Kanthe mala jihva Raam – Raag Assa – Ang 478

SGGS Angg 478.

Raag Assa Bhagat Kabir Ji.

The Gurus and the Bhagats have stressed at various places in SGGS Ji, that God resides within us. Although we are told to see God in everyone, it is futile to seek Him outside your body. “Sabh kich ghar me bahar nahi; bahar dholay so bharam bhulahee.” (Ang 102). The Access to Him in the Daswa Dwar within our minds, (“Aggam Roop ka mann me thaana.” – Ang 185) is through Gur Parsad, only Naam is to be used. At that avastha, you will see the various aspects of creation engaged in His sewa.

In this Shabad, Bhagat Ji tells us about the various practices of the Hindus and Muslims which tend to focus on God at any particular physical place, in contrast with Bhagat Ji’s place of pilgrimage within His own mind.

(my translation of the first two lines greatly differs from the version on the net. The translator on the net has interpreted each line separately. In my translation, with respect, I find it is more appropriate to interpret the first two lines together).

My pilgrimage to the Haj and to the Gomati river (considered sacred for charity of cows) is where the Lord of Yellow Robes (Pitambar is a name for Vishnu), and the Pir (Muslim Spiritual Guide), resides.

“Hajj hamari Gomti Tir; jaha basse Pitambar Pir.”

The two lines of the rahao are expressed by God as He sees the Bhagat singing His Praises at that Plane/Avastha/Daswa Dwar.

Wonderful, Wonderful, how wondrously he sings; the Name of the Lord is Pleasing to My Mind. (This is very close to “Ek bhagat Mere Hirday basse; Namay dekh Narayan hasse.” (Ang 1163).

“Vah Vah kya khoob gaavta hai; Har ka Naam Mere Mann bhaavta hai.” (Rahao).

At that Plane, Bhagat Ji says he sees.

Narad the sage and Shaarda, (also known as Saraswati) the goddess of knowledge, serving the Lord; the goddess Lakshmi (maya) sits nearby Him, as His slave. (Lakshmi/maya is also known as kaula i.e. lotus flower since she was seen standing on a lotus flower when she sprouted out of the ocean as one of the 14 jewels when the ocean was churned by the devas and demons).

“Narad Sarad kare khavasee; paas bethee bibi kavla dasee.”

This scene is described in greater detail by Bhagat Ji at Angg 1162 – “kot sur ja ke pargaas.”

The rosary of the Lord’s Name is in my neck (i.e. I recite the Name repeatedly) and the Name is on my tongue too; thousands of times I repeat the Name and bow in reverence to Him.

“Kanthe mala jihva Raam; sahans Naam leh leh karo salaam.”

Kabir says, I sing the Praises of the All Pervading Lord (instead of going to Haj or the Hindu places of pilgrimage); I explain this to both the Hindus and the Turks (Muslims).

“Kahat Kabir Raam gunn gaavho; Hindu Turk dovu samjaavho.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube