Sikhism·Raag Bhairao·Shabad 87
Verse 4 of 5

Mother, Father, Family

ਹਰਿ ਸਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
har saa pareetam avar na ko-ay.
There is no other Beloved like the Lord.
ਸਾਰਿ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਲੇ ਸਾਚਾ ਸੋਇ ॥
saar samHaalay saachaa so-ay.
The True Lord takes care of all.
ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਸੁਤ ਬੰਧੁ ਨਰਾਇਣੁ ॥
maat pitaa sut banDh naraa-in.
The Lord is our Mother, Father, Son and Relation.
ਆਦਿ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਭਗਤ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਣੁ ॥੩॥
aad jugaad bhagat gun gaa-in. ||3||
Since the beginning of time, and throughout the ages, His devotees sing His Glorious Praises. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

There is no Beloved like the One, no other at all.

The True One takes care of everyone. Narayan, the One, is our mother, father, child and family. From the very beginning and through all the ages, those who love the One have sung the One's goodness.

The One can be family in every direction — parent, child, and closest kin.
The deeper layer

The One is the dearest Beloved, and is mother, father, child and family to us all.

Har saa preetam avar na ko-ay: there is no Beloved like the One. Saar samhaalay saachaa so-ay: the True One looks after everyone. Maat pitaa sut bandh naraa-in: Narayan, a name for the One, is mother, father, child and kin. The family picture brings the One close, as close as the people at your own dinner table. Aad jugaad bhagat gun gaa-in: from the beginning of time, the devoted have sung this.

Think of the warmest hug you remember from someone in your family. Now picture that warmth with you everywhere.

A Question to Sit With

Who feels like family to you beyond the people you're related to?

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

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