Verse 3 of 5
Hearing and Singing the Good: Misfortune Does Not Come Near
ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸੁਣੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਵੈ ॥
har keertan sunai har keertan gaavai.
Listening to the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises, and singing the Lord's Kirtan,
ਤਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਦੂਖੁ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਨਹੀ ਆਵੈ ॥੨॥
tis jan dookh nikat nahee aavai. ||2||
misfortune shall not even come near you. ||2||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Listening to songs of praise, and singing them yourself, misfortune cannot even come near you. The joy makes a kind of shield.
The shabad says that of the one who both hears and sings what is good, misfortune keeps its distance.
Har keertan sunai... gaavai -- listens to and sings kirtan. Dookh nikat nahee aavai -- misfortune does not come near. Both receiving (listening) and giving (singing) are named. The image of trouble kept at a distance echoes 355's 'no stain can stick' -- the shabad's language of refuge and inner fullness, not a promise of immunity from harm.
A Question to Sit With
Do you feel different when you are singing along with others than when you are alone and glum?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
Use ← → to navigate