Raag Kaanraa
Commentary

Raag Kaanraa, Shabad, Ghar 7, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

My thirst is quenched and the thieves have fled; how could I ever repay this love?

The Arc

The rahau: meeting the holy, thirst is quenched, the five thieves flee, and the heart sings until it sees the Beloved. The first verse: what You have done for me, how could I repay — I give my whole heart. The close: first at the saints' feet, countless voices praising, the one in tune with You is absorbed; You alone, You alone, You alone.

Key Vocabulary

  • tikh boojh ga-ee — the thirst is quenched
  • panch bhaagay chor — the five thieves run off
  • hee-o tumaaray bal balay — the heart offered again and again
  • ayk toohee toohee toohee — You alone, said three times

Themes and Cross-Connections

Gratitude that cannot be repaid, and the ease (sahaj) that follows when the inner thieves lose their grip. The threefold repetitions carry the raag's swelling devotion.

For Raag Kaanraa

Kaanraa's yearning arrives at song and absorption: the thirsty heart, finally near, can only sing You alone.

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