āsā mahalā 5.
bhaī parāpati mānukh dehurīā.
gobind milaṇ kī ih terī barīā.
avari kāj terai kitai na kām.
milu sādhsaṅgati bhaju keval nām.1.
saranjāmi lāgu bhavjal taran kai.
janamu brithā jāt raṅgi māiā kai.1. rahāu.
japu tapu sanjamu dharamu na kamāiā.
sevā sādh na jāniā hari rāiā.
kahu nānak ham nīc karammā.
saraṇi pare kī rākhahu sarmā.2.4.
-Guru Granth Sahib 12
Guru Arjan Sahib describes human birth as the opportunity to realize IkOankar (the Divine). The company of the virtuous beings and Nam (Identification with IkOankar) helps in this realization. Therefore, seekers are encouraged to forsake attachment to material possessions and seize this opportunity.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
A seeker’s intention to develop a relationship and connection to the Sovereign was explored in the preceding sabads of So Purakhu (That Being). For many of us, taking active steps to connect with our beloved is something we revere as an important part of living a purposeful life. Some may spend their whole lives contemplating how this relationship could develop, one day, soon. For others, developing this connection is realized not as a ‘one-day’ possibility, rather a ‘right now’ priority.
Guru Arjan reminds us of the preciousness of life, of the opportunity we have received with this human body, to connect with our beloved Sovereign. We are asked to deeply reflect on our life journey and consider what steps we have actually taken to establish this connection? What are we actually investing our time and energy on? Are we living our lives in vain because worldly pursuits have become a competing priority? If so, is accumulating more consumables, wealth, status, and attachments (relationships, places, and things) fulfilling our needs or bringing us any closer to our Beloved? The Guru reminds us that seekers pursuing a love-connection with their Beloved can realign their focus and still pursue a relationship in the remaining time. They can do this by spending their time acknowledging the Beloved’s presence and by cultivating a daily devotional practice of revering their Sovereign. They can also seek the company of wisdom-centered people in communities where there are established group-devotional practices, where they can join in, to accentuate their efforts.
In identifying with the seeker’s journey, the metaphor of the world-ocean is used to describe the seeker’s efforts to swim across the wavering tides of the ocean to meet with their Beloved. The One Universal Integrative Force (1Force) represents the vastness of the ocean-water where the Creator and its creation (1-Ness) co-exist in the body of the ocean. The waves that carry the tide represent the temporary worldly temptations, desires, and illusions that form part of the challenges seekers face on their path to discover their Beloved. The analogy of the seeker swimming across this ocean-water enables us to reflect on the effort required by the seeker to be able to ‘ride the waves’ of the ocean, to seek one’s Beloved.
A swimmer must be disciplined and commit to regular practice to learn the strokes and techniques to swim. Likewise, a seeker striving to develop a connection puts effort into taking the steps essential to connect with their Beloved. Taking action-orientated steps (such as listening and contemplating the Sovereign praises) becomes one’s routine and commitment to pursue a connection with one’s Beloved. We are reminded that seeking the company of wisdom-centered seekers, who are committed to their practice as a lifestyle, can help us establish a new routine to stay focused on the aspired end-goal of connection with the 1. The Guru says, meeting together to remember the 1Force, is how Nam (the intuitive wisdom of the 1Force to feel the 1Ness) becomes self-realized by the conscious effort made by seekers in continuous remembrance. What preparation will you make with the help of others to establish this connection or sustain your efforts in pursuing the love for your Sovereign?
By identifying with those seekers, who have lived their lives in vain, Guru Arjan says, I haven’t made the effort to actively pursue this relationship or spend time remembering you as my one-focus. I have not devoted energy towards recognizing the collective wisdom of the 1Force in my life or in creation around me. Nor have I invested time in devotional practice such as meditation, or yoga, etc. Establishing a regular routine of devotional practice has not happened. I have not practiced any self-restraint of my senses. My mind remains distracted, and life lacks purpose. Now I am lost and have forgotten my life purpose. So please hold me close, and help me stay close to you, my Beloved, by remembering you. I have come to your refuge; please protect me and honor my reputation.
By taking refuge in one’s Sovereign, the seeker can seek the mentorship of their Beloved, and with the help of other wisdom-centered seekers, be supported in the effort made to meet with their Beloved, their Sovereign, So Purakhu (that Being).
If this is our chance to establish this connection, what intentional action-orientated steps are we taking to prepare for this journey to pursue this connection? Are wisdom-centric our companions on this journey? Is Identifying with the 1Force (Nam) our single most important commitment?
Guru Arjan reminds us of the preciousness of life, of the opportunity we have received with this human body, to connect with our beloved Sovereign. We are asked to deeply reflect on our life journey and consider what steps we have actually taken to establish this connection? What are we actually investing our time and energy on? Are we living our lives in vain because worldly pursuits have become a competing priority? If so, is accumulating more consumables, wealth, status, and attachments (relationships, places, and things) fulfilling our needs or bringing us any closer to our Beloved? The Guru reminds us that seekers pursuing a love-connection with their Beloved can realign their focus and still pursue a relationship in the remaining time. They can do this by spending their time acknowledging the Beloved’s presence and by cultivating a daily devotional practice of revering their Sovereign. They can also seek the company of wisdom-centered people in communities where there are established group-devotional practices, where they can join in, to accentuate their efforts.
In identifying with the seeker’s journey, the metaphor of the world-ocean is used to describe the seeker’s efforts to swim across the wavering tides of the ocean to meet with their Beloved. The One Universal Integrative Force (1Force) represents the vastness of the ocean-water where the Creator and its creation (1-Ness) co-exist in the body of the ocean. The waves that carry the tide represent the temporary worldly temptations, desires, and illusions that form part of the challenges seekers face on their path to discover their Beloved. The analogy of the seeker swimming across this ocean-water enables us to reflect on the effort required by the seeker to be able to ‘ride the waves’ of the ocean, to seek one’s Beloved.
A swimmer must be disciplined and commit to regular practice to learn the strokes and techniques to swim. Likewise, a seeker striving to develop a connection puts effort into taking the steps essential to connect with their Beloved. Taking action-orientated steps (such as listening and contemplating the Sovereign praises) becomes one’s routine and commitment to pursue a connection with one’s Beloved. We are reminded that seeking the company of wisdom-centered seekers, who are committed to their practice as a lifestyle, can help us establish a new routine to stay focused on the aspired end-goal of connection with the 1. The Guru says, meeting together to remember the 1Force, is how Nam (the intuitive wisdom of the 1Force to feel the 1Ness) becomes self-realized by the conscious effort made by seekers in continuous remembrance. What preparation will you make with the help of others to establish this connection or sustain your efforts in pursuing the love for your Sovereign?
By identifying with those seekers, who have lived their lives in vain, Guru Arjan says, I haven’t made the effort to actively pursue this relationship or spend time remembering you as my one-focus. I have not devoted energy towards recognizing the collective wisdom of the 1Force in my life or in creation around me. Nor have I invested time in devotional practice such as meditation, or yoga, etc. Establishing a regular routine of devotional practice has not happened. I have not practiced any self-restraint of my senses. My mind remains distracted, and life lacks purpose. Now I am lost and have forgotten my life purpose. So please hold me close, and help me stay close to you, my Beloved, by remembering you. I have come to your refuge; please protect me and honor my reputation.
By taking refuge in one’s Sovereign, the seeker can seek the mentorship of their Beloved, and with the help of other wisdom-centered seekers, be supported in the effort made to meet with their Beloved, their Sovereign, So Purakhu (that Being).
If this is our chance to establish this connection, what intentional action-orientated steps are we taking to prepare for this journey to pursue this connection? Are wisdom-centric our companions on this journey? Is Identifying with the 1Force (Nam) our single most important commitment?
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