Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I have been unlucky, tight-fisted, careless, and without the awe that keeps a person good.
Nanak says: still, I am Your servant, the dust of the feet of those who love You.
The honest look ends in a warm place: I belong to You.
Nanak names his faults. Badbakhat — unlucky. Then stingy, careless, shameless, and without the awe that keeps a person good. He hides none of it. But he doesn't fall into despair either. He turns and says, naanak bugoyad jan turaa — Nanak says, I am Your servant. He even calls himself the dust under the feet of those who serve the One.
This is the healthy way to look at yourself. See yourself clearly. Then bring your whole, imperfect self to the One and to those who love the One. Think of a child who breaks a glass and runs to tell their mother. The truth gets said, and then comes the hug.
The lowest place, taken gladly, is where the confession finds its rest.
After seeing your faults honestly, where do you set the imperfect self down — in shame, or in belonging?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI