No Thanks Is Too Humble for Whoever Helps You

ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾ ਮੈ ਦੇਇ ਸਨੇਹਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਪਣਾ ਦੇਵਾ ॥

jo har parabh kaa mai day-ay sanayhaa tis man tan apnaa dayvaa.

I dedicate my mind and body to the one who brings me a message from my Lord God.

ਨਿਤ ਪਖਾ ਫੇਰੀ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਵਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਪਾਣੀ ਢੋਵਾਂ ॥

nit pakhaa fayree sayv kamaavaa tis aagai paanee dhovaa^N.

I wave the fan over him every day, serve him and carry water for him.

ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਸੇਵ ਕਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਣਾਏ ॥

nit nit sayv karee har jan kee jo har har kathaa sunaa-ay.

Constantly and continuously, I serve the Lord's humble servant, who recites to me the sermon of the Lord, Har, Har.

ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਆਸ ਪੁਜਾਏ ॥੪॥

Dhan Dhan guroo gur satgur pooraa naanak man aas pujaa-ay. ||4||

Hail, hail unto the Guru, the Guru, the Perfect True Guru, who fulfills Nanak's heart's desires. ||4||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

I'd give anything to the one who brings me word of the One I love.

I'd gladly serve them, fan them, carry water for them — no task too humble.

I stay close to anyone who tells me about what's good and true.

Hooray for the wisdom that fills my heart's deepest wish!

When someone helps you toward what's good, no way of thanking and serving them is too humble.

The deeper layer

A verse in praise of humble service and of those who carry the good message. The seeker would "wave the fan, serve, carry water" for the one who "recites the sermon of the Lord" — no task too lowly when done in love. Guru Ram Das models a beautiful humility: gladly serving anyone who points you toward the good. For a child: when someone helps you toward what's good and true, no way of thanking and serving them is too small.

A Question to Sit With

How could you show thanks to someone who's taught you something important?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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