Sikhism·Raag Saarang·Shabad 20
Verse 5 of 5

The One Door That Opens

ਆਨ ਉਪਾਉ ਨ ਕੋਊ ਸੂਝੈ ਹਰਿ ਦਾਸਾ ਸਰਣੀ ਪਰਿ ਰਹਾ ॥
aan upaa-o na ko-oo soojhai har daasaa sarnee par rahaa.
I cannot see any other way out. I seek the Sanctuary of the Lord's slaves.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਬ ਹੀ ਮਨ ਛੁਟੀਐ ਜਉ ਸਗਲੇ ਅਉਗਨ ਮੇਟਿ ਧਰਹਾ ॥੪॥੪॥
kaho naanak tab hee man chhutee-ai ja-o saglay a-ugan mayt Dharhaa. ||4||4||
Says Nanak, the mortal is emancipated, only when all his demerits and faults are erased and eradicated. ||4||4||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

When you have tried everything else and nothing has worked, there is still one door — going and sitting among the people who love the One, and asking for help.

Nanak says: that is where the mind goes free, when old mistakes are wiped clean. You do not have to fix yourself all alone.

You do not have to erase your mistakes alone — the One's people and grace do the lifting.
The deeper layer

After the long sleep comes one open door: shelter with the One's servants.

Har daasaa sarnee par rahaa — I stay in the sanctuary of the One's servants. These are the Guru's people, the ones who love the One.

Saglay a-ugan mayt — all faults erased. It is a release, the weight of past mistakes lifted so the mind can be free. Think of a backpack full of rocks you have carried all day, and a friend who helps you take it off.

A Question to Sit With

Who could you turn to when you feel like you have run out of your own answers?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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