vīāhu hoā mere bābulā gurmukhe hari pāiā.
agiānu andherā kaṭiā gur giānu pracanḍu balāiā.
baliā gur giānu andherā binsiā hari ratanu padārathu lādhā.
haümai rogu gaïā dukhu lāthā āpu āpai gurmati khādhā.
akāl mūrati varu pāiā abināsī nā kade marai na jāiā.
vīāhu hoā mere bābolā gurmukhe hari pāiā.2.
-Guru Granth Sahib 78
This Sabad’s second pauri (stanza) holds a special place during the wedding ceremony. After reciting the four stanzas of the Lavan composition and six stanzas of Anand Sahib, the second stanza of this Sabad is either sung or recited. Within this Sabad, the Guru uses the metaphor of worldly marriage to impart guidance on life’s path. The first stanza addresses how one can experience IkOankar, suggesting that this union is attainable by embracing the Guru’s wisdom and recognizing the value within the realm of IkOankar while living in the earthly world. The second stanza expresses the joy of experiencing IkOankar, while the third stanza emphasizes the union with IkOankar through meeting devotees and the subsequent bliss it brings. In the fourth stanza, IkOankar and IkOankar’s Nam are sought as a dowry, gracefully concluding the process of union with IkOankar. Lastly, this composition conveys that through union with the all-Pervading IkOankar, the seeker’s lineage progresses.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the second stanza, Guru Ramdas uses the cultural symbolism of the act or ceremony of marriage to explore the connection or union between the seeker and IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). The Guru says, my marriage has been solemnized, my dear father! I have found the 1-Light by becoming Wisdom-oriented. In this marriage, union, and connection, the darkness of ignorance has been cut, and the powerful Wisdom has been illuminated within.
The Wisdom has been illuminated within, through which the darkness of ignorance has been removed, and all illusions destroyed. The darkness within must go away when there is such a light, so powerful and so vast, when it fills us up and pours out of us. It does go away. Through this internal illumination, we become clear on what we want. We are aware and enlightened. And because we are clear and aware of what we seek, we are able to discover that jewel-like substance, the gem of Identification with the 1-Light. When we find that jewel within, the disease of ego runs from us. Our suffering ends. Through the teachings of the Wisdom, the internal self devours the sense of self or i-ness that causes us to act out of ego. Somehow, as a consequence of the discovery of the jewel of the 1-Light, the self is able to engulf that internal sense of i-ness, and take care of it.
The Guru ends by saying, I have found the timeless and deathless One, the Husband. This is the 1-Light, the All-Pervasive, the One who never dies or is born. The Guru again addresses the Father, the Wisdom, which helps us all to wed the Spouse, the Divine, and says, My marriage has been solemnized, my dear father! I have found the 1-Light by becoming Wisdom-oriented. This is the union we are urged to seek, the connection we are encouraged to pursue — that connection which cuts the darkness of ignorance and illuminates within us the powerful Wisdom. Will we experience internal illumination? Will we discover the jewel of Identification? Will we wed the Divine as the Husband?
The Wisdom has been illuminated within, through which the darkness of ignorance has been removed, and all illusions destroyed. The darkness within must go away when there is such a light, so powerful and so vast, when it fills us up and pours out of us. It does go away. Through this internal illumination, we become clear on what we want. We are aware and enlightened. And because we are clear and aware of what we seek, we are able to discover that jewel-like substance, the gem of Identification with the 1-Light. When we find that jewel within, the disease of ego runs from us. Our suffering ends. Through the teachings of the Wisdom, the internal self devours the sense of self or i-ness that causes us to act out of ego. Somehow, as a consequence of the discovery of the jewel of the 1-Light, the self is able to engulf that internal sense of i-ness, and take care of it.
The Guru ends by saying, I have found the timeless and deathless One, the Husband. This is the 1-Light, the All-Pervasive, the One who never dies or is born. The Guru again addresses the Father, the Wisdom, which helps us all to wed the Spouse, the Divine, and says, My marriage has been solemnized, my dear father! I have found the 1-Light by becoming Wisdom-oriented. This is the union we are urged to seek, the connection we are encouraged to pursue — that connection which cuts the darkness of ignorance and illuminates within us the powerful Wisdom. Will we experience internal illumination? Will we discover the jewel of Identification? Will we wed the Divine as the Husband?
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