A Life Is Justified by What Happens to Those Near It

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

Whoever truly knows the One is at peace. And their life helps the people around them remember the One too.

The verse gives the knower a long list of honours. Lasting peace. Being blended into the One. True wealth. Kulvant — noble birth. Here noble birth means a family line of the heart, not of blood. In one word, the idea that birth or caste makes anyone higher is quietly set aside. And jeevan mukat — free while still alive.

Then it celebrates such a person's arrival. Dhan Dhan Dhan jan aa-i-aa — blessed, blessed, blessed is the coming of that person. Their birth more than pays its way. Jis parsaad sabh jagat taraa-i-aa — by their grace, the whole world is carried across, as if over a wide river to safety.

Then comes an answer to a question every child asks one day: what am I for? Jan aavan kaa ihai su-aa-o — this is why they came. Jan kai sang chit aavai naa-o — near them, the Name comes to mind. That is the whole answer. A life counts by what happens to the people near it. They remember what matters. Not statues, titles or records. Just being close, and remembering. Think of a friend who makes a whole room kinder just by walking in.

Aap mukat mukat karai sansaar — freed themselves, they free the world. The Guru ends with a bow: naanak tis jan ka-o sadaa namaskaar — to such a servant, I bow forever. That bow shows the only kind of learning that truly matters.