Verse 2 of 5
In an Instant, the Knot Comes Loose
ਹਮ ਨੀਚ ਮਧਿਮ ਕਰਮ ਕੀਏ ਨਹੀ ਚੇਤਿਓ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਓ ॥
ham neech maDhim karam kee-ay nahee chayti-o har raa-i-o.
I am low, and I commit evil actions; I have not remembered my Sovereign Lord.
ਹਰਿ ਆਨਿ ਮੇਲਿਓ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਖਿਨੁ ਬੰਧ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਇਓ ॥੧॥
har aan mayli-o satguroo khin banDh mukat karaa-i-o. ||1||
The Lord has led me to meet the True Guru; in an instant, He liberated me from bondage. ||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I've been small and made my share of mistakes, and I didn't always keep the One in mind.
Then I was led to meet the true teacher, and in a single moment a tight knot inside came loose.
Honesty about your mistakes can open the door to a sudden, freeing help.
Self-abasement ("I am low, I commit evil") is rendered as honest empty-handedness: I've made mistakes and forgotten. The gift is khin meh — "in an instant" — freedom from bandhan (bondage). The point is grace's speed and mercy, not the sinner's badness.
A Question to Sit With
When has a heavy feeling loosened faster than you expected?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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