In today’s Shabad Kirtan Vichar, we are blessed to sing and understand the meanings of this shabad gifted to us by our 3rd Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji. It is a Salok in Raag Sorath. You will find this shabad on page 653 in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGS).
This shabad has TWO parts; 2 Saloks and 1 Pauri. There is no Rahao in this shabad. So, remember, whenever you see a Salok, there won’t be a Rahao. So, how do we know what is the central idea of the shabad if there is no Rahao?
Answer: From the Pauri.
ਪਉੜੀ ॥
ਤੂ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਹਹਿ ਕਰਤੇ ਮੈ ਤੁਝ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥
Tu Karan Karan Samrath Hai Kartey Mai Tujh Bin Awar Na Koii ||
Guru Sahib while referring to the omnipresent Creator (Laws of the Universe) is saying, hey God you are the creator and the creation, You have created everything and You are within the creation. Guru Ji says, for me, your wisdom and knowledge is above all. I do not consider any other.
ਤੁਧੁ ਆਪੇ ਸਿਸਟਿ ਸਿਰਜੀਆ ਆਪੇ ਫੁਨਿ ਗੋਈ ॥
Tudh Aapey Sist Sirjiaa Aapey Phun Goii ||
You, God (Law of Universe), is responsible for creating this world (Sist Sirjiaa), and by the same Laws everything will come to an end too (be destroyed). Everything is in a constant move, a constant shift is happening; nothing is stagnant. This is the Law of the Universe [Hukam]. Everything which comes to an end, goes back to its original source; the elements.
ਸਭੁ ਇਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਜੋ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਈ ॥
Sabh Iko Shabad Vartda Jo Karey So Hoii ||
Everywhere, and in everything, God’s Law (Shabad, Hukam) is prevailing. Everything is functioning according to His will.
The same laws apply to me,to you and to everyone in this world. Not even one living organism can function without God’s law.
Guru Nanak says, Hukmai Andhar Sabh Ko, Bahar Hukam Na Koi.
Fire burns. Water left open evaporates. If its day time, night will come. Earth rotates on its axis from West to East (anti clockwise). We all have 24-hours a day. We will never have 25 or 26 hours. This is the Sach; this is the Hukam (which you can find mentioned in Gurbani in many instances).
ਵਡਿਆਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਦੇਇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਵੈ ਸੋਈ ॥
Vediayii Gurmukh De Prabh Har Paavey Soii ||
By the instructions of the Guru (Gurmukh), one who listens and understands this, is considered great (Vediayii). Is considered God realized.
Ones who live their life according to the teachings of the Shabad Guru, are considered great. (Even though, they themselves will never self-proclaim this out of humility.) Guru says, they will receive the respect and are considered great who listen, accept and live their lifes according to the Laws of the Universe.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਰਾਧਿਆ ਸਭਿ ਆਖਹੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੋਈ ॥੨੯॥੧॥ ਸੁਧੁ
Gurmukh Nanak Aradiaa, Sabh Aakho Dhan Dhan Dhan Gur Soii ||29||1|| Sudh
Guru Amar Das Ji says, by the teachings of my Guru (Gurmukh), I have experienced it first-hand (Aradiaa). After listening and applying the teachings of the Guru – that is why all should profess (Dhan, Dhan, Dhan) Great! Great! Great! is such Guru.
Then, in the beginning of the Shabad where we sang the lines:
ਏ ਮਨ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਧਿਆਇ ਤੂ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਇਕ ਚਿਤਿ ਭਾਇ ॥
Ey Man Har Ji Dhiaye Tu, Ik Man Ik Chit Bhaye ||
Oh my mind! May you focus and remember the Laws of the Universe (Creator). Bring your minds full awareness and focus towards knowing this.
So, how does one remember the Creator? Do we need to sit down and chant Waheguru Waheguru? There is a huge misconception perhaps due to lack of understanding on the fundamental concepts of Gurmat by certain quarters. They say, chanting repetitively is what a Sikh is supposed to do. They have misconstrued the word “Jup” as ‘chant’ or ‘repeated utterance’.
According to Gurmat, “Jup” means to ‘to know’, ‘to realize’, to ‘internalize’ from within.
ਹਰਿ ਕੀਆ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਡਿਆਈਆ ਦੇਇ ਨ ਪਛੋਤਾਇ ॥
Har Kia Sada Sada Vediayiaan, De Na Pachotai ||
NOTE: The words ‘Kia’ and ‘Vediayiaan’ are to be uttered with nasal sound.
God’s greatness (of placing the Neeyam, Hukam, Laws of Nature) is always and forever; Whatever God has provided for its creation, He has no regrets.
When man gives, he or she may regret (Pachotai), but God never regrets.
ਹਉ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਣੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇ ॥
Hau Har Kay Sadh Baleyhaarney, Jit Seviaye Sukh Paye ||
Guru Ji says, I am forever a sacrifice towards the Creator. The one who has listened and understood these instructions, are the ones considered to have done Sewa (Jit Seviaye).
To make an effort and understand and apply His teachings is considered doing Sewa. They are the ones who will receive true happiness and joy in this life.
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜਲਾਇ ॥੧॥
Nanak Gurmukh Mil Rahey Haumai Shabad Jalaey||
Guru Ji says, by listening to Guru’s instructions, I have found God (Mil Rahey). The ego within me has been burnt (Haumai Shabad Jalaey). How? Through the instructions (Shabad) of the Guru.
ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਾਇਅਨੁ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸ ਕਰੇਇ ॥
M: 3 ||Aapey Sewa Laieyn Aapey Bakhs Karey ||
When one listens to Guru’s instructions, and when we eradicate the Ego within, then one is considered to be doing ‘real’ sewa; one is considered to be blessed (Bakhs Karey).
ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਮਾ ਪਿਉ ਆਪਿ ਹੈ ਆਪੇ ਸਾਰ ਕਰੇਇ ॥
Sabna Ka Ma Pio Aap Hai Aapey Saar Karey ||
God is considered to be the parent (mother and father) of all His creation. He himself takes care of all and provides sustenance to all by the way of His created Laws of Nature.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਨਿ ਤਿਨ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਸੋਭਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥
Nanak Naam Dhiayen Tin Nij Ghar Vaas Hai Jug Jug Shoba Hoi ||2||
Guru ji says, those who contemplate (understand and live by) God’s virtues (Naam Dhiayen), only they experience God within them (Nij Ghar Vaas Hai), irrespective of the different circumstances and situations (Jug Jug) they are in, they abide by the Laws and in return, receive much respect (Shoba Hoi).
