Gatha
M.5 Gatha Bani is found on Anggs 1360 till 1361 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGS Ji).
The word Gatha has two meanings. It is another word for Sahaskriti (Sehskritee). Sahaskriti is a mixture of Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Hindi, and Sadh Bhasha.
Another meaning of Gatha is “Katha,” i.e. Katha of God’s Hukam, His Bhana, His Wondrous World Play, and His Kudrat. It is in this sense that the word Gatha is used by Guru Arjun Dev Ji in this Bani.
Apart from the heading, the word Gatha is used 3 times by Guru Ji in this Bani of 24 padas.
In pada 6, Guru J says, in this Story about the Lord, the Lord’s Divine Sermon is woven. As you listen to this Bani, pride will be crushed, and the five enemies will be slain by the Arrow (Naam, Bani) of the Lord.
“Gatha gumph Gopal Kathang mathang maan mardaneh; hatang panch satren Nanak Har Baane parharneh.”
“ਗਾਥਾ ਗੁੰਫ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਕਥੰ ਮਥੰ ਮਾਨ ਮਰਦਨਹ ॥
In this Gaathaa, the Lord’s Sermon is woven; listening to it, pride is crushed.
ਹਤੰ ਪੰਚ ਸਤ੍ਰੇਣ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਣੇ ਪ੍ਰਹਾਰਣਹ ॥੬॥
The five enemies are killed, O Nanak, by shooting the Arrow of the Lord. ||6||”
In pada 10, Guru Ji says this Gatha of the Lord is Profound and Infinite. A rare one is blessed to Understand this. Such blessed ones, turn away from worldly entanglements and focus on Praises of the Lord in Sadhsanggat.
“Gatha Gurh Aparang samjanang birla janneh; sansar kaam tajnang Nanak Gobind ramnang Sadhsangmeh.”
“ਗਾਥਾ ਗੂੜ ਅਪਾਰੰ ਸਮਝਣੰ ਬਿਰਲਾ ਜਨਹ ॥
This Gaat’haa is profound and infinite; how rare are those who understand it.
ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕਾਮ ਤਜਣੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਰਮਣੰ ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਮਹ ॥੧੦॥
They forsake sexual desire and worldly love, O Nanak, and praise the Lord in the Saadh Sangat. ||10||”
In pada 18, Guru Ji says, as one’s mind is pierced by the Lord’s Lotus Feet (Naam, Bani, Shabad), one is blessed with bliss in all matters; the fortunate ones have been Singing Gatha of the Lord from the earliest times.
“Charnarbind mann bidhyung; sidhyung sarab kussalneh; Gatha gaavant Nanak pabbhiyung para purabneh.”
“ਚਰਣਾਰਬਿੰਦ ਮਨ ਬਿਧ੍ਯ੍ਯੰ ॥
My mind is pierced through by the Lord’s Lotus Feet.
ਸਿਧ੍ਯ੍ਯੰ ਸਰਬ ਕੁਸਲਣਹ ॥
I am blessed with total happiness.
ਗਾਥਾ ਗਾਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਬ੍ਯ੍ਯੰ ਪਰਾ ਪੂਰਬਣਹ ॥੧੮॥
Holy people have been singing this Gaathaa, O Nanak, since the very beginning of time. ||18||”
In Gatha Bani, Guru Ji repeatedly stresses that if one takes to Naam and immerses himself in Sadhsanggat, he is most fortunate.
In the final pada, 24, Guru Ji concludes that in contrast to Gatha of God, those who engross themselves in empty sweet, flowery words, and engage in transitory pleasures of maya, will get afflicted by disease, sorrow, and separation. Such a person will not find peace, even in his dreams.
“Sukhen bain ratnang rachnang kusambh rangneh; rogh sogh biyogang Nanak sukh neh supneh.”
“ਸੁਖੇਣ ਬੈਣ ਰਤਨੰ ਰਚਨੰ ਕਸੁੰਭ ਰੰਗਣਃ ॥
The mortal is engrossed in sweet words and transitory pleasures which shall soon fade away.
ਰੋਗ ਸੋਗ ਬਿਓਗੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਸੁਪਨਹ ॥੨੪॥
Disease, sorrow and separation afflict him; O Nanak, he never finds peace, even in dreams. ||24||”
Shabad Veechar by Manjeet Singh.
September 16, 2023
