Sikhism·Raag Goojaree·Shabad 41
Verse 3 of 3

Even Worldly Wellbeing Traces to Humility

ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸੰਮ੍ਰਥ ਸ੍ਰੀਧਰ ਸਰਣਿ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਗਹੀ ॥
karan kaaran samrath sareeDhar saran taa kee gahee.
The all-powerful Lord is the Creator, the Cause of causes; He is the Master of wealth - I seek His Sanctuary.
ਮੁਕਤਿ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਰਵਾਲ ਸਾਧੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਧਿ ਲਹੀ ॥੨॥੧੭॥੨੬॥
mukat jugat ravaal saaDhoo naanak har niDh lahee. ||2||17||26||
Liberation and worldly success come from the dust of the feet of the Holy Saints; Nanak has obtained the Lord's treasure. ||2||17||26||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The all-powerful Creator is the cause behind all causes, the Master of all wealth; I seek its shelter.

Freedom and worldly good both come from the dust of the feet of the good; Nanak has found the One's treasure.

Even worldly wellbeing traces back not to scheming but to humility and good company — the low place among the good.
The deeper layer

This line says that even doing well in the world comes from humility, not from scheming.

Karan kaaran samrath — the One is all-powerful, the Cause behind every cause. The One is the Master of all wealth, and Nanak takes shelter there.

Then comes a surprise. Mukat jugat ravaal saaDhoo — both freedom and success in the world come from the ravaal, the dust of the feet of good, holy people. "The dust of their feet" means staying humble, close to good people, happy to take the lowest seat.

So even everyday wellbeing is not traced to clever plans. It comes from humility and good company. Think of the kid on a team who passes the ball and cheers for others. Everyone wants to play with them, and they end up doing great. Taking the low place among the good brings both the inner treasure and enough for life. Humility turns out to be the practical path.

A Question to Sit With

Have you noticed that humility and good company quietly bring more than all your maneuvering does?

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

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