Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The true teacher snapped the ropes that held me and set me free and open — no more being pulled back into old cycles.
Nanak says: the jewel of understanding lit up inside me, and the formless One came to live in my heart.
This one says that when the old ropes are cut, understanding lights up and the One comes to live in your heart.
Bandhan torh niraaray: "breaking the bonds, the teacher set me free." The verse also says the freed one is not pulled back into being born again. Think of it as freedom from old cycles, the same stuck patterns coming around again and again.
Then comes the reward: gi-aan ratan pargaasi-aa, "the jewel of wisdom shone out." Gi-aan means understanding. It is like a light switching on in a dark room. Suddenly you can see everything.
Where does the freed heart end up? Har man vasi-aa nirankaaree, "the Formless One came to live in my mind." The shabad began with empty hands at a door. It ends with the Giver moved in.
What is an old pattern you'd love to be free of — and how would it feel to finally let it go?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI