it with all your heart. But you know it was given to you, not owned by you. Family is a gift we are trusted with. This sets up the rest of the shabad, which moves from grabbing tight to holding gently.
How might you treat the people you love a little differently if you saw them as entrusted to you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI