Raag Bilaaval
Commentary

Raag Bilaaval, Chau-Pada, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

Come with empty hands and an open heart, and be cherished like a child by a loving parent, at home in a place of peace.

The Arc

The shabad opens offering glad service to the devotees and listening to the praises of the One. The Rahau: meeting the One makes the mind new, and remembering brings day-and-night joy. The verses hold onto the holy as the world's helpers and ask for the honor of their company; then, coming with empty hands, they ask to be kept from fear and freed from what binds. It closes addressing the One as a cherishing Father and naming good company the home of peace.

Key Vocabulary

  • tahal: glad, humble service — offered to those who point toward the One
  • mastak bhayt: offering the head — that is, offering the ego
  • ukat siaanap kachh nahee: no cleverness of my own — coming with open, empty hands
  • karunaapatay pitaa: the cherishing Father — the One who takes care of the child

Themes and Cross-Connections

Empty-handedness before grace and the tenderness of the parent-child image drive this shabad. Service and listening (Suniai) are the practices; the 'home of peace' (sukh saal) is the destination.

For Raag Bilaaval

Bilaaval's warmth here is domestic and tender — the peace of being cherished and at home.

Translation Notes

The literal's jam jaal (the noose of Death) is rendered as being freed from fear and attachment, keeping the teaching of release while setting aside death-terror, per the wellbeing rules.


Last updated: 2026-07-08

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