Koi Bole Ram Ram - by Guru Arjan Dev Ji

"Koi Bole Ram Ram" is a very famous shabad by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. It is found in the Guru Granth Sahib on Ang 1158 and is a powerful message of interfaith harmony and the universality of God.

Meaning in essence:

This shabad beautifully conveys the message that despite the different names, paths, and practices, everyone is essentially worshipping the same One God. Guru Arjan Dev Ji emphasizes that the Divine is beyond labels and forms, and true understanding lies in recognizing the underlying unity in all faiths.

The shabad highlights the diversity of religious practices, from pilgrimages and prayers to scriptures and attire, but ultimately stresses that the essence of all spiritual paths is the same: to connect with the Divine.

This shabad serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of tolerance, respect, and understanding in a world with diverse beliefs and practices. It encourages us to look beyond superficial differences and recognize the shared humanity and spiritual connection that binds us all.

Shabad:

ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥
कोई बोलै राम राम कोई खुदाई ॥
Koee bolai raam raam koee khudhaae ||
Some call God 'Ram, Ram', and some 'Khudaa-i' (Allah).

ਕੋਈ ਸੇਵੈ ਗੁਸਈਆ ਕੋਈ ਅਲਾਹਿ ॥੧॥
कोई सेवै गुसईया कोई अल्लाह ॥੧॥
Koee sevai gusaeeaa koee alaahi ||1||
Some serve Him as 'Gusain' (Lord of the senses), others as 'Allah'. ||1||

ਕਾਰਣ ਕਰਣ ਕਰੀਮ ॥
कारण करण करीम ॥
Kaaran karan kareem ||
He is the Cause of causes, the Generous One.

ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਰਹੀਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
किरपा धारि रहीम ॥੧॥ रहाउ ॥
Kirpaa Dhaari raheem ||1|| rahaau ||
He showers His Grace, the Merciful One. ||1||Pause||

ਕੋਈ ਨਾਵੈ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਕੋਈ ਹਜ ਜਾਇ ॥
कोई नावै तीरथि कोई हज जाइ ॥
Koee naavai teerath koee haj jaae ||
Some bathe at sacred shrines, and some make the pilgrimage to Mecca.

ਕੋਈ ਕਰੈ ਪੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ਸਿਰੁ ਨਿਵਾਇ ॥੨॥
कोई करै पूजा कोई सिरु निवाई ॥੨॥
Koee karai poojaa koee sir nivaae ||2||
Some perform devotional worship, while others bow their heads in prayer. ||2||

ਕੋਈ ਪੜੈ ਬੇਦ ਕੋਈ ਕਤੇਬ ॥
कोई पड़ै बेद कोई कतेब ॥
Koee parhai bed koee kateb ||
Some read the Vedas, and some the Quran.

ਕੋਈ ਓਢੈ ਨੀਲ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਪੇਦ ॥੩॥
कोई ओढै नील कोई सुपेद् ॥੩॥
Koee odhai neel koee suped ||3||
Some wear blue robes, and some wear white. ||3||

ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਤੁਰਕ ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਹਿੰਦੂ ॥
कोई कहै तुरक कोई कहै हिंदू ॥
Koee kahai thurk koee kahai hindoo ||
Some call themselves Muslims, and some call themselves Hindus.

ਕੋਈ ਬਾਛੈ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਰਗਿੰਦੂ ॥੪॥
कोई बाछै भिस्तु कोई सुरगिंदू ॥੪॥
Koee baachhai bhisath koee surgindu ||4||
Some yearn for paradise, and others long for heaven. ||4||

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥
कहु नानक जिन हुकमु पछाता ॥
Kaho Naanak jin hukam pachhaathaa ||
Says Nanak, one who realizes the Hukam (Will of God),

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੧॥
प्रभ साहिब का तिन भेदु जाता ॥੫॥੧॥
Prabh saahib kaa thin bhedh jaathaa ||5||1||
Knows the secrets of his Lord and Master. ||5||1||