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Sikhism·Sidh Gosht·Shabad 112
Verse 22 of 74

Where Did Stillness Live in the Beginning?

ਆਦਿ ਕਉ ਕਵਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਕਥੀਅਲੇ ਸੁੰਨ ਕਹਾ ਘਰ ਵਾਸੋ ॥
aad ka-o kavan beechaar kathee-alay sunn kahaa ghar vaaso.
"What can you tell us about the beginning? In what home did the absolute dwell then?
ਗਿਆਨ ਕੀ ਮੁਦ੍ਰਾ ਕਵਨ ਕਥੀਅਲੇ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਕਵਨ ਨਿਵਾਸੋ ॥
gi-aan kee mudraa kavan kathee-alay ghat ghat kavan nivaaso.
What are the ear-rings of spiritual wisdom? Who dwells in each and every heart?
ਕਾਲ ਕਾ ਠੀਗਾ ਕਿਉ ਜਲਾਈਅਲੇ ਕਿਉ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਈਐ ॥
kaal kaa theegaa ki-o jalaa-ee-alay ki-o nirbha-o ghar jaa-ee-ai.
How can one avoid the attack of death? How can one enter the home of fearlessness?
ਸਹਜ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਕਾ ਆਸਣੁ ਜਾਣੈ ਕਿਉ ਛੇਦੇ ਬੈਰਾਈਐ ॥
sahj santokh kaa aasan jaanai ki-o chhayday bairaa-ee-ai.
How can one know the posture of intuition and contentment, and overcome one's adversaries?"
ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਮਾਰੈ ਤਾ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਵਾਸੋ ॥
gur kai sabad ha-umai bikh maarai taa nij ghar hovai vaaso.
Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, egotism and corruption are conquered, and then one comes to dwell in the home of the self within.
ਜਿਨਿ ਰਚਿ ਰਚਿਆ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਦਾਸੋ ॥੨੧॥
jin rach rachi-aa tis sabad pachhaanai naanak taa kaa daaso. ||21||
One who realizes the Shabad of the One who created the creation - Nanak is his slave. ||21||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

"Tell us about the beginning. Where did the One, the deep stillness, live then?

What are the earrings of wisdom? Who lives in every heart?

How can you get free of death's grip? How do you reach the home where there is no fear?

How do you know the seat of calm and contentment, and overcome your enemies?"

Through the Guru's Word, ego and its poison are conquered, and then you live in the home of your own self.

Whoever knows, through the Word, the One who made all creation: Nanak is that person's servant.

The home with no fear is not somewhere else; it opens when ego goes quiet.
The deeper layer

The home with no fear opens inside when ego goes. The Siddhas ask about everything from the very beginning to the fear of death. Sunn is the deep stillness before creation; nirbhau ghar is the home without fear, an echo of nirbhau in the Mool Mantar. When the Word kills the poison of ego (haumai bikh), you come to live in nij ghar, the home of your own self.

A Question to Sit With

What would a home with no fear feel like inside you?

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

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