Raag Wadahans, Song of Mourning, Mehl 1 (Guru Nanak)
Even in sorrow, the great comfort: the good is not far away but in each and every heart; the world a way-station on a journey; and grief that heals — shared, and turned toward love and gratitude.
The Arc
Pauri 0: "do not search far away — the One is in each and every heart" — near, not far. Pauri 1: the world as a way-station on a journey; don't put off the good. Pauri 2: a life with nothing good to lean on feels lonely — keep the true Friend close. Pauri 3 closes on grief that heals — shared and turned toward love, not tears "for worldly affairs" alone.
Key Vocabulary
"In each and every heart" (P0) — the good near, not far, even in sorrow.
Way-station (saraaee) (P1) — the world as an inn on a journey; treasure the time.
The true Friend (P2) — the good to keep close on the road.
Grief that heals (P3) — shared and turned toward love and gratitude.
Translation Notes
Wellbeing handling. P2's frightening imagery ("dark dismal path," chains, the Messenger striking) is set aside; only the gentle truth (a life without good feels lonely) and its remedy (keep the Friend close) are kept.
The grief teaching (P3) is rendered to honor shared, love-turned tears and never to shame a grieving child.
Themes and Cross-Connections
"Near, not far, in each heart" is the raag's steady correction (B00C1173, B00C1178) and Gurbani's signature comfort (Aasaa B00C924). "The world a way-station" restates the guest/visit imagery (B00C1198, Bihaagraa B00C1153). "Grief that heals when shared and love-turned" continues B00C1198/1200. "The world a dream" is Kabir's and Guru Nanak's image (Aasaa B00C996).
For Raag Wadahans
Even inside a mourning-song, Guru Nanak keeps handing a child comfort. The good you might feel is far away in a sad time is actually right here — in each and every heart, nearer than you think. This world is like a resting-place on a journey, so treasure your days and don't put off the good you could do. And the tender teaching about tears: the truest crying is the kind that comes from love — and grief that is shared with people who love us, and turned gently toward gratitude, is grief that heals.
Even in sorrow, the great comfort: the good is not far away but in each and every heart; the world a way-station on a journey; and grief that heals — shared, and turned toward love and gratitude.
The Arc
Pauri 0: "do not search far away — the One is in each and every heart" — near, not far. Pauri 1: the world as a way-station on a journey; don't put off the good. Pauri 2: a life with nothing good to lean on feels lonely — keep the true Friend close. Pauri 3 closes on grief that heals — shared and turned toward love, not tears "for worldly affairs" alone.
Key Vocabulary
Translation Notes
Themes and Cross-Connections
"Near, not far, in each heart" is the raag's steady correction (B00C1173, B00C1178) and Gurbani's signature comfort (Aasaa B00C924). "The world a way-station" restates the guest/visit imagery (B00C1198, Bihaagraa B00C1153). "Grief that heals when shared and love-turned" continues B00C1198/1200. "The world a dream" is Kabir's and Guru Nanak's image (Aasaa B00C996).
For Raag Wadahans
Even inside a mourning-song, Guru Nanak keeps handing a child comfort. The good you might feel is far away in a sad time is actually right here — in each and every heart, nearer than you think. This world is like a resting-place on a journey, so treasure your days and don't put off the good you could do. And the tender teaching about tears: the truest crying is the kind that comes from love — and grief that is shared with people who love us, and turned gently toward gratitude, is grief that heals.
Last updated: 2026-07-05