Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
My One, my whole world — I've come to Your door for shelter.
You wipe away countless mistakes, You give without limit; other than You, who could possibly save me?
This one is about coming to the One for shelter, and the peace that comes after a long search.
Savaamee saran pari-o darbaaray — Master, I've come to the shelter of Your court. Saran means refuge, a safe place. This is the rahaa-o, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad.
Kot apraaDh khandan kay daatay — Giver who wipes away kot, millions, of wrongs. It puts the size of the mercy next to the size of our mistakes. And the mercy wins.
Then the question: tujh bin ka-un uDhaaray — who else but You can save me? That isn't despair. It's the clear voice of someone who has stopped trying out smaller rescuers — money, cleverness, being important. It's like trying every key on a big ring, and finally finding the one that fits. You stop searching and feel settled.
What are the 'smaller things' people hope will save them? What's it like to stop chasing those?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI