Anand Sahib

Guru Amardas Sahib

In the twenty-ninth pauri, the twenty-ninth step on the ladder, Guru Amardas revealed that those who, through grace, establish a loving connection with IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One), discover that Maya, the alluring and enchanting fire, nurtures and shields them amidst the world’s fire, just as it did in the mother’s womb. Moving on to the thirtieth pauri, the thirtieth step, Guru Amardas states: Hari by Own-Self is priceless and cannot be obtained for any price. We pause, allowing this truth to sink in. In our world, everything is assigned a price, a value, to determine ownership. However, this loving connection defies such earthly measurements. It is a gift bestowed through the eternal Wisdom and cannot be measured, evaluated, or obtained. Guru Amardas reiterates that the value of Hari, the All-Pervasive, the 1-Light, is invaluable, is immeasurable beyond assessment, and cannot be acquired for any price by anyone. People may make various efforts, plead, and beg, but their attempts will be futile. However, should one encounter this kind of eternal Wisdom, we pause to ask, what kind of Wisdom is this? It’s the eternal Wisdom that, upon meeting, enables the "I" within oneself to dissolve, to vanish. In essence, it eradicates the ego and dissolves the sense of self. If one meets this eternal Wisdom, Guru Amardas advises offering one’s head, symbolizing the highest level of submission. Through this profound surrender, the inner self merges with the supreme Self, allowing the 1-Light to reside in the mind. The 1-Light is invaluable and priceless. Those who comprehend, accept, and embrace the significance of the 1-Light are fortunate; their laps are graced with the 1-Light. Guru Amardas concludes this ladder step: Great are the fortunes of those in whose hem of the garment Hari is received.

We reflect on the phrase "offering one’s head" as we delve into its profound depths, and we realize that it signifies a deep surrender, giving all aspects of our being over to the eternal Wisdom. In the Sikh context, it’s an act of submitting our very essence to the One. The eternal Wisdom facilitates a loving connection with the One. But what exactly does this loving connection entail? It’s nothing short of having the divine presence in our lives. It’s a gift that defies measurement, evaluation, or any earthly standard. We realize that, on our own, through our personal efforts, we are powerless to establish such a connection. It is through the grace of the eternal Wisdom that this bond becomes a reality. While there is a tangible martyrdom aspect to "offering one’s head" within Sikh tradition, it transcends the physical and becomes a deeply spiritual and emotional commitment. This phrase represents a significant transformation: the exchange of our thoughts for those guided by the eternal Wisdom, the relinquishment of the ego, and the dedication of the life we once held dear to a higher purpose. It encapsulates these aspects and so much more. A remarkable attribute of eternal Wisdom is its extraordinary ability to dissolve the ego, granting us the privilege of embracing the invaluable, the priceless One. As we delve into this journey, we are invited to humbly offer all we possess–our intellectual knowledge, material wealth, and bodily strength. Yet, it’s a deeper question that beckons. Are we willing to surrender everything, even the very essence of our lives, in exchange for receiving something truly invaluable? This act of offering our heads symbolizes complete and utter surrender. It signifies the release of all attachments to worldly matters and giving ourselves entirely to the eternal Wisdom. This verse strongly reiterates twice that the One is beyond measure and price, leaving us with a profound inquiry. Can we truly resonate with this thought? Can we fully and warmly embrace this deep idea in our hearts?

We may ask ourselves: In a world where everything appears to have a price or value, will the notion that a loving connection with the One is invaluable resonate with us? How does this challenge our conventional understanding of value and acquisition in the material world? Does the idea of "offering one’s head" strike a chord within us, or does it seem alien? When will we cease assessing the 1-Light? When is that moment when we wholeheartedly embrace the immeasurable and invaluable essence of the 1-Light?