har iksai naal mai dostee har iksai naal mai rang.
My friendship is with the One Lord alone; I am in love with the One Lord alone.
ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਜਣੋ ਹਰਿ ਇਕਸੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਮੈ ਸੰਗੁ ॥
har iko mayraa sajno har iksai naal mai sang.
The Lord is my only friend; my companionship is with the One Lord alone.
ਹਰਿ ਇਕਸੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਮੈ ਗੋਸਟੇ ਮੁਹੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਕਰੈ ਨ ਭੰਗੁ ॥
har iksai naal mai gostay muhu mailaa karai na bhang.
My conversation is with the One Lord alone; He never frowns, or turns His face away.
ਜਾਣੈ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜੀਅ ਕੀ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਮੋੜੈ ਰੰਗੁ ॥
jaanai birthaa jee-a kee kaday na morhai rang.
He alone knows the state of my soul; He never ignores my love.
ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਸਲਤੀ ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਨ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥
har iko mayraa maslatee bhannangharhan samrath.
He is my only counselor, all-powerful to destroy and create.
ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਸਿਰਿ ਦਾਤਿਆ ਜਗ ਹਥੁ ॥
har iko mayraa daataar hai sir daati-aa jag hath.
The Lord is my only Giver. He places His hand upon the heads of the generous in the world.
ਹਰਿ ਇਕਸੈ ਦੀ ਮੈ ਟੇਕ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਸਿਰਿ ਸਭਨਾ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥
har iksai dee mai tayk hai jo sir sabhnaa samrath.
I take the Support of the One Lord alone; He is all-powerful, over the heads of all.
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਧਰਿ ਕੈ ਹਥੁ ॥
satgur sant milaa-i-aa mastak Dhar kai hath.
The Saint, the True Guru, has united me with the Lord. He placed His hand on my forehead.
ਵਡਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਸਗਲ ਜਗਤੁ ॥
vadaa saahib guroo milaa-i-aa jin taari-aa sagal jagat.
The Guru led me to meet the greatest Lord and Master; He saved the whole world.
ਮਨ ਕੀਆ ਇਛਾ ਪੂਰੀਆ ਪਾਇਆ ਧੁਰਿ ਸੰਜੋਗ ॥
man kee-aa ichhaa pooree-aa paa-i-aa Dhur sanjog.
The desires of the mind are fulfilled; I have attained my pre-destined Union with God.
ਨਾਨਕ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਭੋਗੇ ਭੋਗ ॥੧॥
naanak paa-i-aa sach naam sad hee bhogay bhog. ||1||
Nanak has obtained the True Name; He enjoys the enjoyments forever. ||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
In plain words
My friendship is with the One alone; my love is for the One alone.
The One is my only friend; I keep company with the One alone.
I talk with the One alone, who never frowns or turns away.
The One knows how my heart is, and never pushes my love aside.
The One is my only adviser, strong enough to break down and to build.
The One is my only Giver, whose hand rests on the heads of the generous in the world.
I lean on the One alone, who stands strong over everyone.
The True Guru, the saint, brought me to the One, placing a hand on my forehead.
The Guru led me to the great Master, who carries the whole world across.
The wishes of my mind came true; I found the meeting written from the beginning.
Nanak says: I have found the True Naam, and I enjoy its joys forever.
There is a Friend who never frowns and never turns away.
The deeper layer
The Friend met at the opening of the Vaar comes into full view: the One never frowns, never turns its face, never ignores your love, and is your only counselor and giver. The Guru placing a hand on the forehead is a gesture of blessing and belonging. The soul's every desire is met — a union spoken of as long-destined.
A Question to Sit With
What makes someone a friend you can tell anything to?
