12. Ocean and Droplet

I am too false to be true. I am too filthy to be pure. I am too empty to be complete. I am too small to be great. Still, I will cause ripples when I will enter into 'Ocean'. 'Ocean' will be perturbed from its state of rest to nullify my vibrations. But 'Ocean' is so gigantic that will absorb my vibrations and eventually my all vibrations will die out. It is not my greatness that I changed the stable state of 'Ocean'. Well, it is 'Ocean's' greatness that 'It' changes 'It's' state of rest so that my negativity can be eliminated forever. 

I may be infinitesimally small like a dot on piece of paper, but 'Ocean' has given me realization I am part of it and even though being a dot I can complete the sentence. I can give it meaning and completeness to the sentence. I am worthless but 'Ocean' blessed me with breaths to realize my potential. I am false but why I cannot be true. I am filth but why I cannot be pure.

In the beginning I may have thought that I have put efforts to walk towards it but in fact it was 'Ocean' who was calling me so that I can find it. I am so limited and thus my efforts will surely be even more limited as no machine can have 100% efficiency. With so much limitation how can I find 'Infinite Ocean'? But that does not mean I am out of 'Ocean's' reach. May be, I cannot reach it but 'It' can reach me. That is the beauty, greatness of 'The Ocean'.

Yeah, I am droplet which longs for 'The Ocean'. I never existed since I am part of it. That realization will do wonders for you!

11. Baani Dhan Guru Amardas Ji Ki: Ang 644 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

 

Ang 644: Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj

ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ  ਸੇਵਾ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਕਰੇ ਚਿਤੁ  ਲਾਇ॥

ਮਨਿ ਚਿੰਦਿਆ ਫਲੁ  ਵਣਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਜਾਇ॥

ਬੰਧਨ ਤੋੜੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਸਚੇ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਇ॥

ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਲਭੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਹਉ ਤਿਨ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ॥੧॥

सलोकु मः ३ ॥

सतिगुर की सेवा सफलु है जे को करे चितु लाइ ॥

मनि चिंदिआ फलु पावणा हउमै विचहु जाइ ॥

बंधन तोड़ै मुकति होइ सचे रहै समाइ ॥

इसु जग महि नामु अलभु है गुरमुखि वसै मनि आइ ॥

नानक जो गुरु सेवहि आपणा हउ तिन बलिहारै जाउ ॥१॥

Summary

Dhan Guru Amardas Ji blesses us with His own experience of serving Dhan Guru Angad Dev Ji. He has inspired generations in fact Bhai Jetha Ji followed His path of serving ‘True Guru’ and by His blessing achieved Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s throne. But what it means by ‘Serving True Guru’? Carrying the water for years, serving in Langar are few actions classifying as services to ‘The Guru’. Well, yes it is but the greatest act of service is ‘Keeping the Naam, The Best Gift from Guru’ in mind and then engage in service of ‘True Guru’. No other service is as great as that.

And Dhan Guru Amardas Ji did not forget ‘The Naam’ for even a single moment while serving Dhan  Guru Angad Dev Ji. Guruji showed to everyone while serving that there is nothing other ‘The Naam’ which can keep someone so focus, that’s why everything else is considered transient in Gurbaani and ‘The Naam’ is glorified.

Such focus will keep every individual humble. What the humbleness will do? It will dispel the ego and all the desires will be fulfilled. But again, what desire Dhan Guru Amardas Ji had? Well, the only desire He had to keep serving His Guru with all focus on Dhan Guru Angad Dev Ji’s feet and ‘The Naam’ He has been bestowing on everyone. Such service is fruitful that’s why Dhan Guru Angad Dev Ji stayed in heart and mind of Dhan Guru Amardas Ji and vice versa.

Once mind is infused by ‘True Guru, His Feet and His Greatest Gift Naam’, what is left inside an individual? Well only virtues and WHO is bestower of virtues, The True Lord Himself. Where HE comes to reside what happens to evil, the evil leaves the individual and all the bonds are shattered, simply because all the bonds are branches of ‘Me – The Ego’. If ‘I’ do not exist how an individual can be bogged by anything. Such individual just remains absorbed in the True Lord. He realizes following:

ਹਮ ਛੂਟੇ ਅਬ ਉਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਤੇ ਓਇ ਹਮ ਤੇ ਛੂਟੇ ॥੧॥[1]

हम छूटे अब उन्हा ते ओइ हम ते छूटे ॥१॥

(I have now escaped from them, and they have run away from me.)

Guruji further says that it is so difficult to obtain the Naam in this world. Only few obtain it.

ਜਨ  ਨਾਨਕ  ਕੋਟਨ  ਮੈ  ਕੋਊ  ਭਜਨੁ  ਰਾਮ  ਕੋ  ਪਾਵੈ  ॥੨॥੩॥[2]

जन नानक कोटन मै कोऊ भजनु राम को पावै ॥२॥३॥

(O! servant Nanak, among millions, there is scarcely anyone who attains the Lord's meditation.)

Who gets ‘The Gift of Naam’? Only ‘The Gurmukh, The One who listens to his Guru’ finds ‘The Naam’. It comes to dwell in the mind of the Gurmukh simply because he is ‘Blessed by The True Guru’. How to become Gurmukh? Well, ‘Who’ all is better than Dhan Guru Angad Dev Ji, Dhan Guru Amardas Ji, Dhan Guru Ramdas Ji and Dhan  Guru Arjan Dev Ji?

At the end Guruji gives everything to an individual who serves his ‘True Guru’. What can be better than Dhan Guru Amardas Ji to give such blessings? Just imagine He is sacrifice to one absorbed in the service of ‘True Guru’. And when Dhan Guru Amardas Ji opens the gate of ‘Blisses’ what else needs is left to be asked for.

In summary Guruji is inspiring everyone to serve ‘The True Guru’ as only ‘True Guru with His gift of Naam’ can eradicate all the sins and fulfills all the desire of an individual by making him a ‘Gurmukh’.

---

[1] Aasaa Mehla 5 – Ang 400 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[2] Gauree Mehla 9 – Ang 219 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

10. Baani Ravidaas Ji Ki: Ang 694 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Ang 694 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਭਗਤ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਕੀ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ॥

ਹਮ ਸਰਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਨ ਤੁਮ ਸਰਿ ਅਬ ਪਤੀਆਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਜੈ॥ਬਚਨੀ ਤੋਰ ਮੋਰ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ॥੧॥ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ਰਮਈਆ ਕਾਰਨੇ॥ਕਾਰਨ ਕਵਨ ਅਬੋਲ॥ਰਹਾਉ॥ਬਹੁਤ ਜਨਮ ਬਿਛੁਰੇ ਥੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਇਹੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ਲੇਖੇ॥

ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਆਸ ਲਗਿ ਜੀਵਉ ਚਿਰ ਭਇਓ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ॥੨॥੧॥

धनासरी भगत रविदास जी की ੴ सतिगुर प्रसादि ॥

हम सरि दीनु दइआलु न तुम सरि अब पतीआरु किआ कीजै ॥

बचनी तोर मोर मनु मानै जन कउ पूरनु दीजै ॥१॥

हउ बलि बलि जाउ रमईआ कारने ॥ कारन कवन अबोल ॥ रहाउ ॥बहुत जनम बिछुरे थे माधउ इहु जनमु तुम्हारे लेखे ॥

कहि रविदास आस लगि जीवउ चिर भइओ दरसनु देखे ॥२॥१॥

Summary

Ravidaas Ji is one of the reverend saints in Sikhism. In this Shabad, he is asking himself a deserter, the ‘forlorn’. How is it possible? Well, the people of his time could not understand him and also unfortunately he was discarded as ‘Lower Caste’. So socially he was alone but did he take revenge? No, in fact he surrendered himself to ‘The One’. What ever he has in mind, he spoke freely with his ‘Lord’. He built up relationship with ‘The One’ abandoning all the relationship the world had to offer. He used his lonliness to awake ‘Vairag’ rather than withering away in other immoral activities. He did not wait for the world to understand him, rather took refuge in 'Lord's Feet'. His truthfulness, devotion and surrender showered ‘The Grace of Lord’ on him and he rose above everything.

So, he is requesting ‘The One’, as he has been dejected by society to accept him. As ‘The Lord’ is compassionate and no one is as compassionate as HIM, so he is hopeful that HE will surely accept him. Ravidaas ji with all his devotion humbly asking ‘The One’ what else he needs to prove to show his surrender. Is there a need to test him futher? He is asking such question since he is willing to undertake any test in form of hardship or adversity to prove his loyalty towards his ‘Lord’.

His mind accepts ‘The Word of Lord’. That is he has accepted the ‘Hukum – The Will of Lord’. Please note ‘Acceptance’ is the key word. Without accepting ‘The Lord’ cannot be found. As per Kabeer Ji:

ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ਤਉ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੧੧॥[1]

मनु मानिआ तउ हरि जानिआ ॥४॥११॥

(Now that my mind is has accepted, I have come to know the Lord.)

Further, he calls himself the humble servant who seeks for blessing of completeness. He is sacrifice to the Lord. He wants to listen HIM. People are scared to silence since they tend to hear all kind of voices of in their mind. Sitting in silence they hear conflicts, negative emotions etc. It is difficult for them to accept it. But Ravidas ji is above all the conflicts. So what worries him? Well, in silence he could not hear his ‘Lord’. How many of us even strive for it? How many of us are desperate to hear ‘Lord’, well we all just want to hear the noises which ‘massage’ our ego.

Then he speaks about his incarnations and in all his births he has been separated from ‘Lord’. Again, how many of us remember past lives? Well, Ravidaas Ji was the blessed one who remembered all his past lives. And next moment he dedicates ‘his current life’ to ‘Lord’. Well, something for us to realize. Can we do the same? We struggle to dedicate a single moment to ‘Lord’ and Ravidaas Ji is saying about whole life.

He further says, that he has placed his hopes in ‘The Lord’ and he lives on that hope. Where we place our hopes, something to ponder? He asks for blessed vision of ‘Lord’s Darshan’ for which he has been waiting for long time.

In summary, Ravidaas Ji asks us to dedicate every moment of life to Lord, so what no hope is left, so what we have been left  in aloofness, we just need to put our hope on ‘The Lord’, and HE is compassionate to attach us to HIM.

---

[1] Raag Sorath Baani Kabeer Ji Ki – Ang 656 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

9. Soul Searching

The difference between living human and corpse is an entity which is referred as soul. The soul is an observer to your actions and as per Indian Philosophy it is believed soul manifest into many living forms till it achieves salvation. And human manifestation is considered as the door to salvation. If we don't realize it the opportunity we get as human birth gets wasted hence it becomes of utmost important to do 'Soul Searching'.

When the universe was born everything like matter, space, time, reality, light, darkness flew in all dimensions. This signify all were connected and then suddenly all became disconnected. It hints at everything we know, we understand, we realize was condensed at one point, which science refer as void or a bubble and spirituality as 'Primal Lord'. And Big Bang made everything to separate from 'The Source'. So, it can be considered that even soul got separated from The Source but it is still a part of  The Source. And it is connected to it. This connection has been described in the blog 'The Bond - Supreme and Soul'. 

Perhaps matter, space, time, reality cannot come together to form 'The Source' and they are not embedded with instinct to find source. But soul is different. It has instincts to find 'The Source'. It has the ability to find 'The Bond'. So by soul searching efforts are focused to find that bond. And once bond is found The Source, Primal Formless God, is found. And all the knowledge, all the virtues, all the peace transcends from The Source to The Soul.

But to find that bond an individual has to face his fears, his vices, his ego which are eager to tear him apart. It is not easy to sit in silence since noises of mind are more than any cacophony sounds an individual would have heard. The key is to not to give up if you find it difficult to cope up with them. It is important to understand after noises, pains, struggles beyond one's comprehension lays the horizon where a human can help himself and others to rise above adversaries.

In the end:

"Soul does exist. No matter how much you deny it. A transient denial cannot negate the truth. Come out form the mentality of non-acceptance and do soul searching. You will be amazed that soul searching journey will offer jewels which no treasure in the whole universe can buy."

8. Baani Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Ki: Ang 1245 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Ang 1245: Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji 

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੧ ॥

ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਤਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਜੀਵਿਆ ਜਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਵੇਚਹਿ ਨਾਉ ॥

ਖੇਤੀ  ਜਿਨ  ਕੀ  ਉਜੜੈ  ਖਲਵਾੜੇ  ਕਿਆ  ਥਾਉ  ॥ ਸਚੈ  ਸਰਮੈ  ਬਾਹਰੇ  ਅਗੈ  ਲਹਹਿ  ਨ  ਦਾਦਿ  ॥

ਅਕਲਿ  ਏਹ  ਨ  ਆਖੀਐ  ਅਕਲਿ  ਗਵਾਈਐ  ਬਾਦਿ  ॥ ਅਕਲੀ  ਸਾਹਿਬੁ  ਸੇਵੀਐ  ਅਕਲੀ  ਪਾਈਐ  ਮਾਨੁ  ॥

ਅਕਲੀ  ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ  ਕੈ  ਬੁਝੀਐ  ਅਕਲੀ  ਕੀਚੈ  ਦਾਨੁ  ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ  ਆਖੈ  ਰਾਹੁ  ਏਹੁ  ਹੋਰਿ  ਗਲਾਂ  ਸੈਤਾਨੁ  ॥੧॥

सलोक मः १ ॥

ध्रिगु तिना का जीविआ जि लिखि लिखि वेचहि नाउ ॥

खेती जिन की उजड़ै खलवाड़े किआ थाउ ॥ सचै सरमै बाहरे अगै लहहि न दादि ॥

अकलि एह न आखीऐ अकलि गवाईऐ बादि ॥ अकली साहिबु सेवीऐ अकली पाईऐ मानु ॥

अकली पड़्हि कै बुझीऐ अकली कीचै दानु ॥ नानकु आखै राहु एहु होरि गलां सैतानु ॥१॥

Summary

Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji, bow down to Him again and again.

