Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The world's glitter and glamour is a show that passes.
My crooked mind forgets that it all ends in the grave.
I am small and lowly. You, O One, are the great river.
Give me just one thing. Everything else is poison, and it does not tempt me.
By Your skill, You filled this fragile clay pot of a body with the water of life.
By Your power, I have grown strong.
Nanak says: I am a dog at the door of Your court, more lost in love every day.
The world is on fire. The Naam of the One is cool and soothing.
When the world feels like it is on fire, the Naam is cool rain.
This salok uses many Persian words, the language of the royal courts in Guru Nanak's day. Daree-aa-o khudaa-i-aa: You, the One, are the great river. Khudaa is the Persian word for the divine, used by Muslims, and here it is spoken with love.
Chilimil bisee-aar dunee-aa faanee: the world's glitter is a passing show. Like fireworks, it is bright and loud, and then gone.
Man kameen kamatreen: I am small and lowly. This is honest humility, not putting yourself down. Next to a great river, anyone would feel small. Sag naanak deebaan mastaanaa: Nanak is like a faithful dog at the Master's court, happier in love every day.
Ayk cheej mujhai deh: give me just one thing. Next to it, everything else loses its pull.
Aatas dunee-aa khunak naam khudaa-i-aa: the world is aatas, fire; the Naam of the One is khunak, cool. These few words hold the whole heart of Raag Malaar. The Naam falls on a burning world like monsoon rain.
What cools you down inside when everything around you feels heated?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI