Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
A person becomes noble by bathing the heart in wisdom, whatever their birth.
Their finest offering is simply singing the praises of the One.
For there is one Naam, one Reality, one Light shining through every world.
The word Brahmin gets a new meaning. A Brahmin is a priest in the Hindu tradition, and in Guru Nanak's day people were born into that role. A true Brahmin, here, is one who bathes in brahm gi-aan, wisdom about God. Their paatee, their offering of leaves in worship, is singing God's praises.
So being truly noble comes from how you live, not from the family you were born into. It is like a team where your place comes from how you play, not from your last name.
Then the verse opens even wider: ayko naam ayk naaraa-in tribhavan aykaa jotee. One Name, one Lord, one Light in all three worlds. Naaraa-in is a Hindu name for God, used here with respect. In that one Light, every wall between people falls away.
What makes a person noble, in your eyes?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI