Sikhism·Raag Sorath·Shabad 59
Verse 4 of 4

A Friend at the Beginning, Middle, and End

ਮਨ ਇਛੇ ਸੇਈ ਫਲ ਪਾਏ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਹੇਲੀ ॥
man ichhay say-ee fal paa-ay har kee kathaa suhaylee.
He obtains the fruits of his mind's desires, listening to the comforting sermon of the Lord.
ਆਦਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਮਧਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਹੋਆ ਬੇਲੀ ॥੪॥੧੬॥੨੭॥
aad ant maDh naanak ka-o so parabh ho-aa baylee. ||4||16||27||
In the beginning, in the middle, and in the end, God is Nanak's best friend. ||4||16||27||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The heart's true wishes come true, and the story of the One is a comfort to hear.

At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end — the One has been my very best friend all along.

You have a friend at the beginning, the middle, and the end.
The deeper layer

This one says: the One is a friend at the beginning, the middle, and the end.

Man ichhay say-ee fal paa-ay: the heart's wishes come true. Har kee kathaa suhaylee: the story of the One is a comfort to hear. It's the kind of story a heart comes back to, like a favorite bedtime book.

Then the warmest line: aad ant maDh naanak ka-o so parabh ho-aa baylee. Baylee means best friend. At the start, in the middle, and at the end, the One is right there. A whole life, walked together, never alone.

A Question to Sit With

Who has been with you through many different chapters of your life?

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

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