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When Guru’s hand was placed on my forehead,
All-Pervasive’s jewel-like Nam¹ came to reside in my heart.
Through Guru’s gift of Nam, many lifetimes
of evilest pain and debt were removed. 1.
My mind recites Charmer-Divine’s Nam, the source of all wealth.
Perfect Guru instilled All-Pervasive’s Nam—without Nam, life is pointless. Reflect.
Without Guru, the self-centered are foolish,
Every day, remain trapped in illusion.
Never serving at the feet of Goodness,
Entire lives become worthless. 2.
Those serving at the feet-base of Goodness-Guru
become Master’s own, and lives become fruitful.
O Master of the Universe, All-Pervasive, grace me
to be the votary of the votary of Your votaries. 3.
We are blind, wisdomless, unwise… How can we walk the Path?
O Guru, grant us the blind ones,
Your hem so commoner Nanak
may walk in harmony. 4.
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.
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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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In the poignant rag of Jaitsari, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad unfolds as a heartfelt expression of dependence and an intense yearning for the divine presence.
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.
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To mark the 40th year of the violence of 1984, we reflect on the events that unfolded in India and make connections with the ongoing and durable violence against Sikhs, Muslims, and other minority groups in India and the diaspora.
In Maru Kaphi, Guru Nanak Sahib reflects on the grief caused by separation from IkOankar, showing that even with worldly comforts, one remains unhappy without this connection.
In this Sabad, Bhagat Sain Ji sings the ‘Arti’ of the transcendent Supreme Being, IkOankar (the Divine). He emphasizes that the true 'Arti' of IkOankar is not a ritualistic act of adorning a platter with incense, lamps, and ghee.
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