Nanak andha hoye ke Rattna parkhan jaaye – Raag Ramkali – Ang 954

SGGS Angg 954.

Raag Ramkali – Slok M.2.

Ramkali Ki Vaar M.5

Guru Angad Dev Ji tells us about spiritually blind persons who interpret Gurbani. They do not appreciate the true Value (inner meaning/import) of the Shabad but end up exposing their own ignorance.

Nanak says the man is blind but goes to appraise the Jewels (the word used is “Rattan.” At Angg 589, Vadhans M.3, Guru Ji has stressed “Rattan Guru ka Shabad hai bujhay bujhanhaar.” i.e. “Rattan” means the Guru’s Shabad.)

“Nanak andha hoye ke Rattna parkhan jaaye.”

He does not know the true Value of the Jewels and returns home after exposing his own ignorance.

“Rattana saar na jaaneiyee aave aap lakhaaieye.”

At Angg 954, Guru Angad Dev Ji also tells us those who are physically blind are not really blind. Those who are distanced from the Lord are the real blind ones.

“Andhe eh na aakhiyen jin mukh loyen nahi; andhe seyi Nanaka Khasmoh ghuthe jaahi.”

Shabad Viakhya by Manjeet Singh 

Shahad Kirtan available on YouTube

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Bhai Ji further elaborated on August 27, 2026:

In several Sloks and Pauris in Ramkali Ki Vaar, M 3, Guru Ji examines spiritual blindness from astonishing viewpoints.

Guru Ji says, one should not be called blind just because the Lord has so Willed that he cannot see things on a physical level.

“So kyo manda aakhiye je Hukmo andha hoye”

True blindness is when the mortal does not understand the Lord’s Hukam. Although he may have perfect eyesight, such a one is spiritually blind, will surely stumble and commit grave karmic breaches.

“Nanak Hukam na bujhiye andha kahiye soye”

ਮਃ ੨ ॥
Second Mehla:

ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਅੰਧਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿ ਹੁਕਮਹੁ ਅੰਧਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਜੋ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਰਜ਼ਾ ਵਿਚ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ-ਹੀਣ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਅਸੀਂ ਅੰਨ੍ਹਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਖਦੇ,
How can someone be called blind, if he was made blind by the Lord’s Command?

ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਬੁਝਈ ਅੰਧਾ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥
ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਅੰਨ੍ਹਾ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਰਜ਼ਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ।੩।
O Nanak, one who does not understand the Hukam of the Lord’s Command should be called blind. ||3||

In another Slok, Guru Ji says a spiritually blind man, can never truly understand the True Value of Jewels (Naam, Shabads).

“Nanak andha hoye ke Ratna Parkhan jaaiye”

If he tries to describe the deeper meaning of the Shabad, he will be unable to do so, and will go home after exposing his ignorance.

“Ratna saar na jaaniye aavhe aap lakhaiye”

(True Appraisal of Bani can only be done by the Satguru. Surrender to Him. He will enlighten you ( give gyan anjjan) from within).

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੨ ॥
Shalok, Second Mehla:

ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਧਾ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਰਤਨਾ ਪਰਖਣ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜੋ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਆਪ ਅੰਨ੍ਹਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੇ ਤੁਰ ਪਏ ਰਤਨ ਪਰਖਣ,
O Nanak, the blind man may go to appraise the jewels,

ਰਤਨਾ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਈ ਆਵੈ ਆਪੁ ਲਖਾਇ ॥੧॥
ਉਹ ਰਤਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਦਰ ਤਾਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਪਰ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪ ਨਸ਼ਰ ਕਰਾ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਆਪਣਾ ਅੰਨ੍ਹਾ-ਪਨ ਜ਼ਾਹਰ ਕਰ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ) ।੧।
but he will not know their value; he will return home after exposing his ignorance. ||1||