Sunday, December 13, 2009

Asa Ki Vaar

INTRODUCTION

Asa Ki Var is a collection of 24 pauris or stanzas written by Guru Nanak Devji (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, page 462-475).Some people argue that the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev ji wrote the first 9 together on one occasion and later wrote 15 more stanzas on a different occasion but Professor Sahib Singh and some of the foremost Sikh scholars believe that the whole Var was written at the same place as the Var itself proceeds in a definite uniformity. The whole Var was compiled by the 5th Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji in 1604 AD.

When Guru Arjan Dev ji was compiling the Holy Granth, he added a few Sloks of Guru Nanak and in some cases Guru Angad Dev ji, the second Guru of the Sikhs. These Sloks are tied together in a way that they relate to the same theme as highlighted in the pauri. In its present form, the Asa Di Var contains a few more shabads recited by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru.

The Asa Di Var kirtan is recited in the early morning hours in a very melodious way and style as mentioned by Guru Arjan Dev Ji called "Tunde Asraje Ki Dhuni" after the name of the contemporary brave and pious king Asraj. One of the hands of the king was amputated, so he was called Tunda meaning crippled. The deeds and the ode of this king was sung by the bards in that typical fashion which then was extremely popular and melodious and was therefore adopted to performing Asa Di Var.

QUINTESSENCE OF THE VAAR (1-24)

(1)

(1) Satguru is such a being who through his teachings can convert a simple man into a highly religious person.

(2) Without the true spiritual knowledge of Satguru, the world lives in darkness of ignorance.

(3) A person may become very clever and wise, achieving significant worldly prosperity but he lives a meaningless and empty spiritual life without the guidance of a Guru.

(4) God is self-existent or self-illumined. The entire Universe is His creation. God Himself is looking after the whole Universe. He creates the living being, sustains them and destroys them at his will.

(2)

(1) God formulated definite and infallible laws for operation of various aspects of His creation-the Universe. Those who meditate on God, become like Him and those who do not are put into the cycle of birth and re-birth.

(2) God has countless virtues. No body is like Him. He is the provider and the entire Universe is functioning under His divine orders.

(3) God's work is true and just. Everything in the Universe id functioning according to His will. He who has the good fortune of receiving His grace gets to know the ultimate truth that helps him select the right course in life.

(4) The deeds or the works done by people are evaluated by God according to the divine rules. His judgement is complete and true. Wrong doers are punished according to divine justice and those ever in love with Him win the game of life

(3)

(1) If He bestows His grace on someone, he would be thrilled and flabbergasted by the miraculous and unexplainable happenings in the Universe. It creates a feeling of awe and ecstasy. To live in close proximity of different species, other Universal elements like air, water, etc. The four life producing systems and their produce, and admiring them as His manifestation, creates a feeling of immense happiness and elation.

(2) All things spread in this Universe work by the will of God. The care and maintenance of everything in the cosmos is the responsibility of God Himself.

(3) Those who indulge in vices during their life time are sure to receive punishment in the court of Almighty and no immoral person can escape. At the time of judgment in His court, only praises sung in His glory and good deeds are reckoned.

(4)

(1) Everything in this Universe, every element, substance or living creature is under the fear of God. Only God has fearless existence free from all bond ages.

(2) Divine knowledge can neither be acquired by plain talk nor through worthless deeds. It can also not be acquired by shrewdness or by imposition of power or use of force. The real foundation of the divine knowledge is God's benevolence which can be had by loving Him truly.

(3) By His grace can a man meet Satguru, who imparts divine knowledge and makes him aware of the ultimate truth thus paving the way for the soul to unite with God. This is an established truth that nobody is a greater benefactor than God.

(5)

(1) In the Universe of God, moments-quarters, day-night, air-water, sun-moon, earth and the whole entanglements of the world are performing a divine show together. Due to ignorance and forgetting the need of meditation, people are getting increasingly involved in trickery and are becoming the morsel of death.

(2) Those devotees who have attained the beneficence of God and who meditate on Him spend their night like life drenched in God's love. god cannot be reached by gamboling or by cirumambulating. Gamboling is nothing more than entertainment for the mind. God's true love appears only in the minds of those who live with respect of God in their hearts.

(3) With God's love and meditation on His name, a man does not undergo sufferings in hell. Life and body are the gifts of god. God alone provides food to everybody. For one's spiritual goodness, one should acquire the quality of humility. Death is an unavoidable truth.

(6)

(1) A Muslim, a Hindu, a Yogi, a donor or those indulging in immoral activities have their own way of life. They lay emphasis on their own principles. But true devotees of God always carry quest for His love. They derive maximum pleasure in meditation and spend their lives in close proximity of virtuous persons.

(2) God knows all the good and bad deeds performed by a person and he is rewarded with appropriate fruits accordingly. No spiritual benefit or loss occurs to the body after death whether it is burnt or buried. Judgment takes place on the deeds done by him.

(3) Without Satguru, nobody has ever attained God. He who unites himself with the Satguru gets to know life of this world God.

(7)

(1) When a man, understands the meaning of egoism or self-conceit completely, then only does he realise the omnipotence of God.

(2) Ego can only be shed by following the teachings of a Guru. This is only way of getting rid of egoism.

(3) God can be reached by singing His praises. Contented devotees worship and meditate on God. They abandon ill-deeds and strive to earn the wealth of virtues.

(8)

(1) God is creating innumerable lives and He Himself is sustaining and protecting them. He is genuinely concerned about all His creations.

(2) Without meditation on His true name, consecration mark on the forehead with sandal wood paste (Tikka) or wearing of the sacred thread (Janeu) are all useless religious rituals.

(3) In order to receive grace of Almighty, shrewdness and indulging in useless rituals are all absurdities. The real aim of following a religious philosophy is to receive blessings at the door of the Lord.

(9)

(1) Ignoring the unique approach of singing His praises, a deep study of many sacred books is no answer to spiritual success in life.

(2) To reflect on God's name and to win His favour is the true path to God. Study of too many and too voluminous books, visiting places of pilgrimage, impersonation as divine being, giving up eating odd and waring clothes, living in perpetual silence, walking barefoot, eating filth and living in jungles or in grave yards are all empty and meaningless ways to reach Him.

(3) God loves His devotees. True knowledge seekers yearn for the company of those who meditate on God.

(10)

(1) No lasting relationship or love can be established with anyone in this world except God. Everything and every living being in this world is perishable. So without His remembrance everything in this life is a mirage and error of vision.

(2) In order to achieve nearness to God, it is necessary for one to develop true love for Him, learn to live truthful life, follow Guru's teachings, show compassion towards all the living creatures while concentration one's mind to acquire spiritual stability.

(3) leaving aside falsities and greediness, we should pray for close associations with saints so that, we can acquire higher spiritual state in their company. Scant wisdom filled with pride or ego often wastes away assets earned with much labour.

(11)

(1) For spiritual enlightenment it is essential that the seed of One Complete God be sown in the mind and it is kept clean of the dross of sins and ill-deeds. In order to affirm the path of devotion, one should live in the fear of God discarding laziness and striving for higher values of life.

(2) The true religious person is one who receives honour from God. Worldly achievements and respect are meaningless. Bereft of divine knowledge and filled with greed, sins, falsehood, desires etc. are driving people to humiliation. The so called religious minded and devoted persons are exercising deceit and falsehood on the name of religion and are caught in the web of worldly desires.

(3) Whatever pleases God is sure to happen. No one can impress Him with his caste dominance or high handedness.

(4) Only those people meditate on God's name who are blessed with His grace.

(12)

(1) God lives in his entire creation and no once can find its end. Those who sing His praises are fortunate to cross the worldly ocean.

(2) there can't be separate religion for people of different castes states and countries. All human being have one religion only and that is the religion of meditating on God's name.

(3) Almighty is above all the gods and the goddesses.

(4) The spiritual knowledge arrests the fast indulgence of mind in the worldly vices or immortal deeds. But without unflinching faith, singleness of mind and concentration, His teachings cannot be grasped and imbibed.

(5) In the court of god, no justice discrimination is made among the educated and uneducated people. All rewards are made on the strength of truth or on the deeds & conduct of a person.

(13)

(1) Over a period of time a human mind is affected by many changes or is subjected to many waves of changes. Every change acts like a driving force or motivation.

(2) People may divide religion according to the age or era but the reality is that those who live in humbleness and carry out loving worship of The Lord attains salvation.

(3) We unite in the memory of god, only after understanding the teachings of Guru. those traders who leave aside God's love and attach themselves with worldly attractions drown ultimately in the worldly ocean. Satguru alone is the ship capable of taking across this ocean world.

(14)

(1) Humility is a very sweet trait and it is the gist of all the goodness and virtues but this humbleness should not be a mere show of formality. Rather humility must emerge from the heart and purity of mind.

(2) Mere religious ceremonies and rituals are meaningless. The real divine work is meditation on His name. Once he becomes aware of His path, man leaves aside the meaningless customs and rituals. but without Satguru one does not find the real path of divinity.

(3) Man at last departs from this world leaving his beautiful body and he has to accept and bear the consequences of his good or bad deeds performed during his life time.

(15)

(1) There is no use of wearing the sacred thread i.e. (Janaeu). for the eternal gain, one should develop qualities of compassion, contentment, truth, purity etc. These qualities resonate with the soul readily which has all the divine traits.

(2) What spiritual benefit can a sacred thread provide to a body that is full of deceit, falsehood, abuses, slanders, cheatings and other immoral deeds.

(3) To sing praises of God is the real wearing of a sacred thread.

(4) A religious leader does not wear that thread which control indulgence of his hands, feet, tongue, eyes etc. in vices and other sinful acts. Instead he has become totally blind in greed.

(5) A person who becomes recipient of His grace lives according to the will of god and is finally accepted by Him.

(16)

(1) Hypocrisy should be foresaken at all cost. A person who can shed hypocrisy and takes to in the worship of the Lord can swim across the worldly ocean with ease and comfort.

(2) We should always worship the true and eternal god. Getting into the rituals of piety, observing the false and useless ceremonies are worthless for spiritual prosperity. Purity is automatically achieved if we realise the true God.

(3) god Himself takes care of all the living being of His Universe. Every living being has been put to earning his livelihood according to His will.

(17)

(1) In the world here after, a man gets the fruit of deeds done by him in this life. Nothing can be sent to anybody, who is now in his heavenly abode through priests.

(2) Piety does not come just by washing the body or bathing. he alone is pious and clean who has God dwelling in his mind. when mind is not clean the person would emit indecent & filthy language from his mouth.

(3) The worldly creatures lose their precious youth by involving themselves in materialistic things and soon they are over powered by old age. One waste away one's life by indulging in immoral deeds.

(18)

(1) At the time of birth of a child in a hindu family ceremonial uncleanliness for certain days is observed. If we accept this belief for a moment, then we would also have to admit that this defilement is happening everywhere. This belief of impurity and impiety can only be removed by the wisdom of the Guru.

(2) For a man, the real defilements are greed, falsehood, extra-marital relations and back-bitting ect.

(3) Defilement caused by birth or death is totally a misconception or a fallacy. Those who have understood the reality through the teachings of Guru would never fear any harm on account of this fallacy.

(4) We should always understand the greatness of Almighty and sing His praises; for, He has indescribable qualities which are revealed to us when He unites us with a True Guru.

(19)

(1) Those people who do not meditate on God and yet are enjoying all the luxuries of this world, deserve scholdings and condemnations. the food prepared from pious grains, water, fire and fat also become impure anf filth when it mixes with human body.

(2) A woman without whom it is impossible for a man to live and who gives birth to great men, it is foolishness to treat and regard her low of birth and worthless. One who sings the praises of the Lord whether a man or a woman appears in the court of God with a sublime face.

(3) In this world, barring a few, everyone is entrapped in attachment. Each one of us has to suffer his own fate. When a person is not eternal then he should not ruin himself in fasle pride. It is futile to indulge in arguments with an illiterate person.

(20)

(1) A man's body and mind becomes rough and apathetic if he speaks vapid and harsh language. A peson bereft of love finds total rejection in the court of Almighty and is showered with scoldings and disapprovals.

(2) With mind adulterated and yet projecting to be a virtuous person is just pretentiousness and outward show. Those who bear divine love in their heart are truthful and honest even if they are in rags. Except god, the Almighty, they care for no one else. Whatever little love for god that we may possess appears conspiciously in the court of Almighty.

(3) God Himself has created this Universe and He Himself looks after it. whatever life is born in sure to perish in its turn. Why should the owner of our body and mind i.e. God be forgotten? We should strive to make our lives a success by achieving for what we have taken birth.

(21)

(1) True godly love is that which is exclusively with Almighty. True devotees don't love God by calculations. Rather they remain rapt with God's love in all circumstances, good or bad.

(2) To bow before God yet not accept His will is saluting and questioning at the same time. It does not provide one with a place of honour in Lord's court.

(3) He whose service and meditation always give us lasting peace and comfort should ever be remembered by us. We should not indulge in vices because their fruits shall have to be borne by us. Instead through farsightedness we should strive to earn such capital that will prove profitable in the world here after.

(22)

(1) Egoistic pride and service of the Master, the two most important things encountered by a man in pursuit of divine grace can't go side by side. we should serve the Lord selflessly without even a desire of reward in return . Then only would the service be accepted.

(2) Man's inner motives get depicted through his day to day deeds. With difference in the intentions and actions no one can get the ambrosial fruit in one's life.

(3) Friendship with ignorant mind can never prove fruitful on the path of spirituality. Prayer with utmost humility is bound to be accepted than demanding by force.

(4) Friendship and love is meaningless if it is done with conceited and thoughtless mind.

(5) If by chance an ignorant mind does some thing right then its next worl will definitely be wrong.

(6) A devotee can serve Almighty only when he is contented and accept His will cheerfully. We should always sing the praises and glory of the Almighty who has provided us with all our needs. Not by order but by request with absolute humility should we ask Him for His boons and blessings.

Align Left(23)

(1) Instead of feeling proud of our efforts we should have faith in God's blessings.

(2) Only that service is accepted as true when we have removed all differences or doubts from our mind and we do not feel carrying an idependent existence of our own.

(3) The extent of His domain is impossible to fathom. He creates the creatures, destroys them. He also gives them happiness and grief.

(24)

(1) Lord Himself has created all life. To some he gives happiness and to others-grief. Those who become recipient of His grace have their spiritual lives sorted and straightened.

(2) It is futile to stand in supplication before others. He alone is worthy of our prayers and attention since he creates all life and sustains them too.

(3) Nobody can fully describe the greatness and virtues of the Lord. Other than the protection of the Lord, a living creature has no other sustainable hope. God does as He likes.


ASA KI VAAR

Sound Play Audio
(*Audio is longer, it should end at Gurparsad*)

ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

Ik­oaʼnkār

God is one and He is omnipresent

Saṯ nām

His name is eternal.

Karṯā purakẖ

He is the creator of this Unniverse and is present every where as complete.

Nirbẖa­o

He is fearless.

Nirvair

He is free from animosity.

Akāl Mūraṯ

His form or shape is beyond the influence of Time or Era.

Ajūnī

He does not take birth.

Saibẖaʼng

He is self-illumined.

Gur Parsāḏ

Such Lord is attained only by the blessings or grace of a true Guru.

Asa, Mehla 1

This sacred hymn has been composed n Raag Asa Mehla 1 means that this hymn has been uttered by the First Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Mehla means the body or a person. This word had been used with all the Bani so that we get to know the Bani that has been composed under the pen name of Nanak and which guru is the composer of a particular Bani. Mehla means Guru Nanak in his firts form . Mehla 2 means Guru Nanak in his second form.

Var sloka(n) nal(i) slok bhi mehley Pehley key likey

(Note: A detailed discussion of this heading is given in the end)

Tundey As Rajai Ki dhuni

This caption has been given by Guru Arjun Sahib. Guru Sahib has given us instructions that this Car (ode) be sung in the prevailing tune of the Var sung in respect of Raja 'Us'. An ode of the armless king named 'Us' was sung by the people of Punjab with love and enthusiasm before the birth of guru Nanak Sahib. King 'Us' was a person of high character and righteous temperaments. People of Punjab used to live singing odes of memorable episode of his life and these were highly apreciated.

The fifth Guru has also ordered us to sing the Var on the same musical pattern as the var of Raja 'Us'.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib has twenty two Vars. Some scholars opine on the baiss of Gurbilas Patshah-10, that the musical instructions for singing these vars have been inscribed by Sri Guru Har Gobind Sahib, but this belief is baseless and wrong. Bhai Sahib Kahan Singh 'Nabha' has refuted this wrong belief in his Mahan Kosh. The reality is that at the time of editing Sri guru Granth Sahib, guru Arjan DevJi imposed the tunes on nine of the twenty two vars after verifying and checking. Sri guru Hargobind Sahib practiced the singing of these vars on the prescribed tunes in his court by the court bards.

Salok Mehla - 2

Bal(i) hari gur apney deohari sad var(i).

Jin(i) manas tey devtey kee-ey karat na lagi var.

Meaning of difficult words: Bal(i)hari - sacrifice; to show affection; Deohari - during day; Sad var - hundred times; Jin(i) - one who has; Manas - made; Karat - while making or while doing so; Var - delay.

In this cantos, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji expresses his extra-ordinary affection for his guru on whom he sacrifices himself hundred times a day, whose blissful teachings have capabilities of changing ordinary men to men of repute i.e. god like persons, and in doing, so the Lord wouldn't take any time.

Note. The word 'Devtey' in this cantos does not imply gods or goddesses of the Hindus religion but those men who are filled with virtues or with divine traits.

Mehla 2

Je sau Chandā ugveh(i) Sūraj cẖaṛėh hajār.
Ėṯey cẖānaṇ hoḏiāʼn Gur bin(u) gẖor anḏẖiār. 2

Meanings of the difficult words: Sau - hundred century; Chanda - moon; Chadheh-rise; Etey - so many; Gur bin - without Guru; Ghor Andhiar - blinding darkness.

If the world is illuminated by hundreds of Moons and thousands of Suns, even then without the Guru, the worldly souls would grop on the blinding darkness of ignorance in their divine path.

Mehla 1

Nanak Guru n chetni, man(i) apnai suchet.
Chhutey til buarh jio sunjhey andar(i) khet.

Khetai andar (i) chhutia kaho Nanak sao nah.
Phalieh phulieh bapurhey bhi tan vich(i) suah.

Meaning of the difficult words: Nanak - Hey, Nanak; Na chetni - do not remember;; Man apnai - in one's mind; Suchet - wise, alert; Til buarh jio - like burnt seasame seeds; Chhutey - discarded; Nah - Lord.

In this cantos, Guru Nanak Dev ji says that those persons who do not remember Lord or who do not bother to care about Lord's teachings and are full of ego and think themselves to be clever and wise; their condition is like the rotten seasame plants which are lying discarded in the fields. Such plants may be claimed by hundred masters. These unfortunate plants develop and grow but there is ash in their pods rather than seasame seeds.

PAURI

Apinai ap(u) sajio, apinai rachio nao.
Dui kudrat(i) sajiai, kar(i) asan(u) dithau chao.
Data karta ap(i) tun tus(i) asan(u) dithau chao.
Tu(n) janoee sabhsai, dey laiseh jind(u) kavao.
Kar(i) asan(u) ditho chao.1.

Meanings of the difficult words: Apinai - Lord Himself; Ap(u) - self; Nao - praise, fame; Dui - second; Sajiai - created, built; Kar(i) asan(u) - entrench, to be present in the Universe; Chao - show, play; Dithau - seen; Tus(i) - to become gracious, to be happy ; Deveh - you give; Kareh - you do; Pasao - boon, blessings; Sabhsai - everybody; Dey - to give; Laiseh - you will take; Kavao - order; Janoee - familiar, all knowing.

The Lord formulated His own self and created His own attributes. Then He created this Universe and He manisfested Himself in every particle of theis Universe with a view to enjoy His own creation. Oh Lord! Thou art the only provider and creator of everything. With Thy grace, Thou grant boon and blessings to They living beings. Thou art omniscient and with They divine order takes this life away . So dear God! Thou art omnipresent and responsible for all that is happening in the Universe (i.e. creation, subsistence and finally destriction) according to Thy will.

'The Quintessence of the Pauri' - In this stanza, Guru Sahib has condemned the prevalent belief that the whole world is functioning by the orders of Brahma, Vishnu and Shivji. He explains that there is only one potent force responsible for the functioning of whole Universe and that is God.

Salok Mehla - 1

Sachey terey khand, sachey brahmand.
Sachey Terey lo, sachey akar.
Sachey terey karney sarab bichar.
Sacha tera amar, sacha diban.
Sacha tera hukum(u), sacha phurman.
Sacha tera karam(u), sacha nisan.
Sachey tudh(u) akheh, lakh karorh(i).
Sachai sabh(i) tan(i), Sachai sabh(i) jor(i).
Sachi teri sift(i), sachi salah.
Sachi teri kudrat, sachey patisah.
Nanak, sach (u) dhiain(i) sach(u).
Jo mar(i) jammey, su kach(u) Nikach(u)

Meanings of the difficult words: Sachey - Ever stable, eternal; Khand - divisions of the cosmos; Brahmand - Universe; Lo - people; Akar - things with shape and size; Karney - work; Amar - order, kingdom; Diban(u) - royal court; Nisan(u) - sign, mark; Karam(u) - blessings; Sachai - God; Tan(i) - power, strength; Sachai jor(i) - in the power of the Lord; Kudrat - Creation; Mar(i) Jammey - death and birth or coming and going in theis world; S(u) - those; Kach(u) - nikach(u) - immature, inexperienced.

Oh, the eternal Almighty! Thine creations of the Universe art ever real (i.e. formulation of your Universe or cosmos is inevitable or permanent). The planets created by Thee and the structures there in are also real and all Thine formulations and creations are firm/permanent and imperishable.

Oh Lord! Thine royal court is indestructible, the divine orders and They royal command is firm & permanent. Thine boons and blessings to Thine living creatures are ever steady and infallible.

Innumerable living beings who sing Thy praises are also real (i.e. numerous persons are continuously meditating on Thee). All the planets, galaxies and other heavenly bodies in the cosmos, people, structures, living being etc, Are all real and are existing by Thy power. Thou art their support.

Singing Thy praises is a continuous and ever established process. O True Almighty! All Thy formulation or Thy creations are also in an endless system.

Hey Nanak! Those who worship the eternal Almighty are the manifestations of the True Lord. But those who are entangled in the system of birth and death are totally false.

In this cantos Guru Sahib has condemned the believes of the other religions that the world is nothing but an illusion or apprehension. He explains that the total system of this Universe or Cosmos is not just an illusion but a powerful creation of Powerful Master who has it's total governance in His hand. In totality this whole creation or the Universe is His irrevocable system but when the components of this creations are taken individually, then they
are all perishable. those who perpetually remember Him become like Him.

Mehla - 1

Vadi vadiai ja, vada nao
Vadi vadiai ja sach(u) niao
Vadi vadiai ja nehchal thao
Vadi vadiai, janey alao
Vadi vadiai, bujhey sabh(i) bhao
Vadi vadiai, ja puchh(i) n dat(i)
Vadi vadiai, ja apey ap(i)
Nanak, kar n kathni jaey.
Kita karna sarab rajaey.

Meaning of the difficult words: Nao - name, fame; Niao - justice; Ja - whose, God's; Nehchal Thao - His stable place; Alao - voices, prayers of living beings; Bhao - sentiments, emotiona; Puchh(i) - asking or taking advicer; Ape-ap(i) - independent, all in all; Kar - game, deed, kudrat; Kita-karna - All that He formulated; Rajaey - in the divine orders, under His will.

It is the glory of the Lord that His praises are magnificent. The other virtues of God are that His justice is sound. His seat too is unshakeable. He is ever aware of the minds of all living beings. God's greatness also lies in the fact that He is not showering His blessing with prior permission of someone else. He Himself is the provider or the donor of everything. Yet another glory of the Lord is that He is independent and is omnipotent because there is no one like Him. He is the only one.

Hey Nanak! creations of the Lord are indescribable. All that He has created is by His divine order or will.

Mehla - 2

Eh(u) jag(u) sachai ki hai kotharhi,
sache ka vich(u) vas(u).
Ekna hukam(i) samaey l-ey,
ekna hukmey karey vinas(u)
Ekna bhanai kadh l-ey,
ekna maya vich(i) niwas(u)
Ev bhi akh n ja-pee, je kisai anai ras(i).
Nanak gurmukh(i) janiai
ja kau(u) ap(i) karey pargas(u).3.

Meanings of the difficult words: Sachai - always existent Lord's; Kotharhi - dwelling, place for shelter; Ekna - to some; Hukam(i) - according to His divine order; Samaey l-ey - to merge with Him; Bhanai - according to His will; Kadh l-ey - to take out of the effect of mammon; Ev bhi - like this; Akh(i) - to say; N jap-ee - can't be said, can't be sure; Je - that; Kisai - to whom; Anai ras(i) - to suit, to put on the right path; Gurmukh(i) - through the Guru; Janiai - to understand; Ja kau - to the person.

This world is the dwelling place of the true Lord and He resides in it. He merges some with Himself while the spiritual life of some is destroyed by His Divine orders. The Lord pulls out some from the love of mammon by His irrevocable will while the others reamin engagrossed in mammon (maya). But it is difficult to say whom will He put on the right path.

Hey Nanak! The reckoning of the Lord's will can only be known through the True guru. He only becomes the blessed soul whose heart He enlightens with knowlege.

Centreal Idea. The lord dwells in this Universe. he puts people on the right and wrong path by His Divine order. This is realised by the knowledge that He bestows upon the mortal beings through their association with a True Guru.

Pauri

Nanak Ji upaey kai, likh(i) navai dharm(u) bahalia.
Othey sachey hi sach(i) nibrhai, chun(i) vakh(i).
Thao n paen(i) koooriar, muh kalai dojak(i) chalia.
Terai naey ratey se jin(i) gaey, har(i) gaye se thaggan walia.
Likh(i) navai dharam(u) bahalia.2.

Meanings of the difficult words: Ji upaey kai - by giving them birth; Likh(i) navey - to assess the deeds; Othey - there, in the Divine court; Bahalia - to cause to sit; Sachey hi sach - absolute truth; Nibrhai - to settle; Jajmaliya - sinners, ill-fated persons; Thao n paen(i) - not accepted by Lord; Muh kale - with shameful faces; Dojak - Hell; Chalia - pushed; terai naey - in your name; Se jin(i) gaey - they won the game; Har gaey - lose the game; Thaggan walia - dishonest and deceivers.

Guru Dev explians that after creating the Universe and all the living beings, He appointed a Divine Accountat to keep a record of all the deeds of these living beings. In the Divine Court the Judgement is pronounced purely on the basis of absolute truth and in that True Court the sinners and the deceivers are seperated. the liars find no place of honour and they are shamelessly pushed into Hell.

Hey Lord! Thos who are immersed in Thy love or who are engrossed in They name, succeed in winning the game of human life, where as those who indulge in bad deeds or sins, lose it.

O God! Thou hast thus appointed a Divine recorder who is mantaining the records of the deeds of all the living beings.

Salok Mehla - 1

Vismad(u) nad, vismad ved.

Vismad(u) jee vismad(u) bhed.

Vismad(u) roop, vismad(u) rang.

Vismad(u) nage phir(i)h jant.

Vismad(u) paun(u), vismad pani.

Vismad agni, khedeh(i) vidani.

Vismad dharti, vismad khani.

Vismad sad(i) lageh(i) prani.

Vismad sanjog(u), vismad vijog(u).

Vismad bhukh, vismad bhog(u).

Vismad sift(i), vismad salah.

Vismad ujharh, vismad rah.

Vismad nerhai, vismad door(i).

Vismad dekhai, hajra hajoor(i).

Vikh(i) vidan rahai vismad(u).

Nanak bhujhan(u) purai bhag(i)


Meaning of the difficult words: Vismad(u) - stage of immense pleasure, ecstacy; Nad(i) - sound; Ved - knowledge; Bhed - varieties; Jant - living beings; Agni - fire, passion; Khedeh(i) - play games; Vidan - strange games; Khani - four form of birth of life, born from an egg, mamals, plantlife and sweat; Sad(i) - in enjoyment; Sanjog(u) - meeting of the living beings; Vijog(u) - separation; Bhog - consuming of the materials; Salah - praise; Ujharh - corrupt way, mislead; Rah - right path; Vidan - miracle, wonder; Vekh(i) - to watch; Rahia vismad(u) - in state of enjoyment; Bujhan(u) - knowledge, to understand.


In this Cantos Guru Nanak Dev ji has described god's myraid, amazing and wondrous activities in a very beautiful way and by seeing these wonders the spiritually inclined people develop strange sensation of God's love in their minds and they feel immense pleasure in loving Him.

Guru Ji states that countless voices being generated in the Universe and knowledge of innumerable subjects, several species of life present in the Universe develop an indescribable ecstacy in the minds of spiritually inclined people. Different shapes of the living beings and their colours and the fact that several organisms are living naked in this Universe also generate admiration.

The amazing powers and actions of air, water fire and their astonishing feats create strange thrill in the minds.

The vast expanse of Earth and the birth of various organisms on this earth develop a great sense of pleasure on the human minds. It is astonishing to watch the living beings fully engrossed in the enjoyment of the materials of the world.

Somewhere, the living beings are uniting while at other places they are separating. Hunger of the materialistic things is overwhelming the minds of some people while others are enjoying these luxuries. all these things generate a feeling of consternation in the minds of a person on the road to attainment of God realisation.

some people are singing praises of the Lord while infidels are busy treading on unworthy paths. There are many who are engrossed in seeking the favours of the Lord. All these happenings in the world are creating a feeling of untold pleasure coupled with amazement in the minds of His devotess. For some the lord is near while to others. He appears far due to their acvtions. some consider Him ever present and near and all this creates an ecstatic feeling in the mind of a man.

The enchanting and wondrous happenings of the cosmos is generation untold ecstasy and wondrous feeling and this can only be realized by His kindness and fortune say Nanak.


Mehla - 1

Kudrat(i) disai, kudrat(i) Suniai, Kudrat(i) bhau sukh sar(u).

Kudrat(i) patali akasi, Kudrat(i) sarab akar.

Kudrat(i) ved puran kteba, Kudrat(i) sarab vichar.

Kudrat(i) khana pina painen(u), Kudrat(i) sarab piar(u).

Kudrat(i) jati jinsi rangi, Kudrat(i) ji jahan.

Kudrat(i) nekia, Kudrat(i) badia, Kudrat(i) man(u) abhiman(u).

Kudrat(i) paon(u) pani baisantar(u), Kudrat(i) dharti khak(u).

Sabh teri kudrat(i), tun kadar(u) karta, paki nai pak(u).

Nanak, hukmai andar(i) vekhai, vekhai, vertai tako tak(u).


Meaning of the difficult words: Kudrat(i) - cration of the God; Disai - whatever is seen; Sukh sar(u) - gist of comforts; Patali - in the neither world; Akasi - in the sky; Akar(u) - the whole visible form, the whole world; Ved puran kateb - religious books of Hindus, religious books of Muslims and Christians; Sarab Vichar - Complete thought; Jati - Casteism; Jinsi - in different forms; Rangi - in different colours, Jahan - world; Man(u) - respect; Abhiman(u) - pride, ego; Baisantar(u) - fire; Kadar(u) - master of Universe; Pak(i) - pure, holy; Nai - praise; Vekhai - look after; Tako tak(u) - one and only one; Vertai - happens, present.

Guru Ji says that whatever is being seen or heard is the creation of God. Similarly, God's creation is the couse of worldly fears and comforts of life. His creation can be seen everywhere, in the nether world, in the sky and in the whole Universe. the ideology of Vedas, other scriptures and the regligious books of Muslims and Christians is also Thy creation. His creation is existing in the form of food, clothing and the extensive worldly love and emotions amongst the loving beings. It is also existing in different castes, creed colour and gender. All the goods and evils, pride, arrogance and respect existing in the world are also His formulations. Air, water, fire and dust are all Lord's creations. The nature exists everywhere and Thou art the master of all that is existing. Thou art the creator, developer and the destroyer of this Universe. Thine praises are the most pious and pure. Thou art pious, Oh Lord. Thous keep the entire creation under Thine order and look after every one according to Thy will.


Pauri

Apinai bhog bhog(i) kai hoe bhasmarh(i) bhaur sidhaia.

Vada hoa dunidar(u), gal(u) sangal(u) ghat(i) chlaia.

Agai karni kirat(i) vachiai, beh(i) lekha kar(i) samjhaia.

Thaou(n) n hovi pudiey, hun(i) sunia kiya rooaia.

Man(i) andhai janam(u) gavaia.3.

Meanings of difficult words: Apinai - His ownself; Bhog - pleasure of materialistic things; Bhog(i) Kai - after enjoy the pleasure of things; Bhasmarh(i) - heap of ashes; Bhaur - element that is the cause of life - spirit; Sidhaia - went away, vanished; Vada hoa - dead; Dunidar(u) - worldly wide, gngrossed in money matters; Gal(i) - around the neck; Ghat(i) - to throw; Chlaia - made to proceed; Agai - after this life, to prepare for the next world; Karna - deeds, earnings; Karni Kirat(i) - earnings made by singing the praises of God; Vachiai - taken into consideration; Thaoun n hovi - don't get the place; Poudiee - beaten with shoes, insulted; Hun(i) - now, while getting the beating; Suniai - what to listen; Man(i) andhai - ignorant mind, knowledgeless person; Rooaia - to cry to scream.


Gurudev tells us that after enjoying the luxuries of this world all living beings die and become a heap of ashes and the bumble bee like spirit leaves and vanishes from the human body. When a person engrossed in mammon dies, it seems he is in fetters and being shoved and pushed around. In the life here after, the earnings that he may have procured in the form of Lords praises are accounted and based on these assets he is explained his balance sheet and the fruits that he may be entitled to on that account.

The sinners who are punished in the court of the Lord don't find a place to hide themselves in. Who would hear his shrieks and wails? he will have to bear the fruits of his bad deeds and how can he escape from them? An ignorant person wastes away his precious human life through evil deeds and actions.


29



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Darpan

Japu Ji Sahib : A preview .
Meaning of Jap(u) Ji in brief
How can the ever increasing chasm between God & man be bridged ? This can be achieved by following the Divine Orders obediently & developing one's temprament in harmony with Lord's character . If a son remains obedient to his father , it will remove all differences between them .
This gap cannot be removed by giving alms , bathing at places of pilgrimage or by the process of exercising control over breathing ( step 1 to 7 )
What is the method of following Divine Order ?
When a person obeys Guru's command increasingly & worships Lord , he starts experiencing a strange sweetness in His Will . There fore in order to follow His will & Order , a person has to absorb himself attentively in singing Lord's glory . This absorption or attention should be such that his mind gets enamoured in Lord's love & would not like to come out of this state of mind ( 8-15 ) .
The result of this attentiveness is not that a person be able to know the secrets of His creation . He is limitless & so is His creation . Engrossing or absorbing in Lord's glory will result in absolute obedience of His will ( 16-27 ).
As the ideology of charity , bathing at places of pilgrims of the Upanishads & breathing exercises are incapable of removing this yawning gap between a man & the God , similarly , the earings or the patched quilts worn by ascetics are not capable of bridging the gap either . Meditation or worshipping is the only means to reducing this distance ( one who is remembered becomes more lovable ) . Through love tempraments also become alike .
When the Lord bestows His grace , a person mediates on God selflessly . This is the only means of bridging the gap ( step 28-33 ) .
With the Lord's blessings , a person first rises above mundane life & percieves his ultimate aim of coming into the world . For fulfilment of what duties he has been sent ? When he acquires this realisation , then he comes out of the bond of attachments of the family & precieves the whole world as Lord's big family , he then strives to serve this big family . As the service of humanity enlarges his vision & perception of God , his ego reduces & he becomes a man of service to His creation . The door of Lord's creation opens upon him & he becomes no different than Him . As the gold ingot bears the heat in a crucible & strokes on the anvil , similarly a man has to mould or structure his mind into True Mind by meditation . What is that Mind ? Self-control , patience , intellegence , knowledge , reverential fear , hard work & love . It means that a person should first develop noble character , tolerance of others , give up idiosyncracies , inculcate high & broad thinking & fear of Almighty in his heart . He should work hard , serve the mankind & hold love & affection for the humanity in his heart . People enunciated in the last cantos as under :
The world is an ampitheatre in which each & every person is playing his predetermined role . Actions of every individual are keenly observed . those who indulge in the game of mammon , created a distance between God & themselves . But those who played the game of meditation , their efforts became fruitful . By guiding others on this true path , they themselves became triumphtant & honourabely aquitted in the court of the Lord .

Some Question-Answers Regarding Jap(u) Ji
Question : Why is this sacred composition called Jap(u) ?Why has Guru Arjan Sahib placed it in the beginning of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ? Why should this be recited daily ?

Answer: In the very first Pauri of this composition , a question has been raised as to how the
separation of a man from God may be removed . The answer that has been given is that by living according to God's will, this gap or difference can be eradicated. How could Lord's will be accepted happily? The answer is meditation. If a person gets engrossed in Lord's worship, He bestows increasing love upon him due to which all his actions find ready acceptance in his heart. Lord's actions are then considered sweet by him. Thus meditation or perpetual rememberance of the Lord is the only method of bringing down the wall of separation between man & God . The main theme of the composition revolves around the fact that no amount of charity , pilgrims , breathing exercises , wearing of externalities & observance of rituals can unite a man with the Lord Divine . It also throws up views on the last knwon subject of the creation of the Universe , Jog mat & other cults . The composition categorically suggest meditation on His name as the only means of God realisation . the composition elucidates the subject of meditation . Therefore it has been named as 'Jap(u)'