Sikhism·Raag Maaroo·Shabad 119
Verse 8 of 16

The Infinite One Contemplating Himself

ਆਪਿ ਅਪਰੰਪਰੁ ਆਪਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥
aap aprampar aap veechaaree.
He Himself is infinite; He contemplates Himself.
ਆਪੇ ਮੇਲੇ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰੀ ॥
aapay maylay karnee saaree.
He Himself bestows Union through actions of excellence.
ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਕਾਰ ਕਰੇ ਵੇਚਾਰਾ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੮॥
ki-aa ko kaar karay vaychaaraa aapay bakhas milaa-idaa. ||8||
What can the poor creatures do? Granting forgiveness, He unites them with Himself. ||8||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The One is endless and rests in knowing itself.

It draws hearts home through pure goodness, and since we are small on our own, it simply forgives and gathers us in.

On our own we are small, and the One simply forgives and gathers us in.
The deeper layer

The One is endless and complete. It is the One who forgives us and brings us close.

Aap aprampar: the One is beyond all limits. Aap veechaaree: the One knows and thinks on Itself. The One needs nothing from outside.

Aapay maylay karnee saaree: the One brings us close through the best and purest acts. Then the verse asks honestly, ki-aa ko kaar karay vaychaaraa: what can a small person do alone? We are small, and that is simply true. It is not a reason to feel worthless.

Aapay bakhas milaa-idaa: the One forgives and gathers us in. Think of a little kid trying to reach a high shelf. A loving parent does not scold them. The parent simply lifts them up.

A Question to Sit With

What does it feel like to be forgiven?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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