Gun Gobind gaio nahi Janam akarath kin – Shalok Mehla 9 – Ang 1426

SGGS Angg 1426.

Slok M.9

Guru Tegh Bahdur Ji’s fascinating 57 Sloks which are read at the bhog of any paath of SGGS Ji.

These Sloks are written in a mixture of Braj and Punjabi/Hindi. They cover an amazing range of topics.

Guru Ji repeatedly reminds man that this world is transitory, and like a dream, it has a short span. The only way towards salvation and Union is to have intense loving devotion for the Lord “jeh bidh jal ko meen.” Like the fish which cannot survive without water.

Man is gently scolded by the Guru to “bhaj Har manaa” as life is ebbing away. ” audh jaat hai beet.”

Man is called “bawara” – madman, because despite his old age, no realisation has crept in. “birdh bheyo sujje nahi kaal pahunchiyo aan.”

This madman does not harbor any love for the Great Giver who gave him all possessions and his body. He totters around helplessly.

“tan dhan je to ko diyo ta seyo neho na keen; kaho Nanak nar bawre ab kyo dolatt deen.”

Man is told to rise above worldly dukh and sukh, and not to be enticed by greed, attachment and pride, and to immerse himself in God. “sukh dukh jeh parseh nahi lobh moh abhimaan; Kaho Nanak sun re manaa so murat Bhagvaan.”

In Sloks 14 and 15, Guru Ji tells us how man can be jiwan mukat.

Guru Ji now takes a softer line and addresses all humans as His friends. Human life is fragile like a bubble of water liable to burst anytime, and it wells up and dissipates daily. “jaise jal te budbudaa upjay binsay neet; jag rachna taise rachi kaho Nanak sun meet.”

It is rare to get a human life. If you seek eternal happiness, Guru Ji tells you to take the Sharan of Raam – the All Pervading Lord.

“jao sukh ko chahe sadaa Sharan Raam ki leh; kaho Nanak sun re manaa durlab manukh deh.” (Slok 27).

Instead of that, in the next Slok Guru Ji says, foolish ignorant man runs after maya, and his life ebbs away in useless pursuits.

“maya kaaran dhaavhi murakh logh ajaan; kaho Nanak bin Har bhajan birtha janam siraan.”

Those who gather around you in happy times will abandon you in times of difficulty. Only Har Ji will not abandon you, and will be your Helper in the end.

“sukh mai baho sangi bhaye dukh mai sang na koye; kaho Nanak Har bhaj manaa antt sahayee hoye.”

Man is so hopelessly enmeshed in maya, that he has difficulty getting out. Maya’s imprint on the mind is so strong it is like a painting on a wall, and cannot be removed.

“mann maya me rem rehiyo niksat nahin meet; Nanak murat chitar jio chadhat nahin bheet.”

What is created must surely be destroyed today or tomorrow. Instead of clinging to perishables you should abandon all worldly entanglements and sing His Praises.

“jo upjiyo so binass hai bharo aaj ke kaal; Nanak Har gunn gaaye le chadh saggal janjaal.”

Sloks 53 and 54 contain a Couplet – Dohra.

Slok 53 speaks of bondages and lack of strength, unable to do anything. But there is no despair. The Sikh is told to carry on with single minded prayer to God asking for relief, like the elephant which was eventually rescued.

“balh chutkiyo bandhan bharey kachu na hote upaaye; kaho Nanak ab ote Har gajj jio hoho sahaye.”

Slok 54 of the Dohra speaks of Grace which follows sincere loving prayer. Now the Sikh finds strength pouring into his veins, bondages sundered, and everything can be now achieved. But the Sikh is ever mindful that all Power rests with God, and the Lord Himself blessed him with triumph over all troubles.

“balh hova bandhan chutay sabh kich hote upaaye; Nanak sabh kich Tumre haath me Tum hi hote sahaye.”

Some Scholars say Slok 54 was a reply by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to a query by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Slok 53. That view is incorrect. These Sloks were inserted in SGGS Ji by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Himself, and Guru Ji kept intact the numbering system which had been put in place by Guru Arjun Dev Ji. At the end of the final Slok, 57, we find the notation (57)(1), indicating that the entire Slok Mehla 9 was written by one Guru Sahib i.e. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

In the final Slok, Guru Ji tells us the Lord’s Name which has no equal, has been enshrined in His heart; by meditating upon it I have received Your Darshan.

“Raam Naam urh me gehiyo ja ke samh nahi koye; jeh simrat sankatt mittay Daras Tuharo hoye.”

All the earlier 56 Sloks had the Signature “Nanak” in them. In this final Slok (57), Guru Ji speaks of Darshan and the Signature “Nanak” is not used. The Sikh has blended with God.

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shahad Kirtan available on YouTube