Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 298
Verse 8 of 36

When Gratitude Goes Quiet, Pride Moves In

ਗਗੈ ਗੋਇ ਗਾਇ ਜਿਨਿ ਛੋਡੀ ਗਲੀ ਗੋਬਿਦੁ ਗਰਬਿ ਭਇਆ ॥
gagai go-ay gaa-ay jin chhodee galee gobid garab bha-i-aa.
Gagga: One who renounces the singing of the songs of the Lord of the Universe, becomes arrogant in his speech.
ਘੜਿ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਆਵੀ ਸਾਜੀ ਚਾੜਣ ਵਾਹੈ ਤਈ ਕੀਆ ॥੭॥
gharh bhaaNday jin aavee saajee chaarhan vaahai ta-ee kee-aa. ||7||
One who has shaped the pots, and made the world the kiln, decides when to put them in it. ||7||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Someone who stops singing about the wonder of it all gets puffed-up and proud in the way they talk.

The great Potter shaped every one of us like clay pots, and knows exactly the right time for each.

When gratitude goes quiet, pride moves in — so keep singing.
The deeper layer

The letter Gagga pairs a warning with a beautiful image. Stop singing (stop wondering, stop being grateful) and speech turns arrogant — pride rushes in to fill the silence where song used to be. Then the potter image: the One shaped the pots and made the world the kiln and decides when to put them in. It sounds solemn, but its real message is trust — you don't have to manage the timing of your own life; the Potter who shaped you knows the hour. Your job is to stay soft clay, and to keep singing.

A Question to Sit With

Why do you think staying thankful helps keep us humble?

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

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