Shabads for Peace

We recently posted a few Gurbani lines on Instagram that bring us peace and inspiration. Below are the links to the shabads so you can understand the lines in context.

Here are few thing to keep in mind when reading Gurbani interpretations/translations. Many of you have probably already noticed that the “translations” we see online or on apps tend to use language that distorts the spirit of the Gurbani. For instance:

• They’re often written like someone was trying to copy Shakespere 
• They often do not reflect the Sikh idea of a genderless Divine and use Judeo-Christian words like “Lord" and use masculine pronouns to refer to Waheguru like “he/him”.
• They are interpretations by mostly men and thus, lack a female perspective and voice.
• Queer theory is absent from most interpretations.

But, these interpretations can still give us a starting point to understand Gurbani.

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ਜਿਸੁ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਤਨੁ ਧਾਰਿਆ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਡਿਠਾ ਨਾਲਿ ॥
jis kaaran tan dhaariaa so prabh ddiThaa naal ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
By the Divine's sake, you assumed this body; see Waheguru as always with you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣੀ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲਿ ॥੨॥
jal thal maheeal pooriaa prabh aapanee nadhar nihaal⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Waheguru is pervading the water, the land and the sky; They see all with Their Glance of Grace. ⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 48; Guru Arjan Dev Ji; Siree Raag.

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ਮਨ ਧਰ ਤਰਬੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਨੋ ॥
man dhar tarabe har naam no ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
O mind, cross over with the Support of the Divine's Name.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸਾਗਰ ਲਹਰਿ ਸੰਸਾ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਬੋਹਿਥੁ ਪਾਰ ਗਰਾਮਨੋ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
saagar lahar sa(n)saa sa(n)saar gur bohith paar garaamano ||1|| rahaau ||⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Guru is the boat to carry you across the world-ocean, through the waves of cynicism and doubt. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 210; Guru Arjan Sahib Ji; Raag Gauree.

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ਧੂਪੁ ਮਲਆਨਲੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਚਵਰੋ ਕਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਬਨਰਾਇ ਫੂਲੰਤ ਜੋਤੀ ॥੧॥⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
dhoop malaanalo pavan chavaro kare sagal banarai foola(n)t jotee ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 13; Guru Nanak Dev Ji; Sohila.

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ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ ਤਾਰਿਕਾ ਮੰਡਲ ਜਨਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
gagan mai thaal rav cha(n)dh dheepak bane taarikaa ma(n)ddal janak motee⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 13; Guru Nanak Sahib Ji; Raag Dhanaasaree.⠀⠀

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ਗੁਰੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਜਾਤੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਮਨਸਾ ਪੂਰਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
gur teerath gur paarajaat gur manasaa pooranahaar ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Guru is the Sacred Shrine of Pilgrimage, the Guru is the Wish-fulfilling Elysian Tree.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਗੁਰੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਇ ਉਧਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
gur dhaataa har naam dhei udharai sabh sa(n)saar ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Guru is the Fulfiller of the desires of the mind. The Guru is the Giver of the Name, by which all the world is saved.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 52; Guru Arjan Dev Ji; Siree Raag.

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ਜੈਸੀ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਪਿਆਸ ਖਿਨੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਬੂੰਦ ਚਵੈ ਬਰਸੁ ਸੁਹਾਵੇ ਮੇਹੁ ॥
jaisee chaatirak piaas khin khin boo(n)dh chavai baras suhaave meh ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Like the song-bird, thirsting for the rain-drops, chirping each and every moment to the beautiful rain clouds.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰੀਜੈ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਅਤਿ ਲਾਈਐ ਚਿਤੁ ਮੁਰਾਰੀ ॥
har preet kareejai ih man dheejai at laieeaai chit muraaree ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So love the Divine, and give to Them this mind of yours; totally focus your consciousness on Waheguru.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 455; Guru Arjan Sahib Ji; Raag Aasaa.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਕੀਆ ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰਿ ॥
har kaa ma(n)dhar sohanaa keeaa karanaihaar ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Temple of the Divine is beautiful; it was made by the Creator.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਰਵਿ ਸਸਿ ਦੀਪ ਅਨੂਪ ਜੋਤਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਅਪਾਰ ॥
rav sas dheep anoop jot tirabhavan jot apaar ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The sun and the moon are lamps of incomparably beautiful light. Throughout the three worlds, the Infinite Light is pervading.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਹਾਟ ਪਟਣ ਗੜ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਸਚੁ ਸਉਦਾ ਵਾਪਾਰ ॥੨॥
haaT paTan gaR koThaRee sach saudhaa vaapaar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In the shops of the city of the body, in the fortresses and in the huts, the True Merchandise is traded. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 57; Guru Nanak Sahib Ji; Siree Raag.

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ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਰਾ ਗੁਣਾ ਕੇ ਗਾਹ ॥
suniaai saraa gunaa ke gaeh ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Listening, dive deep into the ocean of virtue.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸੇਖ ਪੀਰ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹ ॥
suniaai sekh peer paatisaeh ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Listening, the Shaykhs, religious scholars, spiritual teachers and emperors.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਅੰਧੇ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਰਾਹੁ ॥
suniaai a(n)dhe paaveh raahu ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Listening, even the blind find the Path.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਹਾਥ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਸਗਾਹੁ ॥
suniaai haath hovai asagaahu ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Listening, the Unreachable comes within your grasp.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥
naanak bhagataa sadhaa vigaas ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
O Nanak, the devotees are forever in bliss.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੧੧॥
suniaai dhookh paap kaa naas ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Listening, pain and sin are erased. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 3; Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.

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ਕੇਤੀਆ ਤੇਰੀਆ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਕੇਵਡ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਾਤਿ ॥
keteeaa tereeaa kudharatee kevadd teree dhaat ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have so many Creative Powers; Your bountiful blessings are so great.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਕੇਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥
kete tere jeea ja(n)t sifat kareh dhin raat ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So many of Your beings and creatures praise You day and night.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਕੇਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਕੇਤੇ ਜਾਤਿ ਅਜਾਤਿ ॥੩॥
kete tere roop ra(n)g kete jaat ajaat⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have so many forms and colors, so many classes, high and low. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 18; Guru Nanak Sahib Ji; Siree Raag.

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ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਭਾਵਣਿਆ ॥
hau vaaree jeeau vaaree gurmukh man tan bhaavaniaa ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to that Gurmukh whose mind and body are pleased with You.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਬਤੁ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਓਲਾ ਤੁਮ ਸੰਗਿ ਲਵੈ ਨ ਲਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
too(n) meraa parabat too(n) meraa olaa tum sa(n)g lavai na laavaniaa.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You are my mountain, You are my shelter and shield. No one can rival You. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 131; Guru Arjan Sahib Ji; Raag Maajh.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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ਗਾਵਹਿ ਖੰਡ ਮੰਡਲ ਵਰਭੰਡਾ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਰਖੇ ਧਾਰੇ ॥
gaaveh kha(n)dd ma(n)ddal varabha(n)ddaa kar kar rakhe dhaare ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The planets, solar systems and galaxies, created and arranged by Your Hand, sing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸੇਈ ਤੁਧੁਨੋ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਜੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵਨਿ ਰਤੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਗਤ ਰਸਾਲੇ ॥
seiee tudhuno gaaveh jo tudh bhaavan rate tere bhagat rasaale ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They alone sing, who are pleasing to Your Will. Your devotees are imbued with the Nectar of Your Essence.⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jap - Guru Nanak Sahib - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 6⠀

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ਆਪੇ ਮਾਛੀ ਮਛੁਲੀ ਆਪੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਜਾਲੁ ॥
aape maachhee machhulee aape paanee jaal ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Divine is the fisher and the fish; They are the water and the net.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਆਪੇ ਜਾਲ ਮਣਕੜਾ ਆਪੇ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਲਾਲੁ ॥੨॥
aape jaal manakaRaa aape a(n)dhar laal ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Divine is the sinker, and the bait. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Nanak Sahib - Siree Raag - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 23⠀⠀⠀⠀

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ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਚਾਵਲ ਦਇਆ ਕਣਕ ਕਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤਿ ਪਾਤੀ ਧਾਨੁ ॥
jat sat chaaval dhiaa kanak kar praapat paatee dhaan ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Please bless me with the rice of truth and self-restraint, the wheat of compassion, and the leaf-plate of meditation.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਦੂਧੁ ਕਰਮੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਘੀਉ ਕਰਿ ਐਸਾ ਮਾਂਗਉ ਦਾਨੁ ॥੩॥
dhoodh karam sa(n)tokh gheeau kar aaisaa maa(n)gau dhaan ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Bless me with the milk of good karma, and the clarified butter, the ghee, of compassion. Such are the gifts I beg of You. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Nanak Sahib - Raag Prabhaatee - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 1329⠀⠀⠀

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ਹਉ ਹਉ ਭੀਤਿ ਭਇਓ ਹੈ ਬੀਚੋ ਸੁਨਤ ਦੇਸਿ ਨਿਕਟਾਇਓ ॥
hau hau bheet bhio hai beecho sunat dhes nikaTaio ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The wall of egotism and pride separates us, but I can hear Them nearby.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਭਾਂਭੀਰੀ ਕੇ ਪਾਤ ਪਰਦੋ ਬਿਨੁ ਪੇਖੇ ਦੂਰਾਇਓ ॥੩॥
bhaa(n)bheeree ke paat paradho bin pekhe dhooraio⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There is a veil between us, like the wings of a butterfly; without being able to see Them, They seem so far away. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Guru Arjan Sahib - Raag Sorath - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 624⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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ਸਿੰਚਨਹਾਰੇ ਏਕੈ ਮਾਲੀ ॥
si(n)chanahaare ekai maalee ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There is only one gardener who tends it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਖਬਰਿ ਕਰਤੁ ਹੈ ਪਾਤ ਪਤ ਡਾਲੀ ॥੨॥
khabar karat hai paat pat ddaalee ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Divine takes care of every leaf and branch. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸਗਲ ਬਨਸਪਤਿ ਆਣਿ ਜੜਾਈ ॥
sagal banasapat aan jaRaiee ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They bring all sorts of plants and plants them in the garden.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਸਗਲੀ ਫੂਲੀ ਨਿਫਲ ਨ ਕਾਈ ॥੩॥
sagalee foolee nifal na kaiee⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They all bear fruit - none is without fruit.

Guru Arjan Sahib - Raag Asa - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 385⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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ਰੇ ਮਨ ਐਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਜਲ ਕਮਲੇਹਿ ॥
re man aaisee har siau preet kar jaisee jal kamaleh ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Oh mind, love the Divine, as the lotus loves the water.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
ਲਹਰੀ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਛਾੜੀਐ ਭੀ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਅਸਨੇਹਿ ॥
laharee naal pachhaaReeaai bhee vigasai asaneh ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Tossed about by the waves, it still blossoms with love.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਜੀਅ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਜਲ ਮਰਣੁ ਤਿਨੇਹਿ ॥੧॥
jal meh jeea upai kai bin jal maran tineh ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In the water, the creatures are created; outside of the water they die. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Guru Nanak Sahib - Siree Raag - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 59