THE CREATOR’S PRESENCE

On 138, SGGS, in a Waar “ Waar maajh ki”, penned by Shri Guru Nanak,  the Second Guru,  Shri Guru Angad Sahib addresses the behavior of those who live without keeping the Universal Creator in their hearts; however, he also  states that actually they live as per His Will, thus, HE is everywhere; let us ponder over it:

ਵਾਰ ਮਾਝ ਕੀ ਤਥਾ ਸਲੋਕ ਮਹਲਾ 1

ਮਃ 2 ॥ ਦੇਂਦੇ ਥਾਵਹੁ ਦਿਤਾ ਚੰਗਾ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਐਸਾ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥

ਸੁਰਤਿ ਮਤਿ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਹਿ ਕੈ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਚਹੁ ਕੁੰਡੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥

ਜੋ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਧਰਮ ਨਾਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਪਾਪਿ ਕਮਾਣੈ ਪਾਪੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥

ਤੂੰ ਆਪੇ ਖੇਲ ਕਰਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਿਆ ਦੂਜਾ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥

ਜਿਚਰੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਤਿਚਰੁ ਜੋਤੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਤੂੰ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਵਿਣੁ ਜੋਤੀ ਕੋਈ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਿਹੁ ਦਿਖਾ ਸਿਆਣੀਐ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਦਰੀ ਆਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਸੁਘੜੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੀਐ ॥2॥

Mėhlā 2. Ḏeʼnḏe thāvhu ḏiṯā cẖanga manmukẖ aisā jāṇī-ai.

Suraṯ maṯ cẖaṯurā-ī ṯā kī ki-ā kar ākẖ vakẖāṇī-ai.

Anṯar bahi kai karam kamāvai so cẖahu kundī jāṇī-ai.

Jo ḏẖaram kamāvai ṯis ḏẖaram nā-o hovai pāp kamāṇai pāpī jāṇī-ai.

Ŧūʼn āpe kẖel karahi sabẖ karṯe ki-ā ḏūjā ākẖ vakẖāṇī-ai.

Jicẖar ṯerī joṯ ṯicẖar joṯī vicẖ ṯūʼn bolėh viṇ joṯī ko-ī kicẖẖ karihu ḏikẖā si-āṇī-ai.

Nānak gurmukẖ naḏrī ā-i-ā har iko sugẖaṛ sujāṇī-ai. ||2|| {SGGS – 138}

The bani of Second Nanak.

In essence: The mind-slave prefers Ekankar’s given gifts to Ekankar, who actually gives those gifts to him. It is hard to explain what common sense, wisdom, and cleverness he (the mind-slave) has. Though he acts secretly, his actions become well known. One, who acts virtuously, is known as virtuous and that one, who commits sins, is known as sinner. Oh Har! This is your own play, because they act as you cause them to act. What else we should say? As long as your jyot (light)  is present in the mortals, they (actually you) speak; without your jyot, who can speak (none)? Oh Nanak! One can see the all wise and omnipotent Creator everywhere through the Guru. 

Wishes!

G Singh

www.gursoch.com

 

Only Akalpurakh

Bhagat Kabir says this:

On SGGS 660, Bhagat Kabir clearly states that he only believes in the Universal Creator who permeates all :

ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਭਗਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ ਕੀ   Rāg ḏẖanāsrī baṇī bẖagaṯ Kabīr jī kī

Raag Dhanasri, the bani of Bhagat Kabir

ੴ  ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥  Ik-oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.

There is only One All Pervading Akalpurakh, who is known with the blessings of the Satiguru.

ਸਨਕ ਸਨੰਦ ਮਹੇਸ ਸਮਾਨਾਂ ॥ ਸੇਖਨਾਗਿ ਤੇਰੋ ਮਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥1॥

Sanak sanand mahes samānāʼn . Sekẖnāg ṯero maram na jānāʼn. ||1||

In essence: Oh Prabh! Sanak, nand, Shiva and Sheshnaag didn’t know your secret.

ਸੰਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਸਾਈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥   Sanṯsangaṯ rām riḏai basā-ī. ||1|| Rahā-o.

In Akalpurakh’s true devotees’ association, I keep Akalpurakh in my heart. Pause.

ਹਨੂਮਾਨ ਸਰਿ ਗਰੁੜ ਸਮਾਨਾਂ ॥ ਸੁਰਪਤਿ ਨਰਪਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਗੁਨ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥2॥

 Hanūmān sar garuṛ samānāʼn . Surpaṯ narpaṯ nahī gun jānāʼn. ||2||

Oh Prabh! Hanuman, Gararh, the master of Devtas, Indra, Brahma and the master of men didn’t know your virtues (didn’t know Akalpurakh).

ਚਾਰਿ ਬੇਦ ਅਰੁ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਪੁਰਾਨਾਂ ॥ ਕਮਲਾਪਤਿ ਕਵਲਾ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥3॥

Cẖār beḏ ar simriṯ purānāʼn . Kamlāpaṯ kavlā nahī jānāʼn. ||3||

The four Vedas, the Simirities, the Pranas, Vishnu and Lakhsmi didn’t know you.

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੋ ਭਰਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਪਗ ਲਗਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਹੈ ਸਰਨਾਂਹੀ ॥4॥1॥

Kahi Kabīr so bẖarmai nāhī . Pag lag rām rahai sarnāʼnhī. ||4||1||

(Who knows Akalpurakh then? Answer) Kabir says: That person who remains attached to Akalpurakh and stays in His refuge in utter humility doesn’t wander around.

Bhagat Kabir in this Shabda, very clearly states that for him no people, men or Devtas, matter but Akalpurakh. Thus, the Sikhs are to believe not any other power but the Universal Creator.

Wishes.

G.Singh

www.gursoch.com

 

Our Plight

Under the influence of greed, lust, conceit, anger and attachment, the humans can do bad things which could bring their fall. Bhagat Ravidas addresses this with an example, the Shabad is on SGGS 486:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ 

Ik-oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.

There is only one All Pervading Akalpurakh, who is known with the blessings of the Satiguru.

ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਮੀਨ ਭ੍ਰਿੰਗ ਪਤੰਗ ਕੁੰਚਰ ਏਕ ਦੋਖ ਬਿਨਾਸ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਦੋਖ ਅਸਾਧ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੇਤਕ ਆਸ ॥1॥

Marig mīn bẖaring paṯang kuncẖar ek ḏokẖ binās.  Pancẖ ḏokẖ asāḏẖ jā mėh ṯā kī keṯak ās. ||1||

In essence: Only one weakness of the deer or the fish,  or the bumble bee  or the elephant destroys them; what is the chance of getting saved of the mortal, who has five vices  hard to cure?

ਮਾਧੋ ਅਬਿਦਿਆ ਹਿਤ ਕੀਨ ॥ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦੀਪ ਮਲੀਨ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Māḏẖo abiḏi-ā hiṯ kīn.  Bibek ḏīp malīn. ||1|| Rahā-o.

Oh Akalpurakh! The mortals love ignorance; therefore, their intellect of discriminating of good and bad has faded out. Pause.

ਤ੍ਰਿਗਦ ਜੋਨਿ ਅਚੇਤ ਸੰਭਵ ਪੁੰਨ ਪਾਪ ਅਸੋਚ ॥ ਮਾਨੁਖਾ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਦੁਲਭ ਤਿਹੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਪੋਚ ॥2॥  

Ŧarigaḏ jon acẖeṯ sambẖav punn pāp asocẖ.  Mānukẖā avṯār ḏulabẖ ṯihī sangaṯ pocẖ. ||2||

The animals lack contemplation and unable to discriminate between good and evil, and it is very natural. The human existence is hard to obtain, but if one associates with the bad ones, shouldn’t one think about this?

ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਜਹਾ ਜਹਾ ਲਗੁ ਕਰਮ ਕੇ ਬਸਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਕਾਲ ਫਾਸ ਅਬਧ ਲਾਗੇ ਕਛੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਉਪਾਇ ॥3॥

Jī-a janṯ jahā jahā lag karam ke bas jā-e.  Kāl fās abaḏẖ lāge kacẖẖ na cẖalai upā-e. ||3||

Bound by the done deeds, wherever the beings are, they are subject to the noose of death, which is certain. And, nothing can be done about that.

ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਦਾਸ ਉਦਾਸ ਤਜੁ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਤਪਨ ਤਪੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ॥

ਭਗਤ ਜਨ ਭੈ ਹਰਨ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦ ਕਰਹੁ ਨਿਦਾਨ ॥4॥1॥

Raviḏās ḏās uḏās ṯaj bẖaram ṯapan ṯap gur gi-ān.

Bẖagaṯ jan bẖai haran parmānanḏ karahu niḏān. ||4||1|| {SGGS-486}

(Prayer) Oh Destroyer of fear of your devotees! Bless me with the treasure of happiness. Bless your servant, Ravidas, so that he may become detached after abandoning his doubts and start doing real penance by living as per the Guru’s given guidance.

Wishes

G. Singh

www.gursoch.com

 

None Is Permanent Here

 

On 418, SGGS, Shri Guru Nanak Sahib reminds us to be aware of our limited time span on this earth. Basically, the Guru asks us to praise our Creator by understanding this fact that here is none permanent. Let us ponder over it:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ 

Ik-oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.

There is only one all-pervading Akalpurakh, who is known with the blessings of the Satiguru.

ਆਸਾ ਕਾਫੀ ਮਹਲਾ 1 ਘਰੁ 8 ਅਸਟਪਦੀਆ ॥  

Āsā kāfī mėhlā 1 gẖar 8 asatpaḏī-ā.

ਜੈਸੇ ਗੋਇਲਿ ਗੋਇਲੀ ਤੈਸੇ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਆਦਮੀ ਬਾਂਧਹਿ ਘਰ ਬਾਰਾ ॥1॥  

Jaise go-il go-ilī ṯaise sansārā. Kūṛ kamāvėh āḏmī bāʼnḏẖėh gẖar bārā. ||1||

Raag Asa Kafi, the bani of First Nanak, house eighth, Ashtpadeean.

In essence: This world is temporary like the stay of herdsman on a bank of a river; the man practices falsehood by building houses as if he would live here forever (building and expanding the homes and deeming them as permanent).

ਜਾਗਹੁ ਜਾਗਹੁ ਸੂਤਿਹੋ ਚਲਿਆ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥  

Jāgahu jāgahu sūṯiho cẖali-ā vaṇjārā. ||1|| Rahā-o.

Oh people in slumber! Wake up. Look the dealer (of Maya expansions) is departing from here. Pause.

This is the Guru’s wake up call to his followers not to get attached with anything save for living  in this world as a guest modestly.

ਨੀਤ ਨੀਤ ਘਰ ਬਾਂਧੀਅਹਿ ਜੇ ਰਹਣਾ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਵੈ ਜੀਉ ਚਲਸੀ ਜੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਈ ॥2॥  

Nīṯ nīṯ gẖar bāʼnḏẖī-ah je rahṇā ho-ī. Pind pavai jī-o cẖalsī je jāṇai ko-ī. ||2||

Permanent house should be built if we can stay in them permanently. I hope they would realize this: when the body crumbles, the soul has to go.

ਓਹੀ ਓਹੀ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਹੁ ਹੈ ਹੋਸੀ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਤੁਮ ਰੋਵਹੁਗੇ ਓਸ ਨੋ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਹ ਕਉ ਕਉਣੁ ਰੋਈ ॥3॥  

Ohī ohī ki-ā karahu hai hosī so-ī. Ŧum rovhuge os no ṯumĥ ka-o ka-uṇ ro-ī. ||3||

Why are you crying over the dead? There is only Akalpurakh, who is now and who will be ever. You cry over the dead, but who will bewail for you (you will face the same end)?

ਧੰਧਾ ਪਿਟਿਹੁ ਭਾਈਹੋ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਹ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਵਹੁ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਨ ਸੁਣਈ ਕਤ ਹੀ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਹ ਲੋਕ ਸੁਣਾਵਹੁ ॥4॥  

Ḏẖanḏẖā pitihu bẖā-īho ṯumĥ kūṛ kamāvahu. Oh na suṇ-ī kaṯ hī ṯumĥ lok suṇavhu. ||4||

Oh brothers! You are into entanglement and you practice falsehood, because one, for whom you bewail, doesn’t hear you; therefore, you are showing only to the people.

ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਸੁਤਾ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਾਗਾਏ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਜੇ ਘਰੁ ਬੂਝੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਤਾਂ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥5॥

Jis ṯe suṯā nānkā jāgā-e so-ī. Je gẖar būjẖai āpṇā ṯāʼn nīḏ na ho-ī. ||5||

Only Akalpurakh who has caused the mortal to be in the Maya slumber, awakens him.  If one recognizes one’s “inner self”, then one doesn’t sleep in Maya.

ਜੇ ਚਲਦਾ ਲੈ ਚਲਿਆ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੰਪੈ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ ਤਾ ਧਨੁ ਸੰਚਹੁ ਦੇਖਿ ਕੈ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ॥6॥  

Je cẖalḏā lai cẖali-ā kicẖẖ sampai nāle. Ŧā ḏẖan sancẖahu ḏekẖ kai būjẖhu bīcẖāre. ||6||

Oh mortal! Think and reflect on this: If at the time of departing, you can take wealth with you, then you can gather it. See if you can!

ਵਣਜੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਮਖਸੂਦੁ ਲੈਹੁ ਮਤ ਪਛੋਤਾਵਹੁ ॥ ਅਉਗਣ ਛੋਡਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਕਰਹੁ ਐਸੇ ਤਤੁ ਪਰਾਵਹੁ ॥7॥

   Vaṇaj karahu makẖsūḏ laihu maṯ pacẖẖoṯāvahu. A-ugaṇ cẖẖodahu guṇ karahu aise ṯaṯ parāvahu. ||7||

Deal in that (Akalpurakh’s name praising) which is profitable; don’t deal in that which makes you repent afterwards. Get rid of demerits and adopt virtues; this is the way Akalpurakh is obtained.

ਧਰਮੁ ਭੂਮਿ ਸਤੁ ਬੀਜੁ ਕਰਿ ਐਸੀ ਕਿਰਸ ਕਮਾਵਹੁ ॥ ਤਾਂ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ਜਾਣੀਅਹੁ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈ ਜਾਵਹੁ ॥8॥  

Ḏẖaram bẖūm saṯ bīj kar aisī kiras kamāvahu. Ŧāʼn vāpārī jāṇī-ahu lāhā lai jāvhu. ||8||

You sow the truthful conduct in the soil of your faith; this is the way, you work rightful way. Only then you can be called a trader, if you take profit with you.

ਕਰਮੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਸੁਣੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਾਮੇ ਬਿਉਹਾਰਾ ॥9॥  

Karam hovai saṯgur milai būjẖai bīcẖārā. Nām vakẖāṇai suṇe nām nāme bi-uhārā. ||9||

If Ekankar graces the mortal, he/she meets the Satiguru and reflects on these thoughts: he/she utters Ekankar’s name, hears it, and deals only in it.

ਜਿਉ ਲਾਹਾ ਤੋਟਾ ਤਿਵੈ ਵਾਟ ਚਲਦੀ ਆਈ ॥ ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਾਈ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥10॥13॥  

Ji-o lāhā ṯotā ṯivai vāt cẖalḏī ā-ī. Jo ṯis bẖāvai nānkā sā-ī vadi-ā-ī. ||10||13||

The way of the world is that some people get profit and some endure loss. Oh Nanak! Ekankar’s greatness lies in what pleases Him.

Wishes.

G.Singh

www.gursoch.com

 

The Spiritual Wisdom

Bhagat Kabir Ji’s wisdom on 475, SGGS, is worth knowing about the Creator and us:

ਆਸਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀਉ ॥

ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਲਾਗਿ ਹਮ ਬਿਨਵਤਾ ਪੂਛਤ ਕਹ ਜੀਉ ਪਾਇਆ ॥

ਕਵਨ ਕਾਜਿ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਕਹਹੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥1॥

Āsā sarī Kabīr jī-o.

Gur cẖaraṇ lāg ham binvaṯā pūcẖẖaṯ kah jī-o pā-i-ā.

Kavan kāj jag upjai binsai kahhu mohi samjẖā-i-ā. ||1||

Raag Asa, the bani of Bhagat Kabir.

In essence: Bowing to my Guru humbly, I ask, “Why the mortal is created? What is the reason that the world comes into existence and perishes? Please explain it to me

ਦੇਵ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਲਾਵਹੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਭੈ ਬੰਧਨ ਤੂਟੈ ॥

ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਖ ਫੇੜ ਕਰਮ ਸੁਖ ਜੀਅ ਜਨਮ ਤੇ ਛੂਟੈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

   Ḏev karahu ḏa-i-ā mohi mārag lāvhu jiṯ bẖai banḏẖan ṯūtai.

Janam maran ḏukẖ feṛ karam sukẖ jī-a janam ṯe cẖẖūtai. ||1|| Rahā-o.

(The continuity of the thought) Oh Satiguru! Show your kindness by putting me on that path, which cuts my bonds off; consequently, I can get free from the done deeds, all the entanglements of life and the pain of birth and death. Pause.

It is obvious; Bhagat Kabir addresses a few questions expressed in the above verses. It appears he asks those questions from his Guru. As we study the interpretation of Dr. Sahib Singh, it is hard to understand if the asked questions are answered. The interpreter of Freed Kote Wala Teeka adds his own ideas. We shall try if we can get the idea Bhagat Kabir is trying to convey to us.

ਮਾਇਆ ਫਾਸ ਬੰਧ ਨਹੀ ਫਾਰੈ ਅਰੁ ਮਨ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਨ ਲੂਕੇ ॥

ਆਪਾ ਪਦੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਣੁ ਨ ਚੀਨ੍ਹਿਹਆ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਅਭਿਉ ਨ ਚੂਕੇ ॥2॥

   Mā-i-ā fās banḏẖ nahī fārai ar man sunn na lūke.

Āpā paḏ nirbāṇ na cẖīnĥi-ā in biḏẖ abẖi-o na cẖūke. ||2||

In essence: (Answers) as long as one doesn’t get rid of the Maya bonds, one’s mind doesn’t settle in a state of equipoise. As long as one doesn’t realize one’s “inner self”, one’s doubts do not go away (what doubts? Are we separate from Him or we are His part and so on).

 Now, the question regarding why the world comes and goes is addressed:

ਕਹੀ ਨ ਉਪਜੈ ਉਪਜੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਭਾਵ ਅਭਾਵ ਬਿਹੂਣਾ ॥

ਉਦੈ ਅਸਤ ਕੀ ਮਨ ਬੁਧਿ ਨਾਸੀ ਤਉ ਸਦਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਲਿਵ ਲੀਣਾ ॥3॥

   Kahī na upjai upjī jāṇai bẖāv abẖāv bihūṇā.

Uḏai asaṯ kī man buḏẖ nāsī ṯa-o saḏā sahj liv līṇā. ||3||

Actually, His creation is not separate in existence, but one thinks that way, because one lacks the understanding of Ekankar’s manifestation in the creation and also His being without any formally existence. Once one stops thinking about birth and death, one can go in the state of equipoise.

ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਬਿੰਬੁ ਬਿੰਬ ਕਉ ਮਿਲੀ ਹੈ ਉਦਕ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਬਿਗਰਾਨਾ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਐਸਾ ਗੁਣ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਾਗਾ ਤਉ ਮਨੁ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਸਮਾਨਾਂ ॥4॥1॥

   Ji-o parṯibimb bimb ka-o milī hai uḏak kumbẖ bigrānā.

Kaho Kabīr aisā guṇ bẖaram bẖāgā ṯa-o man sunn samānāʼn. ||4||1||

We see the reflection of something in the pitcher full of water, and see it vanishing as the pitcher breaks down; in the same way is Prabh’s creation. Kabir says: If such understanding comes and the doubt about two separate existences goes away, the mind settles in the equipoise.

 Now let us look at the ideas Bhagat Kabir is conveying after putting some questions. Why the mortal is sent here? Answer is to understand one’s inner self: what is it. Second question: why the world comes and goes? Answer given is this that the bonds of Maya don’t allow the mind to dispel its duality and doubt. Because of that, the mortal cannot achieve the state of void (Sehaj). How these bonds can be broken? Answer is to understand one’s inner self. So, what is all this creation and why it is coming and going? Answer is that there is no existence without Ekankar. It comes like a reflection in the pitcher filled with water; we see a reflection in the water and it disappears, as the pitcher is broken. The soul is seen because of the body and its life, but both perish like the reflection in broken pitcher. As it was there because of water, the creation is there because of Ekankar.

Wishes

G. Singh

www.gursoch.com

 

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If We Can Spare Time

Let’s sit with Guru Nanak, I know you are busy; you have hardly any time to talk about this now just as when time comes to brush teeth, a sudden hurry envelops the mind and it is done quickly. I know that, and I have been there so don’t feel bad about it. I was kept away from Guru by storms of communist thoughts and hyper rationality. Erich Fromm, a thinker and psychologist, gave me a jolt about communist thought and its application in context of freedom of mind, he actually helped me in analyzing his own work critically, and the study of mind- psychology in context of hypnotherapy of Dr Franz .A. Mesmer and Dr. Milton Erickson put a dent in my fanatic rationality I used to gloat on. Still science is unable to prove anything about limits of the mind with evidence. That is why to question each other’s beliefs based on different researches on the mind, is a fair game. The closed doors deprive you of many beautiful things existing out there. 

          The landscapes of beautiful words created by many thinkers couldn’t satisfy me, after all we need to see the bottom of the words because words change colors in various contexts especially when they come close to the reality or go beyond it. Just be with me I am just sharing with you my “wandering- around-journey”. So I went back to Guru Nanak, this time, it was a very different experience. First time, I could see Guru Nanak and Tenth Nanak standing on the same spot because before their portraits were differently presented to me by our so called Sikh-scholars[ As you know floating on the top never let us know what is there underneath]. I strongly believe that the born-blind has no imagination of light. Anyone interested in understanding Guru Gobind Singh, study Gurbani in depth, you will know him better than ever.

          Going back to our glorious Guru, I must stress that Guru Nanak neither binds his followers with fanatic-rationality nor keeps them in the darkness of blind faith layered with beliefs or social prevailed practices put in the mind with many ways. So we, as Sikhs, need to grab the opportunity to learn from Guru Ji even if we are busy. Please come with me, give your soul a few precious moments to hear what Guru Ji says in context of becoming true devotees of the Creator which is very much difficult though. You will be surprised if you don’t know, Guru ji also agrees with this fact that people just cannot get time out of their entanglements, so there are not many who fall for the Creator. Here is his Sloka in “slok Varan ton Vadheek, Mehla 1, 1410 SGGS

ਹੈਨਿ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਘਣੇ ਫੈਲ ਫਕੜੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥੧੨॥

Hain virle nāhī gẖaṇe fail fakaṛ sansār. ||12||

In Essence: There are a few not many who are His devotees otherwise the world is into show off.

          Let’s for a moment ask ourselves to what category we fall in? Are we one of a few or one of the crowd amusing in show off? Sincere answer of this may help us to tread on Guru Path with real sincerity.

          Like you I have witnessed a storm of negativity and avalanche of anxiety triggered by failures, deceptions and uncontrollable circumstances. Guru talks about that too, it is a matter of time when the mind learns about the reality of experiencing Him and the wall that blocks other sources of knowledge. Let’s be open and understand what Guru asks us in this regard too, to set up a parameter of the goal of uniting with our origin—The Creator. If that is done and a journey is started as directed by Guru, stability of the mind becomes certain. On 520 SGGS, Fifth Nanak says

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੫ ॥

ਬਾਰਿ ਵਿਡਾਨੜੈ ਹੁੰਮਸ ਧੁੰਮਸ ਕੂਕਾ ਪਈਆ ਰਾਹੀ ॥

ਤਉ ਸਹ ਸੇਤੀ ਲਗੜੀ ਡੋਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਨਦ ਸੇਤੀ ਬਨੁ ਗਾਹੀ ॥੧॥ 

Salok mėhlā 5.

Bār vidānṛai hummas ḏẖummas kūkā pa▫ī▫ā rāhī.

Ŧa▫o sah seṯī lagṛī dorī Nānak anaḏ seṯī ban gāhī. ||1||

In Essence: In this strange world (temporary), the paths are interrupted with tumult and confusion but oh my Master! Nanak’s heart is attached to you and is passing through this jungle joyfully.

          ਬਾਰਿ ਵਿਡਾਨੜੈ = ਬਿਗਾਨੀ ਜੂਹ ਵਿਚ, ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਰੂਪ ਬਿਗਾਨੀ ਜੂਹ ਵਿਚ ਜਿਥੇ ਹਰੇਕ ਜੀਵ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੇ ਜਿਹੇ ਸਮੇ ਲਈ ਮੁਸਾਫ਼ਿਰ ਬਣ ਕੇ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ। ਹੁੰਮਸ = {ਸੰ: ‘ਹੁਤ-ਵਹ’ = ਅੱਗ, ਪ੍ਰ: ‘ਹੁਅ-ਵਹ’, ‘ਹੁੱਵਹ’; ਪੰ: ‘ਹੁੰਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ’} ਅੱਗ ਦਾ ਸੇਕ। ਕੂਕਾ = ਵਾਹਰਾਂ, ਦੁਹਾਈ। ਸਹ = ਹੇ ਸ਼ਹੁ! ਤਉ ਸੇਤੀ = ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ। ਬਨੁ ਗਾਹੀ = ਮੈਂ (ਸੰਸਾਰ) ਜੰਗਲ ਗਾਹ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।੧।

          (ਜਗਤ-ਰੂਪ ਇਸ) ਬਿਗਾਨੀ ਜੂਹ ਵਿਚ (ਫਸ ਜਾਣ ਕਰਕੇ, ਤੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ ਦੀ) ਅੱਗ ਦੇ ਬੜੇ ਸੇਕ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਰਾਹਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਵਾਹਰਾਂ ਪੈ ਰਹੀਆਂ ਹਨ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੀਵ ਘਬਰਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ) ਪਰ, ਹੇ ਪਤੀ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ)! ਮੈਂ ਨਾਨਕ (ਦੇ ਚਿੱਤ) ਦੀ ਡੋਰ ਤੇਰੇ (ਚਰਨਾਂ) ਨਾਲ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, (ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ) ਮੈਂ ਆਨੰਦ ਨਾਲ (ਇਸ ਸੰਸਾਰ) ਜੰਗਲ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਦੀ ਲੰਘ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।੧।

          Are you with me listening to Guru? Do you see how powerful is to be in love with Him? Please note it down, it is not just a statement but a display of experience, First Nanak suggests about this miracle on 1410 SGGS

ਝੜ ਝਖੜ ਓਹਾੜ ਲਹਰੀ ਵਹਨਿ ਲਖੇਸਰੀ ॥

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਆਲਾਇ ਬੇੜੇ ਡੁਬਣਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਭਉ ॥੪॥ 

Jẖaṛ jẖakẖaṛ ohāṛ lahrī vahan lakẖesarī.

Saṯgur si▫o ālā▫e beṛe dubaṇ nāhi bẖa▫o. ||4|| 

In Essence: There are continuous rain, storms, floods and millions of surging waves (of various kinds like sorrows, failures and anxieties and urges), call on True Guru, there will be then no fear of downing the boat of life in them.

          Guru Ji shares his experience with us, to have that experience, following the Guru with utter honesty is mandatory [do not drag your own wisdom into what Guru says, leave it aside for a moment then the learning that takes places, will open the eyes in wonder!], and then the path of falling in love with the Creator, becomes easier. Guru leads only to Him that is why only he becomes His ultimate medium for the ultimate union with Him. Why to put the mind on the fire of anxieties when there is another solution to get over it? Guru Ji states that on 522 SGGS Slok Fifth Nanak

ਮਃ ੫ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਐ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥

ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥੨॥ 

Mėhlā 5.

Nānak saṯgur bẖeti▫ai pūrī hovai jugaṯ.

Hasanḏi▫ā kẖelanḏi▫ā painanḏi▫ā kẖāvanḏi▫ā vicẖe hovai mukaṯ. ||2||

In Essence: Nanak says that if True Guru is met, the perfect way of living is realized and thus one gets liberated while being into laughing, playing, dressing and eating.

          ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ = (ਅਧਿਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਕ, ਇਕ-ਵਚਨ)। ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਐ = (ਪੂਰਬ ਪੂਰਨ ਕਾਰਦੰਤਕ, Locative Absolute) ਜੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲ ਪਏ। ਜੁਗਤਿ = ਜੀਊਣ ਦੀ ਜਾਚ, ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਗੁਜ਼ਾਰਨ ਦਾ ਤਰੀਕਾ। ਪੂਰੀ = ਮੁਕੰਮਲ, ਜਿਸ ਵਿਚ ਕੋਈ ਉਕਾਈ ਨਾਹ ਰਹਿ ਜਾਏ। ਵਿਚੇ = ਮਾਇਆ ਵਿਚ ਵਰਤਦਿਆਂ ਹੀ। ਮੁਕਤਿ = ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਬੰਧਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਆਜ਼ਾਦੀ।੨।

          ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲ ਪਏ ਤਾਂ ਜੀਊਣ ਦੀ ਠੀਕ ਜਾਚ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਤੇ ਹੱਸਦਿਆਂ ਖੇਡਦਿਆਂ ਖਾਂਦਿਆਂ ਪਹਿਨਦਿਆਂ (ਭਾਵ, ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ) ਮਾਇਆ ਵਿਚ ਵਰਤਿਆਂ ਹੀ ਕਾਮਾਦਿਕ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚੇ ਰਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।

          You see Guru ji never says to abandon the world or anything normal which is a part of life; Guru wants our sincere attention, as stated in the above previous Sloka that this dreadful world – forest cannot take away the joy of the heart triggered by His love. So keep your worldly assignments, family and friends but please enshrine His love in the heart by eradicating self conceit totally, then there will be a big change in dealing with everything. Negative imprints of the mind will be reframed as positive ones, other things like fear and anxiety will be eradicated in obeying His Ordinance. This occurs if conceit ceases to exist. In that realm, the death starts conveying positive hints of His beautiful “call” instead of fear, after all no one dies, it is the only body that is worn out, and it is also very natural process, on 885 SGGS Fifth Nanak

ਕਉਨੁ ਮੂਆ ਰੇ ਕਉਨੁ ਮੂਆ ॥

ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ਇਹੁ ਤਉ ਚਲਤੁ ਭਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ 

Ka▫un mū▫ā re ka▫un mū▫ā.

Barahm gi▫ānī mil karahu bīcẖārā ih ṯa▫o cẖalaṯ bẖa▫i▫ā. ||1|| rahā▫o.

In Essence: Who has died? No one has died; actually it is just a show, deliberate about it with that person who has realized Braham (the Creator)

          ਰੇ = ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਕਉਨੁ ਮੂਆ = (ਅਸਲ ਵਿਚ) ਕੋਈ ਭੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਰਦਾ। ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ = ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਪਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ, ਗੁਰਮੁਖ, ਗੁਰੂ। ਮਿਲਿ = ਮਿਲ ਕੇ। ਤਉ = ਤਾਂ। ਚਲਤੁ = ਖੇਡ, ਤਮਾਸ਼ਾ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

          ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! (ਅਸਲ ਵਿਚ) ਕੋਈ ਭੀ ਜੀਵਾਤਮਾ ਮਰਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਇਹ ਪੱਕੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ। ਜੇਹੜਾ ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਪਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ (ਬੇ-ਸ਼ੱਕ) ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰ ਲਵੋ, (ਜੰਮਣ ਮਰਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਤਾਂ) ਇਹ ਇਕ ਖੇਡ ਬਣੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

          Shouldn’t we toss off all kinds of fears? It can be done by falling in love with Him through Guru by cementing the faith in His power and infinity; Guru helps in getting rid of conceit of the mind. It occurs if the mind is allowed to listen to Guru in full faith. As there is a saying that to succeed, consult the master, Guru is the master who has the experience of realizing Him, Guru fortifies this idea too on 1410 SGGS, Mehla 1

ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਤਾਰੂ ਪਾਣਿ ਤਾਹੂ ਪੁਛੁ ਤਿੜੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕਲ ॥

ਤਾਹੂ ਖਰੇ ਸੁਜਾਣ ਵੰਞਾ ਏਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਕਪਰੀ ॥੩॥ 
Je ṯūʼn ṯārū pāṇ ṯāhū pucẖẖ ṯiṛĥaʼn▫nĥ kal.

Ŧāhū kẖare sujāṇ vañā enĥī kaprī. ||3||

In Essence: If there is wish to swim across the water, those should be consulted who have art of it. Only those are the wise ones who swim across, I can also swim across these whirl-pools along with such wise persons. {Hint is about the company of Saints}

          ਪਾਣਿ = ਪਾਣੀ। ਤਾਰੂ ਪਾਣਿ = ਪਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਤਾਰੂ (ਬਣਨਾ ਚਾਹੇਂ)। ਤਾਹੂ = ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ। ਕਲ = ਕਲਾ, ਹੁਨਰ, ਜਾਚ। ਤਿੜੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕਲ = ਤਰਨ ਦਾ ਹੁਨਰ, ਤਰਨ ਦੀ ਜਾਚ। ਤਾਹੂ = ਉਹ (ਮਨੁੱਖ) ਹੀ। ਖਰੇ ਸੁਜਾਣ = ਅਸਲ ਸਿਆਣੇ। ਏਨੀ ਕਪਰੀ = ਏਨੀ ਕਪਰੀਂ, ਇਹਨਾਂ ਲਹਿਰਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ। ਵੰਞਾ = ਵੰਞਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਲੰਘਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਲੰਘ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ।੩।

          ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜੇ ਤੂੰ (ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੇ) ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਤਾਰੂ (ਬਣਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ), (ਤਾਂ ਤਰਨ ਦੀ ਜਾਚ) ਉਹਨਾਂ ਪਾਸੋਂ ਪੁੱਛ (ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘਣ ਦੀ ਜਾਚ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੀ ਅਸਲ ਸਿਆਣੇ (ਤਾਰੂ ਹਨ, ਜੋ ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਹਿਰਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘਦੇ ਹਨ)। ਮੈਂ (ਭੀ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ) ਇਹਨਾਂ ਲਹਿਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ।੩।

          Do you feel like me to listen and follow Guru now? Please do. Now let’s follow the path as Guru directs, it is a fact that even being close to Almighty, we choose to stay away from Him by following the mind-games stated in the following Guru Vaakas, Guru advises to abandon that kind of behavior that fits well in these games, on 1255 SGGS in Milar Mehla-1

ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਮਲਾਰ ॥

ਪਰ ਦਾਰਾ ਪਰ ਧਨੁ ਪਰ ਲੋਭਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਖੈ ਬਿਕਾਰ ॥

ਦੁਸਟ ਭਾਉ ਤਜਿ ਨਿੰਦ ਪਰਾਈ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਚੰਡਾਰ ॥੧॥ 

Mėhlā 1 malār.

Par ḏārā par ḏẖan par lobẖā ha▫umai bikẖai bikār.

Ḏusat bẖā▫o ṯaj ninḏ parā▫ī kām kroḏẖ cẖandār. ||1||

In Essence: (to be worthy of Almighty) Who lives according to Guru-Guidance, gives up bad intentions and longings like getting attractive to other’s wives, wealth, avarice, self-conceit and bad inclinations(vice), bad intentions, slandering of others, lust and anger.

          Here is the essence of a life of a Gurmukh who doesn’t have longing for others wives, wealth and who rises above greed, conceit and vice. Gurmukh abandons slandering of others, lust and anger because that is the advice Guru passes on. Then whatever comes into the mind in a negative color, it is painted over with Guru Teachings. Interestingly when mind falls in love with Akalpurakh, Love of His Name rules the mind and consequently it doesn’t embrace lust, greed, anger and conceit any way. The ruling- urges for this stuff, are unseated in His love. If the mind is still in control instead, Guru is not listened to; and then the love for the Creator within, doesn’t blossom at all. Deceiving others is a worse act but self deception is equal to a suicide.

          All above Guru Vakaas state about abandoning bad habits to realize Akalpurakh, Guru Instructions are very precious because with the help of them we reach to a state of mind where He is envisioned within; just ponder over what Guru says in the following Guru Vakas in this context

ਮਹਲ ਮਹਿ ਬੈਠੇ ਅਗਮ ਅਪਾਰ ॥

ਭੀਤਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸੋਈ ਜਨੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਆਚਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ 

Mahal mėh baiṯẖe agam apār.

Bẖīṯar amriṯ so▫ī jan pāvai jis gur kā sabaḏ raṯan ācẖār. ||1|| rahā▫o.

In Essence: Within resides the Inaccessible and Infinite Almighty, only those obtain His Nectarous Presence within, who are holding to Guru-Shabad- jewel and live according to it (Pause)

          As advised in previous Vaakas above, lust, greed, anger, conceit and bad intentions must be abandoned and these should be replaced with Guru Teachings, in other words Guru Teachings should steer the mind instead of other influences. If it is done with sincerity, then the presence of Akalpurakh, who is Inaccessible and infinite, is envisioned within. Otherwise sticking to these things that create negativity within, there is no chance of beholding Him within and out side regardless of one’s meditation and singing the praises of Akalpurakh. In this regard what more clarity a Sikh needs from Guru?

          As “within resides the Infinite Prabh” advice continues to realize Him, Guru defines the behavior that must be developed while pursuing a path of uniting with Akalpurakh.

Continues

Partial interpretation in Punjabi is by Dr Sahib Singh Ji

From “Guru Message” under publication

By: G Singh

Above All Are The Creator And His Praise

Through out Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the infinity of the Creator and His praise are highly revered and promoted. Keeping that in mind, it is not advisable to give different meaning to what Guru says in context of the Creator while deeming His praise as the most important deed of life. In the following Guru Vaakas on 62 SGGS, the meaning of “ਆਚਾਰੁ achaar” doesn’t sound right when some persons interpret it as “a truthful living”. Let’s look at it in the context of Guru Message instead of believing what others say. here is the Guru vaakas, I am talking about

ਮਨਹਠ ਬੁਧੀ ਕੇਤੀਆ ਕੇਤੇ ਬੇਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥

ਕੇਤੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਜੀਅ ਕੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰ ॥

ਸਚਹੁ ਓਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਿ ਸਚੁ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥੫॥ 

Manhaṯẖ buḏẖī keṯī▫ā keṯe beḏ bīcẖār.

Keṯe banḏẖan jī▫a ke gurmukẖ mokẖ ḏu▫ār.

Sacẖahu orai sabẖ ko upar sacẖ ācẖār. ||5||

In Essence: Intellect of many people inspires to go for perseverance and discussion on Vedas. The soul is thus bound by many entailments; however, gate of liberation is opened by turning sincerely towards Guru, everything is under the Eternal Creator and highest deed is to praise Him.

            In the first Vaakas of this Shabada Guru ji states that His Name is the support of life and in the Raho-Vaakas, mind is advised to get absorbed in the Creator who has fashioned this body and mind. So idea revolves around the Creator and His praise by defining other religious activities as futile-deeds for the soul.

           ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ = ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪਿਆਂ, ਗੁਰੂ ਵਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਕੀਤਿਆਂ। ਮੋਖ = (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਆਦਿਕ ਤੋਂ) ਖ਼ਲਾਸੀ। ਦੁਆਰੁ = ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ਾ। ਸਚਹੁ = ਸੱਚ ਤੋਂ, ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਤੋਂ। ਓਰੈ = ਉਰੇ ਉਰੇ, ਘਟੀਆ। ਉਪਰਿ = (ਸਦ ਕਿਸਮ ਦੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਾਂਡ ਤੋਂ) ਉਤਾਂਹ ਵਧੀਆ। ਸਚੁ ਆਚਾਰੁ = ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ-ਰੂਪ ਕਰਮ। ਆਚਾਰੁ = ਕਰਮ।੫।

           ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਹੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਕਲ (ਤਪ ਆਦਿਕ ਕਰਮਾਂ ਵਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਦੀ ਹੈ ਜੋ) ਮਨ ਦੇ ਹਠ ਨਾਲ (ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ), ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਹੀ ਲੋਕ ਵੇਦ ਆਦਿਕ ਧਰਮ-ਪੁਸਤਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਰਥ-ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ (ਤੇ ਇਸ ਵਾਦ-ਵਿਵਾਦ ਨੂੰ ਹੀ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਸਹੀ ਰਾਹ ਮੰਨਦੇ ਹਨ), ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹੇ ਹੋਰ ਭੀ ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਕਰਮ ਹਨ ਜੋ ਜਿੰਦ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਫਾਹੀ-ਰੂਪ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, (ਪਰ ਹਉਮੈ ਆਦਿਕ ਬੰਧਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਖ਼ਲਾਸੀ ਦਾ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਹੀ ਲੱਭਦਾ ਹੈ (ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦੀ ਹਿਦਾਇਤ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ)।੫।

           Please try to understand what Guru ji is talking about in the beginning of these Vakaas? He starts with the deeds of those who give stress on keeping perseverance [religious] and are into reflecting on Vedas[ in waste application it means who just indulge in debates on scriptures]. He says further that all these are just entanglements of the soul, liberation is obtained by those who listen and act according to Guru Advice (Being Gurmukh). Now bear that in mind then think what he means by “Achaar”. He states that the eternal Almighty and His praise (achaar) are above all. I don’t see that he is saying that truthful living is above the Creator. In Gurmat, “Karnee and Achaar” represent the deed of praising Him. So Achaar of His Holy Saints is to praise Him.
Dr Sahib Singh Ji, also say the same thing. Now let’s see how Guru ji uses this word “achaar” in other Vakas in context of HIM and His praise. Here are these examples from Sri Guru Granth Sahib ਪੰਨਾ 1137, ਸਤਰ 13 ਮਃ 5

ਸਿਮਰਤ ਨਾਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਆਚਾਰ ॥੩॥

Simraṯ nām pūran ācẖār. ||3||

In Essence: Remembering His Name is a perfect conduct.

ਪੰਨਾ 1222, ਸਤਰ 9 ਮਃ 5

ਸ੍ਰਵਣੀ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਇਹੁ ਸਾਧ ਕੋ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥

Sarvaṇī kīrṯan simran su▫āmī ih sāḏẖ ko ācẖār.

In Essence: The way of life of the Holy Saint is to listen to Kirtan [of His praise] and remembering the Name of his Master.

           It is very important to understand that who truly are into His praise become pure and truthful. We are often misguided with prevailed thoughts in context of goodness, thus we believe what is said by others by over writing Guru Message. Using partial Guru Message and adding what some think, is not Gurmat because Guru Message is not based on what society approves or demands but what Divine knowledge defines its realms. We have to follow Guru Message in its totality.

ਪੰਨਾ 1255, ਸਤਰ 19 ਮਃ 1 

ਭੀਤਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸੋਈ ਜਨੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਆਚਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Bẖīṯar amriṯ so▫ī jan pāvai jis gur kā sabaḏ raṯan ācẖār. ||1|| rahā▫o.

In Essence: Who has made his/her life aligned with the jewel of Guru teaching obtains the Ambrosial Nectar within.[enjoy His presence within] ||1||Pause||

           Stress is given on remembering the Creator as per Guru advice and Guru always stresses on remembering Him.

ਪੰਨਾ 54, ਸਤਰ 15 ਮਃ 1 

ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਉ ਰਾਖੁ ਤੂੰ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Ji▫o bẖāvai ṯi▫o rākẖ ṯūʼn har nām milai ācẖār. ||1|| rahā▫o.

In Essence: Keep me as you want, please save and protect me by blessing me to praise your Name[ way of life should be praising your Name] ||1||Pause||

           I have difficulty to believe that in above Vakas, Guru is talking about “truthful living” though he talks about good deeds in other Guru Vakas but not in here, here it is all about Him and His Naam- Simran in comparison of all other deeds. It is further elaborated in above stated examples. And on 678 SGGS, Guru Teachings center at His praise

ਮਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਰਨ ਤਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਅਵਰਿ ਜੰਜਾਲ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਾਹੂ ਨ ਕਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥

 ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਵਾ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸੇਵਾ ਇਹੁ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਨਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ 

Man nirmal karam kar ṯāran ṯaran har avar janjāl ṯerai kāhū na kām jī▫o.

Jīvan ḏevā pārbarahm sevā ih upḏes mo ka▫o gur ḏīnā jī▫o. ||1||

In Essence: Perform deeds that purify the mind [that is remembering His Name], other deeds and entanglements will not be useful for you[ This is the essence}; His Name is a ship that can ferry across (worldly ocean). Performing devotional service of luminous Akalpurakh is real service and Guru has given me this very advice.

           ਮਨ = ਹੇ ਮਨ! ਤਰਨ = ਜਹਾਜ਼। ਅਵਰਿ = {ਲਫ਼ਜ਼ ‘ਅਵਰ’ ਤੋਂ ਬਹੁ-ਵਚਨ}। ਦੇਵਾ = ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼-ਰੂਪ। ਸੇਵਾ = ਭਗਤੀ। ਮੋ ਕਉ = ਮੈਨੂੰ। ਗੁਰਿ = ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ।੧।

           ਹੇ ਮਨ! (ਜੀਵਨ ਨੂੰ) ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ (ਹਰਿ-ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦੇ) ਕੰਮ ਕਰਿਆ ਕਰ, ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ (ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਹੀ ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ) ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘਣ ਲਈ ਜਹਾਜ਼ ਹੈ। (ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦੇ) ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਜੰਜਾਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਭੀ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਣਗੇ। ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼-ਰੂਪ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ-ਭਗਤੀ ਹੀ (ਅਸਲ) ਜੀਵਨ ਹੈ-ਇਹ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ।੧।

           On 224 SGGS,Guru Nanak points out King Hari Chand who devoted his life to charity but Guru also says that without Guru, King Hari Chand also didn’t understand Him. If Hari Chand had a Guru, he would have got into praise of the Creator too. In Gurmat, there is nothing equal to Guru- directed praise and love for the Creator, literally everything is secondary and without His Name, so called good deeds do nothing for the soul. So beating the drum of truthful living and ignoring what Guru prefers to that, is a huge mistake. I am glad Dr Sahib Singh Ji has at least interpreted it the way it should have been.

Interpretation in Punjabi is by Dr Sahib Singh Ji
By G Singh

Three Factors In Sikhi

There are three factors in Sikhi 

  1. 1 Believing only in one Creator
  2. Following Guru by abandoning personal wisdom
  3. Staying close to His devotees.

If any of these is not practiced truly, living Sikhi will remain just a talk or a claim. I must add if these factors are not made a way of life, we Sikhs will continue to deceive ourselves on Guru Path.

ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੬ ॥

ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਏਕੁ ਓਹੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਆ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥

ਤਿਸਹਿ ਧਿਆਵਹੁ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਰਬ ਕੋ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ 

Sirīrāg mėhlā 5 gẖar 6.

Karaṇ kāraṇ ek ohī jin kī▫ā ākār.

Ŧisėh ḏẖi▫āvahu man mere sarab ko āḏẖār. ||1||

In Essence: Oh mind! Remember that Creator who has fashioned the universe and who is support of all.

          Here faith in Ekkankar is fortified, it is He who has fashioned the universe so it is He who deserves to be praised.

          ਕਰਣ = ਜਗਤ। ਕਾਰਣ = ਮੂਲ। ਜਿਨਿ = ਜਿਸ ਨੇ। ਆਕਾਰੁ = ਦਿੱਸਦਾ ਜਗਤ। ਕੋ = ਦਾ। ਆਧਾਰੁ = ਆਸਰਾ।੧।

          ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ! ਜਿਸ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਦਿੱਸਦਾ ਜਗਤ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਉਹੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਦਾ ਰਚਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਸਿਮਰਦਾ ਰਹੁ।੧।

ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਰਨ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਧਿਆਇ ॥

ਛੋਡਿ ਸਗਲ ਸਿਆਣਪਾ ਸਾਚਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ 

Gur ke cẖaran man mėh ḏẖi▫ā▫e.

Cẖẖod sagal si▫āṇpā sācẖ sabaḏ liv lā▫e. ||1|| rahā▫o.

In Essence: Fix your attention on Guru in utter humility and abandon all your wisdom, through Guru – teachings, get imbued with Eternal Akalpurakh [Pause]

          Advice here is to seek refuge of Guru, make Guru – teachings a guiding- light for this life and through it , get attached to the Creator. Since personal intellect doesn’t help, so abandon it otherwise it will keep interfering with Guru – guidance.

          ਸਾਚਿ = ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਵਿਚ। ਸ਼ਬਦਿ = (ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ) ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

          (ਹੇ ਭਾਈ!) ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਚਰਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਟਿਕਾਈ ਰੱਖ (ਭਾਵ, ਹਉਮੈ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਵਿਚ ਸਰਧਾ ਬਣਾ)। (ਆਪਣੀਆਂ) ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਚਤੁਰਾਈਆਂ ਛੱਡ ਦੇ। ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਵਿਚ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਜੋੜ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।

ਦੁਖੁ ਕਲੇਸੁ ਨ ਭਉ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਹੋਇ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਜਤਨਾ ਕਰਿ ਰਹੇ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਤਰਿਓ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ 

Ḏukẖ kales na bẖa▫o bi▫āpai gur manṯar hirḏai ho▫e.

Kot jaṯnā kar rahe gur bin ṯari▫o na ko▫e. ||2||

In Essence: If Guru – teachings are enshrined in the heart, distress, agony and fear do not bother then. Millions have tried to get emancipated through their own efforts but couldn’t without Guru.

          Guru – teachings sculpture the mind in a way that it rises above fear, anxiety and animosity, if Guru – teachings are made guiding- light, the mind will not experience pain, distress and fear. Numerous individuals tried at their own but they couldn’t save themselves without Guru.

          ਨ ਬਿਆਪੈ = ਦਬਾਉ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਾਂਦਾ। ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ = ਗੁਰ ਦਾ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼। ਕੋਟਿ = ਕ੍ਰੋੜਾਂ।੨।

          ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ (ਸਦਾ) ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਦੁੱਖ ਕੋਈ ਕਲੇਸ਼ ਕੋਈ ਡਰ ਪੋਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ। ਲੋਕ ਕ੍ਰੋੜਾਂ (ਹੋਰ ਹੋਰ) ਜਤਨ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਥੱਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਗੁਰੂ (ਦੀ ਸਰਨ) ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ (ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਕਲੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਕੋਈ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੰਘ ਸਕਦਾ।੨।

ਦੇਖਿ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਸਾਧਾਰੈ ਪਾਪ ਸਗਲੇ ਜਾਹਿ ॥

ਹਉ ਤਿਨ ਕੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਣੈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਹਿ ॥੩॥ 

Ḏekẖ ḏarsan man saḏẖārai pāp sagle jāhi.

Ha▫o ṯin kai balihārṇai jė gur kī pairī pāhi. ||3||

In Essence: Who seeing Guru, take his refuge, their all sins of the past get negated [virtues take over them], I sacrifice to those who take Guru’s refuge in utter humility.

          Guru is an embodiment of miracles of changing the lives, Guru changes the goal of this given life, and Guru imparts divine knowledge that purifies the soul by enshrining good intentions in the hearts . Meeting the Guru, brings freedom for the soul, it starts cutting its all bonds. Those people need to be applauded who humbly follow Guru because they abandon their own wisdom to secure success in His path.

          ਸਾਧਾਰੈ = ਆਧਾਰ ਸਹਿਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪਾਹਿ = ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ।੩।

          ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਮਨ (ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ) ਆਸਰਾ ਫੜ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ (ਪਹਿਲੇ ਕੀਤੇ) ਪਾਪ ਨਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਮੈਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ (ਭਾਗਾਂ ਵਾਲੇ) ਬੰਦਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਹਾਂ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਤੇ ਢਹਿ ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ।੩।

ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਸਾਚੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ॥

ਸੇ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਨਾ ਮਨਿ ਇਹੁ ਭਾਉ ॥੪॥੨੪॥੯੪॥ 

Sāḏẖsangaṯ man vasai sācẖ har kā nā▫o.

Se vadbẖāgī nānkā jinā man ih bẖā▫o. ||4||24||94||

In Essence: In the company of His devotees, Prabh’s Name abides in the hearts; Nanak says that those who love to live in the company of Saints are fortunate.

          As a big step of meeting Guru is taken, a battle within is begun, it is necessary to live in right environment at least for part time because the storm of Maya temptation can hit hard again, that right environment can be a great help, so seek the company of His devotees, in there, Guru – teachings are practiced rightful way and the Creator is kept in the hearts all the time. Who long for Guru – teachings obviously are very fortunate individuals.

          ਮਨਿ = ਮਨ ਵਿਚ। ਸਾਚੁ = ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ। ਭਾਉ = ਪ੍ਰੇਮ।੪।

          ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਰਿਹਾਂ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਉਹ ਬੰਦੇ ਭਾਗਾਂ ਵਾਲੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ (ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਟਿਕਣ ਦਾ) ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਹੈ।੪।੨੪।੯੪।

          Enlightened ones can see how badly the world is into negativity of Maya influences; however, it is possible to negate that, Guru advises to remain in touch with His devotees, Sri Raag, Mehla 5

ਕਾਮਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਿ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ਮਾਤੇ ਵਿਆਪਿਆ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥

ਪਉ ਸੰਤ ਸਰਣੀ ਲਾਗੁ ਚਰਣੀ ਮਿਟੈ ਦੂਖੁ ਅੰਧਾਰੁ ॥੨॥ 

Kām kroḏẖ ahaʼnkār māṯe vi▫āpi▫ā sansār.

Pa▫o sanṯ sarṇī lāg cẖarṇī mitai ḏūkẖ anḏẖār. ||2||

In Essence: The world is engrossed in lust, anger and conceit; take refuge of Saints in utter humility, your pain and darkness of the mind will be gone.

          Outside the company of devotees, lust, anger and conceit are in force with full power, to free from that, the company of His devotees is very important; it is the place where people get drenched in His love; that kind of inspiration is needed. Lust, anger and conceit bring horrible consequences, the company of His devotees inspires the seekers to get rid of all that.

          ਕਾਮਿ = ਕਾਮ ਵਿਚ। ਮਾਤੇ = ਮਸਤ। ਵਿਆਪਿਆ = ਜ਼ੋਰ ਪਾਈ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ। ਸੰਸਾਰੁ = ਜਗਤ (ਦਾ ਮੋਹ)। ਅੰਧਾਰੁ = ਘੁੱਪ ਹਨੇਰਾ।੨।

          ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਬੰਦਿਆਂ ਉਤੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਮੋਹ ਦਬਾਉ ਪਾਈ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਕਾਮ ਵਿਚ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਵਿਚ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਮਸਤ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ। (ਇਹਨਾਂ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਣ ਲਈ, ਹੇ ਭਾਈ!) ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪਉ, ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਚਰਨੀਂ ਲੱਗ (ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲਿਆਂ ਅਗਿਆਨਤਾ ਦਾ) ਘੁੱਪ ਹਨੇਰਾ-ਰੂਪ ਦੁੱਖ ਮਿਟ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।

ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਦਇਆ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਏਹ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰ ॥

ਆਪੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਸਭ ਹੋਇ ਰੇਣਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥੩॥ 

Saṯ sanṯokẖ ḏa▫i▫ā kamāvai eh karṇī sār.

Āp cẖẖod sabẖ ho▫e reṇā jis ḏe▫e parabẖ nirankār. ||3||

In Essence: Whom the Formless Creator blesses (with His Name), they get rid of their conceit and behave with others in utter humbleness and practice charity, contentment and passion because it is the essence of virtuous deeds.

          It is the virtuous way of life that brings stillness to the heart but it can be only practiced if the Creator blesses the mortals with it otherwise alone conceit keeps dominating the soul and virtuous way of life is tainted. His grace secures virtuous way of life from any negativity.

          ਸਤੁ = ਦਾਨ, ਸੇਵਾ। ਸਾਰ = ਸ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਟ। ਆਪੁ = ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ। ਰੇਣਾ = ਚਰਨ-ਧੂੜ। ਦੇਇ = ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।

          ਜਿਸ (ਭਾਗਾਂ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ) ਨੂੰ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ (ਆਪਣੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ) ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਦੀ ਚਰਨ-ਧੂੜ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸੇਵਾ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਦੇ ਦਇਆ (ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ) ਕਮਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਇਹੀ ਹੈ ਸ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਟ ਕਰਣੀ।੩।

ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਸੋ ਸਗਲ ਤੂੰਹੈ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਪਾਸਾਰੁ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਭਰਮੁ ਕਾਟਿਆ ਸਗਲ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥੪॥੨੫॥੯੫॥ 

Jo ḏīsai so sagal ṯūʼnhai pasri▫ā pāsār.

Kaho Nānak gur bẖaram kāti▫ā sagal barahm bīcẖār. ||4||25||95||

In Essence: Nanak utter this, “ Oh Akalpurakh! Whose doubts are dispelled by Guru, they see that you are expended in all universe.”

          Guru makes his followers convinced how the Creator is present all over, the followers practice that guidance and eventually realize this divine factual – experience. As long as the doubts about His creation and Him remain, spiritual progression remains stagnant. Guru shatters the doubts; however, if personal wisdom remains guiding force, Guru – teachings cannot help, so it is mandatory to abandon personal wisdom to follow Guru rightful way. It is not about discussing and proving this or that wrong, actually it is to experience what Guru has experienced.

          ਪਸਰਿਆ = ਖਿਲਾਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ। ਗੁਰਿ = ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ। ਬੀਚਾਰੁ = ਸੋਚ।੪।

          ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਮਨ ਦੀ ਭਟਕਣਾ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਜੇਹੜਾ ਇਹ ਜਗਤ ਦਿੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਸਾਰਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਰੂਪ ਦਿੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰਾ ਹੀ ਖਿਲਾਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਖਿਲਾਰਾ ਦਿੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਇਹੀ ਸੋਚ ਫੁਰਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਹੈਂ।੪।੨੫।੯੫।

Interpretation in Punjabi is by Dr Sahib Singh Ji

From “GURU MESSAGE” under Publication
G Singh

Gurbani Above Contradictions

There are a lot of people out there who claim that Gurbani contradicts, that notion is utterly untrue. One idea if said in different context, the other idea that appears to be contradictory to the first one, is so because of its different meaning in different context. To understand that, I must quote here Guru Nanak from Asa Dee Vaar on 463 SGGS

ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੧ ॥

ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਸਚੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥

ਸਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਲੋਅ ਸਚੇ ਆਕਾਰ ॥

Salok mėhlā 1.

Sacẖe ṯere kẖand sacẖe barahmand.

Sacẖe ṯere lo▫a sacẖe ākār.

In Essence: True are your continents, true is your solar system, and true are your worlds and your creation.

Now look at the following Guru Sloka

ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੧ ॥

ਕੂੜੁ ਰਾਜਾ ਕੂੜੁ ਪਰਜਾ ਕੂੜੁ ਸਭੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥

ਕੂੜੁ ਮੰਡਪ ਕੂੜੁ ਮਾੜੀ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੈਸਣਹਾਰੁ ॥

Salok mėhlā 1.

Kūṛ rājā kūṛ parjā kūṛ sabẖ sansār.

 Kūṛ mandap kūṛ māṛī kūṛ baisaṇhār.

In Essence: (Except the Eternal One) Illusions (Temporary) are the king, the public and the world. Illusions (Temporary) are the pavilions, mansion and their dwellers.

           Now to understand why it is not contradiction, one must understand the both of the contexts Guru Nanak talks about. In the first,, it is all about, the existence of “Akalpurakh and His Creation”. Akalpurakh is a reality, not a myth [Satt Naam- He exists/His Name has existence], so is His creation. As He exists, so does His creation. There is no reason to abandon His creation to find Him, that is the idea lies in this description about Him and His creation; we can see it elaborated as Guru closes his views on it in the Sloka.

 ਨਾਨਕੁ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਤੁਧੁ ਬਾਝੁ ਕੂੜੋ ਕੂੜੁ ॥੧॥ 

Nānak vakẖāṇai benṯī ṯuḏẖ bājẖ kūṛo kūṛ. ||1||

In Essence: Humbly Nanak says that without you Oh Akalpurakh! Everything is false (temporary [only He is permanent, all rest are perishable]

          The second context is about His eternity and continuous temporary status of His creation. In “Koor raja koor parja.(quote given above).” Guru points out the temporary existence of His creation which is destined to live short, in other words, nothing is permanent but the Creator. This is the way Guru Followers should understand these quotes which appear to be contradictory but in a fact they are not. One vital idea is in force and the rest of ideas are there just to justify His importance and His ordinance over His creation in Gurbani. So no Sikh should ever think that Guru Ideas are contradictory, if to some people they appear contradictory, they should need to study Gurbani in depth.

From “GURU MESSAGE” under publication

G Singh

Concept Of Ekkankaar In Japji Sahib

If someone is only interested in playing with the words, I doubt, he or she will ever address in serious way the message Guru Nanak wants to convey in JapJi (through out Sri Guru Granth Sahib), Sri Guru Granth Sahib is not a story of enlightened ones or rules and laws of this faith to control human souls but a detailed description of the beloved Creator for whom, enlightened ones fell for and in that love, they reacted towards prevailed religious practices of various faiths in their times. So we need to start to understand the Creator with whom the enlightened Gurus and Bhagatas fell in love. Guru Nanak’s point of views about the Creator, is deemed as the basis of His identity in Gurmat, no wonder this short or full version[in the beginning of Jap Ji] about His identity, is used in the beginning of every Shabada and specially named Bani. Since ideas about Him and about other numerous prevailed religious practices, are linked to Him, He must be defined at least through the words that can express the Inexpressible to some extent as per their (words) limits. Let’s try to understand that description of Him by Guru Nanak

ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ

ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ 

Ik▫oaʼnkār saṯ nām karṯā purakẖ nirbẖa▫o nirvair akāl mūraṯ

ajūnī saibẖaʼn gur parsāḏ.

ੴ, Before Guru Nanak, there was “ONkaar” it was indeed used for the Creator but Guru Nanak used ” ੧” with Onkaar, it consists of two parts, first is, ”Om” and the second is “Kaar”, OM has been used for the Creator, it has been also used in Gurbani as “the beginning”(1061 SGGS) “Kaar” is described by Bhai Veer Singh Ji as “only one special”[Sri Guru Granth Sahib Kosh-51], Dr Sahib Singh Ji describes it as,” equally pervading”. Here Guru Nanak adds “,੧”, means, “one”, in simple words as per Guru Nanak,” Akalpurakh is the only one who pervades all over equally”, Guru Nanak further calls Him “an existing reality” by using the word,” ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ Naam”, here it represents the Creator and all the name given to Him. Gurus and Bhagatas call Him with numerous names; many of such names were attached to exceptional personalities of the History of India and other lands; that is why they all stress on calling Him as “all pervading” to separate Him from all others who bore these names[ for example on 436 and 469 SGGS]

           “ਸਤਿ” conveys many kinds of meanings like “true, charity, good deeds etc and all pervading reality ” it depends in what context it is used, here it is used with “Naam” obviously it is about Him, therefore its meaning has more depth here, “Satt” originates from Sanskrit word”, Sattya” which means that who/which has existence(Dr Sahib Singh) and this existence is, “all pervading truth”(Bhai Veer Singh Ji), so it means “Akalpurakh is an existing reality not a myth”

           “ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ”, it has two words, “ਕਰਤਾ” means creator, ਪੁਰਖੁ is used most of the times for a man but it is also used for “supreme Soul”, in Bhagwat Gaeta and Raghuwansh, it is used for “soul”(Dr SSJi), In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, it is used for “all pervading soul/light”(SGGS 291). Now look, here how does Guru Nanak stress on Akalpurakh’s “being active as a creator”, after that, next follow His qualities known but not seen often in humans and these qualities are very important to obtain to envision Him, this fact is repeatedly elaborated in various Shabadas in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

           “ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ “.ਨਿਰਭਉ means fearless, means the Creator has no fear of any one. ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ, means the one who doesn’t hold any kind of grudge or animosity against any one. As He is the Creator of all, why should He fear from any one, and as He is an active creator of all, good and evil, why He should keep grudge or animosity against any one, after all, the total creation is His own in which He permeates. His devotees earn these qualities through meditating on Him in utter sincere love with His grace, when one chooses to side with the fearless Creator who is without animosity, one must become like Him in one’s behavior. Guru further describes His eternity.

           “ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ” . ਅਕਾਲ means beyond times, ਮੂਰਤਿ means “form”, so it means His form is beyond times, this is also further described in first sloka of “Jap Ji”, it is stressed that never ever, the Creator dies as mortals do, time has no effect on Him, why? Its answer is expressed in the next word.

           “ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ” . ਅਜੂਨੀ, means beyond birth. Whoever takes birth has to die period; however, Akalpurakh is beyond times because He doesn’t take birth. If that is the case, how did He come into existence? This question, Guru Nanak answers in the word, “ਸੈਭੰ” which means “ He exists from His own- self or light”, so there is nothing that He came from into existence as we do from father and mother, or a pot from soil and water. This word dispels all illusions created about His existence.

           As stated above, He is “all pervading Creator ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ . Who pervades all over, cannot be in only one body or a place, period. When the enlightened ones and His true devotees are addressed as “Him”, it is simply about His obvious manifestation in them that proves them totally unique like Him from the rest of the population. In whoever He manifests, is worth to have extreme reverence because that enlightened one has obtained numerous virtues including of His virtues as “being beyond fear and animosity”. Usually in this world, all have fears of different kinds and all bear animosity towards someone in different ways but that is not the case with His true devotees because they become like Him by obtaining virtues stated above (397 SGGS).

           “ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ “.ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ means with blessings, ਗੁਰ means Guru’s, in what context Guru’s blessings are weighed here? Actually after expressing Akalpurakh, Guru Nanak states here that He, who is expressed here, is known through Guru’s blessings only. This statement is repeatedly elaborated through Sri Guru Granth Sahib (for a few examples, especially in Asa Dee Vaar, also on 399, 444, 1237, 1268, 1328-29 SGGS)

           So Guru Nanak has expressed the Almighty he has realized after falling in love with Him and has pointed out how He could be known. In JapJi, stanza, up to stanza 2 Guru Nanak stresses on His infinity and His infinite Ordinance by rejecting some prevailed practices to know Him, then Guru advises his followers to turn towards those who sing His praises but that is also as per His set up limits, right there, Guru inserts His advice how to please Him by understanding His Ordinance [up to stanza 4] After advising his followers to understand His Ordinance, Guru asks the followers to sing His praise that carries miracles of transforming lives through the power of Guru. That is a kind of interpretation of ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ [ up to stanza 5] Then Guru’s thoughts again go to His inexpressible virtues in contexts of those mortals who did some efforts in this regards, then he stresses on the miracles in hearing His Name[ up to stanza 11]. The faith in Him and Guru should be unshakable, once it is obtained, life takes different turn.[12 13, 14 15], Guru Nanak stresses to have unshakable faith in Him which comes only if the intellect, totally wrapped in so called rationality,[ bear in mind, all talk about Him surpasses rational concepts here], is abandoned [ stanza 1] After that Guru Nanak keeps describing His creation and others’ given thoughts or their failures in describing the origin of His creation. During this flow of thoughts, reason is used but also it is given up when it doesn’t measure up to His Ordinance in context of His creation,thus personal experience is shared with followers. In His creation, He is kept present all the time as “Ekkankaar and active Karta Purakh”[ up to stanza 19]

           After describing His unlimited virtues and people’s various prevailed practiced -rituals and efforts to pursue Him[ up to stanza 22], His power beyond expression in context of people’s lame- claims about Him and His Infinity are expressed, His ever presence is also defined there as well [up to 29 Stanza] His immense power in the context of His -set up -creation is described [ up to stanza 33] Then Guru Nanak takes his followers to different realms through which He is known step by step by securing Divine knowledge about Him and the progression of the soul after obtaining this knowledge[ up to stanza 37]

           So what we see here in JapJi, is His description in a possible way like His being immaculate though He pervades everywhere [stanza 5]. His being “Akalmurat” is elaborated in first sloka”

ਆਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਚੁ ॥

ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੋਸੀ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ॥੧॥ 

Āḏ sacẖ jugāḏ sacẖ.

Hai bẖī sacẖ Nānak hosī bẖī sacẖ. ||1|| 

In Essence: Akalpurakh has been there in prime-time, from the beginning throughout all ages, Nanak says He is today and will be ever.

So basically it is stressed that only Akalpurakh is eternal.

“ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ” is elaborated in stanza 5,

ਥਾਪਿਆ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਕੀਤਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥

ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥ 

Thāpi▫ā na jā▫e kīṯā na ho▫e.

Āpe āp niranjan so▫e. 

In Essence: He neither can be established nor be created; the pure Creator is from His own self/light.

           As He is an active Creator, His creation is under His Ordinance, no one is beyond that but His Ordinance cannot be expressed either like Him [stanza 2] Only He is active creator [Karta Purkh] and only He is the Giver [stanza7]

           In Stanza 24, Guru Nanak makes it clear that only He Himself knows His infinity, the enlightened ones and others try to express Him as per their given ability [on 631 SGGS]

           Now comes the question of His being permeated in forms, also known as His Sargun Sroop( With Form) which literally is expressed in the word, “Onkaar (Ekkankaar)” , in all visible or invisible,His live presence exists.

           Onkaar conveys the meaning of His being all pervading, it establishes His presence in all, and therefore there is no place without Him, stanza 9 Jap Ji

ਜੇਤਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਤੇਤਾ ਨਾਉ ॥

ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋ ਥਾਉ ॥ 

Jeṯā kīṯā ṯeṯā nā▫o.

viṇ nāvai nāhī ko thā▫o. 

In Essence: All His creation, is His manifestation/form/filled with His presence, there is no place without Him

           Gurus and Bhagatas express well in various ways in many Shabadas about the Creator and His “Sargun swroop (His form)permeating in His creation” So to see Him only separated from His creation is not right as Guru Nanak himself states [on 223 SGGS]……….

“From “Guru Message” under publication

Note: Many pronounce “Ikkonkaar” but in Gurbani its’ pronunciation is ” ekkankaar”[ A few examples are on 30. 153, 185. 227, 507, 838. 930. 1039, 1361 SGGS].