Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O my mind — the Lord is the Giver of peace.
By Guru's Grace, He is found. By His Mercy, He is obtained.
Not by cleverness, not by accumulation, not by status. By Grace. By Mercy.
The rahao of Guru Arjan's first Siree Raag shabad is simple and complete: the Lord gives peace, and He is found only by grace. The two conditions — Gur parsaad (Guru's grace) and kirpaa (His Mercy) — are both grace-based. No human effort reaches the destination alone.
This is consistent with all the Gurus, but Guru Arjan states it with particular economy. After the sharp diagnosis of Pauri 0 (you are blind, thrilled by the wrong things), the rahao offers the solution without elaboration: grace.
What does it feel like to receive something you didn't earn — pure gift, no strings? When has that happened for you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI