Sikhism·Raag Dhanaasaree·Shabad 5
Verse 5 of 5

The All-Knowing One Is Never Fooled

ਜੇ ਸਉ ਕੂੜੀਆ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਬਾੜੁ ॥
jay sa-o koorhee-aa koorh kabaarh.
He may tell hundreds of lies to conceal his falsehood,
ਭਾਵੈ ਸਭੁ ਆਖਉ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
bhaavai sabh aakha-o sansaar.
and all the world may call him good.
ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਅਧੀ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥
tuDh bhaavai aDhee parvaan.
If it pleases You, Lord, even the foolish are approved.
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਾਣੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ॥੪॥੪॥੬॥
naanak jaanai jaan sujaan. ||4||4||6||
O Nanak, the Lord is wise, knowing, all-knowing. ||4||4||6||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Someone may tell a hundred lies to cover one lie, and the whole world may call them good.

Yet if it pleases You, even the simplest are welcomed. The One is wise and knows everything.

The One is never fooled by lies, yet is quick to welcome a sincere heart.
The deeper layer

People can be fooled by lies, but the One sees everything, and that seeing is kind.

Jay sa-o koorhee-aa koorh kabaarh — someone may pile up a hundred lies. Bhaavai sabh aakha-o sansaar — and the whole world may call him good. Still, appearances do not fool the One.

Then comes a turn toward grace. TuDh bhaavai aDhee parvaan — if it pleases You, even the simple and foolish are welcomed. The One jaanai jaan sujaan — knows everything, wisely and fully. And that same seeing is merciful. It is like a teacher who sees through every excuse, and still makes room for the child who is honestly trying.

A Question to Sit With

Why is being real more important than looking good to everyone?

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

About this shabad →
Use ← → to navigate