Sikhism·Raag Bilaaval·Shabad 65
Verse 3 of 5

Kept and Cherished, Breath by Breath

ਆਪਿ ਰਖੈ ਆਪਿ ਦੇਵਸੀ ਆਪੇ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਰੈ ॥
aap rakhai aap dayvsee aapay partipaarai.
He Himself preserves, and He Himself gives. He Himself cherishes.
ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਨਿਧੇ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੈ ॥੨॥
deen da-i-aal kirpaa niDhay saas saas samHaarai. ||2||
Merciful to the meek, the treasure of mercy, He remembers and protects us with each and every breath. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The One keeps you, provides for you, and looks after you — all of it, quietly, all the time.

Gentle with everyone, brimming with kindness, the One watches over you with every single breath you take.

You are looked after with every breath, even when you do not notice.
The deeper layer

The One's care never stops. Aap rakhai aap dayvsee aapay partipaarai — the One keeps us, gives to us, and looks after us.

Then: deen da-i-aal kirpaa nidhay — kind to the humble, a treasure of mercy. Saas saas samaarai — the One remembers and cares for us with every breath.

Think of a parent checking on a sleeping baby at night. They do it again and again, quietly, without being asked. The verse says the One's care is like that, tender and constant, breath after breath.

A Question to Sit With

Who quietly looks after you in ways you do not always see?

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

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