Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. Its Name is Truth. It is the Creator of all. It is fearless and full of love, beyond time, never born, shining on its own. And the One is found by the Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
I bring You just one prayer, Maker — please listen to it.
You are true, and great, and kind, and utterly clean and pure, the One who cherishes us all.
Guru Nanak begins with one simple prayer: please listen, Maker.
Raag Tilang opens with the Mool Mantar, the opening lines that name the One. The One is true, fearless, without hate, never born and never dying. Then comes a single plea. Yak araj guftam pays to — I bring You one request. There is no long list of wants. There is just one prayer.
Think of a child who walks up to a parent and says, "Can I tell you something?" The child trusts that the parent will listen. Nanak first names the One he is speaking to. Hakaa kabeer kareem too bay-aib parvardagaar — You are true, great, kind and spotless, the One who cherishes us. These are Persian and Arabic words, the language many people around Nanak spoke.
The rest of the shabad will be an honest look at himself. So first he makes sure it is spoken to a Cherisher who cares. He is not speaking to a judge waiting to punish.
When you need to be honest about yourself, does it help to first remember you're heard by kindness?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI