Sikhism·Raag Nat Naaraayan·Shabad 21
Verse 2 of 9

Goodness Is a Fragrance That Quietly Spreads

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਏ ਅਤਿ ਮੀਠਾ ਮੈਲਾਗਰੁ ਮਲਗਾਰੇ ॥
satgur naam drirh-aa-ay at meethaa mailaagar malgaaray.
The True Guru has implanted within me the exceedingly sweet Naam, the Name of the Lord; it is like the most fragrant sandalwood.
ਨਾਮੈ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਵਜੀ ਹੈ ਦਹ ਦਿਸਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੁਸਕੀ ਮੁਸਕ ਗੰਧਾਰੇ ॥੧॥
naamai surat vajee hai dah dis har muskee musak ganDhaaray. ||1||
Through the Name, my awareness extends in the ten directions; the fragrance of the fragrant Lord permeates the air. ||1||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The good planted in my heart is sweet, like fragrant sandalwood.

Its lovely scent spreads out in every direction, filling the air around me.

Goodness in your heart is like a sweet fragrance that quietly spreads to everyone around you.
The deeper layer

This one says: goodness in your heart spreads out like a sweet smell.

The verse says the Name is "like the most fragrant sandalwood." Sandalwood is a wood with a lovely, sweet scent. Then "its fragrance permeates the air" in all ten directions, which means everywhere.

Goodness planted in a heart doesn't stay hidden. It spreads. Think of fresh bread baking in the kitchen. Soon the whole house smells warm and good, and everyone comes to see. A kind heart is like that for the people near it.

A Question to Sit With

How might your goodness 'spread' like a nice smell to the people near you?

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

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