Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Hearing of the One, I am calmed, calmed and soothed.
The whole refrain is one short, repeated word of relief: calmed, calmed and soothed (the literal doubles it — sheetal sheetal, cool and cool). Just hearing of the One brings this coolness. Guru Arjan sets the tone for a shabad made of very short lines, each one a small exhale of peace. Notice it is hearing — even secondhand word of the Beloved cools the fever of the restless heart. The inner heat of anxiety and craving (the fire cooled all through these raags) is quenched not by achieving anything but simply by turning the ear toward the One. Peace begins with listening.
Has just hearing about something good and steadying ever calmed you down inside? What's worth listening to like that?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI