Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Behind everything that happens stands the One who set it all going — endlessly generous.
This Merciful One pours out kindness and grace on us.
The One is the Cause behind everything, and pours out kindness on all.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. Kaaran karan kareem — He is the Cause of causes, the Generous One. Everything that happens starts with the One. Kirpaa Dhaar raheem — the Merciful One showers grace.
Kareem, the Generous, and Raheem, the Merciful, are much-loved names of God in Islam. Guru Arjan uses them as naturally as any other name. Think of rain. It falls on every field in the valley, whoever owns it. The grace named here is shared by everyone.
Where do you see kindness showing up in the world around you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI