This month we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of SPN. Most of us are familiar with the shabad “Lakh Khushiyan Patshaian” which is frequently sung at happy occasions. It is probably the most requested shabad of all! I thought it would be good to use this occasion to explore this shabad together and figure out what the true message is and what it means for us in our daily life.
I thought I would try a different technique this week and the shabad will be spread across 2 weeks. In order to encourage conversation I’ll only post my interpretation next week. I’m providing the shabad in full with a translation of each word. The words discussed by Prof Sahib Singh are presented with his meanings. The other words are presented from my Panjabi knowledge (which is limited) so corrections very welcome! Where there are multiple meanings, I will try and provide them all.
Please put the words together and come up with your own understanding for sharing. Please share so we can all learn together…
This shabad can be found on Ang 44. It is written in Sree Raag by Guru Arjun Ji.
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
सिरीरागु महला ५ ॥
Sirīrāg mėhlā 5.
Siree Raag, Fifth Mehl:
ਸਭੇ ਥੋਕ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜੇ ਆਵੈ ਇਕੁ ਹਥਿ ॥
सभे थोक परापते जे आवै इकु हथि ॥
Sabẖe thok parāpaṯe je āvai ik hath.
All things are received if the One is obtained.
ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਸਚਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਥਿ ॥
जनमु पदारथु सफलु है जे सचा सबदु कथि ॥
Janam paḏārath safal hai je sacẖā sabaḏ kath.
The precious gift of this human life becomes fruitful when one chants the True Word of the Shabad.
ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਥਿ ॥੧॥
गुर ते महलु परापते जिसु लिखिआ होवै मथि ॥१॥
Gur ṯe mahal parāpaṯe jis likẖi▫ā hovai math. ||1||
One who has such destiny written on his forehead enters the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, through the Guru. ||1||
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਏਕਸ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
मेरे मन एकस सिउ चितु लाइ ॥
Mere man ekas si▫o cẖiṯ lā▫e.
O my mind, focus your consciousness on the One.
ਏਕਸ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭ ਧੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
एकस बिनु सभ धंधु है सभ मिथिआ मोहु माइ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Ėkas bin sabẖ ḏẖanḏẖ hai sabẖ mithi▫ā moh mā▫e. ||1|| rahā▫o.
Without the One, all entanglements are worthless; emotional attachment to Maya is totally false. ||1||Pause||
ਲਖ ਖੁਸੀਆ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀਆ ਜੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥
लख खुसीआ पातिसाहीआ जे सतिगुरु नदरि करेइ ॥
Lakẖ kẖusī▫ā pāṯisāhī▫ā je saṯgur naḏar kare▫i.
Hundreds of thousands of princely pleasures are enjoyed, if the True Guru bestows His Glance of Grace.
ਨਿਮਖ ਏਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਇ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
निमख एक हरि नामु देइ मेरा मनु तनु सीतलु होइ ॥
Nimakẖ ek har nām ḏe▫e merā man ṯan sīṯal ho▫e.
If He bestows the Name of the Lord, for even a moment, my mind and body are cooled and soothed.
ਜਿਸ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਚਰਨ ਗਹੇ ॥੨॥
जिस कउ पूरबि लिखिआ तिनि सतिगुर चरन गहे ॥२॥
Jis ka▫o pūrab likẖi▫ā ṯin saṯgur cẖaran gahe. ||2||
Those who have such pre-ordained destiny hold tight to the Feet of the True Guru. ||2||
ਸਫਲ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਸਫਲਾ ਘੜੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
सफल मूरतु सफला घड़ी जितु सचे नालि पिआरु ॥
Safal mūraṯ saflā gẖaṛī jiṯ sacẖe nāl pi▫ār.
Fruitful is that moment, and fruitful is that time, when one is in love with the True Lord.
ਦੂਖੁ ਸੰਤਾਪੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥
दूखु संतापु न लगई जिसु हरि का नामु अधारु ॥
Ḏūkẖ sanṯāp na lag▫ī jis har kā nām aḏẖār.
Suffering and sorrow do not touch those who have the Support of the Name of the Lord.
ਬਾਹ ਪਕੜਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਕਾਢਿਆ ਸੋਈ ਉਤਰਿਆ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੩॥
बाह पकड़ि गुरि काढिआ सोई उतरिआ पारि ॥३॥
Bāh pakaṛ gur kādẖi▫ā so▫ī uṯri▫ā pār. ||3||
Grasping him by the arm, the Guru lifts them up and out, and carries them across to the other side. ||3||
ਥਾਨੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਥੈ ਸੰਤ ਸਭਾ ॥
थानु सुहावा पवितु है जिथै संत सभा ॥
Thān suhāvā paviṯ hai jithai sanṯ sabẖā.
Embellished and immaculate is that place where the Saints gather together.
ਢੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਨੋ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਲਭਾ ॥
ढोई तिस ही नो मिलै जिनि पूरा गुरू लभा ॥
Dẖo▫ī ṯis hī no milai jin pūrā gurū labẖā.
He alone finds shelter, who has met the Perfect Guru.
ਨਾਨਕ ਬਧਾ ਘਰੁ ਤਹਾਂ ਜਿਥੈ ਮਿਰਤੁ ਨ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਰਾ ॥੪॥੬॥੭੬॥
नानक बधा घरु तहां जिथै मिरतु न जनमु जरा ॥४॥६॥७६॥
Nānak baḏẖā gẖar ṯahāʼn jithai miraṯ na janam jarā. ||4||6||76||
Nanak builds his house upon that site where there is no death, no birth, and no old age. ||4||6||76||
I thought I would try a different technique this week and the shabad will be spread across 2 weeks. In order to encourage conversation I’ll only post my interpretation next week. I’m providing the shabad in full with a translation of each word. The words discussed by Prof Sahib Singh are presented with his meanings. The other words are presented from my Panjabi knowledge (which is limited) so corrections very welcome! Where there are multiple meanings, I will try and provide them all.
Please put the words together and come up with your own understanding for sharing. Please share so we can all learn together…
This shabad can be found on Ang 44. It is written in Sree Raag by Guru Arjun Ji.
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
सिरीरागु महला ५ ॥
Sirīrāg mėhlā 5.
Siree Raag, Fifth Mehl:
ਸਭੇ ਥੋਕ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜੇ ਆਵੈ ਇਕੁ ਹਥਿ ॥
सभे थोक परापते जे आवै इकु हथि ॥
Sabẖe thok parāpaṯe je āvai ik hath.
All things are received if the One is obtained.
ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਸਚਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਥਿ ॥
जनमु पदारथु सफलु है जे सचा सबदु कथि ॥
Janam paḏārath safal hai je sacẖā sabaḏ kath.
The precious gift of this human life becomes fruitful when one chants the True Word of the Shabad.
ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਥਿ ॥੧॥
गुर ते महलु परापते जिसु लिखिआ होवै मथि ॥१॥
Gur ṯe mahal parāpaṯe jis likẖi▫ā hovai math. ||1||
One who has such destiny written on his forehead enters the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, through the Guru. ||1||
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਏਕਸ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
मेरे मन एकस सिउ चितु लाइ ॥
Mere man ekas si▫o cẖiṯ lā▫e.
O my mind, focus your consciousness on the One.
ਏਕਸ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭ ਧੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
एकस बिनु सभ धंधु है सभ मिथिआ मोहु माइ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Ėkas bin sabẖ ḏẖanḏẖ hai sabẖ mithi▫ā moh mā▫e. ||1|| rahā▫o.
Without the One, all entanglements are worthless; emotional attachment to Maya is totally false. ||1||Pause||
ਲਖ ਖੁਸੀਆ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀਆ ਜੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥
लख खुसीआ पातिसाहीआ जे सतिगुरु नदरि करेइ ॥
Lakẖ kẖusī▫ā pāṯisāhī▫ā je saṯgur naḏar kare▫i.
Hundreds of thousands of princely pleasures are enjoyed, if the True Guru bestows His Glance of Grace.
ਨਿਮਖ ਏਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਇ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
निमख एक हरि नामु देइ मेरा मनु तनु सीतलु होइ ॥
Nimakẖ ek har nām ḏe▫e merā man ṯan sīṯal ho▫e.
If He bestows the Name of the Lord, for even a moment, my mind and body are cooled and soothed.
ਜਿਸ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਚਰਨ ਗਹੇ ॥੨॥
जिस कउ पूरबि लिखिआ तिनि सतिगुर चरन गहे ॥२॥
Jis ka▫o pūrab likẖi▫ā ṯin saṯgur cẖaran gahe. ||2||
Those who have such pre-ordained destiny hold tight to the Feet of the True Guru. ||2||
ਸਫਲ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਸਫਲਾ ਘੜੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
सफल मूरतु सफला घड़ी जितु सचे नालि पिआरु ॥
Safal mūraṯ saflā gẖaṛī jiṯ sacẖe nāl pi▫ār.
Fruitful is that moment, and fruitful is that time, when one is in love with the True Lord.
ਦੂਖੁ ਸੰਤਾਪੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥
दूखु संतापु न लगई जिसु हरि का नामु अधारु ॥
Ḏūkẖ sanṯāp na lag▫ī jis har kā nām aḏẖār.
Suffering and sorrow do not touch those who have the Support of the Name of the Lord.
ਬਾਹ ਪਕੜਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਕਾਢਿਆ ਸੋਈ ਉਤਰਿਆ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੩॥
बाह पकड़ि गुरि काढिआ सोई उतरिआ पारि ॥३॥
Bāh pakaṛ gur kādẖi▫ā so▫ī uṯri▫ā pār. ||3||
Grasping him by the arm, the Guru lifts them up and out, and carries them across to the other side. ||3||
ਥਾਨੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਥੈ ਸੰਤ ਸਭਾ ॥
थानु सुहावा पवितु है जिथै संत सभा ॥
Thān suhāvā paviṯ hai jithai sanṯ sabẖā.
Embellished and immaculate is that place where the Saints gather together.
ਢੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਨੋ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਲਭਾ ॥
ढोई तिस ही नो मिलै जिनि पूरा गुरू लभा ॥
Dẖo▫ī ṯis hī no milai jin pūrā gurū labẖā.
He alone finds shelter, who has met the Perfect Guru.
ਨਾਨਕ ਬਧਾ ਘਰੁ ਤਹਾਂ ਜਿਥੈ ਮਿਰਤੁ ਨ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਰਾ ॥੪॥੬॥੭੬॥
नानक बधा घरु तहां जिथै मिरतु न जनमु जरा ॥४॥६॥७६॥
Nānak baḏẖā gẖar ṯahāʼn jithai miraṯ na janam jarā. ||4||6||76||
Nanak builds his house upon that site where there is no death, no birth, and no old age. ||4||6||76||