Raangan rangho seewan seewho – Raag Assa – Ang 485

SGGS Angg 485

Raag Assa – Bhagat Namdev Ji.

Bhagat Namdev Ji was a Shimba by caste. Thus his family’s occupation included tailoring, washing clothes, printing on cloth and such like menial chores.

In this Shabad, Bhagat Ji uses the imagery of tailoring to show how the mind and body cloth are carefully cut and stitched together with Naam, to form a gurmukh immersed with love for God.

My mind is the measuring yardstick and my tongue is the scissors; I measure carefully and (with each recitation of the tongue, I cut away the noose of death miseries).

“Man mero gajj jihba meri katee; mapp mapp katto jamm ki phasee.”

What use do I have for social status or ancestry?; my occupation now is to recite the Lord’s Name, day and night.

“Kaha karo jatee keh karo patee; Raam ko Naam japho din ratee.” (rahao).

Taking the cloth imagery further, Bhagat Ji says, I dye myself in the color of the Lord, and sew what has to be sewn; I cannot live even for a moment, without the Lord’s Name.

“Raangan rangho seewan seewho; Raam Naam bin ghari na jeevho.”

I perform devotional worship and sing the Lord’s Praises; twenty four hours a day, I meditate upon my Lord and Master.

“Bhagat karo Har ke gunn gavho; aath pahar apna Khasam dhiavho.”

My needle (Shabad) is made of gold, and my thread (my consciousness) is made of silver; Naamdev’s mind is attached to the Lord.

“Soiney ki suyee rupay ka dhaaga; Namey ka chit Har seyo lagaa.”

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Bhagat Namdev Ji uses sewing imagery to describe his Love of Naam. In fact the rahao of the Shabad says, I dye myself in the Colour of His Love, and sew continuously.
“Raangan rangho seewan sewho”

I cannot live even for a moment without the Lord’s Name.
“Raam Naam bin ghari na jiwho.”

Towards the end Bhagat Ji says the needle he uses is made of gold. “Sohne ki suyee.”
Needle is imagery for Shabad, which is very precious.
The thread used for sewing is made of silver. (rupa).
Thread is imagery for his suratt (consciousness).
“Sohne ki suyee ruphe ka thaaga; Naame ka chit Har seyo laaga.”

Shabad Viakhya by Manjeet Singh 

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube