Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
After a long, long journey through countless forms of life, here you are — a human being.
This life is rare and precious. It is hard to come by.
You have this rare human life right now, and that is good news.
The shabad opens with Ik Onkar Satgur Prasaad: there is One Creator, known by the True Guru's grace. It is the blessing that begins many shabads. This one is an ashtapadee, a song of eight verses.
Lakh cha-oraaseeh bharamtay bharamtay dulabh janam ab paa-i-o — after wandering through 8.4 million kinds of life, you have now been given this human life. Dulabh means rare and hard to come by.
Think of getting one ticket to a concert that millions wanted to see. You would not sleep through it. The verse is not a warning. It is an invitation to treasure this short, bright day.
What is one ordinary thing about being alive today that is a small wonder?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI