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Creator Administers Complete Justice

ਗਰੀਬਾ ਊਪਰਿ ਜਿ ਖਿੰਜੈ ਦਾੜੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸ ਅਗਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਸਾੜੀ

Thursday
,
21
February
2019

Creator Administers Complete Justice

ਗਰੀਬਾ ਊਪਰਿ ਜਿ ਖਿੰਜੈ ਦਾੜੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸ ਅਗਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਸਾੜੀ

Thursday
,
21
February
2019
Sabad of the Week
Sabad
Guru Arjan
Rag Gauri
Guru Granth Sahib
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Creator Administers Complete Justice

ਗਰੀਬਾ ਊਪਰਿ ਜਿ ਖਿੰਜੈ ਦਾੜੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸ ਅਗਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਸਾੜੀ

Thursday
,
21
February
2019

This Sabad, composed by Guru Arjan Sahib in the Gauri rag conveys the deep anguish of separation but also the enduring hope that sustains the seeker.

This Sabad, composed by Guru Arjan Sahib in the Gauri rag conveys the deep anguish of separation but also the enduring hope that sustains the seeker. Gauri evokes the winter’s chill and the harshest midday sun, reflecting the long and seemingly unending trials of life. Yet, within this pain, the promise of justice and divine protection shines through.

The Sabad begins with a striking image—when the powerful oppress the weak; they ultimately succumb to their own rage and destruction. Guru Arjan Sahib reminds us that the Creator administers absolute justice, ensuring that righteousness prevails. Those devoted to the Divine are never abandoned; their faith sustains them through all adversities.

Throughout time, the radiant glory of the Divine has manifested, bringing turmoil to those who engage in slander and cruelty. The suffering they inflict rebounds upon them, consuming them in their own turmoil. No external force can protect them from the consequences of their actions. Their reputations are tainted not just in this world but beyond, reinforcing the certainty of divine justice.

In contrast, those who dedicate themselves to the Divine are lovingly embraced and safeguarded. The Sabad closes with Guru Arjan Sahib’s affirmation that seeking the sanctuary of the All-Pervasive One is the path to true security and peace. To contemplate Nam is to align oneself with eternal protection and grace.

This Sabad is about suffering but also justice. It acknowledges pain but also offers hope. The message is clear: Those who walk the path of truth and devotion remain under the Divine’s unwavering care.

If the bearded-powerful persecute the poor,
the Transcendent has them burning in their own fire-rage.  1.

Creator administers complete justice,
Is fully capable of protecting Own’s votaries.  1.  Reflect.

Glory-heat manifests since the beginning and throughout the ages.
Slanderer dies in the high heat-turmoil being produced.  2.

No one can protect those being destroyed.
Their reputation is spoilt here and hereafter.  3.

Own’s servants are bosom-embraced and protected.
Nanak: Remain in sanctuary and contemplate on All-Pervasive’s Nam¹.

1. Divine Identification

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Gauri  |  Guru Granth Sahib 199

ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹੱਲਾ ॥੫॥

ਗਰੀਬਾ ਊਪਰਿ ਜਿ ਖਿੰਜੈ ਦਾੜੀ
ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸ ਅਗਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਸਾੜੀ ॥੧॥

ਪੂਰਾ ਨਿਆਉ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ
ਅਪੁਨੇ ਦਾਸ ਕਉ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਆਦਿ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਪਰਗਟੀ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪੁ ॥
ਨਿੰਦਕ ਮੁਆ ਉਪਜਿ ਵਾਦ ਤਾਪ ॥੨॥

ਤਿਨਿ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਜਿ ਰਾਖੇ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥
ਅੱਗੇ ਪਾਛੇ ਮੰਦੀ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥

ਅਪੁਨੇ ਦਾਸ ਰਾਖੇ ਕੰਠ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਸਰਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੪॥

Revised:

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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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