Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Why hold on to any smaller fear when the One is here? And why pretend to be at peace when the One has slipped out of mind — the peace we chase without that is only pretend.
Two questions sit at the center of this shabad, and both of them set us free.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad. The first question: bin har bha-o kaahay kaa maaneh — apart from the One, why carry any fear? Holding the One in deep, loving respect is called bhau. That one healthy awe pushes out all the small, anxious dreads.
The second question: har bisrat kaahay sukh jaaneh — forgetting the One, why call that peace? Comfort that forgets the One is a show we put on for ourselves. It is like smiling for a photo when you feel upset inside. The line is not scolding. It is freeing. It points to a peace that does not have to be faked.
Have you ever pretended to be fine when you weren't? What would real calm have felt like instead?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI