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O! Divine! Glance at Me, Graciously Save Me

ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਧਾਰਹੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਰਹੁ ਭੁਜਾ ਗਹਿ ਕੂਪ ਤੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਵਹੁ ॥

Monday
,
8
May
2017

O! Divine! Glance at Me, Graciously Save Me

ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਧਾਰਹੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਰਹੁ ਭੁਜਾ ਗਹਿ ਕੂਪ ਤੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਵਹੁ ॥

Monday
,
8
May
2017
Sabad of the Week
Guru Arjan
Rag Dhanasari
Guru Granth Sahib
⟵ Back to articles

O! Divine! Glance at Me, Graciously Save Me

ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਧਾਰਹੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਰਹੁ ਭੁਜਾ ਗਹਿ ਕੂਪ ਤੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਵਹੁ ॥

Monday
,
8
May
2017

In the harmonious embrace of Dhanasari, a rag that resonates with happiness, Guru Arjan Sahib crafts a Sabad that delves into the profound aspects of spiritual realization and seeking divine refuge.

In the harmonious embrace of Dhanasari, a rag that resonates with happiness, Guru Arjan Sahib crafts a Sabad that delves into the profound aspects of spiritual realization and seeking divine refuge. Dhanasari, with its origins in northern India and prominence in classical music, sets the stage for a melodic journey steeped in cheerfulness.

The Sabad opens with a jubilant acknowledgment of the Reality realized through the grace of Eternal Perfection. The appeal to the All-Pervasive, the Earth-Force, and the Destroyer of sorrow set a tone of surrender and supplication. The earnest request for the bestowal of Nam, the divine Identification, in the sanctuary of the Divine becomes a poignant plea for guidance.

The imagery of seeking the Divine's gracious glance, saving embrace, and a pull from the well of worldly entanglements invites reflection. This vivid metaphor emphasizes the seeker's recognition of being caught in the well of material existence, blinded by lust and anger. The plea for assistance in remembering Nam underscores the central role of divine remembrance in overcoming the veils of vice.

The Sabad further acknowledges the omnipotence of the Divine as the Uplifter of the fallen and the Protector of beings. Recognizing that even Veda readers don't fully comprehend the divine limits adds depth to the portrayal of the Supreme Cosmic. Referring to the Divine as the Jewel-Mine and recognizing the devotee's Lover brings a sense of awe and reverence.

1 Reality realized by Eternal Perfection's Grace!

O! All-Pervasive, O! Earth-Force, O! Destroyer of sorrow,
Bestow Nam1 to Your votary who has come to Your humble sanctuary. 

O! Divine! Glance at me, graciously save me,
grab my arm, and pull me out of the well. Reflect.

Blinded by lust and anger, caught in deception,
Numerous vices have totally covered the body. 

Without the Divine, there is no other Protector,
O! Sanctuary-Warrior, help me remember Nam. 1.

Uplifter of fallen, Saviour of beings,
even the Veda2 readers don’t know Your limits.

O! Ocean of Virtues and Comfort, O! Jewel-Mine Supreme Cosmic,Nanak sings, recognizing the devotee’s Lover. 2.
     Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Dhanasari | Guru Granth Sahib 683
ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੯ ਪੜਤਾਲ
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

ਹਰਿ ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨਾ ਦਾਸ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਕਉ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਵਹੁ ॥
ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਧਾਰਹੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਰਹੁ ਭੁਜਾ ਗਹਿ ਕੂਪ ਤੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਵਹੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਕਰਿ ਅੰਧ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੇ ਬੰਧ ਅਨਿਕ ਦੋਖਾ ਤਨਿ ਛਾਦਿ ਪੂਰੇ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨਾ ਆਨ ਨ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਿਮਰਾਵਹੁ ਸਰਨਿ ਸੂਰੇ ॥੧॥

ਪਤਿਤ ਉਧਾਰਣਾ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਤਾਰਣਾ ਬੇਦ ਉਚਾਰ ਨਹੀ ਅੰਤੁ ਪਾਇਓ ॥ਗੁਣਹ ਸੁਖ ਸਾਗਰਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਰਤਨਾਗਰਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਵਛਲੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗਾਇਓ ॥੨॥੧॥੫੩॥

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.

¹ Divine Indentification
2 Hindu religious texts

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

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