Udho na kagaa karey – Raag Gauree – Ang 337

SGGS Angg 337.

Raag Gauree (Gauri) Kabir Ji.

Kabir Ji tells us about a jeev isteri who longs to have Darshan of God. She looks at the path ahead, and she knows it is “bikham marag chalna; labh lobh ahankar taj trisna bahut nahi bolna”. She also knows it is a razor thin path, sharper than the edge of a sword, finer than a strand of hair. “kahniyo tikhi valon niki et marag jaana” (pauri 14 Anand Sahib).

As she gazes at the path, she sighs and has tearful eyes. Her heart is not drenched yet, but she does not falter, nor retrace her steps; she harbours hopes of Darshan of her Beloved.

“Panth niharey kaamni lochan bhari le usasaa; Urr na bhijay pagg na khisay Har Darshan Ki aasaa”

In many parts of India, crows and ravens can be commonly seen. They are scavengers, very wiry and tough. They are black in colour. There are some superstitions and beliefs about crows in India. When a sharadh (ancestor worship) is done, you must feed a crow first. If after eating its fill it flies right to left of the pandit, it means the pitris are happy. If however many crows join in there is discontent in pitarliok.
Another superstition is that if a crow flies away as you open a door it means you will be getting visitors soon.
The Gurus and the Bhagats did not believe in any of these superstitions.
They have however used the crow as a symbol for evil or sinful karmas. Crows are invariably black. But the Gurus have stressed their blackness in using the crow as a symbol for sins.

“Guru Nanak Dev Ji says for example.

“kabhu na sucha kalaa kaao” (Ang 838)

“Firr firr fasee fasai kavuaa” (Ang 935).

In the rahao to the Shabad, the jeev isteri says. Fly away O black crow (sins, fly away from me); so I may quickly meet my Beloved.

“Udho na kagaa karey; begh milijay apne Raam Pyare” (rahao).

Kabir Ji concludes the Shabad by advising the jeev isteri. To obtain the supreme purpose of this life, worship the Lord with devotion; keep the Name of the Lord as your only Support and with the tongue joyfully sing His Praises.

“Kahe Kabir jeevan pad kaaran Har ki bhagat karijay; Ek adhaar Naam Narayan rasna Raam ravijay”

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube