Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some people are soaked in the love of the One, the great Maker who shapes all of life. Because they serve the Guru, they become known and remembered across all the ages of time. The ones the One Himself lifts up with real greatness end up melting completely into His **Naam**.
Here are the people dyed deep in love for the One. The last verse showed the world's fading colors. This one shows the color that lasts.
Jo rang raatay — those soaked in love. It is the same dye picture, with the opposite color. Guru Amar Das keeps showing both paths side by side. You will be colored by something. So let it be the color that lasts.
Gur sayvaa tay jug chaaray jaatay — by serving the Guru, they are known through all four ages. The four ages, jug, are the great eras of time in Indian thought. The world's fame is kachaa, fading. Most famous people are forgotten within a generation. Think of last year's viral video — who remembers it now? But a soul soaked in the One leaves a mark that lasts. The Gurus, saints and humble lovers of the One are remembered for centuries. Many emperors are now just names in a textbook.
Where does that greatness come from? Jis no aap day-ay vadi-aa-ee — the One gives the greatness. It is not self-made. This keeps us safe from pride. A soul like this does not show off how holy it is. It does the opposite: har kai naam samaavani-aa — it melts into the Name. For Guru Amar Das, true greatness looks like disappearing. The "me" grows thin until only the One shows through.
The world remembers some people for centuries and forgets others in a year — what do you think makes the difference?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI