Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Dear One, please protect my honor!
The fear of death has entered my heart; I hold tight to the shelter of your sanctuary, ocean of mercy.
This part shows that it is okay to be scared, and to bring that fear to the One.
Guru Tegh Bahadur says it plainly. Jam ko taraas bha-i-o ur antar — the fear of death has come into my heart. He doesn't pretend to be brave. He admits the fear and carries it straight to shelter. Saran gahee kirpaa niDh tayree — I hold on to Your shelter, ocean of mercy.
This is the "Pause" line (rahaa-o), the center of the shabad. Raakh layho pat mayree — protect my honor. It tenderly means, "Don't let me be let down for having trusted You." He has put all his trust in the One, and asks only that it be kept.
This is deeply human. The Guru isn't showing a superhuman calm. He shows a frightened heart running toward safety, not away. Think of a child waking from a bad dream and going straight to a parent's room. Fear brought into the open, instead of hidden, is where its cure begins.
Is it braver to hide your fears or to bring them honestly to someone or something safe? What happens to a fear you finally admit?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI