qMonkqMonkSikhism
Sikhism·Raag Wadahans·Shabad 52
Verse 20 of 64

Even Endings Are Held Within a Gentle Plan

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੩ ॥
salok mehlaa 3.
Shalok, Third Mehl:
ਕਲਿ ਮਹਿ ਜਮੁ ਜੰਦਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
kal meh jam jandaar hai hukmay kaar kamaa-ay.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Messenger of Death is the enemy of life, but he acts according to the Lord's Command.
ਗੁਰਿ ਰਾਖੇ ਸੇ ਉਬਰੇ ਮਨਮੁਖਾ ਦੇਇ ਸਜਾਇ ॥
gur raakhay say ubray manmukhaa day-ay sajaa-ay.
Those who are protected by the Guru are saved, while the self-willed manmukhs receive their punishment.
ਜਮਕਾਲੈ ਵਸਿ ਜਗੁ ਬਾਂਧਿਆ ਤਿਸ ਦਾ ਫਰੂ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
jamkaalai vas jag baaNDhi-aa tis daa faroo na ko-ay.
The world is under the control, and in the bondage of the Messenger of Death; no one can hold him back.
ਜਿਨਿ ਜਮੁ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੋ ਸੇਵੀਐ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਦੁਖੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
jin jam keetaa so sayvee-ai gurmukh dukh na ho-ay.
So serve the One who created Death; as Gurmukh, no pain shall touch you.
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਮੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੇ ਜਿਨ ਮਨਿ ਸਚਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥
naanak gurmukh jam sayvaa karay jin man sachaa ho-ay. ||1||
O Nanak, Death serves the Gurmukhs; the True Lord abides in their minds. ||1||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Everything, even endings, unfolds within the One's gentle plan.

A heart held by wisdom is safe and unafraid, even of endings.

When the good lives in you, nothing can truly harm the real you.

Even endings are held within a gentle plan — and a heart full of the good has nothing to truly fear.
The deeper layer

A Shalok about the fear of death, gently rendered. It says even "Death" acts "according to the Lord's Command" — everything, even endings, is within the One's plan. And the comfort: "serve the One who created Death, and no pain shall touch you... Death serves the Gurmukh." For one whose heart holds the good, even endings hold no terror — they serve rather than frighten. The frightening imagery is set aside. For a child: even endings are held within a gentle plan, and a heart full of the good has nothing to truly fear.

A Question to Sit With

What helps you feel safe and unafraid, even about big scary things?

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

About this shabad →
← Verse 19 of 64 A Life Hungry for Goodness Is Full and Fruitful
Verse 21 of 64 →Self-Importance Is an Illness; Wisdom Is the Medicine
Use ← → to navigate