Meri meri karte janam geyo – Raag Assa – Ang 479

SGGS Angg 479.

Raag Assa – Bhagat Kabir Jio.

Bhagat Ji tells us how man wastes his life in useless pursuits. The imagery used is extremely profound. There is a tinge of sadness surrounding the entire scene as the child moves into youth and slides into feeble old age. The march of time is relentless.

Every organ is spent and is on the verge of collapse. All man has done his entire life is to fight for worldly possessions.

“Meri meri karte janam geyo”

The ocean like power of his arms has dried up.

“Saeer sokh bhojung baliyo” (rahao).

He spent twelve years of his childhood in childish play, and spent the next twenty without any self discipline or restraint.

“Barah baras balpan beetay bees baras kuch tap na keeyo”

The next thirty years he did not worship God; now that he is old and feeble he regrets.

“Tees baras kach Dev na puja fir pechana birdh bheyo”

He engages in useless acts. He builds a dam to contain the pool (of his radiance), unaware that the entire pool has already dried up; around the harvested field he tries to build a fence (not realising his life span and strength has vanished).

“Sukay sarvar paal bandhave lunay khet hath vaar karey”

The thief of Death comes and quickly carries away what the fool has tried to preserve as his own.

“Aiyo chor torunteh le gyo meri rakhat mugadh firay”

His feet and head and hands begin to tremble and tears flow unchecked from his eyes.

“Charan sees kar kampan laagay naini neer asaar bahey”

His tongue cannot speak properly anymore; now he hopes to take to prayer.

“Jihba bachan sudh nahi niksay tab re Dharam ki aas karey”

Only if the Lord shows His Mercy does one take to Naam and obtain the profits of Lord’s Love.

“Har jio kirpa kare liv laave lahaa Har Har Naam lio”

With the Guru’s Grace such a person earns the wealth of the Lord’s Name which shall go with him when he departs at the end.

“Gur parsadi Har dhan paayo antay chaldiyan naal chaliyo”

Besides Naam he cannot take any other wealth with him.

“Kahat Kabir suno re santo ann dhan kachuve leh na gyo”

When the Call comes from the Lord he will have to depart leaving behind his palaces and wealth.

“Ayee Talab Gopal Rae ki maya mandar chodh chaleyo”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube