qMonkqMonkSikhism
Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 303
Verse 4 of 4

You Win Life by Holding What Never Runs Out

ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈਨਿ ਸਿ ਸੋਹਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਸੁਖ ਫਲ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਮਾਨਹਿ ਸੇ ਜਿਣਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
naam lain se soheh tin sukh fal hoveh maaneh say jin jaahi jee-o.
Those who chant the Naam look beautiful; they obtain the fruit of peace. Those who believe in the Name win the game of life.
ਤਿਨ ਫਲ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਜੁਗ ਕੇਤੇ ਜਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
tin fal tot na aavai jaa tis bhaavai jay jug kaytay jaahi jee-o.
Their blessings are not exhausted, if it pleases the Lord, even though numerous ages may pass.
ਜੇ ਜੁਗ ਕੇਤੇ ਜਾਹਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਨ ਫਲ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
jay jug kaytay jaahi su-aamee tin fal tot na aavai.
Even though numerous ages may pass, O Lord Master, their blessings are not exhausted.
ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਜਰਾ ਨ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਰਕਿ ਨ ਪਰਣਾ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
tinH jaraa na marnaa narak na parnaa jo har naam Dhi-aavai.
They do not age, they do not die and fall into hell, if they meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਸਿ ਸੂਕਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੀੜ ਨ ਖਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥
har har karahi se sookeh naahee naanak peerh na khaahi jee-o.
Those who chant the Lord's Name, Har, Har, do not wither, O Nanak; they are not afflicted by pain.
ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਸਿ ਸੋਹਹਿ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਸੁਖ ਫਲ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਮਾਨਹਿ ਸੇ ਜਿਣਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੧॥੪॥
naam lainiH se soheh tinH sukh fal hoveh maaneh say jin jaahi jee-o. ||4||1||4||
Those who chant the Naam look beautiful; they obtain the fruit of peace. Those who believe in the Name win the game of life. ||4||1||4||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The ones who hold the Name shine — they're full of peace, and they win the real game of life.

Their good fortune never runs dry, no matter how much time passes. They don't wither, they don't fade, they're not weighed down by pain.

You win the game of life not by grabbing the most, but by holding onto what never runs out.
The deeper layer

The Chhant ends radiantly: those who chant the Name look beautiful (sohaavay) — an inner light that shows on a face — obtain the fruit of peace, and win the game of life (jinee(n) khaa-i-aa jeetaa). Their blessings are not exhausted through numberless ages; they do not wither or fall into pain. 'Winning the game of life' is a wonderful phrase for children: life is pictured as a great game, and the way to win isn't to grab the most — it's to keep hold of the Name, and so stay peaceful, radiant, and unfading whatever comes. The wealth that doesn't run out is the only wealth worth winning.

A Question to Sit With

If life is a game, what do you think it really means to 'win' it?

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

About this shabad →
← Verse 3 of 4 The Highest Honor Is Open to Any Full Heart
Shabad 304 · Verse 1 →The Most Tempting Things Turn Bitter Fast
Use ← → to navigate