ay man mayri-aa too thir rahu chot na khaavhee raam.
O my mind, remain steady and stable, and you will not have to endure beatings.
ਏ ਮਨ ਮੇਰਿਆ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵਹੀ ਰਾਮ ॥
ay man mayri-aa gun gaavahi sahj samaavahee raam.
O my mind, singing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, you shall merge into Him with intuitive ease.
ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇ ਰਾਮ ਰਸਾਇ ਰਸੀਅਹਿ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਸਾਰਹੇ ॥
gun gaa-ay raam rasaa-ay rasee-ah gur gi-aan anjan saarhay.
Singing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, be happy. Apply the ointment of spiritual wisdom to your eyes.
ਤ੍ਰੈ ਲੋਕ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤ ਸੰਘਾਰਹੇ ॥
tarai lok deepak sabad chaanan panch doot sanghaarahay.
The Word of the Shabad is the lamp which illuminates the three worlds; it slaughters the five demons.
ਭੈ ਕਾਟਿ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਤਰਹਿ ਦੁਤਰੁ ਗੁਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਐ ਕਾਰਜ ਸਾਰਏ ॥
bhai kaat nirbha-o tareh dutar gur mili-ai kaaraj saar-ay.
Quieting your fears, become fearless, and you shall cross over the impassible world ocean. Meeting the Guru, your affairs shall be resolved.
ਰੂਪੁ ਰੰਗੁ ਪਿਆਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਆਪਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਏ ॥੩॥
roop rang pi-aar har si-o har aap kirpaa Dhaar-ay. ||3||
You shall find the joy and the beauty of the Lord's Love and Affection; the Lord Himself shall shower you with His Grace. ||3||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
In plain words
O my mind, stand steady, and the knocks of life will not throw you around.
Sing the One’s praises, and you settle into an easy calm.
Singing lifts your heart. It is like clear eye-drops of wisdom — suddenly you see. The Word is a lamp bright enough to light up every world, and it quiets the five pulls that used to push you around: wanting, anger, greed, clinging, and pride.
Let your fears go quiet, step forward unafraid, and you cross the rough sea. When goodness fills you, the beauty of the One’s love is everywhere — grace pouring over you.
Stand steady and sing, and the knocks of life stop throwing you around.
The deeper layer
Standing steady means the knocks of life cannot throw you. The “five demons” are named for children as the five pulls — wanting, anger, greed, clinging, pride. Singing is eye-drops of wisdom; fear goes quiet and the crossing is made.
A Question to Sit With
What helps you stand steady when life knocks you around?
