Oh lord, I was suffering and I came to your door seeking relief. Alas, you didn’t answer. But where can I go except your door?
I am helpless and orphan and without anyone in the world. I’ve come seeking your refuge. Now, it’s upon you my lord: whether you pick me up from the ground and embrace me or throw me into the dustbin.
ਅਬ ਹਮ ਚਲੀ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਹਾਰਿ ॥
ਜਬ ਹਮ ਸਰਣਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕੀ ਆਈ ਰਾਖੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਭਾਵੈ ਮਾਰਿ ॥੧॥
Now, I have come, exhausted, to my Lord and Master.
Now that I have come seeking Your Sanctuary, God, please, either save me, or kill me.
Even if you refuse to see me, it’s not your fault my lord. I’m so despicable and ugly and full of vices that I don’t even deserve one glance of yours.
ਤੈ ਸਹਿ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਕੀਆ ਰੋਸੁ ॥
ਮੁਝੁ ਅਵਗਨ ਸਹ ਨਾਹੀ ਦੋਸੁ ॥੧॥
O my Husband Lord, You are angry with me in Your Mind.
The fault is with me, and not with my Husband Lord.
I tried to wear the make up of wisdom and knowledge and etiquette, but you never saw me once. Then, shouldn’t I burn away this make up and break my bracelets along with arms when none of this could earn your approval?
ਚੂੜਾ ਭੰਨੁ ਪਲੰਘ ਸਿਉ ਮੁੰਧੇ ਸਣੁ ਬਾਹੀ ਸਣੁ ਬਾਹਾ ॥
ਏਤੇ ਵੇਸ ਕਰੇਦੀਏ ਮੁੰਧੇ ਸਹੁ ਰਾਤੋ ਅਵਰਾਹਾ ॥
So smash your bracelets along with your bed, O soul-bride, and break your arms, along with the arms of your couch.
In spite of all the decorations which you have made, O soul-bride, your Husband Lord is enjoying someone else.