Raag Soohee
Commentary

Raag Soohee, Chaupada, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

"Deep listening to the Word is what brings me alive."

The Arc

It opens in the bliss of the One coming to mind and the hollowness of forgetting. The rahaao carries two of the block's tenderest notes together - the One as the honour of the honourless, and suniai, deep listening to the Bani, as what keeps the singer alive. The middle verses ask for the humblest place, enshrine the sweet Word in the heart, and lay the whole inner self open before the One. It closes with folded hands and a single wish: to remember with every breath.

Key Vocabulary

  • mahaa ananda - great bliss
  • maan nimaanee - the honour of the honourless
  • sun sun jeevaa - by listening, listening, I live (suniai)
  • amrit bachan - the ambrosial, life-giving Word
  • du-ay kar jorh / ik daanaa - folded hands / the one gift

Themes and Cross-Connections

Suniai as nourishment, dignity restored to those the world ranks low, and complete transparency before the One. The single gift asked for is remembrance itself.

For Raag Soohee

A shabad of intimate address, exactly at home in Soohee's warmth.

Translation Notes

The line jis visrahi so mar jaa-ay is softened from literal death to the inner hollowness of forgetting, bending toward wakefulness rather than fear.

Last updated: 2026-07-08

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