Raag Bilaaval
Commentary

Raag Bilaaval, Chaupada, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

Fill your ears with what lifts you, and pride wears quietly away.

The Arc

The Rahau asks that the ears be kept for words that carry life rather than hollow, cynical talk. From there the shabad climbs: serving beside the wise brings the gift of fearlessness; the tongue and eyes turn toward the One; the seeing that the One is beneath and above all quiets pride; and the close names the One as immeasurable yet tender — lover of those who love, handing fearlessness and peace to whoever enters the shelter.

Key Vocabulary

  • mayray mohan: my heart-drawing One
  • abhai daan: the gift of fearlessness
  • deen dukh bhanjan: easer of the meek's pain
  • abhimaan khoay: pride worn away
  • bhagat vachhal: lover of devotees

Themes and Cross-Connections

Fearlessness bookends the shabad, arriving in the company of the wise and offered again at the close. Choosing what enters the ears is Suniai seen from its guarding side, kept positive. Ego is healed by a change of vision, not by force.

For Raag Bilaaval

The raag's brightness carries a shabad that moves from guarding the heart to open-handed reassurance.

Translation Notes

SSK renders saakat as a faithless cynic and P3's abhimaan khoay as destroyed pride. Both are kept as the teaching without the contempt or self-attack: choosing life-giving words, and pride growing quiet.

Last updated: 2026-07-08

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