O my mind, serve the Lord, the Primal, Detached Lord.
ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਭੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਜਿੰਨਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥
har simar aikankaar saachaa sabh jagat jinn upaa-i-aa.
Meditate in remembrance on the One Universal Creator; the True Lord created the entire Universe.
ਪਉਣੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨਿ ਬਾਧੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਖੇਲੁ ਜਗਤਿ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ॥
pa-un paanee agan baaDhay gur khayl jagatdikhaa-i-aa.
The Guru controls the air, water and fire; He has staged the drama of the world.
ਆਚਾਰਿ ਤੂ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਜਮ ਜਪ ਤਪੋ ॥
aachaar too veechaar aapay har naam sanjam jap tapo.
Reflect on your own self, and so practice good conduct; chant the Name of the Lord as your self-discipline and meditation.
ਸਖਾ ਸੈਨੁ ਪਿਆਰੁ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਜਪੁ ਜਪੋ ॥੨॥
sakhaa sain pi-aar pareetam naam har kaa jap japo. ||2||
The Name of the Lord is your Companion, Friend and Dear Beloved; chant it, and meditate on it. ||2||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
In plain words
O my mind, do not get so tangled in busywork that you forget to live.
Keep the One in your thoughts — the single Source who made the whole universe.
Air, water, fire — all of it is held and set in motion by the One, who staged this whole amazing play we call the world.
Look honestly at yourself, and let that shape how you act. Keep the Name close as your steady practice. The Name is a Companion, a Friend, a Beloved — carry it with you everywhere.
Don’t get so busy you forget to live — keep the Name close as a true Friend.
The deeper layer
The One is the single Source of the whole universe, holding air, water and fire and “staging the play” of the world (khayl). The Name is named as Companion, Friend and Beloved — something to carry everywhere.
A Question to Sit With
Who or what feels like a true, steady friend you can carry with you anywhere?
