I made the beginning and the Guru implanted the Mantra; taken by the hand, dressed in Truth, made His own — for the Saints are traders in the Name, and the Infinite One is their Banker.
The Arc
Pauri 0: I made the effort and a beginning; the Guru implanted the Mantra. The Pause (Pauri 1): the Guru dispelled my doubts; God dressed me with Truth. Pauri 2: taken by the hand, made His own by the True Command — the gift is perfect greatness. Pauri 3: sing the praises of the Destroyer of ego; my vows honored by grace. Pauri 4: the Saints are traders in the Name, the Infinite One their Banker.
Key Vocabulary
effort and grace: the soul's beginning, the Guru's implanted Mantra (upside-down vessel)
decorated with Truth: the soul adorned in Truth itself, not finery (cf. Shabad 206)
taken by the hand: hands-on grace making the soul His own (cf. Shabad 98, Shabad 187)
the Saints' Banker: the Infinite One backing the traders in the Name (cf. Shabad 97)
Themes and Cross-Connections
"I made the beginning... the Guru implanted the Mantra" is the upside-down vessel — effort and grace together (Shabad 44). "Decorated with Truth" joins the adornment of Shabad 98 and Shabad 143 (Rang, Sach). "Taken by the hand" is the hands-on Gurprasad of Shabad 98 and Shabad 187. The closing merchant image — Saints as traders, the Infinite One their Banker — completes Shabad 97.
For Raag Aasaa
Aasaa's hope balances effort and grace and rests on an infinite Banker: begin, and be taken by the hand, dressed in Truth, backed by the One. The mood is grateful and assured.
I made the beginning and the Guru implanted the Mantra; taken by the hand, dressed in Truth, made His own — for the Saints are traders in the Name, and the Infinite One is their Banker.
The Arc
Pauri 0: I made the effort and a beginning; the Guru implanted the Mantra. The Pause (Pauri 1): the Guru dispelled my doubts; God dressed me with Truth. Pauri 2: taken by the hand, made His own by the True Command — the gift is perfect greatness. Pauri 3: sing the praises of the Destroyer of ego; my vows honored by grace. Pauri 4: the Saints are traders in the Name, the Infinite One their Banker.
Key Vocabulary
Themes and Cross-Connections
"I made the beginning... the Guru implanted the Mantra" is the upside-down vessel — effort and grace together (Shabad 44). "Decorated with Truth" joins the adornment of Shabad 98 and Shabad 143 (Rang, Sach). "Taken by the hand" is the hands-on Gurprasad of Shabad 98 and Shabad 187. The closing merchant image — Saints as traders, the Infinite One their Banker — completes Shabad 97.
For Raag Aasaa
Aasaa's hope balances effort and grace and rests on an infinite Banker: begin, and be taken by the hand, dressed in Truth, backed by the One. The mood is grateful and assured.