Raag Sorath
Commentary

Raag Sorath, Chau-Padas, Mehl 5 (Guru Arjan)

Carry the right companion within, and everywhere becomes home; even the once-lost heart is made new.

The Arc

Pauri 0: the teaching draws one close and gives the One as companion, so wherever one goes, it is pleasant there. Rahau (Pauri 1): sing His goodness with love, and the One walks beside the very soul. Pauri 2: sitting low among the good, whatever was unclean is made bright. Pauri 3: the Supreme One cherishes and guards the soul day and night, and the restless rounds end. Pauri 4: the heart the Maker blesses tastes the One's sweetness, and no dread can come near a sheltered heart.

Key Vocabulary

  • har sang sahaa-ee: the One as companion and support
  • jah jaa-ee-ai tahaa suhaylay: wherever I go, it is pleasant
  • jee-a kai sang sahaa-ee: companion of the very soul
  • patit puneet: the fallen made pure
  • jamkankar nayrh na aa-i-aa: dread cannot come near

Themes and Cross-Connections

Home is redefined as Presence rather than place (jah jaa-ee-ai tahaa suhaylay). Patit puneet is read as hope, not shame: no one is beyond being made new -- a keynote the project foregrounds wherever the literal risks self-condemnation.

For Raag Sorath

Sorath's settledness underwrites the promise of being at home anywhere.

Translation Notes

Jamkankar nayrh na aa-i-aa ('the Messenger of Death does not come near') is rendered as 'no dread can come near', softening the death-messenger image while keeping the sense of a heart beyond the reach of fear.

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