Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Building up the banks of the mind's field, I gaze toward the heavenly home.
When devotion rises in the soul-bride, the welcome guest arrives. O clouds, if you're going to rain, rain now — why rain once the season has passed? Nanak is a sacrifice to those who hold the One in their minds.
This lyrical Shalok holds a gentle urgency about timing: "O clouds, if you are going to rain, then go ahead and rain; why rain after the season has passed?" The farmer prepares his field's embankments and waits for rain in season; devotion, likewise, is best taken up while the season lasts. There is a tender warning here — not fear, but the wisdom of not endlessly postponing the turn until the season of life has passed.
What good turn are you postponing 'until later'? Is the season for it now?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI