Holding the One Near Keeps the Heart Well

ਹਰਿ ਆਰਾਧੇ ਅਰੋਗ ਅਨਦਾਈ ॥

har aaraaDhay arog andaa-ee.

Worshipping the Lord in adoration, one becomes happy, and free of disease.

ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਾਮ ਸਨੇਹੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਾਖ ਬੇਦਨ ਜਣੁ ਆਈ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

jis no visrai mayraa raam sanayhee tis laakh baydan jan aa-ee. rahaa-o.

But one who forgets my Dear Lord - know him to be afflicted with tens of thousands of illnesses. ||Pause||

ਜਿਹ ਜਨ ਓਟ ਗਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰੀ ਸੇ ਸੁਖੀਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣੇ ॥

jih jan ot gahee parabh tayree say sukhee-ay parabh sarnay.

Those who hold tightly to Your Support, God, are happy in Your Sanctuary.

ਜਿਹ ਨਰ ਬਿਸਰਿਆ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ਤੇ ਦੁਖੀਆ ਮਹਿ ਗਨਣੇ ॥੨॥

jih nar bisri-aa purakh biDhaataa tay dukhee-aa meh gannay. ||2||

But those humble beings who forget the Primal Lord, the Architect of Destiny, are counted among the most miserable beings. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Keep the One close and you grow well and unburdened.

But forget the Beloved, and it's as if countless aches move in — so hold the One near.

Those who hold tight to Your support are happy, safe in Your shelter.

Those who forget the Maker of all live weighed down and unwell.

Holding the One near keeps the heart well; forgetting leaves it restless and heavy.

The deeper layer

The Rahau ties remembrance to health: har aaraaDhay arog andaa-ee — remembering brings arog, wellness and ease. Forgetting brings laakh baydan, countless aches — read as the restlessness of a heart cut off from its source, not literal punishment. The two paths (holding tight vs. forgetting) describe states of the heart, gently — the aim is to draw near, not to frighten.

A Question to Sit With

What helps you feel light and well inside, and what tends to weigh you down?

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

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