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As we see every day, many people behave with others unethically and rudely if they would be here forever. This shows how conceited they are. In such a state of mind, getting connected to the Creator is impossible. Through a few slokas, the Guru guides his Sikhs to remember our death, which is positively due sooner or later and to get connected to the Creator. These slokas are at 787, SGGS:
ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ 2 ॥ ਜਿਨੀ ਚਲਣੁ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਸੇ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਹਿ ਵਿਥਾਰ ॥
ਚਲਣ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰਣਹਾਰ ॥1॥
Salok mėhlā 2. Jinī cẖalaṇ jāṇi-ā se ki-o karahi vithār.
Cẖalaṇ sār na jāṇnī kāj savāraṇhār. ||1||
Slok of Second Nanak.
In essence: Those people, who realize that one day from here they have to depart, why will they expand ostentations. Those persons who get involved in the worldly entanglements don’t realize their certain departure.
Usually when it is realized that we are not here eternally, we start believing in doing the right thing.
ਮਃ 2 ॥ ਰਾਤਿ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਧਨੁ ਸੰਚੀਐ ਭਲਕੇ ਚਲਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਚਲਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਵਾ ਹੋਇ ॥2॥
Mėhlā 2. Rāṯ kāraṇ ḏẖan sancẖī-ai bẖalke cẖalaṇ ho-e.
Nānak nāl na cẖal-ī fir pacẖẖuṯāvā ho-e. ||2||
Slok of Second Nanak.
In essence: One amasses wealth for the night, but in the morning, one has to depart. If one couldn’t take it as one departs, one would repent definitely.
People gather wealth with very bad means but the fact remains that they cannot take it with them when they die.
ਮਃ 2 ॥ ਬਧਾ ਚਟੀ ਜੋ ਭਰੇ ਨਾ ਗੁਣੁ ਨਾ ਉਪਕਾਰੁ ॥
ਸੇਤੀ ਖੁਸੀ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥3॥
Mėhlā 2. Baḏẖā cẖatī jo bẖare nā guṇ nā upkār.
Seṯī kẖusī savārī-ai Nānak kāraj sār. ||3||
Slok of Second Nanak.
In essence: If one does something under pressure, it becomes useless. Oh Nanak! If one does it by putting one’s mind in it and feels happy to do that, one’s act will be fruitful.
The Guru points out that there are some persons who do remember Akalpurakh just by being felt that others are doing it, or they do that just for the sake of doing it without sincerity. That kind of devotion is hopeless. If a person puts heart in it and doesn’t feel pressured, it brings fruits.
The next slok elaborates it further:
ਮਃ 2 ॥ ਮਨਹਠਿ ਤਰਫ ਨ ਜਿਪਈ ਜੇ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਘਾਲੇ ॥
ਤਰਫ ਜਿਣੈ ਸਤ ਭਾਉ ਦੇ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ॥4॥
Mėhlā 2. Manhaṯẖ ṯaraf na jip-ī je bahuṯā gẖāle.
Ŧaraf jiṇai saṯ bẖā-o ḏe jan Nānak sabaḏ vīcẖāre. ||4||
Slok of Second Nanak.
In essence: Through obstinacy, if one utters Prabh’s name and works hard in this way, Prabh is not pleased. Oh Nanak! If one remembers Him and utters His name with sincerity and love, one can win Prabh’s favor.
Most vital thing is to fall in love with the Creator; by doing so, one gets coupled with Him forever. Merely doing rituals under pressure or show off is of no use. The Guru sums up that one should realize that no one lives here permanently and to indulge in bad deeds for the wealth is useless for the soul. After realizing it, one must love the Creator and praise Him by remaining absorbed in Him.
Wishes,
G Singh
www.gursoch.com
