Jo nar dukh me dukh nahi maane -Raag Sorath – Ang 633

 SGGS Angg 633.

Raag Sorath M.9

Guru Harkrishan Ji, Joti Jote on 30th March 1644, at New Delhi. Before Guru Ji shed His physical body, He had indicated to the Sikhs “Baba Bakale” i.e. the next Guru Sahib was at village Bakala.

Promptly, many pretenders claimed to be the 9th Guru. The Sikhs were not impressed with any of the pretenders, as they had seen the quality and Divine personalities of earlier Guru Sahibs and none of these pretenders were anywhere near the Majesty of the earlier Gurus.

Sikh tradition holds that Bhai Makhan Shah Lubhana exclaimed loudly “Guru ladho re” to all, after he experienced a situation and felt none other than the True Guru could have said those words.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji became the 9th Guru of the Sikhs in August 1644.

Amongst the unhappy ones was Dhir Mall, who claimed he was the rightful Guru, as he had possession of Pothi Sahib.

He sent his henchman Shihan, and a few others to kill Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Shihan shot a rifle, and the bullet grazed Guru Ji’s shoulder. A few things were looted from Guru Ji’s house.

Bhai Makhan Shah Lubhana and many Sikhs were enraged. They raided Dhir Mall’s house, and took back all the looted things, and brought back Pothi Sahib with them. To their surprise, Guru Ji told them to return everything, including Pothi Sahib. (Dhir Mall was unrepentant. A few months later, he was summoned to New Delhi. For some reason, Aurangzed disliked him, and imprisoned him at Ranthambor prison where he died in misery, on 16th November 1677).

The Sikhs gathered around Guru Ji and asked, how He could endure all this? What was needed to have such resilience, calm, and saintliness?

Sikh tradition says, Guru Ji replied with this Shabad and described an ideal Sikh. (Some 19 sterling qualities are described, topped by Gur Parsad).

The man, who in the midst of pain does not allow it to affect him; who is not affected by pleasure, affection or fear; and who looks alike upon gold and dust.

“Jo nar dukh me dukh nahi maane; sukh saneho aur bhey nahi ja ke kanchan matti maane.” (rahao).

One who is not swayed by slander or praise, nor affected by greed, attachment or pride; remains unaffected by joy and sorrow, honor and dishonor.

“Neh nindiya neh ustat ja ke lobh moh abhimanaa; harkh sogh te rahe niyaro nahi maan apmaana.”

Renounces all hopes and desires, and remain desireless in the world; who is not touched by lust or anger – within such a heart, God dwells.

“Asa mansaa sagal tyage jag te rahe nirasaa; kaam krodh jeh parsey nahin teh ghat Raam nivasaa.”

Such a man, blessed by Guru’s Grace, understands these ways; Nanak says, such a person merges with the Lord, like water with water.

“Gur kirpa jeh nar ko kinee teh eh jugat pechanee; Nanak leen bheyo Gobind seyo jio pani sang pani.”

Shabad Viakhya by Manjeet Singh 

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube