Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 298
Verse 23 of 36

You Belong to Something Enormous and Generous

ਧਧੈ ਧਾਰਿ ਕਲਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਛੋਡੀ ਹਰਿ ਚੀਜੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਰੰਗ ਕੀਆ ॥
DhaDhai Dhaar kalaa jin chhodee har cheejee jin rang kee-aa.
Dhadha: His power established and upholds the earth; the Lord has imparted His color to everything.
ਤਿਸ ਦਾ ਦੀਆ ਸਭਨੀ ਲੀਆ ਕਰਮੀ ਕਰਮੀ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਇਆ ॥੨੨॥
tis daa dee-aa sabhnee lee-aa karmee karmee hukam pa-i-aa. ||22||
His gifts are received by everyone; all act according to His Command. ||22||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The One's own strength holds the whole earth steady, and paints every single thing with its color.

Everyone receives their share of gifts; everything moves along by that One's gentle order.

Everything is colored by the same hand and given its share — you belong to something enormous and generous.
The deeper layer

The letter Dhadha (dental) is a hymn of belonging. The One's power upholds the earth and imparts its color to everything (rang laa-i-aa) — every creature dyed in the same hue, marked as the Maker's own. And sabhnaa daat — everyone receives gifts; no one is left off the list. The picture is of a single household where all are colored the same, all provided for, all moving to one quiet Command. A child hearing this belongs to something enormous and generous, along with every other living thing.

A Question to Sit With

What does it feel like to know you belong to something much bigger than yourself?

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

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