Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I heard He gives shelter - so I came for shelter. And in His mercy, He drew me into Himself.
The old hostilities left me; I became the dust of everyone's feet. In the company of the good, the deathless Name was placed in my hands.
The Guide is fully pleased; the long service has flowered. Released from the tangles and the grime - just by hearing the Name and letting my tongue keep it.
By His grace, mercy came down. And my merchandise has arrived - safe and sound.
This one sounds like a letter home from a traveler who has arrived safely.
It is written in the past tense, like someone telling what happened. It is the only verse in Sukhmani that reads this way. I heard You give shelter, so I came. You joined me to Yourself. Hatred left me. An earlier song praised the One as free of hatred; here it becomes a person's own story. I became the dust of all, humble before everyone. I received the Name. The Guru was pleased. The service was complete. I was freed from the tangles.
Then comes the line a long trading story has been sailing toward. Naanak nibhee khayp hamaaree — my cargo has arrived safe and sound. Khayp is a trader's shipment. Think of a package tracker that finally says "Delivered."
All through Gurbani, living by the Name is pictured as trade. There is money to trade with, a caravan, and a warehouse. There is one true thing worth buying, and a court where the goods are checked. All of that closes here, in one line of safe delivery.
And Guru Arjan says it about himself. It is not a promise. It is a report. The trade this song teaches has been done, at least once, by someone real. We are holding the map of a route someone has already sailed.
What is the difference between advice from a map-reader and advice from someone who has made the journey? Which is this?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI