Moko Taar Le Rama Taar Le - Lyrics, Translation and Thoughts

Moko Taar Le is a shabad by Bhagat Namdev. I have been singing this since 2008 am releasing some recent recordings through the album "Moko Taar Le" this year as part of Bhagat Namdev's 750th birth centenary celebrations.  Lyrics, translation, the story of Dhruv, my notes on this shabad and bhagat Namdev, as well as more information about the quotes in the video can be found below.  



Lyrics (More below)

Moko Taar le Rama Taar le
Main Ajaan Jan Taribe Na Jaano
Baap Beethla Baah De

Nar Te Sur Hoye Jaat Nimakh Mai
Satgur Budh Sikhlaayi
Nar Te Upaj Suraj Ko Jitiyo
So Avkhad Mai Paayi

Jahaan Jahaan Dhu Naarad Teke
Naik Tikavo Mohe
Tere Naam Avilamb Bahut Jan Udhare
Naame ki Nij Mat Eh


Thoughts and Ruminations

This poem is about a journey from humanity to divinity, and the role of the satguru in doing so. It can happen fast says Namdev. So says Guru Nanak in Asa, jin manas te devte kiye karat na laagi vaar ... the satguru turns man to divinity, and it didn't take any time! So the poem is about the rapid journey from humanity to divinity.  

No matter how many times I stumble, you have the power to return me home again and again.  Naik, not once, again and again.  I fall to humanity again and again, and you raise me to divinity every time.  And you take no time. A-vilamb, without delay. 

More on Beethal/Beethla


Beethal/Beethla


The word "Beethla" or "Beethal" is used for God by Bhagat Namdev in the Guru Granth Sahib. Contemporary Marathis will recognize the word "Vitthal" or "Biththal."  It is interesting to note that the similarities between this word and "Beda", "Bohit", "Boat", "Bethel" and "Bethlehem". Beda means boat and occurs many times in the Guru Granth Sahib. We use "Kaljug ke bohit" in ardaas - implying the Guru is the boat in Kaljug.  Boat is obviously a boat.  Bethel is a hebrew word that means house of God, but one especially made for sailors.  Every time we say the word "Beethla" we are reminded of Guru, the boat to God.

The name of God is untranslatable. And there is special meaning of every name. Guru Nanak says, "Balhaari Jaoon Jete Terai Naav Hain" or "I love you in every one of your names."  That is one of the reasons why, when I do my translations -- as you will notice in this video -- I keep the name of God that is being used unchanged. To really know what it means, one has to take a deep dive into Guru Nanak's Mool Mantra. 

More on Naik


It seems to come from Na + Ek ... not one, many. Again and again place me there.

SGGS Gurmukhi-Gurmukhi Dictionary
ʼnaik(u). ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾਂ। always. ਉਦਾਹਰਨ: ਜਹਾ ਜਹਾ ਧੂਅ ਨਾਰਦੁ ਟੇਕੇ ਨੈਕੁ ਟਿਕਾਵਹੁ ਮੋਹਿ ॥ Raga Gond, ʼnaamdev, 3, 2:1 (P: 874).

Mahan Kosh Encyclopedia
ਵਿ- ਤਨਿਕ. ਥੋੜਾ. "ਯਹ ਮਨ ਨੈਕ ਨ ਕਹਿਓ ਕਰੈ". (ਦੇਵ ਮਃ ੯)। (2) ਨ- ਏਕ. ਬਹੁਤ। (3) ਨ- ਐਕ੍ਯ. ਫੁੱਟ. ਵਿਰੋਧ.

More on Avilamb/Avlamb


ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਵਿਲੰਬਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਜਨ ਉਧਰੇ
Tere Naam Avilamb Bahut Jan Udhare
With the support of your name many people were emancipated

SGGS Gurmukhi-Gurmukhi Dictionary
Avilaʼnb(i). ਆਸਰੇ। support. ਉਦਾਹਰਨ: ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਵਿਲੰਬਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਜਨ ਉਧਰੇ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੀ ਨਿਜਮਤਿ ਏਹ ॥ Raga Gond, ʼnaamdev, 3, 2:2 (P: 874).

SGGS Gurmukhi-English Dictionary
[1. n. 2. Adj.] 1. (from Sk. Âlambana) backing, dependence, 2. (from Sk. Avilambana) quickly
SGGS Gurmukhi-English Data provided by Harjinder Singh Gill, Santa Monica, CA, USA.

Hindi/Sanskrit


Alternative forms
अविलम्ब (avilamb)

Etymology
Borrowed from Sanskrit अविलम्ब (avilamba).
Pronunciation[edit]
IPA(key): /ə.ʋɪ.ləmb/
Adverb[edit]

अविलंब (avilamb)
straightaway, without delay


Marathi -

https://www.shabdkosh.com/dictionary/marathi-english/avalamba/avalamba-meaning-in-english

avalamba - meaning in English
avalamba

Pronunciation
avalamba, avalamba

Meanings of अवलंब in English
resort

The Story of Dhruv



Legend goes that long long ago, there was a King by the name of Uttanapada who had two wives. The first wife was Suniti who had one son called Dhruva, and the second wife called Suniti who had a son called Uttama. Suruchi who was very pretty and very dear to the king  while Suniti, and by extension Dhruva, were not much cared about. 

Then came an incident that changed Dhruva's life when he was five years old. That fateful day, when the king was sitting in his court, Dhruva saw Uttama, Suruchi’s son run to sit on the lap of the king, their father. He too wanted to be on his father's lap and ran towards him.  When the king took up Dhruva on his lap, a jealous Suruchi severely abused the king and had him thrown out of the royal court. 

Dhruva went away heart-broken to his mother and asked why his father did not love him. She explained that the true father of all truly loved him and that he was the one who had the power to give or take any space. Dhruva wanted to meet this true father and his mother told him that he had to pray, not realizing that he would be serious and actually leave home in search of the true father.  He kept looking for his father in the forest and seeing his devotion, the sage Narada came down from the heavens to guide him.  

Dhruva was devoted and determined. He did what Narad had taught him and was rewarded.  Apparently God came riding on the back of a giant bird, Garuda, and told Dhruva that he was pleased with his worship and he could have anything he wanted.  But by this time, Dhruva had lost all worldly attachment and told God that he didn't want anything apart from God himself.  God granted him a region in the sky which is called Dhruva-loka, and he still lives there as the Dhruva taara (called the North Star or Pole Star).  

From a mere human, Dhruva became divine, in an instant.  From having no place or love, through his determination he secured an eternal abode called Dhruva loka in which he continues to shine as the Dhruva taara, the north star. The story shows how the divinity of true and lasting love can be attained through unconditional surrender. 

Related Shabads: 

Sansar Samunde Taar Gobinde
Balhaari Gur Aapne
Deen Dayaal Bharose Tere
Man Jeetai Jagjit

Moko taar Le Raama - Gurbani

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਤਾਰਿ ਲੇ ਰਾਮਾ ਤਾਰਿ ਲੇ ॥
ਮੈ ਅਜਾਨੁ ਜਨੁ ਤਰਿਬੇ ਨ ਜਾਨਉ ਬਾਪ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ ਬਾਹ ਦੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਨਰ ਤੇ ਸੁਰ ਹੋਇ ਜਾਤ ਨਿਮਖ ਮੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ ॥
ਨਰ ਤੇ ਉਪਜਿ ਸੁਰਗ ਕਉ ਜੀਤਿਓ ਸੋ ਅਵਖਧ ਮੈ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥

ਜਹਾ ਜਹਾ ਧੂਅ ਨਾਰਦੁ ਟੇਕੇ ਨੈਕੁ ਟਿਕਾਵਹੁ ਮੋਹਿ ॥
ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਵਿਲੰਬਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਜਨ ਉਧਰੇ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੀ ਨਿਜ ਮਤਿ ਏਹ ॥੨॥੩॥

Shabad Transliteration in English

Mo kao ṯār le rāmā ṯār le.
Mai ajān jan ṯaribe na jāno bāp bīṯẖulā bāh ḏe. ||1|| rahāo.

Nar ṯe sur hoe jāṯ nimakẖ mai saṯgur buḏẖ sikẖlāī.
Nar ṯe upaj surag kao jīṯio so avkẖaḏẖ mai pāī. ||1||

Jahā jahā ḏẖūa nāraḏ teke naik tikāvahu mohi.
Ŧere nām avilamb bahuṯ jan uḏẖre nāme kī nij maṯ eh. ||2||3||

Lyrics in English (Transliteration 2)

Moko Taar le Rama Taar le
Main Ajaan Jan Taribe Na Jaano
Baap Beethla Baah De

Nar Te Sur Hoye Jaat Nimakh Mai
Satgur Budh Sikhlaayi
Nar Te Upaj Suraj Ko Jitiyo
So Avkhad Mai Paayi

Jahaan Jahaan Dhu Naarad Teke
Naik Tikavo Mohe
Tere Naam Avilamb Bahut Jan Udhare
Naame ki Nij Mat Eh

English Translation 

Ferry me, Raama, ferry me across.
I'm ignorant, I can't swim; Father Beethla, give me your arm!

With Satgur's wisdom a human can be trained divinity instantly, 
Pour within me the elixir that empowers an earthling to win heaven

Please place me wherever you placed Dhroo through Naarad
I know You have ferried across countless without delay 

Another translation

Ferry me, Raama, ferry me across.
I'm ignorant, I can't swim; Father Beethla, give me your arm!

A Human can become divine instantly through the wisdom of Satguru
An earthling can win heaven through the elixir I have found
 
Wherever you placed Dhruv through Narad, Place me there again and again
Through your name many have emancipated, this is my firm belief

Another Translation: The Prayer of Bhagat Namdev, Raag Gond

Ferry me, Raama, ferry me.
I am ignorant, I can't swim. Father Beethla, give me your arm!

Grant me, this mere human, the wisdom to achieve divinity without delay
Give me the medicine to conquer heaven despite being an earthling

Please place me where Dhroo was placed with Naarad's guidance
I know countless have been saved without delay through your Name.

Transliteration and Translation by Kulbir Singh Thind & Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

Gond.
In Raag Gond

Mo kao ṯār le rāmā ṯār le.
Carry me across, O Lord, carry me across.

Mai ajān jan ṯaribe na jāno bāp bīṯẖulā bāh ḏe. ||1|| rahāo.
I am ignorant, and I do not know how to swim. O my Beloved Father, please give me Your arm. ||1||Pause||

Nar ṯe sur hoe jāṯ nimakẖ mai saṯgur buḏẖ sikẖlāī.
I have been transformed from a mortal being into an angel, in an instant; the True Guru has taught me this.

Nar ṯe upaj surag kao jīṯio so avkẖaḏẖ mai pāī. ||1||
Born of human flesh, I have conquered the heavens; such is the medicine I was given. ||1||

Jahā jahā ḏẖūa nāraḏ teke naik tikāvahu mohi.
Please place me where You placed Dhroo and Naarad, O my Master.

Ŧere nām avilamb bahuṯ jan uḏẖre nāme kī nij maṯ eh. ||2||3||
With the Support of Your Name, so many have been saved; this is Naam Dayv's understanding. ||2||3||

Punjabi Translation - Professor Sahib Singh

I had a different interpretation of the second paragraph, so I checked all the translations. I found Professor Sahib Singh's translation most agreeable: 

ਗੋਂਡ ॥ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਤਾਰਿ ਲੇ ਰਾਮਾ ਤਾਰਿ ਲੇ ॥ ਮੈ ਅਜਾਨੁ ਜਨੁ ਤਰਿਬੇ ਨ ਜਾਨਉ ਬਾਪ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ ਬਾਹ ਦੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਨਰ ਤੇ ਸੁਰ ਹੋਇ ਜਾਤ ਨਿਮਖ ਮੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ ॥ ਨਰ ਤੇ ਉਪਜਿ ਸੁਰਗ ਕਉ ਜੀਤਿਓ ਸੋ ਅਵਖਧ ਮੈ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਜਹਾ ਜਹਾ ਧੂਅ ਨਾਰਦੁ ਟੇਕੇ ਨੈਕੁ ਟਿਕਾਵਹੁ ਮੋਹਿ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਵਿਲੰਬਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਜਨ ਉਧਰੇ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੀ ਨਿਜ ਮਤਿ ਏਹ ॥੨॥੩॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 873}

ਪਦਅਰਥ: ਮੋ ਕਉ = ਮੈਨੂੰ। ਰਾਮਾ = ਹੇ ਰਾਮ! {ਨੋਟ:ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ "ਬਾਪ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ" ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਉਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਹੀ 'ਰਾਮ' ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸੋ, ਕਿਸੇ 'ਬੀਠੁਲ' = ਮੂਰਤੀ ਵਲ ਇਸ਼ਾਰਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਅੱਗੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹੈ। ਧ੍ਰੂਅ ਤੇ ਨਾਰਦ ਦਾ ਸੰਬੰਧ ਕਿਸੇ ਬੀਠੁਲ = ਮੂਰਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ}। ਤਰਿਬੇ ਨ ਜਾਨਉ = ਮੈਂ ਤਰਨਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ। ਦੇ = ਦੇਹ, ਫੜਾ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

ਤੇ = ਤੋਂ। ਸੁਰ = ਦੇਵਤੇ। ਨਿਮਖ ਮੈ = ਅੱਖ ਫਰਕਣ ਦੇ ਸਮੇ ਵਿਚ। ਮੈ = ਵਿਚ, ਮਹਿ, ਮਾਹਿ। ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ = ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸਿਖਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਮੱਤ ਨਾਲ। ਉਪਜਿ = ਉਪਜ ਕੇ, ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋ ਕੇ। ਅਵਖਧ = ਦਵਾਈ। ਪਾਈ = ਪਾਈਂ, ਪਾ ਲਵਾਂ।੧।

ਜਹਾ ਜਹਾ = ਜਿਸ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਵਿਚ। ਟੇਕੇ = ਟਿਕਾਏ ਹਨ, ਇਸਥਿਤ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ। ਨੈਕੁ = {Skt. नैकश = Repeatedly, often. न एकशः = Not once} ਸਦਾ। ਮੋਹਿ = ਮੈਨੂੰ। ਅਵਿਲੰਬ = ਆਸਰਾ। ਅਵਿਲੰਬਿ = ਆਸਰੇ ਨਾਲ। ਉਧਰੇ = (ਸੰਸਾਰ = ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚ ਗਏ। ਨਿਜ ਮਤਿ = ਆਪਣੀ ਮੱਤ, ਪੱਕਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਚਾ।੨।

ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ! ਮੈਨੂੰ (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ) ਤਾਰ ਲੈ, ਬਚਾ ਲੈ। ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਫੜਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਞਾਣ ਸੇਵਕ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤਰਨਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ।ਰਹਾਉ।

(ਹੇ ਬੀਠੁਲ ਪਿਤਾ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲਾ) ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਲੀ ਮੱਤ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਖ ਦੇ ਫੋਰ ਵਿਚ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਬਣ ਜਾਈਦਾ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਿਤਾ! ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰ) ਮੈਂ ਭੀ ਉਹ ਦਵਾਈ ਹਾਸਲ ਕਰ ਲਵਾਂ ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਜੰਮ ਕੇ (ਭਾਵ, ਮਨੁੱਖ-ਜਾਤੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹੋ ਕੇ) ਸੁਰਗ ਨੂੰ ਜਿੱਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਸੁਰਗ ਦੀ ਭੀ ਪਰਵਾਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ) ।੧।

ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ! ਤੂੰ ਜਿਸ ਜਿਸ ਆਤਮਕ ਟਿਕਾਣੇ ਧ੍ਰੂ ਤੇ ਨਾਰਦ (ਵਰਗੇ ਭਗਤਾਂ) ਨੂੰ ਅਪੜਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਅਪੜਾ ਦੇਹ, ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਪੱਕਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਚਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਆਸਰੇ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਜੀਵ (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚ ਨਿਕਲਦੇ ਹਨ।੨।੩।

ਭਾਵ: ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ। ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਰਗ ਦੀ ਭੀ ਲਾਲਸਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ।

Hindi Translation by Professor Sahib Singh

हे मेरे राम! मुझे (संसार-सागर से) तार लो, मुझे बचाओ। हे मेरे प्रभु और पिता! मुझे अपनी बाँह से पकड़ लो, मैं तुम्हारा अज्ञानी सेवक हूँ, मुझे नहीं पता कि कैसे तैरना है।

(हे पिता! मैंने भी गुरु को पा लिया है) गुरु से प्राप्त ज्ञान के आशीर्वाद से, एक आंख की जगमगाहट में, मनुष्य देवता बन जाते हैं, हे पिता! कृपया, मुझे वह औषधि भी प्राप्त करनी चाहिए जिसके द्वारा स्वर्ग को मनुष्य से उत्पन्न किया जा सकता है (अर्थात, मानव जाति से) (मतलब, स्वर्ग की भी परवाह नहीं है)।

हे राम! ध्रुव और नारद (जैसे भक्तों) को दिया गया आध्यात्मिक निवास, जो मुझे हमेशा के लिए दे देता है, यह नामदेव का दृढ़ विश्वास है कि तेरा नाम का समर्थन ही अनंत प्राणियों (विश्व-सागर के विकारों से) को बचाता है। ।

भावार्थ: प्रभु से नाम सिमरन माँग । नाम के आशीर्वाद से स्वर्ग की लालसा भी नहीं रहती।


Recording Details: 

There are two recent recordings: 

August 2020
Recording No. 20094
Lyrics: Bhagat Namdev
Raag: Gond
Taal: 8 beat cycle; 90 BPM 4/4
Bandish: Traditional
Inspiration: Bhagat Namdev Collection

September 2020
Recording No. 20153
Lyrics: Bhagat Namdev
Raag: Gond
Taal: 8 beat cycle; 4/4 (not done by metronome)
Bandish: Traditional
Inspiration: Recording for a coffee book launch that included my dad. 

2 Comments

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  2. Thank you with providing us with not only your love filled recordings, but also with so much information that helps us place ourselves inside this. Stumbling and all. ❤️

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