Raag Malaar
Commentary

Raag Malaar, Du-Tukas, Mehl 3 (Guru Amar Das)

The restless mind, touched by grace, settles like a spinning top come to rest.

The Arc

A Du-Tukas, in two-line verses. Through the teaching we find the Mansion within our own home and pride melts; those who carry the Name are honored in the truest place; from the teaching we learn the ways of our own mind; the mind darts in ten directions but, touched by grace, settles in an instant; and keeping the Name close, we cross safely to the far shore.

Key Vocabulary

  • ghar dar mahal — the Mansion found within one's own home.
  • lilaat likhi-aa — the Name as if written in; hearts turned toward it.
  • man kee bidh — the ways of one's own mind, learned from the teaching.
  • dah dis — the ten directions the restless mind runs in.

Themes and Cross-Connections

The mind's darting and settling is the shabad's centre. The far-shore image belongs with the raag's waters, crossed by the Name.

For Raag Malaar

The far shore reached across the widest waters — the calm that follows the storm.

Translation Notes

This is a Du-Tukas (du-tukay), in couplets. The Name inscribed on the forehead (lilaat likhi-aa) is rendered gently as hearts turned toward the Name. The terrifying world-ocean (bhav saagar) is softened to the far shore reached safely.

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