carṇārbind man bidhyaṅ. sidhyaṅ sarab kusalṇah.
gāthā gāvanti nānak bhabyaṅ parā pūrbaṇah.18.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1361
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 eighteenth salok, Guru Arjan describes the fruitfulness of connecting with the lotus-feet of IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One). Through connection with IkOankar, through humility and submission and reverence and devotion, all comforts are received. This happens when the mind is reverently imbued with the Identification with IkOankar.
But, the Guru reminds us, it is only a fortunate one who experiences this, who sings the story of IkOankar, for whom IkOankar has written this from the very origin. It is a fortunate one whose mind is reverently imbued with the Identification with IkOankar, with the beauty, who sings praises of that comfort-giving Identification. Those who have understood this have been singing these praises from the beginning. We are being invited to think about how important it is for us to be in this constant song and remembrance and praise. We know that there are those who have sung this narrative, who have received all possible comforts, who know this narrative intimately in its vastness and in the way it transforms them from the inside out. We know that those who have sung this narrative are in constant reverence and devotion and praise, in love with the One, and that this love can change everything. We are constantly seeking joy, but what is that seeking rooted in? We might be singing, but of what? Are we singing this story of the One? Have we inculcated humility, submission, reverence, and devotion? Do we really want to be those fortunate ones?
But, the Guru reminds us, it is only a fortunate one who experiences this, who sings the story of IkOankar, for whom IkOankar has written this from the very origin. It is a fortunate one whose mind is reverently imbued with the Identification with IkOankar, with the beauty, who sings praises of that comfort-giving Identification. Those who have understood this have been singing these praises from the beginning. We are being invited to think about how important it is for us to be in this constant song and remembrance and praise. We know that there are those who have sung this narrative, who have received all possible comforts, who know this narrative intimately in its vastness and in the way it transforms them from the inside out. We know that those who have sung this narrative are in constant reverence and devotion and praise, in love with the One, and that this love can change everything. We are constantly seeking joy, but what is that seeking rooted in? We might be singing, but of what? Are we singing this story of the One? Have we inculcated humility, submission, reverence, and devotion? Do we really want to be those fortunate ones?
Tags
