Sikhism·Raag Malaar·Shabad 60
Verse 3 of 3

Water For The Thirsty Traveler

ਪਥਿਕ ਪਿਆਸ ਚਿਤ ਸਰੋਵਰ ਆਤਮ ਜਲੁ ਲੈਨ ॥
pathik pi-aas chit sarovar aatam jal lain.
The thirsty traveller's consciousness obtains the water of the soul from the pool of nectar.
ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦੈਨ ॥੨॥੭॥੨੯॥
har daras paraym jan naanak kar kirpaa parabh dain. ||2||7||29||
Servant Nanak loves the Blessed Vision of the Lord; in His Mercy, God has blessed him with it. ||2||7||29||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Like a thirsty traveler at the pool, my heart drinks the water of the soul.

Nanak says: I love the sight of the One, and in kindness the One has given it to me.

The deepest thirst is met not by trying harder but by arriving at the water.
The deeper layer

The thirsty traveler has finally reached the water.

Pathik pi-aas chit sarovar — a thirsty traveler's heart finds the pool. All through Raag Malaar, the chaatrik, the rainbird, waits and thirsts for one raindrop. Here that thirst is met at last. The sarovar is the pool of amrit, the sweet water of life. Aatam jal lain — the heart drinks the water of the soul.

Then comes what Nanak loves most: the sight of the One. Kar kirpaa parabh dain — in kindness, the One gives it. It is a gift. It is received, not earned.

Think of a friend handing you a cold bottle of water at the end of a long hike. You did not pay for it. You just drink, and say thank you.

A Question to Sit With

When has something you needed badly finally arrived, like water after a long walk?

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

About this shabad →
Use ← → to navigate