Sikhism·Raag Bairaaree·Shabad 4
Verse 2 of 3

The Good Lives Inside You, Nearer Than Near

ਕਾਇਆ ਨਗਰਿ ਬਸਤ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰਾ ॥
kaa-i-aa nagar basat har su-aamee har nirbha-o nirvair nirankaaraa.
In the body-village, the Lord Master abides; the Lord is without fear, without vengeance, and without form.
ਹਰਿ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਬਸਤ ਕਛੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਧਾ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ॥੧॥
har nikat basat kachh nadar na aavai har laaDhaa gur veechaaraa. ||1||
The Lord is dwelling near at hand, but He cannot be seen. By the Guru's Teachings, the Lord is obtained. ||1||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The good lives right inside you — fearless, without any hate, and beyond all shape.

It's nearer than near, even when you can't see it — and wisdom helps you find it.

The good lives right inside you — fearless and without any hate — nearer than near, even when you can't see it.
The deeper layer

A landmark verse that echoes the Mool Mantar (the opening creed): the Lord in the "body-village" is nirbhau, nirvair, nirankaar — "without fear, without hate, without form." And the raag's steady comfort: har nikat basat — "the Lord dwells near at hand, but cannot be seen" — nearer than near, found through wisdom. The One you might feel is far is actually living right inside you. For a child: the good lives right inside you — fearless, without any hate — nearer than near, even when you can't see it.

A Question to Sit With

What good thing might be closer to you than you usually realize?

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

About this shabad →
Use ← → to navigate