This
pauri (stanza), revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib, is accompanied by two
saloks. The first salok comprises four lines, and the second salok contains three. Both saloks revolve around the theme of IkOankar (the Divine), the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer of the entire creation. All pain and pleasure in the life of a being are per the Will. The director of all world-plays is IkOankar alone; all individuals live life per the Will of IkOankar. This pauri demonstrates the indescribable greatness of IkOankar.
saloku m: 1.
āpe bhānḍe sājianu āpe pūraṇu dei.
ikn̖ī dudhu samāīai iki cul̖ia rahan̖i caṛe.
iki nihālī pai savan̖i iki upari rahani khaṛe.
tin̖ā savāre nānakā jin̖ kaü nadari kare.1.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
Guru Nanak uses the metaphor of the vessel to talk about all of the beings. Every vessel or body is created completely by 1Force (IkOankar, One Universal Integrative Force, also referred to as 1-Ness). 1Force bestows sustenance onto those beings. Guru Nanak is explaining through this extended metaphor that there is no merit in or room for questioning the existence of the capacity of certain individuals. We are all born with this gift of the vessel from the 1Force, and in these bodies, we will see incompleteness or the ways we are not enough, the ways we are flawed. But that incompleteness is due to our behaviors. The vessel itself is complete. Milk is poured in some vessels, while many others stay mounted on the stove — some beings gain happiness in life, while many others suffer. Some beings, who have gained happiness in life, are at ease and rest on the mattresses, while many others stay awake, standing as guards or servants. Some of us are happy and some of us are suffering in pain. Are they in happiness or pain because of their own doings? Guru Nanak tells us of the reality of variations in experiences. What really matters at the end of the day is not what we are observing or even experiencing as our roles in the world, but it is about whether or not we feel the grace. Bodily pains and comforts do not determine whether someone has made it in this world. We could be millionaires who want for nothing, but that still does not mean we have made it in the world. The only determining factor, in that case, is Grace. Those who feel the grace (regardless of their physical circumstances or roles and social standing) are the fortunate ones whom 1Force has enriched.
