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"Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville"

ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥

Monday
,
30
October
2017

"Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville"

ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥

Monday
,
30
October
2017
Sabad of the Week
Sabad
Guru Granth Sahib
Bhagat Ravidas
The Guru Granth Sahib Project
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"Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville"

ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥

Monday
,
30
October
2017

This Sabad, composed by Bhagat Ravidas ji in the Gauri rag, reflects a vision of a sorrowless realm, a state of being beyond pain and anxiety.

This Sabad, composed by Bhagat Ravidas ji in the Gauri rag, reflects a vision of a sorrowless realm, a state of being beyond pain and anxiety. Gauri evokes the depth of longing, the pangs of separation that stretch endlessly, yet hope prevails within this Sabad. 

The imagery of "Be-gam-pura" conveys a city free from grief, fear, and oppression—a place of eternal sovereignty and stability. This vision is not of a distant afterlife but a present reality available through inner realization. The Sabad emphasizes that those who dwell in this consciousness are perpetually content, untouched by worldly worries, and immersed in the bliss of divine presence.


The metaphor of a homeland discovered speaks to a deep sense of belonging, of finding the ultimate refuge. The sovereign rule of Oneness replaces the fragmentation of worldly existence, where there is no second or third division. This reflects a state where all barriers dissolve, leaving only an abiding connection with the Divine.


Bhagat Ravidas ji’s words convey a profound invitation to shift from a world of suffering to a realm of divine joy. His identity as a "freed cobbler" underscores the theme of liberation, not just from societal constraints but also from inner bondage. His final declaration that one who resides in this state is his friend tends to call all seekers to step beyond sorrow, embrace divine sovereignty, and dwell in the eternal city of the One.

1 Reality realized by Eternal Perfection’s Grace!

"Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville."
No pain or anxiety in that place.
No grief, no taxes on commodities.
No fear of error, no fear of loss.  1.

Now I have discovered a great homeland.
O! My brother there is always goodness there.  1. Reflect.

Sovereignty is always stable.
No second or third, only oneness there.
Always populated and famous.
The contented wealthy dwell there.  2

As they please, so, so, they stroll;
Mansion-knowers, no one blocks their access.
Ravidas, the freed cobbler, says:
One who resides in my town is my friend.
     Bhagat Ravidas ji in Rag Gauri  |  Guru Granth Sahib 345
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਕੇ ਪਦੇਗਉੜੀ ਗੁਆਰੇਰੀ
ੴ ਸਤਿਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥
ਦੂਖੁ ਅੰਦੋਹੁ ਨਹੀ ਤਿਹਿ ਠਾਉ ॥

ਨਾਂ ਤਸਵੀਸ ਖਿਰਾਜੁ ਨ ਮਾਲੁ ॥
ਖਉਫੁ ਨ ਖਤਾ ਨ ਤਰਸੁ ਜਵਾਲੁ ॥੧॥

ਅਬ ਮੋਹਿ ਖੂਬ ਵਤਨ ਗਹ ਪਾਈ ॥
ਊਹਾਂ ਖੈਰਿ ਸਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਕਾਇਮੁ ਦਾਇਮੁ ਸਦਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀ ॥
ਦੋਮ ਨ ਸੇਮ ਏਕ ਸੋ ਆਹੀ ॥

ਆਬਾਦਾਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਸਹੂਰ ॥
ਊਹਾਂ ਗਨੀ ਬਸਹਿ ਮਾਮੂਰ ॥੨॥

ਤਿਉ ਤਿਉ ਸੈਲ ਕਰਹਿ ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
ਮਹਰਮ ਮਹਲ ਨ ਕੋ ਅਟਕਾਵੈ ॥

ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਖਲਾਸ ਚਮਾਰਾ ॥
ਜੋ ਹਮ ਸਹਰੀ ਸੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੩॥੨॥

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). She has served SikhRI in several capacities since 2010, including Chair of the Board, and most recently as CEO. 

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