Sikhism·Raag Dhanaasaree·Shabad 4
Verse 2 of 5

He Knows Even Without Our Words

ਬਹੁਤਾ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਝਖਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
bahutaa bolan jhakhan ho-ay.
To speak too much and babble is useless.
ਵਿਣੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਭੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
vin bolay jaanai sabh so-ay. ||1|| rahaa-o.
Even without our speaking, He knows everything. ||1||Pause||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Piling up too many words is just noise.

The One already knows everything, even before we speak.

You do not need many words to be understood by the One who already knows your heart.
The deeper layer

You do not need lots of words for the One to understand you.

This is the Rahao, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad. Bahutaa bolan jhakhan ho-ay — too much talking turns into babble. Vin bolay jaanai sabh so-ay — even without our speaking, the One knows everything.

This is not a rule against talking or singing. Sikhs treasure both. It is a comfort. Think of a grandmother who can tell you are sad the moment you walk in the door. You do not have to explain yourself perfectly to be understood. The One already knows your heart.

A Question to Sit With

Is there someone who understands you without you having to say much?

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

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