Where Does the Word Live?

ਸੁ ਸਬਦ ਕਾ ਕਹਾ ਵਾਸੁ ਕਥੀਅਲੇ ਜਿਤੁ ਤਰੀਐ ਭਵਜਲੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੋ ॥

so sabad kaa kahaa vaas kathee-alay jit taree-ai bhavjal sansaaro.

"Where is the Shabad said to dwell? What will carry us across the terrifying world-ocean?

ਤ੍ਰੈ ਸਤ ਅੰਗੁਲ ਵਾਈ ਕਹੀਐ ਤਿਸੁ ਕਹੁ ਕਵਨੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥

tarai sat angul vaa-ee kahee-ai tis kaho kavan aDhaaro.

The breath, when exhaled, extends out ten finger lengths; what is the support of the breath?

ਬੋਲੈ ਖੇਲੈ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਏ ॥

bolai khaylai asthir hovai ki-o kar alakh lakhaa-ay.

Speaking and playing, how can one be stable and steady? How can the unseen be seen?"

ਸੁਣਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਪ੍ਰਣਵੈ ਅਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਸਮਝਾਏ ॥

sun su-aamee sach naanak paranvai apnay man samjhaa-ay.

Listen, O master; Nanak prays truly. Instruct your own mind.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੇ ਸਚਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੈ ਕਰਿ ਨਦਰੀ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥

gurmukh sabday sach liv laagai kar nadree mayl milaa-ay.

The Gurmukh is lovingly attuned to the True Shabad. Bestowing His Glance of Grace, He unites us in His Union.

ਆਪੇ ਦਾਨਾ ਆਪੇ ਬੀਨਾ ਪੂਰੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਸਮਾਏ ॥੫੮॥

aapay daanaa aapay beenaa poorai bhaag samaa-ay. ||58||

He Himself is all-knowing and all-seeing. By perfect destiny, we merge in Him. ||58||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

"Where does the Word live, the Word that carries us across the frightening ocean of the world?

The breath reaches out ten fingers' length; what holds the breath up?

While we speak and play, how do we stay steady? How can the unseen be seen?"

Nanak prays: listen, master, to what is true, and teach your own mind.

Facing the Guru, you are tuned with love to the True Word; looking with grace, the One joins you to the One.

The One knows all and sees all; by perfect fortune, we merge in the One.

The steadiness the seekers want comes through grace, not just technique.

The deeper layer

Steadiness, and the sight of the unseen, come through grace and the Word.

The Siddhas ask breath-yoga questions: the breath goes out trai sat angul, ten finger-widths, on the exhale. The reply turns from technique to the Word and grace (nadar): the unseen One shows itself. Poorai bhaag, by perfect fortune, keeps the gift a gift.

A Question to Sit With

What keeps you steady while life keeps moving?

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

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