This
pauri (stanza), revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib, is accompanied by three
saloks. The first salok comprises six lines and describes the prevalence of falsehood and the lack of truth resulting from the harmful effects of Kaliyug (present times). The second salok consists of ten lines and depicts how the world lives under vices’ influence. No one is untouched by the impact of vices. The third salok includes four lines and illustrates that though all consider themselves to be supreme respectively, in the court of IkOankar (the Divine), the only measure of one’s greatness is the honor one receives. This pauri depicts the helplessness of individuals and that only individuals on whom IkOankar bestows the enlightenment of Wisdom (Guru) may escape the influence of falsehood and merge with the Truth.
paüṛī.
dhuri karamu jinā kaü tudhu pāiā tā tinī khasamu dhiāiā.
enā jantā kai vasi kichu nāhī tudhu vekī jagatu upāiā.
iknā no tūṁ meli laihi iki āpahu tudhu khuāiā.
gur kirpā te jāṇiā jithai tudhu āpu bujhāiā.
sahaje hī saci samāiā.11.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
Guru Nanak uses the ballad to address IkOankar directly, making a compassionate request, considering the state of humanity in this age of pervasive falsehood and darkness. The Guru acknowledges the condition we are all in, and says to IkOankar that whoever has been graced, they are the ones who will remember IkOankar, and those who have not felt the grace will be caught up in all of this falsehood. Guru Nanak says there is nothing in the control of these beings. IkOankar has made us as we operate — some of us are near to the One, and some of us stay far from the One.
Guru Nanak says that through the grace of Wisdom, or Guru (the one who brings enlightenment-light by dispelling ignorance-darkness), IkOankar can be realized in our hearts, but it is only in the hearts where IkOankar has made Own-self to be realized that this can happen. It is only by virtue of the Wisdom that there can be union with IkOankar, the Eternal.
Guru Nanak is asking IkOankar to consider the context of this age, asking for kindness and grace. This connects with the earlier verses in which Guru Nanak is asking the populous to operate in grace, to move past anger, to refrain from fighting “badness” with badness, to bring reverence and color ourselves, especially in an age where everything around us makes all of that very difficult. Guru Nanak addresses IkOankar on behalf of all of us and says, we need Your grace and mentoring, we need the Wisdom of the Guru now, in this wisdom-less age.
