Sikhism·Raag Maaroo·Shabad 71
Verse 7 of 9

The Ferryman Calls, Come and Cross

ਪਤਣਿ ਕੂਕੇ ਪਾਤਣੀ ਵੰਞਹੁ ਧ੍ਰੁਕਿ ਵਿਲਾੜਿ ॥
patan kookay paat-nee vanjahu Dharuk vilaarh.
At the ferry, the ferryman announces, "O travellers, hurry up and cross over."
ਪਾਰਿ ਪਵੰਦੜੇ ਡਿਠੁ ਮੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੋਹਿਥਿ ਚਾੜਿ ॥੬॥
paar pavand-rhay dith mai satgur bohith chaarh. ||6||
I have seen them crossing over there, on the boat of the True Guru. ||6||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

At the crossing, a voice calls out kindly: come, travelers, it is time to cross to the other shore.

And I have watched people cross safely, carried by the strong boat of the True Guru.

There is a sturdy boat for every crossing, and it carries travelers safely across.
The deeper layer

The True Guru's boat carries travelers safely across.

At the ferry, the paatnee, the ferryman, calls the travelers: vanjahu Dharuk vilaarh, hurry and cross over. Dith mai — I have seen them — others safely paar pavand-rhay, reaching the far shore, satgur bohith chaarh, aboard the boat of the True Guru. The crossing — including the final one — is pictured as safe passage on a sturdy boat, never as a plunge into fear.

A Question to Sit With

When something feels like a big step to cross, what helps you feel carried and safe?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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