Raag Saarang
Commentary

Raag Saarang, Dupade, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

Most riches wash off like cheap dye — one treasure does not.

The Arc

The rahau turns the tongue toward praise and pairs speaking with listening to the One's story. The first stanza names the true wealth — the jewel of the Name gathered with body and mind — and sets it against all other riches, which wash off like cheap dye. The close names the One as giver of soul, breath, and freedom, whose shelter feeds every living thing.

Key Vocabulary

  • jihvay amrit gun — the tongue's ambrosial praise.
  • kathaa sun — hearing the telling (Suniai).
  • raam naam ratan dhan — the Name as jewel-wealth.
  • aan bibhoot mithi-aa — all other wealth unreal (jhooth).
  • det sagal api-aa-o — the One feeds all.

Themes and Cross-Connections

Lasting versus passing (sach versus jhooth) runs through the batch; here it becomes the jewel that stays against the dye that washes off. The shelter that feeds all keeps the sanctuary shared, never private.

For Raag Saarang

Saarang's longing is trained on the one wealth that does not fade — the Name — held by a One who sustains every creature.

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