As one understands that no one is equal to the All-pervading Creator, one embraces His highest authority; being enveloped in this conviction, one stops bowing to the established gods or the influential people and takes only His refuge, but it is very important first to align one’s mind with the Guru’s guidance: keeping faith only in Him and seeking virtues to replace the negative inclinations that become a block in getting saturated in His love. The Guru stresses on those virtues by telling how a Guru oriented person realizes the Creator, who is invisible and beyond comprehension.
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The Guru, in the earlier stanzas, has made it clear that the Creator is all over and only through the Guru, he is realized, because he has established his presence in the beings. In the following, the Guru points out the man’s journey through various houses of the past. Some progressive groups don’t believe in the cycle of birth and death, but the following verses prove otherwise. The Guru suggests that without the true Guru, one just doesn’t get liberated from the Maya influences and keeps coming and going:
When the seekers adopt the true Guru, who has already realized the Creator within, they not only help themselves in realizing Ekankar but also inspire others to follow the Guru’s advice:
A Sikh’s ultimate goal is to remain committed to the Guru impeccably and avoid the outer influences as we see in the world order today; regardless what the debates are going out there, the Sikh’s priority is the Guru’s advice; new ideas come and go but the Guru’s followers remain pledged to the Guru, because of that, they realize the Creator eventually. Mind it, the Gurbani is not about a scientific dogma though a few scientific facts are found referred in it; its aim is to make the seekers progress spiritually, because it is an experience of those who were enlightened spiritually; thus, it is up to us to become devoted toward the one or not. The Guru has made it clear that there is only one Creator addressed with numerous names.
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ਉਗਵੈ ਸੂਰੁ ਅਸੁਰ ਸੰਘਾਰੈ ॥ ਊਚਉ ਦੇਖਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੈ ॥
ਊਪਰਿ ਆਦਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਤਿਹੁ ਲੋਇ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਕਰੈ ਕਥੈ ਸੁਣੈ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਓਹੁ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ਮਨਿ ਮੁਖਿ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਗਜੀਵਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤੇ ਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥੯॥
Ugvai sūr asur sangẖārai. Ūcẖa-o ḏekẖ sabaḏ bīcẖārai.
Ūpar āḏ anṯ ṯihu lo-e. Āpe karai kathai suṇai so-e.
Oh biḏẖāṯā man ṯan ḏe-e. Oh biḏẖāṯā man mukẖ so-e.
Parabẖ jagjīvan avar na ko-e. Nānak nām raṯe paṯ ho-e. ||9||
In essence: As the divine light upsurges in the mortals, they kill the negative forces within. By contemplating the Guru’s Shabda, they see the highest Creator, who has been present since the beginning and who will be to the end throughout the entire world. (Then they understand that) The Creator Himself speaks and listens through others. That destiny-Creator is the giver of soul and body. That destiny-Creator is in the mind and at the mouth; He is the life of the world; without Him there is none other. Oh Nanak! Only through getting drenched in His name, one can obtain honor.
ਰਾਜਨ ਰਾਮ ਰਵੈ ਹਿਤਕਾਰਿ ॥ ਰਣ ਮਹਿ ਲੂਝੈ ਮਨੂਆ ਮਾਰਿ ॥
ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨੰਤਿ ਰਹੈ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥ ਤੀਨਿ ਭਵਨ ਜੁਗ ਚਾਰੇ ਜਾਤਾ ॥
ਜਿਨਿ ਜਾਤਾ ਸੋ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਜੇਹਾ ॥ ਅਤਿ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਸੀਝਸਿ ਦੇਹਾ ॥
ਰਹਸੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਇਕ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਾਚਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥੧੦॥
Rājan rām ravai hiṯkār. Raṇ mėh lūjẖai manū-ā mār.
Rāṯ ḏinanṯ rahai rang rāṯā. Ŧīn bẖavan jug cẖāre jāṯā.
Jin jāṯā so ṯis hī jehā. Aṯ nirmā-il sījẖas ḏehā.
Rahsī rām riḏai ik bẖā-e. Anṯar sabaḏ sācẖ liv lā-e. ||10||
In essence: One, who is in love with Akalpurakh, utters His name and battles with one’s negative forces within; thus, one remains imbued with His love. Akalpurakh has been renowned throughout the worlds in ages. One who comes to know Him becomes like Him, pure and sanctified. One remains happy while being in love with Akalpurakh who dwells within. Inspired by the Guru’s Shabda, one remains concentrated on the Creator.
ਰੋਸੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਜੈ ਰਹਣੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਸਾਰੇ ॥
ਰਾਜੇ ਰਾਇ ਰੰਕ ਨਹੀ ਰਹਣਾ ਆਇ ਜਾਇ ਜੁਗ ਚਾਰੇ ॥
ਰਹਣ ਕਹਣ ਤੇ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਕਿਸੁ ਪਹਿ ਕਰਉ ਬਿਨੰਤੀ ॥
ਏਕੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਰੋਧਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਦੇਵੈ ਪਤਿ ਮਤੀ ॥੧੧॥
Ros na kījai amriṯ pījai rahaṇ nahī sansāre.
Rāje rā-e rank nahī rahṇā ā-e jā-e jug cẖāre.
Rahaṇ kahaṇ ṯe rahai na ko-ī kis pėh kara-o binanṯī.
Ėk sabaḏ rām nām niroḏẖar gur ḏevai paṯ maṯī. ||11||
In essence: (Oh Pandit!) This world is not to live here forever; therefore, don’t be displeased about this or that; drink His name’s elixir. Throughout the four ages, this has been a fact that neither the king, nor the pauper has remained ever here. By simply saying “Long live” no one can live long. To whom supplication can be made when no one is permanent. (So, take the Guru’s refuge) The only word “Prabh’s name” is which saves you from vice inclinations and and it is the Guru’s wisdom that helps you in meeting with Prabh.
ਲਾਜ ਮਰੰਤੀ ਮਰਿ ਗਈ ਘੂਘਟੁ ਖੋਲਿ ਚਲੀ ॥
ਸਾਸੁ ਦਿਵਾਨੀ ਬਾਵਰੀ ਸਿਰ ਤੇ ਸੰਕ ਟਲੀ ॥
ਪ੍ਰੇਮਿ ਬੁਲਾਈ ਰਲੀ ਸਿਉ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਨੰਦੁ ॥
ਲਾਲਿ ਰਤੀ ਲਾਲੀ ਭਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਭਈ ਨਿਚਿੰਦੁ ॥੧੨॥
Lāj maranṯī mar ga-ī gẖūgẖat kẖol cẖalī.
Sās ḏivānī bāvrī sir ṯe sank talī.
Parem bulā-ī ralī si-o man mėh sabaḏ anand.
Lāl raṯī lālī bẖa-ī gurmukẖ bẖa-ī nicẖinḏ. ||12||
In essence: When the soul-bride turns toward Akalpurakh, she doesn’t remain shy of public opinion; instead she goes open in her love. Her influence of Maya and worry disappears. As her Master calls her, the Guru’s shabda remains in her heart that brings happiness for her. Being imbued in His love, the Guru’s guidance makes her carefree.
ਲਾਹਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਜਪਿ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਬੁਰਾ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ॥
ਲਾੜੀ ਚਾੜੀ ਲਾਇਤਬਾਰੁ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਅੰਧਾ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਗਵਾਰੁ ॥
ਲਾਹੇ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਆਇਆ ਜਗਿ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਮਜੂਰੁ ਗਇਆ ਠਗਾਇ ਠਗਿ ॥
ਲਾਹਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਪੂੰਜੀ ਵੇਸਾਹੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੀ ਪਤਿ ਸਚਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ॥੧੩॥
Lāhā nām raṯan jap sār. Lab lobẖ burā ahaʼnkār.
Lāṛī cẖāṛī lā-iṯbār. Manmukẖ anḏẖā mugaḏẖ gavār.
Lāhe kāraṇ ā-i-ā jag. Ho-e majūr ga-i-ā ṯẖagā-e ṯẖag.
Lāhā nām pūnjī vesāhu. Nānak sacẖī paṯ sacẖā pāṯisāhu. ||13||
In essence: Real profit of life is to meditate on Akalpurakh’s name-jewel. Avarice, greed, and egotism are bad, so is practicing slander and commendation. The apostate has become blind, foolish, and ignorant through such acts. Though one comes into the world to have profit (of His love), one becomes a servant of Maya and gets cheated. Oh Nanak! One who makes faith in His name-capital reaps its profit and gets true honor from Akalpurakh, the true King
ਆਇ ਵਿਗੂਤਾ ਜਗੁ ਜਮ ਪੰਥੁ ॥ ਆਈ ਨ ਮੇਟਣ ਕੋ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥
ਆਥਿ ਸੈਲ ਨੀਚ ਘਰਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਆਥਿ ਦੇਖਿ ਨਿਵੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੋਇ ॥
ਆਥਿ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਸਿਆਨਾ ॥ ਭਗਤਿ ਬਿਹੂਨਾ ਜਗੁ ਬਉਰਾਨਾ ॥
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੧੪॥
Ā-e vigūṯā jag jam panth. Ā-ī na metaṇ ko samrath.
Āth sail nīcẖ gẖar ho-e. Āth ḏekẖ nivai jis ḏo-e.
Āth ho-e ṯā mugaḏẖ si-ānā. Bẖagaṯ bihūnā jag ba-urānā.
Sabẖ mėh varṯai eko so-e. Jis no kirpā kare ṯis pargat ho-e. ||14||
In essence: One comes into this world and takes the worldly path of death. One remains unable to end the influence of Maya. Even a low person, who possesses wealth, is respected by the both, rich and poor. If one has wealth, one is considered wise even though one is a fool. Without the devotion of the Creator, this world is crazy for Maya. The only one Creator dwells in all; He becomes manifest only in those upon whom He bestows His grace.
ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਥਾਪਿ ਸਦਾ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ॥ ਜਨਮਿ ਮਰਣਿ ਨਹੀ ਧੰਧਾ ਧੈਰੁ ॥
ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਸੋ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਆਪੇ ਘਟ ਥਾਪਿ ॥
ਆਪਿ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਧੰਧੈ ਲੋਈ ॥ ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਜਗਜੀਵਨੁ ਸੋਈ ॥
ਕਰਿ ਆਚਾਰੁ ਸਚੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਿਵ ਹੋਈ ॥੧੫॥
Jug jug thāp saḏā nirvair. Janam maraṇ nahī ḏẖanḏẖā ḏẖair.
Jo ḏīsai so āpe āp. Āp upā-e āpe gẖat thāp.
Āp agocẖar ḏẖanḏẖai lo-ī. Jog jugaṯ jagjīvan so-ī.
Kar ācẖār sacẖ sukẖ ho-ī. Nām vihūṇā mukaṯ kiv ho-ī. ||15||
In essence: Ekankar remains beyond enmity always; He has been creating the beings. He is beyond birth and death; He doesn’t indulge in the worldly entanglements. Whatever is seen is He Himself. He has created all the beings, and He is beyond comprehension. He has put the mortals to work. He is the life giver, and He shows the way to be united with Him. By practicing pious deeds (praising Him and practicing truthfulness), true peace is obtained. Without loving His name, how can one be emancipated?
ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਵੇਰੋਧੁ ਸਰੀਰ ॥ ਕਿਉ ਨ ਮਿਲਹਿ ਕਾਟਹਿ ਮਨ ਪੀਰ ॥
ਵਾਟ ਵਟਾਊ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਕਿਆ ਲੇ ਆਇਆ ਕਿਆ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥
ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਤੋਟਾ ਸਭ ਥਾਇ ॥ ਲਾਹਾ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਾ ਦੇਇ ਬੁਝਾਇ ॥
ਵਣਜੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ਵਣਜੈ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈਸੀ ਪਤਿ ਸਾਰੀ ॥੧੬॥
Viṇ nāvai veroḏẖ sarīr. Ki-o na milėh kātėh man pīr.
Vāt vatā-ū āvai jā-e. Ki-ā le ā-i-ā ki-ā palai pā-e.
Viṇ nāvai ṯotā sabẖ thā-e. Lāhā milai jā ḏe-e bujẖā-e.
Vaṇaj vāpār vaṇjai vāpārī. Viṇ nāvai kaisī paṯ sārī. ||16||
In essence: Without the love for His name, body remains in conflicts. Why don’t you try to meet Him? How the pain of your heart will go away? The traveler-soul comes here and goes away. What she has brought with her and what will she take? Without the love for His name, everywhere one suffers a loss. When Akalpurakh bestows His grace, one earns the profit of life through praising His name. Without His name, the trader deals in other things to suffer. Without His name, there is no real honor.Page 931 - 932
ਗੁਣ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਮਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਗੁਣਦਾਤਾ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥ ਸਾਚੀ ਕਰਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਤਾ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਜਾ ਲਏ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਰੇ ਨੀਤ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਮੀਤ ॥੧੭॥
Guṇ vīcẖāre gi-ānī so-e. Guṇ mėh gi-ān parāpaṯ ho-e.
Guṇḏāṯā virlā sansār. Sācẖī karṇī gur vīcẖār.
Agam agocẖar kīmaṯ nahī pā-e. Ŧā milī-ai jā la-e milā-e.
Guṇvanṯī guṇ sāre nīṯ. Nānak gurmaṯ milī-ai mīṯ. ||17||
In essence: Only that person who deliberates on the virtues has the divine knowledge; through virtues, the divine knowledge is obtained. In this world, there is very rare person, who blesses others with virtues. Through the Guru’s guidance, one obtains a true way of life. (Without the Guru’s guidance) No one can value Prabh, who is inaccessible and beyond comprehension. Only then one can meet Him if He causes one to meet Him (through the Guru). The virtuous bride reflects on His virtues always. Oh Nanak! Prabh is met through the Guru’s wisdom.
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਉ ਗਾਲੈ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕੰਚਨ ਸੋਹਾਗਾ ਢਾਲੈ ॥
ਕਸਿ ਕਸਵਟੀ ਸਹੈ ਸੁ ਤਾਉ ॥ ਨਦਰਿ ਸਰਾਫ ਵੰਨੀ ਸਚੜਾਉ ॥
ਜਗਤੁ ਪਸੂ ਅਹੰ ਕਾਲੁ ਕਸਾਈ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਤੈ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਿਨਿ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਹੋਰ ਕਿਆ ਕਹੀਐ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਹਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੮॥
Kām kroḏẖ kā-i-ā ka-o gālai. Ji-o kancẖan sohāgā dẖālai.
Kas kasvatī sahai so ṯā-o. Naḏar sarāf vannī sacẖṛā-o.
Jagaṯ pasū ahaʼn kāl kasā-ī. Kar karṯai karṇī kar pā-ī.
Jin kīṯī ṯin kīmaṯ pā-ī. Hor ki-ā kahī-ai kicẖẖ kahaṇ na jā-ī. ||18||
In essence: Lust and anger dissipate the body just as borax melts the gold. On touchstone, the gold is tested and it endures the heat. The assayer approves it to see its beauteous color. The world is like an animal in the hands of the butchering-ego and death. The creator has fashioned the beings such a way that they get compensation as per their deeds. Ekankar, who fashions the creation, knows its worth. What else can be said? It is not possible to say anything.
ਖੋਜਤ ਖੋਜਤ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਆ ॥ ਖਿਮਾ ਗਹੀ ਮਨੁ ਸਤਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ॥
ਖਰਾ ਖਰਾ ਆਖੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਖਰਾ ਰਤਨੁ ਜੁਗ ਚਾਰੇ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਖਾਤ ਪੀਅੰਤ ਮੂਏ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਮੂਏ ਜਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਨਿਆ ॥
ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਚੀਤੁ ਮਰਨਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਿਆ ॥੧੯॥
Kẖojaṯ kẖojaṯ amriṯ pī-ā. Kẖimā gahī man saṯgur ḏī-ā.
Kẖarā kẖarā ākẖai sabẖ ko-e. Kẖarā raṯan jug cẖāre ho-e.
Kẖāṯ pī-anṯ mū-e nahī jāni-ā. Kẖin mėh mū-e jā sabaḏ pacẖẖāni-ā.
Asthir cẖīṯ maran man māni-ā. Gur kirpā ṯe nām pacẖẖāni-ā. ||19||
In essence: After a great search, I have drunk Akalpurakh’s name-nectar. As I have given my mind to the Guru, I have embraced tolerance. Every person calls himself (herself) to be pure, but pure is that one who has clung to His precious name. Thus the mortals eat and drink and die without knowing the Creator. One who realizes Akalpurakh overcomes one’s mind (lives without ego, anger, greed, lust and deep attachment) instantly; this way, one’s mind becomes stilled by overcoming all its temptations and attractions; thus., one obtains His name with the Guru’s blessings.
ਗਗਨ ਗੰਭੀਰੁ ਗਗਨੰਤਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥
ਗਇਆ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਰਹੈ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਗਗਨੁ ਅਗੰਮੁ ਅਨਾਥੁ ਅਜੋਨੀ ॥ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਚੀਤੁ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਸਗੋਨੀ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਚੇਤਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਵਹਿ ਨ ਜੂਨੀ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸਾਰੁ ਹੋਰ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਨੀ ॥੨੦॥
Gagan gambẖīr gagnanṯar vās. Guṇ gāvai sukẖ sahj nivās.
Ga-i-ā na āvai ā-e na jā-e. Gur parsāḏ rahai liv lā-e.
Gagan agamm anāth ajonī. Asthir cẖīṯ samāḏẖ sagonī.
Har nām cẖeṯ fir pavėh na jūnī. Gurmaṯ sār hor nām bihūnī. ||20||
In essence: Akalpurakh is all pervading and profound. One who sings His praises remains in poise filled with peace only; thus, one doesn’t fall into coming and going. With the Guru’s blessings, one remains always imbued to Akalpurakh, who is unapproachable, self-dependent and beyond birth. Meditating on Him is a meritorious deed that stills the mind and makes it virtuous. By remembering Him, one doesn’t take birth again. The best is the Guru’s guidance (that unites with Him), but other ways out are bereft of His name.The Guru, in the earlier stanzas, has made it clear that the Creator is all over and only through the Guru, he is realized, because he has established his presence in the beings. In the following, the Guru points out the man’s journey through various houses of the past. Some progressive groups don’t believe in the cycle of birth and death, but the following verses prove otherwise. The Guru suggests that without the true Guru, one just doesn’t get liberated from the Maya influences and keeps coming and going:
ਘਰ ਦਰ ਫਿਰਿ ਥਾਕੀ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ॥ ਜਾਤਿ ਅਸੰਖ ਅੰਤ ਨਹੀ ਮੇਰੇ ॥
ਕੇਤੇ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਸੁਤ ਧੀਆ ॥ ਕੇਤੇ ਗੁਰ ਚੇਲੇ ਫੁਨਿ ਹੂਆ ॥ ਕਾਚੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੂਆ ॥
ਕੇਤੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਵਰੁ ਏਕੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਰਣੁ ਜੀਵਣੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਾਲਿ ॥
ਦਹ ਦਿਸ ਢੂਢਿ ਘਰੈ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਮੇਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥੨੧॥
Gẖar ḏar fir thākī bahuṯere. Jāṯ asaʼnkẖ anṯ nahī mere.
Keṯe māṯ piṯā suṯ ḏẖī-ā. Keṯe gur cẖele fun hū-ā. Kācẖe gur ṯe mukaṯ na hū-ā.
Keṯī nār var ek samāl. Gurmukẖ maraṇ jīvaṇ parabẖ nāl.
Ḏah ḏis dẖūdẖ gẖarai mėh pā-i-ā. Mel bẖa-i-ā saṯgurū milā-i-ā. ||21||
In essence: The soul-bride gets tired of wandering into different houses (bodies). I cannot count how many kinds of houses it goes through, because they are innumerous. Numerous become its mothers, fathers, sons and daughters; numerous have been its teachers and disciples. Because of the false Guru, it doesn’t obtain liberation (from this cycle) There are many brides, but only one is their Master ( Akalpurakh), who takes care of all of them; He becomes the life and death of that person, who follows the Guru. I have searched around many places, but eventually I have found Him within. Those to whom He causes to meet the Satiguru meet Him.When the seekers adopt the true Guru, who has already realized the Creator within, they not only help themselves in realizing Ekankar but also inspire others to follow the Guru’s advice:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੋਲੈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਤੋਲਿ ਲਾਵੈ ਤ ਤੋਲੈ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ਨਿਸੰਗੁ ॥ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਜਲਾਇ ਕਲੰਕੁ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਦ ਬੇਦ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਜਨੁ ਚਜੁ ਅਚਾਰੁ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵੈ ਪਾਰੁ ॥੨੨॥
Gurmukẖ gāvai gurmukẖ bolai. Gurmukẖ ṯol ṯolāvai ṯolai.
Gurmukẖ āvai jā-e nisang. Parhar mail jalā-e kalank.
Gurmukẖ nāḏ beḏ bīcẖār. Gurmukẖ majan cẖaj acẖār.
Gurmukẖ sabaḏ amriṯ hai sār. Nānak gurmukẖ pāvai pār. ||22||
In essence: The Gurmukh (the Guru oriented person) praises Prabh. The Gurmukh values Prabh’s virtues and inspires others to do so. The Gurmukh comes but goes immaculately; the Gurmukh washes off the mind’s filth and eradicates vices. The Gurmukh’s words are equal to listening to Naad and reflecting on the Vedas. High moral and pious living are a pilgrimage of the Gurumukh. For a Gurmukh, the Guru’s instruction is vital nectar. Oh Nanak! The Gurmukh swims across the worldly oceanA Sikh’s ultimate goal is to remain committed to the Guru impeccably and avoid the outer influences as we see in the world order today; regardless what the debates are going out there, the Sikh’s priority is the Guru’s advice; new ideas come and go but the Guru’s followers remain pledged to the Guru, because of that, they realize the Creator eventually. Mind it, the Gurbani is not about a scientific dogma though a few scientific facts are found referred in it; its aim is to make the seekers progress spiritually, because it is an experience of those who were enlightened spiritually; thus, it is up to us to become devoted toward the one or not. The Guru has made it clear that there is only one Creator addressed with numerous names.
CONTINUES…….
WishesGurdeep Singh
