CREATION/ਰਚਨਾ
Creation is the visual manifestation of “Akal Purkh” as Its Sargun attribute in “Mother Nature” creating it with one word says Guru Nanak in his Japji;
ਕੀਤਾ ਪਸਾਉ ਏਕੋ ਕਵਾਉ ॥
Kīṯā pasā▫o eko kavā▫o.
You created the vast expanse of the Universe with One Word!-----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, 3-16
Creation is a divine act with further evolution taking over according to various religious, scientific, and philosophical explanations. Guru Nanak ponders further on creation in Raag Malar;
ਆਪੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਆਪੁ ਸਾਜਿ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਅੰਬਰੁ ਧਰਤਿ ਵਿਛੋੜਿ ਚੰਦੋਆ ਤਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਥੰਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਗਗਨੁ ਰਹਾਇ ਸਬਦੁ ਨੀਸਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਚੰਦੁ ਉਪਾਇ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਕੀਏ ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨੰਤੁ ਚੋਜ ਵਿਡਾਣਿਆ ॥ਤੀਰਥ ਧਰਮ ਵੀਚਾਰ ਨਾਵਣ ਪੁਰਬਾਣਿਆ ॥ਤੁਧੁ ਸਰਿ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ਕਿ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣਿਆ॥ਸਚੈ ਤਖਤਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ਹੋਰ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣਿਆ ॥
Āpīnĥai āp sāj āp pacẖẖāṇi▫ā. Ambar ḏẖaraṯ vicẖẖoṛ cẖanḏo▫ā ṯāṇi▫ā. viṇ thamĥā gagan rahā▫e sabaḏ nīsāṇi▫ā. Sūraj cẖanḏ upā▫e joṯ samāṇi▫ā. Kī▫e rāṯḏinanṯ cẖoj vidāṇi▫ā. Ŧirath ḏẖaram vīcẖār nāvaṇ purbāṇi▫ā. Ŧuḏẖ sar avar na ko▫e kė ākẖ vakẖāṇi▫ā. Sacẖai ṯakẖaṯ nivās hor āvaṇ jāṇi▫ā.
Akal Purkh created Itself, and understands Itself. Separating the sky and the earth, It has spread out Its canopy. Without any pillars, It supports the sky, through the insignia of Its Sabd. Creating the sun and the moon, It infused Its Light into them. It created the night and the day; wondrous are Its miraculous plays. It created the sacred shrines of pilgrimage, where people contemplate righteousness, and take cleansing baths on special occasions. There is no other equal to You; how can we speak and describe you? You are seated on the throne of Truth; all others come and go.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1279
Guru Arjan in Raag Gauri Guareri speaks about evolution IMHO;
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਭਏ ਕੀਟ ਪਤੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਜ ਮੀਨ ਕੁਰੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਪੰਖੀ ਸਰਪ ਹੋਇਓ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਹੈਵਰ ਬ੍ਰਿਖ ਜੋਇਓ ॥ਮਿਲੁ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਇਹ ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜਰੀਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸੈਲ ਗਿਰਿ ਕਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਰਭ ਹਿਰਿ ਖਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸਾਖ ਕਰਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਜੋਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਾਇਆ ॥ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਭਇਓ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ॥ਕਰਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ॥
Kayee Janam Bha-ay Keett Patangaa, “Kayee Janam Meen Kurangaa, Kayee Janam Pankhee Sarap Hooeyoo, Kayee Janam Haivar Birkh Jooeyoo, Mil Jagdeesh Milan Kee Baree-aa, Chirankaal Eh Deh Sanjaree-aa, Kayee Janam Sail Gir Kariaa, Kayee Janam Garabh Hir Khariaa, Kayee Janam Saakh Kar Oupaaey-aa, Lakh Chauraasee Joan Bharmaaey-aa, Saadh Sung Bhaeo Janam Praapat, Kar Seva Bhaj Har Har Gurmat.
In so many incarnations, you were a worm and an insect. In so many incarnations, you were an elephant, a fish and a deer. In so many incarnations, you were a bird and a snake. In so many incarnations, you were yoked as an ox and a horse. Now it is time to meet the Creator of the Universe. After so very long, this human body was fashioned for you. In so many incarnations, you were rocks and mountains; in so many incarnations, you were aborted in the womb. In so many incarnations, you developed branches and leaves. You wandered through 8.4 million incarnations. Through the Sadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, you obtained this human life. Do seva, selfless service; and vibrate the Eternal Akal Purkh's Name.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri Guareri, AGGS, Page, 176
The world and everything that exists anywhere was brought into existence out of nothing or void by the only One, Creator as expressed by Guru Nanak in Ragas Basant and Bilawal;
ਏਕੋ ਕਰਤਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਗੁ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਬਾਝੁ ਕਲਾ ਧਰਿ ਗਗਨੁ ਧਰੀਆ ॥
Ėko karṯā jin jag kī▫ā. Bājẖ kalā ḏẖar gagan ḏẖarī▫ā.
There is only One Creator, who created the world. Without any pillars, It supports the earth and the sky.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Basant, AGGS, Page, 1188-13
ਆਪੇ ਸਚੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ॥ਅੰਡਜ ਫੋੜਿ ਜੋੜਿ ਵਿਛੋੜਿ ॥ਧਰਤਿ ਅਕਾਸੁ ਕੀਏ ਬੈਸਣ ਕਉ ਥਾਉ ॥ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨੰਤੁ ਕੀਏ ਭਉ ਭਾਉ ॥ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖਣਹਾਰਾ ॥ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰਾ ॥
Āpė sacẖ kī¬ā kar joṛ. Andaj foṛ joṛ vicẖẖoṛ. Ḏẖaraṯ akās kī¬ė baisaṇ ka¬o thā¬o. Rāṯḏinanṯ kī¬ė bẖa¬o bẖā¬o. Jin kī¬ė kar vėkẖaṇhārā. Avar na ḏūjā sirjaṇhārā.
Akal Purkh Itself created the universe, joining the elements together. Breaking the cosmic egg, It united, and separated. Then made the earth and the sky into places to live, and created day and night, fear and love. The One, who created the Creation, also watches over it. There is no other Creator than Akal Purkh.
-----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 839
Gurus Nanak, Amardas, and Arjan in Ragas Ramkali, Bihagrha, Asa, Maru and Japji of AGGS explain the origin of creation created by One Creator. Creator was Nirgun (with out attributes) for 36 (many) ages before creation, when he becomes Sargun (with attributes/creation).
ਅਵਿਗਤੋ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਉਪਜੇ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਤੇ ਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਥੀਆ ॥
Avigaṯo nirmā¬il upjė nirguṇṯė sarguṇ thī¬ā.
From the formless Absolute arose the pure Essence; from the unattributed It became attributed. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Ramkali Sidh Gost, AGGS, Page, 940-14
Guru Ramdas in Raag Bihagrha ponders;
ਆਪੇ ਸਭ ਘਟ ਅੰਦਰੇ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਬਾਹਰਿ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਜਾਹਰਿ ॥ ਜੁਗ ਛਤੀਹ ਗੁਬਾਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਸੁੰਨਾਹਰਿ ॥ਓਥੈ ਵੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਨ ਸਾਸਤਾ ਆਪੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਰਹਰਿ ॥ਬੈਠਾ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਇ ਆਪਿ ਸਭ ਦੂ ਹੀ ਬਾਹਰਿ ॥ਆਪਣੀ ਮਿਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਗਉਹਰੁ ॥੧੮॥
Āpe sabẖ gẖat anḏre āpe hī bāhar. Āpe gupaṯ varaṯḏā āpe hī jāhar. Jug cẖẖaṯīh gubār kar varṯi▫ā sunnāhar. Othai veḏ purān na sāsṯā āpe har narhar. Baiṯẖā ṯāṛī lā▫e āp sabẖḏū hī bāhar. Āpṇī miṯ āp jāṇḏā āpe hī ga▫uhar. ||18||
Akal Purkh Itself is deep within all hearts, and is outside as well; prevailing unmanifest, and is manifest. For thirty-six ages, It created the darkness, abiding in the void. There were no Vedas, Puraanas or Shaastras there; only the Akal Purkh Itself existed sitting in the absolute trance, withdrawn from everything. Only It Itself knows Its state; and is the unfathomable ocean. ||18||-----Guru Amardas, Bihagra Ki Var, AGGS, Page, 555-17
Before the creation God was Nirgun (unseen or formless/Nirankar) after creation, It is perceived in physical form in Nature.
ਸਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਥਾਪੈ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੁਹ ਮਿਲਿ ਏਕੈ ਕੀਨੋ ਠਾਉ ॥
Sarguṇ nirguṇ thāpai nā¬o. Ḏuh mil ėkai kīno ṯẖā¬o.
Akal Purkh have been given the names of Seen (with attributes) and Unseen (with out attributes) and both of Its qualities mingled together to make the creation in the form of Cosmos.------Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 387-18
ਰਾਜ ਜੋਬਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੂੰ ਧਨੀ ॥ ਤੂੰ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਤੂੰ ਸਰਗੁਨੀ ॥
Rāj joban parabẖṯūʼn ḏẖanī. Ŧūʼn nirgun ṯūʼn sargunī.
You are present in many physical forms in the Mother Nature but before the creation It was Nirgun (unseen or formless/ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ) and after creation, It is perceived in physical form in Nature. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page 211-7
ਨਿਰਗੁਨੁ ਆਪਿ ਸਰਗੁਨੁ ਭੀ ਓਹੀ ॥
Nirgun āp sargun bẖī ohī.
Akal Purkh Itself is absolute and unrelated; and also involved and related. -----Guru Arjan, Gauri Sukhmani, AGGS, Page, 287-11
ਨਿਰਗੁਣੁ ਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੈ ਜੀਉ ਆਣਿ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ਜੀਉ ॥
Nirguṇ sarguṇ har har mėrā ko¬ī hai jī¬o āṇ milāvai jī¬o.
My Eternal Akal Purkh, is absolute and related, unmanifest and manifest; is there anyone who can come and unite me with It?-----Guru Arjan, Raag Majh, AGGS, Page, 98-2
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜੁਗ ਛਤੀਹ ਗੁਦਾਰੇ ॥
Hukmė jug cẖẖaṯīh guḏārė.
By Its Will or Command, the thirty-six ages (many) passed.------Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1037-6
Traditional Hindu scriptures view history as cyclical in character, with vast repeating series of ages. Each age has its own particular qualities. The smallest cycle is called a Maha Yuga i.e. 4,320,000 human years. The Puraanas describe a number of cycles within cycles. These cycles can become confusing because different cycles are measured in different types of units. For example, the cycles are often described in units of deva years, each of which equals 360 human years. Each Maha Yuga is subdivided into the following four ages, whose lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1: Brahma has a life of 100 years (One Age/Jug). One day of Brahma is equal to 4,320,000 human years.
Mahan Jug consists of 4 Jugs (Sat, Treta, Duapur and Kal).
Guru Arjan in Raag Maru describes about creation;
ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਉਤਪਾਤੀ ॥ਕੀਆ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਸਭ ਰਾਤੀ ॥ਵਣੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਣੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ਚਾਰਿ ਬੇਦ ਚਾਰੇ ਖਾਣੀ ॥ਖੰਡ ਦੀਪ ਸਭਿ ਲੋਆ ॥ਏਕ ਕਵਾਵੈ ਤੇ ਸਭਿ ਹੋਆ ॥ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰਾ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਰੇ ॥ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤ ਸੂਝੈ ਰੇ ॥
O¬ankār uṯpāṯī. Kī¬ā ḏinas sabẖ rāṯī. vaṇṯariṇṯaribẖavaṇ pāṇī. Cẖār bėḏ cẖārė kẖāṇī. Kẖand ḏīp sabẖ lo¬ā. Ėk kavāvai ṯė sabẖ ho¬ā. Karnaihārā būjẖhu rė. Saṯgur milai ṯa sūjẖai rė.
The One Universal Creator created the creation, and made all the days and the nights. The forests, meadows, three worlds, water, the four Vedas, the four sources of creation, the countries, the continents and all the worlds, have all come from the One Word of the Akal Purkh. Guess who the Creator is; By meeting the holy Preceptor comes such enlightenment.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1003
Guru Nanak questions and replies in Japji about creation;
ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਖਤੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਕਵਣ ਥਿਤਿ ਕਵਣੁ ਵਾਰੁ ॥ਕਵਣਿ ਸਿ ਰੁਤੀ ਮਾਹੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਹੋਆ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥ਵੇਲ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਪੰਡਤੀ ਜਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਲੇਖੁ ਪੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ਵਖਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਕਾਦੀਆ ਜਿ ਲਿਖਨਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ਥਿਤਿ ਵਾਰੁ ਨਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਰੁਤਿ ਮਾਹੁ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ॥ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ਕਿਵ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਾ ਕਿਵ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਕਿਉ ਵਰਨੀ ਕਿਵ ਜਾਣਾ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਣਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਆਖੈ ਇਕ ਦੂ ਇਕੁ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥ਵਡਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਵਡੀ ਨਾਈ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਆਪੌ ਜਾਣੈ ਅਗੈ ਗਇਆ ਨ ਸੋਹੈ ॥ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਆਗਾਸਾ ਆਗਾਸ ॥ਓੜਕ ਓੜਕ ਭਾਲਿ ਥਕੇ ਵੇਦ ਕਹਨਿ ਇਕ ਵਾਤ ॥ਸਹਸ ਅਠਾਰਹ ਕਹਨਿ ਕਤੇਬਾ ਅਸੁਲੂ ਇਕੁ ਧਾਤੁ ॥ਲੇਖਾ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਲੇਖੈ ਹੋਇ ਵਿਣਾਸੁ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਵਡਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਆਪੁ ॥
Kavaṇ so vėlā vakẖaṯ kavaṇ kavaṇ thiṯ kavaṇ vār. Kavaṇ se ruṯī māhu kavaṇ jiṯ ho¬ā ākār. vėl na pā¬ī¬ā pandṯī je hovai lėkẖ purāṇ. vakẖaṯ na pā¬i¬o kāḏī¬ā je likẖan lėkẖ kurāṇ. Thiṯ vār nā jogī jāṇai ruṯ māhu nā ko¬ī. Jā karṯā sirṯẖī ka¬o sājė āpė jāṇai so¬ī. Kiv kar ākẖā kiv sālāhī ki¬o varnī kiv jāṇā. Nānak ākẖaṇ sabẖ ko ākẖai ik ḏū ik si¬āṇā. vadā sāhib vadī nā¬ī kīṯā jā kā hovai. Nānak jė ko āpou jāṇai agai ga¬i¬ā na sohai. Pāṯālā pāṯāl lakẖ āgāsā āgās. Oṛak oṛak bẖāl thakė vėḏ kahan ik vāṯ. Sahas aṯẖārah kahan kaṯėbā asulū ik ḏẖāṯ. Lėkẖā ho¬ė ṯa likī¬ai lėkẖai ho¬ė viṇās. Nānak vadā ākẖī¬ai āpė jāṇai āp.
What was that time, and what was that moment? What was that day, and what was that date? What was that season, and what was that month, when the Universe was created? The Pundits, the religious scholars, cannot find that time, even if it is written in the Puraanas. That time is not known to the Qazis, who study the Koran. The day and the date are not known to the Yogis, nor is the month or the season. The Creator who created this creation-only Akal Purkh Itself knows. How can we speak of It? How can we praise It? How can we describe It? How can we know It? O, Nanak, everyone speaks of God, each one wiser than the rest. Great is the Master, Great is Its Name. Whatever happens is according to Its Will. O Nanak, one who claims to know everything shall not be decorated in the world hereafter. There are nether worlds beneath nether worlds, and hundreds of thousands of heavenly worlds above. The Vedas say that you can search and search for them all, until you grow weary. The scriptures say that there are 18,000 worlds, but in reality, there is only One Universe. If you try to write an account of this, you will surely finish yourself before you finish writing it. O Nanak, call Akal Purkh Great! It Itself knows Itself.-----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, 4 & 5
He further goes on in Japji;
The praisers praise the God, but they do not obtain intuitive understanding the streams and rivers flowing into the ocean do not know its vastness. Even kings and emperors, with mountains of property and oceans of wealth. These are not even equal to an ant, which does not forget God. Endless are Its Praises; endless are those who speak them. Endless are Its Actions, endless are Its Gifts. Endless is Its Vision, endless is Its Hearing. Its limits cannot be perceived. What is the Mystery of Its Mind? Its limits of the created universe cannot be perceived. Its limits here and beyond cannot be perceived. Many struggle to know Its limits, but Its limits cannot be found. No one can know these limits. The more you say about them, the more there still remains to be said. Great is the Master; High is Its Heavenly Home. Highest of the High, above all is Its Name. Only one as Great and as High as God can know Its Lofty and Exalted State. Only It Itself is that Great. It Itself knows Itself. O, Nanak, by Its Glance of Grace, It bestows Its Blessings. Its Blessings are so abundant that there can be no written account of them. The Great Giver does not hold back anything. There are so many great, heroic warriors begging at the Door of the Infinite God. So many contemplate and dwell upon It, that they cannot be counted. So many wastes away to death engaged in corruption. So many take and take again, and then deny receiving. So many foolish consumers keep on consuming. So many endure distress, deprivation and constant abuse. Even these are Your Gifts, O Great Giver! Liberation from bondage comes only by Your Will. No one else has any say in this. If some fool should presume to say that he does, He shall learn, and feel the effects of his folly. It Itself knows, and Itself gives. Few, very few are those who acknowledge this. One who is blessed to sing the Praises of the Akal Purkh? O, Nanak is the king of kings.
He further explains in Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1037;
ਸੁੰਨ ਕਲਾ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਿ ਧਾਰੀ ॥ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰੀ ॥ਆਪੇ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਸੁੰਨੁ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਪਉਣੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਸੁੰਨੈ ਤੇ ਸਾਜੇ ॥ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੜ ਰਾਜੇ ॥ਅਗਨਿ ਪਾਣੀ ਜੀਉ ਜੋਤਿ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ ਸੁੰਨੇ ਕਲਾ ਰਹਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ਸੁੰਨੇ ਵਰਤੇ ਜੁਗ ਸਬਾਏ ॥ਇਸੁ ਪਦ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਸਪਤ ਸਰੋਵਰ ਥਾਪੇ ॥ਜਿਨਿ ਸਾਜੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਆਪੇ ॥ਤਿਤੁ ਸਤ ਸਰਿ ਮਨੂਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਬਾਹੁੜਿ ਜੋਨਿ ਨ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਚੰਦੁ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਗੈਣਾਰੇ ॥ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸਾਰੇ ॥ਸੁੰਨੇ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਸੁੰਨੇ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਧਰਤਿ ਅਕਾਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ਬਿਨੁ ਥੰਮਾ ਰਾਖੇ ਸਚੁ ਕਲ ਪਾਏ ॥ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸਾਜਿ ਮੇਖੁਲੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਖਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਖਾਣੀ ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਉਪਜੀ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥ਉਤਭੁਜੁ ਚਲਤੁ ਕੀਆ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਤੈ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਦੇਖਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਦੁਇ ਕੀਏ ॥ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਸੁਖਾ ਦੁਖ ਦੀਏ ॥ਸੁਖ ਦੁਖ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਅਮਰੁ ਅਤੀਤਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਿਜ ਘਰੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਾਮ ਵੇਦੁ ਰਿਗੁ ਜੁਜਰੁ ਅਥਰਬਣੁ ॥ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਮੁਖਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਹੈ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ॥ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕੋ ਤਿਉ ਬੋਲੇ ਜਿਉ ਬੋਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਸਪਤ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਭਵਣ ਰਖੇ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥ਆਪੇ ਕਾਰਣੁ ਕੀਆ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਕੀਆ ਕਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਰਜ ਤਮ ਸਤ ਕਲ ਤੇਰੀ ਛਾਇਆ ॥ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗੁਣਿ ਚਉਥੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਉਪਜੇ ਦਸ ਅਵਤਾਰਾ ॥ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੀਆ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ ॥ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨਵ ਗਣ ਗੰਧਰਬ ਸਾਜੇ ਸਭਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਮਝੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ਇਹ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪਉੜੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਨੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ਜੁਗਹ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਪਰਾਇਣ ਸੋ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਭਇਆ ਪਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਸੁੰਨਹੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਾ ॥ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਕਰਮ ਅਭਿਆਸਾ ॥ਬੁਰਾ ਭਲਾ ਦੁਇ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਲੀਖੇ ਪਾਪੁ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਬੀਜਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਰਸਿ ਮਤਵਾਲੇ ॥ਰਿਧਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੂਰੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਦਾ ॥ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਘਨੇਰਾ ॥ਕੋਈ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਰਹੁ ਨਿਬੇਰਾ ॥ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਸਹਸਾ ਨਰੁ ਲੋਭੀ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਇਦਾ ॥ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਪਾਏ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਸਚੇ ਘਰ ਬਾਰਾ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਦੁ ਸਬਦ ਧੁਨਿ ਸਚੁ ਰਾਮੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਦਾ ॥
In the Primal Void, the Infinite Akal Purkh assumed Its Power and being unattached, infinite and incomparable. It exercised Its Creative Power, and gazes upon Its creation; from the Primal Void, It fashioned air and water. Then created the universe, and became the king in the fortress of the body. Its Light pervades fire, water and souls. From this Primal Void, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva issued forth. This Primal Void is pervasive throughout all the ages. That humble being who contemplates this state is perfect; meeting with him, doubt is dispelled. From this Primal Void, the seven seas were established. The One, who created them, It self, contemplates them. That human being who becomes Guru willed, who bathes in the pool of Truth, is not cast into the womb of reincarnation again. From this Primal Void, came the moon, the sun and the earth. Its Light pervades all the three worlds. The God of this Primal Void is unseen, infinite and immaculate; It is absorbed in the Primal Trance of Deep Meditation. From this Primal Void, the earth and the skies were created. It supports them without any visible support, by exercising Itss True Power. It fashioned the three worlds, and the rope of Maya; and Itself creates and destroys. From this Primal Void, came the four sources of creation, and the power of speech. They were created from the Void, and they will merge into the Void. The Supreme Creator created the play of Nature; through the Word of Its Sabd, and stages Its Wondrous Show. From this Primal Void, God made both night and day; Creation and destruction pleasure and pain. The Guru willed is immortal, untouched by pleasure and pain. He obtains the home of his own inner being. The Saam Veda, the Rig Veda, the Jujar Veda and the At'harva Veda from the mouth of Brahma; they speak of the three Gunas, the three qualities of Maya. None of them can describe Its worth. We speak as God inspires us to speak. From the Primal Void, It created the seven nether regions. From the Primal Void, It established this world to lovingly dwell upon It. The Infinite God It self created the creation. Everyone acts as You make them act, God. Your Power is diffused through the three gunas: raajas, taamas and satva. Through egotism, they suffer the pains of birth and death. Those blessed by Its Grace become Guru willed; they attain the fourth state, and are liberated. From the Primal Void, the ten incarnations welled up. Creating the Universe, It made the expanse, and fashioned the demi-gods and demons, the heavenly heralds and celestial musicians; everyone acts according to their past karma. The Guru willed understands, and does not suffer the disease. How rare are those who understand this ladder of the Guru. Throughout the ages, they are dedicated to liberation, and so they become liberated; thus they are honored. From the Primal Void, the five elements became manifest. They joined to form the body, which engages in actions. Both bad and good are written on the forehead, the seeds of vice and virtue. The True Guru, the Primal Being, is sublime and detached. Attuned to the Word of the Sabd, He is intoxicated with the sublime essence of the Akal Purkh. Riches, intellect, miraculous spiritual powers and spiritual wisdom are obtained from the Guru; through perfect destiny, they are received. This mind is so in love with Maya. Only a few are spiritually wise enough to understand and know this. In hope and desire, egotism and skepticism, the greedy man acts falsely. From the True Guru, contemplative meditation is obtained. And then, one dwells with the True Creator in Its celestial home, the Primal State of Absorption in Deepest meditation. O, Nanak, the immaculate sound current of the Naad, and the Music of the Sabd resound; one merges into the True Name of the God. Wherever I look, I see the God, merciful to the meek. God is compassionate; and does not come or go but pervades all beings in Its mysterious way; the Sovereign God remains detached. The world is a reflection of God; and has no father or mother, sister or brother. There is no creation or destruction for It; and has no ancestry or social status. The Ageless Creator is pleasing to my mind. You are the Deathless Primal Being. Death does not hover over Your head. You are the unseen inaccessible and detached Primal Akal Purkh. You are true and content; the Word of Your Sabd is cool and soothing. Through it, we are lovingly, intuitively attuned to You. The three qualities are pervasive; the Akal Purkh dwells in Its home, the fourth state. It has made death and birth into a bite of food. The immaculate Light is the Life of the whole world. The Guru reveals the unstruck melody of the Sabd. Sublime and good are those humble Saints, the Beloveds of the God. They are intoxicated with the sublime essence of the Akal Purkh, and are carried across to the other side. Nanak is the dust of the holy Saints; by Guru's Grace, he finds the Akal Purkh. You are the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts. All beings belong to You. You are the Great Giver; I am Your slave. Please be merciful and bless me with Your Ambrosial Naam, and the jewel, the lamp of the Guru's spiritual wisdom. From the union of the five elements, this body was made. Finding the Akal Purkh, the Supreme Soul, peace is established. The good karma of past actions brings fruitful rewards, and man is blessed with the jewel of the It's Name. His mind does not feel any hunger or thirst. He knows the Immaculate God to be everywhere, in each and every heart. Imbued with the God's ambrosial essence, he becomes a pure, detached renunciates; he is lovingly absorbed in the Guru's Teachings. Whoever does the deeds of the soul, day and night? Sees the immaculate Divine Light deep within. Enraptured with the delightful essence of the Sabd, the source of nectar, my tongue plays the sweet music of the flute. He alone plays the sweet music of this flute, who knows the three worlds? O, Nanak, know this, through the Guru's Teachings, and lovingly focus on the God's Name.
Guru Arjan Reveals further in Raag Maru:
The Primal God ordains Union and separation. The puppet is made from the five elements. By the Command of the Dear King, the soul came and entered into the body. In that place, where the fire rages like an oven, in that darkness where the body lies face down there, one remembers his God and Master with each and every breath, and then he is rescued. Then, one comes out from within the womb, and forgetting his God and Master, he attaches his consciousness to the world. He comes and goes, and wanders in reincarnation; he cannot remain anywhere. The Merciful Akal Purkh Itself emancipates, Which created and established all beings and creatures. Those who depart after having been victorious in this priceless human life - O Nanak, their coming into the world is approved. The One Akal Purkh alone is our help and support; neither physician nor friend, nor sister nor brother can be this. Its actions alone come to pass, and It washes off the filth of sins. Meditate in remembrance on that Supreme Creator, Which abides in each and every heart, and dwells in all; Its seat and place are eternal. It does not come or go, and is always with us. Its actions are perfect. It is the Savior and the Protector of Its devotees. The Saints live by meditating on God, the support of the breath of life. The Almighty God and Master is the Cause of causes; Nanak is a sacrifice to It.
Guru Gobind Singh describes God in Zafarnama: D.G. Page, 1394-112-115
ਅਗੰਜੋ ਅਭੰਜੋ ਅਰੂਪੋ ਅਰੇਖ ॥ ਅਗਾਧੋ ਅਬਾਧੋ ਅਭਰਮੋ ਅਲੇਖ ॥ ਅਰਾਗੋ ਅਰੂਪੋ ਅਰੇਖੋ ਅਰੰਗ ॥ ਅਜਨਮੋ ਅਬਰਨੋ ਅਭੂਤੋ ਅਭੰਗ ॥ ਅਛੇਦੋ ਅਭੇਦੋ ਅਕਰਮੋ ਅਕਾਮ ॥ ਅਖੇਦੋ ਅਭੇਦੋ ਅਭਰਮੋ ਅਭਾਮ ॥ ਅਰੇਖੋ ਅਭੇਖੋ ਅਲੇਖੋ ਅਭੰਗ ॥ ਖ਼ੁਦਾਵੰਦ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਿੰਦਹੇ ਰੰਗ ਰੰਗ ॥ ੧੧੫ ॥ ੧ ॥
Aganjo, Abhanjo, Arupo Arekh, Arougo, Aroopou, Arekho, Arung; Ajnamo, Abrano, Abhootou, Abhang, “Achedou, Abhedou, Akarmou, Akarm; Akhedou, Abhedhou, Abharmou, Abharam, Arekho, Abhekhou, Alekhou, Abhang; Khudawand, Bakhshanda-ae, Rung, Rung.
Akal Purkh is Immortal, Formless, Deep, eternal, and with out doubt and limit. It is with out color, beauty and music; is above birth and death, imperceptible and with out destruction. It is neither impregnable nor irrefutable, is above karma and desire, and is above pain, divisions, secrets, suspicion & spouse. Akal Purkh is with out line or guise and cannot be written about. It is indestructible, self-existent and bestows many kinds pleasures and gratifications.
ਏਕੋ ਧਰਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੈ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਸੋਈ ॥
Eko Dharam Drehrhai Such Koyee; Gurmat Poora Jug Jug Hoyee.
There is only one religion of Righteousness; let everyone grasp this truth. Through the Guru's Teachings, one becomes perfect in all ages.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Basant, Page, AGGS 1188-15
Dharma defined by Webster dictionary; Dutiful observance of the Universal Cosmic Law with right conduct.
Conclusion:
ਘਲੇ ਆਣੇ ਆਪਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਦੂਜਾ ਮਤੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ਢਾਹਿ ਉਸਾਰੇ ਸਾਜਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਭ ਸੋਇ ॥
Gẖalė āṇė āp jis nāhī ḏūjā maṯai ko­ė. Dẖāhi usārė sāj jāṇai sabẖ so­ė.
The God It self sends out, and recalls the mortal beings; no one else gives It advice and It self demolishes constructs, creates, and knows everything.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 729-17
Virinder S.Grewal
