Sikhism·Raag Maaroo·Shabad 88
Verse 5 of 16

Known and Held Before You Were Born

ਗਰਭ ਕੁੰਡਲ ਮਹਿ ਉਰਧ ਧਿਆਨੀ ॥
garabh kundal meh uraDh Dhi-aanee.
Within the mother's womb, upside-down, the mortal meditated on God.
ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥
aapay jaanai antarjaamee.
The Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts, knows everything.
ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮਾਲੇ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਉਦਰ ਮਝਾਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੫॥
saas saas sach naam samaalay antar udar majhaaraa hay. ||5||
With each and every breath, he contemplated the True Name, deep within himself, within the womb. ||5||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Even before you were born, in the warm dark where you first grew, you were already held close to the One.

The One who knows the inside of every heart already knew you completely.

With each tiny breath forming, the True Name was near — you were never, not for one moment, alone.

You were known and held by the One before you took your first breath.
The deeper layer

Even before you were born, the One knew you and held you close.

The verse pictures a baby in the mother's womb, turned uradh, upside down, and already remembering the One. Antarjaamee means the One who knows every heart from the inside. That One knew you completely, even then. Saas saas means with each breath. With each breath, the True Name was near.

Think of a baby who hears its mother's voice before it is born. It already knows her. In the same way, you have been known and loved from the very start.

A Question to Sit With

How does it feel to know you were cared for even before you were born?

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

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