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Sikhism·Raag Wadahans·Shabad 44
Verse 3 of 4

The Bravest Thing Is a Life Full of Love

ਮਰਣੁ ਮੁਣਸਾ ਸੂਰਿਆ ਹਕੁ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਹੋਇ ਮਰਨਿ ਪਰਵਾਣੋ ॥
maran munsaa soori-aa hak hai jo ho-ay maran parvaano.
The death of brave heroes is blessed, if it is approved by God.
ਸੂਰੇ ਸੇਈ ਆਗੈ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਸਾਚੀ ਮਾਣੋ ॥
sooray say-ee aagai aakhee-ahi dargeh paavahi saachee maano.
They alone are acclaimed as brave warriors in the world hereafter, who receive true honor in the Court of the Lord.
ਦਰਗਹ ਮਾਣੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਜਾਵਹਿ ਆਗੈ ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ॥
dargeh maan paavahi pat si-o jaaveh aagai dookh na laagai.
They are honored in the Court of the Lord; they depart with honor, and they do not suffer pain in the world hereafter.
ਕਰਿ ਏਕੁ ਧਿਆਵਹਿ ਤਾਂ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਭਉ ਭਾਗੈ ॥
kar ayk Dhi-aavahi taaN fal paavahi jit sayvi-ai bha-o bhaagai.
They meditate on the One Lord, and obtain the fruits of their rewards. Serving the Lord, their fear is dispelled.
ਊਚਾ ਨਹੀ ਕਹਣਾ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਾਣੋ ॥
oochaa nahee kahnaa man meh rahnaa aapay jaanai jaano.
Do not indulge in egotism, and dwell within your own mind; the Knower Himself knows everything.
ਮਰਣੁ ਮੁਣਸਾਂ ਸੂਰਿਆ ਹਕੁ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਹੋਇ ਮਰਹਿ ਪਰਵਾਣੋ ॥੩॥
maran munsaaN soori-aa hak hai jo ho-ay mareh parvaano. ||3||
The death of brave heroes is blessed, if it is approved by God. ||3||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The bravest, best way to leave this world is to have lived full of love.

A life lived truly and kindly is honored and carries no fear at the end.

So don't be puffed-up — rest in what's good, which knows and holds everything.

The bravest thing of all is to live a life full of love — and such a life meets its end without fear.
The deeper layer

The verse honors those who "die" bravely — meaning those who lived so fully turned toward the good that they meet the end without fear, "honored in the Court." The martial word sooraa (brave hero) is reframed inwardly: the real bravery is a life of love, which "dispels fear." The qMonk voice keeps the courage-note gentle: a loving life is honored and unafraid. For a child: the bravest thing is to live a life full of love — and such a life meets its end without fear.

A Question to Sit With

What does it mean to be brave in a quiet, loving way rather than a loud way?

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

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