Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Nanak has come to the shelter of the One's lotus feet.
The One itself carried him across the impossible, frightening ocean.
Joining the company of the good, I hold the One in mind; the One made me its own and saved me.
The One accepted me and blessed me with its Name, without weighing anything else.
I have found the endless One, treasure of virtue, that my heart had longed for.
Nanak prays: I am satisfied forever; I have eaten the food of the One's Name.
This part says that after all the warnings, the end is rescue, welcome and rest.
After the roadside inn, the gamble and the paper fort, this song settles into shelter. It also closes the shabads and chhants (longer song-poems) of the whole raag. Charan kamal sarnaa-ay naanak aa-i-aa — Nanak has come to the shelter of the One's lotus feet.
Parabh aap taraa-i-aa — the One carried him across the frightening ocean of the world. The crossing is done by the One, not the swimmer. It is the stone carried in the boat, one last time.
Then the grace note heard all through Jaitsree. Avar kachh na beechaari-aa — the One gave the Name without weighing anything else. Chosen again, without a score sheet.
The ending is deeply content. Har naam bhojan khaa-i-aa — I have eaten the food of the Name, and I am full forever. Think of coming home cold and hungry to a warm dinner. The soul that wandered, gambled, grew old and feared is finally fed and at rest. The raag opened with the jewel of the Name inside. It closes with that same Name as the food that satisfies.
After a hard journey, what does it feel like to finally be safe, chosen, and satisfied? What is the 'food' that satisfies your soul for good?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI