Sikhism·Raag Goojaree·Shabad 58
Verse 32 of 63

Like Fire Hidden in Wood, the One Holds All Up

ਮਃ ੫ ॥
mehlaa 5.
Fifth Mehl:
ਜਿਮੀ ਵਸੰਦੀ ਪਾਣੀਐ ਈਧਣੁ ਰਖੈ ਭਾਹਿ ॥
jimee vasandee paanee-ai eeDhan rakhai bhaahi.
The earth is in the water, and the fire is contained in the wood.
ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਸਹੁ ਆਹਿ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਆਢਲਿ ਹਭੁ ਕੋ ॥੨॥
naanak so saho aahi jaa kai aadhal habh ko. ||2||
O Nanak, yearn for that Lord, who is the Support of all. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Earth rests in water, and fire is hidden inside wood.

Nanak says: long for that One, who is the support of everything.

Like fire hidden in wood, the One is the unseen support holding everything up from within — present, if you look and long for it.
The deeper layer

A quietly profound Shalok using nature. As earth is held in water and fire sleeps hidden in wood, so the One is the hidden support "of all" — present everywhere, often unseen, holding everything up from within. The counsel is to "yearn for" this hidden support — to long for the reality quietly sustaining all things. What holds up the world is not obvious; you have to look, and long, for it.

A Question to Sit With

What quietly holds up your life from within, unseen until you look for it?

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

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