Written and published on 2 June 2014

• “Pavan Guru Pani Pita,” Free Translation by Alice B. Clagett

Dear Ones,

This is a shabad (holy song or hymn) that I like very much. It is from ‘Japji Sahib’, the morning prayer of the Sikhs. The ladies are singing at the Golden Temple, a sacred site in India.

The chorus, “Maata dharat mahat” means “Our Mother is the Great Earth.”

Video: “Pavan Guru Pani Pita” Punjabi/English Captions & Translation,” by Bibi Gurudev Kaur, 10 May 2010 … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZJlYaqrkN8 ..

When I recite these verses I think of humankind as ancient trees, standing on the bank of a little stream, with feet firmly rooted in Mother Earth, and hair waving in the wind.

I have an interpretation of this prayer that is a little different from the traditional one (1):

“Pavan Guru Pani Pita”
Free Translation by Alice B. Clagett
2 June 2014

The breath of life, the breath in our lungs
teaches us about Light and Dark, good and bad.
It offers us Soul wisdom.

The water in which our body cells are bathed
is our father, who remembers the day we were born
and cares for us each moment of our life,
bathing our cells in Divine grace.

All the rest of our bodily being comes from
our Great Mother Earth.

Through our days and nights in time and space
we enjoy the Divine play, Lila.

When the play is done, the majesty of our own Soul,
the Lord of Dharma,
who knows the right path
out of the illusion of separation,
and back to the presence of God,
surveys the record of our earthly deeds,
humbling our hearts
with the truth of our actions.

Did we draw nearer to All that is,
or do we find ourselves farther from it?

Those who spent their lives
meditating on God’s name
and doing their work in the world
have found their way to the Light,
and have lit the way for many others.

….

In love, light and joy,
I Am of the Stars

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FOOTNOTES

(1) A more traditional translation, and a transliteration, are available here …

Link: “Pavan guru paanee pitaa” … http://www.spiritvoyage.com/mantra/Pavan-Guru-Paanee-Pitaa/MAN-000272.aspx ..

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Sikhs, prayers, prayers by Alice, Japji Sahib, Mother Earth, Pavan Guru Paanee Pitaa, prayer, Sikh prayer,