Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. Its Name is Truth. It is the Creator of all. It is fearless and full of love, beyond time, never born, shining on its own. And the One is found by the Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
Some people study the old scriptures page after page. Some turn their prayer beads and hold Your Name close as they pray.
As for me, I know nothing, now or ever. There is one thing I recognize: Your One Name.
People reach for the One in many ways, and the one thing worth knowing is the Name.
This is the start of Guru Nanak's own songs in Raag Raamkalee, a musical mood. It opens with the Mool Mantar, the "root words" that begin the Guru Granth Sahib. They say who the One is: One, True by Name, the Maker, without fear, without hate, beyond time, never born, existing by itself, and known by grace.
Then the verse looks around. Some read old Sanskrit books. Some read the Puraanas, books of ancient stories. Some turn a mala, a string of prayer beads, as they pray. All of this is honored here, never made fun of.
Then Guru Nanak speaks for himself. Ab hee kab hee kichhoo na jaanaa means "I know nothing, now or ever." He does not claim to be an expert. He says one thing only: tayraa ayko naam pachhaanaa, "I recognize Your One Name." Think of a child in a crowded airport. They may not know the city or the language. But they know their mother's voice.
If you could keep only one thing in your heart, what would you choose?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI