Raag Bilaaval
Commentary

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

Effort turns into joy, remembrance keeps you alive, hearts at peace do good and wish no harm, and there is a home even for those who feel they have none.

The Arc

A warm, ethical shabad. Effort toward remembrance ripens into joy and full understanding, and the Rahau makes that remembrance the source of aliveness. The verses picture hearts at peace doing good for others and holding no ill will, bless the place where the Name is sung, and close naming the One as the master of the masterless — a home for everyone the world overlooks.

Key Vocabulary

  • udam karat: effort — that turns into joy when met by grace
  • har jap ha-o jeevaa: alive through remembrance
  • par-upkaar: doing good for others, holding no ill will
  • sukh sahj bisraam: peace, natural ease, deep calm
  • anaath ko naath: the master of the masterless — a home for all

Themes and Cross-Connections

Par-upkaar (doing good for others) and nirvair (no ill will) are stated plainly here, and the close — a home for the homeless — carries Guru Nanak's foregrounding of those the world ranks lowest.

For Raag Bilaaval

Bilaaval's joy turns outward here: peace that overflows into kindness, and a shelter with room for everyone.


Last updated: 2026-07-08

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