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.
Wash the pot, sit down and scent it, then go and fetch the milk.
Into the milk of good deeds add the rennet of clear awareness, and, free of craving, let it set.
This shabad opens Raag Soohee, the raag that comes right after Tilang in the Guru Granth Sahib. It begins with the Mool Mantar, the opening lines that name the One.
Guru Nanak uses a picture from the kitchen: making butter the old way. It becomes a picture of making a good life. First wash the pot. That means cleaning the heart. Scent it, then go and fetch the milk. DooDh karam — the milk is good deeds. Then add rennet, which helps milk set. Here the rennet is surat, clear awareness. Ho-ay niraas jamaavahu — free of craving, let it set.
Think of making yogurt at home. You clean the bowl, warm the milk, stir in a spoon of starter, and wait. You can't hurry it.
A good life is drawn as that kind of kitchen work. It is patient and ordinary, and done with care.
What everyday, patient craft could be a picture of how you tend your own inner life?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI