SAWAIYYE SRI MUKHBAKY MEHLA PANJVA (2)
(SGGS Ji – Ang 1387-1389)
Next comes the second set of Sawaiyye by Guru Arjun Dev Ji.
These are 11 Sawaiyye from Anggs 1387 till Angg 1389. These Sawaiyye are also entitled as Sawaiyye Sri Mukhbaky Mehla 5.
Unlike the first set of Sawaiyye which stressed the importance of singing the Glories of Nirankar Ji, the Glories of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Shabad Roop) and Naam, this Sawaiyye start with a look at man’s pitiful Spiritual state.
Pada no. 1 says man has a body that is frail and perishable, bound with emotional attachment. Man is foolish, stone hearted, filthy and ignorant. Man’s mind wanders about, and does not hold steady, and has no idea of the Majesty of God. He is intoxicated by youth, beauty and the riches of maya (perishable). He wanders about confused, in excessive egotistical pride. The wealth of others, arguments, and slander are sweet to him and dear to his being. He tries to hide his deceptions but God, the Inner Knower of all secrets, sees and hears all.
Such a depraved soul says, I have no humility, faith, compassion or purity. Lord, I have come to Your Sanctuary. You are the Giver of life, the All Powerful Lord, the Cause of all causes, O Master of Nanak Ji, please save me.
“ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
ਕਾਚੀ ਦੇਹ ਮੋਹ ਫੁਨਿ ਬਾਂਧੀ ਸਠ ਕਠੋਰ ਕੁਚੀਲ ਕੁਗਿਆਨੀ ॥
This body is frail and transitory, and bound to emotional attachment. I am foolish, stone-hearted, filthy and unwise.
ਧਾਵਤ ਭ੍ਰਮਤ ਰਹਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਵਤ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨੀ ॥
My mind wanders and wobbles, and will not hold steady. It does not know the state of the Supreme Lord God.
ਜੋਬਨ ਰੂਪ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਦ ਮਾਤਾ ਬਿਚਰਤ ਬਿਕਲ ਬਡੌ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੀ ॥
I am intoxicated with the wine of youth, beauty and the riches of Maya. I wander around perplexed, in excessive egotistical pride.
ਪਰ ਧਨ ਪਰ ਅਪਵਾਦ ਨਾਰਿ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਯਹ ਮੀਠੀ ਜੀਅ ਮਾਹਿ ਹਿਤਾਨੀ ॥
The wealth and women of others, arguments and slander, are sweet and dear to my soul.
ਬਲਬੰਚ ਛਪਿ ਕਰਤ ਉਪਾਵਾ ਪੇਖਤ ਸੁਨਤ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥
I try to hide my deception, but God, the Inner-knower, the Searcher of Hearts, sees and hears all.
ਸੀਲ ਧਰਮ ਦਯਾ ਸੁਚ ਨਾਸ੍ਤਿ ਆਇਓ ਸਰਨਿ ਜੀਅ ਕੇ ਦਾਨੀ ॥
I have no humility, faith, compassion or purity, but I seek Your Sanctuary, O Giver of life.
ਕਾਰਣ ਕਰਣ ਸਮਰਥ ਸਿਰੀਧਰ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥੧॥
The All-powerful Lord is the Cause of causes. O Lord and Master of Nanak, please save me! ||1|”
In the 2nd Pada, the Guru advises man. The Praises of the Creator, sung in the Sanctuary of the Enticer of the mind, are potent to destroy sins. God is All Powerful, and is the Boat to carry you across, and can save all your generations. O ignorant mind remember Him and attend the Holy Congregation, why do you wander about, enticed by the darkness of delusion (maya)?
Remember Him in meditation for an hour, a few minutes, even for a moment, and recite His Name with your tongue.
Why engage in useless deeds and shallow pleasures, resulting in millions of lifetimes wandering in such pain? Take the Advice of the Saints, cherish the Name from the House of Guru Nanak Ji, and develop love for the All Pervading Lord, within the depths of your soul.
“ਕੀਰਤਿ ਕਰਨ ਸਰਨ ਮਨਮੋਹਨ ਜੋਹਨ ਪਾਪ ਬਿਦਾਰਨ ਕਉ ॥
The Praises of the Creator, the Enticer of the mind, are potent to destroy sins.
ਹਰਿ ਤਾਰਨ ਤਰਨ ਸਮਰਥ ਸਭੈ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੁਲਹ ਸਮੂਹ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਸਉ ॥
The All-powerful Lord is the boat, to carry us across; He saves all our generations.
ਚਿਤ ਚੇਤਿ ਅਚੇਤ ਜਾਨਿ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਰਮ ਅੰਧੇਰ ਮੋਹਿਓ ਕਤ ਧਂਉ ॥
O my unconscious mind, contemplate and remember Him in the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation. Why are you wandering around, enticed by the darkness of doubt?
ਮੂਰਤ ਘਰੀ ਚਸਾ ਪਲੁ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਸਨਾ ਸੰਗਿ ਲਉ ॥
Remember Him in meditation, for an hour, for a moment, even for an instant. Chant the Name of the Lord with your tongue.
ਹੋਛਉ ਕਾਜੁ ਅਲਪ ਸੁਖ ਬੰਧਨ ਕੋਟਿ ਜਨੰਮ ਕਹਾ ਦੁਖ ਭਂਉ ॥
You are bound to worthless deeds and shallow pleasures; why do you spend millions of lifetimes wandering in such pain?
ਸਿਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਸੰਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਜੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਮ ਰੰਗਿ ਆਤਮ ਸਿਉ ਰਂਉ ॥੨॥
Chant and vibrate the Name of the Lord, O Nanak, through the Teachings of the Saints. Meditate on the Lord with love in your soul. ||2||”
In Pada no. 3, Guru Ji looks at man’s fragile origins. A little bit of sperm was planted in the body field of the mother and He fashioned a body (most difficult to obtain) out of that.
The embryo, and later the child eats and enjoys pleasures. His sufferings are cut by God. As he grows, he is given understanding and recognises his mother, father, siblings and relatives.
He grows day by day, while the horrible specter of old age creeps closer and closer. O worthless, petty worm of maya, do you not remember your Master, at least for an instant? Pray to Him, the Ocean of Mercy, to take you by your hands, and to remove the heavy load of delusion.
“ਰੰਚਕ ਰੇਤ ਖੇਤ ਤਨਿ ਨਿਰਮਿਤ ਦੁਰਲਭ ਦੇਹ ਸਵਾਰਿ ਧਰੀ ॥
The little sperm is planted in the body-field of the mother, and the human body, so difficult to obtain, is formed.
ਖਾਨ ਪਾਨ ਸੋਧੇ ਸੁਖ ਭੁੰਚਤ ਸੰਕਟ ਕਾਟਿ ਬਿਪਤਿ ਹਰੀ ॥
He eats and drinks, and enjoys pleasures; his pains are taken away, and his suffering is gone.
ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਅਰੁ ਬੰਧਪ ਬੂਝਨ ਕੀ ਸਭ ਸੂਝ ਪਰੀ ॥
He is given the understanding to recognize mother, father, siblings and relatives.
ਬਰਧਮਾਨ ਹੋਵਤ ਦਿਨ ਪ੍ਰਤਿ ਨਿਤ ਆਵਤ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਬਿਖੰਮ ਜਰੀ ॥
He grows day by day, as the horrible specter of old age comes closer and closer.
ਰੇ ਗੁਨ ਹੀਨ ਦੀਨ ਮਾਇਆ ਕ੍ਰਿਮ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਏਕ ਘਰੀ ॥
You worthless, petty worm of Maya – remember your Lord and Master, at least for an instant!
ਕਰੁ ਗਹਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾਟਿ ਭਰੰਮ ਭਰੀ ॥੩॥
Please take Nanak’s hand, O Merciful Ocean of Mercy, and take away this heavy load of doubt. ||3||”
Pada no. 4, is addressed to the mind of the manmukh. You are like a mouse, crouching in the cubby hole (of the body) very proud of yourself, yet doing foolish acts. You sway yourself in the swing of maya, and in the intoxication of this maya, you wander about like an owl (instead of spending the night in a restful sleep, you wander about at night making merry). You are increasingly attached to your children, spouse, friends and relatives (instead of attaching yourself to God). You plant seeds of egotism, and sprouts of possessiveness well up in you, and you spend your life committing sinful mistakes. All this while, the cat of death, with its mouth wide open is eyeing you. As you indulge in worldly pleasures, you hunger for more. You should realise the world is like a dream (short lived), and meditate upon the Merciful Lord of the world
“ਰੇ ਮਨ ਮੂਸ ਬਿਲਾ ਮਹਿ ਗਰਬਤ ਕਰਤਬ ਕਰਤ ਮਹਾਂ ਮੁਘਨਾਂ ॥
O mind, you are a mouse, living in the mouse hole of the body; you are so proud of yourself, but you act like an absolute fool.
ਸੰਪਤ ਦੋਲ ਝੋਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਝੂਲਤ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਗਨ ਭ੍ਰਮਤ ਘੁਘਨਾ ॥
You swing in the swing of wealth, intoxicated with Maya, and you wander around like an owl.
ਸੁਤ ਬਨਿਤਾ ਸਾਜਨ ਸੁਖ ਬੰਧਪ ਤਾ ਸਿਉ ਮੋਹੁ ਬਢਿਓ ਸੁ ਘਨਾ ॥
You take pleasure in your children, spouse, friends and relatives; your emotional attachment to them is increasing.
ਬੋਇਓ ਬੀਜੁ ਅਹੰ ਮਮ ਅੰਕੁਰੁ ਬੀਤਤ ਅਉਧ ਕਰਤ ਅਘਨਾਂ ॥
You have planted the seeds of egotism, and the sprout of possessiveness has come up. You pass your life making sinful mistakes.
ਮਿਰਤੁ ਮੰਜਾਰ ਪਸਾਰਿ ਮੁਖੁ ਨਿਰਖਤ ਭੁੰਚਤ ਭੁਗਤਿ ਭੂਖ ਭੁਖਨਾ ॥
The cat of death, with his mouth wide-open, is watching you. You eat food, but you are still hungry.
ਸਿਮਰਿ ਗੁਪਾਲ ਦਇਆਲ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗੁ ਜਾਨਤ ਸੁਪਨਾ ॥੪॥
Meditate in remembrance on the Merciful Lord of the World, O Nanak, in the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation. Know that the world is just a dream. ||4||”
Pada no. 5 continues the Advice to the manmukh, Neither your body, nor your house, nor your loves will last forever. How long can you remain proud of these, in your intoxicated state with maya?
Neither umbrellas, nor commands, nor royal canopies will last. Your life is ebbing away, ponder upon this in your heart. Neither chariots, nor horses, nor elephants or royal thrones shall last forever. In an instant, you will leave them, and depart naked. You can see with your own eyes that neither, warrior, nor hero, nor king or ruler will last forever.
Neither fortress, nor shelter, nor treasure will save you, as you do your evil deeds. You will depart brushing off your hands (empty handed). Friends, children, spouses and family, none of them last forever, they change like the shade of a tree. Each and every instant, meditate and remember the Inaccessible, Infinite, Perfect Primal Lord, always Compassionate to the lowly and humble ones.
O Great Lord and Master of maya, Nanak has come to your Sanctuary, please have mercy upon me and ferry me across.
“ਦੇਹ ਨ ਗੇਹ ਨ ਨੇਹ ਨ ਨੀਤਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਤ ਕਹਾ ਲਉ ਗਾਰਹੁ ॥
Neither body, nor house, nor love last forever. You are intoxicated with Maya; how long will you be proud of them?
ਛਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਪਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਚਉਰ ਨ ਚਾਵਰ ਬਹਤੀ ਜਾਤ ਰਿਦੈ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰਹੁ ॥
Neither crown, nor canopy, nor servants last forever. You do not consider in your heart that your life is passing away.
ਰਥ ਨ ਅਸ੍ਵ ਨ ਗਜ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਨ ਛਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਤਿਆਗਤ ਨਾਂਗ ਸਿਧਾਰਹੁ ॥
Neither chariots, nor horses, nor elephants or royal thrones shall last forever. In an instant, you will have to leave them, and depart naked.
ਸੂਰ ਨ ਬੀਰ ਨ ਮੀਰ ਨ ਖਾਨਮ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਕੋਊ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਨਿਹਾਰਹੁ ॥
Neither warrior, nor hero, nor king or ruler last forever; see this with your eyes.
ਕੋਟ ਨ ਓਟ ਨ ਕੋਸ ਨ ਛੋਟਾ ਕਰਤ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਦੋਊ ਕਰ ਝਾਰਹੁ ॥
Neither fortress, nor shelter, nor treasure will save you; doing evil deeds, you shall depart empty-handed.
ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਸਾਜਨ ਸਖ ਉਲਟਤ ਜਾਤ ਬਿਰਖ ਕੀ ਛਾਂਰਹੁ ॥
Friends, children, spouses and friends – none of them last forever; they change like the shade of a tree.
ਦੀਨ ਦਯਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪੂਰਨ ਛਿਨ ਛਿਨ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਅਗਮ ਅਪਾਰਹੁ ॥
God is the Perfect Primal Being, Merciful to the meek; each and every instant, meditate in remembrance on Him, the Inaccessible and Infinite.
ਸ੍ਰੀਪਤਿ ਨਾਥ ਸਰਣਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਹੇ ਭਗਵੰਤ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਰਹੁ ॥੫॥
O Great Lord and Master, servant Nanak seeks Your Sanctuary; please shower him with Your Mercy, and carry him across. ||5||”
In Pada no. 6, there is great introspection and the mortal is horrified to find that he has spent his life, literally pawning away his breaths, his self respect, and committing robberies to acquire the enticer maya which was accumulated with dedicated pursuit. All that was gathered was secretly hidden from any friends, relatives, companions, children and siblings (for fear that they might borrow from me).
I wandered about practicing falsehoods, in the process burning up my body and grew old. I have gone through many life forms, beasts and birds, trees and mountains, wandered about in reincarnation in various ways.
I did not remember the Compassionate Lord even for an instant, the Lord who is Master of even the wretched, Lord of all life. All the food and drink, the sweet and tasty dishes have become bitter to me in these final moments. (Guru) Nanak Ji says, only those in the Sanctuary of the Saints (Shabad Guru) are saved; those who are engrossed in maya are discarded as they leave everything behind and go.
“ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਮਾਨ ਦਾਨ ਮਗ ਜੋਹਨ ਹੀਤੁ ਚੀਤੁ ਦੇ ਲੇ ਲੇ ਪਾਰੀ ॥
I have used up my breath of life, sold my self-respect, begged for charity, committed highway robbery, and dedicated my consciousness to the love and pursuit of acquiring wealth.
ਸਾਜਨ ਸੈਨ ਮੀਤ ਸੁਤ ਭਾਈ ਤਾਹੂ ਤੇ ਲੇ ਰਖੀ ਨਿਰਾਰੀ ॥
I have kept it secretly hidden from my friends, relatives, companions, children and siblings.
ਧਾਵਨ ਪਾਵਨ ਕੂਰ ਕਮਾਵਨ ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਰਤ ਅਉਧ ਤਨ ਜਾਰੀ ॥
I ran around practicing falsehood, burning up my body and growing old.
ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਸੰਜਮ ਸੁਚ ਨੇਮਾ ਚੰਚਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਹਾਰੀ ॥
I gave up good deeds, righteousness and Dharma, self-discipline, purity, religious vows and all good ways; I associated with the fickle Maya.
ਪਸੁ ਪੰਖੀ ਬਿਰਖ ਅਸਥਾਵਰ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਜੋਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਿਓ ਅਤਿ ਭਾਰੀ ॥
Beasts and birds, trees and mountains – in so many ways, I wandered lost in reincarnation.
ਖਿਨੁ ਪਲੁ ਚਸਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਸਿਮਰਿਓ ਦੀਨਾ ਨਾਥ ਪ੍ਰਾਨਪਤਿ ਸਾਰੀ ॥
I did not remember the Naam, the Name of the Lord, for a moment, or even an instant. He is the Master of the meek, the Lord of all life.
ਖਾਨ ਪਾਨ ਮੀਠ ਰਸ ਭੋਜਨ ਅੰਤ ਕੀ ਬਾਰ ਹੋਤ ਕਤ ਖਾਰੀ ॥
The food and drink, and the sweet and tasty dishes became totally bitter at the last moment.
ਨਾਨਕ ਸੰਤ ਚਰਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਉਧਰੇ ਹੋਰਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਗਨ ਚਲੇ ਸਭਿ ਡਾਰੀ ॥੬॥
O Nanak, I was saved in the Society of the Saints, at their feet; the others, intoxicated with Maya, have gone, leaving everything behind. ||6||”
In Pada no. 7, Guru Ji gives many examples of persons who sang the Lord’s Praises. Brahma, Shiva, the Vedas and the rishi munis sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord with delight and joy.
Indra, Vishnu and Gorakhnath, who seek the Lord repeatedly, come to the earth, go to the skies, and return again. Unlike those mentioned earlier, (who are still in the cycle of births and deaths), there are humble servants of the Lord, who have true love for the Beloved One. In their devotional worship, they are absorbed in the Blessed Vision of His Darshan.
Those who forsake Him, however, and beg from others, their mouths, teeth and tongues waste away. Prayer to anyone besides God is a wasted effort and brings no fulfillment. Slave Nanak Ji imparts this Teaching to your foolish mind; meditate, remember the Lord, the Giver of all happiness (peace).
“ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾਦਿਕ ਸਿਵ ਛੰਦ ਮੁਨੀਸੁਰ ਰਸਕਿ ਰਸਕਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਤ ॥
Brahma, Shiva, the Vedas and the silent sages sing the Glorious Praises of their Lord and Master with love and delight.
ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਮੁਨਿੰਦ੍ਰ ਖੋਜਤੇ ਗੋਰਖ ਧਰਣਿ ਗਗਨ ਆਵਤ ਫੁਨਿ ਧਾਵਤ ॥
Indra, Vishnu and Gorakh, who come to earth and then go to heaven again, seek the Lord.
ਸਿਧ ਮਨੁਖ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਦੇਵ ਅਰੁ ਦਾਨਵ ਇਕੁ ਤਿਲੁ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਮਰਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਤ ॥
The Siddhas, human beings, gods and demons cannot find even a tiny bit of His Mystery.
ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰਸ ਭਗਤੀ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਦਰਸਿ ਸਮਾਵਤ ॥
The Lord’s humble servants are imbued with love and affection for God their Beloved; in the delight of devotional worship, they are absorbed in the Blessed Vision of His Darshan.
ਤਿਸਹਿ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਆਨ ਕਉ ਜਾਚਹਿ ਮੁਖ ਦੰਤ ਰਸਨ ਸਗਲ ਘਸਿ ਜਾਵਤ ॥
But those who forsake Him, and beg from another, shall see their mouths, teeth and tongues wear away.
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਮੂੜ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਸਮਝਾਵਤ ॥੭॥
O my foolish mind, meditate in remembrance on the Lord, the Giver of peace. Slave Nanak imparts these teachings. ||7||”
Guru Ji continues his Divine Advice in Pada no. 8. The attractions of maya will lose their luster. Mortals have fallen into a deep pit of emotional attachment. Man’s pride becomes so huge, that even the sky cannot contain him. The belly of this proud man is filled with waste, worms and bones. He runs around in ten directions, steals the wealth of others, and is destroyed by his own ignorance.
His youth wastes away, and he is seized by the illnesses of old age, is punished by the couriers of death and dies an ignoble death. He suffers the agony (tortures) of hell in countless incarnations, and rots away in pain and condemnation.
Nanak Ji says, only Prema Bhagti (loving devotion) can save him, and with the Grace of the Saints (Guru), he is carried across.
“ਮਾਇਆ ਰੰਗ ਬਿਰੰਗ ਕਰਤ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਮੋਹ ਕੈ ਕੂਪਿ ਗੁਬਾਰਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਹੈ ॥
The pleasures of Maya shall fade away. In doubt, the mortal falls into the deep dark pit of emotional attachment.
ਏਤਾ ਗਬੁ ਅਕਾਸਿ ਨ ਮਾਵਤ ਬਿਸਟਾ ਅਸ੍ਤ ਕ੍ਰਿਮਿ ਉਦਰੁ ਭਰਿਓ ਹੈ ॥
He is so proud, even the sky cannot contain him. His belly is filled with manure, bones and worms.
ਦਹ ਦਿਸ ਧਾਇ ਮਹਾ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਕਉ ਪਰ ਧਨ ਛੀਨਿ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਹਰਿਓ ਹੈ ॥
He runs around in the ten directions, for the sake of the great poison of corruption. He steals the wealth of others, and in the end, he is destroyed by his own ignorance.
ਜੋਬਨ ਬੀਤਿ ਜਰਾ ਰੋਗਿ ਗ੍ਰਸਿਓ ਜਮਦੂਤਨ ਡੰਨੁ ਮਿਰਤੁ ਮਰਿਓ ਹੈ ॥
His youth passes away, the illnesses of old age seize him, and the Messenger of Death punishes him; such is the death he dies.
ਅਨਿਕ ਜੋਨਿ ਸੰਕਟ ਨਰਕ ਭੁੰਚਤ ਸਾਸਨ ਦੂਖ ਗਰਤਿ ਗਰਿਓ ਹੈ ॥
He suffers the agony of hell in countless incarnations; he rots away in the pit of pain and condemnation.
ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਭਗਤਿ ਉਧਰਹਿ ਸੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਿਓ ਹੈ ॥੮॥
O Nanak, those whom the Saint mercifully takes as his own, are carried across by their loving devotional worship. ||8||”
Pada no. 1 had a plea, please save me O Master of Nanak.
“ਕਾਰਣ ਕਰਣ ਸਮਰਥ ਸਿਰੀਧਰ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥੧॥”
After a graphic look at man’s wretched spiritual state, now in Pada no. 9, Guru Ji shares that Prema Bhagti has been rewarded, all virtues have been obtained, all fruits are rewards received, and all hopes have been fulfilled. It was Naam which acted as the Medicine, and there was no need for mantras and magic charms. The Lord of all Virtues ( ਗੁਣਕਾਰੀ ) cured all illnesses and took away all pains. By reciting the Name of the Lord, the inner passions of lust, anger, egotism, jealousy and greed were eliminated. By enshrining His Lotus Feet (Bani) in the heart, all the merits of cleansing baths, charities, discipline, purity and good deeds was obtained. The Lord is the sustenance of the soul, the support of every breath and is truly my Friend, Best Friend, Companion and Relative.
I hold tight to the shelter and support of the All Powerful Master. Nanak Ji is always a sacrifice to Him.
“ਗੁਣ ਸਮੂਹ ਫਲ ਸਗਲ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਈ ਆਸ ਹਮਾਰੀ ॥
All virtues are obtained, all fruits and rewards, and the desires of the mind; my hopes have been totally fulfilled.
ਅਉਖਧ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਤੰਤ੍ਰ ਪਰ ਦੁਖ ਹਰ ਸਰਬ ਰੋਗ ਖੰਡਣ ਗੁਣਕਾਰੀ ॥
The Medicine, the Mantra, the Magic Charm, will cure all illnesses and totally take away all pain.
ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਮਦ ਮਤਸਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਚਾਰੀ ॥
Lust, anger, egotism, jealousy and desire are eliminated by chanting the Name of the Lord.
ਇਸਨਾਨ ਦਾਨ ਤਾਪਨ ਸੁਚਿ ਕਿਰਿਆ ਚਰਣ ਕਮਲ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਧਾਰੀ ॥
The merits of cleansing baths, charity, penance, purity and good deeds, are obtained by enshrining the Lotus Feet of God within the heart.
ਸਾਜਨ ਮੀਤ ਸਖਾ ਹਰਿ ਬੰਧਪ ਜੀਅ ਧਾਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਅਧਾਰੀ ॥
The Lord is my Friend, my Very Best Friend, Companion and Relative. God is the Sustenance of the soul, the Support of the breath of life.
ਓਟ ਗਹੀ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਮਰਥਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਸਦਾ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ॥੯॥
I have grasped the Shelter and Support of my All-powerful Lord and Master; slave Nanak is forever a sacrifice to Him. ||9||”
Pada no. 10 and 11, see a change in the flow of the Sawaiyye. Guru Ji now speaks of core concepts, rather than man’s condition. Although the running number continues as 10 and 11, a sub number 1 and 2 is added, to indicate that the flow and focus of the Sawaiyye has changed.
In Sawaiyye no. 10, Guru Ji says if one delights in Love of the Lord’s Lotus Feet (Bani), no weapon can cut or strike that person. One who is pierced with love to be on the Path to have the Lord’s Darshan, cannot be bound or held back by any ropes. The humble being who is attached to the dust of the Feet of the Lord (Satsangat), cannot be burnt by any fires (of maya). One who walks on the Path of the Lord, cannot be drowned by any water (world ocean). Guru Nanak Ji says all diseases, faults, sinful mistakes and emotional attachment are pierced (Destroyed) by the Arrow of His Name. //1//10//.
“ਆਵਧ ਕਟਿਓ ਨ ਜਾਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰਸ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਸੰਗਿ ॥
Weapons cannot cut that person who delights in the love of the Lord’s Lotus Feet.
ਦਾਵਨਿ ਬੰਧਿਓ ਨ ਜਾਤ ਬਿਧੇ ਮਨ ਦਰਸ ਮਗਿ ॥
Ropes cannot bind that person whose mind is pierced through by the Vision of the Lord’s Way.
ਪਾਵਕ ਜਰਿਓ ਨ ਜਾਤ ਰਹਿਓ ਜਨ ਧੂਰਿ ਲਗਿ ॥
Fire cannot burn that person who is attached to the dust of the feet of the Lord’s humble servant.
ਨੀਰੁ ਨ ਸਾਕਸਿ ਬੋਰਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਪੰਥਿ ਪਗਿ ॥
Water cannot drown that person whose feet walk on the Lord’s Path.
ਨਾਨਕ ਰੋਗ ਦੋਖ ਅਘ ਮੋਹ ਛਿਦੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਖਗਿ ॥੧॥੧੦॥
O Nanak, diseases, faults, sinful mistakes and emotional attachment are pierced by the Arrow of the Name. ||1||10||”
The final Pada (no. 11), looks at those methods (in contrast to Naam) which bring ruin to mortals.
They engage in all various kinds of methods and rituals, spouting the benefit of the six schools of yogic thought. They rub ashes all over their bodies, wander around to many shrines of pilgrimage, resulting in tying up their subtle bodies (jeev) in a tangled mess.
Without loving devotion of the Lord, they all suffer in pain, just as the silkworm lovingly weaves its silken threads around itself, and is caught in its own sticky web. They perform all kinds of ceremonies, draw ritual marks over their bodies, cook their own food and with immaculate care, and make pompous shows of themselves in various ways. //2//11//20//.
“ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਲਾਗੇ ਬਹੁ ਭਾਤੀ ਬਿਚਰਹਿ ਅਨਿਕ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਬਹੁ ਖਟੂਆ ॥
People are engaged in making all sorts of efforts; they contemplate the various aspects of the six Shaastras.
ਭਸਮ ਲਗਾਇ ਤੀਰਥ ਬਹੁ ਭ੍ਰਮਤੇ ਸੂਖਮ ਦੇਹ ਬੰਧਹਿ ਬਹੁ ਜਟੂਆ ॥
Rubbing ashes all over their bodies, they wander around at the various sacred shrines of pilgrimage; they fast until their bodies are emaciated, and braid their hair into tangled messes.
ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਸਗਲ ਦੁਖ ਪਾਵਤ ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਢਾਇ ਸੂਤ ਕੇ ਹਟੂਆ ॥
Without devotional worship of the Lord, they all suffer in pain, caught in the tangled web of their love.
ਪੂਜਾ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਕਰਤ ਸੋਮਪਾਕਾ ਅਨਿਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਥਾਟਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਥਟੂਆ ॥੨॥੧੧॥੨੦॥
They perform worship ceremonies, draw ritual marks on their bodies, cook their own food fanatically, and make pompous shows of themselves in all sorts of ways. ||2||11||20||”
Gurfateh
Manjeet Singh
18 November 2023.
