It Is Never Too Late to Begin

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

This verse says, "I didn't see how precious You were, and now I wish I had." Its gentle lesson is that it is never too late to begin.

This is the Rahao, the "pause" line. It is the center of the whole shabad, the line everything else turns around.

Tai saahib kee mai saar na jaanee: my Master, I did not know Your worth. Joban kho-ay paachhai pachhutaanee: my young years went by, and afterward I felt regret. Pachhutaanee means that sinking feeling of "I wish I had."

That feeling is not for beating yourself up. It means you can see clearly now. Think of finding a birthday card from a grandparent, years later, and finally reading it slowly. You can't go back, but you can treasure it today. Seeing clearly is a fresh start.