ਸਭ ਤੇ ਵਡਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਕਲ ਰਾਖੀ ਮੇਰੀ ॥੪॥੧੦॥੫੭॥[1]

सभ ते वडा सतिगुरु नानकु जिनि कल राखी मेरी ॥४॥१०॥५७॥

(Guru Nanak is the greatest of all; He saved my honor in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga.)

‘Baba Nanak’ we would have been stuck in ‘illusions’ without ‘Your Gracious Manifestation’. From where we would have seen ‘Your Nine Lights’ and from where we would have attuned to Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji? Please accept our shortcomings, that is only we can offer ‘You’. We don’t have anything else to offer.

In this Shabad, ‘The Bestower of Blessings Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji’ is smacking the faces of those who read and write the Lord's Name to sell it. Such people fool masses, rob them, mislead them. Even Kabir Ji has said following about such people.

ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥[2]

ओइ हरि के संत न आखीअहि बानारसि के ठग ॥१॥

(They are not called Saints of the Lord - they are thugs of Benares.)

Impostors leave people following them in such state that hope is lost forever. What good are such actions which are carried out to deceive innocent people? What happens to them? Do they escape without being punished of their malicious intent?

‘No’ says Guruji. Such people’s life is cursed. They have sown the seeds of lies and thus have ruined their crop, the crop of virtues obtained by meditating ‘Naam’. What kind of harvest they will have? Crop is harvested to feed but one who has just seeded evil what will he feed? Such people are treacheours. Sooner or later with their tricks they gain ‘false followers’ and they are bound to become arrogant, lacking truth and humility. Why, as they are feeding evil to people and to themselves. Guruji says such individual shall not be appreciated in the world hereafter. Even Kabeer Ji says following:

ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾਰਨ ਬਿਦਿਆ ਬੇਚਹੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਾਈ ॥੩॥[3]

माइआ कारन बिदिआ बेचहु जनमु अबिरथा जाई ॥३॥

(For the sake of Maya and money, you sell knowledge; your life is totally worthless.)

Their mind becomes deluded by ‘Ego’ and they consider themselves wise. And thus begins an effort to prove who is wiser than other. They argue and involve in altercations. This also causes confusion and chaos. Thus Guruji says, it is not wisdom which leads to arguments. Wisdom is which inspires to serve ‘The Formless Lord – The One’. Only through such wisdom honor is obtained.

Guruji further says that wisdom does not come by reading textbooks. Books are source of knowledge but by merely reading does not help. It just adds to superficial knowledge. And again becomes the source of conflicts. So, the need is to contemplate them. As per Kabeer Ji:

ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥[4]

बेद कतेब कहहु मत झूठे झूठा जो न बिचारै ॥

(Do not say that the Vedas, the Koran is false. Those who do not contemplate them are false.)

So what is wisdom? Well Guruji says wisdom inspires us to give in charity. And if we look at life of Guruji, He led His life by just giving. His givings are countless but few are: Naam, Baani, Langar, Guru’s Throne to Bhai Lehna Ji and establishing Him as Dhan Guru Angad Dev Ji. Dhan Baba Nanak, Dhan Baba Nanak!

In the end of this Shabad Guruji say’s stop accumulating the wealth obtained from evil. Start giving since all other paths leads to Satan.

---

[1] Suhi Mehla 5 – Ang 750 – Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[2] Assa – Bani Kabir Ji Ki – Ang 476 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[3] Raag Maru - Baani Kabir Ji Ki – Ang 1103 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[4] Prabhatee – Baani Kabir Ji Ki – Ang 1350 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

7. Baani KabeerJi Ki: Ang 870 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Ang 870: Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji 

 

ਗੋਂਡ ॥

ਨਰੂ ਮਰੈ ਨਰੁ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥ ਪਸੂ ਮਰੈ ਦਸ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

ਅਪਨੇ ਕਰਮ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਮੈ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਨਉ ॥ ਮੈ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਨਉ ਬਾਬਾ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਹਾਡ ਜਲੇ ਜੈਸੇ ਲਕਰੀ ਕਾ ਤੂਲਾ ॥ ਕੇਸ ਜਲੇ ਜੈਸੇ ਘਾਸ ਕਾ ਪੂਲਾ ॥੨॥

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਤਬ ਹੀ ਨਰੁ ਜਾਗੈ ॥ ਜਮ ਕਾ ਡੰਡੁ ਮੂੰਡ ਮਹਿ ਲਾਗੈ ॥੩॥੨॥

गोंड ॥

नरू मरै नरु कामि न आवै ॥ पसू मरै दस काज सवारै ॥१॥

अपने करम की गति मै किआ जानउ ॥ मै किआ जानउ बाबा रे ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥

हाड जले जैसे लकरी का तूला ॥ केस जले जैसे घास का पूला ॥२॥

कहु कबीर तब ही नरु जागै ॥ जम का डंडु मूंड महि लागै ॥३॥२॥

 

 Summary

Kabir Ji is known for His ‘Straight Forwardness’. He is not afraid of warning ‘mere mortals’ who are engaged in lowly action by giving hard hitting examples. How can he be scared of anything, not even death which He has overcome? He experiences bliss in same as per his words in Ang 1365 of Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਰਨੇ ਤੇ ਜਗੁ ਡਰੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨਿ ਆਨੰਦੁ ॥ ਮਰਨੇ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦੁ ॥੨੨॥

कबीर जिसु मरने ते जगु डरै मेरे मनि आनंदु ॥ मरने ही ते पाईऐ पूरनु परमानंदु ॥२२॥

(Kabeer, the world is afraid of death - that death fills my mind with bliss.

It is only by death that perfect, supreme bliss is obtained.)

So he has found bliss, ‘The One – The God’ even in death, such is his state of mind, dedication and practice of reciting ‘Naam’. And by virtues of his realization and wisdom he is conveying following messages to people in this Shabad:

1.      Rise above Causality: What is causality? It is an idea that one action can cause other action. For example, it is generally believed and accepted if we have done good things or even if we have just thought about it, the good will return to us. The world goes to holy places only for same. That is they want something out of it. They have not overcome the temptation of ‘Fruits’. The efforts are wasted in analyzing actions and things further become bad when one wants to hear praise of his own and criticizes the actions of others. If an individual gets more than as per his expectation as per his analysis of action, he becomes egoistic. And if gets less then he just drowns himself in sorrow. Both are state of mind and eventually lead to his downfall.

But Kabeer Ji, who have liberated with help of ‘The One’, has risen over it. That is, he does not care about his actions as they have become pure, he has merged into ‘The One’. He neither believes in being appreciated for his actions nor criticizes the actions of others. He does not care of gain or loss. Thus, he is free from fruits of his actions. And that’s why he says, I don’t know what the outcome or state of my actions will be. He has left that to ‘The Almighty – The One’. He just focusses on Meditating ‘The Naam’ and inspires other to do same. He has overcome the desire of fruits else he would have been expecting something good or bad out of his action. We consider ourselves the judge of actions but as per Kabeer Ji, it is malpractice.

2.      Leave Ego Behind: A human is heavily driven by his ego. As long as he lives, he just tries to ‘satiate’ his ego. What matters to him is his physical appearance. He takes pride in it and becomes obsessed with it. So Kabeer Ji is warning such people that the body has no worth. Once it becomes corpse this body has worse state than corpse of an animal. Animal corpse can be put to use like fat can be used as fuel, skin for making jackets but can human corpse be utilized the same way? As per Indian traditions human corpse is burnt in pyre. He uses that example to strike further deep into human consciousness. Kabeer Ji says, the bone burns like bundle of wooden logs and hairs burns like bale of hay. So why we take pride in physical body which has such fate.

3.      End of Man waken him: Kabeer Ji is giving insight what happens when man is nearing his end. The end is of two types:

a.       End which brings bliss, like one which Kabeer Ji mentioned in his words on Ang 1365 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (cited above). Such an end kills ego and that’s why an individual is liberated; no more pain, end of miseries and unionism with ‘The One’.

b.      In this Shabad Kabeer Ji talks about the end of physical form when death of messenger strikes an individual with his club. As per Kabeer Ji such strikes wake up a person and make him realize what he has done throughout his life. He has not remembered 'The One'. He repents but what good is that? Death does not give him time to rectify his actions. And he just passes away in misery.

So, in this Shabad Kabeer Ji wants everyone to think about what they have been doing, the end is nearing and if an individual does not balance himself, does not focus on 'Meditating the Name of One' his fate is sealed for miseries.

6. Baani Dhan Guru Teg Bhadur Ji Ki: Ang 634 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Ang 634: Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

ਸੋਰਠਿ  ਮਹਲਾ  ੯

ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਜਾਨਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਮਨ ਮਾਹੀ ॥ਅਪਨੇ ਸੁਖ ਸਿਉ ਹੀ ਜਗੁ ਫਾਂਧਿਓ ਕੋ ਕਾਹੂ ਕੋ ਨਾਹੀ ॥੧॥ਰਹਾਉ॥

ਸੁਖ ਮੈ ਆਨਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਮਿਲਿ ਬੈਠਤ ਰਹਤ ਚਹੂ ਦਿਸਿ ਘੇਰੈ ॥

ਬਿਪਤਿ ਪਰੀ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਸੰਗੁ ਛਾਡਿਤ ਕੋਊ ਨ ਆਵਤ ਨੇਰੈ ॥੧॥

ਘਰ ਕੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਹਿਤੁ ਜਾ ਸਿਉ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਤ ਸੰਗ ਲਾਗੀ ॥

ਜਬ ਹੀ ਹੰਸ ਤਜੀ ਇਹ ਕਾਂਇਆ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਕਰਿ ਭਾਗੀ ॥੨॥

ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੋ ਬਿਉਹਾਰੁ ਬਨਿਓ ਹੈ ਜਾ ਸਿਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਲਗਾਇਓ ॥ਅੰਤ ਬਾਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਕੋਊ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਇਓ॥੩॥੧੨॥੧੩੯॥

सोरठि महला ९ ॥

प्रीतम जानि लेहु मन माही ॥

अपने सुख सिउ ही जगु फांधिओ को काहू को नाही ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥

सुख मै आनि बहुतु मिलि बैठत रहत चहू दिसि घेरै ॥

बिपति परी सभ ही संगु छाडित कोऊ न आवत नेरै ॥१॥

घर की नारि बहुतु हितु जा सिउ सदा रहत संग लागी ॥

जब ही हंस तजी इह कांइआ प्रेत प्रेत करि भागी ॥२॥

इह बिधि को बिउहारु बनिओ है जा सिउ नेहु लगाइओ ॥

अंत बार नानक बिनु हरि जी कोऊ कामि न आइओ ॥३॥१२॥१३९॥

Summary

Dhan Guru Teg Bhadhur Ji, “Who is Greatest than You in Present Times [1]”, is giving insight regarding the conduct of worldly people. We generally classify people as following: Dear Ones, Near Ones, Acquaintance and Unknown. Unknown and acquaintance seldom have impact on our lives but those who we hold close, near and dear ones, to us surely influence the way we live and move in society. But we need to be cautious in making relationships, why? Do such relationships have any threats? Who can we rely on? Guruji have blessed us with ‘His Words’ about such questions in this Shabad [2].

He wants everyone to understand that an individual needs to be careful of people having selfish motto. Such people don’t care about anyone. What matters to them is ‘themselves’? They will be engrossed only in their own welfare and pleasure. They will use an individual for own well-being, form relationship with the individual, will surround him in all directions, pose as his nearest one, and when he needs any help or hard time is unleashed on him they will discard him.

Further Guruji takes example of Wife, who comes under classification of ‘Dear Ones’. She may not be selfish and has dedicated her for whole life for your well being but cannot do anything once the swan-soul leaves the body. She may have remained attached with living person throughout her life but when he is dead he just becomes ‘Ghost’ for her. She cannot do anything even if she wants to help after death. Her attachment and affection is limited to life and after death none remains. Such is the plight of 'Dear Ones'

This is the way, so called near ones can be selfish and dear ones are helpless. One will ignore an individual and other is feeble to come to aid when it is really required. And still we remain attached to those who act in such a way who we love so much.

Then where is the hope? Who will come to rescue? Well, Guruji says till last moment there is only one savior ‘The Dear Lord’. Without ‘HIM’ no one can save any individual. 'HE' is 'The True One' to make any relationship with. 'HE' is 'The Real Dear and Near One'.

In summary, Guruji says to give up false hopes on worldly people, who are selfish and ask everyone to attune the mind to Lord ‘WHO’ is the only hope at every moment of life, even after death ‘HE’ takes care of an individual.

------

[1] Words said by Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji, when He requested Guruji to sacrifice Himself for beliefs, tradition and culture of India.

[2] We should bow down our head again and again with gratitude at ‘Baba Nanak’s Door’, for enlightening us on every aspect of life, society and spirituality. He has blessed us with everything. And still we roam around in search of ‘Guru’ when Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji is ‘Baba Nanak’s Door’ greatest gift to ‘His Sikhs’.

5. Pupose of Life

I came out of womb and cried. The first touch of air did not make me happy. Why? I never realized that. But I could hear laughter and congratulations. And of course I felt the warmth of my parents that eased out my anxiety. I felt secured and stopped crying never even trying to find out, why did I cry? Well, I cried because I failed to understand my ‘purpose’ in previous life and I am born again to pursue the same quest. Who knows if I shall re-born to cry or will find the ‘purpose’ and salvation which comes as a bonus after finding the ‘purpose’. But I am sure the world around me will bury the question ‘What is my purpose’ deep inside my consciousness. It will remain dormant in my consciousness without being touched. And I will waste this opportunity of human life.

Above is the question which mankind is seeking since its advent on the planet. First humans roamed around to find the ‘purpose’. They would have thought that at some location of this planet they would find the answer. But they never understood that planet was always spherical in shape. Where every they would begin, they would eventually reach the same point. Then discovery of fire, invention of wheel, forging of steel made them to believe that their purpose was to stay together, build civilization, gather riches and expand the empires. But again it did not bring them ‘salvation’ as they kept mauled by sufferings, pains and darkness of ignorance. Well, this all is making me confused and worried. So many millenniums of human evolution and I don’t know my purpose.

I have an answer for you as per following words of Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Fifth Sikh Guru:

So, what is our purpose? To merge with ‘The One Formless Lord of Universe; as per above words. Mergence does not happen at my will. Since my will is sheer ego and ego will keep you distinct from everything. Like, water droplet if thinks it is unique will never surrender itself for merging in ocean. And ego is something which cannot be vanquished by individual efforts. So, hindrance is ego, we need to overcome and the moment it is conquered we all have to merge into ‘The One’. So, find the purpose and don’t waste this human life. Perhaps, you never have to cry again!!!

4. Baani Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Ji Ki: Ang 811 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Ang 811: Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥

ਕੀਤਾ ਲੋੜਹਿ ਸੋ ਕਰਹਿ ਤੁਝ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਛੁ ਨਾਹਿ॥ਪਰਤਾਪੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਕੈ ਜਮਦੂਤ ਛਡਿ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਤੇ ਛੂਟੀਐ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਅਹੰਮੇਵ॥ਸਰਬ ਕਲਾ ਸਮਰਥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਖੋਜਤ ਖੋਜਤ ਖੋਜਿਆ ਨਾਮੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੂਰੁ॥ਜੀਵਨ ਸੁਖੁ ਸਭੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਨਸਾ ਪੂਰੁ ॥੨॥

ਜਿਤੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਲਾਵਹੁ ਤਿਤੁ ਤਿਤੁ ਲਗਹਿ ਸਿਆਨਪ ਸਭ ਜਾਲੀ ॥

ਜਤ ਕਤ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲੀ ॥੩॥

ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਮ ਤੇ ਮਾਗਨਾ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਪਾਏ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀਵਾ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਏ ॥੪॥੧੨॥੪੨॥

बिलावलु महला ५ ॥

कीता लोड़हि सो करहि तुझ बिनु कछु नाहि ॥ परतापु तुम्हारा देखि कै जमदूत छडि जाहि ॥१॥

तुम्हरी क्रिपा ते छूटीऐ बिनसै अहमेव ॥ सरब कला समरथ प्रभ पूरे गुरदेव ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥

खोजत खोजत खोजिआ नामै बिनु कूरु ॥ जीवन सुखु सभु साधसंगि प्रभ मनसा पूरु ॥२॥

जितु जितु लावहु तितु तितु लगहि सिआनप सभ जाली ॥

जत कत तुम्ह भरपूर हहु मेरे दीन दइआली ॥३॥

सभु किछु तुम ते मागना वडभागी पाए ॥ नानक की अरदासि प्रभ जीवा गुन गाए ॥४॥१२॥४२॥

Summary

Guru Arjan Dev Ji is describing the ‘Glory of His Naam - Name’. No corner of universe is safe for any individual i.e. where ever he goes or manages to go he will be followed by messengers of death. He cannot escape his death. But ‘HIS’ name is all powerful and all pervading. If an individual inculcates ‘Naam – Name’ in himself, he will not be touched by messengers of death, such a glory of ‘His Name’. Does ‘His Name’ infuse fear in Death that’s why it does not touch an individual? Well, He is ‘Nirvair’, One ‘Who’ has no enemy. Then how could 'HE' cause fear. And in this Shabad Guru Ji does not use word ‘Fear’; He has used word ‘Pratap – The Glory’. HIS Glory can keep messengers of death away from bearer of ‘His Name’, which otherwise don’t leave any opportunity to pounce on an individual.

‘HE’ does what wishes ‘HIM’. He is ‘Karta Purakh – The Doer [1]’. The whole universe follows His will. Everything has been originated from Him. He is the creator hence there is nothing without Him. Only He knows His extent [2]. The whole creation of His follows His “Hukum – Will”. Guruji is conveying no matter what we see or comprehend the true reality is He alone is everything else everything is a myth. Thus, Guruji is asking everyone to bind to Him.

The Gurbaani is all about ‘His Grace’ and even here Guruji mentions that by His Grace an individual is emancipated, and egotism is dispelled. Ego is considered is the strongest evil, a great hindrance in an individual’s liberation. But it is vanquished by His Grace. Death decimates the physical form, it can make an individual realize that he has been misled by ego to misery but it cannot overpower the ego, it is latent, else a human will never born again. But His Grace is such that it annihilates the ego of an individual while he is still breathing.

‘The One’, who has created everything, knows each and everything about ‘His Creation’. Thus, He is omnipotent and possesses all the powers. As said by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, ‘Guru Prasad [3] – Found by Grace of Guru’, Guru Arjan Dev Ji’ says that He, is obtained through the Perfect, Divine Guru.

If this life is journey, as accepted by almost all, we discover many things. Everything adds to our experience, bitter – sweet, transient – permanent, but what does not end is search. People search matter as they think; they will find solace in it. Some rise above matter and try to find comfort. And sometimes the search does not end in one lifetime to find the happiness. 

But when Guruji tells His experience that searching again and again He found that without ‘Name of One’ everything else is false. Simply because what is ephemeral, everything we can comprehend except ‘His Name and Himself’, cannot be true for ever. But ‘Naam – His Name’ will remain forever, even if the universe dies out and who can live longer than ‘Universe’.

Searching for happiness, that how’s life progress. But where to find happiness? An individual has so many desires, who fulfills all desire? Guruji further say that all the comforts of life are found in the “Saadh Sangat”, the Company of the Holy and God is the Fulfiller of desires. If an individual start “Meditating on Naam”, he starts searching for ‘Naam’, all his desires are quenched even before they arise.  How?

ਵਿਣੁ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਕਿਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਕੀਚੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥[4]
विणु बोलिआ सभु किछु जाणदा किसु आगै कीचै अरदासि ॥
(He knows everything, without being told; unto whom should we offer our prayers?)

Now, how to meditate like that, that is our prayers are heard? Where does an individual get that knowledge? It is possible in the company of ‘True Guru’ and ‘Holy Congregation’. I just want to emphasize, don’t become victims of impostors. For us the ‘True Guru’ is none other than ‘Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj’. Live as per ‘Gurbaani’, the meditation on Naam will begin automatically. Remember Guru Arjan Dev Ji has mentioned ‘Without Naam’ everything is false. Just imagine, what will be the mental state of that individual who’s all the desires are fulfilled at its own? Well, he will be happy in fact ecstatic. So, true happiness, ‘The Gift of Naam’ can only be found in company of ‘Holy Man’.

An individual is argumentative. He wants to win everything with arguments. He is proud of his knowledge to an extent that he becomes victim of his ego, which tells him that he bears all the knowledge. And he thinks he is clever. He engages into ‘Battle of Discussion[5]’. He just builds an ‘All Knowing’ image of himself and that just builds his ego. So Guruji, in blissful, thank Almighty, that by His Grace all the cleverness has vanished. Guruji further say, whatever ‘He’ attaches Guruji to, Guruji is attached to it. Guruji hints at complete surrender. In complete surrender an individual don’t think he just follows. And thinking is nothing by ‘Cleverness – A Form of Latent Ego’. More a person thinks, he just feels happy and credit himself for that. But at the end it does not go with him.

ਸਹਸ  ਸਿਆਣਪਾ  ਲਖ  ਹੋਹਿ  ਤ  ਇਕ  ਨ  ਚਲੈ  ਨਾਲਿ [6]

सहस सिआणपा लख होहि त इक न चलै नालि ॥

(Hundreds of thousands of clever tricks, but not even one of them will go along with you in the end.)

For whom ‘The One’ is everything, they don’t go asking anywhere but ask from Him. But again, only the very fortunate ones obtain it. Guruji further prays to ‘Him’ that He lives by singing His Glorious Praises. 

---

[1] Japji Sahib

[2] Sukhmani Sahib

[3] Japji Sahib

[4] Shalok by Guru Amardas: Ang 1420 Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[5] The classic example is ‘Veda Shastras’ used to be organized in ancient times. The real purpose was to transfer the knowledge but it took a ‘Bad Turn’ when scholars used it to denigrate each other.

[6] Japji Sahib