Introduction
Bhai
Gurdas ji was born at Basarke Gillan, a small village in Amritsar
district of Punjab, His father Bhai Ishar Das was the youngest
brother of third Guru Amar Das ji. He was born in Bhallan clan of
Khatri caste. He was a merely child of 5 years when his mother Jivani
passed away. He also lost his father at the age of 12 years and after
that he came under the care of Guru Amar Das Ji, Under the patronage
of Guru Amar Das ji, he learnt Sanskrit, Brij Bhasha, Persian and
Punjabi at Sultanpur Lodhi and eventually began preaching. He spent
the early years of his life at Goindwal and Sultanpur Lodhi and
obtained knowledge from the scholars and swamis who continuously
visited the town while journeying on Delhi-Lahore Road. He later
moved to Varanasi, where he studied Sanskrit and Hindu Scriptures.
After the death of Guru Amar Das ji, next Guru Ram Das ji made him a
Sikh missionary at Agra. In 1577,Bhai Gurdas contributed his labour
in excavating the Sarovar at Durbar Sahib. Twenty years later, he
went on an expedition to East Kartarpur and recited many of his early
hymns to Emperor Akbar, who was pleased by their spiritual content
and found no anti-muslim tone in them. After the death of Guru Ram
Das,Bhai Gurdas formed a close relationship with his successor Guru
Arjan Dev ji, whom he regarded as his Mama (maternal uncle. He also
led a group of Sikhs to Gwalior, where Mughal Emperor Jahangir, our
of jealousy of growing popularity among the masses had imprisoned
Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. He was also sent to preach Sikhism in Kabul,
Kashmir, Rajputana and Varanasi and even Sri Lanka where he preached
the name of Guru among the masses showing them the true way of life.
He
completed Adi Granth as a scribe working ceaselessly for a period of
19 years with other four scribes- Bhai Haria, Bhai Sant Das, Bhai
Sukha and Bhai Manasa Ram. His other works in Punjabi are
collectively called Varran Bhai Gurdas and Kabits, a form of poetry
in Braj language. He was initially though to have been the author of
556 Kabits but a discovery by Bhai Vir Singh in 1939 unearthed 119
additional Kabits written by him. He also became head of Akal Takht
that was instituted by Guru Hargobind on June 15, 1606. The
foundation stone of this building was laid down by Guru Hargobind
himself. When Guru Hargobind was arrested in December 1612 at Gwalior
he, who was custodian of Akal Takht till that time, entrusted the
responsibility to Bhai Gur Das ji appointing him as the First
Jathedar of Akal Takht while the responsibility of performing
services at Harmandir Sahib was given to Bhai Buddha. He passed away
at Goindwal on 25 August 1636 and Guru Hargobind Sahib ji personally
performed the ceremonial service at his funeral.
As
Bhai Gurdas was the first scribe of Adi Granth so it is clear that he
had mastery over Indian languages and had studied many ancient Indian
religious scriptures. It is said that the motivation for Gurdas to
write the first Var was due to Guru Arjan Dev ji, who requested him
to compose an authentic work of literature documenting and detailing
life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Scholarship has agreed that the Vaars were
composed between sixty years period between the late 16th
century and around 1630. Rahuldeep Singh Gill argues that Vaars must
have been written after the compilation and installation of Guru
Granth Sahib Ji in 1604 A.D . He bases his inference on this fact
that none of the Vaars have been incorporated in Adii Granth and some
events refrenced in them took place in the early 17th
Century and some of them were written partly to combat the nascent
Mina sect. It was likely that the number of Vaars reached 40 as this
number is considered auspicious in Sikhism, being the number of
stanzas in Japji Sahib and Anand(u) Sahib. The full title of the work
is given in one manuscript dated 1782 A.D as : Varan Gian Ratnawali
Bhai Gurdas Bhalle ka Bolana. The work consists of 40 chapters in
which each chapter consists of Pauris or stanzas. Each chapter may
have different number of Pauris or stanzas. Thematically this
composition is a collection of detailed commentary and explanation of
theology and the ethics of religious beliefs as outlined by the
Gurus. It elaborates the terms like Sangat, haumai, Gun, Gurmukh,
Manmukh, Sat, Naam and it also mentions a names of prominent Sikhs
who had been associated with the Gurus and helped in spreading the
Sikh Faith. Each Vaar begins with invocation and Mangalacharan.
Vaar-I
Pauri 1
Invocation
I bow before the Guru( Guru Nanak Dev),
who recited the Satnam Mantra.
Getting
(the creatures) across the world ocean He raptly merged them in
liberation. He destroyed the fear of transmigration and decimated the
malady of doubt and separation. The world is only illusion which
carried with it much of birth, death and sufferings. The fear of the
rod of Yama is not dispelled and the sakts, the followers of the
goddess have lost their lives in vain. Those who have caught hold of
the feet of the Guru have been liberated through the true word. Now
being full of devotion they celebrate the gurpurbs and their acts of
remembrance of God, charity and holy ablutions, inspire others too.
As someone sows, so he reaps.
Pauri-2
Creation of the World
First
of all when no breath and body was there nothing was visible in pitch
darkness. The body was created through the blood (of mother) and
semen (of father) and he five elements were joined judiciously. Air,
water, fire and earth were put together. The fifth element sky(void)
was kept in between and creator God, the sixth one, invisibly
permeated among all. To create a human body, five elements and twenty
five qualities opposite to each other were joined and mixed. Four
life originating mines (egg, foetus, sweat born and vegetation) and
four types of speech- para, pasynti, madhyama and vaikhari- were
assimilated into each other and the drama of transmigration was
enacted. Thus eighty four lacs of species were created.
Pauri-3
Grandeur of Human Birth
Of
the eighty four lacs life, classes, birth as a human is the best.
Eyes behold, ears listen to and the mouth speaks sweet words. Hands
earn livelihood and feet take towards the holy congregation. In human
life alone by the rightful earning, out of one’s savings, other
needy ones are fed. Man by becoming Gurmukh- Guru oriented, makes his
life meaningful, he reads Gurbani, and makes others understand the
significance of Gurbani. He satisfies his companions and takes the
holy water touched by their feet, i.e he inculcates complete
humility. Humbly touching of the feet should not be repudiated
because in the dark age, this quality is the only asset of the human
personality. People of such a conduct will swim the world-ocean and
also get along other disciples of the Guru.
Pauri-4
: Causes of Creation
All
pervading Onkar through His One Word created the whole expansive
cosmos. Through the five elements, as the quintessence He permeated
in the three worlds and their denominations. That creator could not
be seen by anyone who to expand Himself created the infinite
nature(prakriti). He made myriads forms of nature. In His each hair
He gathered up millions of worlds. And then in one universe he comes
in ten of forms. He has created many a dear personality such as
Vedavyas and Muhammad dear to the Vedas and Katebas respectively. How
wonerfully the one nature has been expanded into many.
Pauri-5
The Yugs
The
four Ages (yugs) were established and the first three were given
names Satyug, Treta, Dvapar. Fourth one was Kaliyug. And four castes
came to be known as the kings of four ages- Brahmin, Kshatriya,
Vaishya and Shudra became dominant in each age. In Satyug, Vishnu is
said to have come to earth as Hanssavaar and explained the problems
pertaining to metaphysics. Nothing but one soham-Brahm was discussed
and pondered upon. Getting indifferent to maya, people would praise
one Lord. They would go to forests and pull on life by eating natural
vegetations. On the one hand the world was perishing away and on the
other life current would go stably.
Pauri-6-
The Yugs continued.
In
Treta in the Sun-dynasty descended in the form of the Kshatriya (Ram)
a great incarnation. Now the nine portions of age lessened and
illusion, attachment and ego inflated. In Dvapar, Yadava dynasty came
to the forefront with incarnation of Lord Krishna was manifested to
the people but because of the lack of good conduct. Age by Age, the
life span of man went on decreasing. In the Rigveda the conduct of
the brahmin and the ideas about the actions done facing the East was
discussed. Kshatriyas became related to the Yajurveda and started
pouring charities while facing the South. The Vaisyas embraced the
Samveda and bowed to the West. Blue dress for Rigveda, yellow for
Yajurveda, and for singing the hymns of Samveda wearing of white
dress became a tradition. Thus three duties of three Ages were
enunciated.
Pauri-7
As above
Kaliyug
became prevalent as the fourth age in which the low instincts gripped
the whole world. People became reluctant in performing the duties
enjoined in Rig, Yajur and Samveda. The entire earth got enticed by
mammon and the antics of the Kaliyug put everyone into delusion.
Hatred and degeneracy engrossed the people and ego burnt one and all.
Nobody now worships anyone and the sense of respect for the younger
and elder has vanished into thin air. In this cutter age the emperors
are tyrants and their Satraps butchers. The justice of three ages has
become extinct and now whosoever gives something as bribe, gets
justice. The mankind has become wanting in dexterity of action.
Pauri-8
– Six Philosophies
Having
churned the duties enjoined in four vedas, the seers have delineated
the six Sastras. Whatever was described by Brahma and Sanak, people
recited and followed. Many think over while reading and singing, but
only one among millions understands and reads between the lines. Many
read and sing but surprisingly none comprehends it. It is also
surprising that every age has dominant colour but how in Kaliyug
there are myriad of colours (castes). That the duties of all the
three yugas have been abandoned is known to everybody but the
confusion persists. As the four vedas have been defined, the
description of six philosophies( Sastras) also complements them. They
all eulogise their own view point.
Pauri
9 - Nyaya
Speculating
seriously, seer Gautam has put forth the story of the Rigveda. After
churning the thoughts, in the Nyaya school, God has been defined as
the efficient cause of all the causes. Everything is under His
control and in His order, no order whatsoever of anybody else is
accepted. He is the beginning and at the end of this creation yet in
this Shastra He is shown separate from creation. No one has seen or
known the Creator, and rather people have indulged in the expansive
delusions of prakriti( nature). Not realising that soham parbrahm,
the jiv is mistaken in understanding Him as a man (full of
falacies). The Rigveda exhorts the knowledgeable people that supreme
Lord is everything and none else can be compared with Him. Without
true Guru this understanding cannot be attained.
Pauri-
10 Mimansa
Pondering
deeply over the Yajurveda, rishi Jamini put forth his postulates.
Ultimate decision will be arrived at according to the actions
performed through the body which will reap whatever it has sowed. He
established the theory of Karma and explained transmigration as
controlled by Karma. Because of its fallacy of ad infinitum, the
doubts are cleared and the Jiv goes on wandering in the labyrinth of
Karmas. Karma is the practical aspect of the world and the maya and
Brahm are identical. This school of thought (Shastras) while stirring
the ingredients of Yajurveda, mixes delusions with the Supreme
reality the Brahma. And establishes strongly the ritualism which
further accepts coming in and going from the world as the result of
Karma bondage. Without the True Guru, the doubts cannot be dispelled
away.
Pauri-11
Vedanta
Badarayan
Vyas recited Vedanta Sutras after churning and researching the
thought frame of Samaveda. He put up before the self (atman) as
identical to indescribable Brahma. He is invisible and the jiv
wanders here and there in its delusions of self- conceit. By
establishing the self as the Brahm he is in fact established one’s
own self as worthy of worship and therefore remained unknown to the
mysteries of loving devotion. Churning of the Vedas could not obtain
peace for him and he started scorching one and all in the heat of its
ego. The rod of Maya always hung over his head and he suffered
extremely because of the constant fear of Yama- the god of death.
Having obtained knowledge from Narad, he recited Bhagvat and thus
eulogised God. Without surrender before the Guru none could get
across the world ocean.
Pauri-
12 Sankhya
With
the passing away of Dvapar, the canopy of kingdom now came over the
head of Kaliyuga. Atharavaveda got established and people now would
go on eulogising, facing the north direction. As a substance of the
hymns of Athravaveda, the Sankhys sutras were recited by Kapil muni.
Get imbued with the great knowledge and go on pondering over the
stable and transitory. Despite of millions of efforts, without
knowledge nothing can be attained. Karma and Yoga are activities of
the body and both of these are momentary and perishable. Analytical
wisdom creates the supreme delight and the illusions of birth and
death come to an end. Theh Guru-oriented get emerged in the real
self.
Pauri-13
Vaishekhak
By
churning of the Athavrvaveda, the guru-oriented (Kanad) in his
Vaisesik recited about gunas- the quality of matter. He produced the
theory of sowing and reaping and told that at appropriate time only,
one would attain the fruit. Everything operates in His divine will
and whosoever accepts the divine will stabilizes his self in
equanimity. The Jiva must understand that nothing happens of its own
and we ourselves are responsible for our good and bad actions, and
hence nobody as good or bad should be lodged in mind. Rishi Kanad has
said that as you sow, so shall you reap. Listen to the injustice of
the Satyug that only because of a single evil-doer the whole world
will suffer. In the treta, the whole city suffered because of one
evil-doer and in dvapar this suffering was limited to one family and
the family underwent the ignominy. But in Kaliyuga only he suffers
who commits evil deed.
Pauri-14
Naga-Seshnag Patanjali.
Gurmukh
Patanjali- the supposed incarnation of Sheshnaga, very thoughtfully
recited, the Naga-Shastra, Yoga Shastra ( Patanjal Yogasutras. He
told in consonance with Atharvaveda that illusion cannot be erased
without Yoga. It is similar to the fact where we know that without
cleansing of the mirror, the face cannot be seen in it. Yoga is
cleansing praxis through which the surati gets absorbed into the
unstruck melody. Eighteen Siddhis and nine treasures fall at the feet
of a Gurmukh Yogi. In Kaliyuga, Patanjali talked about fulfillment
of desires that remained unfulfilled in three yugas. The complete
achievement of yogic bhakti is that you have everything quickly.
Pauri-15
Prevalent Ideas about the Yugas
Since
time immemorial, on account of the bondage of unfulfilled desires,
the jiv has been suffering transmigration. Time and again, the body
is changed, but the mystery of this change can be comprehended by
becoming knowledgeable. Engrossed in duality in Satyuga, the jiv
entered into the body in treta. Getting caught in karma bondage in
treta. He was born in dvapar and remained writhing and wriggling.
Even the performance of the duties of three ages does not dispel the
fear of birth and death. The jiv reincarnates in Kaliyuga and gets
entangled in the karmas. Lost opportunity does not come again.
Pauri-16
Activities in Kaliyuga
Now
listen to the discipline of kaliyuga wherein nobody cares for the
rituals. Without loving devotion none will get any place anywhere.
Because of the disciplined life in the previous ages, the human form
has been obtained in Kaliyuga. Now if this opportunity slipped, no
occasion and place would be made available. As has been said in
Atharvaveda, listen to the deeming features of Kaliyuga. Now devotion
full of feeling only is acceptable- yajna, burnt offerings, and
worship of the human guru was the discipline of the earlier ages. If
somebody now, in spite of being a doer, erases from his self this
sense and prefers to be called lowly, only then he can remain in the
good books of the Lord. In Kaliyuga, only repeating the name of Lord
is considered grand.
Pauri-17
Anarchy of the Ages
During
the down fall of an age, people setting aside the duties of the age
behave contrary to their nature. The world gets engrossed in
remorseful activities and sin and corruption prevail. Different
sections of the society develop hatred for one another and finish
themselves through squabbles as the bamboos, due to their mutual
friction, producing fire burn themselves as well as others.
Condemnation of the knowledge starts and in the darkness of ignorance
nothing remains visible. From that knowledge of Vedas which gets man
across the world ocean even the knowledgeable people get away. So
long God does not descend on earth in the form of true Guru, no
mystery can be understood. The Guru and God are one; He is the true
master and the whole world craves for Him. He rises like the Sun and
the darkness is dispelled.
Pauri-18
Baudh Faith or Intellectualism
In
Kaliyuga one finds intellectualism incarnate, but discriminating
between knowledge and ignorance is nowhere. Nobody interdicts anybody
and everyone is behaving according in his whims . Someone instructs
for the worship of the inert rocks and some guide people to worship
tombs. Due to Tantra-mantra and such hypocrisies, the tensions,
anger and quarrels have increased. In the rat race of selfish ends,
different religions have been promulgated. Someone is worshipping
moons, someone sun and someone worshipping earth and sky. Someone is
propitiating air, water, fire and yama- the god of death. These are
all religious hypocrites and are tossing in delusions.
Pauri-
19 Of garbs and guises
In
view of the prevailing lassitude in the world, four varnas and four
ashrams were established. Then ten orders of ascetics and twelve
orders of yogis came into being. Further Jangams, the wanderers,
sramanas and Digambars also started their disputations. Many
categories of brahmins came into being who propounded Shastras, Vedas
and Puranas contradicting one another. The mutual irreconcilability
of the six Indian philosophies further added many hypocrisies.
Alchemy, tantra, mantra and miracles became everything for people. By
getting divided into myriad sects they produced a horrible look. They
all were deluded by kaliyug.
Pauri-
20 Muslim Faith
When
varied sects got prevalent, then Muhammad the beloved of God was
born. The nation got divided into seventy two divisions and many
types of enmity and opposition erupted. The world was bound to roza,
id, namaz and the like. Pirs, paigambars, aulias, gaus, and quatabs
came into being in many countries. The temples were replaced by
mosques. Less powerful were killed and thus the earth became replete
with sin. Armenians and Rumis were declared apostates(kafirs) and
they were decimated in the battle fields. The sin became ubiquitous
all around.
Pauri-21
Hindu- Muslim Conflict
There
are four castes of Hindus and four sects of Muslims in the world. The
members of both religions are selfish, jealous, proud, bigoted and
violent. The Hindus make pilgrimage to Benares , the Muslim to Kabba
or Mecca. Circumcision is dear to a muslim while sandal mark and
sacred thread to the Hindus. The Hindus invoke Rama, the Muslims
Rahim, but in reality there is only one God. Since they have
forgotten the vedas and katebas, worldly greed and devil have led
them astray. Truth hidden from both, the brahmins and maulvis kill
one another by their animosities. None of them shall find liberation
from transmigration.
Pauri-22
Justice of Waheguru
God
himself is the justice for the disputes about the duties of the four
ages. He himself is the paper, the pen and the scribe. Without Guru
is all darkness and people are killing one another. The sin pervades
all around and the mythological ox supporting the earth is weeping
and wailing day and night. Without compassion, getting unnerved, it
is descending towards nether world to get lost. Standing on one
foot, it is feeling the load of sins. Now this earth cannot be upheld
without the saints and no saint is available in the world. Religion
in the form of ox is crying beneath.
Pauri-23
Guru Avatar
The
benefactor Lord listened to the cries of humanity and sent Guru Nanak
to this world. He washed His feet, eulogised God and got his
Disciples drink the ambrosia of his feet. He preached in this dark
age that Saragun( Brahm) and Nirguna (Parbrahm) are the same and
identical. Dharma was now established on its four feet with all the
four castes through fraternal feeling were converted into one caste
of humanity. Equating the Prince with poor he spread the etiquette of
humbly touching the feet. Inverse is the game of the beloved, he got
the egoist high heads bowed to feet. Baba Nanak liberated this dark
age and recited the mantra of satnam for one and all. Guru Nanak came
to redeem the Kaliyuga.
Pauri-24
First episode of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
First
of all Baba Nanak obtained the gate of the grace of Lord and then He
underwent and earned the rigorous discipline( of heart and mind). He
fed Himself with sand and swallow-wort and made stones His bed. He
offered His full devotion and then set up proximity with God. Baba
reached the region of truth wherefrom he received Naam, the
storehouse of nine treasures and humility. In his meditation, Baba
found the whole earth burning with fire of lust and anger. Without
Guru there is utter darkness and he heard the cries of the common
men. To further understand the people, Guru Nanak donned robes in
their manner and preached them to be detached from pleasure and pain.
Thus he went to depurate humanity on earth.
Pauri-25
Lack of love and affection at pilgrim centres.
Baba
came to the pilgrimage centres and by participating in the ceremonies
there he observed them minutely. People were busy in performing the
rituals of the ceremonies but since being bereft of loving devotion,
they were of no avail. Having gone through the Vedas and Smritis one
finds that Brahma also has nowhere written about the sentiments of
love. To find out the same the satyug, treta, dvapar, etc have been
screened. In Kaliyuga, the pitch darkness prevails in many guises and
hypocritical ways have been started. Through garbs and guises one
cannot reach the Lord; He can be reached through self-effacement. The
special feature of the Sikh of the Guru is that he goes beyond the
framework of caste-classification and moves in humility. Then his
toilsome labour gets acceptable at the door of the Lord.
Pauri-26
Contemporary Times
Celebates,
ascetics, immortal anchorites, the siddhs, naths and teacher- pupils
were available in abundance. Many varieties of gods, goddesses,
munis, bhairvas, and other protectors were there. In the name of
ganas, gandharvas, fairies, kinnars, and yaksas, many dragnets and
dramas were enacted. Seeing raksas, demons, deities in their
migration people were totally in the clutches of duality. All were
engrossed with ego, and the thoughts were getting drowned along with
their teachers. Even after minute research, the guru-oriented were
nowhere to be found. All the sects, pirs, paigambars, of the Hindus
and the Muslims were seen by Baba Nanak. Blinds were pushing blinds
into well.
Pauri-27
Rise of Guru Nanak
With
the emergence of the true Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light
scattered all around. As if the Sun rose and the stars disappeared,
the darkness was dispelled. With the roar of the lion in the forest
flocks of escaping deer now cannot have endurance. Wherever Baba put
his feet, a religious place was set up. Every home had become a place
of Dharma where singing and chanting of Almighty’s name is all
around. Baba liberated all four directions and nine divisions of
earth. Gurmukh has emerged in this Kaliyuga- the dark age in the form
of Guru Nanak Dev.
Pauri-28
Journey to Sumer Mount
Baba
Nanak visualized all the expansive nine divisions of the earth. Then
he climbed up to the Sumer mountain where he came across a group of
Siddhs. The mind of the eighty four Siddhs and Gorakh filled with
surprise and doubts. Siddhas asked Guru Nanak what power has brought
you here? Guru Nanak replied that for coming to this place, I have
remembered the Lord with loving devotion and meditated upon Him
deeply. Siddhas asked O young man, tell us your name. Baba replied O
respected Nath ! This Nanak has attained this position through the
remembrance of the name of the Lord. By calling oneself lowly, one
attains the high position.
Pauri-29
Discussion with the Siddhs.
Siddhs
asked again O Nanak ! How are the dealings on the mother earth. By
this time all Siddhs understood that Nanak had come to earth to
deliver it from the sins of Kaliyuga. Baba replied O repected Nath
Ji, the truth is dim like the moon and the falsehood like deep
darkness. The darkness of the moonless night of the falsehood has
spread around and I, in order to search for the truthful world have
undertaken this journey. The earth is engrossed with sin and its
support, the dharma in the form of ox is crying and rescuing for
respite. In such circumstances, when Siddhs, the adepts have taken
refuge in the hills how the world can get redeemed. Yogis also bereft
of knowledge and simply applying ashes to their bodies are lying down
unconcerned. Without Guru, the entire world is getting drowned.
Pauri-30
Miserable plight of India
O
God ! In Kaliyuga, the mentality of the jiv has become like the mouth
of dog which always seeks the dead to eat. The Kings are sinning as
if the protective fence itself is devouring the crop of the field.
Bereft of knowledge, the blind people are uttering falsehood. Now,
the Gurus are dancing to the tunes of disciples. The students now sit
at home and the teachers go to their abodes. Quazis take and enjoy
bribes, and thus have lost their high regard and position. Man and
woman love each other for riches may that come from anywhere. The sin
has become ubiquitous inthe entire world.
Pauri-31
Test of Guru
The
Siddhs thought in their mind that this body should in all
circumstances adopt philosophy of Yoga. Such a yogi in Kaliyuga will
brighten the name of our sect. One of the Nathsi gave a begging bow
to fetch water in it. When Baba came to the stream for water, he saw
rubies and jewels in it This true Guru was unfathomable supreme
Purusha and who could bear with his effulgence. He, remaining
uninfluenced returned to the group with reply that in the stream
there is no water. Through the power of the Word, he overcame the
Siddhs and propounded his altogether new way of life. In kaliyuga,
instead of yogic exercises the name of the Lord who is beyond all
sufferings, is the only source of delight.
Pauri-32
At Mecca
Donning
blue attire then Baba went to Mecca. He held the staff in his hand,
pressed a book under his armpit, caught hold of a metal pot and
mattress. Now he sat in a mosque where the hazis (pilgrims) have
gathered. When Baba Nanak slept in night spreading his legs towards
the alcove of the mosque at Kaba. The Qazi named Jivan kicked him and
asked who was this infidel enacting blasphemy. Why this sinner is
sleeping his legs spread towards God or Khuda. Catching hold of his
legs he moved his legs in another direction but behold the miracle,
the whole of Mecca moved with Nanak’s legs. All got surprised and
they all bowed.
Pauri-33
Discussion with the Qazis
Qazi
and Maulvis gathered and began discussing religion with him. A great
fantasy has been created and no one could understand its mystery.
They asked Baba Nanak to open and search in his book whether Hindu is
great or the Muslim. Baba replied that without good deeds both will
wail. Only by being a Hindu, or a Muslim one cannot be accepted in
the court of the Lord. As the colour of Safflower is transitory and
is washed away in water, likewise the colours of religiosity are also
temporary. Followers of both the faiths denounce Ram and Rahim in
their expositions. The whole world is following the ways of Satan.
Pauri-34
Triumph at Mecca
His
wooden sandals were kept as a memory and he was worshipped in Mecca.
Go anywhere in the world, you would not find a place bereft of the
name of Baba Nanak. Without discrimination of Hindu or Muslim, in
every house, the Baba is worshipped. When the Sun rises it cannot be
eclipsed and it lightens the entire world. When the lion roars in the
jungle the flocks of deer flee. If someone wants to conceal moon by
putting before it a platter, it cannot be hidden. From rising to
setting directions that is from east to west, all the nine divisions
of earth bowed before Baba Nanak. He diffused his power in the whole
world.
Pauri-35
– Visit to Baghdad
From
Mecca Baba went to Baghdad and camped outside the city. Firstly Baba
himself was in form of Timelessness and secondly, he had his
companion Mardana- the rebeck player. For Nanaa in his own style Baba
gave call, heeding to which the whole world went into absolute
silence. The whole city became quiet and lo! To behold it, the Pir of
the town was also mesmerized. Observing minutely he found in form of
Baba Nanak, an exhilarated faquir. Pir Dastgir asked him, which
category of faquir you belong to and what is your descent and
parentage. Mardana replied He is Nanak, who has come in Kaliyuga and
he deems God and His faquirs as one. He is known in all the
directions besides earth and sky.
Pauri-
36 Manifest power.
The
Pir debated and came to know that this faquir is much more powerful.
Here in Baghdad he has shown a great miracle. Meanwhile Baba Nanak
talked about myriads of nether worlds and skies. Pir Dastgir asked to
show him whatever he had seen. Guru Nanak taking along with him the
son of the Pir melted into thin air. And in a wink of eye visualized
him the upper and lower worlds. From the nether world he brought a
bowl full of sacred food and handed it over to Pir. This manifesr
power of the Guru cannot be made to hide.
Pauri-37=
Cycle of the true Name.
After
making Baghdad bow, all of Mecca and Medina also bowed. He subjugated
the eighty four siddhaas and hypocrisy of the six schools of Indian
Philosophy. Hundreds of thousands of underworlds, skies, earths and
the whole creation were conquered. Subjugating all nine realms, he
established the cycle of Satnaam- the true name. All the gods,
demons, deities, and the recording angels, Chitr and Gupt bowed at
his feet. Indra and his nymphs sang auspicious songs. The world
filled with bliss as Guru Nanak came to give deliverance in the Age
of Darkness. Hindus and Muslims alike bowed before him.
Pauri-38
– Reaching Kartarpur
Then
Nanak returned to Kartarpur where he put aside his attire of a
Recluse. Now putting on a household’s attire, he sat splendidly on
a cot. He made the Ganges flow in opposite direction as he chose
Angad for leading the people after him rather than his own sons, who
did not obey the commands and turned hostile and unstable. When Baba
uttered hymns, the light would spread dispelling the darkness.
Discussions for the sake of knowledge and the melodies of unstruck
sound were never heard before. Sodar and Arti were sung and Japu ji
in the ambrosial hours of early morning. Guru Nanak saved the people
from the clutces of tantra, mantra and Atharvaveda.
Pauri-39
Shivratri fair at Batala
Hearing
about the Shivaratri Fair, Baba came to Achal Batala. To have his
glimpse the whole humanity swarmed the place. More than riddhis and
siddhies, the money started pouring in like rain. Seeing this
miracle, yogis got furious. When some devotees were paying obeisance
before Guru, yogis anger deepened and they hid their metal pot. The
devotees having lost their pot forgot their devotion as their
attention now was in the pot. The omniscient Baba found and handed
over the pot to the devotees. Witnessing this Yogis were more
furious.
Pauri-40
Discussion with the Siddhs
All
the Yogis getting irritated grouped together and invited Baba to have
debate with them. Yogi Bhangar Nath asked why have you put vinegar in
milk ? The spoiled milk cannot be churned into butter. Why have you
put off religious garb and attired yourself in a household way. Nanak
replied, ‘ O Bhangar Nath your mother seemed unmannerly’. She has
not cleaned the inner self of your body pot properly that is why your
clumsy thoughts have burnt our flower of flower that was to sprout
into a fruit. You while distancing and repudiating household life, go
again to those householders for begging. Except their offerings you
do not get anything.
Pauri-41
Miracles of the Siddhs
Hearing
this, the Yogis snarled loudly and invoked many spirits. They said in
Kaliyuga Bedi Nanak has trampled and driven away the six schools of
Indian Philosophy. Saying thus, the Siddhs counted all sorts of
medicines and started making tantric sounds of the mantras. Yogis
transformed themselves into various forms such as lions, tigers and
performed many juggles. Some of them even got wings and flew like
birds. Some started hissing like a snake and some poured our fire
from their mouth. Bhangar Nath plucked the stars and many floated on
water on their deer skin. The fire of desires of the Siddhs could not
be put off.
Pauri-
42 Queries of Siddhas
Siddhas
spoke, ‘ Listen O’ Nanak! You have shown miracles to the world.
Why are you shying to show some of them to us’. Baba replied, ‘ O
respected Nath ! I have nothing worth to offer you. I have no
support save of the Guru or God, holy congregation and the Word’.
That Parmatman who is all in all and full of benedictions for all and
the earth with all the material on it is transitory. The siddhs
exhausted themselves with the tantra-mantras but the world of Lord
did not allow their powers to come up. The Guru is the giver and no
one can measure his bounties. Ultimately the humbled yogis submitted
before the true Guru Nanak.
Pauri-43
Grandeur of the True Name
Baba
further said, ‘O respected Nath ! Please listen to the truth I
utter. Without the true Name no else miracle I have. I may wear the
clothes of fire and build my house in the Himalayas. I may eat iron
and make earth move to my orders. I may expand myself so much that I
could push the earth. I may weigh the earth and the sky against few
grams of weight. I may have so much power that I push aside anybody
just by saying. But without true name these all are momentary like
the shadows of the clouds’.
Pauri-44
Discussion with Siddhs and tour of Multan
Baba
had discussions with the siddhs and because of the energy of the
Shabads those siddhs attained peace. Conquering the Shivratri fair
Baba made the followers of six philosophies before him. Now, speaking
benign words, the siddhs said Nanak your achievement is great. You,
emerging like a superman in kaliyuga have diffused the light of
knowledge all around. Getting up from that fair, Baba went to the
pilgrimage of Multan. In Multan, the Pir presented a bowl full of
milk up to the brim that indicated that there are already enough
faquirs in Multan. Baba took a jasmine flower from his bag and
floated it on the milk indicating that he has not come to put
somebody in trouble. It was such a scene as if the Ganges was merging
with the ocean.
Pauri-45
Guru Angad
After
the journey of Multan, Baba Nanak came back to Kartarpur. His impact
increased leaps and bounds and he made people of Kaliyuga utter Name.
Desiring anything except the Name of the Lord is invitation to
multiplying sufferings. In the world he established the authority of
his doctrines and started a religion devoid of any impurity. During
his life time he waved the canopy of Guru seat on the head of Lahina
or Guru Angad and merged his own light into him. Guru Nanak now
transformed himself. This mystery is incomprehensible for anybody
that awe inspiring Nanak accomplished a wonderful task. He converted
his body into a new form.
Pauri-46
Guru Amar Das
With
the same mark and same canopy he radiated on the throne. The power
Guru Nanak had is now with Guru Angad and he was publicly proclaimed
all over. Guru Angad left Kartarpur and scattered his light while
sitting in Khadur. Action seeds of previous births sprout; all other
ingenuities are false. Whatever Guru Angad got from Guru Nanak, now
came to the house of Guru Amar Das. Having received the celestial
gift from Guru Angad, the Guru in the form of Guru Amar Das occupied
the Throne. Guru Amardas founded Goindwal. The wondrous play could
simply cannot be described. Gift received from the earlier Gurus
further enhanced the grandeur of the Light.
Pauri-47
Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan Dev
Liabilities
of the previous births have to be settled and the thing goes to the
house it belongs to. Now Guru Ram Das of Sodhi clan seated on the
Guru seat is called the True Guru. He got dug the entire holy tank
and here settling down at Amritsar, he spread his light. Wondrous is
the play of the God who can cause Ganges to flow in opposite
direction and to merge in the ocean. You get your own; given nothing
cannot bring you anything. Now the Guruship entered the house of
Arjan who, to say was son of Guru Ram Das, but, through his good
deeds he proved to be worthy of the Guru-seat. This Guruship would
not go beyond Sodhis because none else can bear this unbearable. The
thing of the House should remain in the House.
Pauri-48
Guru Hargobind
From
Guru Nanak to Guru Arjan five pirs were there who drank from the five
cups of truth, contentment, compassion, dharma, and discerning
wisdom, and now the sixth pir is holding the Guruship. Arjan
transformed himself into Hargobind and sat majestically. Now the
Sodhi lineage has started and they all will show themselves turn by
turn. This Guru, the vanquisher of armies, is very brave and
benevolent. The Sikhs prayed and asked that they have seen the Six
Guru and how many more are to come. The true Guru, the knower of the
unknowable told the Sikhs to listen. The lineage of the Sodhis have
been put on the sound base. Four Gurus more will come to earth.
Pauri-48
Waheguru Mantra
In
Satyuga, Vishnu came in the form of Vasudev is said to have
incarnated, so V of Vahiguru reminds of Vishnu. The true Guru of
Dwapar age is said to be Harikrishna, so H of Vahiguru recalls Hari.
In the treta yuga was Lord Rama and R of Vahiguru tells that
remembering Ram’s Name will lead to joy and happiness. In Kaliyuga,
Gobind is in the form of Nanak, hence G of Vahiguru reminds of Gobind
as his name gets recited. The recitations of all the four ages
subsume in Panchayan that is the soul of the common man. By joining
four letters Vahiguru came into being. The jiv or soul merges again
in its origin.
