Sikhism·Raag Bilaaval·Shabad 168
Verse 3 of 4

The Day That Cannot Be Changed

ਸਾਹਾ ਅਟਲੁ ਗਣਿਆ ਪੂਰਨ ਸੰਜੋਗੋ ਰਾਮ ॥
saahaa atal gani-aa pooran sanjogo raam.
The date for my wedding is set, and cannot be changed; my union with the Lord is perfect.
ਸੁਖਹ ਸਮੂਹ ਭਇਆ ਗਇਆ ਵਿਜੋਗੋ ਰਾਮ ॥
sukhah samooh bha-i-aa ga-i-aa vijogo raam.
I am totally at peace, and my separation from Him has ended.
ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਤ ਆਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਧਿਆਏ ਬਣੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਜਾਞੀਆਂ ॥
mil sant aa-ay parabh Dhi-aa-ay banay achraj jaanjee-aaN.
The Saints meet and come together, and meditate on God; they form a wondrous wedding party.
ਮਿਲਿ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਹੋਏ ਸਹਜਿ ਢੋਏ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਉਪਜੀ ਮਾਞੀਆ ॥
mil ikatar ho-ay sahj dho-ay man pareet upjee maanjee-aa.
Gathering together, they arrive with poise and grace, and love fills the minds of the bride's family.
ਮਿਲਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਓਤਿ ਪੋਤੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਭਿ ਰਸ ਭੋਗੋ ॥
mil jot jotee ot potee har naam sabh ras bhogo.
Her light blends with His Light, through and through, and everyone enjoys the Nectar of the Lord's Name.
ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਭ ਸੰਤਿ ਮੇਲੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਜੋਗੋ ॥੩॥
binvant naanak sabh sant maylee parabh karan kaaran jogo. ||3||
Prays Nanak, the Saints have totally united me with God, the All-powerful Cause of causes. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The day of meeting is set and cannot be moved — the coming-together is complete.

Peace floods in, and the old feeling of being apart is gone. The saints gather and turn toward the One, like a joyful welcoming party.

They arrive with quiet grace, and love fills everyone. Light joins Light, woven through and through, and everyone shares the sweetness of the Name. Nanak says: the saints have brought me to the One, who can do anything.

Some good things, once they begin, feel settled and sure — like light joining light.
The deeper layer

Saahaa atal — the immovable wedding-date; pooran sanjogo, the perfect union: a sure coming-together. Vijogo ga-i-aa: separation gone. JaanjeeaaN (the wedding party) is the joyful welcoming gathering of the saints. Jot jotee ot potee: light woven into Light, warp and weft. Karan kaaran jogo: the One able to do anything, the Cause of causes.

A Question to Sit With

When have you felt a coming-together that seemed meant to be?

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

About this shabad →
Use ← → to navigate