Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Those who follow only their own small self wander lost from life to life, confused by doubt.
Death keeps knocking them down and takes away their honor.
Serving the True Guru, a person is freed from death's hold.
They meet the One, and enter the palace of the One's presence, their own home.
Living only for yourself is wandering in circles, and serving the Guru brings you home.
A manmukh is someone who follows only their own small self. Bharam bharam jon manmukh bharmaa-ee means such a person wanders lost in doubt, from life to life.
The verse speaks of jamkaal, the messenger of death, who keeps taking away their honor. Put simply, this is the fear of the end that follows a life lived only for oneself. It is like being lost in a maze and scared the whole time.
Satgur sayvaa jam kee kaan chukaa-ee: serving the true Guru ends that fear's hold. Har parabh mili-aa mahal ghar paa-ee: you meet the One and step into the home of the One's presence. That home was waiting all along.
When have you felt lost, and what helped you find your way again?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI