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Sikhism·Raag Wadahans·Shabad 39
Verse 3 of 4

Your Mind Is a Wild Elephant; Wisdom Tames It

ਕੜੀਆਲੁ ਮੁਖੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਅੰਕਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥
karhee-aal mukhay gur ankas paa-i-aa raam.
The Guru has placed the reins in the mouth of the body-horse.
ਮਨੁ ਮੈਗਲੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਵਸਿ ਆਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥
man maigal gur sabad vas aa-i-aa raam.
The mind-elephant is overpowered by the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
ਮਨੁ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਆਇਆ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਾ ਧਨ ਕੰਤਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥
man vasgat aa-i-aa param pad paa-i-aa saa Dhan kant pi-aaree.
The bride obtains the supreme status, as her mind is brought under control; she is the beloved of her Husband Lord.
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਲਗਾ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਸੋਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਾਰੀ ॥
antar paraym lagaa har saytee ghar sohai har parabh naaree.
Deep within her inner self, she is in love with her Lord; in His home, she is beautiful - she is the bride of her Lord God.
ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੀ ਸਹਜੇ ਮਾਤੀ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
har rang raatee sehjay maatee har parabh har har paa-i-aa.
Imbued with the Lord's Love, she is intuitively absorbed in bliss; she obtains the Lord God, Har, Har.
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਦਾਸੁ ਕਹਤੁ ਹੈ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੩॥
naanak jan har daas kahat hai vadbhaagee har har Dhi-aa-i-aa. ||3||
Servant Nanak, the Lord's slave, says that only the very fortunate meditate on the Lord, Har, Har. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Wisdom holds the reins of your body-horse, and gentles the wild elephant of the mind.

A heart that brings its mind under control becomes calm and beautiful and beloved.

Deep inside, it falls in love with the good, and settles into quiet joy.

Your mind can be like a big wild elephant — and wisdom gently tames it so you feel calm and happy.
The deeper layer

The taming image: "the mind-elephant is overpowered by the Word." The mind is like a powerful elephant — strong and easily wild — and wisdom gently tames it (as reins guide the horse). A heart that "brings its mind under control" becomes "beautiful, the beloved of the Lord," settling into sahaj (intuitive bliss). For a child: your mind can be like a big wild elephant, and wisdom gently tames it so you feel calm and happy.

A Question to Sit With

When your mind feels wild like an elephant, what gently helps it settle?

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

About this shabad →
← Verse 2 of 4 The Best Adornment Is the Inner Jewel of Goodness
Verse 4 of 4 →Ride the Body-Horse Toward Good by Serving Gladly
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