ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਲੋਗ ਰਾਮ ਜਨ ਊਤਮ ਮਿਲਿ ਊਤਮ ਪਦਵੀ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
har kay log raam jan ootam mil ootam padvee paavai.
The Lord's people are the most lofty and exalted. Meeting with them, the most exalted status is obtained.
ਹਮ ਹੋਵਤ ਚੇਰੀ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਸਨ ਕੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਖੁਸੀ ਕਰਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
ham hovat chayree daas daasan kee mayraa thaakur khusee karaavai. ||2||
I am the slave of the slave of the Lord's slaves; my Lord and Master is pleased with me. ||2||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The people of the One are the highest of all. Meeting them, a person reaches the highest place.
I am the servant of the servants of the One's servants, and my Master is pleased with me.
There is joy in being the smallest helper in good company.
Ootam padvee is the highest state, reached simply by meeting such people. “Slave of the slave of the slaves” is glad smallness, not self-abasement: the joy of being the least helper in a room full of good. And the Master is pleased (thaakur khusee): being lowly-in-love delights the One.
A Question to Sit With
When did helping quietly, without being noticed, feel good?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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