The One itself is the yogi, the Word, the rainbird and the nectar, the boat and the boatman -- there is no second, and it carries us across itself.
The Arc
This is Guru Ram Das's great non-dual hymn, a sustained aapay (He Himself) litany. Pauri 0: the One is the yogi and the ascetic in primal trance. The Rahao (Pauri 1): such is my One, all-pervading and near at hand. Pauri 2: the One is the Word, the awareness that hears it, the beholder, the blossoming, the singer, and the inspirer of song. Pauri 3: the One is the rainbird, the nectar, and the one who leads us to drink. Pauri 4: the One is the boat, the raft, and the boatman, carrying us across through the Guru's teachings.
Key Vocabulary
aapay: "He Himself" -- the One playing every role; there is no second
nayrai: near at hand -- the all-pervading One is also the closest thing
rainbird and nectar: the One is the thirst, the nectar, and the grace that joins them
boat and boatman: the One is the means, the helper, and the far shore of the crossing
Themes and Cross-Connections
A concentrated hymn of Ik Onkar (philosophy.md): subject and object collapse -- the One is what is heard and the hearing, the thirst and the nectar, the boat and the boatman. Grounded in intimacy (the One is near, philosophy.md, Soul-Bride) and grace -- even our longing and receiving are the One's doing (Gurprasad; Anhad Shabad).
For Raag Gauree
Gauree's meditative weight gives this litany its hypnotic power. The repeated "He Himself" dissolves the seeming many into the One, ending in the most reassuring image of all -- the One as the very boat that carries us across to itself.
The One itself is the yogi, the Word, the rainbird and the nectar, the boat and the boatman -- there is no second, and it carries us across itself.
The Arc
This is Guru Ram Das's great non-dual hymn, a sustained aapay (He Himself) litany. Pauri 0: the One is the yogi and the ascetic in primal trance. The Rahao (Pauri 1): such is my One, all-pervading and near at hand. Pauri 2: the One is the Word, the awareness that hears it, the beholder, the blossoming, the singer, and the inspirer of song. Pauri 3: the One is the rainbird, the nectar, and the one who leads us to drink. Pauri 4: the One is the boat, the raft, and the boatman, carrying us across through the Guru's teachings.
Key Vocabulary
Themes and Cross-Connections
A concentrated hymn of Ik Onkar (philosophy.md): subject and object collapse -- the One is what is heard and the hearing, the thirst and the nectar, the boat and the boatman. Grounded in intimacy (the One is near, philosophy.md, Soul-Bride) and grace -- even our longing and receiving are the One's doing (Gurprasad; Anhad Shabad).
For Raag Gauree
Gauree's meditative weight gives this litany its hypnotic power. The repeated "He Himself" dissolves the seeming many into the One, ending in the most reassuring image of all -- the One as the very boat that carries us across to itself.
Last updated: 2026-06-28