Raag Dhanaasaree
Commentary

Raag Dhanaasaree, Du-Pada, Mehl 4 (Guru Ram Das)

Even the mightiest beings long for the Name; singing the One's praise is the highest work, and whatever is given, I gladly accept.

The Arc

The opening sweeps the cosmos: the eighty-four adepts, the thirty-three million gods, and the silent sages all long for the One's Name — and a rare person, by grace, truly receives it. The Rahao calls the praise of the One the most exalted work and gives the singer warm admiration. The close is quiet trust: I take Your shelter, whatever You give I accept, for I long only to remember You (||2||4||10||).

Key Vocabulary

  • cha-oraaseeh sidh... taytees kot: the eighty-four adepts, the thirty-three million gods
  • gur parsaad ko virlaa paavai: a rare one receives it, through grace
  • har jas ootam kaam: praising the One, the most exalted work
  • jo tum dayh so-ee hau paa-o: whatever You give, I accept

Themes and Cross-Connections

The Puranic figures (adepts, gods, sages) are named with full respect, and the point is oneness — even the exalted reach for the same One that is within an ordinary person's reach. ‘Whatever You give, I accept’ is the poise of sahaj, trusting the flow (hukam) rather than grasping (philosophy.md, Sahaj and Hukam).

For Raag Dhanaasaree

The raag's longing is placed in vast company: if even the mightiest thirst for the Name, the small seeker's ache is not strange but shared with all creation.

Translation Notes

Taytees kot (thirty-three million gods) and the sidh are Puranic references, presented respectfully to make a point about oneness, not to disparage — flagged for interfaith evenhandedness.

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