Deciphering the wisdom of the Guru who experienced the Lord
There is a Saloka by Second Nanak on 139 SGGS 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)
xਜੇ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਵੇਖੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਰੂਪ ਤੱਕਣ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਵਲੋਂ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਟਾ ਕੇ ਜਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖੀਏ), ਕੰਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਸੁਣੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਸੁਣਨ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਹਟਾ ਕੇ ਇਹ ਕੰਨ ਵਰਤੀਏ), ਜੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਤੁਰੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਮੰਦੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਵਲ ਦੌੜਨ ਤੋਂ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਜ ਰੱਖੀਏ), ਜੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੰਮ ਕਰੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਪਰਾਇਆ 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 ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਜਿਊਂਦਿਆਂ ਮਰੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਖਸਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਪਛਾਣੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੀਦਾ ਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਲਈਏ ਕਿ ਖਸਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵਲੋਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਆਦਿਕ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਵਰਤਣ 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 (SGGS 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.
(ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ) ਦਿੱਸ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, (ਉਸ ਦੀ ਜੀਵਨ-ਰੌ ਸਾਰੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਵਿਚ) ਸੁਣੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ, (ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਜਾਪ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ (ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹੈ, ਫਿਰ ਭੀ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਿਲਾਪ ਦਾ) ਸੁਆਦ (ਜੀਵ ਨੂੰ) ਹਾਸਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। (ਇਹ ਕਿਉਂ?) ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਕਿ 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 (ਵਿਚ ਤੁਰਨ) ਨੂੰ (ਆਪਣੇ) ਪੈਰ ਬਣਾਏ, ਪਿਆਰ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਬਣਾਏ ਤੇ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ) ਯਾਦ (ਵਿਚ ਜੁੜਨ) ਨੂੰ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਬਣਾਏ, ਤਾਂ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਹੇ ਸਿਆਣੀ (ਜੀਵ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀਏ)! ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਖਸਮ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।
[ 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
· [/FONT]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
· [/FONT]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 ॥ (SGGS Ji 520)
Ko▫e na lagai bigẖan āp gavā▫i▫ai.
No obstacles stand in the way, when one eliminates his self-conceit.
· [/FONT] 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
There is a Saloka by Second Nanak on 139 SGGS 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)
xਜੇ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਵੇਖੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਰੂਪ ਤੱਕਣ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਵਲੋਂ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਟਾ ਕੇ ਜਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖੀਏ), ਕੰਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਸੁਣੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਸੁਣਨ ਦੀ ਵਾਦੀ ਹਟਾ ਕੇ ਇਹ ਕੰਨ ਵਰਤੀਏ), ਜੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਤੁਰੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਮੰਦੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਵਲ ਦੌੜਨ ਤੋਂ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਜ ਰੱਖੀਏ), ਜੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੰਮ ਕਰੀਏ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਪਰਾਇਆ 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 ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਜਿਊਂਦਿਆਂ ਮਰੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਖਸਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਪਛਾਣੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੀਦਾ ਹੈ (ਭਾਵ, ਜੇ ਇਹ ਸਮਝ ਲਈਏ ਕਿ ਖਸਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵਲੋਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਆਦਿਕ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਵਰਤਣ 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 (SGGS 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.
(ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ) ਦਿੱਸ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, (ਉਸ ਦੀ ਜੀਵਨ-ਰੌ ਸਾਰੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਵਿਚ) ਸੁਣੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ, (ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਤੋਂ) ਜਾਪ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ (ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹੈ, ਫਿਰ ਭੀ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਿਲਾਪ ਦਾ) ਸੁਆਦ (ਜੀਵ ਨੂੰ) ਹਾਸਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। (ਇਹ ਕਿਉਂ?) ਇਸ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਕਿ 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 (ਵਿਚ ਤੁਰਨ) ਨੂੰ (ਆਪਣੇ) ਪੈਰ ਬਣਾਏ, ਪਿਆਰ ਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਬਣਾਏ ਤੇ (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ) ਯਾਦ (ਵਿਚ ਜੁੜਨ) ਨੂੰ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਬਣਾਏ, ਤਾਂ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਹੇ ਸਿਆਣੀ (ਜੀਵ-ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀਏ)! ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਖਸਮ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।
[ 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
· [/FONT]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
· [/FONT]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 ॥ (SGGS Ji 520)
Ko▫e na lagai bigẖan āp gavā▫i▫ai.
No obstacles stand in the way, when one eliminates his self-conceit.
· [/FONT] 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
