Tera kita jato nahi mainu jog kitoyee – Ang 1429

After Mundhavni, (the Seal to Gurbani in Pothi Sahib) , Guru Ji writes a Shukrana, Slok M.5,

“Tera kitta jaato nahi maino jogh kotoyi.”

Lord, I can never fully express my gratitude to You, for making me worthy (of writing Pothi Sahib).

I possess no Virtues at all. You took pity upon me.

“Mai nirgunaire ko Gunn nahi Aape taras piyooyi.”

It was Your Pity and Mercy upon me that You United me with the True Guru (Shabad Guru in my suratt), my True Friend.

“Taras bheya Mehramat hoyi Satgur Sajjan miliya.”

Nanak says, only if I am blessed with Naam, do my mind and body blossom forth.

“Nanak Naam milhe ta jeeva tann mann thive hareiya.”

Before singing this Slok, the ragi ji, Bhai Sukhjinder Singh (Kirtan available on YouTube), weaves numerous Shabads and pangtis to connect with the main theme of Shukrana.

He starts with a heart wrenching tarla – a tribute to the Saints (Gurus).

“Ham Santan ki rein pyare ham Santan ki Sarna; Sant hamari Ote Sataani Sant hamara gehna; ham Santan seyo bann aayi; Purab likhiya paayi; eh mann Tera bhai.

Santan seyo meri leva devi Santan seyo biohara;
Santan seyo ham laha khatiya Har Bhagat bhare bhandaara; Santan moko poonji saunpi tao utriya mann ka dhokha; Dharam Rai abh kaha karego jio fattiyo saglo lekha; maha anand bhye sukh paaiya Santan ke Parsade; Kaho Nanak Har seyo mann maaniya rang ratte bismaade.”

After declaring the helplessness of Dharam Raj over the Saints, and the bliss of receiving Gur Parsad, the ragi ji next recites a Slok from Jaitsri Ki Vaar, where he does Shukrana of Naam, and how one gets exalted.

“Dya karnung dukh harnang uchrang Naam Kirtaneh; Dyal Purakh Bhagwaneh Nanak lippat na maya; Bhayi balandhrhi bujh gayi rakhandrho Prabh Aap; jin upaayi medhni Nanak So Prabh jaap.”

He then sways the shukrana in utter humility towards Ardas.

“Tudh Aage Ardas hamari jio pind sabh Tera; Kaho Nanak sabh Teri vadiiayi koi naoo na jaane mera”

Now, he ascends into sheer ecstacy and expresses gratitude of the Blissful, Kindly, Merciful Nature of the Guru who is “Gareeb nivaaj”- always blessing the humble downtrodden ones.

“Anand Guni Nidhan Guru Gareeb Nivaaj.”

Tera kita jaato nahi comes next. He intersperses with a jeev isteri expressing astonishment and gratitude at the So Merciful Nature of the Guru. She says,

“Sabh avgunn mai Gunn nahi koyi; kyo kar Kantt milava hoyi; Na mai roop na banke naina; na kul dhang na mithe behna”

Next comes the self deprecating Swaiyya by Bhatt Kirat Ji where he Praises the Glory of Gur Sanggat, ending with a humble Ardas to be always in the Sharan of Satguru Ramdas Ji.

“Ham avgunn bhare eik Gunn nahi; Amrit chadh bikhe bikh khahi; maya moh bharam bhae bhulle sut dara seyo preet lagaayi; eik uttam Panth suniyo Gur Sanggat teh milantt jamm traas mitaayi; eik Ardas Bhaat Keerat Ki Guru Ramdas rakho Sharnaayi.”

The next pangtis are expressed as a child to the Sharan of the Almighty Guru. I am in Your Sharan, O Merciful One, please save me.

“Tumri Sharan Tumari Aasa Tum hi Sajjan Suhele; Rakho Rakhanhar Dyala Nanak Ghar ke golhe.”

Only the Sharan of the Satguru can capture the evil mann and guide it towards Naam. Running to the jungles, does not quell the evil tendencies of the mann. In a quote from Bhagat Kabir Ji, questions are posed first and then a falling at God’s Feet to be saved.

“Greh tajj ban khand jaaiye chunn khaiye kanda, ajho bikaar na chodieyi paapi mann manda; Kyo chutho kaise tarho bhavjal nijh bhari; Rakh Rakh mere Beethla jann Sharan Tumari.”

Again, a child speaks in utter humility. Grateful for His Sharan. Confident, that the Lord will be Merciful towards him.

“Sharan bhare ki raakh Dyala; Nanak Tumre baal Gopala.”

It is God who decides in which Satguru’s Sharan you will be saved. (dhure bheya sanjogh). As the Sikh sees the Glory of the Satguru unfolding before him, he exclaims in awe and vismaad.

“Jaisa Satgur sunidha taiso hee mai deeth; vichoriya melhe Prabhu Har Dargeh ka baseeth; Har Naamo mantar dhirhàeyda katte haumai rogh; Nanak Satguru tinna milaiya jinna dhure bheya sanjogh.”

Please bless me with the blessed time and opportunity when I may recite Your Blessed Name.

“Se sanjogh karo mere Pyare; jit rasna Har Naam uchaare.”

In my humble view, the entire tapestry of the Kirtan is a masterpiece, delivered with love and reverence.
It may require 15 -20 listenings, with Gur Parsad before the full import of the wonderful Kirtan settles in your mind.