It was another Tuesday, and my visit to the nearby temple with some sweet offerings for dear Lord included a musical session with the other devotees singing their respective spiritual songs/bhajans. I have not been a regular attendee for the weekly kirtan, but a request by some of them in the past few weeks prompted me to stay back and sing. Today’s visit was a planned session and I had prepared two Punjabi kirtans for the gathering.

The first kirtan – Satguru Main Teri Patang is quite popular and therefore it was well-appreciated and understood by the fellow female devotees. I am including the lyrics of the bhajan along with English translation for the benefit of my international friends.

सदगुरु मैं तेरी पतंग बाबा मैं तेरी पतंग – २

Satguru main teri patang baba main teri patang – 2

Satguru – refers to real Guru – a God realized saint – a person who has already attained God. The poet says that dear Satguru, I am your kite.

The word Baba is again used for a God realized saint.

हवा विच उड़ती जावांगी-२, बाबा डोर हथों छड़ी न मैं कटी जावांगी

Hawa vich ud di jawangi -2, Baba dor hathon chaddi na main katti jawangi

I will keep flying high in the air, oh Baba please do not leave my string ever, else I will be cut off or lost

सदगुरु मैं तेरी पतंग बाबा मैं तेरी पतंग -२

Satguru main teri patang baba main teri patang – 2
बड़ी मुश्किल दे नल मिलिया मैनू तेरा दवारा है बाबा तेरा दवारा है -२

Badi mushkil de nal mileya mainu tera dwara ae, baba tera dwara ae-2

I have found your door after so many struggles Baba
मैनू इको तेरा आसरा नाल तेरा सहारा है , बाबा तेरा सहारा है

Mainu eko tera asra nal tera sahara ae, Baba tera sahara ae

I only have your shelter and your support Baba
हूँ तेरे ही भरोसे , बाबा तेरे ही भरोसे

Hun tere hi bharose, Baba tere hi bharose

Now, only  keeping my faith in you
हवा विच उड़ती जावांगी-२, बाबा डोर हथों छड़ी न मैं कटी जावांगी

Hawa wich udti jawangi-2, Baba dor hathon chaddi na main katti jawangi

सदगुरु मैं तेरी पतंग बाबा मैं तेरी पतंग -२

Satguru main teri patang baba main teri patang – 2
ऐना चरना कमला नालो मैनू दूर हटायीं न बाबा दूर हटायीं न -२

Aena charna kamla nalo mainu dur hatayi na Baba door hatayi na-2

Oh Baba, please do not keep me away from your lotus feet
इस झूठे जग दे अन्दर मेरा पेचां लाई न , साईँ पेचां लाई न

Aes jhuthe jag de andar mera pecha layi na, Saiya pecha layi na

Please do not entangle me in this false (materialistic) world
जे कट गयीं ता सदगुरु -२

Je kat gayi ta Satguru -2

If I get cut off/lost, my Satguru
फिर मैं लुटी जावांगी , हो फिर मैं लुटी जावांगी

Phir main lutti jawangi, ho phir main lutti jawangi

Then I will be robbed

बाबा डोर हाथों छड़ी न मैं कटी जावांगी

Baba dor hatho chaddi na main katti jawangi
सदगुरु मैं तेरी पतंग बाबा मैं तेरी पतंग -२

Satguru main teri patang baba main teri patang – 2
आज मालिया बुहा आके मैं तेरे दवार डा बाबा तेरे दवार डा -२

Aj maleya bua aake main tere dwar da Baba tere dwar da – 2

Today I have captured a seat at your door step dear Baba
हाथ रखदे एक बारी तू मेरे सर ते प्यार डा , बाबा सर ते प्यार डा

Hath rakh de ek vari tu mere sar te pyar da, Baba sar te pyar da

Oh dear Baba, please keep your gracious hand on my head
फिर जनम मरण दे गेडे -२ तो मैं बच्दी जावांगी -२

Phir janam maran de gedey, 2 to main bachdi jawangi -2

Once you grace me, then I will be freed from the cycle of birth and death, and attain divine bliss
हवा विच उड़ती जावांगी , बाबा डोर हाथों छड़ी न मैं कटी जावांगी

Hawa vich ud di jawangi, Baba dor hathon chaddi na main katti jawangi

सदगुरु मैं तेरी पतंग बाबा मैं तेरी पतंग

Satguru main teri patang baba main teri patang

सदगुरु मैं तेरी पतंग हवा विच उड़ती जावांगी

Satguru main teri patang Hawa vich ud di jawangi

बाबा डोर हाथों छड़ी न मैं कटी जावांगी

Baba dor hathon chaddi na main katti jawangi

सदगुरु मैं तेरी पतंग बाबा मैं तेरी पतंग
Satguru main teri patang baba main teri patang

You can listen to the bhajan on my Youtube channel.

The second Kirtan was Likhan waleya tu ho ke dayal likh de, mere dil wich Guran da pyar likh de- Oh God (the one who determines destiny), please be graceful and write Guru’s love in my destiny. I will translate that in my subsequent posts.

Coming back to importance of a spiritual saint. It is time we read the life history and most importantly, the teachings of God realized saints like Meera Bai, Tulsidas, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

I do not know the experience of others, but my Guru has made me a better human being. There is no point in being religious and then going around hurting others by being mean to them or making fun of them. God resides in each and every creature. Please respect everyone.