Sikhism·Raag Gauree·Shabad 246
Verse 6 of 9

The Name Makes the Helpless Strong

ਨਰ ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਾਉ ॥
nar nihkayval nirbha-o naa-o.
The Name makes a man pure and fearless.
ਅਨਾਥਹ ਨਾਥ ਕਰੇ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ॥
anaathah naath karay bal jaa-o.
It makes the masterless become the master of all. I am a sacrifice to him.
ਪੁਨਰਪਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਉ ॥੫॥
punrap janam naahee gun gaa-o. ||5||
Such a person is not reincarnated again; he sings the Glories of God. ||5||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

A person becomes pure and unafraid through the Name — the Name of the One who is beyond all fear. That One makes the helpless into masters of themselves; I would give anything for that gift. Held in the Name, a heart no longer wanders lost, and simply sings in gratitude.

The Name makes the helpless strong and the fearful unafraid.
The deeper layer

Nar nihkayval nirbhau naa-o — the Name makes a person pure and fearless. Anaathah naath — the One who makes the master-less into masters (the unprotected protected). Punrap janam naahee uses no-more-rebirth language; we render it as the heart no longer wandering lost, then landing on gun gaa-o, singing in gratitude.

A Question to Sit With

Who in your life has helped you feel less helpless — more able to stand on your own?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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