Bavan Akhri By Guru Arjan Dev Ji

 

VII

Bavan Akhri by Guru Arjan Dev Ji

It is a name given to two compositions of Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji from pages no.250 to 262 by The Fifth Guru- Guru Arjan Dev ji. It is a poem constructed on 52 alphabets of Gurmukhi language in the form of poetry. Each verse begins serially with the letter of Gurmukhi alphabet. The origin of this genre can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit Literature. Since the devanagri alphabet employed in Sanskrit comprises of 52 letters ( 33 consonants, 16 vowels and 3 compounds) so such composition got the name 52 Akhri. Not withstanding nomenclature no such composition consists of exactly 52 stanzas as few will open with vowels and the compounds are generally left out in this scheme of poetry. Sometimes a letter is used to begin more than one stanza also. This composition is in Raga Gauri. This Bavan Akhri is perhaps the earliest one in Punjabi Literature as Gurmukhi script was formalised and adapted first of all by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

This composition consists of 52 stanzas or pauris of eight lines each preceded by a sloka all of which are couplets except the one preceding the last stanza which is four lines each. Besides there is an additional couplet following the first pauri and a nine line long stanza at the very beginning of the work that is repeated at the end too. Since all letters, specially vowels and consonants of Devnagri script cannot be used in Gurmukhi script this Bavan Akhri does not follow either the order or pronunciation of Devnagri and also the number of stanzas are more than 52. Only 29 consonants in Gurmukhi ( K to U) conform to those in Devnagri script and stanzas 17 and 46 begin with these consonants with (m) figuring twice. The following stanza begins with (r) sound that is redundant in Devnagri script. The opening and and the last eight stanzas do not follow the order of pronunciation of Devnagri or even of Gurmukhi script. A few syllables have more than one stanza and a few which are redundant in Gurmukhi are missing. The opening sloka which is repeated at the end also stresses the significance of Guru who is likened to mother, friend, brother and even God. He washes off one’s sins and helps one swim across the worldly ocean.

Text

There is but one God. By the True Grace he is obtained. Gauri having Fifty two letters

5^th Guru Sloka

Invocation

The Divine Guru is my father, and the Divine Guru is my Lord and Supreme God.

The Divine Guru is my companion, the dispeller of spiritual ignorance and the Divine Guru is my brother and relative.

The Divine Guru is the giver and teacher of God’s Name and the Divine Guru is my Infallible spell.

The Divine Guru is the image of peace truth and wisdom. The Divine Guru is philosopher’s stone by touching which a mortal is saved.

The Divine Guru is a pilgrimage place and a pond of Nectar. By taking bath in Guru’s Divine Knowledge man meets the Illimitable Lord.

He, the Lord Master- is the Creator and Destroyer of all sins and Divine Guru is the purifier of the impure.

The Divine Guru is from the beginning, from the beginning of ages and in every age.The Divine Guru is the spell of God’s Name, by whose repetition a mortal is rescued.

My Master take pity and unite me- a fool and a sinner whose society . In the society of the Guru and by clinging to His name one may swim across the terrible sea of life easily.

The Divine Guru, the True Guru is Himself the Exalted Lord and the Great God. Unto the Godly Divine Guru, Nanak makes an obeisance.

Sloka

God Himself acts and makes a man to act. He is potent to do everything.

Nanak, the One Lord is pervading everywhere. There was neither any one else nor shall be in future.

Pauri-1

I pay homage to One God and the Saintly True Guru. The Formless One was in the beginning, is in the middle and will be in the end.

The Lord Himself is in primordial trance and Himself is the seat of peace. He Himself hears His praises. His Ownself, He has Himself created. He is His own Mother and Father.

He Himself is abstract(minute) and Himself concrete( Great). Nanak His play cannot be understood.

O’ Lord compassionate to the poor, show mercy unto me, so that my heart may get the dust of Thine Saint’s feet.

Sloka

The one Lord is without form and yet with form too. He is without traits and yet with traits. Nanak describes the Lord as One. The One Lord is one and Manifold.

Pauri-2

The one Lord, the Great Guru created all the forms. He has strung them all unto one thread. The three qualities, He has differently diffused. From Absolute He appears to be Related.

The Creator has created the creation of all sorts of worldly love- the root of birth and death.

The Master has increased in Man’s mind. From both the varieties He Himself is free.

Nanak, the Lord has no limit- this or that end, He is boundless.

Sloka

They are rich and they are fortunate, who have the wealth of Truth and the capital of God’s Name.

Nanak says Truthfulness and piety are obtained from those saints.

The comers, coming into the world but sans knowing Almighty they are like beasts.

Nanak, he alone knows the Lord, through the Guru who has good destiny scribed on his forehead.

Pauri-3

In this world a mortal has come to meditate on Lord alone. Since his very birth he is allured by fascinating mammon. Inverted in out of womb the mortal performed penance.

There with every breath he continues to remember Lord, never forgets Him even for an instant.

He is entangled with what he must abandon- The Giver of Life he forgets from his mind.

He to whom You show favour,O’ Lord of the Earth forgets You not- here and thereafter O’Nanak.

Sloka

Man is born by Lord’s decree and he dies by His order. None is exempted from His commands.

The coming and going is at an end for him, O’ Nanak, in whose heart that Lord abides.

Pauri-4

This soul has dwelt in many wombs. Enraptured by the sweet worldly attachment this soul remained entangled in those existences. This mammon has subjugated the mortals in three qualities. Its own love, it has infused in every heart O’ friend, tell me of some device by which I may swim across this arduous ocean of mammon. Nanak, mammon draws not near him, whom the Lord showering His mercy and benediction unites him with society of Saints.

Sloka

That Lord Himself causes man to perform good and evil acts. The beast indulges in self conceit.

Nanak, what can he do without God /

Pauri-5

The Lord alone causes the mortal to act. He Himself diffuses sins and noble deeds

In this age man is attached to what the Lord Himself attached him with.

He receives only what God Himself grants- the limit is known by none.

Whatever the Lord does that ultimately takes place. From One alone is the entire expanse.

Nanak, the Lord Himself is the Reformer.

Sloka

Man remains engrossed in women and playful merriments and the tumult of passions is like the dye of Saf flower. Nanak, take His protection and thy self conceit and selfhood shall depart.

Pauri-6

O’ my soul without God in what soever you engage, you are burdened with chains.

The mammon worshipper does the very deeds by means of which he cannot in any way secure release. The lovers of rituals, who practice pride, they bear an unbearable burden.

When there is no love with God’s Name, these rituals are sinful.

They who are in love with the sweet worldly valuables are bound with death’s rope.

Deluded by doubt they do not comprehend that Lord is even in them. They shall not be acquitted when their accounts are gone into. The mad will can never be neat and tidy. He whom God imparts understanding through the Guru acquires immaculate understanding.

Sloka

He whose fetters are cut off meets the society of saints. They who are imbued with the Love of One Lord have a fast deep colour.

Pauri-7

R: Dye this heart of thine with Lord’s love. Repeat the God’s Name again and again with tongue.

None shall address you rudely in God’s Court. All shall regard you saying Hail, sit down.

In that mansion of Lord you shall get a dwelling. There is no birth or death or ruin there.

God’s wealth is in the house of him O’ Nanak on whose brow good destiny is scribed.

Sloka

Avarice, falsehood, sin and worldly love overcome a blindfolded fool. Bound down by Mammon they are clung to offensive smell.

Pauri-8

L: The men are entangled and tinctured with sinful pleasures. They are intoxicated with wine of haughty intellect and wealth.

In this mammon mortal continues coming and going. As is the Lord’s command, so do men do.

No one is imperfect, and no one is perfect. By himself none is wise and none foolish.

Whereso ever You engage man there he gets engaged. Nanak, God ever remains detached.

Sloka

My Beloved Master, the world Cherisher and the Preserver of Universe is deep, fortuitous and unfathomable. There is none other like Him, Nanak the altogether unconcerned.

Pauri-9

L: There is none equal to Him. He is but one, there shall not be another.

He is now, He shall be and He ever has been. His limits cannot be found by anyone.

In an ant and an elephant He is fully contained. The renowned Lord is known everywhere.

He to whom God has given His love repeats Lord Master’s Name O’ Nanak through the Guru.

Sloka

He who knows the taste of God’s elixir naturally relished His love.

Blessed, blessed, blessed are the Lord’s slaves and acceptable is their advent in the world O’ Nanak.

Pauri-10

Count as profitable the advent of him, whose tongue celebrates Lord God’s praise.

He comes and associates with Saints and day and night he repeats God’s Name with love.

Fruitful is the birth of that man, who is imbued with God’s Name and on whom is the mercy

and Grace of Almighty- the Destiny Maker. He is born but once and enters not home again,

Nanak he merges into the sight the Lord.

Sloka

Nanak be absorbed in the Name by repeating which the soul gets joy, love for another is effaced and the pain, distress and eathly desires end.

Pauri-11

Y: Burn you, your evil intellect and duality. Relinquish them and sleep in peace and equipoise.

Y: Go and seek saints refuge by whose help you shall cross the terrible ocean of the world.

Y: He who takes the One Name and strings to his heart is not born again.

Y: Through the support of the Perfect Guru, you shall not lose your human birth.

Nanak, he within whose heart there is but One Lord attains peace.

Sloka

He who is man’s friend in this world and the next one resides within his soul and body.

The Perfect Guru has taught me. O’ Ever meditate on the Lord.

Pauri-12

Night and day mediate on Him,who will be your Rescuer in the end.

This poison is only for four to six days. All must depart leaving it behind.

Whose are mother, father, son and daughter. He does not take house,wife or else along with him.

Amass such wealth that does not perish so that you may depart to your Home with dignity.

They, who in this dark age sing God’s praises in the society of saints O’ Nanak do not come in this world again.

Sloka

Though one be very handsome of high birth, wise, a leading theologian and wealthy, he will be termed as dead O’ Nanak, if he has not love for the Auspicious Master.

Pauri-13

Ng: One may be knower of six schools of philosophy. He may do the work of inhaling and exhaling and holding the breath like a yogi. He may practice Divine Knowledge, meditations , pilgrimages and ablutions. He may cook his own food, do not touch others and abide in wilderness.

If in his heart he doesn’t love the Lord’s Name then all that he does is perishable.

Consider a Pariah to him O’ Nanak in whose heart God- the Nurser of Universe abides.

Sloka

The mortal wanders about in four quarters and the ten directions of the world bearing the marks of deeds done. Weal and woe, emancipation and transmigration O’ Nanak are in accordance with written record.

Pauri-14

K: He the Lord is the Creator and cause of universe. The written scribe cannot be erased by anybody. Nothing can be done a second time, The Creator errs not. To some He, Himself shows the way. To some He causes to wander sorrowfully in wilderness.

His play, He has Himself started, whatsoever Lord grants and bestows is received by a man.

Sloka

The man keeps on eating, spending and enjoining but God’s storehouse does not exhaust.

His name is repeated by good many people. Their number O’ Nanak can not be ascertained.

Pauri-15

Kh: There is paucity of nothing with Omnipotent God. Whatever the Lord is to give He continues to give. Let man go anywhere he likes. The wealth of the Name is the treasure with the saints to spend. It is their capital. With forbearance, humility, joy and equipoise they continue meditating on Lord-the treasure of excellences. They unto whom God casts His merciful Glance suffer neither torture nor pain, nor punishment. Nanak, they who are pleasing to the Lord becomes perfectly successful.

Sloka

See by calculating and weighing in your mind that people most assuredly depart.

The desire for perishable things is removed and through the Guru in the Name alone is their health.

Pauri-16

Master of the world, with your every breath meditate on Him for ever.

What reliance can be placed on the body ? Don’t make any delay O’ my friend there is no hitch in the way of death either in childhood, youth or old age. That time is not known when then noose of death will come and fall on you. See that the divine, meditative and clever people not stay in this place. The fools cling to that, whatever one has left behind and departed.

He, on whose forehead good destiny is recorded continues to remember God through Gutu’s Grace.

Nanak profitable is the advent in this world of those who attain the Beloved Lord as their Spouse.

Sloka

I have searched all the Shastras and Vedas. They speak of nothing else but this that One Lord was in the beginning of the age, is now and ever shall be O’ Nanak.

Pauri-17

Gh: Put this into your mind that there is none other than God. There was none, and none there shall be. Everywhere, He is contained only then you shall be absorbed in Him O’ man if you seek His sanctuary. In the dark age God’s Name is the real atonement.

Many regret after toiling and labouring in superstition. You cannot obtain stability without God’s Name. O’ Nanak he, to whom the Divine Guru gives, the supreme nectarine essence quaffs it.

Sloka

The Lord has counted and put in the man, all the days and breathings. They neither decrease nor increase even to the extent of sesame seed.

They, who wish to live in superstition and worldly love O’ Nanak are fools.

Pauri-18

Ng: Death seizes him, when the Lord has met the Worshipper of Mammon. He,who does not realised the all pervading Lord born and dies in existences repeatedly.

He alone obtains Divine Knowledge and meditation when Lord Himself bestows mercifully.

None can be emancipated by making calculations. The earthen body pitcher shall assuredly burst. He alone lives, who while living meditates on God. He gets distinguished O’ Nanak and does not remain obscure.

Sloka

By meditating within my mind on the Lord’s Lotus Feet, my inverted heart lotus has blossomed.

By Saint’s instruction,O’ Nanak the Lord of the World Him self gets manifest.

Pauri-19

Ch: Blessed, blessed is the day and auspicious the conjecture when I got attached to Guru’s lotus feet. I have come wandering in four quarters and ten directions. I obtained Guru’s sight only when He showed mercy. Through meritorious deeds all duality is removed. In the society of saints my mind is rendered pure. Nanak he to whose eyes collyrium of Divine Knowledge is applied forgets the anxieties and beholds One Lord.

Sloka

The chest gets cool and the soul happy by singing the eulogies of the world Lord. Show such compassion O’ my Lord that Nanak becomes slave of your slaves.

Pauri-20

Chh: I am your slave boy. I am the water carrier of Your serfs.

Chh: Show Thine mercy on me, O’ my auspicious Master that I may become the dust of Your saints. I have abandoned my excessive wisdom and cleverness and have propped up my mind with saint’s prop. The puppet of ashes, whom the saints assist obtain the supreme status,O’ Nanak.

Sloka

Practising oppression and tyranny, the mortal is greatly inflated and commits sin with his frail body. Through haughty intellect he is fettered. Nanak, the deliverance is through Lord’s Name.

Pauri-21

J: when man thinks, he has become something through error he is then caught like a parrot in a trap. When he considers himself a saint and a theologian in the world to come, the Lord shall not have even an iota of regard for him. When he considers himself to be a preacher, he merely wanders over the Earth like a pedlar. He, who effaces his self conceit in the society of saints O’ Nanak meets the Lord killer of Mur demon.

Sloka

Rise early in the morning and repeat the Name and meditate on Lord day and night.

No anxiety shall befall you and your calamities shall vanish.

Pauri-22

Jh : By having dealings with the Lord’s Name thy repentance shall come to an end.

An apostate, who has another’s love in his heart dies in excessive grief. By hearing the nectarine Divine discourse in the Saint’s congregation your evil deeds and sins shall vanish O’ my soul.

Nanak lust, wrath, and wickedness falls off from him who is graced by the World Lord.

Sloka

Though you make efforts of various kinds, you will not stay O’ my friend.

You shall love eternally O’ Nanak if you remember Lord God and love the Name.

Pauri-23

Ng: Know it as perfectly correct that the world’s love shall break. Though I may make calculations but I can’t count as to how much got up and departed, whomsoever I behold will perish. With whom should I therefore associate. In this way know it as correct in your mind that love of worldly valuables is false. He alone knows and he alone is a saint whom the Lord has liberated from superstition. With whom You, O’ God are mightily pleased You take him even from a blind well.

He, whose Lord is Omnipotent is powerful enough to create the world. Nanak you praise Him who is the effector of your union with Himself.

Sloka

By serving the saints the bonds of birth and death are severed and man attains rest. Nanak within my mind I may never forget the Sovereign World Lord- the Treasure of Goodness.

Pauri-24

Serve You the One Lord from whom none returns empty handed. If God lives in your soul, body, mouth and mind then what you desire shall come to pass. He alone obtains Lord’s service and mansion to whom the Saint is merciful. Then alone the mortal dwells in the Saints congregation, when the Lord Himself becomes merciful. I have explored and searched many worlds but without Lord’s Name there is no peace. The couriers of death recede away from who lives in the society of saints. Again and again I am devoted unto the saints through whom, O’ Nanak my sins of old times are effaced.

Sloka

They with whom that Lord is pleased does not face any obstacle at His door.

Blessed, blessed are those persons, whom the Lord has made His own (adopted).

Pauri-25

Th: They who have abandoned all else cling to the unique One do not afflict any heart. They who are greatly involved with worldly wealth are dead and they do not obtain happiness anywhere. He who lives with the Saints is pacified and the Nectar Name seems sweet to his soul. Person, who is blessing his Lord, his mind is cooled down O’ Nanak.

Sloka

Prostrate salvation and obeisance I make many a time before the Omnipotent Lord- the possessor of all powers. Give me Your hand O’ God and save me from wavering ways says Nanak.

Pauri-26

D: This is not your abode, know that place where your real abode is.

You know through Guru’s instruction the way to reach that abode.

This dwelling over there one builds with toil. Even a particle of it will not go with him.

He on whom the Perfect Auspicious Master bestows His gracious glance, know the worth of that dwelling. This abode is permanent and true and is obtained through the society of saints. Nanak those saints who get it do not waver from their path.

Sloka

When the Righteous Judge begins to demolish no one can put any hurdle in His way.

Nanak they who meditate on Lord by establishing a tie with the guild of saints is rescued.

Pauri-27

Dh: Where do you go searching about. The search is to be made within this very mind. The Lord resides with you, why are you wandering from forest to forest. In the society of saints, pull down the terrible heap of your intellectual ego. So you shall find rest, dwell in peace, and be happy by beholding the Lord. He, within whom this heap is born dies and suffers the anguish of womb’s life. He, who is intoxicated with worldly love and is entangled in ego and self conceit continues coming and going. I have now slowly and steadily fallen under the protection of pious persons. The Master has cut the meshes of my distress and blended me with Himself, O’ Nanak.

Sloka

O’ Nanak where the saints always repeat the world Lord’s name and praise.

The Righteous Judge “ Don’t draw near that place O’ couriers lest neither you nor I shall escape.

Pauri-28

N: Any one who conquers his mind wins the battle of life. He, who dies fighting against his self conceit and duality gets supremely sublime. He, who effaces his ego shall under Guru’s instruction remain dead while alive. He, who conquers his mind meets Lord and obtain the rope of honour for his chivalry. Who deems nothing as his own , The One God is his prop and support. Night and day he continues to contemplate over that Mighty and Infinite Lord. This mind of his, he makes the dust of all such deeds he does. Comprehending God’s decree he attains ever lasting peace O’ Nanak and obtains what is destined for him.

Sloka

I dedicate on my body, soul and wealth unto him who may unite me with my Master. Nanak, my doubt and dread are dispelled and the Death’s myrmidon does not terrify me any more.

Pauri-29

T: Enshrine affection for that King God who is the treasury of excellences and worldly love. You shall obtain heart desired result and your burning will cease. He in whose heart the Name dwells shall have no fear on the path to death. He shall obtain salvation his understanding shall get enlightened and he will secure a seat in Lord’s Palace. With you shall go neither wealth, nor youth, nor home nor empire. In the society of saints continue to remember Lord that alone shall be of use to you. There shall be absolutely no burning, when God Himself shall remove your fear and God Himself nurtures us like parents- mother and father.

Sloka

The perverse have got tired by toiling in various ways. They are not appeased nor their thirst is quenched. Hoarding and amassing the, mammon worshippers die and wealth does not go with them.

Pauri-30

Th: None in the world is stable, why are you stretching your feet. In your efforts after wealth alone you practice a number of frauds and deceits. You toil to fill your bag,O’ fool and then falls down after getting worn out. That shall not be of any avail to your soul at the last moment and time. You shall obtain stability by remembering the World Lord and by accepting saint’s teachings. Always embrace affection for One Lord, it is True Love. God is the doer and prompter of actions. All the devices are in His hand alone. To whatsoever You attach him, he gets attached o’ Lord the creature O’ Nanak is utterly helpless before Him.

Sloka

His slaves have seen the One Master who is giver of everything. At every breath they continue to remember God. Nanak, a sight of Him is their chief prop.

Pauri-31

D: The Unique God is the Granter. In His giving there is no paucity. Infinite is His great treasures. The Giver is for ever alive. O’ foolish man why you have forgotten Him ? None is at fault O’ my friend. It is God who had made the fetters of mammon’s attachment. The Guruward whose pain He Himself removes is satiated and contented O’ Nanak.

Sloka

O’ my soul you grasp the support of One God and leave hope of another of second God. Nanak by pondering over the Name, the affairs are adjusted.

Pauri-32

Dh: Then alone the wandering ceases when man attains a dwelling in saint’s society. If the Lord Himself bestows mercy from the beginning then does the mind gets enlightened. They who have the true wealth are the true bankers. The Lord Master is their capital and they deal in His name. Patience, Glory, Honour adorn him who hears the name of Lord God with his ears.

The person within whose heart the Exalted Master is contained O’ Nanak he obtains greatness.

Sloka

Nanak, he who within and without repeats Lord’s name with devotion and love, receives instructions from the Perfect Guru and joins the congregation of saints does not fall into hell.

Pauri-33

N: They, within whose heart and body the Name abides do not fall into hell. Thus, who through the Guru ponder over the Name Treasure are not ruined by the Mammon’s poison. Refusal awaits them not whom the Guru has given the magic of Name. O’ Nanak, the unbeaten musical instrument play for them, who are brimful with Nectar of God’s Name- the treasury of wealth.

Sloka

When I abandoned hypocrisy, worldly love and sin the Great Supreme Lord preserved my honour.

Nanak, contemplate on Him who is Infinite and Boundless.

Pauri-34

P: God is beyond estimation and His limit cannot be found. God the King is inaccessible and the Purifier of sinners. Millions of offenders, who meet the Saints and the Nectar name get pure. He whom You Yourself preserve, O’ the World God, loses deception, fraud and worldly love. He is the monarch with a regal umbrella over His head. Nanak sans Him there is no other Sovereign.

Sloka

By conquering the mind, death’s noose is cut, wanderings cease, and victory is obtained. Nanak, from the Guru, permanence is attained and transmigration of day to day stops.

Pauri-35

F: You have come after long wanderings. In this dark age you have obtained the rare human birth,

you will not get another opportunity. Repeat God’s Name then shall the death’s noose be cut away. By meditating on that One, and One alone you shall not come and go repeatedly. Have mercy,O’ Lord the Creator, and blend poor Nanak with You.

Sloka

You hear my supplication O’ Supreme God, Merciful to the poor, and the Nurser of the world. The dust of saint’s feet is as comfort, wealth, great enjoyment and pleasure for Nanak.

Pauri-36

B: He, who comprehends the God is a Brahmin, Vaishnav is he, who through the Guru, accepts the religion of piety. Hero is he, who overcomes his evil, harm does not come near him. Man is bound by chains of his ego and self conceit but the blind man imputes blame to others. Discussions and cleverness are of no use. He whom the Lord caused to know O’ Nanak, knows Him.

Sloka

Heartily remember God, who is the Destroyer of dread and Remover of sin and sorrow. He, in whose heart the Lord lives through the society of saints do not wander.

Pauri-37

Bh: Cast off your doubt. This world is all a dream. In errors are lying even angelic persons- gods and deities. Lured by doubt are men of miracle, strivers and the god of creation. Wandering in misgivings ruined men. It is very difficult to ferry across the sea of mammon. He, who through the Guru has removed the fear, superstition and worldly attachment gets the supreme comfort O’Nanak.

Sloka

Through wealth, mind wavers in many ways and clings there with. Nanak, he whom You O’ Lord prevent from asking for wealth imbibes love for the Name.

Pauri-38

M: The Beggar is ignorant but the Omnipotent Giver continues to give. Whatever the Lord is to give, He gives that once for all. O’ foolish mind why are you complaining aloud. Whenever you ask for, then you ask for worldly objects from whom no one has derived real happiness. If you pray for the gift, then ask for One Lord by whom you will be rescued.

Sloka

Perfect is their intellect and the most distinguished are they within whose mind is the perfect Guru’s instructions. Nanak they, who realise their Lord are fortunate.

Pauri-39

M: He, who knows God’s secret is satisfied on meeting the guild of saints. He deems woe and weal alike. He is exempted from entering hell and paradise. He abides with the world yet he is apart from it. He beholds the sublime Lord filling every heart. In the love of the Lord he has attained peace. Nanak he does not cling to worldly valuables.

Sloka

O’ my friends, adherents, and intimates hear me without God there is no deliverance. Nanak his fetters are cut who fall at Guru’s feet.

Pauri-40

Y: Man makes efforts of so many sorts,but without the One Name how far can he succeed ? The efforts by which emancipation can be obtained are those efforts made in Saints Congregation. Though every one entertains the idea of this salvation, yet sans remembering Lord there can be no liberation.

Sloka

Be not angry with any one and think of your own self. Stay humble in the world O’ Nanak and through God’s grace you shall be delivered.

Pauri-41

R: Be you the dust of all mortals. Shed the ego and the balance due from you shall be written off. O’ brother then alone you win the battle in God’s Court. It you, under Guru’s instructions fix your attention on God’s Name. Your sins shall slowly and steadily blotted out by the Perfect Guru’s unparalleled Gurbani. Nanak, they, whom the Godly Guru gives the gift are imbued with Lord’s Love and remain intoxicated with the Name Nectar.

Sloka

The afflictions of avarice, falsehood and sin dwell in this body. By quaffing it through Guru- Nectar of God’s Home- dwells in peace O’ Nanak.

Pauri-42

L: He to whom You apply the medicine of Your Name, O’ God is cured of all his pain and sorrows in an instant. He, who within his mind loves the remedy of Lord’s Name is not infested by any disease even in his dream. The medicine of God’s Name is in every heart. Brother sans Perfect Guru no one knows the way to prepare this medicine. When the Perfect Guru administers this medicine, after giving directions them man does not fall ill O’ Nanak.

Sloka

The Pervading Lord is in all the places. In no place He is deficient. Within and without He is with you. Nothing can be concealed from Him O’ Nanak.

Pauri-43

W: Bear not enmity to any one. In every heart the Lord is contained in sea and land. Some rare person, by Guru’s Grace sings His praise. Enmity and variance departs from the mind of him who through the Guru hears God’s praises. He rises above all caste and caste marks O’ Nanak who utters God’s Name under Guru’s instructions.

Sloka

The stupid and ignorant mammon worshipper passes his life in protecting pride. In agony he dies like a thirsty man and obtains the fruits of his deed done.

Pauri-44

R: By associating with the saints strife ends,and he meditates on the Name- which is the essence of all religious rites and creeds. In whose heart the Beautiful Lord resides, his strife is erased.

The ignorant infidel in whose heart the sin of intellectual pride lives, picks up quarrels.

R: Nanak, when the Exalted Guru instructs, the strife ceases in an instant.

Sloka

O’ my soul, grasp the protection of the Saint and lay aside your argumentation and cleverness. He,within whose heart, Guru’s instructions abides, has good fortune scribed on his brow O’ Nanak.

Pauri-45

S: Weary of repeating Sastras, Smritis, and Vedas I have now O’ Lord entered Your sanctuary.

By searching and scrutinising I have inferred that without God’s meditation man is not emancipated. With every breath I make follies. You are Omnipotent, Incomputable, and Infinite O’ God. Merciful Master rescue me I have sought Your protection. O’ Cherisher of the World, Nanak is your child.

Sloka

When self conceit is erased then the peace ensues and the mind and body is healed. Nanak it is then that He, who is worthy of praise is beheld.

Pauri-46

Kh: Greatly Eulogise Him, who in an instant fills up to the brim the empty and hollow ones. When the mortal becomes thoroughly humble night and day he remembers the Stainless God. If it pleases the Lord then does He grants peace.

S: Infinite is the supreme God. He forgives numberless sins in an instant. Nanak the Master is ever Merciful.

Sloka

Verily, I say unto you, hear me O’ my soul. Fall under the protection of God, the King. Cast aside all thy devices and cleverness and Lord shall merge you in Himself, O’ Nanak.

Pauri-47

S: Lay aside your cleverness O’ ignorant man. With contrivance and order the Lord is not pleased even though you may practice a thousand forms of cleverness, not even one avail you. That, that Lord remembers you day and night O’ Man He shall go with you. He whom the God Himself applies to the service of saints does not face any calamity.

Sloka

Peace ensues by uttering God’s Name with the mouth and keeping it in mind.

Nanak, the Lord is pervading everywhere. In places and interspaces He is contained.

Pauri-48

Lo, the Auspicious God is fully contained among the hearts of all. The understanding imparted by Guru for ever has been destroyer of distress.

By stilling his ego, man attains bliss. God Himself is there where there is no self conceit.

The pains of birth and death is removed by the power of the society of the Saints.

The Merciful Master becomes compassionate unto those who in the society of saints lovingly fix His name within their hearts.

Here, none has accomplished any thing by himself. Nanak everything has been done by the Lord.

Sloka

In view of his accounts the mortal man can never be released since he errs every moment.

O’ Thou Pardoner, pardon me and ferry Nanak across the world ocean.

Pauri-49

The man is untrue to His salt and a sinner, he is ignorant and of petty understanding. He does not recognise that God who had given him soul, body and comfort and who is Essence of all.

For the sake of wealthy gain, he goes searching in vain in ten directions.

He does not enshrine even for an instant Lord- the Beauteous Giver. He collects within his mind avarice, falsehood, sin and worldly love. The great libertines, thieves, and slanderers with theme he spends his life. If it pleases o’ Lord then You forgive the fake with the genuine. If it pleases the Supreme God the stone floats on water O’ Nanak.

Sloka

I have squandered many births in eating, playing and laughing. Take me out of the terrible world ocean my Master. Nanak relies on Your support alone.

Pauri-50

Sporting, playing, and suffering pain in many existences, I have appeared as a human being. Troubles are effaced by meeting the Saints and by getting absorbed in True Guru’s teachings. Adopting forbearance and amassing truth man partakes of the Name Nectar. When the Lord showed His great mercy, I have fond haven in joy and happiness. My merchandise has safely arrived, I have made good profit and have returned home with honour.

Great is the consolation, the Guru has given me and the Illustrious Lord has come and met me. God Himself acted and Himself acts. He was in the past and shall be in future.

Nanak praise Him alone, who is contained in every heart.

Sloka

I have sought Your sanctuary- my Merciful Master- the ocean of compassion.

Nanak, he is whose mind the Unique- Imperishable God lives, becomes greatly blessed.

Pauri-51

In the God’s word is the installation of three worlds. By joining together the words vedas are studies .The words tell us what is written in Sastras, Smritis and Puranas. In letters are written the hymns, discourses, and lectures. By means of letters is described the way to escape from dread and doubt.

The words narrate the religious rites, worldly acts, piety and religion.

In the entire visible world is contained the Indestructible God. Nevertheless,O’ Nanak the Supreme Lord remains unattached.

Sloka

The Inaccessible Lord with pen in His hand writes man’s destiny on his forehead.

The god’s peerless beauty is contained among all Your praises, O’ God cannot be described with any mouth or tongue. Nanak is fascinated on beholding Your sight and is devoted unto Thee.

Pauri-52

O’ my Immovable and Imperishable Lord, O’ my Transcendent God- the destroyer of sin, O’ You all Pervading Perfect One, O’ You- the Destroyer of grief and Treasure of Virtue. O’ man’s Comrade, O’ Formless One, O’ Absolute Lord- the support of all.

O’ supporter of Earth, the Ocean of Excellences, who are ever possessed of sharp intellect.

O’ Remotest of the Remote, Lord God, You were always, are always and shall be O’ constant companion of Saints You are the support of the baseless. O’ God I am Your serf. I am without any merit. No merit do I possess. Grant me, Nanak the gift of Your Name that I may string and keep it in my mind.

Sloka

The Divine Guru is my mother, the Divine Guru is my father and Divine Guru is my Lord and Supreme God. The Divine Guru is my companion- the dispeller of spiritual ignorance and the Divine Guru is my relative and brother.

The Divine Guru is the giver and teacher of God’s Name and the Divine Guru is my infallible spell. The Divine Guru is the image of peace, truth and wisdom. The Divine Guru is the philosopher’s stone by whose touch a mortal is saved.

The Divine Guru is a place of pilgrimage and a tank of Nectar. By having a dip in tank of Guru’s Divine Knowledge man meets Illimitable Master.

The Divine Guru is the Creator and Destroyer of all the sins, and the Divine Guru is a purifier of the impure. The Divine Guru is from the beginning of ages and in every age. The Divine Guru is the spell of God’s Name by whose repetition a mortal is rescued.

My Master take pity and unite me , a fool and a sinner with the society of the Guru by clinging to which I may swim across the sea of life. The Divine Guru, the True Guru is the Exalted Lord and the Great God. Unto the Godly Divine Guru, Nanak makes an obeisance.

Read this sloka in the beginning and at the end.

Anand (u) Sahib Author: Dr.K. S. Kang

 

VI

Anand (u) Sahib

It is a collection of hymns written in Ramkali measure or Raga by Third Guru- Guru Amar Das ji. It appears from pages 917 to 922 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Literally anand means happiness, joy, bliss. It is composed by Guru Amar Das ji to commemorate the birth of his grandson named Baba Anand , who was believed to be a soul of a Yogi whom Guru Amar Das ji met in his previous birth. So he named the child by the name of this composition. It extends to forty pauris or stanzas in its longer version. A Pauri is a stanza of 6 to 8 lines. Literally a Pauri implies a step, ladder, rung of a staircase. It was essentially used in Vaara. As a man ascends the steps of a staircase to reach the higher floors or levels of a building similarly here he progresses in the journey of his soul where Omnipotent God is the final destination.

Text

1. By the Grace of One Supreme Being- The Eternal, the Enlightener

I am in Ecstasy O’ Mother, for I have attuned to my Lord. Attuned have I to my Lord -too spontaneously and inside my mind Rings the Music of Bliss through all the bejewelled Ragas and their families . The fairies have come to say Lord’s word. Sing ye to the Lord’s word, all those who have enshrined it in the mind. Says Nanak I am ever in Ecstasy, for I have attained my Lord.

2. O’ my mind be you ever with your God. Be you with God and shake off your all your woes. He, your Lord will be your support and you will be fulfilled. The Master is all Powerful, why forsake Him from the mind. Says Nanak “Be you ever with your God, O’ my mind.

3. O’ my True Master what is it that You do not have in Your Home but he alone gets it whom Thou bless so. And then he sings Your praises for ever and enshrines Your name in the mind. They who cherish the Name in their minds, within them rings the orchestral melody. Says Nanak- O’ my True Master what is it that You do not have in Thy Home.

4. The Lord’s True Name is my lone support. My only support is is the True Name that stills all my cravings. And peace and gladness dawn in my mind and I am wholly fulfilled. Sacrifice I am unto the Guru whose glory echoes through the ages. Says Nanak- hear you O’ Saints love ye your Lord’s word. Yes the Lord’s True Name is my only support.

5. In that fortunate Home rings the five strained melodies where in Lord You have manifested Your Might. You make one overwhelm the five demons of desire and slay the pain of death. They whom You bless in Thy mercy O’ Lord they alone are attuned to Your Name. Says Nanak- In that Home is all the Gladness, yea the unstruck melody rings in that Home.

6. Without the true attachment the body is all too fragile and helpless. And being helpless what can the poor thing do ? O’ Lord no one is powerful without You, so You bless me O’ Lord of Woods. There is no other place for one to go. One’s body is embellished only with Your word. Says Nanak- without being attuned to the Lord, of what worth is my poor body?

7. Everyone says “ I am in Bliss”, but True Bliss comes forth only from Guru, when the Beloved Lord is in mercy. In His mercy the Lord dispels one evil and Blesses us with collyrium of wisdom.

They who have become detached within, their word the True embellishes with His grace. Says Nanak- That indeed is the Bliss which one know from the Guru.

8. O’ Father, he alone attains Bliss, whom You bless. Yea, whom You bless attains it and of no avail are efforts of others. Some wander about in ten directions, others are embellished being attuned to Your Name. By the Guru’s grace one’s mind becomes Immaculate if one loves the God’s will. Says Nanak- He alone is blessed whom You bless.

9. Come, dear friends let us utter the indescribable Gospel of the Lord. But how shall I utter the unutterable. Which door shall I enter through? Yes, if I surrender my mind, body and wealth to the Guru and submit to His will then I can attain Him. Submit you to Guru’s will and sing the True Word. Says Nanak- Hear you, O’ saints utter the indescribable gospel of the Lord.

10. O’ my sharp mind, no one has attuned unto Lord through cleverness. Yea, through cleverness one does not attain the Lord O’ my mind. This Maya is a great enticer that instils doubt in our minds and distracts many from the path. Though God Himself has created the Enticing Tempter Maya who bewitches all through her charms. Sacrifice I am unto that Lord who instilled in me the sweet desire. Says Nanak- O’ my clever mind the Lord is not attained through cleverness and sharp wits. 11. O’ my loved mind cherish ever the God’s Truth. The family that one sees around will not go along with us, so why to get involved in it that does not remain with us. One must not do deeds that make one regretful in the end. Listen to the Instruction of True Guru that goes along with you, Says Nanak- O’ my mind cherish for ever God’s truth that is universal. O’Thou Unfathomable, Unperceivable, Lord, I know not Your end, yea know not Your end, for You alone know Your end. You state the Creation created by You in Your play. What shall then one say or utter about Your Glory ? You alone can say and see who created the creation. Says Nanak- Unfathomable art Thou, O’ Lord I do not know Your end.

13. The angelic beings and the sages search for Your nectar O’ God but Nectar is attained through Guru. It is when the Guru blesses one with the Nectar Name that one Enshrines the True One, in the mind. You alone have created Your Creation but rare is the one who sees and repairs to the Guru. His greed and ego are dispelled and the True Guru seems sweet to him. Says Nanak “ He on whom is the mercy of the Lord, attains the Nectar Name through the Guru.”

14. Wonderful are the ways of devotees,wonderful are their ways for they tread the hard path and they shed their greed, ego and cravings and speak sparingly. Their path is keener than the blade of a dagger and finer than a hair. They who shed their selfhood their being is saturated with desire for their Lord. Says Nanak, “ Wonderful are the ways of devotees through the ages.”

15. O’Master, I go as You lead me on. I do not know any more of Your merits,yea whomsoever You show You show the path, he walk on it as per Your command and will. And he whom You yoke him to Your name , he dwells only on You. He, to whom You recite your gospel gathers Bliss through the Guru’s Door. Says Nanak, O’ Master You drive men as per Your will.

16. This beautiful word is True Praise of the Lord. Yea, this beautiful word, spoken by True Guru is the Eternal praise of the Lord. They alone cherish it in whose destiny is written so by Lord. There are many who prattle much but can one attain talk through mere talking. Says Nanak “ Beautiful is the word, uttered by the Guru, which sings only God’s praise.”

17. Pure are they who dwell on the Lord’s Name. Yea, they who dwelt on the Lord by Guru’s grace get Pure and Pious. Pious are their parents, their relatives and yea their whole society. Pure are they who utter and hear it, and they who cherish it in their mind. Says Nanak, pure are they who dwell on their Lord by grace of the Guru.

18. Through mere deeds poise does not come to the mind and without poise one’s doubt is not stilled. Yea, through no other discipline is the doubt dispelled, howsoever many may one do the deed. With doubt the is the mind stained. Then through what discipline is it to be cleansed ? Pray, attune yourself to the Lord and so cleanse your mind and in it cherish you your Lord. Says Nanak “ Thus, by Guru’s grace poise comes to the mind and one’s doubt is dispelled.

19. They who are pure from outside but unclean within, lose their life in futile gamble. And the malady of craving infects them and they become oblivious of death. In the Vedas too, the Glory of the Lord’s Name is acclaimed as Supreme, but one does not hear it and goes about like mad involved with the way of works. Says Nanak, they who forsake the Truth and cling to falsehood lose their life in futile gamble.

20. They who are pure inside and pure outside and practice the deeds enjoined by the Guru. They do not hear the talk of falsehood and their desire is for Truth alone. Yea they who won the prize of Eternal Life, blessed are those traders. Says Nanak, they whose minds are pure abide for ever in Lord’s presence.

21.If a seeker remains ever in Presence of the Guru and his soul too abides in Him, and he cherishes the Guru’s feet in his heart and also in inner self, and sheds his ego and leans ever on the Guruand does not know any other except Him. Says Nanak- Hear ye, O’ saints such a seeker alone resides in Guru’s presence for ever.

22. If some one turns his back on the Guru, he is redeemed. Ask ye, any man of prudence if such a one ever is Redeemed any otherwise ?He wanders through the myriads of birth, but without True Guru, he does not get emancipation. But he too attains salvation when attuned to Guru’s feet, recites to him Lord’s word. Reflect you on this that without the Guru no one is Redeemed.

23. Come, you beloved disciple of the Guru. You sing the True Word. Sing ye the word of the True Guru, which is the most sublime of all. They on whom is Lord’s Grace cherish it in the Mind. So drink in ye the Lord’s Nectar and be ever imbued with His Love and dwell on the Lord-the support of the earth. Says Nanak- Sing ye ever the word of the True Guru.

24. Save for the True Guru’s, all other words are false. Yea false is the word that is not of True Guru. False are the utterers, false are the listeners and false are reciters. They utter the Lord’s Name but its meaning does not sink into their souls. Their mind is lured away by Maya though they may repeat His name like a parrot. Says Nanak- Without True Guru, all other word is false.

25. The Guru’s word is the jewel studded with diamonds. He, whose mind is set upon this jewel of the Word , he merges in it. His mind is Attuned to the word and is in love with True One. The Lord Himself is the jewel and diamond and he alone knows Him to whom He Himself reveals His mystery. Says Nanak- The Word is the Precious Jewel studded with diamonds.

26. God Himself created soul and matter and His eternal word ran throughout His entire creation. And all are subject to His Will, but rare is one who knows the will, by Guru’s grace. He breaks loose his bonds and he is emancipated and enshrines the word in his mind. But he alone turns Guruwards (Gurmukh) whom God blesses and he is attuned to One Lord alone. Says Nanak- He, the Creator Lord – Himself reveals His will.

27. The Smritis and Shastras discriminate between good and evil but do not tell the quintessence of real. Without the Guru no one knows the quintessence, or the Truth about the Real. The world is in slumber strayed by delusion of the three modes of Maya and thus the night of their life passes. They however keep awake through Guru’s grace who enshrine the Lord in their minds and utter the Nectar word. Says Nanak- He alone attains to the Quintessence of Reality who is ever attuned to the Lord and passes his night awake and alert.

28. He, who sustains us in the mother’s womb why you forsake Him, pray ? Yea why forsake such a great and Beneficent Master who feeds us in the fire of womb. No harm can come to him, whom Lord yokes him to His service. And being attuned to Him, the man of God cherished the Lord for ever. Says Nanak- Why forsake you O’ mind such a great and beneficent Lord.

29. As the fire of the womb is inside, similarly the fire of Maya is outside. Both fires are alike and yet both are the play of the Lord, who saves us from both. When the Lord wills, one is born into this world to the great joy to one’s kins. And then one is no more attuned to the Lord and the writ of Maya begins to ruin him. Says Nanak- They who are attuned to God ,by the Guru’s grace, attains to the Lord amidst Maya.

30. The Lord is invaluable- one cannot evaluate one’s Lord, though many have striven in vain. If one meets with the True Guru, one should surrender one’s head to Him and lose one’s self. One should be attuned to the One to whom the soul belongs and enshrine the Lord in One’s Mind. Yea, invaluable is the Lord, and fortunate are they, who are attuned to Him.

31. The Lord is my capital stock, my mind is its peddler. My peddler mind deals only in the capital stock of the Lord, it is from the Guru that I know it. Yea, contemplate your Lord for ever and earn its profit for ever. But they alone are blessed one with Lord’s riches on whom is the God’s grace. Says Nanak- The Lord is my capital stock, my mind its peddler.

32. O’ my tongue, you are lured by other tastes, and so your craving is not stilled. Craving goes on till one is Attuned to the God. Only if one drinks the Lord’s essence does the craving leaves a person surely. This Nectar of Lord’s Name one attains through God’s grace, when one meets with the True Guru. Says Nanak- All other cravings are stilled when one cherishes the Lord in the mind.

33. O’ my body, God has put His light in you, and so you come into this world. When the Lord illumined your mind with His light. The Lord Himself is the Father, Mother who created life to make it see the world. But when life by Guru’s grace knew its Reality, then it was found to be a mere show. Says Nanak- So did the Lord create the Universe and putting His light in you, He bought you into being.

34. My mind is in ecstasy hearing that God is to come into my home, O’ my mates sing now ye the welcome songs of wedding as my home has now become a temple. Yea, sing for ever the songs of joy that you are not infected by woe and sorrow. And being attuned to the Guru’s feet, your days are blessed and you see your Lord’s presence. Then through the Guru’s words ye hear the Unstruck melody of Soul and through the Lord’s Name, enjoy His essence. Says Nanak- This is how I met with my Lord who is the Creator and the Cause.

35. O,my body what indeed you do coming into the World ? Yea, what indeed are your achievements O; my body ? Since you came into this world, The Lord who created you, was not enshrined in your mind. By the Guru’s Grace, the Lord’s Name came to dwell in my mind and His writ is fulfilled. Says Nanak -This body is approved only if it is Attuned to his Lord.

36.O’ my eyes Lord has put His light in you so I do not see any other except Lord. You see not another and keep only Lord before you. This world that you see is manifestation of the God, yea it is the Lord that you see. When I know this mystery by the Guru’s grace I do not see any body else but Him. Says Nanak- These eyes were blind, but when I met the Guru, I begin to see instinctively.

37. O’ my eyes you were sent to hear only the Truth. That is why they were made a part of the body that they hear only True Word, hearing which one’s mind and body blossoms forth, and the tongue is inebriated with its flavour. The Lord is wonderful and and Unfathomable. His state can not be described by anyone. Says Nanak- Hear ye, O’ my ears, the Nectar Name of the Lord and get Pure; for ye were created to hear only the Lord’s Truth.

38. The Lord placed the soul in the cave of the body while the air made the music of life. And while he made nine doors manifest, the tenth door he kept hid within. He, who was in love with Guru’s wisdom to him was opened the Tenth Door, wherein rings the Lord’s Name in a myriad forms. Oh! It is a treasure whose depths cannot be fathomed. Says Nanak- The Lord placing the soul in the cave of body caused the air to make music of life.

39. This Eternal Song of Bliss is to be sung in the True Home of the soul. Yea sing this song of Bliss in a True Home where God is contemplated . O’ Lord on whom is Your Grace, Contemplate your truth; yea they, to whom You Reveal Yourself. through the Guru. This truth is the overlord of all, and he alone attains it whom Thou bless. Says Nanak- Sing ye this Eternal Song of Bliss in the True Home of your soul.

40. Hear you this song of Bliss O’ Fortunate Ones that all the yearnings of your heart are fulfilled, and you achieve the Transcendent Lord and all your woes are dispelled and you get rid of all maladies and sorrow after hearing the True Word. And you O’ saints my companions are in Ecstasy when the Perfect Guru reveals it unto you. Both the listeners and utterers get Pure and they see all pervading God all over. Prays Nanak- Repairing to the Guru’s Feet, the unstruck melody of the words ring in your soul.

Lavan Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

V

Lavan

The Lavan or Laava Phere are four hymns from Guru Granth Sahib ji that are key part of wedding ceremony- The Anand Karaj. It has been composed the Guru Ram Das ji, the Fourth Guru and is on the pages 773-774 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Taking the analogy of wedded couple in which individual soul is a woman while Infinite God or Oversoul is man or husband and their relationship is similar to the relationship between a man and a woman in a matrimony. So the Lavan depicts the spiritual journey of a seeker and the various stages of their union with Ik Onkar, the Divine. It provides the couple with the foundational principle of a successful marriage and place the union with the context of union with God. During the Lavan, a couple circumambulate Guru Granth Sahib ji four times while singing the hymns. It is not a meaningless ritual. When the couple move around Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji each time they are making commitment to God with Guru as their spiritual witness, guide and support. As a circle around Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji ends, it is to remind them that Guru Granth Sahib should be the centre of your life from which emerges spiritual leadership and understanding that you require for your soul’s long journey across the wild ocean of life. So Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is your worldly centre and the Sadh Sangat is your worldly witness and support. The four nuptial( temporal) rounds or Lavan were by Guru Ramdas ji for his own wedding. They explain the journey of the souls towards the Almighty. In Lavans Guru Ram Das ji tells us of duties that a person undertakes in wedded life to perform.

First Lavan- Round One

In the first round, the Lord instructs thee to revolve back to the world, and to look upon Guru’s word as the Veda to practise Righteousness and dwell upon Lord’s Name, the Smrities too inculcate but Lord’s Name and dwell upon your Perfect Guru and all thy sins are eradicated.

Thy fortune will smile, and the Bliss of poise will you gather and Lord will seem pleasing to you. Says Nanak “ In the first round, Lord Himself initiates His marriage with you.”

In the first round Guru asks the partners to commit to righteousness, renounce sinful actions,remember, meditate and embrace Nam. Only by good fortune is real peace obtained and Lord seems sweet to the mind. Worship One Waheguru and all your sins shall vanish.

Second Lavan- Round Second

In the second round, thy Lord unites thee with thy True Guru- the Cosmic Being, and you become fear free, save for the fear of the Lord in your mind, and you will get rid of the filth of I am ness. Your now is of your Immaculate God and singing the Lord’s praises, you realise His presence- the All Pervading, All Filling Lord. The only One Lord is both within and without. Meeting with the saints, you sing the songs of joy. Says Nanak “ In the Second Round the unstruck melody of the word rings in your mind.”

In the second round Guru asks the couple to advance further towards meeting the True Guru- God. The Guru leads you to meet True Lord- the Primal Being and Enlightener of the Universe. Have awe of God and your ego will disappear. Sing God’s praises and feel His presence before you. God is present both inside as well as outside every creature. So sing His praises for ever in joy.

Third Lavan- Round Third

In the third round, the joy of detachment wells up in your mind. Meeting with the saints, you meet your Lord and fortune smiles on you.

You attain the Lord, O’ saintly beings and utter the truth that is unutterable. In your mind ring the music of the Lord and you contemplate on Him, for thy lot now shines forth.

Says Nanak, “ In the third round, Divine Detachment wells up in your mind.

In the third round, the Guru says that the partner’s mind is filled with Divine Love. So meeting the Sadh Sangat speak the word of Lord’s Bane, which is only obtained by Good fortune. Recite Gurbani and sing the Glorious Praises of the God. The Naam will vibrate and resound within your heart and you will know your future destiny.

Fourth Lavan- Round Four

In the fourth round your mind is held in poise, for you have attained your Lord.

All to spontaneously your Lord has met you and by Guru’s grace your God seems sweet to you.

Your God, who loves you and you are ever attuned to Him.

And you attain your heart’s desire, thy Lord, thy God, and the Glory of the Lord’s Name rings in your mind. Your Master has brought about your wedding with Him and your heart, “Bride is in bloom being illumined by His name.

Says Nanak: “ In the Fourth Round, you attain your Eternal Lord.

In the fourth and final round, Guru says that the partner’s mind becomes peaceful and they will have found the God. His will seem sweet to Gurmukhs. You will lovingly focus your consciousness on the Lord day and night, all your desires will be fulfilled and the souls will blend with Waheguru and only His Naam will occupy your heart.

 

Din Ren ( Day & Night) Author: Dr. K.S.Kang

 

IV

Din-Ren ( Day and Night)

It has been composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, whose theme is to meditate on Immortal Lord every moment and second of day and night so as to get His mercy and grace. Beginning with Moolmantra : There is but one God, By the True Guru’s favour, He is obtained. I serve my True Guru and on God do I meditate the entire day and night. Forsaking myself conceit I seek Lord’s refuge and with my tongue I utter sweet words. Since many births I am separated from You ,O’God my friend and relative. Now mercifully unite me with Thee. The mortals who are separated from Lord they do not live in peace O’ my sister. Without God, solace is not obtained I have searched and seen in all the spheres My own evil actions have kept me away from Lord, should I accuse others ? Show mercy O’ God and save me. There is no other Bestower of Mercy. Without Thee O’ Lord it is to roll in dust. To whom shall I narrate my distress. Nanak makes supplication to behold angelic power God with his own eyes. He, who is Omnipotent and Infinite Lord God listens to my inner anguish of the soul. In death and life meditate on Him, who is the mainstay of all. In the world to follow and also in this world bride belongs to the Spouse , who has a large family. The Lord is lofty and Inaccessible. His knowledge is unfathomable and there is no limit to one and the other end. That service pleases Him that is rendered by becoming the dust of saints feet. The merciful luminous Lord is the Master and of the poor and Saviour of Sinners. Since at the very outset and beginning of ages, the True name of Creator has been saving the mortals. No one knows Master’s worth nor is there any weigher of Him. He, who is beyond reckoning is dwelling within mind and body, I am ever a sacrifice unto them who wait and serve their True Lord day and night. Saints remember Him for ever, who is Pardoner of all and the creator of soul and body and has mercifully granted us this very life. Meditate on the Lord and repeat the pure Name as per Guru’s instructions. The worth of the Infinite Exalted Lord can never be described. He in whose heart the pervading God lives is considered as fortunate. By meeting the Lord- The Spouse, the mind’s desires are fulfilled. Nanak lives by remembering God and all his sins are removed. Day and Night, who does not forget Lord that being always remain green. The Lord is brimful with all the skills. He is refuge of me- dishonoured one. Where is my mind I have grasped God’s support and I live by repeating and remembering His name. Shower Your benediction on me, O’Lord that I may merge with the dust of Your slave’s feet. As You keep, so do I live- wearing an eating what Thou Grant. Provide me with the Enterprise that I may sing thine praises in the company of saints. I cannot think of any other place to go and lodge my complaint. The lofty, unapproachable, and immeasurable Lord is the dispeller of darkness and destroyer of ignorance. Union of the separated soul with You O’God is the sole motive of Nanak It shall be a joyful moment and day when I shall fall at the feet of the Guru.

Thus Din-Ren is the eulogy of the Almighty God, whose traits of being Omnipotent, saviour of Sinner, Protector of the Poor, Infinite, Fathomless, Boundless have been described. Also the union of soul with God is considered as the most fortunate moment and time in the life of an individual soul through the Guru and the Holy Saints, who are ever in service of the Almighty Omnipotent Lord.

Barahmaha by Guru Arjan Dev Ji Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

 

III

Barahmaha by Guru Arjan Dev Ji

It is Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s calendar poem in the measure Magh included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (pp. 133-136). It was composed at the behest of Sikh Sangat when they approached him and requested to rewrite it as Guru Nanak Dev ji’s composition in Tukhari Rag is too difficult for a lay man to comprehend. The opening verse of composition presents the primary theme of the poem of the factual situation of separation of human soul from Almighty Lord ( The Oversoul). Bound by our deeds are we separated from You and crave for union with Him through Guru, by His mercy and grace. Torn as under from her Immaculate origin,she suffers in the month of Asar that burns for her who does not have her Divine Spouse close to her in her home. These individuals are tortured by duality. They see themselves apart from the Eternal One. Thus they remain victim of Yama, the Lord of Death and keep migrating from one birth to another.

This existing tragedy is attributed to Karma or the past deeds which are referred to as filth that a person has accumulated through successive births and one month passes into nest. The Bikrami year begins with the month of Chet or Chetra and concludes with Phagun only to begin again with Chet. As one sows so shall one reap. With good deeds this gap can be filled. These twelve months offer opportunities to unite with the Timeless one (God). But these conditions apply first initiative on the part of individual in form of an intense longing, keeping company of the Holy, reciting the Divine Name, singing the praise of Infinite Lord, and realising that He is indeed with the Self an dthe favour and grace of Lord Divine. Throughout the composition Guru Arjan Dev Ji beseeches Him for His mercy. His benevolent one glance( nadar) can unite him with Lord and liberate his soul from the cycle of life and death taking a person to the state of Timelessness and Eternal State of Bliss.

Excluding the opening prologue and concluding epilogue each of the stanza begins with the name of the month, beginning with Chet. By cherishing the Lord in this month one attains abundant bliss. Baisakh becomes gladsome only if one meets the Lord’s devotees who help him end his duality. Asar is searching for those separated from the Spouse and Savan is blessed for such of the united wives as cherish in their hearts the Name Divine. However, man’s own forgetfulness of God is the cause of his sufferings. All duality and pangs end as one by excelling good fortune attains union with the Lord. In the month of Magh man must bathe in the dust of the feet of holy sages and remember His name. That is the only way to wash off the filth of past deeds. This composition concludes with the statement that for him on whom rests the Lord’s grace all months, days and time are auspicious. It is alone benevolent grace coupled with individual’s own initiative that helps him to break the cycle of transmigration and win acceptance in Lord’s portal.

Text Twelve Months

Majh- The Fifth Guru

Prologue

There is but one God. By the favour of the True Guru He is obtained. O’ omnipresent Lord, show mercy and unite us with You, who on the account of deeds done are separated from You. Getting tired of wandering in four corners and ten directions we have come to Your sanctuary O’Lord. A cow sans milk is worthless, a crop without water withers, and does not fetch any price. If we don’t meet Lord, the Spouse our friend how can we get peace and rest. Those houses, villages and towns where the God – the Husband is not manifest burns like a furnace. All decorations, betel, and dainties along with the body are futile. Without the Lord Groom all the friends and relatives are like death’s myrmidon. Nanak’s request is show Your Bendiction and grant Your name. O’God,the Lord Master eternal is His mansion, unite me with Thee.

Chet

By remembering the Master of the Universe in the month of Chet great rejoicings emanate. By meeting the pious people and uttering His Name with the tongue Lord is attained. In this world advent of only those is of account who have obtained the God. Vain is deemed to be life of him, who live without Him even for an instant. The Lord is fully pervading in water, dry land, the earth and firmament and in forests too. How much pain befall a person who does not remember that Lord. Very great is the fortune of those who repeat the Name of the Lord ceaselessly. For God’s sight O’ Nanak my soul craves and my mind is thirsty. I touch the feet of him who becomes the medium to unite me with that Master Lord in the month of Chetra.

Vaisakh

In the month of Vaisakh, how can the separated who suffer pangs of separation from their Beloved(God) have patience. They forget Lord God, the friend and are attached to deceitful wealth. The son, the wife and the wealth does not go with the mortal man but that imperishable God’s name does. Being entangled and enmeshed in the love of false occupations, the whole world has perished. Without the Name of One God one’s future is ruined. By forgetting Lord the mortal is ruined as without Lord there is none other. Pure is the fame of those who are attached to the feet of the Beloved. Nanak makes supplication before the Lord and requests Him to come and merge him into Him. Only then the month of Vaisakh becomes adorable when the saints become the medium to meet the God.

Jeth

In the month of Jeth,a man ought to unite with Him before whom all bow. No one can keep him in bondage who is attached to the skirt of God-the Friend. Lord’s Name is precious like a pearl and gems that cannot be stolen by anybody. In the Primal Being are all the delights that fascinates the mind. The very thing the creatures do is willed by God. They whom the Lord has made His own are fortunate ones. If by them unaccomplished man could meet Lord then why should they cry in separation. Meeting God , through the society of saints O’ Nanak, the pious persons enjoy celestial bliss. In Jeth, the playful Lord Master meets him,on whose forehead good fortune is recorded.

Asar

The month of Asar (Har) seems searching to them who are not near the God-their Spouse. The forsake God, the life of the world and rely on man’s hope. Through love for the another man is ruined and wears the death’s halter around his neck. Whatever is recorded on man’s brow and what he sows so shall he reap. When the night of human life passes away the man repents and departs without any hope. They who meet His saints are exonerated in God’s court. Show Your mercy unto me O’Lord that I may long for Your kind and gracious glance. Nanak makes a supplication, without You there is none other. Asar is pleasant for him in whose heart abide God’s Lotus Feet.

Savan

In the month of Savan, happy is the bride who enshrines love for Lord’s Lotus Feet. Her mind and body are imbued with the love of True One and His Name is her lone support. The sinful pleasures are false. All that is apparent turns to ashes. Beautiful are the drops of God’s Nectar Words. One quaffs then after meeting Saint Guru. The forest and grass blades are refreshed with the love of the omnipotent, all pervading and Infinite Lord. My mind yearns to meet Him and through Guru’s grace He is attained. The fellow maids who have obtained the Lord, I am sacrifice for ever unto them. Nanak, when venerable Lord shows mercy He adorns the mortal with His name. Savan is delightful for those happy wives whose mind is bedecked with the Name of all pervading God.

Bhadon

In Bhadon, she who cherishes love for another( duality) is always led astray in doubt. Though she make lakh of decorations yet she is not of any worth if she is not pleasing to her True Lord. When the body perishes people call her ghost. The couriers of death and seize and despatch the soul and do not open any secret. They with whom man is in love leave him in an instant and stand aside. He wrings his hands, his body reels in pain and changes from dark to white( bloodless). As the man sows, so shall he reap, such is the field of action. Nanak has sought the Lord’s protection. The Master has given him the boat of His feet to ferry across the terrible ocean of the world. The who enshrine affection for the Saviour Guru are not consigned to hell in Bhadon.

Assau

In Assau the Lord’s love is overflowing from within me. How shall I go and meet God ?. Within my mind and body is the great thirst for Lord’s Sight. The saints are my helpers in Divine Love in my love march. I bow before them and fall at their feet. Let some one come and help me to meet Him, O’Mother, without Lord peace cannot be obtained. They who have tasted the ambrosia of love remain sated, satiated and contented. Stilling their ego they make supplication; O’ Lord, attach us to Your Skirt. They whom God, the Spouse has united with Himself, neither separate nor go astray. Without the Lord there is none other. Nanak has entered God’s Sanctuary. In Assau they dwell in peace who get the grace of Lord.

Katak

In Katak do good deeds. It is not good to blame others. By forgetting the Supreme Lord, all the maladies cling to man. The non-believers in the Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent Lord suffer pangs of separation from Him, birth after birth. In an instant all the pleasures of wealth get bitter. For them Name of the Lord can play as an intermediary. Before whom they shall bewail daily. Nothing can be done by man’s doing. In the very beginning the destiny is recorded. Through the greatest good fortune I meet my God and all the pangs of separation breaks and departs. You protect Nanak O’ my Lord Master- the Emancipator and fetter cutter. In Kartik by getting into society of saints all the anxieties of the mortal will vanish.

Maghar

In Maghar beautiful are they who sit with their Beloved God. How can their glory be fathomed whom the Lord blends with Himself. The body and mind of those who have companionship of saints bloom with the pervading God. They who are without the society of pious people dwell all alone. Their pain never departs and they fall under the clutches of death’s minister. They who have enjoyed their Lord are ever seen standing in His service. Their neck is decorated with jewels, emerald, and rubies of God’s Name. Nanak seeks the dust of the feet of those who have fallen for shelter at His door. They who meditate on the Master in the month of Maghar are not born again.

Poh

In Poh cold does not affect them who are embraced by God into His Bosom. They whose soul is pierced through with His lotus feet remain attached to Sovereign Lord’s sight. Seel the refuge of the King God, who is the Master of the World and Cherisher of the Universe. The Lord’s service is profitable. On meeting the saints, sing the praises of God and sin will not touch you. Being absorbed in True Love, the soul gets blended with what it has sprung from. She whom the Supreme Lord has clasped by hand does not separate again. A hundred thousand times I am a sacrifice unto Him- the unapproachable and unfathomable Lord. Nanak has fallen at the door of the Primal Being and He will preserve the honour of one lying at His door, Poh is beautiful and giver of peace for those who are pardoned by Carefree God.

Magh

In Magh consider the bath in the dust of the saints congregation as ablutions at holy shrines. Remember and hear God’s Name and bestow it as alms unto all. So shall your filth of evil deeds of many births would be removed and ego will vanish from your heart. Lust and wrath will not be able to diminish you and dog of avarice will be destroyed. The world praises those who walk along the path of truth. To take pity on sentient beings is more acceptable than bathing at sixty eight holy shrines and giving alms. He on whom God mercifully bestows this virtue is a wise man. Nanak is a sacrifice unto them who have met their Lord. In Magh they to whom the Perfect Guru is merciful are called the Pure.

Phagun

In Phagun they alone get happiness unto whom the Lord the friend has become manifest. The saints who render man assistance with all pervading Lord have mercifully united me with Him. My couch is beautiful and I possess all the comforts and now there is no room for sorrows. My desire has been fulfilled and I am exceedingly lucky and fortunate in having God-the Monarch as my Spouse. Meeting together, my fellow maids sing songs of rejoicing and utter the sermons of world’s Lord. Like God, I perceive none. None is equal to Him. He has embellished my this world and the next one and has given me a permanent place in His palace. He has rescued me from the terrible world ocean of life and I shall not have to run again through many births. I have only one tongue and manifold are Thine Excellences. Nanak is rescued by falling at His feet. In Phagun always praise Him who has not even an iota of avarice.

Epilogue

The affairs of those, who have meditated on the Name have been accommodated. They contemplate over God incarnate Perfect Guru who are judged as true and genuine in His court. God’s feet are the treasure of all comforts. Through them a man crosses the dreadful world ocean of life. They obtain love and devotion and do not burn in mortal sins. The falsehood has disappeared, love for duality has ended and they are perfectly brimful with bliss and truth. They serve the Supreme Lord Master and place the Unique One in their hearts. The months, days and moments are auspicious, for then on whom God casts His merciful glance. Nanak asks for the boon of Your Benediction on Him.