I have met my many Sikh brothers and sisters who are very eager to discuss about Akalpurakh or the Gurus, but I have never felt a glowing urge to envision Him in any of them. They are more into discussing how they are right and others are wrong. They tell me how we should preach our religion or why our Sikh youth lacks devotion toward our faith or why corrupt preachers or the members of SGPC have betrayed the Guru? Not a single of them ever shared with me how seriously he or she feels to envision the Creator. I haven’t met any, who can say that the Guru’s path is clear and he or she is working on it. Most of the time, our intellectual thinking is seen dominating all of us; therefore, still I am in search of such Gursikh of my community, who has seen the glowing light within and become detached. It doesn’t mean that I am better than they are; instead they are far better than I am. My point is to share with my Sikh brothers and sisters that our Guru has written so much to help us, but why we fail to follow our Guru? I have been searching in this regard for a while without any success. I want to know or meet that Gursikh who lives not as the society commands or his or her own way of thinking demands, but who has realized the envisioning the Creator and changed his or her entire game of life. Today I am going to share with all of you the Guru’s those shabdas through which he expresses how he feels eagerly to have the very experience First Nanak expresses through his bani. Fifth Nanak has written these shabdas for us, because he is not a seeker but an achiever. These shabdas of his may infuse within us that longing once he had. Here are those shabda:
ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੩ ਦੁਪਦੇ
Jaithasaree Mehala 5 Ghar 3 Dhupadhae
Raag Jaitasri, The Bani of FifthNanak, house third: Dupde
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Ik Oankar Sathigur Prasadh ||
There is only
One All-PervadingAkalpurakh, who is
known with the blessings of the Satiguru.
ਦੇਹੁ ਸੰਦੇਸਰੋ ਕਹੀਅਉ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਕਹੀਅਉ ॥
Dhaehu Sandhaesaro Keheeao Pria Keheeao ||
Bisam Bhee Mai Bahu Bidhh Sunathae Kehahu Suhagan Seheeao ||1|| Rehao ||
In essence: Oh Fortunate
friends! Tell me something about my beloved Prabh;
I am amazed to hear many sorts of His accounts; say something about Him. Pause.
Kindly reread
it; it is a persuasion toward the ultimate goal of life by inviting those
seekers, who talk about our source, Ekankaar. Please bear in mind that it is a
talk or a thought that leads to unbelievable realms.
ਕੋ ਕਹਤੋ ਸਭ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਕਹਤੋ ਸਭ ਮਹੀਅਉ ॥
ਬਰਨੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਚਿਹਨੁ ਨ ਲਖੀਐ ਸੁਹਾਗਨਿ ਸਾਤਿ ਬੁਝਹੀਅਉ ॥੧॥
Ko Kehatho Sabh Bahar Bahar Ko Kehatho Sabh Meheeao ||
Baran N Dheesai Chihan N Lakheeai Suhagan Sath Bujheheeao ||1||
Some people
say that my beloved Har is beyond
all, but some say that He is within all. His color is invisible and His
features are inexpressible. Oh fortunate soul-brides! Tell me the truth.
The believers
have different kind of ideas about the Creator and they express their ideas.
Well, if one shares with others, only then it is possible to seek Him in utter
sincerity, or to correct one’s thoughts in case any correction is needed. Now,
having experienced the Creator, the Guru shares his experience with us. He doesn't show us stating that Akalpurakh is right there with such and such form;
nonetheless, he locates Him for us and tells us about His virtues.
Answer:
ਸਰਬ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਵਾਸੀ ਲੇਪੁ ਨਹੀ ਅਲਪਹੀਅਉ ॥
ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹਤ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਲੋਗਾ ਸੰਤ ਰਸਨ ਕੋ ਬਸਹੀਅਉ ॥੨॥੧॥੨॥
Sarab Nivasee Ghatt Ghatt Vasee Laep Nehee Alapeheeao ||
Naanak Kehath Sunahu Rae Loga Santh Rasan Ko Baseheeao ||2||1||2||
Nanak says: listen oh people! Akalpurakh dwells on the tongues of the Sants; He is all pervading;
He abides in everyone, but He is attached to none; He is immaculate.
As we read
this shabda, we can see the love of the Guru for the Creator over flowing; he
desires Him and then feels Him. First, the Guru just puts some questions about the
experience of the Creator, but then he gives answers: the Creator, being
detached, is indeed present in all; however, it is only His true devotees, who
remain attached to Him by remembering Him always; in other simple words, they
live in his memory. If you want to see Him go to the one who has realized Him
(as I am trying); only then, you will see Him right on their tongues. Indeed,
He is felt through His praise. If you don’t see such a devotee, as I haven’t,you
just utter His name in His love; once you do that, you will feel Him as I have
if not see Him. Indeed, He is very much present within us, but we lack that
state of mind in which He is seen manifested clearly. We are too busy in our
other pursuits to realize Him; nonetheless, it is His sants (the true lovers)
who are only inclined toward Him and they are not bound by any kind of
relation, things and entanglements though they work, support their families and
share what they have with others. It is a thin line to cross; you may fall many
times as I have, but the Guru suggests us to continue struggling to obtain our
goal.
Then in the
next shabda, the Guru elaborates the plight of the sants in other words how
they feel about Him; please read on
ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਃ ੫ ॥
ਧੀਰਉ ਸੁਨਿ ਧੀਰਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਧੀਰਉ ਸੁਨਿ ਧੀਰਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Jaithasaree Ma 5 ||
Dhheero Sun Dhheero Prabh Ko ||1|| Rehaao ||
Dhheero Sun Dhheero Prabh Ko ||1|| Rehaao ||
Raag Jaitari, the Bani of Fifth Nanak.
In essence: Hearing about
Prabh, I am calmed and soothed.
Pause.
Just hearing
about the Creator can still the mercurial mind; you see the miracle-aspect of
His memory. As calm sets within, our own wisdom goes out of window and His
presence within glows as a guiding force. In my case, as I try to go there, a
storm of my created entanglements soars to hit my concentration on Him.The Guru
advises us that without reluctance, we should sacrifice everything in His love:
ਜੀਅ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਸਭੁ ਅਰਪਉ ਨੀਰਉ ਪੇਖਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਨੀਰਉ ॥੧॥
Jeea Praan Man Than Sabh Arapo Neero Paekh Prabh Ko Neero ||1||
Beholding Prabh
very close, I offer to Him my soul, body and everything.
Now question we need to ask ourselves is: do we?
ਬੇਸੁਮਾਰ ਬੇਅੰਤੁ ਬਡ ਦਾਤਾ ਮਨਹਿ ਗਹੀਰਉ ਪੇਖਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੨॥
Baesumaar Baeanth Badd Dhaathaa Manehi Geheero Paekh Prabh Ko ||2||
Prabh is great, infinite and greatly beneficent. By
beholdingHim, I keep Him in my heart.
Everything we have is His; we are just
trustees of all we have; remember a trustee doesn’t own the things under a
trust. In ownership comes conceit, but ownership doesn’t exist when His memory
exists in the heart. As long as I feel like a trustee, I remain in smiles. Just
remembering Him alone satiates us fully:
ਜੋ ਚਾਹਉ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਪਾਵਉ ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਪੂਰਉ ਜਪਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੩॥
Jo Chaaho Soee Soee Paavo Aasaa Manasaa Pooro Jap Prabh Ko ||3||
By uttering Prabh’sNaam, I get what I want; my
wishes are fulfilled.
ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਦੂਖਿ ਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਝੂਰਉ ਬੁਝਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ॥੪॥੨॥੩॥
Gur Prasaadh Naanak Man Vasiaa Dhookh N Kabehoo Jhooro Bujh Prabh Ko ||4||2||3||
Oh Nanak! With the grace of the Guru, Prabh abides in my mind; now through His understanding, I do not regret in distress.
As the Guru
says that by remaining aware of His presence, He is felt all over, but there is
one obstacle, and that is to enable the mind to envision Him with the Guru’s grace.
The Guru has already explained and guided us toward Him. Hasn’t the Guru graced
us? The Guru has graced us, but we haven’t made ourselves qualified to envision
Him, because we don’t do what our Guru says, period.No change, no gain. Please
read the next shabda and see how after eagerness of envisioning the Creator,
one needs to change totally:
ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
ਉਮਕਿਓ ਹੀਉ ਮਿਲਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤਾਈ ॥
ਖੋਜਤ ਚਰਿਓ ਦੇਖਉ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਸੁਨਤ ਸਦੇਸਰੋ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਸੇਜ ਵਿਛਾਈ ॥
ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਆਇਓ ਤਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥
ਉਮਕਿਓ ਹੀਉ ਮਿਲਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤਾਈ ॥
ਖੋਜਤ ਚਰਿਓ ਦੇਖਉ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਸੁਨਤ ਸਦੇਸਰੋ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਸੇਜ ਵਿਛਾਈ ॥
ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਆਇਓ ਤਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥
Soohee Mehalaa 5 ||
Oumakiou Heeo Milan Prabh Thaaee ||
Khojath Chariou Dhaekho Pria Jaaee ||
Sunath Sadhaesaro Pria Grihi Saej Vishhaaee ||
Bhram Bhram Aaeiou Tho Nadhar N Paaee ||1||
Raag Soohi, the bani
of Fifth Nanak.
In
essence: My mind is excited to meet Prabh. I have left for searching to see
my dear Spouse. Hearing the message of my beloved, I have prepared the coach of
my heart for my spouse. I have been wandering for a long time, but now I have
come back. I haven’t obtained Prabh’s
grace.
First, one
needs to get ready by forsaking any concern about what others will say or what
other theories are being discussed about Him. The Guru says in the next shabda
that Akalpurakh is always awake, but it is we who remain asleep in the Maya
slumber. In other words, we don’t remain aware of His presence in us or around,
because we are not truly in love with Him. We need to wake up by forsaking the
Maya pursuits we are over occupied with.Remember, our minds are always in
planning mode. It doesn’t mean we need to abandon our efforts to make our
living. The Guru wants us to be ready for Him by eliminating our conceit,
anger, greed, attachment and jealousy by keeping His memory always in our
minds. If someone has achieved more than us with less efforts, so what? Why to
be jealous? If someone has betrayed us, it is not our fall but the betrayer’s
who falls for such deception.If we fail in our goal, so what? Other people also
fail; besides, worrying about the failure doesn’t change anything. By
remembering our Crestor, we need to negate the negativity that keeps sprouting
within us as we forget Him. For this, we must look for the Guru’s congregation,
where Akalpurakh is praised and talked about. The Guru‘s congregation is the environment
we need, and we must break away from our programmed pursuits. Let us first make it clear what isa true
congregation of the Guru, because it is not what we often see in the Gurdawaras
these days. In there, if you see our
brothers and sisters are sitting and enjoying the melody of the Guru- shabda,
you are at right place. If they are busy in telling what have they established,
or what they own, or they are simply talking, obviously their minds have not
been over taken by the melody of the shabda and it is better to run away from
there. What environment we truly need,
First Nanak defines it on 72, SGGS:
ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ ॥
ਜਿਥੈ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥
ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥
ਜਿਥੈ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ॥
ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥
Sathasangath Kaisee Jaaneeai ||
Jithhai Eaeko Naam Vakhaaneeai ||
Eaeko Naam Hukam Hai Naanak Sathigur Dheeaa Bujhaae Jeeo ||5||
In
essence: What is satsangat? (The
answer) A congregation where only Akalpurakh’sNaamis uttered (A place where He is praised and remembered) Oh Nanak! The order of Akalpurakh is to praise His Naamonly, and the Satiguru has given this understanding.
By
getting imbued with Akalpurakh’s praise in His love, we should try to change.
Make sure, the one of you, who came to the Guru’s house, is changed at the time
of your returning home. Counsel yourself through the Guru’s words and deem the
rest of wisdom futile for you. I assure you, in future, you will not like to be
the one you used to be before coming to the Guru’s house. The Guru says in the
following that it is because of His absence in our lives that our minds don’t
procure peace:
ਕਿਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਹੀਅਰੋ ਧੀਰੈ ਨਿਮਾਨੋ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਜਨ ਹਉ ਤੁਝੁ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੋ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਜਨ ਹਉ ਤੁਝੁ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੋ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Kin Bidhh Heearo Dhheerai Nimaano ||
Mil Saajan Ho Thujh Kurabaano ||1|| Rehaao ||
Oh my beloved!
Come and meet me. I sacrifice to you. Without you, how can my heart be
consoled? Pause.
In the
following verses, the Guru encourages us to realize that our Creator is always
ready to meet us, but we remain in the Maya slumber. Yes, if He wills, we can
awake from the Maya slumber; in other words,Akalpurakh’s grace is mandatory.
His grace comes for our sincerity.
ਏਕਾ ਸੇਜ ਵਿਛੀ ਧਨ ਕੰਤਾ ॥
ਧਨ ਸੂਤੀ ਪਿਰੁ ਸਦ ਜਾਗੰਤਾ ॥
ਪੀਓ ਮਦਰੋ ਧਨ ਮਤਵੰਤਾ ॥
ਧਨ ਜਾਗੈ ਜੇ ਪਿਰੁ ਬੋਲੰਤਾ ॥੨॥
ਧਨ ਸੂਤੀ ਪਿਰੁ ਸਦ ਜਾਗੰਤਾ ॥
ਪੀਓ ਮਦਰੋ ਧਨ ਮਤਵੰਤਾ ॥
ਧਨ ਜਾਗੈ ਜੇ ਪਿਰੁ ਬੋਲੰਤਾ ॥੨॥
Eaekaa Saej Vishhee Dhhan Kanthaa ||
Dhhan Soothee Pir Sadh Jaaganthaa ||
Peeou Madharo Dhhan Mathavanthaa ||
Dhhan Jaagai Jae Pir Bolanthaa ||2||
In the
heart of the bride, there is only one coach for her and her groom,Prabh;however, the bride is in slumber
andher Spouse is always awake. The bride can only be awakened if her Groom
gives her a call.
His grace
comes with our sincerity and prayers. Now the Guru prays for us, who are
fallen:
ਭਈ ਨਿਰਾਸੀ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦਿਨ ਲਾਗੇ ॥
ਦੇਸ ਦਿਸੰਤਰ ਮੈ ਸਗਲੇ ਝਾਗੇ ॥
ਖਿਨੁ ਰਹਨੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਉ ਬਿਨੁ ਪਗ ਪਾਗੇ ॥
ਹੋਇ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲਹ ਸਭਾਗੇ ॥੩॥
Bhee Niraasee Bahuth Dhin Laagae ||
Dhaes Dhisanthar Mai Sagalae Jhaagae ||
Khin Rehan N Paavo Bin Pag Paagae ||
Hoe Kirapaal Prabh Mileh Sabhaagae ||3||
In wait,
many days have been passed and I, His bride, have become sad. I have wandered
through all lands. I cannot live without falling on the feet of my Spouse Prabh. If He bestows kindness, He will meet me and I shall become fortunate.
As our Creator graces us, He creates
occasions for us to be a part of “sqsMgiq/Satsangat” :
ਭਇਓ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥
ਬੂਝੀ ਤਪਤਿ ਘਰਹਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਸਗਲ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਹੁਣਿ ਮੁਝਹਿ ਸੁਹਾਇਆ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ ॥੪॥
Bhaeiou Kirapaal Sathasang Milaaeiaa ||
Boojhee Thapath Gharehi Pir Paaeiaa ||
Sagal Seegaar Hun Mujhehi Suhaaeiaa ||
Kahu Naanak Gur Bharam Chukaaeiaa ||4||
My Prabh Spouse has shown mercy and He has
united me with His devotees. In the company of His devotees, my thirst to see
Him is quenched and I have found my Spouse Akalpurakh
within. Now all my decorations look beautiful on me. Nanakutter this: the Guru
has dispelled my doubt.
The Guru starts with a strong longing of
beholding Akalpurakh; he expresses
the devotees’ failed efforts without His
grace. Eventually, the Guru expresses
that when Akalpurakh graces, His
devotee finds Him within through the Guru. Once He is realized within, He is
seen all over:
ਜਹ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਹ ਪਿਰੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਖੋਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਿਓ ਕਪਾਟੁ ਤਾ ਮਨੁ ਠਹਰਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੫॥
Jeh Dhaekhaa Theh Pir Hai Bhaaee ||
Kholihou Kapaatt Thaa Man Theharaaee ||1|| Rehaao Dhoojaa ||5||(737
to 738, SGGS)
Oh
brother! Now, wherever I look, I see my Spouse. The Guru has opened the closed door of my mind and my mind is stilled
within. Pause. Second.
In the
above verses, the Guru explains how one feels after experiencing the Creator.
It should be our ultimate goal of life. We are in duality and His oneness we
cannot behold. Slow and steady, we need to tread on our Guru’s path with a
strong urge to materialize this goal. We all have flaws, but we are also
blessed with power to overcome them. Everything is within us: our flaws,
virtues and our Creator’s presence. We just need to decide what we want. If we
want to hold something, we need to extend our hands; we need to work for that;
otherwise, we are what we are and we will die as what we are without experiencing
our ultimate goal. Kindly don’t stop your efforts after listening to a
melodious shabdas ever; instead, let that shabda become your guiding force in
changing you and imprinting the Creator’s soothing memory in your heart.
Regards
Gurdeep
Singh
