bhāvanī sādh saṅgeṇ labhantaṅ baḍ bhāgaṇah.
hari nām guṇ ramṇaṅ nānak sansār sāgar nah biāpaṇah.9.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1360
Guru Arjan Sahib describes a flaw-riddled body and the futile nature of pride in material attachment to the physical world. The seeker is encouraged to connect with the eternal IkOankar (the Divine), who removes diseases, sorrows, and sufferings, making way for a fruitful life. The precious gift of Nam is received in the company of virtuous beings and makes the seekers’ lives fruitful. This saloks encourages seekers to welcome the company of virtuous beings to unite with the all-pervasive IkOankar and find eternal comfort and happiness.
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Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
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In the ninth salok, Guru Arjan says that devotion develops in the company of virtuous beings, which are found through great fortune. This devotion and love are very hard to cultivate without the virtuous ones. In their company, we contemplate the virtues of the 1-Light, Identify with the 1-Light, and praise the 1-Light. It is in this company, engaging in this devotion, that worldly attachment and vices do not influence us. This is not to say it will be all roses all the time — cultivating devotion is not easy, and it requires us to exist in devotion even in separation. And it cannot happen if we have not made an effort toward internal cleansing. When devotion enters, when we begin to cultivate the virtues within us and become like the One, we are finally able to cross this world-ocean in devotion and make our lives fruitful.
It is the company of the virtuous ones that allows us not to get taken in by this world, to get out of indulging in this world, not to be affected by the sorrows that come our way, and to rise above the influence of vices. We find this company through great fortune. Great fortune does not come on its own. This has something to do with good deeds, changing our behaviors to create good fortune. This is the discipline. This does not mean that all things are determined through only good deeds. However, it is the beginning of the journey towards being like the One, and adopting the virtues of the One. Great fortune is experienced in this life. It is experienced with great intention and a great lifestyle. It requires some things from us — work and effort. Are we willing to make that effort?
It is the company of the virtuous ones that allows us not to get taken in by this world, to get out of indulging in this world, not to be affected by the sorrows that come our way, and to rise above the influence of vices. We find this company through great fortune. Great fortune does not come on its own. This has something to do with good deeds, changing our behaviors to create good fortune. This is the discipline. This does not mean that all things are determined through only good deeds. However, it is the beginning of the journey towards being like the One, and adopting the virtues of the One. Great fortune is experienced in this life. It is experienced with great intention and a great lifestyle. It requires some things from us — work and effort. Are we willing to make that effort?
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