Raag Saarang
Commentary

Raag Saarang, Du-Pada, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

Wandering and wandering, I grew tired — then I met the Teacher and came to rest.

The Arc

This shabad lets go of self-effort. The schemes and devices are set aside; real help comes only from the One, the cause behind every cause. Amid every beautiful form, none compares to the One who holds all up. And the close is deeply human: after wandering to exhaustion, the heart meets the Teacher, comes to rest, and its nights pass in easy peace.

Key Vocabulary

  • sarab upaav birkaatay — all schemes and devices set aside.
  • karan kaaran — the cause of causes; the One behind everything.
  • an naahee tum bhaantay — nothing is like You.
  • bharmatou... haar — wandering to exhaustion, then rest.

Themes and Cross-Connections

The end of tired wandering and the arrival of sahaj, effortless ease, is a keynote of Guru Arjan's inner life. The theme that nothing created equals its Maker connects to the wonder (wahe) at the root of the tradition.

For Raag Saarang

Saarang's restless yearning here comes to its rest: the search that wore the heart out ends at the Teacher's feet in complete peace.

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