Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I'll ask nothing else of the One — only give me love for Your spotless Name.
Nanak the songbird begs for the one raindrop of sweet water; pour Your mercy, and bless him with Your praise.
Ask the Giver only for the Giver.
The shabad opened with an endless crowd begging. It ends by narrowing all that asking to one clean request. The speaker has seen that you get what you thirst for. So he won't ask for lesser water. ab tab avar na maaga-o har peh — now and always, I'll ask the One for nothing else. naam niranjan deejai pi-aar — give me love for Your spotless Name.
naanak chaatrik amrit jal maagai — Nanak, the songbird, begs for the sweet water. The chaatrik waits, beak open, for one special raindrop and takes no other water. Think of a kid who doesn't want any present, only a day with a grandparent. The whole vision ends in the right wish: to ask the one Giver only for the Giver.
If you could ask for only one thing, and getting it depended on truly wanting it, what would you choose?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI