Sikhism·Raag Kalyaan·Shabad 20
Verse 4 of 9

Teeth Of Wax That Chew Iron

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਭਲੀ ਸਿਵ ਨੀਕੀ ਆਨਿ ਪਾਨੀ ਸਕਤਿ ਭਰੀਜੈ ॥
gurmukh jot bhalee siv neekee aan paanee sakat bhareejai.
The Gurmukhs are blessed with the Divine Light of the Lord; Maya comes to serve them.
ਮੈਨਦੰਤ ਨਿਕਸੇ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਸਾਰੁ ਚਬਿ ਚਬਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਜੈ ॥੩॥
maindant niksay gur bachnee saar chab chab har ras peejai. ||3||
Through the Word of the Guru's Teachings, they bite with teeth of wax and chew iron, drinking in the Sublime Essence of the Lord. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Those who follow the Guru shine with a good and lovely light, and Maya, the world's power, comes to serve them.

Through the Guru's words, they bite with teeth of wax and chew iron, and drink the sweet taste of the One.

With the right guidance, even the impossible becomes something you can do.
The deeper layer

Following the Guru, you can do what looks impossible, like chewing iron with teeth of wax.

Gurmukh jot bhalee: the one turned toward the Guru shines. Saar chab chab, chewing iron, with maindant, teeth of wax, is a vivid picture of doing the impossible through gur bachnee, the Guru's words. Maya, here called sakat, the world's power, comes to serve them instead of ruling them.

A Question to Sit With

What is something that once seemed impossible for you but isn't anymore?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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