Mann Rama Nama bediaaley – Raag Ramkali – Ang 972

SGGS Angg 972

Raag Ramkali – Bani Bhagat Namdev Ji.

Bhagat Ji speaks to Bhagat Trilochan Ji. Our minds should be so pierced by the Lord’s Name, that deep down our attention must never waver from God. Even if you are engaged in your daily chores.

Bhagat Ji gives some examples. The child takes paper, cuts into shape, makes a kite and flies it in the sky; he talks to his friends, but keeps a guarded attention on the kite string.

“Aaniley kagad katti le guddi akas madhey bhramialey: panch janna seyo baat batauva cheet so doree rakhiaaley.”

In the rahao, Bhagat Ji says, my mind has been pierced by the Name of the Lord; like the goldsmith whose attention is riveted on his work.

“Mann Rama Nama bediaaley; jaise kanakk kalaa cheet mandiaaley.”(rahao).

The young girl in the village takes a pitcher, and fills it with water; she laughs and plays and engages in banter with her friends, but keeps her attention focused on the pitcher of water.

“Aaniley kumbh bharaailey udhak raj kuar purandariye; hasst binodh bichaar karti hai cheet so gagar rakhiaaley.”

The cow is let loose out of the mansion with ten gates, to graze in the field; it grazes up to five miles away but keeps its attention focused on its calf.

“Mandar ek dwar dass ja ke gauu charavan shadiaaley; panch kos par gauu charavatt cheet so bashra rakhiaaley.”

Namdev Ji tells Bhagat Trilochan Ji, the child is laid down in the cradle; the mother works in and out of the house, but her thoughts are always on the child.

“Kahat Namdeo sunho Tilochan balak pallan paudiaaley; antar bahar kaaj biroodi cheet so barak rakhiaaley.”

Bhagat Ji has given five examples which we can easily relate to, as these can all be found in the physical world around us. But the Shabad has deeper shades of meaning too.

In the first example of the boy who brings paper, cuts it into shape, and makes a kite, then flies it in the sky.

Within our bodies, we must make effort, prepare our minds, tie it with the string of Guru’s Shabad and let the surat (consciousness) soar upwards. The boy keeps his mind focused on the string, lest it breaks or gets entangled. Similarly our mind’s focus on God must be constant and care must be taken to ensure our mind does not wander away or get entangled in worldly knots.

As for the cow let out to graze from the mandar with ten doors, it also refers to the physical body which has nine apertures and a Daswa Dwar. As the mind goes out to do some thinking one must keep the five senses within limits of decency, always ensuring any thought which emerges is secure and in accordance with gurmatt.

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube