Second, the Guru went to the river Jamunaa, where He chanted the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.
The tax collectors met the Guru and gave Him offerings; they did not impose the tax on His followers.
All the True Guru's followers were excused from the tax; they meditated on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.
The Messenger of Death does not even approach those who have walked on the path, and followed the Guru's Teachings.
All the world said, "Guru! Guru! Guru!" Uttering the Guru's Name, they were all emancipated.
Second, the Guru went to the river Jamunaa, where He chanted the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. ||4||
# Raag Tukhaari, Shabad 10 — The Tollmen Waved Everyone Through
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Next the Guru came to the river Jamuna, keeping the Name alive on his lips.
The tollmen who collected the crossing-fee met the Guru, brought gifts instead, and waved all his followers through for free.
Everyone walking behind the Guru passed freely, hearts full of the Name.
Even the collector of endings keeps his distance from those who walk this path with the Guru's Word.
All around, people were calling out "Guru! Guru!", and in that Name they felt set free.
The Guru came to the Jamuna, the Name alive on his lips.
At the river crossing sat the jaagaatee, the tax or toll collectors; here they meet the Guru, offer gifts, and let his followers cross for free. The fourth line gives the deeper reading: jam jaagaatee, "Death the toll-collector," keeps his distance from those who walk with the Guru's Word. That fearsome figure is rendered gently as "the collector of endings," who simply does not stop those on the path, so a child hears reassurance, not dread. The whole crowd crying "Guru! Guru!" and feeling set free is the Name itself as the great releaser.
What is something you were scared of that lost its grip once you were not facing it alone?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI