hoyo hai hovanto haraṇ bharaṇ sampūrṇaḥ.
sādhū satam jāṇo nānak prīti kāraṇaṅ.23.
-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
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In the twenty-third salok, Guru Arjan says that IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One) is the One who is all-capable and perfect, the One who is, was, and will be, the Nurturer and Destroyer of all beings, complete and every way. The vastness of the One is being emphasized, and thus the impossibility of knowing the One completely. How do we become like IkOankar, if we cannot fully understand IkOankar’s depth and vastness? How do we develop love with IkOankar, if we cannot fathom IkOankar? We go to the ones who are sage-like, the virtuous ones. We join their company, and we listen to the Wisdom as the source of developing love with the One. When we witness the love of those who have a relationship with the One, when we are guided by the Wisdom, when we have created a community with those in love with the One, who have become like the One, this is how we discover or meet the One. It is in this company; it is out of the experience of being in this company that the deep knowledge and wisdom of the One comes. That understanding cannot develop without the love we witness in this company.
When we have trouble understanding something in school, we go to our teachers or tutors. When we have trouble executing something in sports, we go to our coaches. The same is true when we want to understand the One who is, was, and will be, who is both the source of sustenance and the source of destruction. When we want to understand the completeness and depth of that One, we need to go to those who can coach us, train us in inculcating virtues, change our behavior, and stay determined to meet the One through great effort. These sage-like ones know the One intimately. They know the depth and eternality of the One because they are in love, and the state of being in love is what helps us understand the things that cannot be understood through mere logic or intellect. Being in love is an experience of knowing. Are we ready to be trained by the virtuous ones and shown the way to meet the One? Are we ready to understand what seems impossible to understand?
When we have trouble understanding something in school, we go to our teachers or tutors. When we have trouble executing something in sports, we go to our coaches. The same is true when we want to understand the One who is, was, and will be, who is both the source of sustenance and the source of destruction. When we want to understand the completeness and depth of that One, we need to go to those who can coach us, train us in inculcating virtues, change our behavior, and stay determined to meet the One through great effort. These sage-like ones know the One intimately. They know the depth and eternality of the One because they are in love, and the state of being in love is what helps us understand the things that cannot be understood through mere logic or intellect. Being in love is an experience of knowing. Are we ready to be trained by the virtuous ones and shown the way to meet the One? Are we ready to understand what seems impossible to understand?
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