Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The One is deep and merciful, lofty and high, giving shelter to the good.
Only the one blessed with that meeting from the start attains the One, says Nanak.
This line reminds us that even finding the One is a gift.
Agam da-i-aal parabhoo oochaa — the One is deep beyond knowing, kind, and very high, and gives shelter to good people. Tis paraapat naankaa jis likhi-aa Dhur sanjog — Nanak says, the One is found by the one who is blessed with this meeting from the very beginning.
The whole shabad (hymn) has asked us to do things: drop the tricks, find good company, keep the One in mind. This last line does not cancel those steps. It crowns them with humility.
Think of learning to ride a bike with a grown-up holding the seat. You really do pedal. And yet someone was holding you up the whole time. You make the turn toward the One, and the turning itself was a gift. Keeping both in mind stops effort from turning into pride, and stops grace from turning into laziness.
Can you hold both at once: that your effort matters, and that the chance to make it was a gift?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI