āsā mahalā 5.
satigur sācai dīā bheji. ciru jīvanu upjiā sanjogi.
udrai māhi āi kīā nivāsu. mātā kai mani bahutu bigāsu.1.
jammiā pūtu bhagatu govind kā. pragaṭiā sabh mahi likhiā dhur kā. rahāu.
dasī māsī hukami bālak janamu līā. miṭiā sogu mahā anandu thīā.
gurbāṇī sakhī anandu gāvai. sāce sāhib kai mani bhāvai.2.
vadhī veli bahu pīṛī cālī. dharam kalā hari bandhi bahālī.
man cindiā satigurū divāiā. bhae acint ek liv lāiā.3.
jiu bālaku pitā ūpari kare bahu māṇu. bulāiā bolai gur kai bhāṇi.
gujhī channī nāhī bāt. guru nānaku tuṭhā kīnī dāti.4.7.101.
-Guru Granth Sahib 396
Guru Arjan Sahib briefly describes the period from conception to the birth of the child Harigobind (later the sixth Guru) in the womb of his mother, Mata Ganga. While expressing gratitude to Guru Nanak Sahib for the blessing of a child, he also thanks IkOankar (the Divine) for the continuity of the tradition of Guruship. In other words, through the example of the joy felt at the birth of a child, the Sabad describes the happiness received by taking refuge in the Guru.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
The rag (musical mode) this composition is set in is used to evoke a mood of hope, expectation, inspiration, and courage. If we look at this from the seeker’s angle, a message is being delivered on achieving a goal. There is also an element of folk culture and speaking to the common person here. This composition is written in the past tense and has a historical aspect. Historically, this was revealed by Guru Arjan in gratitude for Guru Harigobind being born. Thus, this can be understood both in its historical context and in its larger timeless context.
Guru Arjan says, the child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The word Gobind, or Earth-Knower, is etymologically connected to the word vind or seed. The seed is the origin of creation, the thing given by the Earth-Knower, the first thing that we are connected to and rooted in. Vind also has a connotation of finding or gaining something. These two elements come together to refer to IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One) as both the Origin of creation and the Knower of creation. The child, Harigobind, is born as a devoted one of the Earth-Knower. What does this mean? When we are devoted to someone, it is because we know them intimately. We have developed a great love for them. We are known to them, and they are known to us. Although this can be understood to be about the child Harigobind, the Guru is also saying that everyone who comes into this world is a devotee of the Earth-Knower. We have that connection with the Source when we are born. It is direct, and it is powerful. We are not born separated from the One. We are born knowing the One and being known by the One. Among everyone, it is written and evident from the original One. This is the Hukam, the Command within which we are all living.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that it was the Satguru, the eternal Wisdom, who sent the child. In this composition, it is made clear that the Satguru is Guru Nanak. Again, although this can be read in the context of Guru Harigobind’s birth, this can also be extended into our understanding of all life as being sent by the eternal Wisdom. The foundational principle of Sikhi is that everyone is a divine gift sent by the imperishable One, the eternal Wisdom. The Guru says that the one who has a long life is born through sanjog or union. This is not about the physical meeting but the child's connection to their Source, Gobind, and IkOankar. In that state of connection or union, the child is sent here. This is about all living beings and their relationship with IkOankar. All of us are born in a state of connection. All of us are born knowing IkOankar and knowing that we are of IkOankar, not separate from IkOankar. It is only through living a life here, through the distraction around us, through our own forgetfulness, that we convince ourselves we are separated. Having an understanding of this deep connection as being inherent in all of us changes the way we celebrate the birth and also changes the way we think of ourselves and other living beings. We can begin to see that connection and the potential for feeling that connection within all of us. The Guru also says that the child’s first physical connection is with the mother in the womb. When the mother feels that development of the child within her, past the period of when she might first discover the uncertainties in the first and second trimesters, into the sense of security or relief in the third, her mind blooms with joy.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that in ten lunar or nine solar months, according to the Hukam, or the Command, the child is born. It is through this birth that sorrow is erased, and great bliss prevails. When the child is in the womb, parents might still worry about whether they are developing into a healthy baby. They might be anxious about what could go wrong; they might worry about what to eat and what not to eat, what to do physically, and how to alleviate stress on the body and the baby. They might take great care and visit doctors, nutritionists, and doulas, constantly anxious. But the moment the child is born, all these worries leave them. They are full of bliss. The Guru also refers to the feminine friends, the feminine elements within us that sing in celebration. In this celebration of the birth, the Guru guides us toward singing the bliss-giving Infinite Wisdom. We sing the things that remind us of the Satguru, the Hukam, and the Gobind. What would it do for our children and us if we understood this from the time we were born? From the time our children were born? Can we sing about the bliss that transcends the physical world? Can we bring within us the Wisdom that reminds us of who all beings are? Who all beings are connected to? Can we elevate our celebration to the next level? It is this kind of celebration, this kind of singing, that is pleasing to the eternal sovereign. This is what matters most – not which ceremonies or customs we follow to celebrate a child's birth.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that the vine has grown, the lineage has moved forward, and we know that it is through the birth of Guru Harigobind that the Guruship continued. Despite unprincipled brothers, an unprincipled Empire, and unprincipled Sikhs, the lineage continued. Hari, the All-Pervasive, the 1-Light, establishes within each being the power of Divine principle. For the child Harigobind, that Divine principle and power was maintained. The rest of us have a hard time maintaining it. We are given this gift by the All-Pervasive One, the Remover of Suffering, the Fear-Eliminator so that we do not suffer and do not fear. We may equate coming into this world with great suffering — and many do. But what we do after coming into this world takes us away from the One who can eliminate our fear and remove our suffering. We come here in connection. We come here in devotion. We come here through the eternal Wisdom. We come here with the Divine principle of power instilled in us. If we can remember that, we can understand that the Satguru, the eternal Wisdom, has already taken care of us and given us what our minds desire – or connection with IkOankar. If we can feel that connection and that devotion, if we can connect with the eternal Wisdom which helps us connect with IkOankar, we can experience what it means to be worry-free.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that a child takes much pride in their father, but the child who is a devotee of Gobind, the Earth-Knower, only speaks what the Wisdom makes them speak and only acts in accordance with the Will or the Command. It is this honor and this loving connection with the One from which we all come. This is what the devotee does even as a child. The Guru says that this is not a hidden secret matter. Guru Nanak has become pleased and bestowed the blessing. Guru Nanak was happy and overflowing with happiness and graced us with this gift — the birth of Harigobind and the understanding of our connection with the Earth-Knower.
This is the historical and eternal idea: everything started with Guru Nanak, with the Command and the devotion toward the Earth-Knower. We are urged to unite as feminine friends and sing the Infinite Wisdom. Through this singing, we will continue to live in connection with the One. We will continue to experience that which our mind desires. We will continue to understand that we are of IkOankar. We will continue to understand that all things are blessings from the eternal Wisdom. Will we see ourselves this way? Will we teach our children to see themselves this way? Will we sing in celebration of this understanding?
Guru Arjan says, the child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The word Gobind, or Earth-Knower, is etymologically connected to the word vind or seed. The seed is the origin of creation, the thing given by the Earth-Knower, the first thing that we are connected to and rooted in. Vind also has a connotation of finding or gaining something. These two elements come together to refer to IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One) as both the Origin of creation and the Knower of creation. The child, Harigobind, is born as a devoted one of the Earth-Knower. What does this mean? When we are devoted to someone, it is because we know them intimately. We have developed a great love for them. We are known to them, and they are known to us. Although this can be understood to be about the child Harigobind, the Guru is also saying that everyone who comes into this world is a devotee of the Earth-Knower. We have that connection with the Source when we are born. It is direct, and it is powerful. We are not born separated from the One. We are born knowing the One and being known by the One. Among everyone, it is written and evident from the original One. This is the Hukam, the Command within which we are all living.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that it was the Satguru, the eternal Wisdom, who sent the child. In this composition, it is made clear that the Satguru is Guru Nanak. Again, although this can be read in the context of Guru Harigobind’s birth, this can also be extended into our understanding of all life as being sent by the eternal Wisdom. The foundational principle of Sikhi is that everyone is a divine gift sent by the imperishable One, the eternal Wisdom. The Guru says that the one who has a long life is born through sanjog or union. This is not about the physical meeting but the child's connection to their Source, Gobind, and IkOankar. In that state of connection or union, the child is sent here. This is about all living beings and their relationship with IkOankar. All of us are born in a state of connection. All of us are born knowing IkOankar and knowing that we are of IkOankar, not separate from IkOankar. It is only through living a life here, through the distraction around us, through our own forgetfulness, that we convince ourselves we are separated. Having an understanding of this deep connection as being inherent in all of us changes the way we celebrate the birth and also changes the way we think of ourselves and other living beings. We can begin to see that connection and the potential for feeling that connection within all of us. The Guru also says that the child’s first physical connection is with the mother in the womb. When the mother feels that development of the child within her, past the period of when she might first discover the uncertainties in the first and second trimesters, into the sense of security or relief in the third, her mind blooms with joy.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that in ten lunar or nine solar months, according to the Hukam, or the Command, the child is born. It is through this birth that sorrow is erased, and great bliss prevails. When the child is in the womb, parents might still worry about whether they are developing into a healthy baby. They might be anxious about what could go wrong; they might worry about what to eat and what not to eat, what to do physically, and how to alleviate stress on the body and the baby. They might take great care and visit doctors, nutritionists, and doulas, constantly anxious. But the moment the child is born, all these worries leave them. They are full of bliss. The Guru also refers to the feminine friends, the feminine elements within us that sing in celebration. In this celebration of the birth, the Guru guides us toward singing the bliss-giving Infinite Wisdom. We sing the things that remind us of the Satguru, the Hukam, and the Gobind. What would it do for our children and us if we understood this from the time we were born? From the time our children were born? Can we sing about the bliss that transcends the physical world? Can we bring within us the Wisdom that reminds us of who all beings are? Who all beings are connected to? Can we elevate our celebration to the next level? It is this kind of celebration, this kind of singing, that is pleasing to the eternal sovereign. This is what matters most – not which ceremonies or customs we follow to celebrate a child's birth.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that the vine has grown, the lineage has moved forward, and we know that it is through the birth of Guru Harigobind that the Guruship continued. Despite unprincipled brothers, an unprincipled Empire, and unprincipled Sikhs, the lineage continued. Hari, the All-Pervasive, the 1-Light, establishes within each being the power of Divine principle. For the child Harigobind, that Divine principle and power was maintained. The rest of us have a hard time maintaining it. We are given this gift by the All-Pervasive One, the Remover of Suffering, the Fear-Eliminator so that we do not suffer and do not fear. We may equate coming into this world with great suffering — and many do. But what we do after coming into this world takes us away from the One who can eliminate our fear and remove our suffering. We come here in connection. We come here in devotion. We come here through the eternal Wisdom. We come here with the Divine principle of power instilled in us. If we can remember that, we can understand that the Satguru, the eternal Wisdom, has already taken care of us and given us what our minds desire – or connection with IkOankar. If we can feel that connection and that devotion, if we can connect with the eternal Wisdom which helps us connect with IkOankar, we can experience what it means to be worry-free.
The child, the devotee of the Earth-Knower, is born. It has become evident to all what was written from the Origin. The Guru says that a child takes much pride in their father, but the child who is a devotee of Gobind, the Earth-Knower, only speaks what the Wisdom makes them speak and only acts in accordance with the Will or the Command. It is this honor and this loving connection with the One from which we all come. This is what the devotee does even as a child. The Guru says that this is not a hidden secret matter. Guru Nanak has become pleased and bestowed the blessing. Guru Nanak was happy and overflowing with happiness and graced us with this gift — the birth of Harigobind and the understanding of our connection with the Earth-Knower.
This is the historical and eternal idea: everything started with Guru Nanak, with the Command and the devotion toward the Earth-Knower. We are urged to unite as feminine friends and sing the Infinite Wisdom. Through this singing, we will continue to live in connection with the One. We will continue to experience that which our mind desires. We will continue to understand that we are of IkOankar. We will continue to understand that all things are blessings from the eternal Wisdom. Will we see ourselves this way? Will we teach our children to see themselves this way? Will we sing in celebration of this understanding?
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