Be the servant of servants, and the dried-out heart turns green again — the Name's open-armed welcome to all.
The Arc
The rahau asks for the lowest place — servant of servants — and to drink the dust of the holy as long as breath lasts. The verses widen the welcome. Even the great sages of old long for this dust; goodness makes any ground holy. Set down both shame and pride and worry loosens its grip; the parched heart turns green again in good company, so do not delay. The song of the Name is a priceless jewel given to whoever takes the Word truly to heart. The teacher raises both arms and calls everyone to lasting peace. With good fortune the Name settles in and the world's hard pull is crossed with ease; the heavy load of pride is one that can be set down. The close, sealing this set of six hymns, blends the seeker into the Name like a drop returning to water.
Key Vocabulary
daasan daas — servant of servants; greatness that kneels lowest
saaDhoo Dhoor — the dust of the holy's feet, loving humility
hari-aa — green, alive again; renewal in good company
baah kukeejai — the teacher's arms raised in open, urgent welcome
chhakaa — a set of six; this verse seals the six M4 Ashtapadees
Themes and Cross-Connections
Humility as height (servant of servants; the dust the sages long for) and renewal (the parched turned green) carry the hymn. The open-armed call foregrounds inclusivity — the welcome is for everyone. The closing merge (drop into water) restates the oneness: the self does not vanish so much as return home. This hymn closes Guru Ram Das's set of six Kalyaan Ashtapadees.
For Raag Kalyaan
The raag's welcoming warmth is at its clearest here: arms thrown wide, a dried heart made green, the lowest seat turned into the safest home. Tender, inviting, restful.
Translation Notes
Verse 2's fear of the Judge of Dharma and drowning in poison, and verse 7's 'rot away', are softened per wellbeing guidance to worry loosening and a heavy load that can be set down. Ego is treated as a burden to release, not a doom. Chhakaa 1 marks the close of the six-hymn set.
Be the servant of servants, and the dried-out heart turns green again — the Name's open-armed welcome to all.
The Arc
The rahau asks for the lowest place — servant of servants — and to drink the dust of the holy as long as breath lasts. The verses widen the welcome. Even the great sages of old long for this dust; goodness makes any ground holy. Set down both shame and pride and worry loosens its grip; the parched heart turns green again in good company, so do not delay. The song of the Name is a priceless jewel given to whoever takes the Word truly to heart. The teacher raises both arms and calls everyone to lasting peace. With good fortune the Name settles in and the world's hard pull is crossed with ease; the heavy load of pride is one that can be set down. The close, sealing this set of six hymns, blends the seeker into the Name like a drop returning to water.
Key Vocabulary
Themes and Cross-Connections
Humility as height (servant of servants; the dust the sages long for) and renewal (the parched turned green) carry the hymn. The open-armed call foregrounds inclusivity — the welcome is for everyone. The closing merge (drop into water) restates the oneness: the self does not vanish so much as return home. This hymn closes Guru Ram Das's set of six Kalyaan Ashtapadees.
For Raag Kalyaan
The raag's welcoming warmth is at its clearest here: arms thrown wide, a dried heart made green, the lowest seat turned into the safest home. Tender, inviting, restful.
Translation Notes
Verse 2's fear of the Judge of Dharma and drowning in poison, and verse 7's 'rot away', are softened per wellbeing guidance to worry loosening and a heavy load that can be set down. Ego is treated as a burden to release, not a doom. Chhakaa 1 marks the close of the six-hymn set.