Saturday, December 31, 2005

Reap What You Sow

O self-willed manmukh! When will i realise He is just testing me and surrender to His Hukam? I beg for Your Divine Grace...

This Shabad is by Guru Raam Daas Ji in Raag Gauree on Pannaa 302 of SGGS ji:

slok mÚ 4 ]
salok ma 4
Shalok, Fourth Mehl:
siqguru DrqI Drm hY iqsu ivic jyhw ko bIjy qyhw Plu pwey ]
sathigur dhharathee dhharam hai this vich jaehaa ko beejae thaehaa fal paaeae
The True Guru is the field of Dharma; as one plants the seeds there, so are the fruits obtained.
gurisKI AMimRqu bIijAw iqn AMimRq Plu hir pwey ]
gurasikhee a(n)mrith beejiaa thin a(n)mrith fal har paaeae
The GurSikhs plant ambrosial nectar, and obtain the Lord as their ambrosial fruit.
Enw hliq pliq muK aujly Eie hir drgh scI pYnwey ]
ounaa halath palath mukh oujalae oue har dharageh sachee painaaeae
Their faces are radiant in this world and the next; in the Court of the Lord, they are robed with honor.
iekn@w AMdir Kotu inq Kotu kmwvih Ehu jyhw bIjy qyhw Plu Kwey ]
eikanhaa a(n)dhar khott nith khott kamaavehi ouhu jaehaa beejae thaehaa fal khaaeae
Some have cruelty in their hearts - they constantly act in cruelty; as they plant, so are the fruits which they eat.
jw siqguru srwPu ndir kir dyKY suAwvgIr siB auGiV Awey ]
jaa sathigur saraaf nadhar kar dhaekhai suaavageer sabh ougharr aaeae
When the True Guru, the Tester, observes with His Glance, the selfish ones are all exposed.
Eie jyhw icqvih inq qyhw pwiein Eie qyho jyhy diX vjwey ]
oue jaehaa chithavehi nith thaehaa paaein oue thaeho jaehae dhay vajaaeae
As one thinks, so does he receive, and so does the Lord make him known.
nwnk duhI isrI Ksmu Awpy vrqY inq kir kir dyKY clq sbwey ]1]
naanak dhuhee siree khasam aapae varathai nith kar kar dhaekhai chalath sabaaeae 1
O Nanak, the Lord and Master is pervading at both ends; He continually acts, and beholds His own play. 1

This Shabad is by Guru Raam Daas Ji in Raag Gauree on Pannaa 303 of SGGS ji:
mÚ 4 ]
ma 4
Fourth Mehl:
pUry gur kw hukmu n mMnY Ehu mnmuKu AigAwnu muTw ibKu mwieAw ]
poorae gur kaa hukam n ma(n)nai ouhu manamukh agiaan mut(h)aa bikh maaeiaa
One who does not obey the Hukam, the Command of the Perfect Guru - that self-willed manmukh is plundered by his ignorance and poisoned by Maya.
Esu AMdir kUVu kUVo kir buJY Axhody JgVy diX Es dY gil pwieAw ]
ous a(n)dhar koorr koorro kar bujhai anehodhae jhagarrae dhay ous dhai gal paaeiaa
Within him is falsehood, and he sees everyone else as false; the Lord has tied these useless conflicts around his neck.
Ehu gl ProsI kry bhuqyrI Es dw boilAw iksY n BwieAw ]
ouhu gal farosee karae bahuthaeree ous dhaa boliaa kisai n bhaaeiaa
He babbles on and on, but the words he speaks please no one.
Ehu Gir Gir hMFY ijau rMn duohwgix Esu nwil muhu joVy Esu BI lCxu lwieAw ]
ouhu ghar ghar ha(n)dtai jio ra(n)n dhuohaagan ous naal muhu jorrae ous bhee lashhan laaeiaa
He wanders from house to house like an abandoned woman; whoever associates with him is stained by the mark of evil as well.
gurmuiK hoie su Ailpqo vrqY Es dw pwsu Cif gur pwis bih jwieAw ]
guramukh hoe s alipatho varathai ous dhaa paas shhadd gur paas behi jaaeiaa
Those who become Gurmukh avoid him; they forsake his company and sit near the Guru.
jo guru gopy Awpxw su Blw nwhI pMchu Ein lwhw mUlu sBu gvwieAw ]
jo gur gopae aapanaa s bhalaa naahee pa(n)chahu oun laahaa mool sabh gavaaeiaa
O chosen people, O self-elect, one who does not publicly affirm his Guru is not a good person; he loses all his profits and capital.
pihlw Awgmu ingmu nwnku AwiK suxwey pUry gur kw bcnu aupir AwieAw ]
pehilaa aagam nigam naanak aakh sunaaeae poorae gur kaa bachan oupar aaeiaa
People used to chant and recite the Shaastras and the Vedas, O Nanak, but now the Words of the Perfect Guru have come to be the most exalted of all.
gurisKw vifAweI BwvY gur pUry kI mnmuKw Eh vylw hiQ n AwieAw ]2]
gurasikhaa vaddiaaee bhaavai gur poorae kee manamukhaa ouh vaelaa hathh n aaeiaa 2
The glorious greatness of the Perfect Guru is pleasing to the GurSikh; the self-willed manmukhs have lost this opportunity. 2

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Shooting Stars

These shabads go out to those true Gursikhs that realise what they are born to do in the Universe and although often their lives may be short- the whole world stands still for a moment and watches in awe of the radiant light of the Lord that comes from within them.

Dhan Dhan Guru Pyarae

This Shabad is by Bhagat Kabeer Ji in Raag Gauree on Pannaa 325
gauVI kbIr jI ]
gourree kabeer jee
Gauree, Kabeer Jee:
Avr mUey ikAw sogu krIjY ]
avar mooeae kiaa sog kareejai
Why do you cry and mourn, when another person dies?
qau kIjY jau Awpn jIjY ]1]
tho keejai jo aapan jeejai 1
Do so only if you yourself are to live. 1
mY n mrau mirbo sMswrw ]
mai n maro maribo sa(n)saaraa
I shall not die as the rest of the world dies,
Ab moih imilE hY jIAwvnhwrw ]1] rhwau ]
ab mohi miliou hai jeeaavanehaaraa 1 rehaao
for now I have met the life-giving Lord. 1Pause
ieAw dyhI prml mhkMdw ]
eiaa dhaehee paramal mehaka(n)dhaa
People anoint their bodies with fragrant oils,
qw suK ibsry prmwnµdw ]2]
thaa sukh bisarae paramaana(n)dhaa 2
and in that pleasure, they forget the supreme bliss. 2
kUAtw eyku pMc pinhwrI ]
kooattaa eaek pa(n)ch panihaaree
There is one well, and five water-carriers.
tUtI lwju BrY miq hwrI ]3]
ttoottee laaj bharai math haaree 3
Even though the rope is broken, the fools continue trying to draw water. 3
khu kbIr iek buiD bIcwrI ]
kahu kabeer eik budhh beechaaree
Says Kabeer, through contemplation, I have obtained this one understanding.
nw Ehu kUAtw nw pinhwrI ]4]12]
naa ouhu kooattaa naa panihaaree 412
There is no well, and no water-carrier. 412

This Shabad is by Guru Amar Daas Ji in Raag Aasaa on Pannaa 362

Awsw mhlw 3 ]
aasaa mehalaa 3
Aasaa, Third Mehl:
mnmuK mrih mir mrxu ivgwVih ]
manamukh marehi mar maran vigaarrehi
The self-willed manmukhs are dying; they are wasting away in death.

dUjY Bwie Awqm sMGwrih ]

dhoojai bhaae aatham sa(n)ghaarehi
In the love of duality, they murder their own souls.
myrw myrw kir kir ivgUqw ]
maeraa maeraa kar kar vigoothaa
Crying out, ""Mine, mine!"", they are ruined.
Awqmu n cIn@Y BrmY ivic sUqw ]1]
aatham n cheenhai bharamai vich soothaa 1
They do not remember their souls; they are asleep in superstition. 1
mru muieAw sbdy mir jwie ]
mar mueiaa sabadhae mar jaae
He alone dies a real death, who dies in the Word of the Shabad.
ausqiq inMdw guir sm jwxweI iesu jug mih lwhw hir jip lY jwie ]1] rhwau ]
ousathath ni(n)dhaa gur sam jaanaaee eis jug mehi laahaa har jap lai jaae 1 rehaao
The Guru has inspired me to realize, that praise and slander are one and the same; in this world, the profit is obtained by chanting the Name of the Lord. 1Pause
nwm ivhUx grB gil jwie ]
naam vihoon garabh gal jaae
Those who lack the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are dissolved within the womb.
ibrQw jnmu dUjY loBwie ]
birathhaa janam dhoojai lobhaae
Useless is the birth of those who are lured by duality.
nwm ibhUxI duiK jlY sbweI ]
naam bihoonee dhukh jalai sabaaee
Without the Naam, all are burning in pain.
siqguir pUrY bUJ buJweI ]2]
sathigur poorai boojh bujhaaee 2
The Perfect True Guru has given me this understanding. 2
mnu cMclu bhu cotw Kwie ]
man cha(n)chal bahu chottaa khaae
The fickle mind is struck down so many times.
eyQhu CuVikAw Taur n pwie ]
eaethhahu shhurrakiaa t(h)our n paae
Having lost this opportunity, no place of rest shall be found.
grB join ivstw kw vwsu ]
garabh jon visattaa kaa vaas
Cast into the womb of reincarnation, the mortal lives in manure;
iqqu Gir mnmuKu kry invwsu ]3]
thith ghar manamukh karae nivaas 3
in such a home, the self-willed manmukh takes up residence. 3
Apuny siqgur kau sdw bil jweI ]
apunae sathigur ko sadhaa bal jaaee
I am forever a sacrifice to my True Guru;
gurmuiK joqI joiq imlweI ]
guramukh jothee joth milaaee
the light of the Gurmukh blends with the Divine Light of the Lord.
inrml bwxI inj Gir vwsw ]
niramal baanee nij ghar vaasaa
Through the Immaculate Bani of the Word, the mortal dwells within the home of his own inner self.
nwnk haumY mwry sdw audwsw ]4]6]45]
naanak houmai maarae sadhaa oudhaasaa 4645
O Nanak, he conquers his ego, and remains forever detached. 4645

This Shabad is by Bhagat Kabeer Ji in Raag Gauree on Pannaa 327
gauVI kbIr jI ]
gourree kabeer jee
Gauree, Kabeer Jee:
ipMif mUAY jIau ikh Gir jwqw ]
pi(n)dd mooai jeeo kih ghar jaathaa
When the body dies, where does the soul go?
sbid AqIiq Anwhid rwqw ]
sabadh atheeth anaahadh raathaa
It is absorbed into the untouched, unstruck melody of the Word of the Shabad.
ijin rwmu jwinAw iqnih pCwinAw ]
jin raam jaaniaa thinehi pashhaaniaa
Only one who knows the Lord realizes Him.
ijau gUMgy swkr mnu mwinAw ]1]
jio goo(n)gae saakar man maaniaa 1
The mind is satisfied and satiated, like the mute who eats the sugar candy and just smiles, without speaking. 1
AYsw igAwnu kQY bnvwrI ]
aisaa giaan kathhai banavaaree
Such is the spiritual wisdom which the Lord has imparted.
mn ry pvn idRV suKmn nwrI ]1] rhwau ]
man rae pavan dhrirr sukhaman naaree 1 rehaao
O mind, hold your breath steady within the central channel of the Sushmanaa. 1Pause
so guru krhu ij bhuir n krnw ]
so gur karahu j bahur n karanaa
Adopt such a Guru, that you shall not have to adopt another again.
so pdu rvhu ij bhuir n rvnw ]
so padh ravahu j bahur n ravanaa
Dwell in such a state, that you shall never have to dwell in any other.
so iDAwnu Drhu ij bhuir n Drnw ]
so dhhiaan dhharahu j bahur n dhharanaa
Embrace such a meditation, that you shall never have to embrace any other.
AYsy mrhu ij bhuir n mrnw ]2]
aisae marahu j bahur n maranaa 2
Die in such a way, that you shall never have to die again. 2
aultI gMgw jmun imlwvau ]
oulattee ga(n)gaa jamun milaavo
Turn your breath away from the left channel, and away from the right channel, and unite them in the central channel of the Sushmanaa
ibnu jl sMgm mn mih n@wvau ]
bin jal sa(n)gam man mehi nhaavo
At their confluence within your mind, take your bath there without water.
locw smsir iehu ibauhwrw ]
lochaa samasar eihu biouhaaraa
To look upon all with an impartial eye - let this be your daily occupation.
qqu bIcwir ikAw Avir bIcwrw ]3]
thath beechaar kiaa avar beechaaraa 3
Contemplate this essence of reality - what else is there to contemplate? 3
Apu qyju bwie ipRQmI Awkwsw ]
ap thaej baae prithhamee aakaasaa
Water, fire, wind, earth and ether
AYsI rhq rhau hir pwsw ]
aisee rehath reho har paasaa
adopt such a way of life and you shall be close to the Lord.
khY kbIr inrMjn iDAwvau ]
kehai kabeer nira(n)jan dhhiaavo
Says Kabeer, meditate on the Immaculate Lord.
iqqu Gir jwau ij bhuir n Awvau ]4]18]
thith ghar jaao j bahur n aavo 418
Go to that home, which you shall never have to leave. 418

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

The Lord and His Name

This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Raamkalee on Pannaa 914 of SGGS ji:
rwmklI mhlw 5 ]
raamakalee mehalaa 5
Raamkalee, Fifth Mehl:
dwvw Agin rhy hir bUt ]
dhaavaa agan rehae har boott
Even in a forest fire, some trees remain green.
mwq grB sMkt qy CUt ]
maath garabh sa(n)katt thae shhoott
The infant is released from the pain of the mother's womb.
jw kw nwmu ismrq Bau jwie ]
jaa kaa naam simarath bho jaae
Meditating in remembrance on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, fear is dispelled.
qYsy sMq jnw rwKY hir rwie ]1]
thaisae sa(n)th janaa raakhai har raae 1
Just so, the Sovereign Lord protects and saves the Saints. 1
AYsy rwKnhwr dieAwl ]
aisae raakhanehaar dhaeiaal
Such is the Merciful Lord, my Protector.
jq kq dyKau qum pRiqpwl ]1] rhwau ]
jath kath dhaekho thum prathipaal 1 rehaao
Wherever I look, I see You cherishing and nurturing. 1Pause
jlu pIvq ijau iqKw imtMq ]
jal peevath jio thikhaa mitta(n)th
As thirst is quenched by drinking water;
Dn ibgsY igRih Awvq kMq ]
dhhan bigasai grihi aavath ka(n)th
as the bride blossoms forth when her husband comes home;
loBI kw Dnu pRwx ADwru ]
lobhee kaa dhhan praan adhhaar
as wealth is the support of the greedy person
iqau hir jn hir hir nwm ipAwru ]2]
thio har jan har har naam piaar 2
- just so, the humble servant of the Lord loves the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. 2
ikrswnI ijau rwKY rKvwlw ]
kirasaanee jio raakhai rakhavaalaa
As the farmer protects his fields;
mwq ipqw dieAw ijau bwlw ]
maath pithaa dhaeiaa jio baalaa
as the mother and father show compassion to their child;
pRIqmu dyiK pRIqmu imil jwie ]
preetham dhaekh preetham mil jaae
as the lover merges on seeing the beloved;
iqau hir jn rwKY kMiT lwie ]3]
thio har jan raakhai ka(n)t(h) laae 3
just so does the Lord hug His humble servant close in His Embrace. 3
ijau AMDuly pyKq hoie Anµd ]
jio a(n)dhhulae paekhath hoe ana(n)dh
As the blind man is in ecstasy, when he can see again;
gUMgw bkq gwvY bhu CMd ]
goo(n)gaa bakath gaavai bahu shha(n)dh
and the mute, when he is able to speak and sing songs;
ipMgul prbq prqy pwir ]
pi(n)gul parabath parathae paar
and the cripple, being able to climb over the mountain
hir kY nwim sgl auDwir ]4]
har kai naam sagal oudhhaar 4
- just so, the Name of the Lord saves all. 4
ijau pwvk sMig sIq ko nws ]
jio paavak sa(n)g seeth ko naas
As cold is dispelled by fire,
AYsy pRwCq sMqsMig ibnws ]
aisae praashhath sa(n)thasa(n)g binaas
sins are driven out in the Society of the Saints.
ijau swbuin kwpr aUjl hoq ]
jio saabun kaapar oojal hoth
As cloth is cleaned by soap,
nwm jpq sBu BRmu Bau Koq ]5]
naam japath sabh bhram bho khoth 5
just so, by chanting the Naam, all doubts and fears are dispelled. 5
ijau ckvI sUrj kI Aws ]
jio chakavee sooraj kee aas
As the chakvi bird longs for the sun,
ijau cwiqRk bUMd kI ipAws ]
jio chaathrik boo(n)dh kee piaas
as the rainbird thirsts for the rain drop,
ijau kurMk nwd krn smwny ]
jio kura(n)k naadh karan samaanae
as the deer's ears are attuned to the sound of the bell,
iqau hir nwm hir jn mnih suKwny ]6]
thio har naam har jan manehi sukhaanae 6
the Lord's Name is pleasing to the mind of the Lord's humble servant. 6
qumrI ik®pw qy lwgI pRIiq ]
thumaree kirapaa thae laagee preeth
By Your Grace, we love You.
dieAwl Bey qw Awey cIiq ]
dhaeiaal bheae thaa aaeae cheeth
When You show Mercy, then You come into our minds.
dieAw DwrI iqin Dwrxhwr ]
dhaeiaa dhhaaree thin dhhaaranehaar
When the Support of the earth granted His Grace,
bMDn qy hoeI Cutkwr ]7]
ba(n)dhhan thae hoee shhuttakaar 7
then I was released from my bonds. 7
siB Qwn dyKy nYx Aloie ]
sabh thhaan dhaekhae nain aloe
I have seen all places with my eyes wide open.
iqsu ibnu dUjw Avru n koie ]
this bin dhoojaa avar n koe
There is no other than Him.
BRm BY CUty gur prswd ]
bhram bhai shhoottae gur parasaadh
Doubt and fear are dispelled, by Guru's Grace.
nwnk pyiKE sBu ibsmwd ]8]4]
naanak paekhiou sabh bisamaadh 84
Nanak sees the wondrous Lord everywhere. 84

How will you pass your life?

This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Raamkalee on Pannaa 913 of SGGS ji:
rwmklI mhlw 5 ]
raamakalee mehalaa 5
Raamkalee, Fifth Mehl:
kwhU ibhwvY rMg rs rUp ]
kaahoo bihaavai ra(n)g ras roop
Some pass their lives enjoying pleasures and beauty.
kwhU ibhwvY mwie bwp pUq ]
kaahoo bihaavai maae baap pooth
Some pass their lives with their mothers, fathers and children.
kwhU ibhwvY rwj imlK vwpwrw ]
kaahoo bihaavai raaj milakh vaapaaraa
Some pass their lives in power, estates and trade.
sMq ibhwvY hir nwm ADwrw ]1]
sa(n)th bihaavai har naam adhhaaraa 1
The Saints pass their lives with the support of the Lord's Name. 1
rcnw swcu bnI ]
rachanaa saach banee
The world is the creation of the True Lord.
sB kw eyku DnI ]1] rhwau ]
sabh kaa eaek dhhanee 1 rehaao
He alone is the Master of all. 1Pause
kwhU ibhwvY byd Aru bwid ]
kaahoo bihaavai baedh ar baadh
Some pass their lives in arguments and debates about scriptures.
kwhU ibhwvY rsnw swid ]
kaahoo bihaavai rasanaa saadh
Some pass their lives tasting flavors.
kwhU ibhwvY lpit sMig nwrI ]
kaahoo bihaavai lapatt sa(n)g naaree
Some pass their lives attached to women.
sMq rcy kyvl nwm murwrI ]2]
sa(n)th rachae kaeval naam muraaree 2
The Saints are absorbed only in the Name of the Lord. 2
kwhU ibhwvY Kylq jUAw ]
kaahoo bihaavai khaelath jooaa
Some pass their lives gambling.
kwhU ibhwvY AmlI hUAw ]
kaahoo bihaavai amalee hooaa
Some pass their lives getting drunk.
kwhU ibhwvY pr drb cuorwey ]
kaahoo bihaavai par dharab chuoraaeae
Some pass their lives stealing the property of others.
hir jn ibhwvY nwm iDAwey ]3]
har jan bihaavai naam dhhiaaeae 3
The humble servants of the Lord pass their lives meditating on the Naam. 3
kwhU ibhwvY jog qp pUjw ]
kaahoo bihaavai jog thap poojaa
Some pass their lives in Yoga, strict meditation, worship and adoration.
kwhU rog sog BrmIjw ]
kaahoo rog sog bharameejaa
Some, in sickness, sorrow and doubt.
kwhU pvn Dwr jwq ibhwey ]
kaahoo pavan dhhaar jaath bihaaeae
Some pass their lives practicing control of the breath.
sMq ibhwvY kIrqnu gwey ]4]
sa(n)th bihaavai keerathan gaaeae 4
The Saints pass their lives singing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises. 4
kwhU ibhwvY idnu rYin cwlq ]
kaahoo bihaavai dhin rain chaalath
Some pass their lives walking day and night.
kwhU ibhwvY so ipVu mwlq ]
kaahoo bihaavai so pirr maalath
Some pass their lives on the fields of battle.
kwhU ibhwvY bwl pVwvq ]
kaahoo bihaavai baal parraavath
Some pass their lives teaching children.
sMq ibhwvY hir jsu gwvq ]5]
sa(n)th bihaavai har jas gaavath 5
The Saints pass their lives singing the Lord's Praise. 5
kwhU ibhwvY nt nwitk inrqy ]
kaahoo bihaavai natt naattik nirathae
Some pass their lives as actors, acting and dancing.
kwhU ibhwvY jIAwieh ihrqy ]
kaahoo bihaavai jeeaaeih hirathae
Some pass their lives taking the lives of others.
kwhU ibhwvY rwj mih frqy ]
kaahoo bihaavai raaj mehi ddarathae
Some pass their lives ruling by intimidation.
sMq ibhwvY hir jsu krqy ]6]
sa(n)th bihaavai har jas karathae 6
The Saints pass their lives chanting the Lord's Praises. 6
kwhU ibhwvY mqw msUriq ]
kaahoo bihaavai mathaa masoorath
Some pass their lives counseling and giving advice.
kwhU ibhwvY syvw jrUriq ]
kaahoo bihaavai saevaa jaroorath
Some pass their lives forced to serve others.
kwhU ibhwvY soDq jIvq ]
kaahoo bihaavai sodhhath jeevath
Some pass their lives exploring life's mysteries.
sMq ibhwvY hir rsu pIvq ]7]
sa(n)th bihaavai har ras peevath 7
The Saints pass their lives drinking in the sublime essence of the Lord. 7
ijqu ko lwieAw iqq hI lgwnw ]
jith ko laaeiaa thith hee lagaanaa
As the Lord attaches us, so we are attached.
nw ko mUVu nhI ko isAwnw ]
naa ko moorr nehee ko siaanaa
No one is foolish, and no one is wise.
kir ikrpw ijsu dyvY nwau ] nwnk qw kY bil bil jwau ]8]3]
kar kirapaa jis dhaevai naao naanak thaa kai bal bal jaao 83
Nanak is a sacrifice, a sacrifice to those who are blessed by His Grace to receive His Name. 83