Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Mother, the teacher's feet are so sweet to me — by real good fortune the One beyond all reach reached me. Just one glimpse of the teacher carries a million gifts.
Singing the praises of the One who never breaks or fades, the old grip of craving, anger, and stubborn pride simply lets go. And the ones colored through with that love become steady and lasting; birth and death stop grinding them down.
This one says you don't beat craving by fighting it. You crowd it out by loving something sweeter.
Maa-ee charan gur meethay — mother, the Guru's feet are so sweet. That makes devotion tender, not stern. The feeling is warm, almost delighted. This is the rahaa-o, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad. Kot falaa darsan gur deethay — one sight of the Guru brings millions of rewards.
The change it names is clear. Kaam kroDh binsay mad dheethay — strong desire, anger, and stubborn pride melt away. That happens while singing praises. They aren't beaten in a head-on fight. They leave because the heart is filled with something sweeter.
This is the tradition's gentle wisdom about the heart. You don't beat these pulls with gritted teeth. You crowd them out by falling in love with something better. Think of a kid who stops fussing about a lost toy once a friend comes over to play.
Janam maran baahur nahee peethay — birth and death no longer grind them down. The fear of endings loses its power to wear you away.
Is it easier to stop a bad habit by fighting it, or by getting absorbed in something better? Why?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI