Shabad Hazaaray

Love Letters by the fifth Sikh Master, Guru Arjan to his father the fourth Sikh Master, Guru Ram Das

First Letter

My mind long to see You,

Oh Guide of Light.

It weeps like the cuckoo without water.

My desire goes unsatisfied.

Peace does not come to me

So long as I do not see

My Wise Beloved One.

I would give everything that I am,

I would dissolve myself as a sacrifice,

So that I could behold You, Guide of Light –

My Wise Beloved One.  (1)

(Reflect.)

 

Second Letter

Oh Darling, Your face is so delightful,

And the sound of Your heavenly words

Bring harmony and ease.

It has been such a long time since this cuckoo,

Lost in longing,

Has seen a single rain drop.

My Dear.

My Beloved Protector and Friend,

The land where You live is so blessed.

I would give everything that I am,

I would dissolve myself as a sacrifice,

For You – Guide of Light.

My Dear.

My Beloved Protector and Friend. (2)

(Reflect)

 

Third Letter

Just one moment of being apart from You

Takes me into the Age of Darkness.

Now, when will we meet again, Beloved?

You Adorable, Enchanting, Divine One.

My nights never end.

Sleep does not come,

Without seeing the Radiant Court of my Dear Guide of Light.

I would give everything that I am,

I would dissolve myself as a sacrifice,

For that Radiant Court of Ultimate Truth

Where my Dear Guide of Light abides. (3)

(Reflect)

 

Fourth Letter

How wonderfully fortunate!

This wise saint,

My Guide of Light,

Has taken me into His embrace.

I have found the Indestructible Creator

In the home of my own heart.

Serving You each moment,

I am never separated from You –

Not even for an instant.

Dear One,

Naanak has become Your devotee and Your slave.

I give everything that I am.

I dissolve myself as a sacrifice.

Dear One,

Naanak has become Your devotee and Your slave. (4)

(Reflect)

 

Shabad Hazaaray Downloadable PDF

 

Poetically interpreted by Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa. Copyright 2014.