Whichever day comes, that day goes.
Stay is impermanent; departure is imminent.
Companions are departing. I, too, will be departing.
Long journey ahead. Death hovering overhead. 1.
O! Ignorant. Wake up! Why are you asleep?
You deem the life in this world to be eternal. 1. Reflect.
The One who gives life also nourishes.
Inside all beings, dispensing consumables.
Embrace devotion; leave “I” and “mine.”
At dawn, remember Nam¹ within the heart. 2.
Life is passing; the Path is not beautified.Dusk descends. Everywhere, darkness spreads.Ravidas says, O! Ignorant, crazy being,No Remembrance? The world is a perishable house. 3.
1 Divine Identification
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.
The Sikh Research Institute recognizes its ethical responsibility to promptly correct any factual small or large errors. Please get in touch with us via email to request a correction if you have identified a mistake.
Suggest a correction →Gatha refers to a song or verse, rooted in the word gai, to speak, sing, or recite. It can also refer to a profound discourse with the self beyond simple praise or devotion.
Harinder Singh explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi.
The essence of this composition is revealed in the stanza of rahau (Pause). In it, worldly accounting (entanglements) is described as useless.
Stay informed with our weekly updates, important events and more at SikhRI.