Raag Maale Gaorhaa
Commentary

Raag Maale-Gaorhaa, Du-Padas, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

Who could ever map Your wondrous play? Only lift me from the rough water.

The Arc

A short shabad of wonder and rescue. It opens marveling that no one can know the endless One's khel (play), notes that the Creator makes and unmakes in an instant yet blesses every being made, and closes taking shelter with a plea to be lifted from the rough, tricky waters of life.

Key Vocabulary

  • Sarab-shakti / Anant — all-powerful / endless
  • Gat — the One's way — beyond knowing
  • Thaap uthaap — establishing and dissolving — the One's easy play
  • Nivaaj — to bless / cherish — every being made is blessed

Themes and Cross-Connections

The scary word 'destroy' is balanced immediately by the blessing of every being made — creation and un-creation as the One's easy, generous play. The bhavjal is softened to 'rough, tricky waters'; 'Your slave' becomes 'I'm Yours.'

For Raag Maale-Gaorhaa

The wonder at the unmappable 'play' is the raag's recurring delight — mystery as cause for joy, not despair.

Last updated: 2026-07-09

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