Attention On The One Undoes The Fear Of Death

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

A heart held close to the One is no longer ruled by fear.

This is the Rahao, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad. Gur parsaadee paa-i-aa jaa-ay — by the Guru's grace, the One is found. Har si-o chit laagai fir kaal na khaa-ay — when the heart is fixed on the One, death no longer swallows you.

The old words picture death as something that eats people up. The promise underneath is comfort, not a threat. Think of a small boat tied tightly to the dock. The waves still come, but the boat stays safe. A heart tied to the One is no longer run by the fear of dying.