Nanak ki benanti Har peh Aapna Naam japavho – Raag Gauree – Ang 216

SGGS Angg 216.

Raag Gauree (Gauri) M.5

At the initial stages of Naam japp, the Sikh reads/recites with enthusiasm. As he persists, does Naam and sewa, a realisation sets in, that he is still the doer.

Sukhmani Sahib Ji tells us.

“jab lagg jaane mujh te kich hoye; tab is ko sukh nahi koye: Jab lagg jaane mai kich karta; tab lagg garap joon meh firta.”
(so long as the mortal thinks he is the one doing things; he shall find no peace; so long as the mortal thinks he can do something, he shall wander about in reincarnation through the womb).

In this Shabad, the Sikh has some inner realisation (actually it is prompted by the Guru Shabad), that he should rise above his petty self, and surrender completely to God. As God takes over, he becomes the Doer, (as He always was and is), and there is no lekha in anything done by Naam/Guru/God.

The Sikh says Lord, I repeatedly chant Your Name; (but I now realise) that I cannot do anything (including chanting) by myself. As You keep me, I remain (I now accept Your Will).

“Madho Har Har Har mukh kahiye; ham te kachu na hovay Suami jio rakho tio rehiye.”( rahao).

What can the mere mortal do, how can he be the doer, what is in the hands of this poor creature?; O Perfect Lord and Master, as You drive us to do, so do we attach ourselves (to our tasks).

“Kya kich kare keh karnehaara kya iss haath bicharey; jit Tum laavho titt hi laaga Puran Khasam hamarey.”

Please Grant me Your Grace that my consciousness is attached to Your One Form (here it is a reference to Jote, which becomes manifest with Gur Parsad); Nanak’s plea to the Lord is to drive/make me recite Your Name.

“Karo kirpa sarab ke Datey Ek Roop liv laavho; Nanak ki benanti Har peh Aapna Naam japavho.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube