Bhai re Gur bin gyan na hoye – Raag Sri Raag – Ang 59

 SGGS Angg 59.

Raag Sri Raag M.1

Guru Ji stresses that without the Sharan of a Satguru, you can never make any spiritual progress.

Firstly, Guru Ji tells us about what is received in the Guru’s Sharan. The word “paiyeh” is used three times in the 1st pada.

It is only if you are in the Sharan of a Satguru, that you obtain the jewel of meditative reflection; surrender your mind to the Guru and get universal love; you then acquire the wealth of liberation, and your karmic demerits get erased.

“Satgur Pura je miley paiyeh ratan bichaar; man dijjay Gur apne paiyeh sarab pyar; mukat padarath paiyeh auggan metanhar.”

In the rahao, Guru Ji says there can be no spiritual wisdom without the Guru; go ask Brahma, Narad and Bedh Byas.

“Bhai re Gur bin gyan na hoye; pucho Brahmey Nardey Bedh Byasey koye.” (rahao).

(Gurbani has criticised Brahma in many places. For example at Angg 735.

“Brahma Bisan Mahadev tria gunn rogi vich haumai kaar kamayee.”

Narad is also criticised at Angg 349 and at other places in SGGS Ji.

“Narad nache kal ka bhao.”

Although Narad is used here as a metaphor for the fickle mind, Narad is well known as a carrier of tales, and cause of strife.

Bedh Byas is referred to with respect, at Angg 1106.

“Byas bichar kehiyo parmarath Ram Naam ser nahi.”

Although the earlier two have been criticised, all three agree on one thing. That, you need a Guru to impart spiritual wisdom to you).

The Guru’s Shabad (dhun), gives you knowledge, concentration, and you learn about the Indescribable Lord; (the Guru’s Shabad) is the fruit bearing Tree, luxuriantly green with abundant shade; these jewels, rubies and emeralds (Shabads) are found in the Guru’s Treasury.

“Gyan dhyan dhun jaaniye Akath kahave soye; safliyo birkh hariavla shaav ghaneri hoye; lal javehar maanki Gur bhandarey soye.”

From the Guru’s Treasury (Shabads), we receive Love for the Immaculate Name of the Lord; the True Everlasting Merchandise is gathered through the Infinite Grace of the Guru; the True Guru is the Giver of Peace, the Dispeller of pain and the Destroyer of demons.

“Gur bhandarey paiyeh Nirmal Naam Pyar; Sacho vakhar sanchiye Puray Karam Apaar; Sukhdata dukh metno Satgur asur sangaar.”

The terrifying world ocean is dreadful. You can see neither this shore nor the one beyond; there is no boat nor raft, no oars nor boatman; the Satguru is the only Boat on this terrifying ocean. His Glance of Grace carries you across.

“Bhavjal bikham daravnho na kandi na paar; na berhi na tulhra na tis vanj malar; Satgur bhey ka Bohitha nadri paar utaar.”

If I forget my Beloved even for a moment, suffering overtakes me and peace departs; let that tongue which does not recite His Name with love, be scorched and burnt; when the pitcher of the body bursts there is terrible pain. Those caught by the messenger of death deeply regret.

“Eik til Pyara visrey dukh laggey sukh jaaye; jehva jalho jalahnvi Naam na jappe rasaaiye; ghat binsey dukh aglo jamm pakdey pachotaiye.”

Crying out possesively “mine”, “mine” they have departed, but what they claimed to be theirs, their bodies, wealth and their wives, did not go along with them; without Naam wealth is useless. Maya has misguided them from the Path; serve the True Master, be a gurmukh and speak about the Indescribable Lord.

“Meri meri kar gaye tan dhan kaltt na saath; vin Naave sabh baadh hai bhulo marag aath; Sacho Sahib seviye gurmukh akatho kaath.”

Coming and going, people wander in reincarnation, driven by their past actions; how can the destiny of past actions be erased since it is Written in accordance with God’s Will?; without Naam you can never be saved. Only through the Guru’s Teachings can there be Union.

“Aave jaaiye bhuaiiyeh peiyeh kirat kamaaiye; purab likhiya kyo metiye likhiya lekh rajaaiye; bin Har Naam na chutiye gurmat mileh milaaiye.”

Without Him, I have no one to call my own. My soul and my very life belong to Him; may my egotism and attachments be burnt to ashes, my greed and pride be consigned to fire; Nanak says, reflecting upon the Naam, the Treasure of Excellences is found.

“Tis bin mera ko nahi jis ka jio praan; haumai mamta jalh balho lobh jalho abhimaan; Nanak Shabad vichariye paiyeh Guni Nidhaan.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube