The virtues of the One are endless; the taste of them is a sweetness no words can hold, only a smile.
The Arc
This shabad opens the Fourth House. The rahau honors the one who bows humbly to the Lord of all beings and gives itself to such a Guru, freed and freeing. The middle verse marvels that the One's virtues have no end — thousands upon millions — and that rare is the one who pauses to contemplate them. The close overflows into wonder, dyed crimson in love, tasting a sweetness like the one who tastes candy and can only smile.
Key Vocabulary
bal bal jaa-ee-ai — I am a sacrifice; utter devotion
ant nahee paarai — no end or limit to the virtues
bisam — wonder-struck, awe
goongaa muskaarai — the mute who tastes and only smiles: ineffable joy
Themes and Cross-Connections
Wahe — the wonder that has no words. The crimson dye (laal gulaal) is the color of a heart soaked in love, and the smiling taster is Gurbani's image for joy beyond language.
For Raag Kaanraa
Kaanraa's devotional intensity blossoms into speechless wonder — longing turned to a smile.
The virtues of the One are endless; the taste of them is a sweetness no words can hold, only a smile.
The Arc
This shabad opens the Fourth House. The rahau honors the one who bows humbly to the Lord of all beings and gives itself to such a Guru, freed and freeing. The middle verse marvels that the One's virtues have no end — thousands upon millions — and that rare is the one who pauses to contemplate them. The close overflows into wonder, dyed crimson in love, tasting a sweetness like the one who tastes candy and can only smile.
Key Vocabulary
Themes and Cross-Connections
Wahe — the wonder that has no words. The crimson dye (laal gulaal) is the color of a heart soaked in love, and the smiling taster is Gurbani's image for joy beyond language.
For Raag Kaanraa
Kaanraa's devotional intensity blossoms into speechless wonder — longing turned to a smile.