Raag Aasaa
Commentary

Raag Aasaa, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

The Saints know the One is near, surrender to the Sweet Will, stay humble as dust, treat friend and enemy alike, and have even enticed Maya herself — so Nanak prays only to serve them.

The Arc

Pauri 0: the Saints know the One near, surrender, lean on the Name, stay the dust of all. The Pause (Pauri 1): their way of life is beyond describing. Pauri 2: their work is the Name, their rest praise; friend and enemy are one. Pauri 3: they wash away millions of sins, are brave and true, and have enticed Maya herself. Pauri 4: their company is treasured by gods; Nanak prays to serve them.

Key Vocabulary

  • the four marks of the Saint: nearness, surrender, the Name, humility
  • friend and enemy one: the equanimity of sahaj (cf. B00C703)
  • "enticed Maya herself": the great reversal — the Saints master the enticer (cf. B00C726)
  • the prayer to serve: not to be a Saint but to serve the Saints (seva)

Themes and Cross-Connections

This portrait gathers the Saint's qualities: nearer than near, the sweet Hukam, the dust of all humility, sahaj equanimity (friend/enemy alike, B00C703). "Enticed Maya herself" is the great reversal of B00C726 (Maya as servant). The closing prayer — to serve the Saints — is Sat Sangat and seva at their humblest.

For Raag Aasaa

Aasaa's hope is modeled in the Saints and sought in their service. The mood is reverent and aspiring — not to be admired, but to serve those who are truly good.


Last updated: 2026-06-28

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