Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
God Himself acts, and causes others to act. Everything is in His hands.
He Himself bestows life and death. He is with us, within and beyond.
Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God, the Master of all hearts.
The closing pauri returns to divine sovereignty: aap kartaa aap karaavanaa — He Himself does and causes to be done. The same statement from Guru Amar Das (Shabad 53, Shabad 62) in Guru Arjan's register. The sovereignty is total and benevolent: within, beyond, giver of life and death.
Sarb jhaan — Master of all hearts (jhaan = knowing, awareness). The One who knows all hearts is also the One being sought as Sanctuary. The seeker and the known are in relationship: the Lord knows the heart of the one who seeks Him.
What is in your heart right now that you feel the divine might not know — or might know and judge? What would it mean if He knows it fully and remains your Sanctuary anyway?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI