Chal re Baikunth tujhe le taro- Raag Gauree – Ang 329

SGGS Angg 329.

Raag Gauree (Gauri) Bhagat Kabir Ji.

Bhagat uses the imagery of a horse. The mortal is a horse. Bhagat Ji says the human body horse can be ridden to Sachkhand – union with God with the right Rider (Naam) and the proper use of reins, bridle, stirrups, saddle and if deemed necessary a whip (of Love), to keep the horse on the right path.

This the 2nd pada.
Come, let me ride you to Sachkhand; if you tarry (or go astray), I shall strike you with the whip of spiritual love.

“Chal re Baikunth tujhe le taro; hicheh ta Prem ke chabak maro”

(Baikunth literally means the heaven of Vishnu. But here, Bhagat Ji is using the word to mean Sachkhand.)

The Shabad starts with Bhagat Ji saying I have grasped the reins and attached the bridle; renouncing everything else I now soar through the skies (at a very high avastha).

“Deh mohar lagaam pehraoo; sagall ta jihn gaggan daouravo”

I made self reflection my mount; and in the stirrups of intuitive poise I placed my feet.

“Apne bichaar aswaree kijay; sahaj ke pavrhe pagg dhar lijjay” (rahao).

Kabir Ji ends the Shabad by saying that the best Rider is God Himself; He is beyond the Vedas and the Katebs (Scriptures)

“Kahat Kabir bhale aswaara; Bedh Kateb te rahe nirara”

The translation on the net says “Says Kabeer those who remain detached from the Vedas the Koran and the Bible are the best riders.”

With respect, I do not agree with that. In fact, the Gurus have encouraged men of those faiths to adhere to the Truths stated in their Scriptures at many places in SGGS Ji.

For example, at Angg 1083, Guru Arjun Dev Ji in addressing a Muslim, says “Koran Kateb dil mahe kamahee” (enshrine the teachings of the Koran and Bible in your heart). (Actually the word Kateb refers collectively to 4 Scriptures of the Mediterranean region).

The last line of this Shabad is akin to Guru Arjun Dev Ji’s description of God.

“Bedh Kateb sansar sabha hu bahraa; Nanak ka Patshah dissay jahraa” (Ang 397)

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shahad Kirtan available on YouTube