The use of ਰਹਾਉ is predominantly found in Gurbani Sabds (at times once or even more than once). It appears that where ਰਹਾਉ comes, it signifies a caution to ponder the meaning pointing that the preceding verse contains the central spirit (Mukh Bhav) of the whole Sabd.
But ਰਹਾਉ appears only once in some long Banis like in Sukhmani Sahib, Oankar (ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ) and Sidh Gosht (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਗੋਸਟਿ), thus signifying the core spiritual message (Mukh Bhav) of the whole Bani:-
Sukhmani Sahib
ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸੁਖ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Gauri Sukhmani M. 5, GGS. 262-13).
Sukhamanee Sukh Anmrith Prabh Naam ||Bhagath Janaa Kai Man Bisraam || Rehaao ||
Sukhmani: Peace of Mind, the Nectar of the Name of God. The minds of the devotees abide in a joyful peace. ||Pause||
ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ/ਓਅੰਕਾਰ Bani
ਸੁਣਿ ਪਾਡੇ ਕਿਆ ਲਿਖਹੁ ਜੰਜਾਲਾ ॥ (Raag Raamkali Dakhni Guru Nanak Dev, GGS. 930-2).
Sun Paaddae Kiaa Likhahu Janjaalaa ||
Listen, O Pandit, O religious scholar, why are you writing about worldly debates?
ਲਿਖੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗੋਪਾਲਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Likh Raam Naam Guramukh Gopaalaa ||1|| Rehaao ||
As Gurmukh, write only the Name of the Lord, the Lord of the World. ||1||Pause||
Sidh Gost (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਗੋਸਟਿ) Bani
ਕਿਆ ਭਵੀਐ ਸਚਿ ਸੂਚਾ ਹੋਇ ॥? (Raag Raamkali Guru Nanak Dev, GGS. 938-8).
Kiaa Bhaveeai Sach Soochaa Hoe ||
What is the use of wandering around? Purity comes only through Truth.
ਸਾਚ ਸਬਦ ਬਿਨੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Saach Sabadh Bin Mukath N Koe ||1|| Rehaao ||
Without the True Word of the Shabad, no one finds liberation. ||1||Pause||
How wonderful it is that just by contemplating on the Tukhs ending with ਰਹਾਉ, one can get gist of the whole of the designated Bani Sahib!
Over to Sangat Ji for more Gurmat additions.
Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com
Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar 