Everything you can see turns to dust — the Name is the only thing that holds.
The Arc
Tell your own mind this: hold the Naam. It is the one thing that stays steady. Everything you can see changes. Phones, shoes, trophies, even the biggest show anyone builds, all of it turns to dust in time. So why carry it like a heavy bag on your head? Set it down. Your time comes to you moment by moment, like grains of sand. Each one is worth spending well. Spend some of them in the Sangat. Peace opens up there, like a door. Kings and queens move on. People who lean on the Naam stand steady through every change. At the centre, the Rahao: the Naam, the one thing that stays steady when all the rest is a passing show.
Key Vocabulary
saar — the essence, the true worth of the Name.
thir — steady, lasting; the opposite of the passing show.
bikhi-aa — the poison of harmful attachment.
audh ghaatai — life quietly running down, moment by moment.
jhooth paasaar — the false expanse that is left behind.
Themes and Cross-Connections
The contrast of Sach (the real and lasting) with jhooth (the passing show) is the spine of this shabad. Its meditation on impermanence is turned steadily toward the worth of each moment and toward the Sangat.
For Raag Saarang
Saarang's longing has a shadow side: the ache of clinging to what cannot last. This shabad answers it by pointing to the one thing that holds, and to the Sangat, where peace is found.
Translation Notes
Ba-uray, "O mad one," and gavaar, "fool," are spoken to one's own restless heart. Jaa-ay poochhahu bayd beechaar sends the listener to the scholars of the Vedas, the ancient Hindu scriptures, to hear the same wisdom.
Hukumnama
Subject: The Naam is the one thing that lasts Preview: dust, a heavy load on the head, moments slipping away, an open door, and kings and queens moving on.
Today: Tell your own mind this: hold the Naam. It is the one thing that stays steady. Everything you can see changes. Phones, shoes, trophies, even the biggest show anyone builds, all of it turns to dust in time. So why carry it like a heavy bag on your head? Set it down. Your time comes to you moment by moment, like grains of sand. Each one is worth spending well. Spend some of them in the Sangat. Peace opens up there, like a door. Kings and queens move on. People who lean on the Naam stand steady through every change.
What lasts is the Naam.
For today: Set down one worry you have been carrying, and say the Naam in its place.
Everything you can see turns to dust — the Name is the only thing that holds.
The Arc
Tell your own mind this: hold the Naam. It is the one thing that stays steady. Everything you can see changes. Phones, shoes, trophies, even the biggest show anyone builds, all of it turns to dust in time. So why carry it like a heavy bag on your head? Set it down. Your time comes to you moment by moment, like grains of sand. Each one is worth spending well. Spend some of them in the Sangat. Peace opens up there, like a door. Kings and queens move on. People who lean on the Naam stand steady through every change. At the centre, the Rahao: the Naam, the one thing that stays steady when all the rest is a passing show.
Key Vocabulary
Themes and Cross-Connections
The contrast of Sach (the real and lasting) with jhooth (the passing show) is the spine of this shabad. Its meditation on impermanence is turned steadily toward the worth of each moment and toward the Sangat.
For Raag Saarang
Saarang's longing has a shadow side: the ache of clinging to what cannot last. This shabad answers it by pointing to the one thing that holds, and to the Sangat, where peace is found.
Translation Notes
Ba-uray, "O mad one," and gavaar, "fool," are spoken to one's own restless heart. Jaa-ay poochhahu bayd beechaar sends the listener to the scholars of the Vedas, the ancient Hindu scriptures, to hear the same wisdom.
Hukumnama
Subject: The Naam is the one thing that lasts Preview: dust, a heavy load on the head, moments slipping away, an open door, and kings and queens moving on.
Today: Tell your own mind this: hold the Naam. It is the one thing that stays steady. Everything you can see changes. Phones, shoes, trophies, even the biggest show anyone builds, all of it turns to dust in time. So why carry it like a heavy bag on your head? Set it down. Your time comes to you moment by moment, like grains of sand. Each one is worth spending well. Spend some of them in the Sangat. Peace opens up there, like a door. Kings and queens move on. People who lean on the Naam stand steady through every change.
What lasts is the Naam.
For today: Set down one worry you have been carrying, and say the Naam in its place.