sumantra sādh bacnā koṭi dokh bināsanah.
hari caraṇ kamal dhyānaṅ nānak kul samūh udhāraṇah.11.
-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.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the eleventh salok, Guru Arjan says that the utterances of the Wisdom are the greatest teachings. It is this Wisdom that destroys millions of our flaws. The word used is mantra, referring to a different kind of recitation, not a mere repetition of a word, sound, slogan, or statement, but the Wisdom that requires great humility and contemplation, reflection and profound attentiveness, through which we can make an effort and earn the path. The sage-like instruction of this recitation burns up our sorrows, vices, and flaws. It changes our internal world and our external life.
There are other disciplines available to us — endless paths and endless ways that we are told we can become free. Those other methods are centered on the self and only the self. But this discipline, this instruction, this path, is the one that both frees us and makes us fragrant so that those who may come near us can also become fragrant and free. This is the meditation on the lotus-feet of the 1-Light, the All-Pervasive, IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One). This is the connection, submission, devotion, and reverence to the One that frees us and our companions and family members of flaws and transgressions. Are we willing to do that kind of recitation, to practice that kind of remembrance, that kind of Identification?
There are other disciplines available to us — endless paths and endless ways that we are told we can become free. Those other methods are centered on the self and only the self. But this discipline, this instruction, this path, is the one that both frees us and makes us fragrant so that those who may come near us can also become fragrant and free. This is the meditation on the lotus-feet of the 1-Light, the All-Pervasive, IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One). This is the connection, submission, devotion, and reverence to the One that frees us and our companions and family members of flaws and transgressions. Are we willing to do that kind of recitation, to practice that kind of remembrance, that kind of Identification?
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