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When Kaur was six, the family went to India where her mother studied kirtan. The family moved to California when Kaur was two, living in Long Beach and Sacramento. Written by: BRYAN KEARNEY, SNATAM KAUR, THOMAS BARKAWITZĪs a child, Kaur heard Harbhajan Singh Yogi when her parents attended his classes after becoming Sikhs. Repetition of paying homage to the divine presence and spiritual teacherĪffirming the divine presence as the guiding source of spiritual truth Namo namo, namo namo, namo namo, namo namo, namo namo Recognizing the divine presence as the guide and source of spiritual wisdomĪcknowledging the divine presence's unmerited favor and blessing
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Metaphor for the divine presence, which remains pure and unaffected by the worldĪcknowledging the divine presence as eternal and omnipresent Referring to the divine presence as the teacher of spiritual wisdomĪcknowledging the divine presence as a companion and guideĮxpressing the intention to continue returning to and learning from the divine presence Paying homage to the divine wisdom and the teacher of that wisdom Referring to the divine presence as the source of all loving-kindnessĪcknowledging the divine presence as the source of lifeĭemonstrating reverence and humility towards the divine presenceĮxpressing the desire to return to the divine presenceĪcknowledging the divine presence within and all around, and paying homage to the teacher of the divine wisdom Overall, "Ong Namo" is a powerful and uplifting song that inspires a sense of connection to the divine, gratitude for life and the teacher, and a desire to awaken to our true potential. The image of the lotus sitting on the water, beyond time and space, represents the teacher's enlightenment and the potential for all beings to awaken to their true nature. The lyrics also speak of the teacher as a beloved friend and divine guide, whose grace and wisdom transcend time and space. The phrase "coming home" suggests a sense of returning to one's true self, one's essence, and connecting with the divine within. The song's opening lines "Oh my beloved, kindness of the heart, breath of life, I bow to you" express the artist's deep reverence and love for the divine, as the source of all love and life. The repeated phrases of "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo" and "Guru Dev, Guru Dev Nam" serve as a form of mantra, invoking the teacher within and without, and creating a sense of unity and connection to the divine.
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The lyrics of Snatam Kaur's song "Ong Namo" are a beautiful tribute to the divine in all of us, and an expression of the artist's devotion and gratitude to her guru. Guru dev, guru dev namo (namo namo, guru dev guru dev namo) Guru dev, guru dev namo (namo namo, namo namo) (Namo namo, namo namo, namo namo, namo namo, namo namo)
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This is your grace (guru dev, guru dev namo) This is your way (guru dev, guru dev namo) Lotus sitting on the water (guru dev, guru dev namo)īeyond time and space (guru dev, guru dev namo) Guru dev, guru dev namo (guru dev, guru dev namo)
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