Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Think how loved a person is. A son is adored by his mother and father, and a clever son-in-law is welcomed by his in-laws. A father is dear to his children, and a brother is precious to his brother.
But all of that belongs to a moment. When the flow of life moves on, he leaves this world. In an instant those bonds loosen, and everything that felt like "mine" belongs to someone else.
The trouble comes when a person forgets the Name, never shares, and never cleans the inside. Then they arrive empty, having tumbled through life without gathering what lasts.
The people we love are a precious gift, but they are on loan. What we carry on is the Name, sharing, and a clean heart.
This shabad is a cha-utukay, a hymn of four-line verses. Guru Nanak begins by piling up the sweetest human bonds. Maa-ay baap ko baytaa neekaa — a son is dear to his mother and father. Sasurai chatur javaa-ee — a clever son-in-law is welcomed by his wife's family. A father is dear to his children, and a brother to his brother.
Then comes the turn. Hukam bha-i-aa baahar ghar chhodi-aa — when hukam, the flow of existence, calls, a person leaves this home. Khin meh bha-ee paraa-ee — in an instant, everything that felt like "mine" belongs to someone else. Think of a library book you loved. It was truly yours to enjoy, but one day it goes back.
The last line names the manmukh, the person who faces only their own wants. That person is not called wicked. They simply missed three things that last: naam, keeping the One in mind; daan, sharing with others; and isnaan, washing the heart clean inside. The verse ends with a plain picture: the body goes back to the dust, and nothing lasting was gathered. Guru Nanak's three, naam daan isnaan, show up again and again in Gurbani, the Gurus' words, as the shape of a whole life.
Who are the people you love most — and how might you cherish them today, knowing time is precious?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI