In an attempt to bring more Gurbani into our lives it would be great to analyse one shabad every week. It will be wonderful to get your thoughts about what the shabad is telling us and how we can implement it into our lives. The more contributors, the more we learn!
This is my interpretation of a shabad on Ang 48, inspired mostly by Prof Sahib Singh. The lines in blue are the literal English translation, the lines in green are my interpretation
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Such acts of external false devotion are not satisfactory for Waheguru. Who do you hide your thoughts and actions from? They are seen by the Waheguru in you. Parmatma is entirely present everywhere.
Summary:
Forget false rituals and practices. Devote your life to following the lessons taught by our Guru (SSGS) and worshipping the one Waheguru. Focus on your thoughts and actions and never forget or the good qualities you are aiming for, even for a second.
This is my interpretation of a shabad on Ang 48, inspired mostly by Prof Sahib Singh. The lines in blue are the literal English translation, the lines in green are my interpretation
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
The person who accepts that the guru is compassionate can find the support of Akaal Purakh.Sirīrāg mėhlā 5.
Siree Raag, Fifth Mehl:
ਸਰਣਿ ਪਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਹੋਆ ਕਿਰਪਾਲੁ ॥
Saraṇ pa▫e parabẖ āpṇe gur ho▫ā kirpāl.
The Guru is Merciful; we seek the Sanctuary of God.
With the help of the Guru’s teachings, escape can be obtained from all the tangles from the influences of maya.ਸਤਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਉਪਦੇਸਿਐ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸਰਬ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥
Saṯgur kai upḏesi▫ai binse sarab janjāl.
Through the Teachings of the True Guru, all worldly entanglements are eliminated.
That persons mind remains connected to Parmatma, and with the blessings of the amrit of Bani, that mind flourishes.ਅੰਦਰੁ ਲਗਾ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲੁ ॥੧॥
Anḏar lagā rām nām amriṯ naḏar nihāl. ||1||
The Name of the Lord is firmly implanted within my mind; through His Ambrosial Glance of Grace, I am exalted and enraptured. ||1||
O my mind, carefully perform the Seva instructed by the Guru.ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਾਰੁ ॥
Man mere saṯgur sevā sār.
O my mind, serve the True Guru.
Do not forget Akaal Purakh for even an instant, for the wink of an eye. Whoever undertakes this task is blessed. Reflect.ਕਰੇ ਦਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣੀ ਇਕ ਨਿਮਖ ਨ ਮਨਹੁ ਵਿਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Kare ḏa▫i▫ā parabẖ āpṇī ik nimakẖ na manhu visār. Rahā▫o.
God Himself grants His Grace; do not forget Him, even for an instant. ||Pause||
Always remembering and emulating Govind’s (Waheguru’s) good qualities can eradicate our own bad qualities.ਗੁਣ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਨਿਤ ਗਾਵੀਅਹਿ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਕਟਣਹਾਰ ॥
Guṇ govinḏ niṯ gavī▫ah avguṇ kataṇhār.
Continually sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe, the Destroyer of demerits.
After seeing the games and plays of maya, I understand that without Gurbani, inner peace cannot be obtained.ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ਕਰਿ ਡਿਠੇ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥
Bin har nām na sukẖ ho▫e kar diṯẖe bisthār.
Without the Name of the Lord, there is no peace. Having tried all sorts of ostentatious displays, I have come to see this.
When the mind remains joined to Parmatma then life remains good and we cross the world ocean.ਸਹਜੇ ਸਿਫਤੀ ਰਤਿਆ ਭਵਜਲੁ ਉਤਰੇ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੨॥
Sėhje sifṯī raṯi▫ā bẖavjal uṯre pār. ||2||
Intuitively imbued with His Praises, one is saved, crossing over the terrifying world-ocean. ||2||
Pilgrimages, fasts and thousands of acts of self-discipline are useless. Staying connected to the Guru is the true fast or pilgrimage. That is a truer endeavour.ਤੀਰਥ ਵਰਤ ਲਖ ਸੰਜਮਾ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਾਧੂ ਧੂਰਿ ॥
Ŧirath varaṯ lakẖ sanjmā pā▫ī▫ai sāḏẖū ḏẖūr.
The merits of pilgrimages, fasts and hundreds of thousands of techniques of austere self-discipline are found in the dust of the feet of the Holy.
ਲੂਕਿ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਕਿਸ ਤੇ ਜਾ ਵੇਖੈ ਸਦਾ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥
Lūk kamāvai kis ṯe jā vekẖai saḏā haḏūr.
From whom are you trying to hide your actions? God sees all;
ਥਾਨ ਥਨੰਤਰਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥੩॥
Thān thananṯar rav rahi▫ā parabẖ merā bẖarpūr. ||3||
He is Ever-present. My God is totally pervading all places and interspaces. ||3||
Such acts of external false devotion are not satisfactory for Waheguru. Who do you hide your thoughts and actions from? They are seen by the Waheguru in you. Parmatma is entirely present everywhere.
The true SatGuru’s rule is everywhere, the true SatGuru’s will is ever present, the true SatGuru is deeply seated in every body and every place.ਸਚੁ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀ ਅਮਰੁ ਸਚੁ ਸਚੇ ਸਚਾ ਥਾਨੁ ॥
Sacẖ pāṯisāhī amar sacẖ sacẖe sacẖā thān.
True is His Empire, and True is His Command. True is His Seat of True Authority.
ਸਚੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਧਾਰੀਅਨੁ ਸਚਿ ਸਿਰਜਿਓਨੁ ਜਹਾਨੁ ॥
Sacẖī kuḏraṯ ḏẖārī▫an sacẖ sirji▫on jahān.
True is the Creative Power which He has created. True is the world which He has fashioned.
Nanak says to live as per Gurbani and forever remain in awe of the creator.ਨਾਨਕ ਜਪੀਐ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਉ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੁ ॥੪॥੧੬॥੮੬॥[/FONT]
Naanak Japeeai Sach Naam Ho Sadhaa Sadhaa Kurabaan ||4||16||86||
O Nanak, chant the True Name; I am forever and ever a sacrifice to Him. ||4||16||86||
Summary:
Forget false rituals and practices. Devote your life to following the lessons taught by our Guru (SSGS) and worshipping the one Waheguru. Focus on your thoughts and actions and never forget or the good qualities you are aiming for, even for a second.