Ham aadmi ha eik damee muhlatt mohatt na janaa – Raag Dhanaasree – Ang 660

SGGS Angg 660

Raag Dhanasaree (Dhanasree) M.1

Guru Ji uses the word aadmi to describe mortals. It is a Hindi word which is commonly used in Punjabi too.
Guru Ji draws our attention to this word. It is made up of “aa” (to come), and “dammi,” (breath).

Thus, we are mortals of breath. If the breath comes, we live. If it does not, we collapse into a heap of dust.

Angg 391, Guru Arjun Dev Ji says

“Niksiya fook te hoye geyo suahaa”
(as his breath leaves him, he becomes a pile of ashes).

Besides the Divine content of the whole Shabad, it is worthy of note that Guru Ji uses the Signature “Nanak” four times in this Shabad.

In this Shabad, Guru Ji says we mortals are beings of one breath and we do not know the appointed time of our departure. Prays Nanak, serve the One to whom our soul and breath of life belong.

“Ham aadmi ha eik damee muhlatt mohatt na janaa; Nanak binvhe Tissey srevho ja ke jee pranaa.”

In the rahao, Guru Ji tells all of us. O blind person, consider and see how many days more, your life shall last.

“Andhe jivna bichaar dekh ketey ke dinaa.” (rahao).

Guru Ji says my breath, my flesh and my soul are all Yours, Lord. You are so very dear to me; Nanak the Poet says this O True Cherisher Lord.

“Saas maas sabh jio Tumara Tu mai khara pyaraa; Nanak Syaer evh kahat hai Sache Parvadgara.”

(In all His 974 Shabads in SGGS Ji, Guru Nanak Dev Ji does not ever call Himself a Guru. He calls Himself “neech,” “dhadee,” and uses other descriptions many times. Only in one Shabad, does Guru Ji refers to Himself as Baba – Ang 154. Twice – Guru Ji calls Himself, Syaer – Poet.).

Guru Ji further says, Lord, (since everything belongs to You), if You do not Yourself give, how can anyone ever extract Your Precious Ornaments? (Jewels, Naam); Nanak declares that we receive that which we are pre destined to receive.(i.e. as we make efforts to recite Naam and do His sewa, He writes in His Grace that you will one day be blessed with the Gift of Naam).

“Je Tu kisse na dehi mere Sahiba kya koyee kadhey Gehnaa; Nanak binvhe so kich paiyeh Purab likhe ka lehnaa.”

The deceitful person who does not recite the Lord’s Name, practices more and more deceit; as he is seized and marched to death’s door, he regrets his actions.

“Naam Khasam ka chit na keeya kaptee kapatt kamanaa; jamm dwar ja pakad chaleaya ta chaldaa pachotanaa.”

As long as we are in this world O Nanak we should speak and listen (i.e. we should participate in the world); I have searched but found no way to remain here; it is best to remain dead (to worldliness and haumai) whilst still alive.

“Jab lagg duniya rehiye Nanak kich suniye kich kehiye; bhaal rahey ham rehan na payaa jivteyian marh rehiye.”

Shabad Viakhya by Manjeet Singh

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube