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The sparrow hawk. The hawk is mentioned only 5 times in Gurbani. There are two different ways that the hawk is understood. Here is one way: ਸੀਚਾਨੇ ਜਿਉ ਪੰਖੀਆ ਜਾਲੀ ਬਧਿਕ ਹਾਥਿ ॥ seechaanae jio pankheeaa jaalee badhhik haathh || Think of the hawk preying on the birds, and the net in the hands of the hunter. ਗੁਰਿ ਰਾਖੇ ਸੇ ਉਬਰੇ ਹੋਰਿ ਫਾਥੇ ਚੋਗੈ ਸਾਥਿ ॥ gur raakhae sae oubarae hor faathhae chogai saathh || Those who are protected by the Guru are saved; the others are caught by the bait. And this is the other vision of the hawk, from Sheik Farid: ਫਰੀਦਾ ਦਰੀਆਵੈ ਕੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਬਗੁਲਾ ਬੈਠਾ ਕੇਲ ਕਰੇ ॥ fareedhaa dhareeaavai kannhai bagulaa baithaa kael karae || Fareed, the crane perches on the river bank, playing joyfully. ਕੇਲ ਕਰੇਦੇ ਹੰਝ ਨੋ ਅਚਿੰਤੇ ਬਾਜ ਪਏ ॥ kael karaedhae hanjh no achinthae baaj peae || While it is playing, a hawk suddenly pounces on it. ਬਾਜ ਪਏ ਤਿਸੁ ਰਬ ਦੇ ਕੇਲਾਂ ਵਿਸਰੀਆਂ ॥ baaj peae this rab dhae kaelaan visareeaaan || When the Hawk of God attacks, playful sport is forgotten. ਜੋ ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਚੇਤੇ ਸਨਿ ਸੋ ਗਾਲੀ ਰਬ ਕੀਆਂ ॥੯੯॥ jo man chith n chaethae san so gaalee rab keeaaan ||99|| God does what is not expected or even considered. ||99||
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- May 13, 2008
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The owl is mentioned only one time by Guruji. In the Western tradition, the owl symbolizes wisdom, a keeness of sight perhaps the basis for this belief. Thus, going far back into pagan times and even today, the owl is understood to be a familiar of other planes of knowledge. An owl might be the companion of a witch, sorcerer or shaman. We say "wise as an owl." However, in Gurbani the owl is seen quite differently. The owl is not seen as wise. ਸੰਪਤ ਦੋਲ ਝੋਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਝੂਲਤ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਗਨ ਭ੍ਰਮਤ ਘੁਘਨਾ ॥ sanpath dhol jhol sang jhoolath maaeiaa magan bhramath ghughanaa || You swing in the swing of wealth, intoxicated with Maya, and you wander around like an owl. In the old Punjab, to see an owl perched on the rooftop of a house or on a tree nearby was considered to be a bad omen, perhaps even predicting a death, but certainly indicating that the events of the day would come to a sad end.
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- May 13, 2008
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The stork does not fare well in Gurbani. All the Gurus who sing of the stork compare the bird to a fraud, someone making a pretense of meditation and samadhi. So sitting like a stork within the Congregation of the Holy is something of a joke for Guruji. ਇਕਿ ਅਪਣੈ ਸੁਆਇ ਆਇ ਬਹਹਿ ਗੁਰ ਆਗੈ ਜਿਉ ਬਗੁਲ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਈਐ ॥੩॥ eik apanai suaae aae behehi gur aagai jio bagul samaadhh lagaaeeai ||3|| Some come for their own purposes, and sit before the Guru; they pretend to be in Samaadhi, like storks with their eyes closed. ||3||
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- May 13, 2008
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The cuckoo, member of the family of chatriks, whose photo was taken in the Haryana National Park. ਆਨ ਜਲਾ ਸਿਉ ਕਾਜੁ ਨ ਕਛੂਐ ਹਰਿ ਬੂੰਦ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਕਉ ਦੀਜੈ ॥੧॥ aan jalaa sio kaaj n kashhooai har boondh chaathrik ko dheejai ||1|| I am not concerned with any other water; please bless this songbird with a Drop of Your Water, Lord. ||1||
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- May 12, 2008
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The crane stands on one leg so gingerly and with such focus and concentration. Guru Nanak Dev often compared the crane to a sidh who stood on one leg in focused meditation. ਉਦਕ ਮਾਹਿ ਜੈਸੇ ਬਗੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਮਾਡੈ ॥੧॥ oudhak maahi jaisae bag dhhiaan maaddai ||1|| The heron appears to be meditating, but it is concentrating on the water. ||1||
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- May 12, 2008
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The Indian Vulture. In the United States, the species of vulture we have here is called Cathares aura or "the golden purifier." Among the aboriginal or native American peoples, the vulture is a power animal, one that uses the energy of the earth to sail in the sky and to pull away from the forces of gravity. The vulture cleans the earth of carrion and death, and never kills to feed itself. ਜਿਥੈ ਡਿਠਾ ਮਿਰਤਕੋ ਇਲ ਬਹਿਠੀ ਆਇ ॥੨॥ jithhai ddithaa mirathako eil behithee aae ||2|| - wherever the vulture sees a dead body, he flies down and lands. ||2|| In many religious traditions, the vulture is not a symbol of something disgusting. Rather it symbolizes purification. To dream of a vulture is considered a positive omen. The vulture indicates that all that is rotten in the core of the self will be eaten away.
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- May 12, 2008
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![ਜਉ ਤੁਮ ਗਿਰਿਵਰ ਤਉ ਹਮ ਮੋਰਾ ॥
jo thum girivar tho ham moraa ||
If You are the mountain, Lord, then I am the pea{censored}.
In Sikhi, the pea{censored} symbolizes the soul's craving for the Lord. In Shinto pea{censored}s symbolize compassion. I found this on the web, related to the Buddhist tradition:
"The association of this jewel-tone bird with its sun-like fan of a tail evocative of the Wheel of Dharma -- the Buddha's teachings, its connection to the ideas of immortality and compassion, and the unification of views or opposites, as well as the correspondence with the Garden which is the Pure Land, demonstrate in Mahayana Buddhism the archetypical nature of the relationship between the pea{censored} and Amitabha.
'In the depiction of this Buddha of Eternal Light, he is seated under a tree; we see its flowers and leaves peeking through the pavilion. Tenga Rinpoche says, " . . . birds, in particular, have strong desire and craving, so, as a symbol of craving transformed into discriminating wisdom, Amitabha's throne is supported by pea{censored}s."
'There are actually eight pea{censored}s that support his throne, one at each corner of the base. They stand for the idea that no matter the misdeeds committed during one's lifetime[s], rebirth is possible in Sukhavati, the Pure Land of Great Bliss that is the Western Paradise of Opameh [Tibetan for Amitabha]. Any and all evil-doing is eventually absorbed."](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/0/44-03cb7d37342f1de0e886f9d81251705a.jpg?1549336069)
ਜਉ ਤੁਮ ਗਿਰਿਵਰ ਤਉ ਹਮ ਮੋਰਾ ॥ jo thum girivar tho ham moraa || If You are the mountain, Lord, then I am the pea{censored}. In Sikhi, the pea{censored} symbolizes the soul's craving for the Lord. In Shinto pea{censored}s symbolize compassion. I found this on the web, related to the Buddhist tradition: "The association of this jewel-tone bird with its sun-like fan of a tail evocative of the Wheel of Dharma -- the Buddha's teachings, its connection to the ideas of immortality and compassion, and the unification of views or opposites, as well as the correspondence with the Garden which is the Pure Land, demonstrate in Mahayana Buddhism the archetypical nature of the relationship between the pea{censored} and Amitabha. 'In the depiction of this Buddha of Eternal Light, he is seated under a tree; we see its flowers and leaves peeking through the pavilion. Tenga Rinpoche says, " . . . birds, in particular, have strong desire and craving, so, as a symbol of craving transformed into discriminating wisdom, Amitabha's throne is supported by pea{censored}s." 'There are actually eight pea{censored}s that support his throne, one at each corner of the base. They stand for the idea that no matter the misdeeds committed during one's lifetime[s], rebirth is possible in Sukhavati, the Pure Land of Great Bliss that is the Western Paradise of Opameh [Tibetan for Amitabha]. Any and all evil-doing is eventually absorbed."
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- May 12, 2008
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The house crow. In the Punjab, these crows sit in groups on the rooftops of village houses. Although a familiar sight in the villages, in Gurbani, the crow is the symbol of spiritual doubt. And Guruji often compares the crow to those spiritually lost who wander from one deserted house to another. Guru Nanak said, ਕਿਆ ਹੰਸੁ ਕਿਆ ਬਗੁਲਾ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥ kiaa hans kiaa bagulaa jaa ko nadhar karaee || Which is the swan, and which is the crane? It is only by His Glance of Grace. ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਕਾਗਹੁ ਹੰਸੁ ਕਰੇਇ ॥੨॥ jo this bhaavai naanakaa kaagahu hans karaee ||2|| Whoever is pleasing to Him, O Nanak, is transformed from a crow into a swan. ||2|| And from Sant Kabir, ਉਰ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਪਗੁ ਨਾ ਖਿਸੈ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੀ ਆਸਾ ॥੧॥ our n bheejai pag naa khisai har dharasan kee aasaa ||1|| Her heart is not happy, but she does not retrace her steps, in hopes of seeing the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan. ||1|| ਉਡਹੁ ਨ ਕਾਗਾ ਕਾਰੇ ॥ ouddahu n kaagaa kaarae || So fly away, black crow,
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- May 12, 2008
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The Hawk-Cuckoo, this bird is also a member of the chatrik family. ਊਨਵਿ ਘਨਹਰੁ ਗਰਜੈ ਬਰਸੈ ਕੋਕਿਲ ਮੋਰ ਬੈਰਾਗੈ ॥ oonav ghanehar garajai barasai kokil mor bairaagai || The low-hanging clouds crack with thunder and burst. The cuckoos and the pea{censored}s are filled with passion, The chatriks of Gurbani are a family of songbirds that include the peafowl, nightingale, cuckoo and kohel.
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- May 12, 2008
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Another chatrik, similar to the partridge in Europe and North America. The chatrik in sriRaag is a symbol of the soul bride. ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਫਿਰੈ ਬਿਲਲਾਦੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਪਿਰ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੪॥ anadhin sadhaa firai bilalaadhee bin pir needh n paavaniaa ||4|| She wanders around continually, crying out, night and day. Without her Husband Lord, she cannot get any sleep. ||4||
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- May 12, 2008
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The Sheldrake or in Gurbani, the chakvi duck ਰੇ ਮਨ ਐਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਚਕਵੀ ਸੂਰ ॥ rae man aisee har sio preeth kar jaisee chakavee soor || O mind, love the Lord, as the chakvee duck loves the sun. In Gurbani, the chakvi duck is connected to a Hindu legend. Hindu legend says that the male and female cry all night for one another, and only become content when they meet again in the morning. This was the result of a sorcerer's curse on a princess and her forbidden lover. At night the male and female sleep apart on opposite banks of the river or pond. When the sun rises they are united. ਕਬੀਰ ਚਕਈ ਜਉ ਨਿਸਿ ਬੀਛੁਰੈ ਆਇ ਮਿਲੈ ਪਰਭਾਤਿ ॥ kabeer chakee jo nis beeshhurai aae milai parabhaath || Kabeer, the chakvi duck is separated from her love through the night, but in the morning, she meets him again. ਅਨਿਕ ਸੂਖ ਚਕਵੀ ਨਹੀ ਚਾਹਤ ਅਨਦ ਪੂਰਨ ਪੇਖਿ ਦੇਂਹ ॥ anik sookh chakavee nehee chaahath anadh pooran paekh dhaeneh || The chakvi duck does not desire many comforts, but it is filled with bliss upon seeing the dawn
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- May 12, 2008
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Another Kohel (Kokil) ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਜਲੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਰਿੰਗ ਕਉ ਹੋਇ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਇ ਵਾਸਾ ॥੪॥੩॥ kirapaa jal dhaehi naanak saaring ko hoe jaa thae thaerai naae vaasaa ||4||3|| Bestow the Water of Your Mercy upon Nanak, the thirsty song-bird, so that he may come to dwell in Your Name. ||4||3||
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- May 12, 2008
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This is Kohel, also called Kokil. The male is darker than the female. She spends her nights separated from her mate, and all night they cry to one another across the river banks. G ਕੋਕਿਲ ਹੋਵਾ ਅੰਬਿ ਬਸਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ kokil hovaa anb basaa sehaj sabadh beechaar || If I were to become a cuckoo, living in a mango tree, I would still contemplate the Word of the Shabad.
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- May 12, 2008
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The mango tree must look very large, even endless, to the songbird. It is cool, and it shelters her from the rain. In Gurbani the mango tree is a symbol for the Lord, who is our Shelter and our Support. ਜਿਉ ਕੋਕਿਲ ਕਉ ਅੰਬੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਤਿਉ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਰਾਮਈਆ ॥੨॥ jio kokil ko anb baalehaa thio maerai man raameeaa ||2|| and the mango is dear to the cuckoo, so is the Lord to my mind. ||2||
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- May 12, 2008
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