Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The True Guru, at ease within, sat up and called the whole family close.
"Let no one cry for me once I am gone — that would not please me at all.
When a friend is given a robe of honor, the friend's friends are glad to see that honor.
Look and understand, my children and family: the One has given the True Guru the robe of highest honor."
The True Guru sat up and chose who would sit on the throne of Raj Yog — ruling and remembering the One together.
All the Sikhs, relatives, children and family bowed at the feet of Guru Ram Das.
The Guru asks his family not to cry for him, because he is going somewhere wonderful.
This is the tender heart of the Sadd, the poem of "the Call." Mat mai pichhai ko-ee rovsee means "let no one weep for me after I am gone."
He shows why with a picture. Mit paijhai mit bigsai means "when a friend is given a robe of honor, the friend's friends are glad." Think of your best friend getting a big prize at school. You would not cry. You would cheer. When someone we love arrives somewhere wonderful, love looks like gladness for them.
Then the Guru calmly chooses who will carry the teaching on. He passes the guruship to Ram Das, who becomes the fourth Guru. It is a careful act of love, not a loss. The whole family bows to him.
Can you think of a goodbye that was also something to celebrate?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI