Sikhism·Raag Malaar·Shabad 18
Verse 4 of 5

Fragrance That Travels Far

ਚੰਦਨ ਗੰਧ ਸੁਗੰਧ ਹੈ ਬਹੁ ਬਾਸਨਾ ਬਹਕਾਰਿ ॥
chandan ganDh suganDh hai baho baasnaa behkaar.
The smell of sandalwood is so sublime; its fragrance spreads out far and wide.
ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕਰਣੀ ਊਤਮ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਜਗਿ ਬਿਸਥਾਰਿ ॥੩॥
har jan karnee ootam hai har keerat jag bisthaar. ||3||
The lifestyle of the Lord's humble servant is exalted and sublime. He spreads the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises throughout the world. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Sandalwood has a sweet smell, and its fragrance spreads far and wide.

The way the One's humble people live is fine and high. They spread the songs of the One's praise all through the world.

A good life is like sandalwood; its goodness drifts far beyond where it started.
The deeper layer

A good life spreads like the scent of sandalwood, reaching far beyond where it started.

Chandan ganDh suganDh hai means sandalwood has a lovely scent. It drifts far past the tree. Think of fresh bread baking. You can smell it from down the street.

Har jan karnee ootam hai: the way the One's people live is fine and good. Their goodness spreads outward the same way. Har keerat jag bisthaar: they spread the praise of the One through the world. Keerat means songs of praise. Like a scent on the wind, it travels on its own.

A Question to Sit With

Whose kindness has reached you even from far away?

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

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