Man Ki Man Hi Mahe Rahi – Raag Sorath – Ang 631

Angg 631.

Raag Sorath M.9

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji tells us about man’s foolish nature. He makes some mental plans that he will later settle down to prayer. But he keeps putting off things, and before he realises it, death seizes him.

Guru Ji says, all his plans remained in the mind only (they were never put into practical effect); he did not meditate upon the Lord, nor cleansed himself with Naam, now death seizes him by the tuft of his hair. (The words are “tirath sevay,” not tirath naaye. In Gurbani, the Satguru is the tirath, not the many physical places of pilgrimage and ritual bathing.

“Tirath Pura Satguru jo andin Har Har Naam dhiaaiye.” (Angg 140)
And “antargatt tirath malh naao.”- Japji Sahib).

“Man ki man hi mahe rahi; na Har bhajey na tirath sevay choti kaal gahi.” (rahao).

Wife, friends, children, carriages, property, wealth, the entire world; know that all these things are false (perishable). Only the Lord’s meditation is True (everlasting).

“Dara meet put rath sampat dhan puran sabh mahi; avar sagal mithiya eh jaano bhajan Ram ko sahi.”

Wandering wearily around in many ages, finally you received this human body; Nanak says, this is the chance to meet the Lord, why do you not remember Him in meditation?

“Firat firat bahutey jug hareyo manass deh lahi; Nanak kahat milan ki bariya simrat kaha nahi.