ਬਾਮ੍ਹਣ ਪੂਜੈ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਧੰਨਾ ਗਊ ਚਰਾਵਣ ਆਵੈ॥

Bamhan Poojai Dhaevathae Dhhanna Goo Charavan Avai||

A brahman would worship gods (in the form of stone idols) where Dhanna used to graze his cow.

ਧੰਨੈ ਡਿਠਾ ਚਲਿਤ ਏਹ ਪੁਛੈ ਬਾਮ੍ਹਣ ਆਖ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ॥

Dhhannai Dditha Chalith Eaeh Pushhai Bamhan Akh Sunavai||

On seeing his worship, Dhanna asked the brahman what he was doing.

ਠਾਕੁਰ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੇ ਜੋ ਇਛੇ ਸੋਈ ਫਲ ਪਾਵੈ॥

Thakur Dhee Saeva Karae Jo Eishhae Soee Fal Pavai||

€œService to the Thakur (God) gives the desired fruit,” replied the brahman.

ਧੰਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਜੋਦੜੀ ਮੈਂ ਭਿ ਦੇਹ ਇਕ ਜੋ ਤੁਧ ਭਾਵੈ॥

Dhhanna Karadha Jodharree Main Bh Dhaeh Eik Jo Thudhh Bhavai||

Dhanna requested, “O brahman, if you agree kindly give one to me.”

ਪੱਥਰ ਇਕ ਲਪੇਟ ਕਰ ਦੇ ਧੰਨੇ ਨੋਂ ਗੈਲ ਛੁਡਾਵੈ॥

Pathhar Eik Lapaett Kar Dhae Dhhannae Non Gail Shhuddavai||

The brahman rolled a stone, gave it to Dhanna and thus got rid of him.

ਠਾਕੁਰ ਨੋਂ ਨ੍ਹਾਵਾਲਕੇ ਛਾਹਿ ਰੋਟੀ ਲੈ ਭੋਗ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਵੈ॥

Thakur Non Nhavalakae Shhahi Rottee Lai Bhog Charrhavai||

Dhanna bathed the Thakur and offered him bread and buttermilk.

ਹਥ ਜੋੜ ਮਿੰਨਤ ਕਰੇ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਪੈ ਪੈ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਨਾਵੈ॥

Hathh Jorr Minnath Karae Paireen Pai Pai Bahuth Manavai||

With folded hands and falling at the feet of the stone he begged for his service to be accepted.

ਹਉਂ ਬੀ ਮੂੰਹ ਨ ਜੁਠਾਲਸਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਰੁਠਾ ਮੈਂ ਕਿਹੁ ਨ ਸੁਖਾਵੈ॥

Houn Bee Moonh N Juthalasan Thoon Rutha Main Kihu N Sukhavai||

Dhanna said, “I will also not eat because how can I be happy if you are annoyed.”

ਗੋਸਈਂ ਪਰਤੱਖ ਹੋਇ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਇ ਛਾਹਿ ਮੁਹਿ ਲਾਵੈ॥

Goseen Parathakh Hoe Rottee Khae Shhahi Muhi Lavai||

(Seeing his true and loving devotion) God was forced to appear and eat his bread and buttermilk.

ਭੋਲਾ ਭਾਉ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ॥੧੩॥

Bhola Bhao Govindh Milavai ||a||

In fact, innocence like that of Dhanna makes the sight of the Lord available.

ਹੋਇ ਬਿਰਕਤ ਬਨਾਰਸੀ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਗੁਸਾਈ॥

Hoe Birakath Banarasee Rehindha Ramanandh Gusaee||

Being detached from the world, Brahmin Ramanand lived in Varanasi (Kasi).

ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ ਉਠਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਗੰਗਾ ਨ੍ਹਾਵਣ ਤਾਈ॥

Anmrith Vaelae Outhakae Jandha Ganga Nhavan Thaee||

He would rise early in the morning and go to the Ganges to bathe.

ਅਗੋਂ ਹੀ ਦੇ ਜਾਇਕੇ ਲੰਮਾ ਪਿਆ ਕਬੀਰ ਤਿਥਾਈ॥

Agon Hee Dhae Jaeikae Lanma Pia Kabeer Thithhaee||

Once even before Ramanand, Kabir went there and lay in the way.

ਪੈਰੀਂ ਟੁੰਬ ਉਠਾਲਿਆ ਬੋਲਹੁ ਰਾਮ ਸਿਖ ਸਮਝਾਈ॥

Paireen Ttunb Outhalia Bolahu Ram Sikh Samajhaee||

Touching with his feet Ramanand awakened Kabir and told him to speak ‘Ram’, the true spiritual teaching.

