kaho naanak parabh kirpaa keejai har gun sunee-ah avinaasee. ||2||
Says Nanak, O God, please be Merciful to me, that I may listen to Your Glorious Praises, O Imperishable Lord. ||2||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
In plain words
Give me a million ears, Beloved, to hear the praises of the One who never fades.
Listening and listening, the mind grows clear and clean, and the fear of death loses its grip.
Keeping the One in mind brings every happiness and a bright, wise clarity. Day and night I hold the Name, and my mind settles into ease.
The old heaviness burns off, and muddled thinking clears. Be kind to me, so I may always hear Your praises.
Deep listening clears the mind and loosens the grip of fear.
The deeper layer
This verse asks for millions of ears, so the heart can listen to the One without end.
Kot karan deejeh: give me millions of ears. It is the same love as before, now wanting to listen. Gurbani often praises suniai, deep listening.
Sun sun ih man nirmal hovai: listening and listening, the mind becomes clean and clear. Think of muddy water in a glass. Let it sit quietly, and the mud settles to the bottom. Listening does that for the mind.
The verse speaks of death's noose being cut. Its gentle meaning is that fear loses its grip. What stays in the center is peace and clear thinking: sagal mangal sugi-aanaa, every joy and wise understanding.
A Question to Sit With
What is something worth listening to so closely you wish you had extra ears?
