Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 161
Verse 3 of 5

The Name Enshrined in the Heart Sets You Free

ਹਰਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਉਰ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਧਾਰੈ ॥
har maalaa ur antar Dhaarai.
One who enshrines this rosary of the Lord's Name within his heart,
ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਕਾ ਦੂਖੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ॥੨॥
janam maran kaa dookh nivaarai. ||2||
is freed of the pains of birth and death. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Whoever sets this rosary of the Name within the heart

is freed from the pains of birth and death.

It's the Name placed within the heart that frees you.
The deeper layer

When the Name lives in your heart, the fear of life and death loosens its grip.

Har maalaa ur antar dhaarai — whoever keeps this rosary of the Name inside the heart. Ur means the heart. Janam maran kaa dookh nivaarai — is freed from the pain of birth and death.

Notice where the rosary goes: inside the heart. It is not hanging on a hook. Think of a favorite song you know by heart. You carry it everywhere, even without your phone. The Name kept in the heart like that is what sets a person free.

A Question to Sit With

What is the difference between going through a motion and truly taking something to heart?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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