Sikhism·Raag Sorath·Shabad 39
Verse 2 of 4

The Best Company Carries You Across the Hard Places

ਸੰਤਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦਾਤਾ ਬੀਆ ॥
santan bin avar na daataa bee-aa.
Without the Saints, there are no other givers.
ਜੋ ਜੋ ਸਰਣਿ ਪਰੈ ਸਾਧੂ ਕੀ ਸੋ ਪਾਰਗਰਾਮੀ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
jo jo saran parai saaDhoo kee so paargaraamee kee-aa. rahaa-o.
Whoever takes to the Sanctuary of the Holy Saints, is carried across. ||Pause||
ਕੋਟਿ ਪਰਾਧ ਮਿਟਹਿ ਜਨ ਸੇਵਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਰਸਿ ਗਾਈਐ ॥
kot paraaDh miteh jan sayvaa har keertan ras gaa-ee-ai.
Millions of sins are erased by serving the humble Saints, and singing the Glorious Praises of the Lord with love.
ਈਹਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਆਗੈ ਮੁਖ ਊਜਲ ਜਨ ਕਾ ਸੰਗੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੨॥
eehaa sukh aagai mukh oojal jan kaa sang vadbhaagee paa-ee-ai. ||2||
One finds peace in this world, and one's face is radiant in the next world, by associating with the humble Saints, through great good fortune. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

There is no giver anywhere quite like good company.

Whoever steps into the shelter of the holy is carried safely across.

Countless faults quietly fall away when we serve others and sing the One's praises with love.

Peace here, a bright face ahead — such fortune comes from keeping the company of the good.

The best company doesn't just give you things — it carries you across the hard places.
The deeper layer

The Rahau: santan bin avar na daataa — no greater giver than the fellowship of the good. Jo jo saran parai... paargaraamee — anyone who takes shelter is ferried across, with no conditions of birth or status: caste-leveling openness. Kot paraaDh miteh (countless faults erased) is tied to jan sayvaa, humble service, and har keertan, sung praise — the erasing is by love and light, never punishment.

A Question to Sit With

Who is someone whose company always seems to make you a better person?

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

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