Aakhan jivan visray mar jaoo – Rehiras Sahib – Ang 9

 SGGS Angg 9.

Raag Assa M.1.

3rd Shabad of Rehiras Sahib.

At Angg 151, Guru Nanak Dev Ji says.

“Mata matt Pita santokh”

Wisdom is the mother while contentment is the father.

So when we read a Shabad which says

“So kyo visray meri maaye,” the literal translation would read – “How can I forget Him O my mother.” Actually the question is posed to his matt (mother), i.e. his own understanding of things. In other words he is talking to his mind, to his inner self.

In this lovely Shabad Guru Ji describes a Sikh who has some degree of understanding. The Sikh goes into deep contemplation and speaks to himself. If I recite Your Name I feel truly alive; forgetting the Name is a death upon me.

“Aakhan jivan visray mar jaoo”

But, (Lord), this Naam is so difficult to recite.

“Aakhan aukha Sacha Naao”

(But I know), that if someone feels hunger for the True Name; such hunger (yearning, love) itself consumes all pains.

“Sache Naam ki laage bhukh; uth bhukhe khaye chaliye dukh”

How can I forget such a Wonderful Lord; the Master is True (Eternal, Perfect), and so is His Name.

“So kyo visray meri mae; Sacha Sahib Sache Naee”(rahao).

(God’s Naam is so Wonderful), that people over the ages have gone weary trying to describe even an iota and they have never been able to evauate It.

“Sache Naam ki til vadiaaye; aakh thakay kimat nahi payee”

God is so Complete and Perfect, our prayers make no difference to Him. The prayers however make a difference to us as we slowly start absorbing His gunn stated in the Shabads. Thus Guru Ji says, even if everyone were to gather and speak of Him; He would not become any greater nor any lesser.

“Je sabh milh ke aakhan paaye; vadda na hovai ghaat na jaaye.”

The Lord does not ever die nor is there any mourning about Him; He continues to give and His Provisions never run out.

“Na Oh marey na hovay sogh; denda rahey na chukay bhog.”

All Virtues are His, there is none other like Him; there never has been, nor will ever be.

“Gunn Eho horr nahi koye; na ko hova na ko hoye.”

As Great as You are Lord, equally Great are Your Gifts; He created days and the nights too.

“Jewad Aap tewadh Teri Daat; jin dinn kar ke kitee raat.”

Those who forsake the Lord are vile and despicable; Nanak says, without Naam they are wretched outcasts.

“Khassam visarey te kamjaat; Nanak Naame baaj sanaat.”

Shabad Viakhya by Manjeet Singh 

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube