SAWAIYYE SRI MUKHBAKY MEHLA 5 – (1)
(SGGS Ji Anggs 1385-1387)
From Anggs 1385 until Anggs 1387, Guru Arjun Dev Ji has 9 Sawaiyye.
Sikh history tells us that when the Bhatts presented themselves before Guru Ji as He was preparing Pothi Sahib at Ramsar Sahib, they expressed a wish to sing the Praises of the Satgurus.
Guru Ji agreed and said He would write Sawaiyye Himself first, and the Bhatts would use Guru Ji’s Sawaiyye as a base and recite Praises of the Satgurus within the parameters set out in Guru Ji’s Sawaiyyes.
Accordingly, Guru Ji wrote a first set of 9 Sawaiyye which focuses on the Praises of Nirankar Ji and Praises of the Guru Jote, Shabad Roop Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The second set of 11 Sawaiyye (Angs 1387-1389) looked at man’s terrible spiritual condition with repeated emphasis that only Naam could resolve all issues for man and elevate him towards Union with the Divine One within himself.
Titled as Sawaiyye Sri Mukhbaky Mehla 5, the first pada starts with Praise of God. He is the Primal Lord, the Creator of all and He Himself is the Divine Driving Force in all.
This Lord is All Pervading everywhere and also resides in all hearts. He can be seen pervading the world, none can know His Infinite state, He Protects all, and is our Lord and Master. He is Imperishable, Formless and Evolved from Himself (ਸੈਭੰ).
You are One and Only One, none is comparable to You. You have no end or limitation, who can fathom You, the Father of the world, the Support of all life?
After the initial Praises of God, the 1st Pada now Praises Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The humble Saint, Guru Nanak Ji, has Your Approval, and is God Like, how can one’s tongue ever sing His Praises? All I can say is I am repeatedly, always a sacrifice unto Him (Guru Nanak Ji).
“ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖ ਕਰਤਾਰ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਭ ਆਪੇ ॥
O Primal Lord God, You Yourself are the Creator, the Cause of all causes.
ਸਰਬ ਰਹਿਓ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ਸਗਲ ਘਟ ਰਹਿਓ ਬਿਆਪੇ ॥
You are All-pervading everywhere, totally filling all hearts.
ਬ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਪਤੁ ਦੇਖੀਐ ਜਗਤਿ ਜਾਨੈ ਕਉਨੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਗਤਿ ਸਰਬ ਕੀ ਰਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਕਰੈ ਆਪੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਤਿ ॥
You are seen pervading the world; who can know Your State? You protect all; You are our Lord and Master.
ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਅਬਿਗਤ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਉਤਪਤਿ ॥
O my Imperishable and Formless Lord, You formed Yourself.
ਏਕੈ ਤੂਹੀ ਏਕੈ ਅਨ ਨਾਹੀ ਤੁਮ ਭਤਿ ॥
You are the One and Only; no one else is like You.
ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਹੈ ਕਰੈ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਜਗਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਹੈ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਕੋ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥
O Lord, You have no end or limitation. Who can contemplate You? You are the Father of the world, the Support of all life.
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਤੁਲਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਏਕ ਜੀਹ ਕਿਆ ਬਖਾਨੈ ॥
Your devotees are at Your Door, O God – they are just like You. How can servant Nanak describe them with only one tongue?
ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਿ ॥੧॥
I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, forever a sacrifice to them. ||1||”
The 2nd Pada starts with Praises of Naam. God Himself is the Divine Fountain and Spring of Amrit (Naam), Your Treasures (of Gun) are unweighable, overflowing in abundance, reaching out furthest of the far. You act Independently as You Please and Consult no one. In Your Home, creation and destruction can happen in an instant. No one is equal to You. Your Light (Jote) is Immaculate and Pure. Millions of sins are washed away by reciting Your Name.
The 2nd Pada too concludes with Praises of Guru Nanak Ji. The humble Saint Guru Nanak Ji is Approved in Your Court. He is Your Very Image, how can one’s tongue ever sing His Praises? All I can say is, I am repeatedly always a sacrifice unto him (Guru Nanak Ji).
“ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਹ ਸਰਿ ਅਤੁਲ ਭੰਡਾਰ ਭਰਿ ਪਰੈ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਪਰੈ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰ ਪਰਿ ॥
Streams of Ambrosial Nectar flow; Your Treasures are unweighable and overflowing in abundance. You are the Farthest of the far, Infinite and Incomparably Beautiful.
ਆਪੁਨੋ ਭਾਵਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰਿ ਨ ਦੂਸਰੋ ਧਰਿ ਓਪਤਿ ਪਰਲੌ ਏਕੈ ਨਿਮਖ ਤੁ ਘਰਿ ॥
You do whatever You please; You do not take advice from anyone else. In Your Home, creation and destruction happen in an instant.
ਆਨ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਉਜੀਆਰੋ ਨਿਰਮਰਿ ਕੋਟਿ ਪਰਾਛਤ ਜਾਹਿ ਨਾਮ ਲੀਏ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ॥
No one else is equal to You; Your Light is Immaculate and Pure. Millions of sins are washed away, chanting Your Name, Har, Har.
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਤੁਲਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਏਕ ਜੀਹ ਕਿਆ ਬਖਾਨੈ ॥
Your devotees are at Your Door, God – they are just like You. How can servant Nanak describe them with only one tongue?
ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਿ ॥੨॥
I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, forever a sacrifice to them. ||2||”
The 3rd Pada starts with further description of God’s Attributes.
You established all the worlds, and from Your One Source, extended them outwards. In all that You create, You reside in them, yet remaining detached from all.
There is no end or limit to Your Glorious Virtues, all beings are created by You. You are the One Beneficent Lord of all, beyond words (description), the Destroyer of all ego. You support the Universe and are manifest in all Nature, and You have no color, form, mouth or beard.
The humble Saint, Nanak Ji is approved in Your Court, and is Your Very Image, how can one tongue ever sing His Praises?
“ਸਗਲ ਭਵਨ ਧਾਰੇ ਏਕ ਥੇਂ ਕੀਏ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੇ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਮਹਿ ਆਪਿ ਹੈ ਨਿਰਾਰੇ ॥
You established all the worlds from within Yourself, and extended them outward. You are All-pervading amongst all, and yet You Yourself remain detached.
ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨ ਨਾਹੀ ਅੰਤ ਪਾਰੇ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਸਭਿ ਥਾਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਕੋ ਦਾਤਾ ਏਕੈ ਅਲਖ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ॥
O Lord, there is no end or limit to Your Glorious Virtues; all beings and creatures are Yours. You are the Giver of all, the One Invisible Lord.
ਆਪ ਹੀ ਧਾਰਨ ਧਾਰੇ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਹੈ ਦੇਖਾਰੇ ਬਰਨੁ ਚਿਹਨੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੁਖ ਨ ਮਸਾਰੇ ॥
He Himself supports the Universe, revealing His All-powerful Creative Potency. He has no color, form, mouth or beard.
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਤੁਲਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਏਕ ਜੀਹ ਕਿਆ ਬਖਾਨੈ ॥
Your devotees are at Your Door, O God – they are just like You. How can servant Nanak describe them with only one tongue?
ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਿ ॥੩॥
I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, forever a sacrifice to them. ||3||”
In Pada no. 4, Guru Ji addresses God and says, Lord, You are the Treasure of all Virtue, none can ever know the True Worth of Your Spiritual Wisdom. Your Place (Plane/Dimension/Sachkhand) is known as the Highest of the High.
My mind, wealth and the very breath belongs to You Lord. The world is strung in the thread of Your Hukam, Greatest of the Great Lord. What Praises of Yours can I sing? Who can know Your Mystery, O Unfathomable, Infinite, Divine Lord. Your Mysterious Power is the Support of all.
The humble Saint Nanak Ji is Approved in Your Court, and is Your Very Image, how can one tongue ever sing His Praises? All I can say is, I am repeatedly, always a sacrifice, grateful unto Him (Guru Nanak Ji).
“ਸਰਬ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨੰ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨ ਗ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੰ ਧ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੰ ਊਚੇ ਤੇ ਊਚੌ ਜਾਨੀਜੈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰੋ ਥਾਨੰ ॥
You are the Treasure of all virtue; who can know the value of Your spiritual wisdom and meditation? O God, Your Place is known as the highest of the high.
ਮਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੰ ਏਕੈ ਸੂਤਿ ਹੈ ਜਹਾਨੰ ਕਵਨ ਉਪਮਾ ਦੇਉ ਬਡੇ ਤੇ ਬਡਾਨੰ ॥
Mind, wealth and the breath of life belong to You alone, Lord. The world is strung upon Your Thread. What praises can I give to You? You are the Greatest of the great.
ਜਾਨੈ ਕਉਨੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਭੇਉ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ਦੇਉ ਅਕਲ ਕਲਾ ਹੈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਬ ਕੋ ਧਾਨੰ ॥
Who can know Your Mystery? O Unfathomable, Infinite, Divine Lord, Your Power is unstoppable. O God, You are the Support of all.
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਤੁਲਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਏਕ ਜੀਹ ਕਿਆ ਬਖਾਨੈ ॥
Your devotees are at Your Door, O God – they are just like You. How can servant Nanak describe them with only one tongue?
ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਿ ॥੪॥
I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, forever a sacrifice to them. ||4||”
In Pada no. 5, Guru Ji says, Lord You are Formless, are All Forms, and You are Undeceivable, Perfect and Imperishable. Always Blissful, of Unlimited Forms, Pure and Eternally Cheerful. Countless are those who sing Your Glories, yet they are unable to fathom even a tiny bit of Your Greatness. Only the humble ones upon whom You Show Your Grace, meet You. Blessed, Blessed are such humble ones upon whom the Lord shows His Mercy. Anyone who meets the Lord through (the Shabad) Guru Nanak Ji, is saved from birth and death.
The word ਗੁਰੁ is consistently used in Gurbani to refer to Shabad or Bani.
ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਆਕਾਰ ਅਛਲ ਪੂਰਨ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ॥
O Formless, Formed, Undeceivable, Perfect, Imperishable,
ਹਰਖਵੰਤ ਆਨੰਤ ਰੂਪ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਬਿਗਾਸੀ ॥
Blissful, Unlimited, Beautiful, Immaculate, Blossoming Lord:
ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਅੰਤੁ ਇਕੁ ਤਿਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਸੀ ॥
Countless are those who sing Your Glorious Praises, but they do not know even a tiny bit of Your extent.
ਜਾ ਕਉ ਹੋਂਹਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ਸੁ ਜਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੁਮਹਿ ਮਿਲਾਸੀ ॥
That humble being upon whom You shower Your Mercy meets with You, O God.
ਧੰਨਿ ਧੰਨਿ ਤੇ ਧੰਨਿ ਜਨ ਜਿਹ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਭਯਉ ॥
Blessed, blessed, blessed are those humble beings, upon whom the Lord, Har, Har, showers His Mercy.
ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਪਰਸਿਅਉ ਸਿ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਹ ਥੇ ਰਹਿਓ ॥੫॥
Whoever meets with the Lord through Guru Nanak is rid of both birth and death. ||5||”
In Pada no. 6, Guru Ji says the Lord is always described as True, Eternal, Imperishable, Pure, Truest of the True. There is no other like Him. He is known from earliest times as the Primal Being, The Primal Soul. Anyone who chants the Ambrosial Name of the Lord is blessed with all comforts in his mind. The humble ones who relish His Name with their tongues, get satiated and fulfilled. Upon whom the Master gets pleased, he is blessed with love for satsanggat.
Anyone who meets Shabad Guru Nanak Ji (in his mind), saves his generations.
“ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਸਤੇ ਸਤਿ ਭਣੀਐ ॥
The Lord is said to be True, True, rue, True, the Truest of the True.
ਦੂਸਰ ਆਨ ਨ ਅਵਰੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਪਊਰਾਤਨੁ ਸੁਣੀਐ ॥
There is no other like Him. He is the Primal Being, the Primal Soul.
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈਤ ਮਨਿ ਸਭ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਏ ॥
Chanting the Ambrosial Name of the Lord, the mortal is blessed with all comforts.
ਜੇਹ ਰਸਨ ਚਾਖਿਓ ਤੇਹ ਜਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਅਘਾਏ ॥
Those who taste it with their tongues, those humble beings are satisfied and fulfilled.
ਜਿਹ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਸੁਪ੍ਰਸੰਨੁ ਭਯੋੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਤਿਹ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
That person who becomes pleasing to his Lord and Master, loves the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation.
ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪਰਸਿਓ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਸਭ ਕੁਲ ਕੀਓ ਉਧਾਰੁ ॥੬॥
Whoever meets with the Lord through Guru Nanak, saves all his generations. ||6||”
In Pada no. 7, Guru Ji says the Lord’s Congregation is True and so is His Court, the base of all is Truth (i.e. the True Lord Himself). He sits on an Eternal Throne of Truth and administers True (Perfect) Justice, He Himself fashioned the world. He is Flawless and does not ever make mistakes.
The jewels of His Name (Attributes) are Infinite and their Value is Priceless. That person, upon whom the Lord showers His Grace, obtains all comforts. Anyone who touches (Unites with) the Feet of the Lord’s Shabad Guru Nanak Ji will not have to enter the cycle of reincarnation ever again.
“ਸਚੁ ਸਭਾ ਦੀਬਾਣੁ ਸਚੁ ਸਚੇ ਪਹਿ ਧਰਿਓ ॥
True is His Congregation and His Court. The True Lord has established Truth.
ਸਚੈ ਤਖਤਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ਸਚੁ ਤਪਾਵਸੁ ਕਰਿਓ ॥
Sitting upon His Throne of Truth, He administers True Justice.
ਸਚਿ ਸਿਰਜ੍ਯ੍ਯਿਉ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਆਪਿ ਆਭੁਲੁ ਨ ਭੁਲਉ ॥
The True Lord Himself fashioned the Universe. He is Infallible, and does not make mistakes.
ਰਤਨ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ ਕੀਮ ਨਹੁ ਪਵੈ ਅਮੁਲਉ ॥
The Naam, the Name of the Infinite Lord, is the jewel. Its value cannot be appraised – it is priceless.
ਜਿਹ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਹੋਯਉ ਗੋੁਬਿੰਦੁ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖ ਤਿਨਹੂ ਪਾਏ ॥
That person, upon whom the Lord of the Universe showers His Mercy obtains all comforts.
ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪਰਸਿਓ ਤੇ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੋਨਿ ਨ ਆਏ ॥੭॥
Those who touch the Feet of the Lord through Guru Nanak, do not have to enter the cycle of reincarnation ever again. ||7||”
Pada no. 8 starts with certain questions. What is the method, the spiritual wisdom and the right way to Praise the Lord? The siddhas (those who claim to have acquired occult powers), the seekers, and the three hundred and thirty million devas have not been able to find even a tiny bit of the Lord’s Value (Glory). Neither Brahma, nor Sanak and his ilk, nor the thousand headed serpent, Shekhnag have found the limits of His Glorious Virtues. He is Beyond Grasp and cannot be contained, He permeates and pervades all. The answer to the earlier questions is then given.
Those whose noose (of bondages, maya, moh, ego) is cut by the Compassionate Lord, such humble ones turn towards loving devotional worship of the One Lord.
Those who meet the Lord through (the Shabad) Guru Nanak Ji are forever liberated, here and hereafter.
“ਕਵਨੁ ਜੋਗੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਗ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੁ ਧ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੁ ਕਵਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਉਸ੍ਤਤਿ ਕਰੀਐ ॥
What is the Yoga, what is the spiritual wisdom and meditation, and what is the way, to praise the Lord?
ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਤੇਤੀਸ ਕੋਰਿ ਤਿਰੁ ਕੀਮ ਨ ਪਰੀਐ ॥
The Siddhas and seekers and the three hundred thirty million gods cannot find even a tiny bit of the Lord’s Value.
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾਦਿਕ ਸਨਕਾਦਿ ਸੇਖ ਗੁਣ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਏ ॥
Neither Brahma, nor Sanak, nor the thousand-headed serpent king can find the limits of His Glorious Virtues.
ਅਗਹੁ ਗਹਿਓ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਇ ਪੂਰਿ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਰਹਿਓ ਸਮਾਏ ॥
The Inapprehensible Lord cannot be apprehended. He is pervading and permeating amongst all.
ਜਿਹ ਕਾਟੀ ਸਿਲਕ ਦਯਾਲ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਸੇਇ ਜਨ ਲਗੇ ਭਗਤੇ ॥
Those whom God has mercifully freed from their nooses – those humble beings are attached to His devotional worship.
ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪਰਸਿਓ ਤੇ ਇਤ ਉਤ ਸਦਾ ਮੁਕਤੇ ॥੮॥
Those who meet with the Lord through Guru Nanak are liberated forever, here and hereafter. ||8||”
In the final Pada (no. 9), a Sikh makes a plea before God. Lord, you are the Greatest Benefactor of all. I am a mere beggar and seek the One Sanctuary (which can liberate me). Please bless me with humility, that I sit in the dust at the Feet of Your Saints, by which means I can cross over the terrifying world ocean. If it may Please You, Lord, please listen to my prayer. My mind yearns for Your Blessed Vision (Darshan). Please bless me with such bhagti that my mind becomes stable.
In answer to the plea, God Replies – “In the darkness of the world, a Divine Lamp has been lit, by which all kalyug (miserable times) can be saved by the One Righteous Name. This Divine Lamp has manifested in all dimensions of the Lord’s Universe, in the form of the humble Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Shabad) who is verily the Embodiment of God, Himself.”
“ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦਾਤਉ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪਰ੍ਯ੍ਯਿਉ ਜਾਚਕੁ ਇਕੁ ਸਰਨਾ ॥
I am a beggar; I seek the Sanctuary of God, the Giver of givers.
ਮਿਲੈ ਦਾਨੁ ਸੰਤ ਰੇਨ ਜੇਹ ਲਗਿ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਤਰਨਾ ॥
Please bless me with the gift of the dust of the feet of the Saints; grasping them, I cross over the terrifying world-ocean.
“ਬਿਨਤਿ ਕਰਉ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਜੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
Please listen to my prayer, if it pleases You, O my Lord and Master.
ਦੇਹੁ ਦਰਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ਭਗਤਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਠਹਰਾਵੈ ॥
My mind yearns for the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. This mind abides in devotional worship.
ਬਲਿਓ ਚਰਾਗੁ ਅੰਧ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਰ ਮਹਿ ਸਭ ਕਲਿ ਉਧਰੀ ਇਕ ਨਾਮ ਧਰਮ ॥
The lamp is lit in the darkness; all are saved in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, through the One Name and faith in the Dharma.
ਪ੍ਰਗਟੁ ਸਗਲ ਹਰਿ ਭਵਨ ਮਹਿ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥੯॥
The Lord is revealed in all the worlds. O servant Nanak, the Guru is the Supreme Lord God. ||9||.”
Gurfateh
Manjeet Singh
17 November 2023.
