Sikhism·Raag Tilang·Shabad 21
Verse 4 of 5

Become a Clean Vessel, Given Away in Service

ਮਨੁ ਸੰਪਟੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਭਾਵਨ ਪਾਤੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਕਰੇ ॥
man sampat jit sat sar naavan bhaavan paatee taripat karay.
Wash your mind in the pool of Truth, and let it be the vessel of the Lord; let this be your offering to please Him.
ਪੂਜਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜੇ ਸੇਵੇ ਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਰਵਤੁ ਰਹੈ ॥੩॥
poojaa paraan sayvak jay sayvay inH biDh saahib ravat rahai. ||3||
That humble servant who dedicates and offers his life, and who serves in this way, remains absorbed in his Lord and Master. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Wash your mind in the pool of truth, and make it the vessel for the One; let that be your offering.

The one who gives their whole life and serves this way stays absorbed in the One.

The point of all the inner work is to become a clean vessel, given away in service — and so to stay absorbed in the One.
The deeper layer

This one shows the finished offering.

Sat sar naavan — bathe in the pool of Truth. Wash your mind there, and let it become the One's vessel. A clean mind, cleared of clutter, is like a clean pot the One can be carried in.

Poojaa paraan sayvak jay sayvay — the servant who offers their very life as worship, and serves. Such a person stays soaked in the One's love.

The whole butter-making has been leading here. The point was never just the butter. Think of a clean water bottle, filled and handed to a thirsty friend. The point is a life made into a clean vessel, given away in service, and at home in the One.

A Question to Sit With

What would it mean to make your own life a 'clean vessel' offered in service?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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