Sikhism·Raag Basant·Shabad 73
Verse 5 of 9

Honor Kept, Even at the End

ਪ੍ਰਹਲਾਦ ਰਖੀ ਹਰਿ ਪੈਜ ਆਪ ॥
parahlaad rakhee har paij aap.
The Lord Himself saved the honor of Prahlaad.
ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਛੀਨਤ ਦ੍ਰੋਪਤੀ ਰਖੀ ਲਾਜ ॥
bastar chheenat daropatee rakhee laaj.
Even when she was being disrobed in court, Dropatee's honor was preserved.
ਜਿਨਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਅੰਤ ਬਾਰ ॥
jin jin sayvi-aa ant baar.
Those who have served the Lord, even at the very last instant of their lives, are saved.
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਸੇਵਿ ਤੂ ਪਰਹਿ ਪਾਰ ॥੪॥
ray man sayv too pareh paar. ||4||
O my mind, serve Him, and you shall be carried across to the other side. ||4||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The One stepped in and kept Prahlaad's honor safe.

When they tried to pull away Draupadi's clothes in the royal court, her honor was kept safe.

Whoever served the One, even at the very last moment, was saved.

O my mind, serve the One, and you will be carried across to the other side.

The One guards the vulnerable and welcomes anyone who turns, even at the very last moment.
The deeper layer

The One protects people in danger, and it is never too late to turn to the One.

Prahlaad was a child who loved the One. Many things threatened him, and the One kept him safe.

Draupadi was a queen. In a royal court, people tried to take away her clothes and her dignity. The One kept her safe, and her honor was protected. These stories are promises that the One stands with people who are in danger. If someone is being unkind to you or hurting you, that is never something you have to accept. Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do.

Then comes a big, kind promise. Jin jin sayvi-aa ant baar means whoever turned to the One, even at the very last moment. Ray man sayv too pareh paar means my mind, serve the One, and you will be carried across. Think of a train that stops for someone running up at the last second. It is never too late to turn.

A Question to Sit With

Why does it matter that it is never too late to turn toward what is good?

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

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