Verse 2 of 5
When the Inner Tugs Pull, I Reach for Shelter
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਨਿਤ ਝਗਰਤੇ ਝਗਰਾਇਆ ॥
kaam kroDh lobh moh nit jhagratay jhagraa-i-aa.
Sexual desire, anger, greed and emotional attachment bring continual conflict and strife.
ਹਮ ਰਾਖੁ ਰਾਖੁ ਦੀਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥
ham raakh raakh deen tayray har saran har parabh aa-i-aa. ||1||
Save me, save me, I am your humble creature, O Lord; I have come to Your Sanctuary, O my Lord God. ||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Wanting more, flashes of anger, grabbing and holding on, clinging too tightly — these tug at me and stir up trouble inside.
Keep me safe, keep me safe — I'm only a small creature, and I've come to Your shelter.
When strong feelings tug at you, reaching for shelter is a brave and honest move.
The pauri names the classic inner pulls (desire, anger, greed, attachment) that create dukh — friction and strife. Rather than shame, the answer is refuge: rakh lehu, rakh lehu — "save me, save me." These are described as things to be held safely, not crimes to be punished; the honest move is simply to reach for shelter when you feel pulled.
A Question to Sit With
What helps you feel steady when a strong feeling is pulling at you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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