Mo ko bhavjal paar utaar vanahambay – Raag Maroo – Ang 1104

SGGS Angg 1104.

Raag Maroo –  Bhagat Kabir Ji.

A very intricate Shabad. As we read the Shabad, we find Bhagat Ji seems to be addressing a bairaagi sadhu, a renunciate hermit, who claims to have seen God by becoming a recluse.

There is no rahao to this Shabad, and as the conversation develops, the Shabad progresses, and ends with a prayer for His Grace.

Bhagat Ji certainly does not agree with the claim of the baairagi sadhu.

To understand the Shabad further, we need to understand the use of some key words.

1. “Baraagiarhey,” means a bairaagi sadhu, one who wears outer garb, does rituals and claims he has renounced the world. Depending on the context, it can also mean someone who is in true baairag, yearning for Darshan of God as in “mann baairag bheya Darshan dekhnay ka chaao.” (Ang 50).

2. “Vanahambay.” It is an expression meaning “isn’t it?, or “is this not so?” It can also be used in a positive sense as “yes, it is so.”
Macaulliffe says the word “vanahambay,” is used in the Malwa district to mean “yes.”

Professor Sahib Singh however says this word is used merely for poetic balance, and “eis da arthh koyee nahi hai.” With respect, I disagree with the learned Professor. This is Dhur Ki Bani, and is word perfect, i.e. no word is superfluous.

3. The word “anbhao” is quite different from “nirbhao.” Anbhao is from the Hindu word “anbhavi,” i.e. an inner intuitive experience, while nirbhao means to be fearless. With respect, the translation on the net treats these two words as meaning the same thing. That is incorrect.

4. My translation of the entire Shabad is quite different from that found on the net.

Bhagat Ji addresses the bairaagi sadhu.

No one has seen the Intuitive Lord (within himself), by merely being a baairagi.

“Anbhao kinne na dekhiya baairagiarhey.”

When you have no worldly fears, you would see the Intuitive Lord, is that not true?

“Binn bhay Anbhao hoye vanahambay.”

If you perceive the Lord to be near at hand, then the fear (of breaching His Hukam) of God sets in.

“Saho hadoor dekhay ta bhao paveh baairagiahrey.”

If one understands His Hukam, that leads one to become fearless, is that not so?

“Hukmay bujhay ta nirbhao hoye vanahambay.”

O renunciate, do not attempt hypocrisy (pretence) with the Lord.

“Har pakhand neh kijjiye bairaagiahrey.”

The whole world (however), is seeped with hypocrisy, is it not so?

“Pakhand ratta sabh lok vanhambay.”

Thirst (for worldliness) will not go away just by being a renunciate; the body is (in fact) burning in the fire of worldly love and attachment, is that not true?

“Trishna paas na chodiaaye bairaagiarhey; mamtaa jaaliya pind vanahambay.”

A (true) baaragi would burn his anxiety, and the snares upon his body; if only he would kill (subdue) his mind, is that not so?

“Chintaa jaal tann jaaliya baairagiarhey; je mann mirtakk hoye vanahambay.”

There can be no true renunciation without the Satguru; even though all may wish for renunciation, yes?

“Satgur bin baairag na hovaiye baairagiarhey; je lochay sabh koye vanahambay.”

When the Lord grants His Grace, one unites with the True Guru (Shabad) O renunciate; then, one intuitively (in the natural course of things) finds the Lord, isn’t that right?

“Karam hovay Satgur milay baairagiarhey; sahajey paave soye vanahambay.”

O renunciate, Kabir makes this one prayer; please carry me across the terrifying world ocean, is that not the right prayer to make?

“Kaho Kabir eik bentee baairagiarhey; mo ko bhavjal paar utaar vanahambay.”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shahad Kirtan available on YouTube