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Sikhism·Raag Wadahans·Shabad 46
Verse 2 of 4

This World Is a Resting-Place on a Journey

ਬਾਬਾ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ ਉਠਿ ਚਲਣਾ ਅਧ ਪੰਧੈ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੋਵਾ ॥
baabaa aa-i-aa hai uth chalnaa aDh panDhai hai sansaarovaa.
O Baba, he has come, and now he must get up and depart; this world is only a way-station.
ਸਿਰਿ ਸਿਰਿ ਸਚੜੈ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੋਵਾ ॥
sir sir sachrhai likhi-aa dukh sukh purab veechaarovaa.
Upon each and every head, the True Lord writes their destiny of pain and pleasure, according to their past actions.
ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਦੀਆ ਜੇਹਾ ਕੀਆ ਸੋ ਨਿਬਹੈ ਜੀਅ ਨਾਲੇ ॥
dukh sukh dee-aa jayhaa kee-aa so nibhai jee-a naalay.
He bestows pain and pleasure, according to the deeds done; the record of these deeds stays with the soul.
ਜੇਹੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਰਾਏ ਕਰਤਾ ਦੂਜੀ ਕਾਰ ਨ ਭਾਲੇ ॥
jayhay karam karaa-ay kartaa doojee kaar na bhaalay.
He does those deeds which the Creator Lord causes him to do; he attempts no other actions.
ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਧੰਧੈ ਬਾਧੀ ਕਰਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਛਡਾਵਣਹਾਰੋ ॥
aap niraalam DhanDhai baaDhee kar hukam chhadaavanhaaro.
The Lord Himself is detached, while the world is entangled in conflict; by His Command, He emancipates it.
ਅਜੁ ਕਲਿ ਕਰਦਿਆ ਕਾਲੁ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਵਿਕਾਰੋ ॥੨॥
aj kal kardi-aa kaal bi-aapai doojai bhaa-ay vikaaro. ||2||
He may put this off today, but tomorrow he is seized by death; in love with duality, he practices corruption. ||2||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

We each come for a while, and then it's time to move on — this world is a resting-place along the way.

Both the hard and the happy parts of a life come and go, held within a larger care.

So don't put off doing good today, thinking there's always tomorrow.

This world is like a resting-place on a journey — so don't put off the good you could do today.
The deeper layer

The verse gives the way-station image: "he has come, and now must get up and depart; this world is only a way-station (saraaee)" — an inn where a traveler rests a night before continuing. It's a gentle picture of life as a journey with a next stage. And it gently urges not to put off the good: "he may put this off today, but tomorrow..." — treasure the time you have. For a child: this world is like a resting-place on a journey — so don't put off doing good today.

A Question to Sit With

What good thing could you do today instead of leaving it for 'someday'?

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

About this shabad →
← Verse 1 of 4 Don't Look Far for the Good; It Lives in Each Heart
Verse 3 of 4 →Keep a True, Good Friend Close, Always
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