Sikhism·Raag Basant·Shabad 79
Verse 5 of 6

The Protector Bursts from the Pillar

ਕਾਢਿ ਖੜਗੁ ਕੋਪਿਓ ਰਿਸਾਇ ॥
kaadh kharhag kopi-o risaa-ay.
The king became angry and drew his sword.
ਤੁਝ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰੋ ਮੋਹਿ ਬਤਾਇ ॥
tujh raakhanhaaro mohi bataa-ay.
"Show me your protector now!"
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਥੰਭ ਤੇ ਨਿਕਸੇ ਕੈ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥
parabh thambh tay niksay kai bisthaar.
So God emerged out of the pillar, and assumed a mighty form.
ਹਰਨਾਖਸੁ ਛੇਦਿਓ ਨਖ ਬਿਦਾਰ ॥੪॥
harnaakhas chhaydi-o nakh bidaar. ||4||
He killed Harnaakhash, tearing him apart with his nails. ||4||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The king grew furious and drew his sword.

"Show me your protector now!" he shouted.

Then the One came out of the pillar in a mighty form.

The One struck down Harnaakhash, the cruel king, tearing him with sharp claws.

When love holds on, protection can arrive from the most unexpected place.
The deeper layer

Protection can come from the most unexpected place. The king grew furious and drew his sword. Tujh raakhanhaaro mohi bataa-ay — show me your protector!

Parabh thambh tay niksay kai bisthaar — the One came out of the pillar in a mighty form. In the old story, this form is a man-lion, part person and part lion. The cruel king Harnaakhas was stopped for good.

Think of a stone pillar, the last place anyone would look for help. The One who protects can show up anywhere.

A Question to Sit With

When has help arrived for you from a place you never expected?

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

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