Sikhism·Raag Saarang·Shabad 54
Verse 2 of 3

The One Who Needs No Instructions

ਅਭੂਲੁ ਨ ਭੂਲੈ ਲਿਖਿਓ ਨ ਚਲਾਵੈ ਮਤਾ ਨ ਕਰੈ ਪਚਾਸਾ ॥
abhool na bhoolai likhi-o na chalaavai mataa na karai pachaasaa.
The Infallible Lord never makes a mistake. He does not have to write His Orders, and He does not have to consult with anyone.
ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਸਾਜਿ ਸਵਾਰਿ ਬਿਨਾਹੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਵਛਲ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਾ ॥੧॥
khin meh saaj savaar binaahai bhagat vachhal guntaasaa. ||1||
In an instant, He creates, embellishes and destroys. He is the Lover of His devotees, the Treasure of Excellence. ||1||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The One never makes a mistake. The One needs no written orders and asks no one for advice.

In a single moment the One shapes a thing, makes it lovely, and folds it away. The One is a treasure of every good quality, and loves the ones who love back.

The One needs no rulebook and no advisors, and still loves the ones who love back.
The deeper layer

The One never slips, never needs a rulebook, and still loves each of us closely.

Abhool means the One who never makes a mistake. A king needs written orders and a room full of advisors. The One needs neither. "Likhi-o na chalaavai" means no written orders. "Mataa na karai" means no asking others what to do.

In one moment, the One can make a thing, make it lovely, and fold it away.

And yet this great One is also close and gentle. Bhagat vachhal means the One who loves those who love back. Think of a famous captain who still knows every player's name. Greatness and kindness sit together.

A Question to Sit With

What is something in nature that always seems to know what to do without being told?

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

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