Raag Jaitsree
Commentary

Raag Jaitsree, Shabad 13, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan) — closes the Mehl 5 shabad block

"Even the Messenger of Death pays homage to him... grasp the Lord's lotus feet, and hold them in your heart."

The Arc

Misfortune can't reach the servant's core, the true work fulfilled (rahau); obstacles cleared, fearlessness, death itself bowing (v.1); the closing summary — other deeds are transitory; hold the One and find peace (v.2). Closes Guru Arjan's thirteen Jaitsree shabads.

Key Vocabulary

  • bipat na aavai / misfortune doesn't approach — the core untouched, not hardship absent.
  • jam namaskaar / death bows — death's authority broken by jeevat marnaa.
  • abichal ghar / eternal dwelling — the home death cannot evict one from.
  • charan gahi / grasp the feet — the single closing instruction.

Themes and Cross-Connections

Death-bows links to jeevat marnaa (Devgandhaari Shabad 14, Siree Raag) and Shabad 16/1514 (death's shadow ceasing). "Other deeds transitory" links to Shabad 12 (family/wealth/power ruled out) and Sach. Hold-the-feet-and-find-peace is the raag's recurring resolution.

For Raag Jaitsree

Seals Guru Arjan's shabad block with its boldest fearlessness (death bowing) and its simplest instruction (hold the One's feet). Everything ruled out across thirteen shabads, and the one thing to hold named clearly at the end.

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