[This weekend there were several propositions. I could have talked about a species of judicial corruption pertaining to the retired chief justice of India who, along with his family, is currently in the dock for all the wrong reasons. I was a kind of eye-witness to the unfair treatment he meted out to his own subordinates in the matter of promotions. That brings out his image as a schemer and a manipulator. I was instrumental in bringing it to the notice of the highest in the land – but of course, nothing happened. Then I could have written about Mr. Achuttanandan, the beleagured chief minister of Kerela. There is a Sikh angle to why he had to face the recent humiliation. One of my valuable colleagues was insisting that I talk further about the recent Sikh struggle to which also I am an eye-witness.
Suddenly however, the stunning beauty and the extreme contemporary relevance of the Guru’s revelation in the verses collected under Vaaran te Wadhik thrust itself on the consciousness. It appears that the first fourteen verses form a coherent, distinct whole. The fifteenth must also be looked upon as complementary. The twin streams of the Guru’s desire to convey the truth as he has realised it and to help the entire humankind are obvious in these verses, as elsewhere. He particularly addresses the innocent youth (using the metaphor of mundh, or a bewitching young beauty innocent of the intricacies of existence) who have fallen pray to materialism and tells them that there is life beyond and that aspect should engage their attention. He recommends integration with spiritual and intellectual pursuits as a more rewarding life style, that is at the same time more conducive to the ultimate purpose of life. There will be disagreements as we mostly know only a part of the story. But I hope the protesters will appreciate that Nanak is under an eternal obligation to state the Truth. Despite his deep concern for the welfare of the world, he is not out to make a kill – to convert. He makes his position that is deeply influenced by his proximity to the Ultimate Reality, crystal clear, states his proposition and leaves the rest to the discerning human mind endowed with the faculty of mature thought. As far as he is concerned, he would brave the oceanic waves and tear through the lake of fire (uncontrolled desire) and would squarely look the ferocious tiger (passion) pursuing humankind, in the eye. He talks of training his own mind of instructing the self and leaves it to others to emulate his example if they are so persuaded. But he does not quit before graphically bringing home the crucial importance of rationality and intellect in the battle for salvation. This is done in the fifteenth verse. Those who followed his advice became a powerful force in history, disseminating benign impulses to enrich humankind.
This is my excuse for attempting a translation of the verses of Guru Nanak. I do not know whether it is the right translation. When one is presenting a scripture, the realisation of inadequacy is not a policy matter, it is a dire necessity. Even the higher degree of humility required may not be sufficient. I, therefore, recommend that it is best to consider the following a working paper from which the reader may graduate to better understanding by personal application, grounded in personal experience.- Gurtej Singh]
ਸਲੋਕ ਵਾਰਾਂ ਤੇ ਵਧੀਕ ॥ ਮਹਲਾ ੧॥
ਉਤੰਗੀ ਪੈਓਹਰੀ ਗਹਿਰੀ ਗੰਭੀਰੀ॥
‘O tall young one with well formed body (breasts), acquire some seriousness.’
ਸਸੁੜਿ ਸੁਹੀਆ ਕਿਵ ਕਰੀ ਨਿਵਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਥਣੀ॥
‘How should I do courtesy to the mother-in-law, the breasts (arrogance of youth) forbid humility.’
ਗਚੁ ਜਿ ਲਗਾ ਗਿੜਵੜੀ ਸਖੀਏ ਧਉਲਹਰੀ॥
‘Consider friend, the well plastered mansions rivalling mountains,’
ਸੇ ਭੀ ਢਹਦੇ ਡਿਠੁ ਮੈ ਮੁੰਧ ਨ ਗਰਬੁ ਥਣੀ॥੧॥
Bewitching girl, I have seen even those fall, the breasts must inspire no arrogance.’1.
ਸੁਣਿ ਮੁੰਧੇ ਹਰਣਾਖੀਏ ਗੂੜਾ ਵੈਣੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ॥
‘Attractive doe-eyed girl, heed the sane advice being rendered seriously.’
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਵਸਤੁ ਸਿਞਾਣਿ ਕੈ ਤਾਂ ਕੀਚੈ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ॥
‘Discern first the nature of goods and then deal in them (make choices).’
ਦੋਹੀ ਦਿਚੈ ਦੁਰਜਨਾ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਕੂੰ ਜੈਕਾਰੁ॥
‘Shun squarely the evil inspiring and celebrate beneficial friendships.’
ਜਿਤੁ ਦੋਹੀ ਸਜਣ ਮਿਲਨਿ ਲਹੁ ਮੁੰਧੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥
‘Give consideration to the calling that earns good friends.’
ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਸਜਣਾ ਐਸਾ ਹਸਣੁ ਸਾਰੁ॥
‘Surrender mind and body to goodness (good inclinations), this is the essence of happiness.’
ਤਿਸ ਸਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਨ ਕੀਚਈ ਜਿ ਦਿਸੈ ਚਲਣਹਾਰੁ॥
‘Do not have affection for the obviously fleeting phenomenal.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿ ਨੀ ਇਵ ਕਰਿ ਬੁਝਿਆ ਤਿਨਾ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਕੁਰਬਾਣੁ॥੨॥
‘Those who understand it in this context, unto them Nanak is a willing sacrifice.’ 2.
ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਤਾਰੂ ਪਾਣਿ ਤਾਹੂ ਪੁਛੁ ਤਿੜੰਨ ਕਲ॥
‘Should you aspire to swim over water, be instructed by expert swimmers.’
ਤਾਹੂ ਖਰੇ ਸੁਜਾਣ ਵੰਞਾ ਏਨੀ ਕਪਰੀ॥੩॥
‘They are the thoroughly accomplished, who pierce these billows.’ 3.
ਝੜ ਝਖੜ ਓਹਾੜ ਲਹਰੀ ਵਹਨਿ ਲਖੇਸਰੀ॥
‘Come rain, storm or flood when myriad waves issue forth in succession.’
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਆਲਾਇ ਬੇੜੇ ਡੁਬਣਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਭਉ॥੪॥
‘Call upon the True Guru, and obviate the fear of the ship capsizing.’ 4.
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਕੈਸੀ ਹੋਈ॥
‘Nanak such has become the world;
ਸਾਲਕੁ ਮਿਤੁ ਨ ਰਹਿਓ ਕੋਈ॥
no truly trustworthy sympathetic guide remains.’
ਭਾਈ ਬੰਧੀ ਹੇਤੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ॥
‘Love of a brother, a relative is abandoned lightly.’
ਦੁਨੀਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ॥੫॥
‘For the sake of the worldly, spirituality is cast away.’5.
ਹੈ ਹੈ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਓਹਿ ਕਰੇਨਿ॥
‘Then loudly lamenting they grieve,’
ਗਲਾ ਪਿਟਨਿ ਸਿਰੁ ਖੋਹੇਨਿ॥
‘beating their cheeks they pluck hair on their heads.’
ਨਾਉ ਲੈਨਿ ਅਰੁ ਕਰਨਿ ਸਮਾਇ॥
‘Those who accept the discipline and become well-adjusted,
ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਇ॥੬॥
Nanak cherishes such ones.’ 6.
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਡੀਗਿ ਨ ਡੋਲੀਐ ਸੀਧੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਧਾਉ॥
‘Train the mind not to falter, not to waver and to march determinedly on the straight path (of spirituality),’
ਪਾਛੈ ਬਾਘੁ ਡਰਾਵਣੋ ਆਗੈ ਅਗਨਿ ਤਲਾਉ॥
‘even when there is a ferocious tiger (aggressive instincts) in pursuit and a lake of fire (uncontrolled desire) is in front.’
ਸਹਸੈ ਜੀਅਰਾ ਪਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਮਾ ਕਉ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਢੰਗੁ॥
‘Uncertainty, fear possess the mind for I know of no other method (to secure salvation).’
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਛੁਟੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗੁ॥੭॥
‘Nanak aid of the Guru oriented relieves (allays fear) and earns one the company of the loving God.’7.
ਬਾਘੁ ਮਰੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਹੋਇ॥
‘He, who accepts Guru’s instructions, trains the mind and defeats the (pursuing) tiger.’
ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੋਇ॥
‘Self-realisation, unites with God and eliminates further possibility of (life and) death.’
ਕੀਚੜਿ ਹਾਥੁ ਨ ਬੂਡਈ ਏਕਾ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲਿ॥
‘One is not submerged by the mire, a single look (of mercy) bestows felicity.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਉਬਰੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਰਵਰੁ ਸਚੀ ਪਾਲਿ॥੮॥
‘Nanak, the Guru-oriented one emerges, (is saved by) the Guru, who is a (purifying) lake bounded by Truth.’ 8.
ਅਗਨਿ ਮਰੈ ਜਲੁ ਲੋੜਿ ਲਹੁ ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਰ ਨਿਧਿ ਜਲੁ ਨਾਹਿ॥
‘If being consumed by fire, seek water. Without the Guru-source, there is no water.’
ਜਨਮਿ ਮਰੈ ਭਰਮਾਈਐ ਜੇ ਲਖ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਹਿ॥
‘Performance of a hundred thousand rituals, (merely) consigns one to the cycle of life and death.’
ਜਮੁ ਜਾਗਾਤਿ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜੇ ਚਲੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਭਾਇ॥
‘Death gets no dominion over one who confirms to the conduct approved by the Guru.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਅਮਰ ਪਦੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲੈ ਮੇਲਾਇ॥੯॥
Nanak, immaculate indeed is eternal life. It is obtained when the Guru facilitates merger with God.’ 9.
ਕਲਰ ਕੇਰੀ ਛਪੜੀ ਕਊਆ ਮਲਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਇ॥
‘At the muddy pond (of worldly entanglements), the less informed beings (crows) bathe applying dirt to themselves.’
ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਅਵਗੁਣੀ ਚਿੰਜੁ ਭਰੀ ਗੰਧੀ ਆਇ॥
‘Mind and body are soiled by bad conduct, the beak too comes to be filled with falsehood.’
ਸਰਵਰੁ ਹੰਸਿ ਨ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਕਾਗ ਕੁਪੰਖੀ ਸੰਗਿ॥
‘The rightly motivated swans, because of the company of the perverted crows, fail to distinguish the (pure water) lake, the Guru, from the dirty pond.’
ਸਾਕਤ ਸਿਉ ਐਸੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਹੈ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਰੰਗਿ॥
‘The knowledgable ones be informed, such is the result of keeping company with the perverted.’
ਸੰਤ ਸਭਾ ਜੈਕਾਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਉ॥
‘Proclaiming victory to the congregation of the good, earn merit by adopting the practises of the God-ward bound.’
ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਦਰੀਆਉ॥੧੦॥
‘Bathe to purify Nanak, Guru is the river, the place of pilgrimage.’ 10.
ਜਨਮੇ ਕਾ ਫਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਗਣੀ ਜਾਂ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਭਾਉ॥
‘At naught can be assessed the gain of the human birth, if there be no devotion to God, no love of God (in life).’
ਪੈਧਾ ਖਾਧਾ ਬਾਦਿ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਮਨਿ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਉ॥
‘Adornments and consumption are of no avail if the mind professes love of the other (than God).’
ਵੇਖਣੁ ਸੁਨਣਾ ਝੂਠੁ ਹੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਝੂਠਾ ਆਲਾਉ॥
‘Then, it is falsehood that one sees, one hears and the mouth utters falsehood too.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਲਾਹਿ ਤੂ ਹੋਰੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਆਵਉ ਜਾਉ॥੧੧॥
‘Nanak, accept (His) discipline, all else is self-centredness that begets transmigration alone. 11.
ਹੈਨਿ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਘਣੇ ਫੈਲ ਫਕੜੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ॥੧੨॥
‘Nanak, (those who accept His Will) are far between, not many, empty shells fill rest of the world.’ 12.
ਨਾਨਕ ਲਗੀ ਤੁਰਿ ਮਰੈ ਜੀਵਣ ਨਾਹੀ ਤਾਣੁ॥
‘Nanak, one stricken (by the love of God), immediately relaxes hold on worldly pursuits and dies unto the world.’
ਚੋਟੈ ਸੇਤੀ ਜੋ ਮਰੈ ਲਗੀ ਸਾ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ॥
He who dies (to the world) gains (God’s) acceptance.’
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਲਾਏ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਗੈ ਲਗੀ ਤਾ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ॥
He, whom He strikes, alone is struck and being struck is the mark of acceptance.
ਪਿਰਮ ਪੈਕਾਮੁ ਨ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਲਾਇਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸੁਜਾਣਿ॥੧੩॥
‘(Once embedded), the arrow of love is not extracted for it is shot by an accomplished Marksman. 13.’
ਭਾਂਡਾ ਧੋਵੈ ਕਉਣੁ ਜਿ ਕਚਾ ਸਾਜਿਆ॥
‘It (the human body) is a vessel fashioned from mud, none can wash it.’
ਧਾਤੂ ਪੰਜਿ ਰਲਾਇ ਕੂੜਾ ਪਾਜਿਆ॥
Five elements have been blended to create a perishable body.’
ਭਾਂਡਾ ਆਣਗੁ ਰਾਸਿ ਜਾਂ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵਸੀ॥
The vessel becomes worthwhile when it receives His Grace.’
ਪਰਮ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਾਗਾਇ ਵਾਜਾ ਵਾਵਸੀ॥੧੪॥
‘Lighting the eternal light, (He) sounds his trumpet.’14.
ਮਨਹੁ ਜਿ ਅੰਧੇ ਘੂਪ ਕਹਿਆ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ॥
Those who are stone blind mentally, those who do not recognise the inherent implication (of human birth) to (serve the Truth);’
ਮਨਿ ਅੰਧੈ ਊਂਧੈ ਕਵਲ ਦਿਸਨਿ ਖਰੇ ਕਰੂਪ॥
‘whose minds are like the (impervious) inverted lotus, they appear downright ugly.’
ਇਕਿ ਕਹਿ ਜਾਣਨਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਬੁਝਨਿ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਸੁਘੜ ਸਰੂਪ॥
‘Some receive instructions, fathom the importance of the advice, they are the very wise ones.’
ਇਕਨਾ ਨਾਦੁ ਨ ਬੇਦੁ ਨ ਗੀਅ ਰਸੁ ਰਸੁ ਕਸੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੰਤਿ॥
‘There are others who do not appreciate soulful music, intellectual activity fine arts or poetry.’
ਇਕਨਾ ਸਿਧਿ ਨ ਬੁਧਿ ਨ ਅਕਲਿ ਸਰ ਅਖਰ ਕਾ ਭੇਉ ਨ ਲਹੰਤਿ॥
‘They are the ones who have no accomplishments, no intellectual capacity and cannot gauge the importance of the written word.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਅਸਲਿ ਖਰ ਜਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰੰਤ॥੧੫॥
‘Nanak, in reality, those who are arrogant but devoid of merit, are the unwise ones.’ 15
Suddenly however, the stunning beauty and the extreme contemporary relevance of the Guru’s revelation in the verses collected under Vaaran te Wadhik thrust itself on the consciousness. It appears that the first fourteen verses form a coherent, distinct whole. The fifteenth must also be looked upon as complementary. The twin streams of the Guru’s desire to convey the truth as he has realised it and to help the entire humankind are obvious in these verses, as elsewhere. He particularly addresses the innocent youth (using the metaphor of mundh, or a bewitching young beauty innocent of the intricacies of existence) who have fallen pray to materialism and tells them that there is life beyond and that aspect should engage their attention. He recommends integration with spiritual and intellectual pursuits as a more rewarding life style, that is at the same time more conducive to the ultimate purpose of life. There will be disagreements as we mostly know only a part of the story. But I hope the protesters will appreciate that Nanak is under an eternal obligation to state the Truth. Despite his deep concern for the welfare of the world, he is not out to make a kill – to convert. He makes his position that is deeply influenced by his proximity to the Ultimate Reality, crystal clear, states his proposition and leaves the rest to the discerning human mind endowed with the faculty of mature thought. As far as he is concerned, he would brave the oceanic waves and tear through the lake of fire (uncontrolled desire) and would squarely look the ferocious tiger (passion) pursuing humankind, in the eye. He talks of training his own mind of instructing the self and leaves it to others to emulate his example if they are so persuaded. But he does not quit before graphically bringing home the crucial importance of rationality and intellect in the battle for salvation. This is done in the fifteenth verse. Those who followed his advice became a powerful force in history, disseminating benign impulses to enrich humankind.
This is my excuse for attempting a translation of the verses of Guru Nanak. I do not know whether it is the right translation. When one is presenting a scripture, the realisation of inadequacy is not a policy matter, it is a dire necessity. Even the higher degree of humility required may not be sufficient. I, therefore, recommend that it is best to consider the following a working paper from which the reader may graduate to better understanding by personal application, grounded in personal experience.- Gurtej Singh]
ਸਲੋਕ ਵਾਰਾਂ ਤੇ ਵਧੀਕ ॥ ਮਹਲਾ ੧॥
ਉਤੰਗੀ ਪੈਓਹਰੀ ਗਹਿਰੀ ਗੰਭੀਰੀ॥
‘O tall young one with well formed body (breasts), acquire some seriousness.’
ਸਸੁੜਿ ਸੁਹੀਆ ਕਿਵ ਕਰੀ ਨਿਵਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਥਣੀ॥
‘How should I do courtesy to the mother-in-law, the breasts (arrogance of youth) forbid humility.’
ਗਚੁ ਜਿ ਲਗਾ ਗਿੜਵੜੀ ਸਖੀਏ ਧਉਲਹਰੀ॥
‘Consider friend, the well plastered mansions rivalling mountains,’
ਸੇ ਭੀ ਢਹਦੇ ਡਿਠੁ ਮੈ ਮੁੰਧ ਨ ਗਰਬੁ ਥਣੀ॥੧॥
Bewitching girl, I have seen even those fall, the breasts must inspire no arrogance.’1.
ਸੁਣਿ ਮੁੰਧੇ ਹਰਣਾਖੀਏ ਗੂੜਾ ਵੈਣੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ॥
‘Attractive doe-eyed girl, heed the sane advice being rendered seriously.’
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਵਸਤੁ ਸਿਞਾਣਿ ਕੈ ਤਾਂ ਕੀਚੈ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ॥
‘Discern first the nature of goods and then deal in them (make choices).’
ਦੋਹੀ ਦਿਚੈ ਦੁਰਜਨਾ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਕੂੰ ਜੈਕਾਰੁ॥
‘Shun squarely the evil inspiring and celebrate beneficial friendships.’
ਜਿਤੁ ਦੋਹੀ ਸਜਣ ਮਿਲਨਿ ਲਹੁ ਮੁੰਧੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥
‘Give consideration to the calling that earns good friends.’
ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਸਜਣਾ ਐਸਾ ਹਸਣੁ ਸਾਰੁ॥
‘Surrender mind and body to goodness (good inclinations), this is the essence of happiness.’
ਤਿਸ ਸਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਨ ਕੀਚਈ ਜਿ ਦਿਸੈ ਚਲਣਹਾਰੁ॥
‘Do not have affection for the obviously fleeting phenomenal.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿ ਨੀ ਇਵ ਕਰਿ ਬੁਝਿਆ ਤਿਨਾ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਕੁਰਬਾਣੁ॥੨॥
‘Those who understand it in this context, unto them Nanak is a willing sacrifice.’ 2.
ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਤਾਰੂ ਪਾਣਿ ਤਾਹੂ ਪੁਛੁ ਤਿੜੰਨ ਕਲ॥
‘Should you aspire to swim over water, be instructed by expert swimmers.’
ਤਾਹੂ ਖਰੇ ਸੁਜਾਣ ਵੰਞਾ ਏਨੀ ਕਪਰੀ॥੩॥
‘They are the thoroughly accomplished, who pierce these billows.’ 3.
ਝੜ ਝਖੜ ਓਹਾੜ ਲਹਰੀ ਵਹਨਿ ਲਖੇਸਰੀ॥
‘Come rain, storm or flood when myriad waves issue forth in succession.’
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਆਲਾਇ ਬੇੜੇ ਡੁਬਣਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਭਉ॥੪॥
‘Call upon the True Guru, and obviate the fear of the ship capsizing.’ 4.
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਕੈਸੀ ਹੋਈ॥
‘Nanak such has become the world;
ਸਾਲਕੁ ਮਿਤੁ ਨ ਰਹਿਓ ਕੋਈ॥
no truly trustworthy sympathetic guide remains.’
ਭਾਈ ਬੰਧੀ ਹੇਤੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ॥
‘Love of a brother, a relative is abandoned lightly.’
ਦੁਨੀਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ॥੫॥
‘For the sake of the worldly, spirituality is cast away.’5.
ਹੈ ਹੈ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਓਹਿ ਕਰੇਨਿ॥
‘Then loudly lamenting they grieve,’
ਗਲਾ ਪਿਟਨਿ ਸਿਰੁ ਖੋਹੇਨਿ॥
‘beating their cheeks they pluck hair on their heads.’
ਨਾਉ ਲੈਨਿ ਅਰੁ ਕਰਨਿ ਸਮਾਇ॥
‘Those who accept the discipline and become well-adjusted,
ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਇ॥੬॥
Nanak cherishes such ones.’ 6.
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਡੀਗਿ ਨ ਡੋਲੀਐ ਸੀਧੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਧਾਉ॥
‘Train the mind not to falter, not to waver and to march determinedly on the straight path (of spirituality),’
ਪਾਛੈ ਬਾਘੁ ਡਰਾਵਣੋ ਆਗੈ ਅਗਨਿ ਤਲਾਉ॥
‘even when there is a ferocious tiger (aggressive instincts) in pursuit and a lake of fire (uncontrolled desire) is in front.’
ਸਹਸੈ ਜੀਅਰਾ ਪਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਮਾ ਕਉ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਢੰਗੁ॥
‘Uncertainty, fear possess the mind for I know of no other method (to secure salvation).’
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਛੁਟੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗੁ॥੭॥
‘Nanak aid of the Guru oriented relieves (allays fear) and earns one the company of the loving God.’7.
ਬਾਘੁ ਮਰੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਹੋਇ॥
‘He, who accepts Guru’s instructions, trains the mind and defeats the (pursuing) tiger.’
ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੋਇ॥
‘Self-realisation, unites with God and eliminates further possibility of (life and) death.’
ਕੀਚੜਿ ਹਾਥੁ ਨ ਬੂਡਈ ਏਕਾ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲਿ॥
‘One is not submerged by the mire, a single look (of mercy) bestows felicity.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਉਬਰੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਰਵਰੁ ਸਚੀ ਪਾਲਿ॥੮॥
‘Nanak, the Guru-oriented one emerges, (is saved by) the Guru, who is a (purifying) lake bounded by Truth.’ 8.
ਅਗਨਿ ਮਰੈ ਜਲੁ ਲੋੜਿ ਲਹੁ ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਰ ਨਿਧਿ ਜਲੁ ਨਾਹਿ॥
‘If being consumed by fire, seek water. Without the Guru-source, there is no water.’
ਜਨਮਿ ਮਰੈ ਭਰਮਾਈਐ ਜੇ ਲਖ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਹਿ॥
‘Performance of a hundred thousand rituals, (merely) consigns one to the cycle of life and death.’
ਜਮੁ ਜਾਗਾਤਿ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜੇ ਚਲੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਭਾਇ॥
‘Death gets no dominion over one who confirms to the conduct approved by the Guru.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਅਮਰ ਪਦੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲੈ ਮੇਲਾਇ॥੯॥
Nanak, immaculate indeed is eternal life. It is obtained when the Guru facilitates merger with God.’ 9.
ਕਲਰ ਕੇਰੀ ਛਪੜੀ ਕਊਆ ਮਲਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਇ॥
‘At the muddy pond (of worldly entanglements), the less informed beings (crows) bathe applying dirt to themselves.’
ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਅਵਗੁਣੀ ਚਿੰਜੁ ਭਰੀ ਗੰਧੀ ਆਇ॥
‘Mind and body are soiled by bad conduct, the beak too comes to be filled with falsehood.’
ਸਰਵਰੁ ਹੰਸਿ ਨ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਕਾਗ ਕੁਪੰਖੀ ਸੰਗਿ॥
‘The rightly motivated swans, because of the company of the perverted crows, fail to distinguish the (pure water) lake, the Guru, from the dirty pond.’
ਸਾਕਤ ਸਿਉ ਐਸੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਹੈ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਰੰਗਿ॥
‘The knowledgable ones be informed, such is the result of keeping company with the perverted.’
ਸੰਤ ਸਭਾ ਜੈਕਾਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਉ॥
‘Proclaiming victory to the congregation of the good, earn merit by adopting the practises of the God-ward bound.’
ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਦਰੀਆਉ॥੧੦॥
‘Bathe to purify Nanak, Guru is the river, the place of pilgrimage.’ 10.
