Baba jugtaa jio jugeh jug jogung param tantt me jogang – Raag Assa – Ang 359

SGGS Angg 359

Raag Assa M.1

During the Udasis, Guru Nanak Dev Ji met Bharthari jogi (or the jogi who sat on Bharthari’s gaddi (seat). The word jogi means united one. Jogis believe they have united with God with their various breathing exercises, asanas, earrings (which are placed after piercing certain nerves in the ear, which they claim lets them hear anhad vajey), wearing a patched coat-“khintha” (each represents a base passion like kaam, krodh. By tearing out a piece from the chadar, and putting a patch in place there, they claim that particular passion has been torn out and subdued).

In this Shabad, addressed to Bharthari jogi, Guru Ji says, all the external rituals and symbolic practices do not help to make you a jogi, a united one. It is Naam used internally in place of all those external practices, which leads to Union with the Perfect Lord within you.

Let the Guru’s Shabad in your mind be your earrings, and tolerance be your patched coat; accept the Lord’s Will as good and you shall proceed on the path to receive the treasure of poised internal jog (sahaj jog, as compared with manhath jog methods employed now).

“Gur ka Shabad mannay me mundra khintha khima handavho; jo kich kare bhala kar maano sahaj jog nidh pavho.”

O wise man, the soul thus united becomes a jogi, United in the Supreme Essence, throughout the ages (i.e. one goes to an avastha beyond the bounds of time); you will receive Immaculate, Pure Naam and your body enjoys the pleasure of Spiritual Wisdom.

“Baba jugtaa jio jugeh jug jogung param tantt me jogang; Amrit Naam Niranjan payaa gyan kaiyaan rass bhogung.” (rahao).

In Gurbani, the words “Shiv shakti” are used. It refers to Spirit and matter. Shiv here does not refer to the deva Shiva, it refers to Spirit (Jote), and matter refers to maya. Maya will always lose to Shiv (Jote). At Angg 1096, Guru Ji says.

“Shiv agay shakti hareyaa eveh Har bhaeyaa” ( It is the Lord’s Will that matter will always lose before Spirit).

(A jogi who goes towards Sahaj jog) his asan (of the mind), will be in the Lord’s City, and his desires and conflicts will be removed; (internally), the sound of the horn will ring out it’s beautiful melody, and day and night he will be filled with the sound current of the naad.

“Shiv nagree me aasan bessho kalap tyagi badung; singhee Shabad sahaj dhun sohay ahiniss purey nadung.”

(Jogis carry a pouch called “pat” or “choli” to put in ashes, a walking stick for support, and apply ashes on their body to indicate their passions have been burnt away).

(A jogi in sahaj jog will say), my pouch is my reflective meditation, and spiritual wisdom is my walking stick, dwelling in the Lord’s Presence is the ashes I apply to my body; singing Praises of the Lord is my occupation and to live as a gurmukh is my unique religion, detached from all.

“Patt vichaar gyan matt dandaa vartmaan bhibutang; Har kirat Rehiras hamaree gurmukh panth ateetang.”

(When jogis sit, they use an arm rest, called sameyaa.
It is a short stick with a handle on top. In Punjabi, it is called berragan, i.e. when a Sadhu sits resting his arms on that arm rest, he is supposed to be in bairaag, yearning for Union).

To see the Lord’s Light in all, with their numerous colours and forms, is my arm rest; Nanak says, listen O Bharthar jogi you must have your consciousness poised on the One Lord.

“Saglee Jote hamari sameeya nana varan anekang; Kaho Nanak sunn Bharthar jogi Parbrahm liv ekang.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube