Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 192
Verse 3 of 4

A Life of Dharma Is a Vine That Grows for Generations

ਵਧੀ ਵੇਲਿ ਬਹੁ ਪੀੜੀ ਚਾਲੀ ॥
vaDhee vayl baho peerhee chaalee.
The vine has grown, and shall last for many generations.
ਧਰਮ ਕਲਾ ਹਰਿ ਬੰਧਿ ਬਹਾਲੀ ॥
Dharam kalaa har banDh bahaalee.
The Power of the Dharma has been firmly established by the Lord.
ਮਨ ਚਿੰਦਿਆ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦਿਵਾਇਆ ॥
man chindi-aa satguroo divaa-i-aa.
That which my mind wishes for, the True Guru has granted.
ਭਏ ਅਚਿੰਤ ਏਕ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇਆ ॥੩॥
bha-ay achint ayk liv laa-i-aa. ||3||
I have become carefree, and I fix my attention on the One Lord. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The vine has grown, and it will last for many generations.

The power of Dharma has been firmly established by the Lord.

What my mind wished for, the true Guru has granted; I have become carefree, fixing my attention on the One.

A child is a vine that grows on for generations — and so is a life of dharma planted in the world.
The deeper layer

A good life is like a vine that keeps growing, long after one person is gone.

Vadhee vayl baho peerhee chaalee — the vine has grown, and it will go on for many generations. This has two meanings. A family goes on, from grandparents to parents to children. And Dharam, the way of right living, has been firmly planted by the One.

Think of a grandparent who planted a tree. The grandchildren now sit in its shade. A child is a vine that grows beyond one life.

The wish of the heart has come true. So the soul is achint, without worry, and its attention rests on the One.

A Question to Sit With

What good thing might you plant now that could outlast your own lifetime?

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

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