ਮਲਾਰ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
malaar mehlaa 1.
Malaar, First Mehl:
ਬਾਗੇ ਕਾਪੜ ਬੋਲੈ ਬੈਣ ॥
baagay kaaparh bolai bain.
You wear white clothes, and speak sweet words.
ਲੰਮਾ ਨਕੁ ਕਾਲੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨੈਣ ॥
lammaa nak kaalay tayray nain.
Your nose is sharp, and your eyes are black.
ਕਬਹੂੰ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਦੇਖਿਆ ਭੈਣ ॥੧॥
kabahooN saahib daykhi-aa bhain. ||1||
Have you ever seen your Lord and Master, O sister? ||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
You wear white clothes, and you speak sweet words.
Your nose is fine and sharp, and your eyes are dark.
But tell me, sister — have you ever seen your Master, the One?
Looking good on the outside is different from seeing the One.
Fine clothes and sweet words are easy to wear; seeing the One is the thing to ask about.
The shabad has four verses and no rahaa-o, so this opening question carries its weight. White clothes, a sharp nose and dark eyes fit the picture of a graceful white water-bird (baagaa), lovely to look at. Kabahoon saahib daykhi-aa bhain: have you ever seen the Master, sister? The question is asked gently, as one friend asks another.
A Question to Sit With
When might someone look perfect on the outside but feel unsure inside?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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