Mere Sahiba kaun jaane gunn Tere – Raag Gauree – Ang 156

 SGGS Angg 156.

Raag Gauree (Gauri) M.1

A Sikh who has been through a lot, ponders about life. Through Gur Parsad, he recalls some past lives, and accepts the sheer volume of his auggan did not enable him to be free from the cycle of births and deaths. The Guru concludes the Shabad.

Some modern scholars feel there is no reincarnation, and the Shabads only speak in vivid imagery about a living person. They say that since Guru Ji has said,

“Aakhan jiwan visray marr jaoo”

and other Shabads like that, Gurbani describes a person who descends into all kinds of animal behaviour and form, as he forgets God.

With respect that is not correct. While accepting that whilst alive, one can descend into beastly behaviour, the Gurus and Bhagats have also described beyond our human lifes.
Bhagat Kabir Ji for example does ardas at SGGS Angg 329.

“Eik dukh Raam Rai kato meraa; aggan dahey aur garab baseraa.”

(Please Lord cut off this misery from me; that I need not have to be cremated, nor cast into the womb again).

There are many other Shabads which speak of the endless cycle of reincarnation. One can only break away with Naam, and Gur Parsad, and become jiwan mukat i.e. liberated (free from all lekha whilst still alive).

In this Shabad, the Sikh asks who is our real Mother and Father and where have we come from?; (I know) that we were formed within the fire of the womb and the bubble of water of the sperm (but), for what purpose were we created?

“Katt ki Maee Baap katt kera kidhu thaoo ham aaye; aggan bimb jalh bhittar nipjay kahe kamm upaaye.”

These are profound questions. Towards the end of this Shabad, Guru Ji advises that you need to understand His Hukam first before you can fathom the answers and live in peace.

In the rahao, the Sikh declares in utter humility.

My Master, who can fathom Your Glorious Virtues; (in contrast), my own demerits are so many that they cannot be counted.

“Mere Sahiba kaun jaane gunn Tere; kahe na jaani auggan mere.” (rahao).

I took the form of so many plants and trees and so many beasts; many times I came into the families of snakes and flying birds.

“Ketay rukh birkh ham chinnay ketay passu upaaye; ketay naag kulli me aaye ketay pankh udaaye.”

In low lives I broke into the shops of the city and raided well guarded palaces. Stealing from them, I struck home again; (while committing my evil acts) I furtively looked in front of me and checked behind me, but how could I ever hide from You?.

“Hatt pattan bijj mandar bhannay kar chori ghar aave; agho dekhay picho dekhay Tujh te kaha chapavay.”

I saw the places of pilgrimage upon river banks, the nine continents and bazaars of the cities; (in all my dealings), the Scale was used to weigh my actions, and I always fell short.

“Tatt tirath ham nav khand dekhay hatt pattan bajaara; leh ke takri tollan laaga ghat hi mai vanjaraa.”

As the seas and the oceans are overflowing with water, so vast are my own sins; please shower me with Your Mercy, and take pity upon me, a dense sinking stone, and carry me across.

“Jeta samund saagar neer bhareya tetay auggan hamare; Dya karo kich mehar appavho dubday pathar tarey.”

My soul is burning like fire and the knife (of my sins) cuts deep; Nanak declares, if you recognize His Hukam, you will abide day and night in peace.

“Jiaarha aggan barabar tapay bhittar vagay katee; Pranvatt Nanak Hukam pechanay sukh hovay dinn ratee.”
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Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube