Raag Gauree
Commentary

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

A first-person testimony: turning toward the Name with the help of good company, a restless racing mind finally grows calm — and pain, doubt, and fear simply leave.

The Arc

This whole shabad is a settled mind speaking of its own relief. Pauri 0: with the grace of the holy I turned to the Name, and my dhaavat (running) mind grew satisfied. The Rahao (Pauri 1): singing praise, I found a home of peace, and the inner torment lost its grip. Pauri 2: holding the beautiful presence close, my anxiety ended. Pauri 3: I came empty-handed to shelter and found the highest home effortlessly, in sahaj. Pauri 4: pain, ache, doubt, and fear all fled, because the Creator came to dwell in my mind.

Key Vocabulary

  • dhaavat man triptaa-i-aa: the running mind, satisfied
  • bisraam: rest, a home of peace
  • balaa-ay: literally a tormenting demon — rendered as inner torment quieted
  • sehjay: naturally, in effortless ease (sahaj)
  • karanhaar man basi-aa: the Creator dwelling in the mind

Themes and Cross-Connections

The satisfied-restless-mind arc pairs with B00C355 (a heart too full for worry) and B00C366 (remembrance as medicine). Sehjay is philosophy.md's Sahaj — the highest home arrives without strain. The empty-handed shelter (Pauri 3) is the project's rendering of self-abasement as openness toward grace.

For Raag Gauree

Gauree's introspective calm fits a shabad that is essentially an inner weather report — a mind describing its own passage from storm to stillness.

Translation Notes

The literal renders anaath (Pauri 3) as 'orphan' and balaa-ay (Pauri 1) as 'the demon has been destroyed.' Per the voice and wellbeing rules, the added sections render anaath as coming empty-handed (openness to grace) and balaa-ay as an inner torment quieted, avoiding both self-abasement and frightening literal imagery.


Last updated: 2026

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