ਜਨਮੇ ਕਾ ਫਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਗਣੀ ਜਾਂ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਭਾਉ॥
‘At naught can be assessed the gain of the human birth, if there be no devotion to God, no love of God (in life).’
ਪੈਧਾ ਖਾਧਾ ਬਾਦਿ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਮਨਿ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਉ॥
‘Adornments and consumption are of no avail if the mind professes love of the other (than God).’
ਵੇਖਣੁ ਸੁਨਣਾ ਝੂਠੁ ਹੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਝੂਠਾ ਆਲਾਉ॥
‘Then, it is falsehood that one sees, one hears and the mouth utters falsehood too.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਲਾਹਿ ਤੂ ਹੋਰੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਆਵਉ ਜਾਉ॥੧੧॥
‘Nanak, accept (His) discipline, all else is self-centredness that begets transmigration alone. 11.
ਹੈਨਿ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਘਣੇ ਫੈਲ ਫਕੜੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ॥੧੨॥
‘Nanak, (those who accept His Will) are far between, not many, empty shells fill rest of the world.’ 12.
ਨਾਨਕ ਲਗੀ ਤੁਰਿ ਮਰੈ ਜੀਵਣ ਨਾਹੀ ਤਾਣੁ॥
‘Nanak, one stricken (by the love of God), immediately relaxes hold on worldly pursuits and dies unto the world.’
ਚੋਟੈ ਸੇਤੀ ਜੋ ਮਰੈ ਲਗੀ ਸਾ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ॥
He who dies (to the world) gains (God’s) acceptance.’
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਲਾਏ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਗੈ ਲਗੀ ਤਾ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ॥
He, whom He strikes, alone is struck and being struck is the mark of acceptance.
ਪਿਰਮ ਪੈਕਾਮੁ ਨ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਲਾਇਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸੁਜਾਣਿ॥੧੩॥
‘(Once embedded), the arrow of love is not extracted for it is shot by an accomplished Marksman. 13.’
ਭਾਂਡਾ ਧੋਵੈ ਕਉਣੁ ਜਿ ਕਚਾ ਸਾਜਿਆ॥
‘It (the human body) is a vessel fashioned from mud, none can wash it.’
ਧਾਤੂ ਪੰਜਿ ਰਲਾਇ ਕੂੜਾ ਪਾਜਿਆ॥
Five elements have been blended to create a perishable body.’
ਭਾਂਡਾ ਆਣਗੁ ਰਾਸਿ ਜਾਂ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵਸੀ॥
The vessel becomes worthwhile when it receives His Grace.’
ਪਰਮ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਾਗਾਇ ਵਾਜਾ ਵਾਵਸੀ॥੧੪॥
‘Lighting the eternal light, (He) sounds his trumpet.’14.
ਮਨਹੁ ਜਿ ਅੰਧੇ ਘੂਪ ਕਹਿਆ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ॥
Those who are stone blind mentally, those who do not recognise the inherent implication (of human birth) to (serve the Truth);’
ਮਨਿ ਅੰਧੈ ਊਂਧੈ ਕਵਲ ਦਿਸਨਿ ਖਰੇ ਕਰੂਪ॥
‘whose minds are like the (impervious) inverted lotus, they appear downright ugly.’
ਇਕਿ ਕਹਿ ਜਾਣਨਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਬੁਝਨਿ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਸੁਘੜ ਸਰੂਪ॥
‘Some receive instructions, fathom the importance of the advice, they are the very wise ones.’
ਇਕਨਾ ਨਾਦੁ ਨ ਬੇਦੁ ਨ ਗੀਅ ਰਸੁ ਰਸੁ ਕਸੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੰਤਿ॥
‘There are others who do not appreciate soulful music, intellectual activity fine arts or poetry.’
ਇਕਨਾ ਸਿਧਿ ਨ ਬੁਧਿ ਨ ਅਕਲਿ ਸਰ ਅਖਰ ਕਾ ਭੇਉ ਨ ਲਹੰਤਿ॥
‘They are the ones who have no accomplishments, no intellectual capacity and cannot gauge the importance of the written word.’
ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਅਸਲਿ ਖਰ ਜਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰੰਤ॥੧੫॥
‘Nanak, in reality, those who are arrogant but devoid of merit, are the unwise ones.’ 15
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