Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O Brave and Strong One, You are an ocean of peace. I have slipped and fallen, and I cannot climb out on my own — please, reach down and take my hand.
Guru Arjan cries out to the One: I have fallen into a pit and cannot climb out; please take my hand.
This is the rahao, the "pause" line. The whole shabad rests on it. He calls the One bhuj bal beer, strong-armed and brave, and barahm sukh saagar, an ocean of peace.
Then he gives the picture. He has fallen into a garat, a pit. Geh layho anguree-aa — please take hold of my fingers. It is a picture of being stuck and honestly asking for help.
That is exactly the right thing to do. Think of a friend who slips into a ditch on a hike. The smart, brave thing is to call out and reach up for a hand. The pit is not a place of horror here. It simply means, "I can't do this alone, please help."
When has asking for help been the bravest and smartest thing you could do?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI