Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
With my palms pressed together, I offer my small prayer: if it pleases You, set everything right in me.
Fill me with love and devotion, so that remembering You becomes as steady as breathing.
Guru Arjan is saying: with hands together I pray, not for things, but for more love.
Du-ay kar jorh kara-o ardaas means "with both hands pressed together, I pray." Ardaas is a heartfelt prayer, and joined hands are how Sikhs stand for it.
Notice what he asks for. Kar kirpaa apnee bhagtee laa-ay means "be kind and bless me with bhagtee." Bhagtee means loving devotion. Jan naanak prabh sadaa Dhi-aa-ay means Nanak remembers God always. Think of asking your grandma for just more time with her, not for a present. The only thing he asks for is more remembering.
If you could ask for one quality to grow inside you, what would it be?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI