Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
On my own, without the teaching, I wander and ache, going in circles for what feels like ages.
I come with empty hands — You have always been the Giver.
Place the understanding of the true words in me; that's the one thing I'm asking for.
This one says: I come with empty hands to the One who always gives.
Bin satgur sayvay bahutaa dukh laagaa: without serving the true Guru, a person aches a lot. They wander through jug chaaray, the four great ages of time in old Indian thought, going in circles. Think of being lost in a mall, walking past the same stores again and again.
Then comes ham deen: I am poor and small. This does not mean worthless. It means empty-handed, like a child holding out open hands. And the One is jug jug daatay, the Giver in every age.
The whole request narrows to one thing: sabday deh bujhaa-ee. Give me understanding of the shabad, the true words. Not gifts, not status. Just understanding.
What's one thing you'd ask for if you could ask for only understanding, not stuff?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI