Anjuli

Guru Arjan Sahib

Composed in Rag (musical mode) Maru, this second composition, under the title Anjuli, inspires us to confront our battles and strive for victory in the war of life. Maru, as a musical mode, cultivates zeal and enthusiasm within us to engage in this war rather than turn away from it. Listening to this musical mode, our cowardice fades, and we fearlessly engage in the war before us, seeking to see through our illusions and meet IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). More broadly, the related titles Anjuli and its plural Anjulia connect us to a sense of earnest offering, as well as the receiving that a seeker experiences in their relationship with IkOankar. Anjuli and Anjulia, more specifically, refer to the clasping of hands commonly practiced in South Asian greetings and prayers—it is a physical representation of both offering and being open to receiving with humility. This sentiment underlines the composition; through Guru Arjan’s offering it to us, we are inspired to offer ourselves to IkOankar rather than to material things and relationships. In doing so, we open ourselves to receive Grace from IkOankar, allowing us to be victorious in our lives.

Guru Arjan begins by invoking our networks—the people we turn to for help: Neither the physician nor the protector, neither the sister nor the brother; Ram alone is helpful. Here, we are called to reflect on our tendency to seek solutions and advice from others. Guru Arjan challenges these ingrained patterns, urging us to recognize the supreme help and support we have in Ram, the beautiful One, an epithet for IkOankar. We often seek diagnosis and prognosis from others, and many offer help in various forms: physicians, therapists, and spiritual practitioners of all kinds. We ask them: How do I stop worrying? What can I do to be happy? What is wrong with me? What Guru Arjan wants us to realize is that our protection and security depend solely on IkOankar. Have we truly turned to IkOankar, or are we still seeking advice from people we think have the answers? This isn’t about not going to the doctor, or not asking our friends for help—it’s more about changing what we are looking for. There is nothing else comparable to the protection found in union with the One; this is our greatest support. That is what we ought to seek. Let us look for support and security in our relationship with IkOankar, rather than in the minute details of our lives, which are often beyond our control. Our relationship with IkOankar can bring such clarity that the questions we have for friends, family, and doctors begin to fade. Victory lies in recognizing IkOankar as our greatest support.

Guru Arjan familiarizes us more with IkOankar, the one who is supremely helpful: Ram, whose doing prevails, who washes the filth of sins, who is supreme. Here, we are awakened to the immanence of the beautiful One, IkOankar, here and now, in our very bones and breath. Our delusions that the Divine is somewhere far away, disconnected, or outside the world dissolve. All that we see and feel is a manifestation, a doing, of IkOankar in every moment. The Will, that is, the actions and doings of IkOankar, are all-pervasive, and they reign supreme in this world. Moreover, IkOankar is spoken of here as a supreme chief or leader, subverting our tendency to pedestalize people in our lives—only IkOankar deserves such. We often look to other humans for authority, from the social to the political and the spiritual. We think these people can help us perfect ourselves, guide us toward wholeness, and show us how to succeed. Guru Arjan says our greatness lies in remembering the One who is without blemish, without vice, who is completely whole in Own-Self, as we come to realize that One is within us. Nobody else can show us that Truth within. It’s IkOankar who makes us great and successful, who brings us to wholeness, and who chips away at our accumulated habits, thoughts, and emotions born of separation. Therein, our transgressions lose their grip, we remember the beautiful One, and we can become victorious. When we inculcate remembrance of IkOankar and this immanence, over time, this Truth can come to dwell within us. Strengthening our hearts and minds in this way, we step into our roles as warriors in our lives. We walk toward the One and invite victory for ourselves.

Guru Arjan further emphasizes our closeness with the beautiful One. Ram is the Dweller in each and every body, the Dweller in all places. Inviting us to reflect more deeply, we are guided to consider our bodies and how the One dwells within us all. We think we know our bodies, yet do we overlook that the beautiful One resides within us, within everything? There is nothing outside the One. Guru Arjan speaks here of IkOankar’s stability. Most people say they want help from someone stable. If we’re looking for a doctor, we seek one with the most experience and knowledge, whose skills have grown over time. We recognize the importance of vastness, knowledge, and experience; we trust those with the most expertise to help us. Yet, we often forget that IkOankar has the broadest perspective—the most expansive vantage point. IkOankar is the most stable, residing in and knowing all, yet completely independent and stable in Own-Self as well. Those with limited perspectives may be able to give us prescriptions—tell us to buy such and such or tell us to visit somewhere—this advice is born of a narrow view. If we truly want wholesome help, let us recognize that the One is within us, complete in Own-Self, all-pervading, and turn to that One before we get caught up in the countless perspectives in our networks.  That is what we ought to do if we are seeking victory in life. 

Guru Arjan invites us further into the steadiness of the beautiful One within us: Ram neither comes nor goes, Ram dwells along. The beautiful One, the ever-steady IkOankar, is manifest within us, never departing or arriving. This One is unchanging, pristine, eternal, and always with us. All actions of the One are complete and perfect. To whom else shall we go? As people in the world, we know transgression abounds. Our society thrives on coveting others’ looks and possessions, keeping our fortunes to ourselves, and seeking never-ending isolation from the world’s suffering through all kinds of conveniences. None of us is outside the tendency to be self-oriented to a fault. None of us is beyond comings and goings from this world, from our relationships, from our commitments. So why do we turn to each other for advice? Let us turn toward IkOankar, the One beyond limitations, the only One who possesses the virtues needed to support us in the war of life. 

Guru Arjan leaves us with a resounding message that guides our path: Ram is the protector of devoted beings; saintly beings live by reciting the Nam of the Sustainer of breaths. Guru Arjan explores the vastness and virtues of IkOankar in depth; the beautiful One as a supreme leader, ever-steady, and perfect in all respects. Rather than relying on those in our networks who are subject to limitation, it is IkOankar alone who protects. Saintly beings, devotees, in sacrificing themselves to that One, experience that protection. For saintly beings, Nam (Identification with IkOankar) becomes the ultimate sustaining experience—it is what keeps them living and breathing. Those devoted saintly ones who live and walk in Truth, in intimate and earnest love for the One, are supported by nothing other than the experience of Identification. Without this jewel of Identification, we are like a delicate plant devoid of its life-giving water, deprived of that which nourishes all. Invoking the name of Guru Nanak, reminding us that all Guru embodiments are of the same light, Guru Arjan says it is that One—the cause and the doer, all-capable—to whom he sacrifices himself. In this way, Guru Arjan illuminates the path to victory in the war of life. When we are fully devoted, in adoration of and in love with the One, we become willing to do anything to keep our connection with that One alive. Keeping that connection alive is the war we are up against. In this battle, Identification becomes the support of our very breath. Our love for IkOankar and our self-sacrifice lead us to victory, having realized the True support, the True help, that which we receive from IkOankar alone.

In this composition, Guru Arjan illuminates the supreme help we have in IkOankar, who has no limitations. Guru Arjan contrasts the virtues we see in others whom we idolize and look to for support: some are good leaders, some can offer a prognosis, and others offer specific suggestions. Yet, in comparison to IkOankar, all people and all advice are limited, and we can easily forget who we truly ought to turn to for support. IkOankar possesses limitless virtues and qualities and is pervading and innate in everything, even in what we consider closest: our bodies, our hearts. When we are unwell in mind, body, spirit, emotionally, or financially, we ought to turn to IkOankar, whose ever-steadiness, perfection, and pervasiveness can support us in any trial or tribulation. Saintly beings live in this way, remembering the One with each breath. They come to embrace the Identity of IkOankar as their own and become willing to do anything to remain in that experience of union. Saintly beings realize that the experience of union and Identification is the true support, beyond all other help. Will we open ourselves to receiving this precious, jewel-like gift of Identification? Will we let the perfection of IkOankar wash away our imperfections and transgressions? Will we remain devoted to the beautiful One and become victorious?