Mere Ram Rai - by Guru Arjan Dev Ji

 "Mere Ram Rai" is a beautiful shabad by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. It appears in the Guru Granth Sahib on Ang 750.

Meaning in essence:

This shabad beautifully expresses the loving relationship between the devotee and the Divine. Guru Arjan Dev Ji addresses God as "Ram Rai," which means "Sovereign Lord" or "King Ram." He sings of the protection and bliss experienced by those who surrender to the Divine will.

The shabad highlights the following:

• Protection and Fearlessness: Those who have God as their protector are free from fear and suffering, even the fear of death.
• Liberation from the cycle of birth and death: Through devotion and love for God, one can attain liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.
• The Guru's Assurance: The True Guru provides the assurance that God's blessings are eternal and cannot be taken away.
• Surrender and Devotion: The devotee seeks refuge in God and dedicates their life to divine service.

This shabad offers comfort and encouragement to seekers on the spiritual path, reminding them of the love and protection that awaits those who turn to the Divine.

Shabad:

ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਇ ਤੂੰ ਸੰਤਾ ਕਾ ਸੰਤ ਤੇਰੇ ॥
मेरे राम राय तूं संता का संत तेरे ॥
Mere Ram Rai toon santaa kaa sant tere ||
O my Sovereign Lord, You belong to the Saints, and the Saints belong to You.

ਤੇਰੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਕਉ ਭਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਵੈ ਨੇਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ¹ ॥
तेरे सेवक कउ भउ किछु नाही जमु नही आवै नेरे ॥੧॥ रहाउ ॥
Tere sevak kau bhau kichh naahee jam nahee aavai nere ||1|| rahaau ||
Your servant is not afraid of anything; the Messenger of Death cannot even approach him. ||1||Pause||

ਜਿਸ ਕੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਪਰਿ ਤੂੰ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਕੈਸਾ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
जिस के सिर उपरि तूं सुआमी सो दुखु कैसा पावै ॥
Jis ke sir upar toon suaamee so dhukh kaisaa paavai ||
One who has You as their Protector, O Lord and Master, how can they suffer any pain?

ਜੋ ਤੇਰੇ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਾਸਾ ॥
जो तेरे रंगि राते सुआमी तिन का जनम मरण दुखु नासा ॥
Jo tere rang ratey suaamee tin kaa janam maran dhukh naasaa ||
Those who are drenched with Your Love, O Lord and Master, are released from the pains of birth and death.

ਤੇਰੀ ਬਖਸ ਨ ਮੇਟੈ ਕੋਈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਦਿਲਾਸਾ ॥੧॥
तेरी बखस न मेटै कोई सतिगुर का दिलासा ॥੧॥
Teree bakhas na metay koee satgur kaa dilaasaa ||1||
No one can erase Your Blessings; this is the assurance of my True Guru. ||1||

ਜਿਨ ਤੂੰ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਬਾਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥
जिन तूं नामु द्रिड़ाइआ सुआमी तिन का बाहुड़ि न होई ॥
Jin toon naam dhrirraa-i-aa suaamee tin kaa baahurr na hoee ||
Those in whom You have implanted Your Name, O Lord and Master, are not subject to reincarnation.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੨॥੧॥
जन नानक दास तेरे सदा सदा तुधु सरणाई ॥੨॥੧॥
Jan Naanak daas tere sadaa sadaa thudhh saranaaee ||2||1||
Servant Nanak is Your slave; forever and ever, I seek Your Sanctuary. ||2||1||