Sikhism·Raag Prabhaatee·Raag Parbhaatee, Shabad 18
Verse 5 of 5

Given, Not Earned

ਆਪੇ ਕਰਤਾ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦੇਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਈ ॥
aapay kartaa jis no dayvai tis vasai man aa-ee.
The Creator comes to abide in the minds of those whom He Himself has blessed.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਸਦਾ ਤੂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਈ ॥੪॥੧॥
naanak naam Dhi-aa-ay sadaa too satgur dee-aa dikhaa-ee. ||4||1||
O Nanak, meditate forever on the Naam, which the True Guru has revealed. ||4||1||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The Creator comes to live in the mind of the one the Creator blesses.

Nanak says: meditate on the Naam forever, the Naam the True Guru has shown you.

Grace is received, not earned — and then the One lives right inside you.
The deeper layer

The Creator comes to live in your heart as a gift, and the Naam the Guru shows you is yours to hold always.

Aapay kartaa jis no dayvai: the Creator Himself gives the gift. Tis vasai man aa-ee: in that one's mind, the Creator comes to dwell. Grace is a gift that is always here; you open to it. Guru Amar Das, signing as Nanak, closes with naanak naam Dhi-aa-ay sadaa too: meditate on the Naam always. Satgur dee-aa dikhaa-ee: the True Guru has shown it to you. Hold it close every day.

A Question to Sit With

What does it feel like to receive something you didn't have to earn?

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

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