Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O Nanak — the One Lord alone is the Giver. There is no other at all.
By the Guru's Grace, He is obtained. By His Mercy, He is found.
Naanak ik daataa so sabhna kaa, doojaa avar na ko-ee — O Nanak, the One Lord alone is the Giver for all (sabhna kaa — of all beings, for everyone); there is no other (doojaa avar na ko-ee). The closing distills the entire ashtapadee: after the Messenger's club, the poisonous plant, the Saadh Sangat, the infinite Treasure — the answer is simple and singular. One Giver. No other.
Gur parsaad-ee paa-ee-ai, nadar ho-ay so ho-ee — by the Guru's Grace (gur parsaad-ee), He is obtained; by His Mercy (nadar — glance of grace), whatever happens, happens. So ho-ee (so it is, whatever He wills is what is) — a phrase of complete surrender. Not resignation but the peace of knowing that the one who gives, forgives, and unites is the only One there is. Nadar ho-ay so ho-ee: as His Grace falls, so it shall be. The seeker's role: receptivity, turning toward the Guru, opening to the grace that is the source of everything described in this ashtapadee.
What would it feel like to genuinely release the outcome of your spiritual life into the hands of the One who gives everything?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI