Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Come, my dear sisters and friends on the path. Hold me close in a hug.
Let's sit together and tell stories of our all-powerful Husband Lord.
All good qualities are in our True Lord and Master. On our own, we have none at all.
This verse is an invitation to friends: come, let's sit together and talk about the One we love.
Aavhu bhainay gal milah — come, sisters, let's hug. Mil kai karah kahaanee-aa samrath kant kee-aah — together, let's tell stories of our all-powerful Husband Lord. Guru Nanak speaks here as one of a circle of soul-brides, friends who share the same love. It is warm and close, not lonely.
This gathering is a picture of the Sangat, the community of people walking the path together. In Sikhi, being in the Sangat is itself a practice. The people around us shape us. We slowly become like the company we keep.
Think of a group of friends who love the same sport. When they get together and swap stories about their favorite players, they all get more excited and play better. Loving something together makes the love stronger.
Saachay saahib sabh gun a-ugan sabh asaah — every good quality is in the True Master, and on our own we have none. This is not putting ourselves down. It is honest. We need the Source, and we need each other. That is why we gather.
Is there a group — friends, family, a team — where you feel more like yourself, or more capable, than when you are alone? What is it about them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI