varu pāiaṛā bālṛīe āsā mansā pūrī rām.
piri rāviaṛī sabadi ralī ravi rahiā nah dūrī rām.
prabhu dūri na hoī ghaṭi ghaṭi soī tis kī nāri sabāī.
āpe rasīā āpe rāve jiu tis dī vaḍiāī.
amar aḍolu amolu apārā guri pūrai sacu pāīai.
nānak āpe jog sajogī nadari kare liv lāīai.3.
-Guru Granth Sahib 765
The first stanza of this Sabad describes the excitement of union with the Divine-Husband (IkOankar). The seeker is keen to enjoy bliss by experiencing IkOankar (the Divine) through the eternal Nam. The second stanza states that when the dearest IkOankar is experienced, the heart blooms with joy. All flaws are removed, and the heart overflows with virtues. The third stanza emphasizes that IkOankar is pervading each and every being. IkOankar by Own-Self is the bestower of the joy of union and by Own-Self the enjoyer of that union. In the last stanza, IkOankar is called the Sovereign of the three worlds, in whose court only the precious jewel of Nam is accepted. Through the Nam, the being recognizes their inner-self and becomes like the eternal IkOankar.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the third stanza, Guru Nanak says that the young human-bride who has found the Divine-Groom has had every hope and desire fulfilled. The young human bride has discovered the Groom! The young human-bride is not a new seeker but may be a seeker who is deemed immature, naive, or without knowledge. We see young humans as being young in their approaches, desires, asks, and emotions. We see this when young people are in love — we diminish it with the phrase ‘puppy love’ because we can’t imagine they really understand love. When we speak of young human-brides or seekers, we might think of all the negative connotations the word ‘young’ carries. But the Guru is subverting this through the statement that this young human-bride has found the Groom and experienced fulfillment. This seeker is relishing in an enjoyment that is not only surface-level. There is an element of innocence and playfulness here, but it is not negative; these are the beautiful seekers who have the Divine-Groom in their lives now. They are able to enjoy the Spouse through the Wisdom and become a part of the One. They never feel far from the One because they understand that the One is pervading everywhere. Not only do they understand it, they experience it. They experience the presence of the Spouse within them and in all things. They do not ever feel far from the One. We, too, can experience this relationship with IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One). If we do, we will experience the expansion of that relationship such that there is no separation between us once we have met. People in worldly relationships might experience physical or emotional separation at different times. This does not happen in the relationship between a seeker and the One. This relationship happens through the Word of Wisdom. And it brings the experience of constant presence and an experiential understanding that the One is with us always, never far from us. Because we have come to know this, because we have come to live this, we are in constant enjoyment, lovingly and excitedly relishing this relationship.
The Guru again emphasizes that the Divine-Husband is not far away, that the Divine-Husband alone is in each and every heart, and that all human-brides are of the Divine-Husband. The Guru is identifying with the human-brides, emphasizing that we are all feminine beings in relationship to the One. Those who are enjoying this relationship understand and experience the closeness of the One and the presence of the One in all hearts — not just their own. All human beings are of this Divine! We do not have to fight for attention or connection as if it is a finite thing that can be exhausted. We all have the ability to live in a relationship with IkOankar, to feel the presence of IkOankar, and to experience deep devotion and connection to IkOankar. Those seekers who are experiencing this relationship are mature enough to know that this is for all people. If we have not engaged in inner cultivation, if we have not worked to rid our heart-homes of non-virtues, if we have not inculcated the virtues, if we have not experienced a behavior change, we will still be stuck arguing about the question of access. We will still believe that some are ‘lucky’ or ‘blessed’ or for whom this relationship is possible, and some for whom it is not. The Guru reminds us that IkOankar is by Own-Self the Enjoyer of love, by Own-Self enjoys the union, and by Own-Self gives this enjoyment of union to the seeker. This is the greatness of the One! This is the Vastness of the One! So why is it hard for us to believe that the One is capable of having this relationship with all of us?
The Guru continues to reflect on the Vastness of IkOankar and says, The Divine-Husband is immortal, infinite, immovable, invaluable. The Eternal is found through the complete Wisdom. This listing is made in a state of awe, something we might say when we are fully in a state of enjoyment and bewilderment at what we are experiencing. The human-bride or seeker in a relationship with the One is constantly in a state of bliss. The seeker is able to experience this internally through perfect Wisdom. The One facilitates this union; the One causes this union by casting a glance of Grace upon the seekers. When this happens, the seeker finds that a loving connection is attached with the One. The seeker starts with the personal experience of living in a relationship with the One, the deep joy and excitement of that love as it blossoms, and the exhilaration of being transformed by it. As the relationship develops, as the personal experience becomes vast, the seeker experiences an expansion of understanding, a transcendence of jealousy and selfishness, and a true experience of IkOankar as they understand the potential that all beings have for this relationship and experience. Will we young seekers experience that transcendent Love? Will we experience the ceaselessness of IkOankar’s presence in all things? Will we experience the Vastness of the One?
The Guru again emphasizes that the Divine-Husband is not far away, that the Divine-Husband alone is in each and every heart, and that all human-brides are of the Divine-Husband. The Guru is identifying with the human-brides, emphasizing that we are all feminine beings in relationship to the One. Those who are enjoying this relationship understand and experience the closeness of the One and the presence of the One in all hearts — not just their own. All human beings are of this Divine! We do not have to fight for attention or connection as if it is a finite thing that can be exhausted. We all have the ability to live in a relationship with IkOankar, to feel the presence of IkOankar, and to experience deep devotion and connection to IkOankar. Those seekers who are experiencing this relationship are mature enough to know that this is for all people. If we have not engaged in inner cultivation, if we have not worked to rid our heart-homes of non-virtues, if we have not inculcated the virtues, if we have not experienced a behavior change, we will still be stuck arguing about the question of access. We will still believe that some are ‘lucky’ or ‘blessed’ or for whom this relationship is possible, and some for whom it is not. The Guru reminds us that IkOankar is by Own-Self the Enjoyer of love, by Own-Self enjoys the union, and by Own-Self gives this enjoyment of union to the seeker. This is the greatness of the One! This is the Vastness of the One! So why is it hard for us to believe that the One is capable of having this relationship with all of us?
The Guru continues to reflect on the Vastness of IkOankar and says, The Divine-Husband is immortal, infinite, immovable, invaluable. The Eternal is found through the complete Wisdom. This listing is made in a state of awe, something we might say when we are fully in a state of enjoyment and bewilderment at what we are experiencing. The human-bride or seeker in a relationship with the One is constantly in a state of bliss. The seeker is able to experience this internally through perfect Wisdom. The One facilitates this union; the One causes this union by casting a glance of Grace upon the seekers. When this happens, the seeker finds that a loving connection is attached with the One. The seeker starts with the personal experience of living in a relationship with the One, the deep joy and excitement of that love as it blossoms, and the exhilaration of being transformed by it. As the relationship develops, as the personal experience becomes vast, the seeker experiences an expansion of understanding, a transcendence of jealousy and selfishness, and a true experience of IkOankar as they understand the potential that all beings have for this relationship and experience. Will we young seekers experience that transcendent Love? Will we experience the ceaselessness of IkOankar’s presence in all things? Will we experience the Vastness of the One?
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