Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 197
Verse 4 of 5

Loving Service Frees the Soul

ਦਾਸ ਦਾਸਤਣ ਭਾਇ ਮਿਟਿਆ ਤਿਨਾ ਗਉਣੁ ॥
daas daastan bhaa-ay miti-aa tinaa ga-on.
Those servants, who lovingly perform the Lord's service, are freed from the cycle of reincarnation.
ਵਿਸਰਿਆ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਿਨਾੜਾ ਹਾਲੁ ਕਉਣੁ ॥੩॥
visri-aa jinHaa naam tinaarhaa haal ka-un. ||3||
What shall be the fate of those who forget the Naam? ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Those servants who lovingly serve are freed from the cycle of rebirth.

And what shall become of those who forget the Name?

Loving service frees the soul — and the fate of the forgetful is left as a question to wake us.
The deeper layer

This one says loving service sets the soul free, and then asks a question.

Daas daastan bhaa-ay miti-aa tinaa ga-on — those who serve with love are freed from coming and going, birth after birth. Visri-aa jinhaa naam tinaarhaa haal ka-un — "and what will happen to those who forget the Name?"

The question is left open. It is not a sentence handed down. It is more like an alarm clock, meant to wake us up, not to judge anyone. Think of a friend asking, "Hey, did you forget something?" as you head out the door. The question helps you remember.

A Question to Sit With

What question about your own life would it be wise to sit with honestly?

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

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