Raag Soohee, Shabad 78 - Listening to the Word, I Live
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
When the world overlooks someone, when they feel small and unseen - You are their honour, their worth. That is what You are to me.
And as I listen, and keep listening deeply to Your Word, I come alive; the listening itself is what feeds me.
You give me my worth, and Your Word keeps me alive.
This is the rahaa-o, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. Mayray saahib too mai maan nimaanee — my Master, You are the honor of those who have none. Some people get left out and treated as small. The One gives them their worth. That is what the singer feels, too.
Sun sun jeevaa tayree banee — listening and listening to Your Bani, Your Word, I live. Japji Sahib calls this suniai, deep listening. It is more than hearing. Think of music playing in the background, and then think of really listening to a friend who needs you. That second kind of listening, done in stillness, is food for the heart.
What comes alive in you when you really, deeply listen?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI