Sikhism·Raag Soohee·Shabad 82
Verse 6 of 9

Love Is What Carries You Through

ਬਾਕੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਤਲਬੀਐ ਸਿਰਿ ਮਾਰੇ ਜੰਦਾਰੁ ਜੀਉ ॥
baakee vaalaa talbee-ai sir maaray jandaar jee-o.
One who has a karmic debt to pay off is summoned, and the Messenger of Death smashes his head.
ਲੇਖਾ ਮੰਗੈ ਦੇਵਣਾ ਪੁਛੈ ਕਰਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਜੀਉ ॥
laykhaa mangai dayvnaa puchhai kar beechaar jee-o.
When his account is called for, it has to be given. After it is reviewed, payment is demanded.
ਸਚੇ ਕੀ ਲਿਵ ਉਬਰੈ ਬਖਸੇ ਬਖਸਣਹਾਰੁ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥
sachay kee liv ubrai bakhsay bakhsanhaar jee-o. ||5||
Only love for the True One will save you; the Forgiver forgives. ||5||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

There is a kind of honest accounting to life — what we plant tends to come back around, and that can feel heavy.

But here is the mercy: love for the Real One lifts that weight. The One who forgives, forgives. Love opens a door that strict bookkeeping never could.

Love for the Real One lifts the weight that strict accounting leaves behind.
The deeper layer

Life keeps an honest record, but love and forgiveness lift the weight.

Laykhaa mangai dayvnaa: the account is asked for, and it must be given. The verse pictures a strict collector who checks what each person owes. It is a strong old image for how our actions come back around.

Sachay kee liv ubrai: love for the True One carries you through. Bakhsay bakhsanhaar: the Forgiver forgives.

Think of a teacher checking homework. Then the teacher sees how hard you have been trying and gives you a fresh start. Love opens a door that strict counting never could.

A Question to Sit With

When has someone forgiven you instead of keeping score?

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

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