Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
All the practices in the world — the chanting, the effort, the service — mean the most when they come from a heart that simply wants to be aligned with what is true. What counts is doing it honestly.
The One forgives, and the sense of 'me first' quietly dissolves. Then something in you joins something much larger, the way a small light merges into a great light. Once joined, it is never separated again. Nanak says: by the Guru's grace this understanding comes softly, like a gift, to the one the One helps to understand.
Devotion is whatever pleases the One, and it flows from love.
It is a shalok, a short verse, by Guru Amar Das, the third Guru. So jap tap sayvaa chaakree jo khasmai bhaavai — prayer, effort and service are whatever pleases the Master. Worship comes alive through love.
Aapay bakhsay — the One forgives. Aapat gavaavai — the One takes away our self-importance, the "me first" feeling. Mili-aa kaday na veechhurhai — once joined, we are never apart again. Jotee jot milaavai — the small light melts into the great Light, like a wave settling into the ocean.
Jis aap bujhaavai — the one understands whom the One helps to understand. Understanding is a gift of grace. It comes when we are open, and no one earns it. Think of a door you have pushed and pushed. Then someone inside simply opens it for you.
When you help or practice, does it come from wanting to look good, or from something truer?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI