Deciphering the Widsom of the Guru Who Experienced the Lord

pk70 · #1 (**permalink**) 20-Jan-2009, 09:55 AM

Deciphering the wisdom of the Guru who experienced the Lord

There is a Saloka by Second Nanak on 139 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, it is not as simple as it has been translated and interpreted, I think. Let’s go over it to see what Guru ji really meant, if we can.
ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੨ ॥ ਅਖੀ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਵੇਖਣਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਕੰਨਾ ਸੁਨਣਾ ॥ ਪੈਰਾ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਚਲਣਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਹਥਾ ਕਰਣਾ ॥ ਜੀਭੈ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਬੋਲਣਾ ਇਉ ਜੀਵਤ ਮਰਣਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣਿ ਕੈ ਤਉ ਖਸਮੈ ਮਿਲਣਾ ॥੧॥
Salok mėhlā 2. Akẖī bājẖahu vekẖ▫ṇā viṇ kanna sunṇā. Pairā bājẖahu cẖalṇā viṇ hathā karṇā. Jībẖai bājẖahu bolṇā i▫o jīvaṯ marṇā. Nānak hukam pacẖẖāṇ kai ṯa▫o kẖasmai milṇā. ||1||
Slok, Second Guru. To see without eyes to hear without ears, to walk without feet, to work without hands, and to speak without tongue; like this one remain dead whilst alive. O Nanak! then does the mortal meet his Spouse by recognising His will. (Translation by Manmohan Singh ji)
xਜੇਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਵੇਖੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਰੂਪ ਤੱਕਣ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਵਲੋਂ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਅੱਖਾਂਨੂੰ ਹਟਾ ਕੇ ਜਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖੀਏ), ਕੰਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਸੁਣੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਸੁਣਨ ਦੀਵਾਦੀ ਹਟਾ ਕੇ ਇਹ ਕੰਨ ਵਰਤੀਏ), ਜੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਤੁਰੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਮੰਦੇ ਪਾਸੇਵਲ ਦੌੜਨ ਤੋਂ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਜ ਰੱਖੀਏ), ਜੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੰਮ ਕਰੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇਪਰਾਇਆ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਵਲੋਂ ਰੋਕ ਕੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਤੀਏ), ਜੇ ਜੀਭ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਬੋਲੀਏ, (ਭਾਵ ਜੇ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਹਟਾ ਕੇ ਜੀਭ ਤੋਂ ਬੋਲਣ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ ਲਈਏ), -ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂਜਿਊਂਦਿਆਂ ਮਰੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਖਸਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਪਛਾਣੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੀਦਾਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਲਈਏ ਕਿ ਖਸਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵਲੋਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਆਦਿਕ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਵੇਂਵਰਤਣ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਪਈਦਾ ਹੈ)।੧। (Dr. Sahib Singh Ji)
[ Dr Sahib Singh Ji, Translation in essence: If we do not use eyes to look at things belonging to others, do not listen to slandering, do not walk towards bad deeds, do not use hands to take away from others or hurt others, don’t use tongue to slander others, this is called dead being alive.(This way) Nanak says if His Ordinance is understood, mortals meet the Lord]

Look carefully, both, S. Manmohan Singh ji and Dr. Sahib Singh ji have tried to interpret the wisdom filled idea of Second Nanak. Still I am not satisfied. There is no difference between Sant Singh Khalsa ji and Manmohan Singh’s translations of this Sloka; both of them have given just a literal translation of the words without any message clearly expressed. Dr. Sahib Singh ji has done efforts at least to insert meaning in there. About this, a SPN member once stated “It is not all about what is being said in interpretations, its Guru Ji’s personal experience and it is very hard to understand without that kind of state of mind just as only a mother can explain the labor wrapped in pain and joy”. I agree with him doubtlessly; may be it is addressed to those who have higher level in spiritual pursuit. I have pondered over it numerous times but couldn’t figure it out if my understanding of this Saloka matches Guru Message exactly. The worst attempt will be to go away from Guru Message. After reading the second Guru Vaak, I have realized that there is an answer of the previous one Saloka and I have felt to share it with others. So read on. First, there is a question, then follows the answer (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 139):
ਮਃ ੨ ॥ ਦਿਸੈ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਸਾਉ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਰੁਹਲਾ ਟੁੰਡਾ ਅੰਧੁਲਾ ਕਿਉ ਗਲਿ ਲਗੈ ਧਾਇ ॥ ਭੈ ਕੇ ਚਰਣ ਕਰ ਭਾਵ ਕੇ ਲੋਇਣ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹੈ ਸਿਆਣੀਏ ਇਵ ਕੰਤ ਮਿਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥
Mėhlā 2. Ḏisai suṇī▫ai jāṇī▫ai sā▫o na pā▫i▫ā jā▫e. Ruhlā tundā anḏẖulā ki▫o gal lagai ḏẖā▫e. Bẖai ke cẖaraṇ kar bẖāv ke lo▫iṇ suraṯ kare▫i. Nānak kahai si▫āṇī▫e iv kanṯ milāvā ho▫e. ||2||
Second Guru. The Lord is seen heard of and known but His relish is not obtained. How can a lame, armless and blind person run to embrace the Lord? Make fear of God thine feet, His love thine hands and His understanding thine eyes. Sayeth Nanak in this way, O wise woman! the union with the Bridegroom is accomplished.
(ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ) ਦਿੱਸ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, (ਉਸ ਦੀ ਜੀਵਨ-ਰੌ ਸਾਰੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਵਿਚ) ਸੁਣੀ ਜਾਰਹੀ ਹੈ, (ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਜਾਪ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ (ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹੈ, ਫਿਰਭੀ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਿਲਾਪ ਦਾ) ਸੁਆਦ (ਜੀਵ ਨੂੰ) ਹਾਸਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। (ਇਹ ਕਿਉਂ?) ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇਕਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਲਈ (ਜੀਵ ਦੇ) ਨਾਹ ਪੈਰ ਹਨ, ਨਾਹ ਹੱਥ ਹਨ ਤੇ ਨਾਹ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਹਨ (ਫਿਰ ਇਹ) ਕਿਵੇਂ ਭੱਜ ਕੇ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ) ਗਲ ਜਾ ਲੱਗੇ? ਜੇ (ਜੀਵ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ) ਡਰ (ਵਿਚਤੁਰਨ) ਨੂੰ (ਆਪਣੇ) ਪੈਰ ਬਣਾਏ, ਪਿਆਰ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਬਣਾਏ ਤੇ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ) ਯਾਦ (ਵਿਚਜੁੜਨ) ਨੂੰ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਬਣਾਏ, ਤਾਂ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਹੇ ਸਿਆਣੀ (ਜੀਵ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀਏ)! ਇਸਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਖਸਮ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/gurmat-vichaar/23877-deciphering-widsom-guru-who-experienced-lord.html
[ Dr Sahib Singh Translation in essence: Lord is seen pervading(in His creation), from His play it is certain He in there, even then the mortals cannot enjoy His union. Why it is so?. Answer is this that, to meet the Lord, mortals have no feet, no hands and no eyes, how they can run to Him to embrace Him. (Guru Answers) If the mortals make fear of the Lord their feet, love for Him their hands, to be imbued with Him their eyes, Nanak says, the mortal is met with the Lord]IM

·We have feet, hands and eyes but Guru ji says we don’t have the ones that can help in uniting with the Lord, obviously what we have is useless as the vital things are missing in us to meet the Lord. Fortunately Guru ji defines, how this union with the Lord can occur and what kind of feet, hands and eyes we need for that. Here lies the answer of the tough Saloka no 1. There is a need of fear of the Lord that should curb our free style actions that make the soul filthy, so this fear should work as feet to approach to Him. Second one is the Love for the Lord, it’s the love for the lord that enables us to hug Him, in only love we melt and we over come our own controlling ego etc. Another important factor is that the love shouldn’t be tainted or divided to pursue other things too, that love will work as hands to embrace the Lord. The next one is the full attention of the mind set on the Lord, that attention should act as eyes to behold the Lord. We do not need eyes that are diverting our attention. So this is the way for a soul bride to be united with the Lord husband. Now look at the first Saloka. Those eyes, ears, feet, hands and tongue are not needed to be with Him because they are programmed otherwise, so they will not help us at all in uniting with our Lord. The “Self” needs to be eradicated and seeker should live without it and understand His perfect Ordinance. Remember
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23877
·ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਵੈ ਆਸ ਨਾਇ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਇਐ ॥
Pūran hovai ās nā▫e man vasā▫i▫ai.
One's hopes are fulfilled, when one's mind is filled with the Name.
ਕੋਇ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਬਿਘਨੁ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇਐ ॥ (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 520)
Ko▫e na lagai bigẖan āp gavā▫i▫ai.
No obstacles stand in the way, when one eliminates his self-conceit.
· Most of the times these eyes, feet, hands, ears and tongue actually mislead us to understand His Ordinance, that is why Guru states, if there is sincere longing for the Lord, consider them of no use in His pursuit, instead, fear (high kind of respect), love for the Lord and a complete attention of the mind on Him, should be used to pursue the union with the Lord otherwise rest is just a talk. Since it is said out of the experience I am million miles away, I may not be able to address all what Guru ji has tried to say, forgive me for that.

G. Singh

pk70 · #2 (**permalink**) 20-Jan-2009, 23:43 PM

Guru ji very explicitly is giving the reason how our eyes are unable to behold the Lord, (because they are taken over by Maya).
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਹਸਾ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਨੈਣੀ ਲਾਗਸਿ ਬਾਣੀ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਣਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸਾ ਪਰਤਾਪਹਿਗਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ॥੪॥੨॥ (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 877)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23877
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23877
Within me is doubt; without, I am surrounded by mammon which hits me in the eyes, like an arrow. Prays Nanak, become thou the slave of the Lord's slaves, O mortal, otherwise thou shalt be greatly distressed.
ਪ੍ਰਭੂਦੇ ਸੇਵਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੇਵਕ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ-ਹੇ ਜੀਵ! ਜਿਤਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਵਿਚਬਾਹਰਲੀ (ਦਿੱਸਦੀ) ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ ਸੁੰਦਰਤਾ ਖਿੱਚ ਪਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ, ਤੇਰੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਸਹਜ ਬਣਿਆਰਹੇਗਾ ਤੇ ਤੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਦੁਖੀ ਰਹੇਂਗਾ।੪।੨।
How HE is seen, well described, only those will understand who know to learn from the experienced one
ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਧਾ ਤੇ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ॥ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਆਨੰਦ ਭਏ ਮੈ ਦੇਖਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਓ*ੁ ॥
God's man meets with God, meets with God through faith, and meets with God, by the Guru's Grace. My mind and body are in bliss, for I have seen my God, the King.
ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਆਪਣੇਕਿਸੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਸੇਵਕ ਦੀ) ਸਰਧਾ-ਭਾਵਨੀ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸਰਨਪਿਆਂ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ। (ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਮਿਹਰ ਨਾਲ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਭੀ) ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹ ਦਾ ਦਰਸਨਕੀਤਾ, ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਤਨ ਵਿਚ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੀ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋ ਗਈ

pk70 · #3 (**permalink**) 22-Jan-2009, 01:21 AM

Kiram jio
The Guru Vak ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਵੈ ਆਸ ਨਾਇ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਇਐ is taken from a pouri(8) from Rag Gujri ki Vaar by Fifth Nanak. To understand it in a broad context, let me quote the pouri in complete
ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਘਣਾ ਦਯਿ ਧਿਆਇਐ ॥ ਵੰਞੈ ਰੋਗਾ ਘਾਣਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਐ ॥ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਠਾਢਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਇਐ ॥ ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਵੈ ਆਸ ਨਾਇ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਇਐ ॥ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਬਿਘਨੁ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇਐ ॥ ਗਿਆਨ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਮਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਪਾਇਐ ॥ ਤਿਨਿ ਪਾਏ ਸਭੇ ਥੋਕ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਿ ਦਿਵਾਇਐ ॥ ਤੂੰ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਖਸਮੁ ਸਭ ਤੇਰੀ ਛਾਇਐ ॥੮॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23877
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23877
Pa▫oṛī. Hovai sukẖ gẖaṇā ḏa▫yi ḏẖi▫ā▫i▫ai. vañai rogā gẖāṇ har guṇ gā▫i▫ai. Anḏar varṯai ṯẖādẖ parabẖ cẖiṯ ā▫i▫ai. Pūran hovai ās nā▫e man vasā▫i▫ai. Ko▫e na lagai bigẖan āp gavā▫i▫ai. Gi▫ān paḏārath maṯ gur ṯe pā▫i▫ai. Ŧin pā▫e sabẖe thok jis āp ḏivā▫i▫ai. Ŧūŉ sabẖnā kā kẖasam sabẖ ṯerī cẖẖā▫i▫ai. ||8||
Pauri. Man gets great peace by meditating on the Lord The multitudes of maladies vanish by singing God's glories. peace reigns within, by contemplating over the Lord. Hope is fulfilled by enshrining the Name within the mind. No obstacle befalls a man, if he effaces his self-conceit. The mind obtains Diving knowledge, dainties and understanding from the Guru. He, whom the Lord Himself gives, receives all the things. Thou art the Master of all and all are under Thy protection.
It is about a successful journey of uniting with the Lord. It starts with meditating on Lord, one being totally into Lord’s praise, one gets something what others don’t, that is the stable peace in mind, and it is stilled and is free from any kind of turbulence. As the name of the Lord takes over the mind, in other words when one is imbued with the Lord, mind is satisfied. The devotee doesn’t hope for all kinds of things as “sansaari” are engrossed with. To have eternal peace is the hope devotee harbors. This way the hope is fulfilled. Guru also says further that it is the self-conceit that hinders this progression of the soul, if that” self” is under control, nothing hinders. Further it is stressed that the divine knowledge about the Lord and to reach to Him is obtained through the Guru. Must remember all this precious things are given by the Lord. After all, the Lord is the Master and all are under His protection.
Hope it is useful for you.

pk70 · #4 (**permalink**) 22-Jan-2009, 12:12 PM

More from Guru ji on it

It is the curtain which is removed through True Guru and then invisibility of the Lord disappears, Lord who seems invisible becomes visible as per following verifications given by Guru Sahiban
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23877
ਪੰਨਾ 55, ਸਤਰ 6ਜਹਦੇਖਾਤਹ ਏਕੁ ਤੂੰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23877
Jah ḏekẖā ṯah ek ṯūŉ saṯgur ḏī▫ā ḏikẖā▫e.
Wherever I look, I see only You. The True Guru has inspired me to see You.
ਮਃ 1
ਪੰਨਾ 107, ਸਤਰ 14ਭੈ ਭਉ ਭਰਮੁ ਖੋਇਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈਦੇਖਾਸਭਨੀ ਜਾਈ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥
Bẖai bẖa▫o bẖaram kẖo▫i▫ā gur pūrai ḏekẖā sabẖnī jā▫ī jī▫o. ||2||
Fear, dread and doubt have been dispelled by the Perfect Guru; now, I see God everywhere. ||2||
ਮਃ 5