Kaur was also active in social and environmental causes while in high school, serving as president of the Social Action Club, which started a campus recycling program and organized environmenal awareness programs. The Club also led the effort to change the school mascot and sports team names from the Indians to the Red Tailed Hawk in 1990 and 1991.
After graduating from Tam, Kaur attended Mills College in Oakland, California, receiving a bachelors degree in biochemistry. She then returned to India, to study kirtan under her mother's teacher, Bhai Hari Singh. She lived near the Golden Temple. In 1997, Kaur began a career as a food technologist with Peace Cereals in Eugene, Oregon.
A Sikh and Kundalini Yoga teacher, Snatam Kaur is a singer and musician, gaining a growing fame in the world of spiritual music.
After a few years as the singer of the spiritual music group The Peace Family, she started a solo career. Her music mixes western melodies with Indian sounds, mantras from the Kundalini yoga tradition, words of Harbhajan Singh Yogi and personal lyrics.
She often tours in the United States and Canada, and within Sikh communities worldwide (India, Singapore) among which she is more and more renowned as a talented kirtan singer.
Spiritual music artists such as Deva Premal now sing her compositions.
Guru Ram Das Raakho Saranaa-Ee
Snatam Kaur Lyrics
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Maayaa moh bharam bhay bhoolay sut daaraa sio preet lagaaee
Ik utam panth sunio gur sangat teh milant jam traas mitaaee
Ik ardaas bhaat kee rat kee Guru Raam Daas rakho sarnaaee
In the first line of the song, "Hum avgun bharay ayk gun naahe," the singer acknowledges that they are full of flaws and shortcomings and lack good qualities. They are drowning in negativity and unable to find any positivity within themselves. However, they turn to the spiritual teachings of Guru Ram Das to fill the void within them with his divine grace, which is referred to as "amrit" or nectar.
The second line, "Amrit chhaad bikhay bikh khaaee," describes the negative effects of consuming poison or "bikhay" instead of the amrit or divine nectar. Maya (illusion), moh (attachment), bharam (delusion) and bhay (fear) are described as the poison that one can consume in life. The singer realizes that they have mistakenly consumed the poison of maya, moh, bharam, and bhay which has impacted their life in a negative way.
The third and fourth lines, "Maayaa moh bharam bhay bhoolay sut daaraa sio preet lagaaee, Ik utam panth sunio gur sangat teh milant jam traas mitaaee" further emphasize the point of turning to Guru Ram Das for spiritual guidance. The singer acknowledges that they've been misled by Maya, Moh, Bharam, and Bhay and now they are turning towards Guru Ram Das to help them through life's troubles. They believe that the guidance of Guru Ram Das and the company of his followers, "Gur sangat," can help one overcome the fear of death, "jam traas," and bring them closer to finding inner peace.
The final line, "Ik ardaas bhaat kee rat kee Guru Raam Daas rakho sarnaaee," is a plea to Guru Ram Das to provide guidance and support through any difficult times. The singer trusts that their prayers will be heard and understood by the divine.
Line by Line Meaning
Hum avagun bharay ayk gun naahe amrit chhaad bikhay bikh khaaee
Despite our flaws and imperfections, we have one redeeming quality: our connection to the divine. However, when we turn away from this connection and succumb to temptation, it can feel like we are consuming poison.
Maayaa moh bharam bhay bhoolay sut daaraa sio preet lagaaee
Through the illusions and distractions of the world, we may lose sight of our true purpose and forget the love we have for our family and loved ones.
Ik utam panth sunio gur sangat teh milant jam traas mitaaee
By listening to the teachings of wise leaders and surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals, we can find a path that leads to liberation from the fear of death.
Ik ardaas bhaat kee rat kee Guru Raam Daas rakho sarnaaee
In prayer, we ask for the protection and guidance of Guru Ram Das, especially during the dark and challenging times of our lives.
Contributed by Caroline I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.