Baal juani aur birdh funh teen avastha jaan – Shalok Mahala 9 – Ang 1428

 Shalok Mahala 9

SGGS Ji Ang 1428

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Question from a satsangee:

Q:Can you explain what the three stages of life are as stated in Slok no.35, Slok M.9.? Thanks and Gurfateh.

Here is a short write up on Slok no 35. With respect, the views expressed here are quite different from the translation on the net.

ਬਾਲ ਜੁਆਨੀ ਅਰੁ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਫੁਨਿ ਤੀਨਿ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਜਾਨਿ ॥
Childhood, youth and old age – know these as the three stages of life.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੩੫॥
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, everything is useless; you must appreciate this. ||35|| (Slok 35-SGGS Ang 1428)

In Slok no 35, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is not speaking of the three stages of life as the translation on the internet says.

Guru Ji uses the word “avastha” which refers to a state/plane of mind or awareness.

In Gurbani we are told of the three shades of maya, tamo gunn, rajo gunn and sato gunn. These are collectively referred to as tria gunn maya.

“Raj gunn tamm gun sat gunn kehiye eh Teri sabh maya; chauthe padh ko jo nar chinne tin hi param padh paya.” (Ang 1123).

Gurbani tells us we must strive to break out of the three shades of maya, and rise to the chautha padh, also known as sahaj padh or turiavastha.

At Angg 154, Guru Nanak Dev Ji tells us one who is engrossed by the three shades of maya, is subject to births and deaths.

“Janam marey tria gunn hitkaar.”

The Vedas only speak of the physical forms (not of Nirankar Ji who is the life force of the physical forms).

“Charey vedh kathe akaar.”

Since the Vedas speak only of physical forms (all of which are perishable), these Vedas describe only the three avasthas of maya.

“Teen avastha kahe vakhiyan.”

To know about the fourth avastha (beyond maya), you need to receive enlightenment from a Satguru.

“Turiavastha Satgur te Har jaan.”

With that background, we find that in Slok no. 35, Guru Ji is not speaking of childhood, youth and old age as the three stages of life. Guru Ji is speaking of man who spends his entire life knowing only about the three shades of maya.

Thus, with respect my translation of Slok no. 35 would be:

“You have spent your childhood, youth, and old age knowing only about the three shades (of maya).

“Baal juani aur birdh funh teen avastha jaan.”

Says Nanak, without meditating upon the Lord, know that all (such focus on maya) is useless.

“Kaho Nanak Har bhajan bin birtha sabh hi jaan.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji.