ਮਃ ੪ ॥
mehlaa 4.
Fourth Mehl:
ਚੜਿ ਬੋਹਿਥੈ ਚਾਲਸਉ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਲਹਰੀ ਦੇਇ ॥
charh bohithai chaalsa-o saagar lahree day-ay.
I get on board the boat and set out, but the ocean is churning with waves.
ਠਾਕ ਨ ਸਚੈ ਬੋਹਿਥੈ ਜੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਧੀਰਕ ਦੇਇ ॥
thaak na sachai bohithai jay gur Dheerak day-ay.
The boat of Truth encounters no obstruction, if the Guru gives encouragement.
ਤਿਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਜਾਇ ਉਤਾਰੀਆ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਿਸੈ ਸਾਵਧਾਨੁ ॥
tit dar jaa-ay utaaree-aa gur disai saavDhaan.
He takes us across to the door on the other side, as the Guru keeps watch.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਪਾਈਐ ਦਰਗਹ ਚਲੈ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੩॥
naanak nadree paa-ee-ai dargeh chalai maan. ||3||
O Nanak, if I am blessed with His Grace, I shall go to His Court with honor. ||3||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I step into the boat and push off, even though the water is rough and the waves are high.
The boat made of Truth meets no wall it cannot pass, when the Guru gives me courage.
I am carried safely to the door on the far shore while the Guru keeps watch. Nanak says: with grace, I arrive there welcomed and with honor.
You do not need calm water; you need the right boat and the courage to board it.
A shalok of the Fourth Mehl. The world is a churning ocean; the 'boat of Truth' is truthful living guided by the Guru. The water does not have to become calm; the right boat, with encouragement, crosses it. Grace is what brings the crossing to an honored arrival.
A Question to Sit With
What gives you courage to start something even when conditions look rough?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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