Sikhism·Raag Bilaaval·Shabad 156
Verse 2 of 9

Stay Close to the Sangat

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹੀਆ ॥
mayray man saaDhsangat mil rahee-aa.
O my mind, remain united with the Saadh Sangat.
ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਮਧਸੂਦਨ ਮਾਧਉ ਮੈ ਖਿਨੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਪਖਈਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
kirpaa karahu maDhsoodan maaDha-o mai khin khin saaDhoo charan pakha-ee-aa. ||1|| rahaa-o.
Be merciful to me, O Lord; each and every instant, let me wash the Feet of the Holy. ||1||Pause||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

O my mind, stay joined with the Sangat.

Be kind to me, beloved One, so that every moment I may wash the feet of the Guru's people.

*Stay close to the Sangat, and serve with a glad heart.*
The deeper layer

Staying close to the Sangat, and serving gladly, is the centre everything comes back to.

This is the "Rahao" line, the pause. Mayray man saadhsangat mil rahee-aa — O my mind, stay joined with the Sangat. Then comes a prayer to the One, called here by loving names for the Lord. Mai khin khin saadhoo charan pakha-ee-aa — every moment, let me wash the feet of the holy.

Washing someone's feet was the humblest work in a home. Here it is a picture of glad, humble service. Think of the friend who always helps set up the room before a party, and loves doing it. The rest of the hymn keeps circling back here: stay close to the Sangat, and serve with a glad heart.

A Question to Sit With

Which friends make it easier for you to be your best self?

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

About this shabad →
Use ← → to navigate