Vaisakhi:

Vaisakh is celebrated as the birth of the blessed Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The Khalsa was actually created on 30th March 1699.

The Indian calendar follows the moon cycle and some adjustments are made every few years. Thus Vaisakhi is celebrated on 13th or 14th now instead of 30th March.  The difference is in the way the calculations are done by different people.

In parts of India it is also celebrated as a harvest festival. Thus we have Vaisakhi da mela. Harvested produce is sold in the markets and months of hard labour brings in great profits.

In the midst of all this, Vaisakh is also celebrated as the 1st day of the calendar month of Vaisakh.

In His immortal Bara Maha Majh, Guru Arjun Dev Ji uses the theme of time and space inherent in the twelve months of the Indian calendar to remind us the Timeless One. This Bani applies equally to the merry maker at the mela, the merchant dealing with the harvest produce of Vaisakh and the blessed Khalsa too.

This Bani applies equally to the merry maker at the mela, the merchant dealing with the harvest produce of Vaisakh and the blessed Khalsa too.

Guru Ji starts by posing a question.

How can the jeev isteri separated from her Celestial Beloved within her, ever find peace?

 ਵੈਸਾਖਿ ਧੀਰਨਿ ਕਿਉ ਵਾਢੀਆ ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਿਛੋਹੁ

(Vaisakh dhiran kio vadhiya jinna prem bishoh) – (SGGS Ang 133)

But why did this separation occur?  Guruji says

ਹਰਿ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਕੈ ਲਗੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਧੋਹੁ

(Har sajjan purakh visar ke laggi maya dhoh)

they have forsaken the Lord and are clinging to the Deceiver maya.
They have not realised that

ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਧਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਅਵਿਨਾਸੀ ਓਹੁ

(putar kalatar na sang dhana Har avinasi oh)

Children spouse nor wealth will go with you – only the Imperishable One.

Guruji further observes.

ਪਲਚਿ ਪਲਚਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਮੁਈ ਝੂਠੈ ਧੰਧੈ ਮੋਹੁ

(palch palch sagli moi jhuthe dhanday moh)

The world is ruining itself in entanglements and false pursuits.

The world does not realise that

ਇਕਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਗੈ ਲਈਅਹਿ ਖੋਹਿ

(ekas Har ke naam bin agay leiye khoh)

Besides the Name of the One Lord all else will be seized ahead.

To forsake the Merciful Lord is utter folly. There is none besides Him who can help you.

ਦਯੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਵਿਗੁਚਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ

(Dye visar viguchna prabh bin avar na koi)

Only those who attach themselves to the Feet (Bani) of the Beloved earn an immaculate glory.

ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਚਰਣੀ ਜੋ ਲਗੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸੋਇ

(Pritam charni jo laggay tin ki nirmal soi)

It is thus my prayer O Lord please meet me in Your grace.

ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ

(Nanak ki prabh benti prabh milho prapat hoi)

Guruji concludes by saying.

ਵੈਸਾਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਤਾਂ ਲਗੈ ਜਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਇ

 (Vaisakh suhava ta laggay ja sant bhetay har soi)

The month of Vaisakh is auspiscious (blessed) when the Saint Guru unites you with the Lord.

Gurfateh

Manjeet Singh

13th April, 2017

NOTE:

This short note on Vaisakhi was written by Bhai Ji as a whatsapps message. A satsanggi had sent him a short kirtan clip. The clip can be accessed on YouTube @  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUe4FLUuK0E

It was sung excellently by Bhai Harjinder Singh