The One and only Lord is eternal, imperishable, inaccessible and incomprehensible.
ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਧਾ ॥
nihchal naam niDhaan hai jis simrat har laaDhaa.
The treasure of the Naam is eternal and imperishable. Meditating in remembrance on Him, the Lord is attained.
ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਾਵਾਧਾ ॥
nihchal keertan gun gobind gurmukh gaavaaDhaa.
The Kirtan of His Praises is eternal and imperishable; the Gurmukh sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe.
ਸਚੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਤਪੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੋ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਅਰਾਧਾ ॥
sach Dharam tap nihchalo din rain araaDhaa.
Truth, righteousness, Dharma and intense meditation are eternal and imperishable. Day and night, worship the Lord in adoration.
ਦਇਆ ਧਰਮੁ ਤਪੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੋ ਜਿਸੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਿਖਾਧਾ ॥
da-i-aa Dharam tap nihchalo jis karam likhaaDhaa.
Compassion, righteousness, Dharma and intense meditation are eternal and imperishable; they alone obtain these, who have such pre-ordained destiny.
ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਸੋ ਟਲੈ ਨ ਟਲਾਧਾ ॥
nihchal mastak laykh likhi-aa so talai na talaaDhaa.
The inscription inscribed upon one's forehead is eternal and imperishable; it cannot be avoided by avoidance.
ਨਿਹਚਲ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਧ ਜਨ ਬਚਨ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਾਧਾ ॥
nihchal sangat saaDh jan bachan nihchal gur saaDhaa.
The Congregation, the Company of the Holy, and the word of the humble, are eternal and imperishable. The Holy Guru is eternal and imperishable.
ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਆਰਾਧਾ ॥੧੯॥
jin ka-o poorab likhi-aa tin sadaa sadaa aaraaDhaa. ||19||
Those who have such pre-ordained destiny worship and adore the Lord, forever and ever. ||19||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
In plain words
The One is forever — beyond reach, beyond fading, never worn down.
The treasure of the Name is forever. Singing its praises is forever.
Truth and kindness and steady, loving attention are forever.
What is written on the forehead is forever; it cannot be pushed aside.
The Sangat is forever, and the words of the Guru's people; the Guru is forever.
Those with a ready heart love the One, always and always.
A few good things never wear out — love, truth, and the One.
The deeper layer
In a world where things wear out, a few things never do.
The whole verse is built on one word, nihchal. It means lasting, steady, never worn out. The verse says it again and again, like a drumbeat.
The One is nihchal. The treasure of the Name is nihchal. Singing the praises of the One is nihchal. So are truth, Dharam (right living), kindness and steady devotion. What is written on the forehead, the path given to each life, is nihchal. The Sangat is nihchal. So is the Guru.
Think of your favorite sneakers. After a year of running, they wear through. But the love of the person who bought them for you does not wear out. That is the kind of thing this verse is pointing to. It ends with sadaa sadaa aaraaDhaa — they love the One, forever and ever.
A Question to Sit With
What is something good in your life that never gets old?