ਜਿਉਂ ਲੋਹਾ ਪਾਰਸ ਛੁਹੇ ਚੰਦਨ ਵਾਸ ਨਿੰਮ ਮਹਿਕਾਈ॥

Jioun Loha Paras Shhuhae Chandhan Vas Ninm Mehikaee||

As the iron touched by philosopher’s stone becomes gold and the margosa tree (Azadirachta indica) is made fragrant by sandal.

ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤਹੁੰ ਦੇਵ ਕਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ॥

Pasoo Paraethahun Dhaev Kar Poorae Sathigur Dhee Vaddiaee||

The wondrous Guru turns even animals and ghosts into angels.

ਅਚਰਜ ਨੋ ਅਚਰਜ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੇ ਵਿਸਮਾਦ ਮਿਲਾਈ॥

Acharaj No Acharaj Milai Visamadhae Visamadh Milaee||

Meeting the wonderous Guru the disciple wonderfully merges into the great wonderous Lord.

ਝਰਣਾ ਝਰਦਾ ਨਿਝਰਹੁੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਬਾਣੀ ਅਘੜ ਘੜਾਈ॥

Jharana Jharadha Nijharahun Guramukh Banee Agharr Gharraee||

Then from the Self springs a fountain and the words of the gurmukhs shape a beautiful form

ਰਾਮ ਕਬੀਰੈ ਭੇਦ ਨ ਭਾਈ ॥੧੫॥

Ram Kabeerai Bhaedh N Bhaee ||a||

Now Ram and Kabir became identical.

ਭਗਤ ਭਗਤ ਜਗ ਵਜਿਆ ਚਹੁੰ ਚਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਚਮਰੇਟਾ॥

Bhagath Bhagath Jag Vajia Chahun Chakan Dhae Vich Chamaraetta||

The tanner (Ravidas) became renowned as bhagat (saint) in all the four directions.

ਪਾਣਾ ਗੰਢੇ ਰਾਹ ਵਿਚ ਕੁਲਾ ਧਰਮ ਢੋਇ ਢੋਰ ਸਮੇਟਾ॥

Pana Gandtae Rah Vich Kula Dhharam Dtoe Dtor Samaetta||

In accordance with his family tradition he would cobble the shoes and carry away the dead animals.

ਜਿਉਂ ਕਰ ਮੈਲੇ ਚੀਥੜੇ ਹੀਰਾ ਲਾਲ ਅਮੋਲ ਪਲੇਟਾ॥

Jioun Kar Mailae Cheethharrae Heera Lal Amol Palaetta||

This was his outward routine but in reality he was a gem wrapped in rags.

ਚਹੁੰ ਵਰਨਾਂ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ ਦਾ ਗ੍ਯਾਨ ਧ੍ਯਾਨ ਕਰ ਭਗਤ ਸਹੇਟਾ॥

Chahun Varanan Oupadhaesh Dha Gan Dhhan Kar Bhagath Sehaetta||

He would preach all the four varnas (castes). His preaching made them rapt in the meditative devotion for the Lord.

ਨ੍ਹਾਵਣ ਆਯਾ ਸੰਗ ਮਿਲ ਬਾਨਾਰਸ ਕਰ ਗੰਗਾ ਥੇਟਾ॥

Nhavan Aya Sang Mil Banaras Kar Ganga Thhaetta||

Once, a group of people went to Kasi (Varanasi) to have their sacred dip in the Ganges.

ਕਢ ਕਸੀਰਾ ਸਉਂਪਿਆ ਰਵਿਦਾਸੈ ਗੰਗਾ ਦੀ ਭੇਟਾ॥

Kadt Kaseera Sounapia Ravidhasai Ganga Dhee Bhaetta||

Ravidas gave one dhela (half a pice) to one member and asked him to offer it to the Ganges.

ਲਗਾ ਪੁਰਬ ਅਭੀਚ ਦਾ ਡਿਠਾ ਚਲਿਤ ਅਚਰਜ ਆਮੇਟਾ॥

Laga Purab Abheech Dha Dditha Chalith Acharaj Amaetta||

A great festival of Abhijit naksatr (star) was on there where the public saw this wonderful episode.

ਲਇਆ ਕਸੀਰਾ ਹਥ ਕਢ ਸੂਤ ਇਕ ਜਿਉਂ ਤਾਣਾ ਪੇਟਾ॥

Laeia Kaseera Hathh Kadt Sooth Eik Jioun Thana Paetta||

Ganges, herself taking out her hand accepted that paltry amount, dhela, and proved that Ravidas was one with Ganges as warp and weft.

ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾਂ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਂ ਪਿਉ ਬੇਟਾ ॥੧੭॥

Bhagath Janan Har Man Pio Baetta ||a||

For bhagats (saints,) God is their mother, father and son all in one.