Happiness in Guru Granth Sahib
By Harsimrat Kaur Khalsa
President
Guru Granth Parchar Mission of USA, Inc.
510-432-5827
Happiness is the most sought after treasure. People work hard and even take extreme measures to attain this gift. Some look for it by delving in the wrong ways of life; while others find it in even the simplest. Many use happiness as a bait trap to mislead others into false hopes and false promises. Greedy people offer it at extreme demands. Many die to attain it. Some chose life to be happy, and others seek suicide and death which never amounts to anything. There are different levels and sources of happiness.
We have much to learn about happiness, how to get it, what to do with our happiness once we have it, and how to keep it. There are many ways of attaining happiness, but only through Guru Ji’s teachings is one able to get it. Guru’s gift of happiness to us is not temporary and does not cost any money. It does not demand extreme effort. No bribing sacrifice can bring it. Possessing all the riches in the world never guarantees true and lasting happiness.
Why is it that everyone wants to be happy? The human body a most remarkable, body-and-spirit machine. The light of God in us is what triggers all molecular activities of motion, thought, and feeling. Our understanding of our surroundings determines what reaction options we chose. Nature has non-discriminatively and generously gifted us with the ability to fight or flee to adapt to every situation we encounter. This neural process of adaptation inside all of us is what is controlled and channeled by the mind which interprets things. Our instinct and learned behavioral patterns become manifest in all experiences of our life, during relaxation, rigorous activity, anger, sadness, fear, and facing challenges against nature, others, or ourselves. Any change in our environment naturally demands a change within us that also exerts a change outside of us. Our body is constantly and instinctively adapting to balance and stability, such as the head always vertically aligned over the sacrum. This is called homeostasis. Just as the body automatically obeys the natural laws of gravity and physics, so should the mind and soul co-operate. A gursikh should always have the Gian of Guru Granth Sahib over his mind, and his mind over his body, not falling into the traps of the 5 vices. The 5 vices were given to us to guarantee that we mentally and emotionally realize the need to adapt to changes around us. The mind was not created to be enslaved by these 5vices, but to be aware of changes and to be ready to make a wise decision how to act upon them.
ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੫।। (੪੪, ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) Siree Raag, Fifth Mehl:
ਸਭੇ ਥੋਕ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜੇ ਆਵੈ ਇਕੁ ਹਥਿ।।
“All things are received if the One is obtained.”
Everything in the universe is a product of The One. ਕੇਵਲ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਮਨੋਰਮੰ।। ਬਦਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਤਤ ਮਇਅੰ।। “Dwell only upon the beauteous Name of the Lord, the embodiment of ambrosial nectar and reality.” ( Jaidev Pada 526) ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮਨਹੁ ਵਿਸਾਰੀਐ ਸਭ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਆਧਾਰੁ।। ੬।। (੫੮, ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ, ਮਹਲਾ ੧) “How could we ever forget Him from our minds? He is the Support of all beings. ||6||”
ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਸਚਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਥਿ।।
“The precious gift of this human life becomes fruitful when one chants the True Word of the Shabad.” ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਸੋ ਮਰਿ ਰਹੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਦੂਜੀ ਵਾਰ।। “One who dies in the Shabad is beyond death, and shall never die again.” ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਜਗੁ ਭੂਲਾ ਫਿਰੈ ਮਰਿ ਜਨਮੈ ਵਾਰੋ ਵਾਰ।। ੭।। (੫੮, ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ, ਮਹਲਾ ੧) “Without the Shabad, the world is deceived; it dies and is reborn, over and over again. ||7||” The deception is in believing in only what the eyes see, rather than the way things actually are. We must open our eyes in the dimension of Gurmat, to see as God sees, truthful vision, truthful acquisition, truthful living. When a musician sight reads a sheet of unfamiliar music, it takes more concentration and practice. He must be ready to accept changes in the measured beats, the scale, the occidentals, the sharps, and the natural notes. If he decides to play what he thinks he sees instead of what is actually written, then it will not be the same piece of music that is written on the sheet. Likewise when we chant the True Word of Shabad, it is not the word of any other granth that falsely poses as Guru. The Word of Shabad is the
ο λογος “logos” essence of God, the will of God, the hukam of God, the wisdom of God reflected in His creation and as Guru Granth Sahib simply teaches us. ਮੰਗਲਾ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਗਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਮੰਗਲਾ।। “The song of joy, the Lord's song of joy; listen to the song of joy of my God.” If you can’t read the Shabad of Guru, then listen to it. ਅਨਹਦ ਵਾਜੇ ਸਬਦ ਅਗਾਜੇ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਜਿਸਹਿ ਵਧਾਈ।। “The unstruck sound current vibrates, and the Word of the Shabad resounds; there is continuous, continual rejoicing.” ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਈ।। “Meditating on that God, everything is obtained; He does not die, or come or go.” ਚੂਕੀ ਪਿਆਸਾ ਪੂਰਨ ਆਸਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਿਲੁ ਨਿਰਗੁਨੀਐ।। “Thirst is quenched, and hopes are fulfilled; the Gurmukh meets with the absolute, un-manifest Lord.” ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਘਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਮੰਗਲੁ ਸੁਨੀਐ।। ੪।। ੧।। (੯੨੪, ਰਾਮਕਲੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “Says Nanak, in the Home of my God, the songs of joy are continuously, continually heard. ||4||1||”
ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੋਵੈ ਮਥਿ।। ੧।।
“One who has such destiny written on his forehead enters the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, through the Guru. ||1||”
ਸਿਰ ਮਸ੍ਤਕ ਰਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੰ ਹਸ੍ਤ. ਕਾਯਾ ਰਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਪਰਮੇਸ੍ਵਰਹ।। “The Supreme Lord God has protected my head and forehead; the Transcendent Lord has protected my hands and body.” ਆਤਮ ਰਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਧਨ ਚਰਣ ਰਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਜਗਦੀਸ੍ਵਰਹ।। “God, my Lord and Master, has saved my soul; the Lord of the Universe has saved my wealth and feet.” ਸਰਬ ਰਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾ ਗੁਰ ਦਯਾਲਹ ਭੈ ਦੂਖ ਬਿਨਾਸਨਹ।। “The Merciful Guru has protected everything, and destroyed my fear and suffering.” ਭਗਤਿ ਵਛਲ ਅਨਾਥ ਨਾਥੇ ਸਰਣਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੁਰਖ ਅਚੁਤਹ।। ੫੨।। (੧੩੫੮, ਸਹਸਕ੍ਰਿਤੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “God is the Lover of His devotees, the Master of the masterless. Nanak has entered the Sanctuary of the Imperishable Primal Lord God. ||52||” ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਾਈ।। (੬੧੪, ਸੋਰਠਿ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “I have realized my pre-ordained destiny.” Have you realized yours? ਪੂਰਨ ਗੁਰ ਪਾਏ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਾਏ ਸਭ ਨਿਧਿ ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲਾ।। (੪੫੪, ਆਸਾ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “The Perfect Guru is obtained by perfect pre-ordained destiny; God is the Giver of all treasures - He is merciful to the meek. ” You have to want it, to want change in your life, to allow God to change for you to benefit in your destiny not suffer. You cannot change it by your own virtue. ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਾਇਆ।। (੯੨੨, ਰਾਮਕਲੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੩) “By Guru's Grace, the Lord abides within the mind, and one's pre-ordained destiny is fulfilled.”
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਏਕਸ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ।।
“O my mind, focus your consciousness on the One.”
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਏਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ਹੋਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇਆ।। ੩੫।। “Says Nanak, this body is adorned and honored, when one's consciousness is focused on the True Guru. ||35||” ਏ ਨੇਤ੍ਰਹੁ ਮੇਰਿਹੋ ਹਰਿ ਤੁਮ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਧਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਕੋਈ।। (੯੨੨, ਰਾਮਕਲੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੩) “O my eyes, the Lord has infused His Light into you; do not look upon any other than the Lord.” We need to keep reminding ourselves never to forget where we came from (God) and where we will be returning to. ਜਹ ਕੀ ਉਪਜੀ ਤਹ ਰਚੀ ਪੀਵਤ ਮਰਦਨ ਲਾਗ।। (੩੩੭-੧੮, ਗਉੜੀ, ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ) “We are re-absorbed into the One from whom we came; drink in the Lord's essence, and remain attached to Him.”
ਏਕਸ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭ ਧੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇ।। ੧।। ਰਹਾਉ।।
“Without the One, all entanglements are worthless; emotional attachment to Maya is totally false. ||1||Pause||” ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਸੂਝੈ ਹਰਿ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਸਭ ਕੈ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਖੜਾ।। ੧।। (੯੨੪, ਰਾਮਕਲੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “Says Nanak, without the Guru, he cannot understand the Lord, the Friend who is standing near everyone. ||1||”
ਲਖ ਖੁਸੀਆ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀਆ ਜੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇਇ।।
“Hundreds of thousands of emperor’s pleasures are enjoyed, if the True Guru bestows His Glance of Grace.”
An emperor’s main desires and glory lies in his treasures, which include the size of his kingdom as well as his riches. The bigger his kingdom, the larger and stronger his army and guards must be. When his treasures are great and secure, then he is content, never forgetting to maintain his harmonious empire. Likewise we must supply ourselves with the treasure of Naam and protect it from our foes (5 Vices) ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜੀਵਾ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਹਾਲਾ।। (੭੪੯, ਸੂਹੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “Meditating, meditating, meditating in remembrance on the Naam, I live; my mind and body are enraptured.” There are approximately 120 billion neurological receptors in the human body proportionate to the numerous aspects of our body functions, feelings, and behavior. There are chief organs and organelles that harmoniously participate to help the body maintain homeostasis (balance). The white blood cells attack infection, the bones and muscles cooperate for foundation, protection, and movement. There are various levels of priority of function and self preservation governed by the hukam of nature of God. These levels correspond to the ranks of an army. The simplest soldiers have a mind to decide whether or not to follow the multi-leveled chain of command. If rebellion anywhere in the chain of command exists, then chaos in the army will weaken it. Our mind is the chief of command, yet God is higher than us. The happiness a Gurmukh experiences empowers him to strive and protect himself, his family, and his community. Noone remains successful with a depressed negative attitude. This is why it is important to protect our treasure from being lost – to preserve our education in Gurmat and to pass it down to our children and share it with all of humanity to protect the human race.
ਨਿਮਖ ਏਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਇ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਹੋਇ।।
“If He bestows the Name of the Lord, for even a moment, my mind and body are cooled and soothed.”
ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ।। (ਜਪੁਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ)
“One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace.” The Mool Mantra message is the message of Naam contemplate on at all times. When stressed out, the heart beats faster, the face reddens, the cortisol level in the body heightens, then pressure builds up in the circulatory system, and the immune system drops leaving sickness and other ailments. One cannot be at rest at this stage. It is as if one is drowning in a troubled sea in need of a rescue boat. People do the most foolish things at this state.
ਜਿਸ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਚਰਨ ਗਹੇ।। ੨।।
“Those who have such pre-ordained destiny hold tight to the Feet of the True Guru. ||2||”
ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਕਵਲ ਮਕਰੰਦ ਲੋਭਿਤ ਮਨੋ ਅਨਦਿਨ+ ਮੋਹਿ ਆਹੀ ਪਿਆਸਾ।। (੧੩-੬, ਧਨਾਸਰੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੧) “My mind is enticed by the honey-sweet Lotus Feet of the Lord. Day and night, I thirst for them.” ਹੋਇ ਨਿਮਾਣੀ ਢਹਿ ਪਵਾ ਪੂਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪਾਸਿ।। “In deep humility, I fall at the Feet of the Perfect True Guru.” ਨਿਮਾਣਿਆ ਗੁਰੁ ਮਾਣੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਸਾਬਾਸਿ।। (੪੧, ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ, ਮਹਲਾ ੪) “The Guru is the Honor of the dishonored. The Guru, the True Guru, brings approval and applause.” ਫਾਥੇ ਸੇਈ ਨਿਕਲੇ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਹਿ।। ੩।। (੪੩, ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “Those who fall at the Feet of the Guru are released from this bondage. ||3||” ਕੋਈ ਰਖਿ ਨ ਸਕਈ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋ ਨ ਦਿਖਾਇ।। “No one else can save you-don't look for anyone else.” ਚਾਰੇ ਕੁੰਡਾ ਭਾਲਿ ਕੈ ਆਇ ਪਇਆ ਸਰਣਾਇ।। “I have searched in all four directions; I have come to find His Sanctuary.” ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੈ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹਿ ਡੁਬਦਾ ਲਇਆ ਕਢਾਇ।। ੪।। ੩।। ੭੩।। (੪੩, ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “O Nanak, the True King has pulled me out and saved me from drowning! ||4||3||73||” One drowns when one gives up, thinking there is no other option. We should never think of the treasure of Guru Gian as the last option, but as the first option to consider.
ਸਫਲ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਸਫਲਾ ਘੜੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ।।
“Fruitful is that moment, and fruitful is that time, when one is in love with the True Lord.”
ਏਕੋ ਏਕੁ ਬਖਾਨੀਐ ਬਿਰਲਾ ਜਾਣੈ ਸ੍ਵਾਦੁ।। “Describe the Lord as the One, the One and Only. How rare are those who know the taste of this essence.” ਗੁਣ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਭੁ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੁ।। ੧੧।। (੨੯੯, ਥਿਤੀ ਗਉੜੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “The Glories of the Lord of the Universe cannot be known. O Nanak, He is totally amazing and wonderful! ||11||”
ਦੂਖੁ ਸੰਤਾਪੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ।।
“Suffering and sorrow do not touch those who have the Support of the Name of the Lord.”
ਤੇਰੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਕਉ ਭਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਵੈ ਨੇਰੇ।। ੧।। ਰਹਾਉ।। “Your servant is not afraid of anything; the Messenger of Death cannot even approach him.” ||1||Pause|| ਜੋ ਤੇਰੈ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਨੑ ਕਾ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਾਸਾ।। (੭੫੦, ਸੂਹੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “Those who are attuned to Your Love, O my Lord and Master, are released from the pains of birth and death.” You may lose your home, your entire investments, your reputation, your family and friends, but if you have the treasure of Naam, you have everything. Treasures also come and go, along with birth and death, but what are birth and death in comparison to infinity, merging with God?
ਬਾਹ ਪਕੜਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਕਾਢਿਆ ਸੋਈ ਉਤਰਿਆ ਪਾਰਿ।। ੩।।
“Grasping him by the arm, the Guru lifts them up and out, and carries them across to the other side. ||3||”
ਸੰਸਾਰ ਸਾਗਰ ਤਾਰਿ ਤਾਰਣ ਰਮ ਨਾਮ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਣੀ।। ੧।। ਰਹਾਉ।। (੫੦੫, ਗੂਜਰੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੧) “The Lord's Name is the boat to cross over the world-ocean. Practice such a way of life. ||1||Pause||” ਨਿਹਫਲੰ ਤਸ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਜਨਮਸ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਜਾਵਦ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਨ ਬਿੰਦਤੇ।। “The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.” ਸਾਗਰੰ ਸੰਸਾਰਸ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਤਰਹਿ ਕੇ।। (੧੩੫੩, ਸਹਸਕ੍ਰਿਤੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੧) “Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.” ਗਉੜੀ।। (੩੩੭) Gauree: ਰਾਮ ਜਪਉ ਜੀ ਐਸੇ ਐਸੇ।। ਧ੍ਰੂ ਪ੍ਰਹਿਲਾਦ ਜਪਿਓ ਹਰਿ ਜੈਸੇ।। ੧।। “Just as Dhroo and Prahlaad meditated on the Lord, so should you meditate on the Lord, O my soul. ||1||” ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲ ਭਰੋਸੇ ਤੇਰੇ।। “O Lord, Merciful to the meek, I have placed my faith in You;”
ਸਭੁ ਪਰਵਾਰੁ ਚੜਾਇਆ ਬੇੜੇ।। ੧।। ਰਹਾਉ।। “along with all my family, I have come aboard Your boat. ||1||Pause||” ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਮਨਾਵੈ।। “When it is pleasing to Him, then He inspires us to obey the Hukam of His Command.” ਇਸ ਬੇੜੇ ਕਉ ਪਾਰਿ ਲਘਾਵੈ।। ੨] “He causes this boat to cross over. ||2||” ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਐਸੀ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਮਾਨੀ ] “By Guru's Grace, such understanding is infused into me;” ਚੂਕਿ ਗਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਆਵਨ ਜਾਨੀ।। ੩।। “My comings and goings in reincarnation have ended. ||3||” ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਜੁ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਨੀ।। “Says Kabeer, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord, the Sustainer of the earth.” ਉਰਵਾਰਿ ਪਾਰਿ ਸਭ ਏਕੋ ਦਾਨੀ।। ੪।। ੨।। ੧੦।। ੬੧।। (੩੩੭) “In this world, in the world beyond and everywhere, He alone is the Giver. ||4||2||10||61||”
ਥਾਨੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਥੈ ਸੰਤ ਸਭਾ।।
“Embellished and immaculate is that place where the Saints gather together.”
Saintly people are attracted to God and to each other. Where to they gather? It is not just an assemble hall or any meeting place. They gather in the Sach Kand. God is the place for all which exists. They realize this beautiful Place of God, or Place of Reality, Place of Infinity on which they place their minds. It is the serene “time out” from stress oppressing us. It is that perfect place. Everywhere we are as the Creator is everywhere. The human body is also that beautiful place in which the Shabad of Guru‘s Gian dwells. The palkee represents the center of a Gurmukh’s life. The Guru Granth Sahib laying on it symbolizes the Word of Shabad in the center of the Gurmukh’s heart and life. A closed Guru Granth Sahib represents knowing about the Shabad, but not the meaning, and little to none understanding or interest. An opened Guru Granth Sahib means a Gurmukh spending time learning what is written. The Ramala covering the Guru Granth Sahib means time not engaged in studying. Pulling open the Ramala means the time engaged in studying Gurbani. Sukhasan means happily partaking of Guru’s wisdom and applying it in one’s life when not studying. The chandoa brooding over the Guru Granth Sahib represents the awareness of the Glory of God over us and in us. The Chor Sahib waving represents the expression of love God has for each one of us and the blessed experience and benefits of Guru’s Gian. The waving is cooling, keeping the disturbing flies and mosquitos from bothering us.
ਢੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਨੋ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਲਭਾ।।
“He alone finds shelter, who has met the Perfect Guru.”
Meeting the Perfect Guru does not just mean being introduced. We have met many people in our lives that made no impression on us. When we meet Guru, we become aware of not only who He is, but what He represents. As we deeply delve into His teachings, we start to learn how to deal with the negativisms in our lives that pollute our method of truthful living. We start to realize that we must stop hurting ourselves and others. We become transformed from instinctive, careless animals to compassionate humans. We stop hating each other and look to help our race to continue proactively instead of reactively.
ਨਾਨਕ ਬਧਾ ਘਰੁ ਤਹਾਂ ਜਿਥੈ ਮਿਰਤੁ ਨ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਰਾ।। ੪।। ੬।। ੭੬।।
“Nanak builds his house upon that site where there is no death, no birth, and no old age.” ||4||6||76||
Guru Nanak did not waste his lifetime worrying about selfish materialistic gain. He was not afraid of death. He was never ashamed of his old aging looks. Where did he build his house? Each of us is a home in which God dwells. ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਪਾਏ।। ੬।। “The Gurmukh obtains the treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||6||” ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਸਭ ਦੂਖ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ।। (੨੨੨-੮, ਗਉੜੀ ਗੁਆਰੇਰੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੧) “Without the Name, all live in pain. “ ਇਹੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਜਪੈ ਮਨਿ ਕੋਇ।। “One who chants this treasure in his mind” ਸਭ ਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਹੋਇ।। “in every age, he attains salvation.” ਗੁਣ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨਾਮ ਧੁਨਿ ਬਾਣੀ।। (੨੯੬, ਗਉੜੀ, ਮਹਲਾ ੫) “In it is the Glory of God, the Naam, the chanting of Gurbani.” ਜਿਨ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਸਭੁ ਗਵਾਇਸੀ।। (੩੧੦, ਗਉੜੀ ਕੀ ਵਾਰ, ਮਹਲਾ ੪) “Those who have the treasure of the Naam deep within - all their fears are removed.” ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਪਾਇ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ।। “Having obtained the treasure of this human birth, I meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.” ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਬੁਝਿ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ।। ੧।। (੩੬੯-੬, ਆਸਾ, ਮਹਲਾ ੪) “By Guru's Grace, I understand, and I am absorbed into the True Lord. ||1||” ਨਾਨਕ ਇਸੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਹੇਤਿ ਅਪਾਰਿ।। ੮।। ੧੦।। ੩੨।। (੪੨੭੮, ਆਸਾ, ਮਹਲਾ ੩) “O Nanak, within this body is the treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord; it is found through the Love of the Infinite Guru. ||8||10||32||”
In conclusion, once we acquire the treasure Naam of Guru Ji, we become happy, then we are more able to function and protect ourselves from the defiling enemies (5 vices). We, like kings and emporers must never be lured off guard by kachi bani false teachings that are contrary to Guru Granth Sahib. Like the emporer, the more he has, the more he must protect. The more we study Gurbani, the stronger we must commit ourselves to it. Every leader wishes a simple ruling and willing subjects. Our mind and body are the same. The emporer’s treasures are not just for himself, but for the security of the financial stability of his kingdom’s economy. If his subjects are deprived of honest earnings, then he will eventually lose everything to another greedy enemy. Our mind is like the emporer, but if we do not treat ourselves and others with respect, then chaos will continue to divide the human race against each other. The human will start to rebel against itself to hurt other, too. Since everyone enjoys possessions and power, he can have it all by merging with the One who is all the power, all the riches, all the life one will never fully comprehend.
Guru Granth Parchar Mission of USA, Inc. is dedicated to pass this wonderful message to all people to give the human race a jump start into real abundant happiness for peace of mind, good health, and world peace. I have been traveling and preaching Gurbani and singing Guru’s kirtan, explaining in English Guru Ji’s message and am available to bring this wonderful message to your communities. I am just a phone call away.
