Raag Devgandhaari
Commentary

Raag Devgandhaari, Shabad 19, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

"I hug it close, and enshrine it in my heart."

The Arc

The ache to see the One's feet, and the prayer never to forget (rahau); humility burning off craving and anger, bringing peace (v.1); the treasure of the Name hugged close (v.2).

Key Vocabulary

  • viraha / longing — the raag's keynote, here asking only for steady remembrance.
  • kaam, krodh — craving and anger, burned by humility (Panch Vikaar).
  • hirdai basaaee / enshrine in the heart — the intimate, physical holding of the Name.

Themes and Cross-Connections

Humility-starves-the-passions links to Panch Vikaar and to B00C3031's descent-below-ego. The prayer-not-to-forget links to Naam (remembrance) and to the "asleep/awake" motif. Treasure-hugged-close is the raag's intimacy at its warmest.

For Raag Devgandhaari

Concentrates the raag's tenderness: longing that asks only to keep remembering, and a treasure held not at a distance but against the heart.

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