Bande khoj dil har rojh na firr pareshani mahe – Raag Tilang – Ang 727

SGGS Anģg 727.

Raag Tilang Bhagat Kabeer (Kabir) Ji.

Bhagat Ji tells us about Scriptures. They contain exaggerated stories which do not help to relieve your anxieties.

For example, take the story of Samson. He pulled the pillars with superhuman strength and destroyed his enemies. That would be attributing greatness to Samson, when in actual fact, it was God who gave Samson the strength to pull the pillars. Gurbani teaches us we should sing praises of God, rather than sing of the greatness of persons like Samson. “duniya na salahe jo mar vanjj see; loka na salahe jo mar khaak see.” (Ang 755).

Thus, Guru Amardas Ji tells us:

“Vah mere Sahiba Vah; Gurmukh sada salahiye Sacha Vepervah.”

Similarly, the Vedas only speak of the greatness of created beings (akaar roop), not of the Formless Lord (Nirankar Ji) who is the life force of all creation. It is His jor we should be singing praises about, since all created ones have no power by themselves.

“Aakhan jor chupay na jor; jor na manggan den na jor; jor na jiwan maran na jor; jor na raaj maal mann sor; jor na surtee gyan bichaar; jor na jugti chutay sansaar.” (Japji Sahib).

At Angg 154, Guru Ji says, as one relies on the Vedas and sings the praises of created ones (who are in the snares of tria gunn maya), one ends up in the ceaseless cycle of births and deaths. It is only if you sing the Praises of Niranjan (beyond maya) Naam, (Attributes of God), that you can wipe out karmic lekhas break out of maya, and merge into the Formless, Perfect  (Pura) Lord. All this happens only with Gur Parsad, thus the Gurus stress that you are really fortunate if you are led to the Sharan of a Satguru. (Shabad Guru – which is essentially Nirankar Ji Himself.

“Vah Vah Satgur Nirankar hai jis antt na paravaar.” – Ang 1421

At Angg 154, Guru Nanak Dev Ji tells us:

“Janam marey tria gunn hitkaar; charey Bedh kathe akaar; teen avastha kare vakhiyan.” If you wish to go to a dimension beyond maya, i.e. free of bondage, only the Satguru can give you such enlightenment with Gur Parsad.
“Turiavastha Satgur te Har jaan.”

Thus, Bhagat Ji begins this Shabad by telling us the Scriptures contain fantastic stories (of superhumans) which do not relieve the anxieties of the heart. (one reading such stories will feel if I am in a similar situation, I will never be able to be superhuman myself). (Or, he might try to achieve similar super powers which will lead him astray. He will begin to think I have the power to do this and that) If he thinks like that, Gurbani says:

“Jab lagg jaane mujh te kich hoye; tab iss ko sukh nahi koye; jab eh jaane mai kich karta; tab lag garab joon me firta.” (Ang 278 – Sukhmani Sahib).

Nimrata (humilty) is a cornerstone of Sikhi, and a Sikh is taught to say.

“Tu jaanat mai kich nahi bhav khandan Raam.” (Ang 858).

At Angg 1165, when Bhagat Namdev Ji is challenged to revive a dead cow, he says “mera kiya kichu na hoye; kar hai Raam hoye hai soye.”

Instead of focusing on such fantastic stories, if one were to reflect deeply and focus on the epicenter of all things, you would realize the Lord is ever present (and the source of all strength and the real Doer of all actions).

“Bedh Kateb iftera bhai dil ka fikar na jaaye; tuk damm karari jo karo hajar hajur Khudaiye.”

O human beings, search for Him in your heart daily, and do not wander about in worry (confusion); the world is like a magic show (full of illusions) no one will hold your hand. (The word “sihir” is used in the Malay language for illusionist/magician as in “ahli sihir”). Dastgiri is a Persian word which means 10 fingers, i.e. the hands.

“Bande khoj dil har rojh na firr pareshani mahe; eh jo dunia sihir mela dastgiri nahe.” (rahao).

People find happiness in reading and studying about exaggerations, and in their ignorance, babble some nonsense; the True Creator Lord is diffused deep inside His creation. He is not the dark skinned Krishna of physical form that you speak of.

“Darogh parh parh khushi hoye bekhabar baad bakahe; Hak Sach Khalak khalakk mianay Shyam murat nahe.”

Through the Tenth Gate of the sky (daswa dwar), flows the Stream of Nectar, take your bath in this; serve the Lord forever, put on your eyeglasses (of Naam) and see Him ever – present everywhere.

“Asmaan mianay lahang dariya gussal kardan bood; kar fakar Daeyem laaye chasme jeh taha maujood.”

The Lord is the Purest of the Pure, you will fall into doubts if you think of another; Kabir says, Mercy flows from the Compassionate One. He alone Knows and Acts.

“Allah Pakung Paak hai sakk karo je dussar hoye; Kabir Karam Kareem ka Oh Kare Jaane Soye.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube