Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The Beloved is the ocean, the boat, and the boatman steering it.
It climbs aboard and crosses too — then watches the whole wondrous play like a delighted king.
And it is endlessly kind: it forgives, and folds us gently back into itself.
Guru Ram Das ends by saying the One is the ocean, the boat, the boatman, and even the traveler, watching the whole play with joy.
Aapay saagar bohithaa: the Beloved is the saagar, the ocean, and the bohithaa, the boat. Gur khayvat aap chalaahu: the One is also the Guru, the boatman who steers.
Aapay hee charh langh-daa: the One climbs aboard and crosses over too. So the One is the ocean, the boat, the rower, and the passenger, all at once.
Kar choj vaykhai paatisaahu: the One puts on this choj, this wonderful play, and watches it like a delighted king. Think of a child who builds a whole block city, then sits back, grinning, to watch the toy cars drive around it.
Where does the long aapay song land? On kindness. Aapay aap da-i-aal hai: the One is full of mercy. Jan naanak bakhas milaahu: Guru Ram Das, speaking as Nanak, says the One forgives and brings us gently back home.
If life is a play the One is putting on and watching, what part are you enjoying playing?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI