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Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 326
Verse 3 of 5

A Little Wisdom Is Medicine for the Eyes

ਪਾਵਨ ਪਤਿਤ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਰੰਜਨਾ ॥
paavan patit puneet naam niranjanaa.
The Purifier of sinners is the Naam, the Pure Name of the Immaculate Lord.
ਭਰਮ ਅੰਧੇਰ ਬਿਨਾਸ ਗਿਆਨ ਗੁਰ ਅੰਜਨਾ ॥
bharam anDhayr binaas gi-aan gur anjnaa.
The darkness of doubt is removed by the healing ointment of the Guru's spiritual wisdom.
ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ॥
gur gi-aan anjan parabh niranjan jal thal mahee-al poori-aa.
By the healing ointment of the Guru's spiritual wisdom, one meets the Immaculate Lord God, who is totally pervading the water, the land and the sky.
ਇਕ ਨਿਮਖ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਰਿਦੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਿਟੇ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਵਿਸੂਰਿਆ ॥
ik nimakh jaa kai ridai vasi-aa mitay tiseh visoori-aa.
If He dwells within the heart, for even an instant, sorrows are forgotten.
ਅਗਾਧਿ ਬੋਧ ਸਮਰਥ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਰਬ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਭੰਜਨਾ ॥
agaaDh boDh samrath su-aamee sarab kaa bha-o bhanjnaa.
The wisdom of the all-powerful Lord and Master is incomprehensible; He is the Destroyer of the fears of all.
ਨਾਨਕੁ ਪਇਅੰਪੈ ਚਰਣ ਜੰਪੈ ਪਾਵਨ ਪਤਿਤ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਰੰਜਨਾ ॥੨॥
naanak pa-i-ampai charan jampai paavan patit puneet naam niranjanaa. ||2||
Prays Nanak, I meditate on the Lord's lotus feet. The Purifier of sinners is the Naam, the Pure Name of the Immaculate Lord. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

A little wisdom is like a healing balm rubbed on the eyes — it clears away the fog of doubt.

And once you can see clearly, even a moment of the One in your heart makes sorrow slip away.

A little wisdom is like medicine for the eyes — it clears the fog of doubt so sorrow can't hide.
The deeper layer

The verse returns to the raag's lovely image of the healing ointment (anjan): wisdom applied to the eyes like medicine, removing the darkness of doubt so you can finally see. What clears the fog isn't force, it's a gentle salve — understanding that heals sight. And once the seeing clears, the effect is quick: if the One dwells in the heart even for an instant, sorrows are forgotten. You don't need years; a single clear moment of presence lifts the sorrow. The Destroyer of fear is that near. Clear the eyes, and the sadness has nowhere to hide.

A Question to Sit With

What's something that 'clears the fog' for you when you're confused or worried?

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

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