Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 39
Verse 3 of 5

Real Honor Comes From the Name, Not Birth

ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਸਚੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਉ ॥
karam Dharam sach saachaa naa-o.
Those whose karma and Dharma - whose actions and faith - are in the True Name of the True Lord
ਤਾ ਕੈ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ ॥
taa kai sad balihaarai jaa-o.
- I am forever a sacrifice to them.
ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥
jo har raatay say jan parvaan.
Those who are imbued with the Lord are accepted and respected.
ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਪਰਮ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥੨॥
tin kee sangat param niDhaan. ||2||
In their company, the supreme wealth is obtained. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Those whose every action and belief rest in the True Name —

I would give myself for them forever.

Those soaked in the One are honored and welcomed; in their company, the greatest wealth is found.

Real honor comes from the Name, not from birth — and the company of such people is itself a treasure.
The deeper layer

Worth is relocated from caste or deed to orientation: those "whose karma and Dharma are in the True Name." Such people are "accepted and respected" — true honor comes from the Name, not from birth. And their company is itself the treasure — the Sat Sangat that raises whoever joins it.

A Question to Sit With

Who raises you just by being around them?

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

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