Sikhism·Raag Dhanaasaree·Shabad 54
Verse 4 of 5

Held to the Hem, Never Alone

ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਆਪਿ ਲਏ ਲੜਿ ਲਾਇ ॥
jis no aap la-ay larh laa-ay.
He alone, whom the Lord has attached to the hem of His robe,
ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਿਸੈ ਹੀ ਜਾਇ ॥
dargeh milai tisai hee jaa-ay.
obtains a place in the Court of the Lord.
ਸੇਈ ਭਗਤ ਜਿ ਸਾਚੇ ਭਾਣੇ ॥
say-ee bhagat je saachay bhaanay.
They alone are devotees, who are pleasing to the True Lord.
ਜਮਕਾਲ ਤੇ ਭਏ ਨਿਕਾਣੇ ॥੩॥
jamkaal tay bha-ay nikaanay. ||3||
They are freed from the Messenger of Death. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The One gently draws a heart close, like taking hold of a hand, and gives it a home in the presence of the real.

Those who live in loving tune with the One are held so safe that even the fear of death loses its power over them.

Feeling held can quiet even our biggest fears.
The deeper layer

The One draws a heart close and keeps it safe.

jis no aap la-ay larh laa-ay — the One ties a person to the hem of the One's own robe. It is a picture of being kept close, like a small child holding the edge of a parent's shirt in a busy market. That person finds a place in the true Court, the presence of the One.

Those who please the True One are the devoted ones. jamkaal tay bha-ay nikaanay — they are freed from the reach of death. This means freedom from the fear of death. The terror is lifted, and the safety stays.

A Question to Sit With

What makes you feel safe enough that even big worries seem smaller?

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

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