Sikhism·Raag Maaroo·Shabad 27
Verse 3 of 5

The Outcaste, the Hunter, the Elephant

ਬਾਲਮੀਕੁ ਸੁਪਚਾਰੋ ਤਰਿਓ ਬਧਿਕ ਤਰੇ ਬਿਚਾਰੇ ॥
baalmeek supchaaro tari-o baDhik taray bichaaray.
Baalmeek the outcaste was saved, and the poor hunter was saved as well.
ਏਕ ਨਿਮਖ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਅਰਾਧਿਓ ਗਜਪਤਿ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰੇ ॥੨॥
ayk nimakh man maahi araaDhi-o gajpat paar utaaray. ||2||
The elephant remembered the Lord in his mind for an instant, and so was carried across. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

One the world called an outcaste was carried across; so was a poor hunter.

Even an elephant, remembering for a single instant, was lifted to safety.

One honest instant of remembering is enough to be lifted.
The deeper layer

One moment of remembering is enough, and nobody is left out.

Baalmeek was called supchaaro, an outcaste. The society of his day looked down on him. He was carried across. So was a poor hunter.

In another old story, the elephant Gajendra remembered the One ayk nimakh, for a single instant. He was carried to safety.

The One does not look at a person's family, job or rank. Think of a lifeguard. The lifeguard does not ask who you are before pulling you out of the water.

A Question to Sit With

When has one small moment made a big difference for you?

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

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