Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O Lord of the Universe, O Lord of the World, O dear and merciful Beloved.
You can call the One by many loving names, and every name reaches the same One.
This is the rahaa-o, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad.
Hay gobind hay gopaal hay da-i-aal laal: O gobind, keeper of the worlds. O gopaal, who looks after all. O da-i-aal, merciful One. O laal, dear Beloved.
It is a garland of names. Each one shows a different side of the One. A grandmother might be "Nani" to one child, "Mom" to another and "Doctor" at work. Many names, one person.
The many names are many windows onto one light. That is the plain heart of Ik Onkaar, "there is One." It is also a quiet reminder that every tradition's names point to the same One.
What are some different names or words people use for the same big thing?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI