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.
My Lord, the One I love, is detached and free of all desire.
I cannot live without the One, even for an instant. I am so in love.
The One needs nothing, and still you cannot do without the One for a moment, because you are in love.
This is the rahaa-o, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad. It comes right at the start, after the opening blessing that names the One Creator, Ik Onkar, known by the True Guru's grace.
Parabh mayray o-ay bairaagee ti-aagee: my Lord is free of craving and wants nothing. Bairaagee means free of all craving, so full and steady that nothing can shake it. Ha-o ik khin tis bin reh na saka-o: I cannot stay without that One for even an instant. Pareet hamaaree laagee: I am in love.
It is like a little one who cannot bear to be away from a grandparent, even though the grandparent needs nothing from them. This is the thirst of Malaar, hopeful and full of love. Nothing is asked for except nearness.
What is something you'd feel incomplete going even a day without?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI