How To Deal With The Commotion Of The People  

Most of the people just get upset when a person starts believing what they don’t believe in because of their programmed minds. In this shabda, Bhagat Kabir ji is trying to explain how the people of his time, reacted as he started believing only in the Universal Creator. His shabda is on SGGS 324:

ਗਉੜੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ ॥

ਜਬ ਹਮ ਏਕੋ ਏਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਤਬ ਲੋਗਹ ਕਾਹੇ ਦੁਖੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥1॥

Ga-oṛī Kabīr jī.

Jab ham eko ek kar jāni-ā. Ŧab logah kāhe ḏukẖ māni-ā. ||1||

Raag Gaurhi of Bhagat Kabir .

In essence: When I have realized that there is only one Akalpurakh, why people are upset?

 Bhagat Kabir is talking about his contemporary people who had belief in many gods or different faiths, and contrary to them, he believed in only one Creator. Humans are found of trashing others just because they cannot take disagreement positively. Talking about Him, they act ignorantly. Deeming themselves as genius, they create and establish the Creator in their own ways. Obviously, Bhagat Kabir stands in disagreement with them because of his belief in the Creator’s permeating His creation. Now he questions them about their unnecessary anger over his belief. They accuse him of losing his honor in the society by not following their convictions. It is very important to know that no story has anything to do with Bhagat Kabir’s Shabda; it is just his realized ultimate truth about the Creator” which is being passed on to us.

ਹਮ ਅਪਤਹ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਪਤਿ ਖੋਈ ॥

ਹਮਰੈ ਖੋਜਿ ਪਰਹੁ ਮਤਿ ਕੋਈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Ham apṯah apunī paṯ kẖo-ī.

Hamrai kẖoj parahu maṯ ko-ī. ||1|| Rahā-o.

(As per your thought) I am dishonored one, and I have lost my honor. On what path I tread, you do not need to tread on (you remain honored ones. It is ironical expression!). Pause.

 Bhagat Kabir says, “If your following of me takes away your honor, you don’t need to do that. So let me remain as I am, and let me believe what I want to. If you think that the real honor is in your way, keep thinking that way.”

ਹਮ ਮੰਦੇ ਮੰਦੇ ਮਨ ਮਾਹੀ ॥ ਸਾਝ ਪਾਤਿ ਕਾਹੂ ਸਿਉ ਨਾਹੀ ॥2॥

Ham manḏe manḏe man māhī. Sājẖ pāṯ kāhū si-o nāhī. ||2||

If I am bad, it is me (what to others?). I am not into establishing relationships with others.

 Bhagat Kabir says, “Oh honored ones! Stay away from me to keep your honor!” It is very sarcastic statement! He is very clear about his mission of having union with the Creator, as he sees the hypocritical religious trends in other people through which they establish “receiving and giving honors to one another to feed their conceit.” He declares that this curtain of hypocrisy will be torn up at the end.

ਪਤਿ ਅਪਤਿ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਨਹੀ ਲਾਜ ॥ ਤਬ ਜਾਨਹੁਗੇ ਜਬ ਉਘਰੈਗੋ ਪਾਜ ॥3॥

Paṯ apaṯ ṯā kī nahī lāj. Ŧab jānhuge jab ugẖraigo pāj. ||3||

I don’t care to have honor or dishonor (from you), but you will know the reality when your “cover up” will be exposed.

Bhagat Kabir is hinting at the false honor for which people live. For His devotee, it is Ekankar’s acceptance that supersedes all the worldly honors. Please also ponder over why Bhagat Kabir is saying that the “put up show” of people (of his time) will be exposed eventually. This is what all enlightened ones say, because they deem Ekankar’s acceptance as the real honor and His name, the real wealth. It shows how both “sansaree/worldly” and “bhgatas/His devotees” go opposite directions. The spiritual experience enables the enlightened ones to stand up against all the worldly belief of “honors and dishonors.”

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਪਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥ ਸਰਬ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਰਾਮੁ ॥4॥3॥

Kaho Kabīr paṯ har parvān. Sarab ṯi-āg bẖaj keval rām. ||4||3||

The real honor is in fact Akalpurakh’s acceptance; for that, Oh Kabir! say this: forsake everything else and meditate only on Akalpurakh.

 Here Bhagat Kabir puts the secret about His path wide open. It is Akalpurakh’s acceptance, because the worldly opinion doesn’t matter for His devotees. They do not need to worry about the worldly honor or dishonor. Remembering only the Creator is their first priority.

Wishes

G.Singh

www.gursoch.com

Why We Have Come Here And What We Should Do To Achieve That?

Why we have come here and what we should do to achieve that? The Guru answers on 494, 495, 496 SGGS , let us ponder over his teachings:

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ 1 ॥

ਜਿਸੁ ਜਲ ਨਿਧਿ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਤੁਮ ਜਗਿ ਆਏ ਸੋ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥

ਛੋਡਹੁ ਵੇਸੁ ਭੇਖ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਇਹੁ ਫਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥1॥

 Soraṯẖ mėhlā 1.

Jis jal niḏẖ kāraṇ ṯum jag ā-e so amriṯ gur pāhī jī-o.

Cẖẖodahu ves bẖekẖ cẖaṯurā-ī ḏubiḏẖā ih fal nāhī jī-o. ||1||

Raag Sorath, the bani of First Nanak.

In essence: The treasure of nectar (Ekankar’s name that satisfies the thirst of desires) for which you have come into this world is with the Guru; therefore, get rid of your garbs, disguises, cleverness, and duality, because through these, the fruit of His name-nectar is not obtained. 

To have that what we need to do ?

ਮਨ ਰੇ ਥਿਰੁ ਰਹੁ ਮਤੁ ਕਤ ਜਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥

ਬਾਹਰਿ ਢੂਢਤ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਘਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਘਟ ਮਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

 Man re thir rahu maṯ kaṯ jāhī jī-o.

Bāhar dẖūdẖaṯ bahuṯ ḏukẖ pāvahi gẖar amriṯ gẖat māhī jī-o. Rahā-o.

Oh my mind! Stay stable by getting focused on Ekankar within and do not wander around, because His name-nectar is within. By searching His name outside, you will go through many difficulties. Pause.

The Sikhi believes strictly that the presence of the Creator is within and the Sikhs, as the Guru’s followers, should battle within with the negative forces to find His name-nectar within

How? The Guru answers the question in the all next verses:

ਅਵਗੁਣ ਛੋਡਿ ਗੁਣਾ ਕਉ ਧਾਵਹੁ ਕਰਿ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਪਛੁਤਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥

ਸਰ ਅਪਸਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਕੀਚ ਬੁਡਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥2॥

Avguṇ cẖẖod guṇā ka-o ḏẖāvahu kar avguṇ pacẖẖuṯāhī jī-o.

Sar apsar kī sār na jāṇėh fir fir kīcẖ budāhī jī-o. ||2||

Obtain virtues by forsaking demerits; because of these demerits, you will have to repent (eventually). You don’t know the difference between good and bad; therefore, you keep sinking in the mire of corruption (the Maya love) again and again.

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਲੋਭ ਬਹੁ ਝੂਠੇ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਵਹੁ ਕਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥

ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਸਦ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਤਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥3॥

 Anṯar mail lobẖ baho jẖūṯẖe bāhar nāvhu kāhī jī-o.

Nirmal nām japahu saḏ gurmukẖ anṯar kī gaṯ ṯāhī jī-o. ||3||

If there is great deal of filth of greed and falsehood in the mind, what is the use of washing the body? If you remember Ekankar’s pure name through the Guru always, only then your internal plight will be better.

So do the following as well :

ਪਰਹਰਿ ਲੋਭੁ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕੂੜੁ ਤਿਆਗਹੁ ਸਚੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥

ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਉ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਲਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥4॥9॥

 Parhar lobẖ ninḏā kūṛ ṯi-āgahu sacẖ gur bacẖnī fal pāhī jī-o.

Ji-o bẖāvai ṯi-o rākẖo har jī-o jan Nānak sabaḏ salāhī jī-o. ||4||9||

Forsake greed, slandering of others, and falsehood and follow the Guru’s teachings. You will obtain its fruit (His name-nectar). Oh Nanak! Pray this way: Oh Ekankar! Keep me as you wish, but bless me so that I can praise you through the Guru’s shabda.

So, we take the divine knowledge from the Guru and utilize it for becoming one with our Creator. Remember that the Guru is the divine knowledge that leads us to him. Obviously concentrating on the Creator will lead us very close to Him.

Wishes

G.Singh

www.gursoch.com

 

No One But Akalpurakh

On 1239, Guru Angad Sahib writes:

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਹਲਾ 2 ॥

ਤਿਸੁ ਸਿਉ ਕੈਸਾ ਬੋਲਣਾ ਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਾਣੁ ॥ ਚੀਰੀ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਨਾ ਫਿਰੈ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸੋ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥

ਚੀਰੀ ਜਿਸ ਕੀ ਚਲਣਾ ਮੀਰ ਮਲਕ ਸਲਾਰ ॥ ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਾਈ ਭਲੀ ਕਾਰ ॥

ਜਿਨ੍ਾ ਚੀਰੀ ਚਲਣਾ ਹਥਿ ਤਿਨ੍ਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਫੁਰਮਾਣੁ ਹੋਇ ਉਠੀ ਕਰਲੈ ਪਾਹਿ ॥

ਜੇਹਾ ਚੀਰੀ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤੇਹਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥  ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ ॥1॥

Salok mėhlā 2.

Ŧis si-o kaisā bolṇā jė āpe jāṇai jāṇ.  Cẖīrī jā kī nā firai sāhib so parvāṇ.

Cẖīrī jis kī cẖalṇā mīr malak salār.  Jo ṯis bẖāvai nānkā sā-ī bẖalī kār.

Jinĥā cẖīrī cẖalṇā hath ṯinĥā kicẖẖ nāhi.  Sāhib kā furmāṇ ho-e uṯẖī karlai pāhi.

Jehā cẖīrī likẖi-ā ṯehā hukam kamāhi.  Gẖale āvahi nānkā saḏe uṯẖī jāhi. ||1||

Slok of Second Nanak.

In essence: What to say to Akalpurakh, who himself knows everything? Only that Master is worthy to be Master whose order cannot be challenged. All kings, nobles, and commanders are subject to His ordnance. Oh Nanak! Only that deed is good, which pleases Akalpurakh. Those persons who are subject to His (about death) ordinance have nothing in their hands. As per the Master’s ordinance, the people take the road and as per His ordinance, they act. Oh Nanak! The mortals come here when Akalpurakh sends them and they depart as He calls them back.  

The Guru expresses about the total powers of the Universal Creator; his created powerful people can claim empires but they are bound to His ordinance. All people come into this world and depart as per His ordinance. Obviously living in His love is what He loves. This idea is further elaborated:

ਮਹਲਾ 2 ॥

ਸਿਫਤਿ ਜਿਨਾ ਕਉ ਬਖਸੀਐ ਸੇਈ ਪੋਤੇਦਾਰ ॥  ਕੁੰਜੀ ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਦਿਤੀਆ ਤਿਨ੍ਾ ਮਿਲੇ ਭੰਡਾਰ ॥

Mėhlā 2.

Sifaṯ jinā ka-o bakẖsī-ai se-ī poṯeḏār.  Kunjī jin ka-o ḏiṯī-ā ṯinĥā mile bẖandār.

Second Nanak.

In essence: Those persons whom Akalpurakh blesses with His praise become treasurers. Those persons who are blessed with the key of the treasures (His name) get the treasure (His name).

Thus, the Guru guides his followers to realize the Creator’s pervading order over all. Not all are blessed to be His lovers, who love to praise Him and respect His ordinance without a question. Who do so, the Guru calls them to be treasurers of His praise-treasure, because it is precious.

Wishes

G. Singh

www.gursoch.com

Our Destiny

The writer of our destiny is our mind; to change our destiny to be with Creator, we must counsel our mind. This is what Guru Nanak sahib tells us in the following shabda which is on SGGS, 662  

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ 1 ॥

ਕਾਇਆ ਕਾਗਦੁ ਮਨੁ ਪਰਵਾਣਾ ॥ ਸਿਰ ਕੇ ਲੇਖ ਨ ਪੜੈ ਇਆਣਾ ॥

ਦਰਗਹ ਘੜੀਅਹਿ ਤੀਨੇ ਲੇਖ ॥ ਖੋਟਾ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਵੇਖੁ ॥1॥

Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 1.

Kā-i-ā kāgaḏ man parvāṇā . Sir ke lekẖ na paṛai i-āṇā.

Ḏargėh gẖaṛī-ahi ṯīne lekẖ . Kẖotā kām na āvai vekẖ. ||1||

Raag Dhanasri, the bani of First Nanak.

In essence: The body is like a paper and the mind is a written ordinance on it, but the ignorant mortal doesn’t study the mind. In Har’s court, three kinds (the good, mediocre and low) of writs are scribed. You see that the wrong deed is of no avail.

The verses above are very subtle; just going after the words, we get nothing; the metaphor and analogies need to decipher to reach to the point. The Gurbani suggests us studying our minds to find what is important for us. Our minds create our destiny which thus becomes preordained; it is repeatedly said that it cannot be erased (because the mind is not counselled) Question: if it is inerasable destiny, what can we do? The Guru suggests that we are given all tools to become better; therefore, just don’t give up by saying it is inerasable and let it go as it is going. The Guru suggests by studying one’ mind and its inclinations, one should try to turn it toward Akalpurakh, who keeps His presence in all. In other words, we should search Akalpurakh’s presence within. If we don’t do it, our preordained inclinations will doom us.

ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਰੁਪਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਖਰਾ ਖਰਾ ਆਖੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥  

Nānak je vicẖ rupā ho-e . Kẖarā kẖarā ākẖai sabẖ ko-e. ||1|| Rahā-o.

Oh Nanak! If a person has purity, he/she acts piously, and all people applaud him/her in praise. Pause.

Now, the Guru gives example of the people filled with wrong inclinations as per their preordained writ; they don’t study the mind to change their inclinations; such kind of behavior leads the mind to filth.

ਕਾਦੀ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਮਲੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਆ ਘਾਇ ॥

ਜੋਗੀ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਅੰਧੁ ॥ ਤੀਨੇ ਓਜਾੜੇ ਕਾ ਬੰਧੁ ॥2॥

Kāḏī kūṛ bol al kẖā-e . Barāhmaṇ nāvai jī-ā gẖā-e.

Jogī jugaṯ na jāṇai anḏẖ . Ŧīne ojāṛe kā banḏẖ. ||2||

The Qazi lies and lives on it. The Brahmin does ablution, but keeps ruining the beings. In ignorance of the divine knowledge, the Yogi doesn’t know the right way of living. All three of these kinds of people lack virtuous way of living and they head toward destruction.

 Now the Guru expresses how they actually should live to be worthy of Har’s union: when one starts reading one’s mind and a writ written on the paper body, then one changes the destiny:

ਸੋ ਜੋਗੀ ਜੋ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਣੈ ॥

 ਕਾਜੀ ਸੋ ਜੋ ਉਲਟੀ ਕਰੈ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ॥

ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਜੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੈ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਤਰੈ ਸਗਲੇ ਕੁਲ ਤਾਰੈ ॥3॥

So jogī jo jugaṯ pacẖẖāṇai . Gur parsādī eko jāṇai.

Kājī so jo ultī karai . Gur parsādī jīvaṯ marai.

So barāhmaṇ jo barahm bīcẖārai . Āp ṯarai sagle kul ṯārai. ||3||

That person is a Yogi, who understands the right way of living. With the Guru’s blessings (following the Guru), he deems Har’s creation and Har as the same one. That person is real Qazi, who turns away from Maya (bad inclinations) and with the Guru’s blessings, becomes detached while alive. That person is Brahmin, who reflects on Har and after realizing Har, gets liberated and helps others to be liberated.

ਦਾਨਸਬੰਦੁ ਸੋਈ ਦਿਲਿ ਧੋਵੈ ॥ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਸੋਈ ਮਲੁ ਖੋਵੈ ॥

ਪੜਿਆ ਬੂਝੈ ਸੋ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਕਾ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥4॥5॥7॥

   Ḏānasbanḏ so-ī ḏil ḏẖovai . Musalmāṇ so-ī mal kẖovai.

Paṛi-ā būjẖai so parvāṇ . Jis sir ḏargėh kā nīsāṇ. ||4||5||7||

If one is wise, one will certainly clean one’s mind (by analyzing one’s inclinations). A Muslim who cleans the filth of his mind is a real Muslim in real sense. That person is educated and accepted one (Brahmin), who has a pass to enter Har’s court.

Thus, counselling the mind to become the love of the Creator is a tool to change our destiny if it is drowning us in the Maya pursuits, which eventually separates us from our Creator.

Wishes

G. Singh

www.gursoch.com

 

Living In His Love

The Creator makes those people, who are in love with Him, realize His importance and makes them content. This is not what I say but it is expressed in the Gurbani. His name makes them fully happy and worry free. Let us look the following slok of the Second Guru, Guru Angad Sahib:

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਹਲਾ 2 ॥ ਜਿਨ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਤੇ ਰਤੇ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਜਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥

Salok mėhlā 2. Jin vadi-ā-ī ṯere nām kī ṯe raṯe man māhi.

Nānak amriṯ ek hai ḏūjā amriṯ nāhi.

Slok of Second Nanak.

In essence: Oh Akalpurakh! Those persons who have the glory of your name remain drenched in your love internally. Oh Nanak! There is only one nectar: His Name; yes, there is no other nectar.

It is all about the psychological state of mind in which one’s mind feels totally content after one having the name- nectar. But there is one more fact that His name-nectar is obtained through the Guru’s blessing because the Guru guides the follower through the journey of living in His love:

ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਮਨੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

ਤਿਨ੍ੀ ਪੀਤਾ ਰੰਗ ਸਿਉ ਜਿਨ੍ ਕਉ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਆਦਿ ॥1॥

Nānak amriṯ manai māhi pā-ī-ai gur parsāḏ.

Ŧinĥī pīṯā rang si-o jinĥ ka-o likẖi-ā āḏ. ||1||

Oh Nanak! Akalpurakh’s name nectar is obtained within through the Guru’s blessings. Only those persons who are destined from the beginning taste His name nectar with love.

As per the above Slok, living in His love and enjoying this state of mind is actually preordained. As we see all utter His name, sing His praises but a few of them settle in contentment with a feeling to be with Him all the time, because those few ones are destined to be with Him all the time. Such a state of mind comes with His blessings.

Wishes.

G. Singh

www.gursoch.com

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A Prayer In Utter Faith In Him (Namdev Ji On 873 SGGS)

Before we pray to Akalpurakh,we must understand first, what is the purpose of life? Bhagat Nandev Ji knows the purpose of life and in this Shabada, he expresses the awareness of what is right to ask from Him, so he requests to have His blessings like Dru and Narad Bhagtas had from Him, and obviously unlike us, doesn’t ask for the wealth or craves to have power over millions.

ਗੋਂਡ ॥ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਤਾਰਿ ਲੇ ਰਾਮਾ ਤਾਰਿ ਲੇ ॥

ਮੈ ਅਜਾਨੁ ਜਨੁ ਤਰਿਬੇ ਨ ਜਾਨਉ ਬਾਪ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ ਬਾਹ ਦੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Gond. Mo ka▫o ṯār le rāmā ṯār le.

Mai ajān jan ṯaribe na jān▫o bāp bīṯẖulā bāh ḏe. ||1|| rahā▫o.

In Essence: (Supplication to Almighty) Oh Akalpurakh please save me, I am ignorant and don’t know to swim across worldly-ocean, My Father Almighty! Give me your support (pause)

          Bhagat Namdev ji humbly requests Akalpurakh to shower His blessings to enable him to swim across the worldly –ocean which is very hard to cross due to its bewitching and fascinating nature, and because of it, the mind fails to be in love with Waheguru. In above Vaaka, an admission of being ignorant is a hint towards elimination of “self-conceit”. Bhagatas of Akalpurakh credit nothing to others or themselves but Akalpurakh because they are successful in awakening their minds totally. Mind can be ready to fix on His Name but His support (Grace) is vital. Having so much self-conceit within, we claim to understand Him and try to do everything to please Him according to our own measures. Contrary to that, real Devotees pray to Akalpurakh for help without having any kind of conceit within.

          ਮੋ ਕਉ = ਮੈਨੂੰ। ਰਾਮਾ = ਹੇ ਰਾਮ! {ਨੋਟ: ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ “ਬਾਪ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ” ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਉਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਹੀ ‘ਰਾਮ’ ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਪੁਕਾਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸੋ, ਕਿਸੇ ‘ਬੀਠੁਲ’ ਮੂਰਤੀ ਵਲ ਇਸ਼ਾਰਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਅੱਗੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹੈ। ਧ੍ਰੂਅ ਤੇ ਨਾਰਦ ਦਾ ਸੰਬੰਧ ਕਿਸੇ ਬੀਠੁਲ = ਮੂਰਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ}। ਤਰਿਬੇ ਨ ਜਾਨਉ = ਮੈਂ ਤਰਨਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ। ਦੇ = ਦੇਹ, ਫੜਾ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

          ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ! ਮੈਨੂੰ (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ) ਤਾਰ ਲੈ, ਬਚਾ ਲੈ। ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਫੜਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਞਾਣ ਸੇਵਕ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤਰਨਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ।ਰਹਾਉ।

ਨਰ ਤੇ ਸੁਰ ਹੋਇ ਜਾਤ ਨਿਮਖ ਮੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ ॥

ਨਰ ਤੇ ਉਪਜਿ ਸੁਰਗ ਕਉ ਜੀਤਿਓ ਸੋ ਅਵਖਧ ਮੈ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥

Nar ṯe sur ho▫e jāṯ nimakẖ mai saṯgur buḏẖ sikẖlā▫ī.

Nar ṯe upaj surag ka▫o jīṯi▫o so avkẖaḏẖ mai pā▫ī. ||1||

In Essence: (Prayer continues to have True Guru) Through Guru Instructions, ordinary persons become Devtas. Give me that medication (Guru-Teachings) that enables the mortals to conquer heaven. (Means one doesn’t feel a need for the heaven people talk about)

          This is the known truth to the devotees that only through Guru People know Him and get imbued with Him to cross the worldly Ocean, so prayer is done to be blessed with the True Guru. One meets Guru only when one surrenders to Guru fully after emptying all thoughts one gathers from the world that often advocates for “Me-force”. So here, again the desire in the prayer, is to have Guru in reality.

          ਤੇ = ਤੋਂ। ਸੁਰ = ਦੇਵਤੇ। ਨਿਮਖ ਮੈ = ਅੱਖ ਫਰਕਣ ਦੇ ਸਮੇ ਵਿਚ। ਮੈ = ਵਿਚ, ਮਹਿ, ਮਾਹਿ। ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ = ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸਿਖਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਮੱਤ ਨਾਲ। ਉਪਜਿ = ਉਪਜ ਕੇ, ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋ ਕੇ। ਅਵਖਧ = ਦਵਾਈ। ਪਾਈ = ਪਾਈਂ, ਪਾ ਲਵਾਂ।੧।

          (ਹੇ ਬੀਠੁਲ ਪਿਤਾ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲਾ) ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਲੀ ਮੱਤ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਖ ਦੇ ਫੋਰ ਵਿਚ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਬਣ ਜਾਈਦਾ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਪਿਤਾ! (ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰ) ਮੈਂ ਭੀ ਉਹ ਦਵਾਈ ਹਾਸਲ ਕਰ ਲਵਾਂ ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਜੰਮ ਕੇ (ਭਾਵ, ਮਨੁੱਖ-ਜਾਤੀ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹੋ ਕੇ) ਸੁਰਗ ਨੂੰ ਜਿੱਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਸੁਰਗ ਦੀ ਭੀ ਪਰਵਾਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ)।

ਜਹਾ ਜਹਾ ਧੂਅ ਨਾਰਦੁ ਟੇਕੇ ਨੈਕੁ ਟਿਕਾਵਹੁ ਮੋਹਿ ॥

ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਵਿਲੰਬਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਜਨ ਉਧਰੇ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੀ ਨਿਜ ਮਤਿ ਏਹ ॥੨॥੩॥

Jahā jahā ḏẖū▫a nāraḏ teke naik tikāvahu mohi.

Ŧere nām avilamb bahuṯ jan uḏẖre nāme kī nij maṯ eh. ||2||3||

In Essence: (Again Prayer continues with reference to those whom God helped in the past) Bless me too with the salvation Dru and Nard had, (I know your devotees, achieve that goal with your grace and Guru –Guidance). Give Namdev the support of your Name because with the support of your Name, many persons have been saved.

          This is the last part of the prayer, Namdev ji refers to those who were blessed by Akalpurakh and obtained Him with having high state of mind. Here that state of mind is requested for. If one’s mind gets imbued with His Name, with His support, the dreadful worldly ocean is swum across. We just don’t feel that this world is dreadful-ocean; contrary to it, we try to take pleasure in it. It’s like enjoying in limitless water and forgetting how to come out of it. In Patti 0n 434 SGGs, Guru Nanak states that the world is created to see the Creator through it; and experiencing Him through it and thus one can end one’s long separation from the Creator. Since it’s fascinating temptations block our love towards Him, it becomes dreadful. Nothing here in this world helps us because it is made for “a way out”, and “to keep sitting on this way out”, is a mistake because it makes us forget the purpose of life(uniting with Him) So Namdev ji is very much aware of this and prays to Almighty to bless him in the same way He blessed devotees like Dhru and Narad.

          ਜਹਾ ਜਹਾ = ਜਿਸ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਵਿਚ। ਟੇਕੇ = ਟਿਕਾਏ ਹਨ, ਇਸਥਿਤ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ। ਨੈਕੁ = {Skt. नैकश = Repeatedly, often. न एकशः = Not once} ਸਦਾ। ਮੋਹਿ = ਮੈਨੂੰ। ਅਵਿਲੰਬ = ਆਸਰਾ। ਅਵਿਲੰਬਿ = ਆਸਰੇ ਨਾਲ।। ਨਿਜ ਮਤਿ = ਆਪਣੀ ਮੱਤ, ਪੱਕਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਚਾ।੨।

          ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ! ਤੂੰ ਜਿਸ ਜਿਸ ਆਤਮਕ ਟਿਕਾਣੇ ਧ੍ਰੂ ਤੇ ਨਾਰਦ (ਵਰਗੇ ਭਗਤਾਂ) ਨੂੰ ਅਪੜਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਅਪੜਾ ਦੇਹ, ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਪੱਕਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਚਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਆਸਰੇ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਜੀਵ (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚ ਨਿਕਲਦੇ ਹਨ।੨।੩। ਭਾਵ: ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ। ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਰਗ ਦੀ ਭੀ ਲਾਲਸਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ।

          ਉਧਰੇ = (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚ ਗਏ

          This Shabada inspires us to seek only those kinds of blessings from Akalpurakh which can enable our souls to achieve the purpose of life which is to be united with Him. As referred above, Guru Nanak states in Patti, this world we are deeply involved is actually a “way out” and instead of ignoring that, we should use that “way out” to meet Him, in other words, living in His love must be preferred to love of the Maya. Here motto of life is to unite with Him not to seek that stuff which can become a block in our pursuit. Think about the dilemma we are in and how Gurbani helps us to get out of that.

          Interpretation in Punjabi is by Dr. Sahib Singh Ji

Holding On To Guru And Him In Utter Sincerity

The following Guru Shabad is an accepted- prayer offered to Akalpurakh. It is a verification of the Grace of Waheguru bestowed on sincere devotees. Whoever mediates on eternal Creator, his/her prayers are heard if they are offered in sincerity. Any one who remains in duality may not get that result. It is not just a mere prayer accepted by Him but a supplication wrapped in extreme sincerity that shows unconditional faith in Akalpurakh. Let’s see how Guru ji goes through it.

ਗੂਜਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥

ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰੀ ਬੇਨੰਤੀ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥

ਹਾਥ ਦੇਇ ਰਾਖੇ ਪਰਮੇਸਰਿ ਸਗਲਾ ਦੁਰਤੁ ਮਿਟਾਇਆ ॥੧॥

Gūjrī mėhlā 5.

Ḏu▫e kar joṛ karī benanṯī ṯẖākur apnā ḏẖi▫ā▫i▫ā.

Hāth ḏe▫e rākẖe parmesar saglā ḏuraṯ mitā▫i▫ā. ||1||

In Essence: In utter humbleness as I have mediated on my Master, He has saved me with His grace, and all my sins   (hardships) are vanished.

       Now look, the prayer is done but through mediating on Him, it is like setting the heart on the eternal Creator totally. In that state of mind, Akalpurakh shows His grace and sets the soul free from all kinds of sins or hardships. This prayer is not done in a mood to get something but because prayer is felt to do; it is actually falling for Him in utter humbleness and sincerity.

       ਕਰ = ਹੱਥ {ਬਹੁ-ਵਚਨ}। ਜੋੜਿ = ਜੋੜ ਕੇ। ਕਰੀ = ਕਰੀਂ, ਮੈਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਦੇਇ = ਦੇ ਕੇ। ਪਰਮੇਸਰਿ = ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ਰ ਨੇ। ਰਾਖੇ = ਰੱਖ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ। ਦੁਰਤੁ = ਪਾਪ।੧।

       ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੈਂ   (ਆਪਣੇ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ) ਦੋਵੇਂ ਹਥ ਜੋੜ ਕੇ ਅਰਜ਼ੋਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਉਸ ਮਾਲਕ ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੇ ਸਾਡੀ ਹੱਥ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਰਾਖੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕਸ਼ਟ ਤੇ ਪਾਪ ਨਵਿਰਤ ਕਰ ਦਿਤੇ ਹਨ।

ਠਾਕੁਰ ਹੋਏ ਆਪਿ ਦਇਆਲ ॥

ਭਈ ਕਲਿਆਣ ਆਨੰਦ ਰੂਪ ਹੁਈ ਹੈ ਉਬਰੇ ਬਾਲ ਗੁਪਾਲ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Ŧẖākur ho▫e āp ḏa▫i▫āl.

Bẖa▫ī kali▫āṇ ānanḏ rūp hu▫ī hai ubre bāl gupāl. ||1|| rahā▫o.

In Essence: As Akalpurakh has shown mercy Himself, all pains are replaced with total bliss, thus He has blessed His child   (children -beings) to swim across the worldly ocean   (Pause)

       Here is a description of the miracle of His grace. As He turns kind to see utterly honest -devotion being offered, then the pains are replaced with ever bliss; His children   (beings) thus swim across the worldly ocean fully controlled by Maya. If His grace is not there, obviously devotion is not sincere and the beings remain in the miseries. Hint is at getting sincere in devotion, if that is sincere, His grace brings miracles.

       ਠਾਕੁਰ = ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਜੀ। ਕਲਿਆਣ = ਸੁਖ। ਆਨੰਦ ਰੂਪ = ਆਨੰਦ-ਭਰਪੂਰ। ਹੁਈ ਹੈ = ਹੋ ਜਾਈਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਬਰੇ =   (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵਿਚ ਡੁੱਬਣ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚ ਗਏ। ਬਾਲ ਗੁਪਾਲ = ਗੁਪਾਲ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ   (ਦਰ ਤੇ ਆਏ ਹੋਏ ਜੀਵ-) ਬੱਚੇ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

       ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਉਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਜੀ ਆਪ ਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਆਤਮਕ ਆਨੰਦ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਗੋਪਾਲ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ   (ਦਰ ਤੇ ਆਏ ਹੋਏ ਉਹ ਜੀਵ-) ਬੱਚੇ   (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵਿਚ ਡੁੱਬਣ ਤੋਂ) ਬਚ ਗਏ   (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਦਇਆਲ ਹੋਇਆਂ) ਆਨੰਦ-ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਈਦਾ ਹੈ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

ਮਿਲਿ ਵਰ ਨਾਰੀ ਮੰਗਲੁ ਗਾਇਆ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੈਕਾਰੁ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਭ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਉਧਾਰੁ ॥੨॥੬॥੧੫॥

Mil var nārī mangal gā▫i▫ā ṯẖākur kā jaikār.

Kaho Nānak ṯis gur balihārī jin sabẖ kā kī▫ā uḏẖār. ||2||6||15||

In Essence:   (In that bliss triggered by His grace) all soul-brides together sing and applaud the Master. Nanak say this, “I sacrifice to the Guru who has led all of us to Him and got us liberated  (from anxieties and worries)”.   ( Dr Sahib Singh interprets that five primal forces become one and His praise is sung, it sounds alright too but the reference of “Var  (Groom)” indicates that it is about soul-brides as in the last Vaakas Guru Talks about many soul-brides – sabh ka).

       Once the soul-brides receive His grace, they take enjoyment in singing the praises of their Husband-Lord. Fifth Nanak goes back to praise the Guru   ( Guru Nanak) who puts the soul on this path to become worthy of Him by getting elevated to higher state of mind to receive His grace to get emancipated eventually.

       In this whole Shabada, through a supplication, not only gratitude is expressed towards the Almighty but also the importance of Guru is applauded who after all leads us to that peak where His grace is bestowed upon us eventually.

       ਮਿਲਿ = ਮਿਲ ਕੇ। ਮਿਲਿ ਵਰ = ਵਰ  (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਪਤੀ) ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ। ਨਾਰੀ = ਨਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ  (ਗਿਆਨ-ਇੰਦ੍ਰਿਆਂ ਨੇ)। ਜੈਕਾਰੁ = ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ। ਕਹੁ = ਆਖ। ਗੁਰ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ = ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ। ਉਧਾਰੁ = ਪਾਰ-ਉਤਾਰਾ।੨।

       ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਪਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਗਿਆਨ-ਇੰਦ੍ਰਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਦਾ ਗੀਤ ਗਾਣਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਜੈ-ਜੈਕਾਰ ਕਰਨਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-ਇਹ ਸਾਰੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਹੀ ਹੈ) ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ  (ਸਰਨ ਆਏ) ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਾਰ-ਉਤਾਰਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ।੨।੬।੧੫।

       This is the experience of Guru that inspires his followers to be sincere in His love and devotion by following Guru strictly, there is no place for insincerity or conceit in a path to reach to Him. Guru Ji verifies how our Akalpurakh acknowledges our sincere prayers and devotion and shows miracles through His grace. The mind of a true Guru-follower must be centered at Akalpurakh and Guru- Advice, any game played in this pursuit will not bring positive results as expressed in above Guru Shabada.

Interpretation in Punjabi is by Dr. Sahib Singh Ji

Awareness Of His Being Within – Pir Sang…

Isn’t it sad that HE is with us and we are not aware of that? By simply saying He is with us, is not actual awareness of His being with us because if that is real, why our minds are not stilled? The way we, most of us, live, treat others, make earning, give away and defend our own ideas, will prove that we are addicted to the sweetness of conceit and hypocrisy. As we fault, awareness of His being with us is mitigated, the obvious reason of that is that other forces lead us as per our own preferences. In the following Guru Shabada, our stand in this context is clear. This Shabada is sung by Bhai Ravinder Singh ji. Here is the Guru shabada by Mehl 1 in Dhanasri Raag.

ਪਿਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਮੂਠੜੀਏ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: Oh deluded one, though the Beloved is with you, you don’t have knowledge of it.

     What has deluded the soul bride? The answer is “Maya”. Why doesn’t the awareness of His being with her, ever take place? The Answer is that Maya keeps beguiling the soul- bride. Guru ji further addresses the reasons behind our inability to see HIM within and our failure in understanding His Ordinance; basically it is all due to the slumber the soul bride slips into.

ਮਸਤਕਿ ਲਿਖਿਅੜਾ ਲੇਖੁ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਕਮਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: As per destiny, we have reaped what we have sown [that is why awareness of His Being with in is never realized].

ਲੇਖੁ ਨ ਮਿਟਈ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਕਮਾਇਆ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਕਿਆ ਹੋਸੀ ॥

In Essence: As destiny is not changed as per previous deeds, [as they say], one wonders what will happen at the end.

     Here Guru ji expresses others held-views that destiny is not changed; however, he hints out that it is not only because of destiny, actually, no effort is made to change this course  (note down the following Guru-Vaak), obviously now all is up to Him. In next Vaak, Guru ji makes clear the reason why written destiny remains unchanged, in other words, it could have been changed but neither any effort was made in this regard nor HE bestowed His blessings otherwise due to our own preferences. Here are the two main reasons. To Figure out the reason, read on

ਗੁਣੀ ਅਚਾਰਿ ਨਹੀ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੀ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਬਹਿ ਬਹਿ ਰੋਸੀ ॥

In Essence: Neither virtues have been attained nor she (soul-bride) has gotten imbued with His love, so due to lack of that, the soul bride will have to repent only.

There were two things that cemented the bad destiny.

  1. Virtuous way of life was not chosen
  2. Mind never got imbued with Him. Why?

     The Answer is that Maya deluded her. Ignoring Him for Maya, the illusions within triggered bad destiny to continue (to remain in force).

     Without good virtues and knowing Him, what will be left? Just to repent and bewail over deeds. We should know by doing so, nothing happens, it is literally useless. In next Vaak, Guru ji expresses the limitations of Maya and consequences of being infected with it, being careless about Him and the value of virtuous way.

ਧਨੁ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਆਕ ਕੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਭਏ ਦਿਨ ਪੁੰਨਿਆ ॥

In Essence: All the Riches and youthfulness are very temporary like a shade of swallow wort. [ All is gone when old age knocks at the door, eventually day of end arrives].

     Then what the repenting will do when the asset of time has been wasted away. That is very sad situation. It is like game is over and some one wants to replay but there is no time lef. How the soul-bride will go through last moment here.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਦੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਛੂਟੀ ਝੂਠਿ ਵਿਛੁੰਨਿਆ ॥੧॥

In Essence: Like a deserted one, the soul bride would be discarded, and this way of living -lies will become a cause of separation from The Creator.

     Reason of this desperate plight is clear, Akalpurakh was never considered as priority and life was lived without Him.

     Bottom line is that we should not play game with HIM by thinking like “ I just want to do this thing, I want to complete this thing then I shall be free and get more time for Simran and keep His memory within etc”. Time passes on, that available and precious time keeps elapsing. After expressing about this tragic behavior of the soul-bride, Guru ji advises us, please grasp it completely

ਬੂਡੀ ਘਰੁ ਘਾਲਿਓ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਇ ਚਲੋ ॥

In Essence: Even though oh soul bride you are drowned/looted and chance of meeting HIM is ruined, save the house by following Guru’s will  (Follow Guru)

     After hearing this Guru advice, after wasting so much time in pursuing trivial things that have kept us unaware of His being within us, we should do what Guru wants us to do, what does Guru want from us actually? To be imbued with HIM, to live having His sweet memory in our hearts. That will help our soul- brides to walk on a path of experiencing HIM within. In next Vaaka, Guru expresses the outcome of Guru obedience:

ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਸੁਖਿ ਮਹਲੋ ॥

In Essence: By meditating on His Name and living in His love  (as directed by Guru), peace would certainly be found within. So get out of Maya involvements and its illusions to live in His love and enjoy never ending happiness, let the things come by as they come as we earn our livings honestly. It is all within us as HE is with us within. Remain always aware of that fact of His being with us and never lose that awareness because ”Pir” is always within.

ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਏ ਤਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਏ ਪੇਈਅੜੈ ਦਿਨ ਚਾਰੇ ॥

In Essence: By being totally involved with Him and being drowned in His simran, bliss of happiness is attained. The stay in this world is very limited.

     His call is inevitable eventually. All this awareness of Him and short span of life must be in mind while living so that nothing should detour the mind from this virtuous way of life. Through meditating on Him, virtues blossom, it is such powerful force that it does curb negativity and brings peace to mind..

ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਇ ਬਹੈ ਸਚੁ ਪਾਏ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥

In Essence: So soul bride stays home where HE is, flying with hopes, running after Maya temptations, will take us out of our hearts’ bed where He abides in; by meditating on Him, one enjoys being with True Beloved unlimited days.

     When out side attraction ceases, mind is known to be at home. In that state of mind, His realization occurs. In next Vaaka, Guru ji expresses his experience as a warning to those who preach other ways of realization of HIM.

ਵਿਣੁ ਭਗਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਨ ਹੋਵੀ ਸੁਣਿਅਹੁ ਲੋਕ ਸਬਾਏ ॥

In Essence:  (Guru addresses to all people, “Listen all!”) Without His devotion, mind is not stilled within [Mind remains prone to distractions layered together with temptations and, it keeps failing to stay within without worshiping Prabh in His love].

What is”ghar/home?

     That is the state of mind where outer influences are negated with contemplation on Him. It is addressed to all others who claim other ways to reach Him. It is stressed here that HE is realized only through falling in love with Him and live in His love. It also means, always HE should remain the center of our attention. Any physical effort and rituals etc are literally discarded as useless. This idea is made clearer in the following Vaaka

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਸੀ ਤਾ ਪਿਰੁ ਪਾਏ ਰਾਤੀ ਸਾਚੈ ਨਾਏ ॥੨॥

In Essence: Guru ji declares, only if the soul bride remains drenched in His Eternal Name forever, she can realize Him  (otherwise it is not possible).

     As many say that they can talk to Him, they have Naam, they can give to others, merely enjoying their own illusions. After knowing Him, approach towards one’s family and the world is changed utterly, love for His all creation glows equally. My son is this or that kind of talk looses importance because then soul is with Him. Guru ji makes it clear that by being totally involved with Him, is a state of mind, where outer influences cease to affect, when it is achieved, all kinds of sorrows, pains, and happiness are taken as His ordinance, only He is seen every where; that is why, only one in million, reaches to that state of mind with His grace but efforts should be continued to reach there by being in His love. Without efforts, there is no fruit. It is very serious choice; by merely talking, nothing is going to be materialized. Who are such persons who reach to that state of mind? In answer to that, I would take the honor to quote Fifth Nanak’s pious description of that

ਰਤੇ ਸੇਈ ਜਿ ਮੁਖੁ ਨ ਮੋੜੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਸਿਞਾਤਾ ਸਾਈ ॥

ਝੜਿ ਝੜਿ ਪਵਦੇ ਕਚੇ ਬਿਰਹੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਕਾਰਿ ਨ ਆਈ ॥੧॥

 In Essence: Those Who remain drenched in Him (in His love)and do not turn ever away from the Creator, realize the Master. The false lovers  ( Who just talk and claim),whom His true love hasn’t suited  (means whom living in His love couldn’t suit), they fall off mid-way.

Guru Ji continues his advice

ਪਿਰੁ ਧਨ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਪਿਰ ਭਾਵੈ ਨਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: If the Soul bride pleases the Beloved with her love, then Beloved Prabh likes her.

     Through this Vaaka, Guru ji makes clear two things, Virtuous ways of life and unconditional love for Him, are helpful in achieving His blessings. His love for soul bride over comes every obstacle. This “way out” is shown to the soul bride by Guru, so living Guru- Teachings is very vital. Please read on

ਰੰਗਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਰਾਤੀ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: By cogitating Guru Shabada, means pondering over every thing Guru says (and living accordingly), Soul bride gets imbued with the Beloved. [Guru Shabada enables her to over come all obstacles through meditating on HIM].

     Guru teachings are supposed to be considered a way of life, they are not just for singing or reciting. They should be a part of every action we take on. No game playing is permitted in this love-game of Prabh..

ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਨਾਹ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰੇਈ ॥

In Essence: As in His love, Soul bride contemplates Guru Shabada, she is loved by her Spouse (ਨਾਹ) and in His love she performs devotional service to her groom in total humility.

     This is the change occurs after giving up herself to Guru and falling in love with the Creator. If we find our actions are far away from this truth, we should ponder over Guru Shabada again.

ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਜਲਾਏ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਰਸ ਮਹਿ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਰੇਈ ॥

In Essence: This way, Soul bride gets rid of worldly attachment and temptations and starts enjoying being in His company.

     What happens then actually, the answer is in next the Vaaka.

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਚੇ ਸੇਤੀ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੰਗੇਤੀ ਲਾਲ ਭਈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੀ ॥

In Essence: Soul Bride is completely imbued with the love of the True Spouse, by conquering mind, she has become very gorgeous.

     This is the way to live with Him. This is the result of the love she is drenched in. Now she is not deserted but her Spouse -Prabh is with her

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਵਸੀ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਪਿਰ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥੩॥

In Essence: Nanak says that having sweet love for her Beloved Spouse, the blessed Soul -bride lives with Him.

     Here the state of mind of the soul goes beyond awareness of His being within; actually it starts living with HIM.

ਪਿਰ ਘਰਿ ਸੋਹੈ ਨਾਰਿ ਜੇ ਪਿਰ ਭਾਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: Soul bride attains respect if she is with her Beloved Husband; however it all depends on His grace. With Him she becomes beauteous [and she has the honor of having Him].

     This status is attained with virtuous way and by being in love with Him only, all other things done are not useful, next vaaka addresses that

ਝੂਠੇ ਵੈਣ ਚਵੇ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: Wailing done in false words is not useful to please Him. It is not accepted by Him.

     What does He like is not done, then why to wail? Why empty calls are made to HIM loudly? In simple words, only in His love, one can adopt enough virtues to have His grace, falsehood brings bad end..

ਝੂਠੁ ਅਲਾਵੈ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨਾ ਪਿਰੁ ਦੇਖੈ ਨੈਣੀ ॥

In Essence: The false wailing is useless, the Soul bride will never be able to see Beloved Spouse{ Since what pleases Him is not adopted or done)

     Remaining into falsehood is not the way to see Him or to realize Him. If there is longing for Him, one has to get ready for HIM. False claims and other religious practices are not accepted in His court as per Guru Hukam. Unfortunately most of us are into this kind of hypocrisy and then we declare it is not possible to become Saints as Gurbani teaches. Guru ji keeps giving the reasons of the soul-bride’s failure on His path.

ਅਵਗੁਣਿਆਰੀ ਕੰਤਿ ਵਿਸਾਰੀ ਛੂਟੀ ਵਿਧਣ ਰੈਣੀ ॥

In Essence: Soul bride, with no merit is forgotten and deserted by her Spouse-Prabh, thus she suffers; she passes the night of her life without her Master.

     In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, it is said that only Gurmukh are awake otherwise the rest of the world is in slumber of Maya. Think deeply how does the poison of Maya become sweet!

Same view is stressed here.

ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਮਾਨੈ ਫਾਹੀ ਫਾਥੀ ਸਾ ਧਨ ਮਹਲੁ ਨ ਪਾਏ ॥

In Essence: That Soul Bride who doesn’t believe in Guru’s word is caught in the worldly net, she cannot obtain her Spouse.

     For a purpose, the life is given, when that is lost, what is left then? A temporary enjoyment of personal preferences! That is what left! Guru ji in another Shabada also says that if this turn  (life) is missed, then the next chance will fall to the next turn only if that comes.

ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਏ ॥੪॥

In Essence: Guru ji says if Soul Bride understands purpose of her life, she can merge with Him and be in the celestial peace with the blessings of Guru.

     First she (soul-bride) has to realize what is the purpose of life and then should start to act upon Guru – teachings.

ਧਨ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਨਾਰਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: Blessed is that fortunate Soul bride who realizes her Beloved- Husband.

     Guru ji here applauds those who act and live as per Guru’s directions and eventually realize HIM. In the next Vaak, Guru ji states strongly that without HIM, life lived is just false or in other words wasted in vain.

ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੂੜਿਆਰਿ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਣਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

In Essence: Without Prabh’s Name, What Soul Bride does is false, therefore she is false without His Name.

     In other words life becomes a waste without HIM. In worldly point of views, it is alright otherwise. People call those people successful who are drowned in Maya and who are turned to Him, totally are not appreciated.

Also posted on SPN under ID PK70

A Reminder From Bhagat Kabir Ji

As Sikhs we seriously try to pay attention to Akalpurakh; however, intoxicating- Maya keeps us dragging away from Him. Bit by bit we lose precious time of our lives. Maya loots us all the time, very rarely we realize about this robbery that takes place within us. Youth is taken over by middle age as time lapses and eventually it starts getting enveloped in old age. End seems closer. If truly self analysis is done, repentance of not attaining His union surges up. Any warning may turn us around. May be with Guru’s blessing, we get imbued to Him and possibility we may have gleam of His grace. This kind of story is told by Bhagat Kabir ji in Rag Soohi.. Some one sang it melodiously; it just goes through the heart. Here is that Shabada.

ਸੂਹੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ ॥

ਥਰਹਰ ਕੰਪੈ ਬਾਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਨਾ ਜਾਨਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਸੀ ਪੀਉ ॥੧॥

ਰੈਨਿ ਗਈ ਮਤ ਦਿਨੁ ਭੀ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਭਵਰ ਗਏ ਬਗ ਬੈਠੇ ਆਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਕਾਚੈ ਕਰਵੈ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਪਾਨੀ ॥ ਹੰਸੁ ਚਲਿਆ ਕਾਇਆ ਕੁਮਲਾਨੀ ॥੨॥

ਕੁਆਰ ਕੰਨਿਆ ਜੈਸੇ ਕਰਤ ਸੀਗਾਰਾ ॥ ਕਿਉ ਰਲੀਆ ਮਾਨੈ ਬਾਝੁ ਭਤਾਰਾ ॥੩॥

ਕਾਗ ਉਡਾਵਤ ਭੁਜਾ ਪਿਰਾਨੀ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹ ਕਥਾ ਸਿਰਾਨੀ ॥੪॥੨॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 792}

Here is the situation, life is wasted, a little realization occurs about that fact. There is a disturbing idea which pierces through reader’s mind.

ਥਰਹਰ ਕੰਪੈ ਬਾਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਨਾ ਜਾਨਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਸੀ ਪੀਉ ॥੧॥

In essence: My soul awfully trembles. Since life will be over soon, I don’t know how my Husband Lord will treat me (because I remained unfaithful to Him so long (1)

         It is all about repentance, and still it is a better state of mind than being lost in Maya and remained unaware of the important wealth that is lost. It is a close warning about passing away without Naam(The Creator). This is the way Gurbani takes us very close to that moment when not much time is left and with a hint, about our being asleep in Maya- intoxication, it tries to awake us.

ਰੈਨਿ ਗਈ ਮਤ ਦਿਨੁ ਭੀ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਭਵਰ ਗਏ ਬਗ ਬੈਠੇ ਆਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

In essence: Black hairs are replaced by gray hairs as time lapses. Youth is passed, and I don’t want this old age be gone without His Praise (night reflects intoxicated youth with black hair and day reflects wearisome old age with gray hair) 1 Pause

         The facts of wasted long life without being in love with our Creator are enormous. There is no time to miss the only chance available to do something to meet Him because every moment it inches towards the end. Here stress is given on the present since past is over.

ਕਾਚੈ ਕਰਵੈ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਪਾਨੀ ॥

ਹੰਸੁ ਚਲਿਆ ਕਾਇਆ ਕੁਮਲਾਨੀ ॥੨॥

In essence: It is well understood fact that water leaks through unbaked clay pot. Same way, this body won’t be able to hold the soul forever. So when Soul-Swan departs, body will go flaccid (2.]

         It is an awakening about limited life-spans. Giving in to conceit, running a cat -race for wealth and harboring a desire to own every thing, will not be helpful at that moment. Under illusion.

         Self -centered calls fallacy an actual achievement, for a Gurmukh, truly it is all wastage of life because only love for Him is helpful in the end and all rest is transitory.

ਕੁਆਰ ਕੰਨਿਆ ਜੈਸੇ ਕਰਤ ਸੀਗਾਰਾ ॥

ਕਿਉ ਰਲੀਆ ਮਾਨੈ ਬਾਝੁ ਭਤਾਰਾ ॥੩॥

In essence: we are performing religious rituals which have nothing to do with love for our Creator; it is just like a unmarried virgin decorates herself without having a husband, what is the use of it? How she can enjoy with it without her spouse? it is all wastage (3).

         In a very beautiful mataphoric expression, Bhagat Kabir ji exposes worthlessness of religious ritualism which is merely a ceremonious behavior to satisfy one’s own desires, because love for Him is above all. It is easy to do ritual but very hard to change Maya- enveloped mind for nourishing love for Him. It is a battle; it needs resolute courage unlike doing ritual.

ਕਾਗ ਉਡਾਵਤ ਭੁਜਾ ਪਿਰਾਨੀ ॥

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹ ਕਥਾ ਸਿਰਾਨੀ ॥੪॥੨॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 792}

In essence It is pitiable to see one gets tired of doing something which is futile in the end, like sitting idle and driving crows away. The story of life is over as end nears and last breath is inevitable.)

         It is a call from an enlightened one to utilize this life by pursuing the ultimate goal of life to be with the Creator by making a choice, a choice of His love over Maya and through True Guru, eventually achieve this goal with His grace.

Also posted on SPN

Like Me You Have Numerous Maids

The following Guru Shabad is about showing out the layers of the love for the Creator a soul harbors; it also inspires others to have love for the beloved Husband-Akalpurakh. If Guru Follower follows the expressed love- tide surging every moment in the heart, perception of the Beloved Husband-Almighty becomes crystal clear without any doubt, to experience the ecstasy of being in love with Him, first one must over come intellectual misgivings about Him.

ਤੂ ਠਾਕੁਰੋ ਬੈਰਾਗਰੋ ਮੈ ਜੇਹੀ ਘਣ ਚੇਰੀ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਤੂੰ ਸਾਗਰੋ ਰਤਨਾਗਰੋ ਹਉ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ਤੂ ਵਡ ਦਾਣਾ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਹਰੰਮਤਿ ਸਾਂਈ ॥

ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ਸਾ ਮਤਿ ਦੀਜੈ ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਤੁਧੁ ਧਿਆਈ ॥

ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ਰੇਣ ਹੋਵੀਜੈ ਤਾ ਗਤਿ ਜੀਅਰੇ ਤੇਰੀ ॥

ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਮੈ ਜੇਹੀ ਘਣ ਚੇਰੀ ਰਾਮ ॥੧॥  ( Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 779)

Ŧū ṯẖākuro bairāgro mai jehī gẖaṇ cẖerī rām.

Ŧūʼn sāgro raṯnāgro ha▫o sār na jāṇā ṯerī rām.

Sār na jāṇā ṯū vad ḏāṇā kar mihramaṯ sāʼn▫ī.

Kirpā kījai sā maṯ ḏījai āṯẖ pahar ṯuḏẖ ḏẖi▫ā▫ī.

Garab na kījai reṇ hovījai ṯā gaṯ jī▫are ṯerī.

Sabẖ ūpar Nānak kā ṯẖākur mai jehī gẖaṇ cẖerī rām. ||1||

In Essence: Oh my Master, you are beyond Maya influence, you have numerous maids like me, you are an Ocean  (being huge), you are a mine of jewels  (Virtues), and I do not know your limits. Mercy on me Oh Master, bless me to contemplate on you all the time. Oh my soul, don’t be proud, be humble because this is the way you will be emancipated. Nanak says the Master is above all, and like me He has numerous maids.

          Now look at the infinity of the Creator and the soul’s humbleness expressed in above Shabada through a strong longing for Him. It is a realization of being insignificant before the Infinite. Having realization of such reality, longing for Him, brings fruits and the soul moves towards the union with the Prabh-Husband. What is the important point expressed here? It is to have humbleness at its peak. It is the conceit that builds a wall between the Soul and the Master (Jap Ji) and that wall can floored by the extreme humbleness.

          ਹੇ  (ਮੇਰੇ) ਰਾਮ! ਤੂੰ  (ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ) ਮਾਲਕ ਹੈਂ, ਤੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਆਪਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵ ਨਹੀਂਪਾ ਸਕਦੀ। ਮੇਰੇ ਵਰਗੀਆਂ  (ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ) ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਦਾਸੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਹੇ ਰਾਮ! ਤੂੰ ਸਮੁੰਦਰਹੈਂ। ਤੂੰ ਰਤਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਖਾਣ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੀ ਕਦਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਮਝ ਸਕੀ। ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇਮਾਲਕ! ਮੈਂ  (ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦੀ) ਕਦਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦੀ, ਤੂੰ ਵੱਡਾ ਸਿਆਣਾ ਹੈਂ  (ਸਭ ਕੁਝਜਾਣਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ),  (ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ) ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਸਮਝ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ ਕਿਅੱਠੇ ਪਹਰ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰਦੀ ਰਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਜਿੰਦੇ! ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ,  (ਸਭ ਦੇ) ਚਰਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਧੂੜ ਬਣੇ ਰਹਿਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਉੱਚੀ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਵਸਥਾਬਣ ਸਕੇਗੀ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ!  (ਆਖ-) ਮੇਰਾ ਮਾਲਕ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਭ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੈ। ਮੇਰੇ ਜਿਹੀਆਂ  (ਉਸ ਦੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ) ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਦਾਸੀਆਂ ਹਨ।੧।

ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਗਉਹਰ ਅਤਿ ਗਹਿਰ ਗੰਭੀਰਾ ਤੁਮ ਪਿਰ ਹਮ ਬਹੁਰੀਆ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਤੁਮ ਵਡੇ ਵਡੇ ਵਡ ਊਚੇ ਹਉ ਇਤਨੀਕ ਲਹੁਰੀਆ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਹਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਏਕੋ ਤੂਹੈ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਸੁਜਾਨਾ ॥

ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਨਿਮਖ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀਵਾ ਸਰਬ ਰੰਗ ਰਸ ਮਾਨਾ ॥

ਚਰਣਹ ਸਰਨੀ ਦਾਸਹ ਦਾਸੀ ਮਨਿ ਮਉਲੈ ਤਨੁ ਹਰੀਆ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਸਰਬ ਸਮਾਣਾ ਆਪਨ ਭਾਵਨ ਕਰੀਆ ॥੨॥

Ŧumĥ ga▫uhar aṯ gahir gambẖīrā ṯum pir ham bahurī▫ā rām.

Ŧum vade vade vad ūcẖe ha▫o iṯnīk lahurī▫ā rām.

Ha▫o kicẖẖ nāhī eko ṯūhai āpe āp sujānā.

Amriṯ ḏarisat nimakẖ parabẖ jīvā sarab rang ras mānā.

Cẖarṇah sarnī ḏāsah ḏāsī man ma▫ulai ṯan harī▫ā.

Nānak ṯẖākur sarab samāṇā āpan bẖāvan karī▫ā. ||2||

In essence: You are profound and unfathomable, you are our beloved Husband and we are your brides. You are the greatest of great and highest of high and I am so insignificant before you. Only you are the wise One, I am nothing literally. With your momentarily ambrosial glance, I feel I have enjoyed all pleasures. Since I have taken refuge in you, I feel utterly humble to those who are your true servants and thus I feel I am in ecstasy. Nanak says the Akalpurakh permeates in all and does what He wills.

          The soul-bride in love with her Husband -Almighty expresses how it is felt to be in love with the Creator. As the feelings of love for Him surge, longing to have a glance of that Beloved, fills the soul with enormous joy. Utter humility is shown towards those who are imbued with Him.This thought,”With whom we are in love, all related to that Beloved-Prabh” saturates the heart with love and the mind is filled with respect for all His Creation. The mind is led by this kind of love for Him to a state of mind where His presence is not only seen but also felt in an ecstasy. His Ordinance becomes obvious, His Will and its purity become attractive and the surrender of the soul occurs without any questioning.

          ਹੇਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਤੂੰ ਇਕ  (ਅਣਮੁੱਲਾ) ਮੋਤੀ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਅਥਾਹ  (ਸਮੁੰਦਰ) ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਬੜੇ ਵੱਡੇਜਿਗਰੇ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ  (ਸਾਡਾ) ਖਸਮ ਹੈਂ, ਅਸੀਂ ਜੀਵ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਵਹੁਟੀਆਂ ਹਾਂ। ਤੂੰਬੇਅੰਤ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਉੱਚਾ ਹੈਂ। ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਛੋਟੀ ਜਿਹੀ ਹਸਤੀ ਵਾਲੀਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਮੇਰੀ ਕੁਝ ਭੀ ਪਾਂਇਆਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਇਕ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੂੰ ਆਪ ਹੀਆਪ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਜਾਣਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਅੱਖ ਝਮਕਣ ਜਿਤਨੇ ਸਮੇ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਮਿਲੀ ਤੇਰੀਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ  (ਇਉਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਵੇਂ)ਮੈਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਰੰਗ ਰਸ ਮਾਣ ਲਏ ਹਨ। ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਲਈ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਸਾਂਦੀ ਦਾਸੀ ਹਾਂ  (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਜਦੋਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨਖਿੜ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੀਰ  (ਭੀ) ਹਰਾ-ਭਰਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ!  (ਆਖ-ਹੇ ਭਾਈ!)ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਸਮਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ  (ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ) ਆਪਣੀ ਮਰਜ਼ੀ ਕਰਦਾਹੈ।੨।

ਤੁਝੁ ਊਪਰਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਹੈ ਮਾਣਾ ਤੂਹੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਤਾਣਾ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਸੁਰਤਿ ਮਤਿ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਤੇਰੀ ਤੂ ਜਾਣਾਇਹਿ ਜਾਣਾ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਸੋਈ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਸਿਰੰਦੇ ॥

ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਭੂਲੀ ਬਹੁਤੀ ਰਾਹੀ ਫਾਥੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਫੰਦੇ ॥

ਠਾਕੁਰ ਭਾਣੀ ਸਾ ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਣਾ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਧਰ ਤੂਹੈ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਤੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਮਾਣਾ ॥੩॥

Ŧujẖ ūpar merā hai māṇā ṯūhai merā ṯāṇā rām.

Suraṯ maṯ cẖaṯurā▫ī ṯerī ṯū jāṇā▫ihi jāṇā rām.

So▫ī jāṇai so▫ī pacẖẖāṇai jā ka▫o naḏar siranḏe.

Manmukẖ bẖūlī bahuṯī rāhī fāthī mā▫i▫ā fanḏe.

Ŧẖākur bẖāṇī sā guṇvanṯī ṯin hī sabẖ rang māṇā.

Nānak kī ḏẖar ṯūhai ṯẖākur ṯū Nānak kā māṇā. ||3||

In essence: I am only proud of you and you are my strength. All my understanding, intellect and wisdom are your gifts, I realize what you make me to realize. Only those know and understand Him whom the Creator blesses. The mind-slave bride is greatly deluded, thus gets in to the chains of Maya. If the Master Almighty wills, one becomes virtuous and enjoys all the pleasures. You are at the side of Nanak, and you are the only pride of Nanak

          We who often fall for Maya- illusions, have a lot to learn here. Whatever we are capable of, whatever intellectual powers we hold, are declared in this stanza as God’s own gifts, credit should be given only to Him but unfortunately we keep taking the credit and enjoying the false illusions triggered by the conceit. In love with Akalpurakh, the soul behaves differently though. If the pride is felt, it is all about the Almighty- Husband, all capacities and qualities are just His blessings, and it is His bestowed grace that infuses love within us for Him. If it is not there, so easily the soul falls for Maya illusions. Being in love with Him, soul develops a feeling of being close to Him and becomes fearless.

          ਹੇਰਾਮ! ਮੇਰਾ ਮਾਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੀ ਹੈ, ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਹੈਂ।  (ਜਿਹੜੀ ਭੀ ਕੋਈ)ਸੂਝ, ਅਕਲ, ਸਿਆਣਪ  (ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ, ਉਹ) ਤੇਰੀ  (ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ) ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰਸਮਝਾਂਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਉਹੀ ਮੈਂ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹੀ ਮਨੁੱਖ  (ਸਹੀ ਜੀਵਨ ਨੂੰ) ਸਮਝਦਾਪਛਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਉਤੇ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰ ਦੀ ਮਿਹਰ ਦੀ ਨਿਗਾਹ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇਤੁਰਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਜੀਵ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਹੋਰ ਰਸਤਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਪੈ ਕੇ  (ਸਹੀ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਲੋਂ)ਖੁੰਝੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀਆਂ ਫਾਹੀਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਫਸੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਜਿਹੜੀ ਜੀਵ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਚੰਗੀ ਲੱਗਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਵਾਲੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਹੀ ਸਾਰੇਆਤਮਕ ਆਨੰਦ ਮਾਣੇ ਹਨ। ਹੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ! ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾ ਸਹਾਰਾ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਹੈਂ, ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾ ਮਾਣ ਤੂੰਹੀ ਹੈਂ।੩।

ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਵੰਞਾ ਘੋਲੀ ਵੰਞਾ ਤੂ ਪਰਬਤੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਓਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ਲਖ ਲਖ ਲਖ ਬਰੀਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਪਰਦਾ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਰਾਮ ॥

ਮਿਟੇ ਅੰਧਾਰੇ ਤਜੇ ਬਿਕਾਰੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਾ ॥

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਭਾਣੀ ਭਈ ਨਿਕਾਣੀ ਸਫਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਰਵਾਨਾ ॥

ਭਈ ਅਮੋਲੀ ਭਾਰਾ ਤੋਲੀ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਦਰੁ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਹੋਈ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਓਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ॥੪॥੧॥੪॥

Ha▫o vārī vañā gẖolī vañā ṯū parbaṯ merā olĥā rām.

Ha▫o bal jā▫ī lakẖ lakẖ lakẖ barī▫ā jin bẖaram parḏā kẖolĥā rām.

Mite anḏẖāre ṯaje bikāre ṯẖākur si▫o man mānā.

Parabẖ jī bẖāṇī bẖa▫ī nikāṇī safal janam parvānā.

Bẖa▫ī amolī bẖārā ṯolī mukaṯ jugaṯ ḏar kẖolĥā.

Kaho Nānak ha▫o nirbẖa▫o ho▫ī so parabẖ merā olĥā. ||4||1||4||

In Essence: I sacrifice to you oh my Almighty-Master as you are my huge shelter. Millions times I sacrifice to you because you have eliminated my doubt. All my ignorance is vanished and I have given up all vices and my mind is happily imbued with you Oh my Master Akalpurakh. As per His wish, I have become care free  (non dependent), I am successful in my pursuit since the Infinite Almighty has approved me as worthy of Him. I have got invaluable virtues that hold my merits high, thus I have got liberated from all fears and have become fearless as He is behind my side. ( Here there is no place for “I-ness” but Him.)

          Being in that state of mind, the soul further expresses gratitude towards the Master-Creator. His being behind as a protector and supporter, has become the only shelter for the soul, in joy and thankfulness; it shows feelings of sacrificing herself to the all pervading Ikkankar. Now the Soul is free from doubts and fears. Negativity has disappeared, virtues have started pouring in which have enabled the soul to be accepted and approved by the Creator

          ਹੇਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਪਹਾੜ  (ਜੇਡਾ) ਓਲ੍ਹਾ ਹੈਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਕੁਰਬਾਨਜਾਂਦੀ ਹਾਂ। ਮੈਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਲੱਖਾਂ ਵਾਰੀ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹਾਂ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ  (ਮੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ)ਭਟਕਣਾ ਵਾਲੀ ਵਿੱਥ ਮਿਟਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਜੀਵ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂਨਾਲ ਗਿੱਝ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਿਕਾਰ ਤਿਆਗ ਦੇਂਦੀ ਹੈ,  (ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇਮੋਹ ਵਾਲੇ) ਹਨੇਰੇ ਦੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।  (ਜੇਹੜੀ ਜੀਵ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ) ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਚੰਗੀ ਲੱਗਣਲੱਗ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ  (ਦੁਨੀਆ ਵਲੋਂ) ਬੇ-ਮੁਥਾਜ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਕਾਮਯਾਬਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਦਰ ਤੇ ਕਬੂਲ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀਕੀਮਤੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਭਾਰੇ ਤੋਲ ਵਾਲੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਉਹ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ਾ ਖੁਲ੍ਹਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ ਖ਼ਲਾਸੀ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਸਹੀ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀਜਾਚ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜਦੋਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹਾਰਾ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ  (ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਹੱਲਿਆਂ ਵਲੋਂ) ਨਿਡਰ ਹੋ ਗਈ ਹਾਂ।੪।੧।੪।

          After all He is the infinite Prabh. What are we compared to the infinite? He is the only Shelter and this tiny soul can feel secured and protected in His Sanctuary when it truly falls for Him, all the rest established- powerful- entities are insignificant before the Infinite Creator and thus wisely guided (by Guru) soul falls for Him only. Guru has done his job by taking the soul to where it belongs; he has given the insight to remain aware of the purpose of life and the reasons behind this separation from the Infinite-Creator. A path is paved; choice is in the hands of Guru- followers, then the rest depends upon His grace.

Interpretation in Punjabi is by Dr. Sahib Singh Ji

Also posted on SPN