Remember what is real, and you come alive — the long wandering ends in good company.
The Arc
The Rahau (P0): remember the Beloved of the world, and truly live; the fear of death loses its grip.
Verse 1 (P1): after a long wandering, the highest fortune is finding good company.
Verse 2 (P2): without the perfect teaching, it is hard to cross — so says Baba Nanak.
Key Vocabulary
jap / simar — to remember, to hold in mind.
mahaa kaal — the great fear of death, here disarmed.
kot janam — the long wandering through many lives.
badai bhaag — the highest fortune; grace.
saaDhsangat — the good company of seekers.
uDhaar — being carried across.
Themes and Cross-Connections
A compact shabad with its Pause first: remembrance gives true life, and the journey home ends not in a solitary feat but in sangat and the guidance of the teaching. No austerity is asked — only remembering and the good company that grace provides.
For Raag Raamkalee
Against the yogi's solitary striving, Guru Arjan sets remembrance and fellowship — the ordinary, available means by which anyone crosses over.
Translation Notes
"the Great Death shall not consume you / mahaa kaal" (P0): softened to the fear of death losing its power — no devouring imagery for children.
"no one is saved / uDhaar" (P2): rendered as finding one's way across, not damnation.
Remember what is real, and you come alive — the long wandering ends in good company.
The Arc
Key Vocabulary
Themes and Cross-Connections
A compact shabad with its Pause first: remembrance gives true life, and the journey home ends not in a solitary feat but in sangat and the guidance of the teaching. No austerity is asked — only remembering and the good company that grace provides.
For Raag Raamkalee
Against the yogi's solitary striving, Guru Arjan sets remembrance and fellowship — the ordinary, available means by which anyone crosses over.
Translation Notes