Raag Gauree
Commentary

Raag Gauree, Du-Padas, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

A mind steeped in the One forgets to envy; seeing the One in all, comparison loses its footing, and the truest wealth never runs dry.

The Arc

Pauri 0: a mind dyed through with love for the One simply forgets jealousy — read as a contemporary reflection, envy needs a sense of lack, and connection dissolves the lack. The Rahao (Pauri 1): nothing exists apart from the One, the doer behind all doing — so comparison loses its footing. Pauri 2: honest inner work plus remembrance gives a steadiness nothing external can shake. Pauri 3: those who carry the wealth of the One are the truly rich, given endless credit by the teacher. Pauri 4: meeting the life-giving One, they reach the highest, settled state.

Key Vocabulary

  • raataa: dyed, steeped through — the color of love that goes all the way in
  • taataa: jealousy, envious heat — simply forgotten
  • karan karaavan: the Creator as doer and cause of all causes
  • kateh na dolai: never wavers — the steadiness of sahaj
  • sach saahu: the true banker — inner, inexhaustible wealth
  • param pad: the supreme state, a settledness of soul

Themes and Cross-Connections

The oneness cure for envy (Pauri 0–1) is a fine practical application of Ik Onkar: the shabad's claim is that devotion to the One loosens jealous comparison, and a contemporary reflection would add that rivalry rests on a sense of separateness that seeing the One relaxes. The banking/credit imagery (Pauri 3) is a favorite Gauree Mehl 5 device, also in Shabad 113's wealth theme. Kateh na dolai is sahaj, the unshakeable ease.

For Raag Gauree

Gauree's reflective register suits a psychological shabad — it watches the inner movements of envy and steadiness with a calm, observing eye.

Translation Notes

The literal renders 'sovereign Lord King' (har raa-i-aa, Pauri 4); per the guidelines the added text uses 'sovereign One' plainly rather than as a royal title a child would not parse. Maneh kamaavai is rendered 'works willingly / does inner work honestly' rather than left ambiguous.

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