Raag Bhairao
Commentary

Raag Bhairao, Shabad, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan Dev)

Remember the One, and even fear grows afraid.

The Arc

Remember the Naam, and fear itself gets scared of you. The restless pulls of your mind calm down. What you set out to do comes out whole. People who keep singing of the One find a home that is complete. Even the mightiest powers long for a glimpse of someone humble and kind. Wanting, anger, greed, showing off, tearing others down and pride all fade when you sit with people who remember the One. Meeting people like that is great good luck. Give them your thanks. At the centre, the Rahao: remember the Naam, and even fear grows afraid.

Key Vocabulary

  • bhai ka-o bha-o — fear itself made afraid.
  • trihu gun — the three gunas, the three restless pulls of the mind.
  • pooran dhaam — the home that is complete.
  • dharam raa-ay — the keeper of what is fair.
  • kaam krodh lobh — craving, anger, greed.
  • abhimaan — pride that finally lets go.

Themes and Cross-Connections

Fear dissolved by remembrance; inner storms settling in company; the humble honored above the mighty, a leveling note. Connects to the Sangat (saadhsang) as the place where change happens, and to ego as a disease that heals.

For Raag Bhairao

A compact three-part shabad — Bhairao's fierceness turned against fear itself, then softened in the Sangat.

Hukumnama

Subject: Remember the Naam, and fear grows afraid Preview: fear scared off, a mind made well, a perfect home, mighty powers longing for a glimpse, storms that settle.

Today: Remember the Naam, and fear itself gets scared of you. The restless pulls of your mind calm down. What you set out to do comes out whole. People who keep singing of the One find a home that is complete. Even the mightiest powers long for a glimpse of someone humble and kind. Wanting, anger, greed, showing off, tearing others down and pride all fade when you sit with people who remember the One. Meeting people like that is great good luck. Give them your thanks.

Remember the Naam, and even fear grows afraid.

For today: When fear shows up today, say the Naam softly three times and take one brave step.

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