Ab kalu aaiyo re Eik Naam bovho bovho – Raag Basant – Ang 1185

SGGS Angg 1185.

Raag Basant M.5

According to Hinduism, we are now living in Kalyug. It is a dark age of deceit and pestilences and miseries.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Japji Sahib has said that no one knows when creation started. Only God knows – “ja Karta sirthee ko sajey Aape jaaney soyee.”

Since the beginning of time cannot be determined, it is impossible to say Satyug was from the beginning of time to a particular period. The calculations for Dwapur Treta and Kalyug too, therefore, fail.

Guru Arjun Dev Ji says “Ek ghari na miltay ta kaljug hota” (Ang 96).
(It is a dark age of kalyug upon me if I forget You even for a moment). So, forgetting God is living a life in kalyug.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Ramkali Raag (Ang 902) says, there is no effect of any age upon us. It is your conduct which indicates what yug (avastha) you are in. If your conduct is despicable and tyrannical you are living in kalyug.

Guru Ji says from the beginning of time the same moon and stars shine, the same sun blazes from the sky; the earth is the same and the same wind blows, how can we say different yugs affect us?

“Soyee chand chade se tarey soyee diniyar tapatt rahey; sa dharti so paun jhularey jug jee khelay thaav kaisey”

In this Shabad too, when we read references to kalyug we must take it as references to reprehensible conduct as one forgets God.

The Shabad starts with reference to the blossoming of flowers. Everything is beautiful. Renounce your egotism, grasp hold of his Lotus Feet (Bani), be blessed and meet the Lord. O my mind, remember the Lord.

“Dekh phool phool phuley; ahung tyaag tyaagey; Charan Kamal paggey; tum milho Prabh sabhagey; Har chet man merey” (rahao).

The tender young plants (those who are beginning on the spiritual path), are fragrant; while some remain like dry wood; the season of Spring has come; may you blossom forth luxuriantly.

“Saggan baas kuley; eik rahe sook kathuley; basant rut aayi; parfoolta rahey”

Now the dark age of kalyug (where men forget God) is upon us; plant the Name of the One Lord; it is not the season to plant other seeds (rituals, fasts, austerities); do not wander lost in delusion and doubt; one on whose forehead such destiny is written, unites with the Guru and meets God.

“Ab kalu aaiyo re; Eik Naam bovho bovho; an rut nahi nahi; mat bharam bhulo bhulo; Gur mil Har paaye; jis mastak hai lekha”

The Shabad concludes with a declaration that this is the season of Naam; Nanak sings the Praises of the Lord. Hail to Him, Hail to Him.

“Man rut Naam re; Gunn kahe Nanak Har Harey Har Harey.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube