Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 246
Verse 3 of 3

Wake Now, Turn to the One, and Your Destiny Is Fulfilled

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲ ਪਤਿਤ ਪਾਵਨ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਜਾਗੁ ॥
parabh gopaal deen da-i-aal patit paavan paarbarahm har charan simar jaag.
God is the Sustainer of the world, Merciful to the meek, the Purifier of sinners, the Transcendent Lord God. Awaken, and meditate on His Feet.
ਕਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੂਰਨ ਭਾਗੁ ॥੨॥੪॥੧੫੫॥
kar bhagat naanak pooran bhaag. ||2||4||155||
Perform His devotional worship, O Nanak, and your destiny shall be fulfilled. ||2||4||155||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

God is the Sustainer of the world, merciful to the meek, the Purifier of sinners, the Supreme One.

Awaken, and meditate on His Feet.

Perform His devotional worship, O Nanak, and your destiny shall be fulfilled.

Wake up now and turn to the One — and your destiny is fulfilled.
The deeper layer

Wake up now, turn to the One, and your life will find its purpose.

The verse names the One in many ways. Prabh gopaal — the One who cares for the whole world. Deen da-i-aal — kind to the humble. Patit paavan — the One who makes clean those who have gone wrong. Paarbarahm — the Supreme One.

Then comes the call. Simar jaag — wake up, and remember. Another shabad in this raag describes a person asleep in life. Here that sleeper is shaken awake. It is like an alarm clock on a school day: now is the time.

Kar bhagat naanak pooran bhaag — worship with love, says Nanak, and your destiny will be fulfilled. The life that bears fruit is an awake, loving one.

A Question to Sit With

What would 'waking up' to your real purpose look like today?

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

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