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Some Say Ram-Ram, Some Khuda

ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥

Monday
,
13
November
2017

Some Say Ram-Ram, Some Khuda

ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥

Monday
,
13
November
2017
Sabad of the Week
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Some Say Ram-Ram, Some Khuda

ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥

Monday
,
13
November
2017

This Sabad composed by Guru Arjan Sahib in the Ramkali rag reflects the triumph of spiritual wisdom despite the struggles of existence.

This Sabad composed by Guru Arjan Sahib in the Ramkali rag reflects the triumph of spiritual wisdom despite the struggles of existence. Ramkali evokes two distinct moods—sweetness and a startling intensity—capturing the disciplined wisdom shared between teacher and student. This composition acknowledges pain but frames it as a necessary part of the path, making ultimate realization even more rewarding.


The Sabad begins by recognizing the diversity of names and practices through which people seek the Divine. Some chant "Ram-Ram," while others invoke "Khuda." Some serve "Gusai," while others bow to "Allah." Guru Arjan Sahib reminds us that despite these external differences, all seekers yearn for the same eternal connection.


The imagery continues, illustrating how different paths manifest in religious practices. Some undertake pilgrimages to sacred sites, while others travel for Hajj. Some read the Vedas, others the Abrahamic texts. Some dress in blue, others in white. Through these distinctions, Guru Arjan Sahib gently leads us to an essential truth—these external variations are secondary to the deeper reality of the One that permeates all.


The final lines bring clarity and resolution. True understanding does not lie in labels or outward rituals but in recognizing Hukam, the Divine Order. Those who grasp this mystery, Guru Arjan Sahib states, truly comprehend the sovereignty of the Divine. This realization transcends religious divisions and reveals the deeper unity that underlies all existence.


This Sabad is both an invitation and a challenge—to rise above superficial divisions and recognize the Oneness that pervades all. It reminds us that struggle and difference are part of the journey, but ultimate harmony is found in aligning with the Divine Will.

Some say Ram-Ram¹, some Khuda².
Some serve Gusai³, some Allah⁴.  1.

O’ Cause-Effect, O’ Generous!
O’ Gracious!  O’ Compassionate!  1. Reflect.

Some bathe at pilgrimages, some go to Hajj.
Some perform worship, some bow their heads.  2.

Some read the Vedas, some the Abrahamic texts.
Some wear the blue, some the white.  3.

Some call themselves Muslims, some Hindus.
Some yearn paradise, some heaven.  4.

Nanak says: Those who recognize the Hukam⁵
Understand the mystery of the Divine Sovereign.  5.

1. Hindu word for incarnation of Vishnu god.
2. Islamic word for God, derived from Iranian terms for Lord, Ruler and Master.
3. “Lord of Senses” in Sanskrit.
4. The God in Arabic.
5. Literally, Order or Divine Will. In Sikhi, to be in harmony with the Divine.

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Ramkali  |  Guru Granth Sahib 885

ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥
ਕੋਈ ਸੇਵੈ ਗੁਸਈਆ ਕੋਈ ਅਲਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

ਕਾਰਣ ਕਰਣ ਕਰੀਮ ॥
ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਰਹੀਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਕੋਈ ਨਾਵੈ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਕੋਈ ਹਜ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਕੋਈ ਕਰੈ ਪੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ਸਿਰੁ ਨਿਵਾਇ ॥੨॥

ਕੋਈ ਪੜੈ ਬੇਦ ਕੋਈ ਕਤੇਬ ॥
ਕੋਈ ਓਢੈ ਨੀਲ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਪੇਦ ॥੩॥

ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਹਿੰਦੂ ॥
ਕੋਈ ਬਾਛੈ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਰਗਿੰਦੂ ॥੪॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੯॥

About Sabad of the Week

We are finite; our understanding is finite. Our understanding was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

Revised:

This Content has been made available for educational purposes only. SikhRI does not make any representation concerning the completeness of the Content. This Content is not intended to substitute research or a deeper understanding of the topic. SikhRI encourages readers to read multiple authors to gain a complete understanding of the topic.

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Written By

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

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Creative Director

Inni Kaur is Creative Director at the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), where she leads content creation, branding, and external communications.

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