Sikhism·Raag Bhairao·Shabad 3
Verse 3 of 5

The Storms Inside

ਤਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਹਉ ਮਮਤਾ ਕਠਿਨ ਪੀਰ ਅਤਿ ਭਾਰੀ ॥
tan meh kaam kroDh ha-o mamtaa kathin peer at bhaaree.
Within the body are sexual desire, anger, egotism and attachment. This pain is so great, and so difficult to endure.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰਾਮ ਜਪਹੁ ਰਸੁ ਰਸਨਾ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਤਰੁ ਤੂ ਤਾਰੀ ॥੨॥
gurmukh raam japahu ras rasnaa in biDh tar too taaree. ||2||
As Gurmukh, chant the Lord's Name, and savor it with your tongue; in this way, you shall cross over to the other side. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Inside the body are wanting, anger, the puffed-up "me," and clinging. That pain is very heavy and hard to bear.

Facing the Guru, say the Naam of the One and taste its sweetness on your tongue. This way, you will cross over to the other side.

The storms inside are hard, and savoring the Naam is how you cross them.
The deeper layer

Wanting, anger, ego and clinging hurt, and tasting the Naam carries you across.

Kaam krodh ha-o mamtaa: desire, anger, ego and attachment. Kathin peer at bhaaree: the pain is heavy and hard to bear. It is okay to admit these feelings are hard.

The way through is ras rasnaa, savoring the Naam on your tongue, as a gurmukh, someone who faces the Guru. Think of a cough drop slowly melting. A little at a time, it soothes.

A Question to Sit With

Which inner storm is hardest for you, and what helps it pass?

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

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