Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Foolish, unknowing soul-bride, why so full of pride?
Right inside your own home, why aren't you enjoying the love of your Beloved? He is so very near — why go searching outside for Him? Let awe of Him line your eyes like kajal, and make His love your jewelry. Then you'll be known as a devoted bride, when love for your Beloved is planted in you.
The first long verse holds the raag's most quoted teaching: "Your Husband Lord is so very near... why do you search for Him outside?" The Beloved is not distant — He is "within the home of your own self." Our pride and our outward searching are exactly what keep us from noticing the One who is already here, closer than close. And the true adornment is inward: awe lining the eyes like kajal, love as jewelry. You do not dress up to go find the Beloved far away; you realize He is home, and adorn the heart to meet Him there.
What might you be searching for 'outside' that is actually already within reach, or within you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI