Basant Ki Var Mahal 5

Guru Arjan Sahib

Three short compositions of Guru Arjan are sung in Rag Basant during spring. In the first verse, we are allured by the beautiful visions of rejuvenation in springtime with nature coming alive, as we are asked to reflect on what supports our own awakening in life, what makes us come alive, what rejuvenates and sustains us to reach our fullest potential. In this second verse, the Guru continues to help us explore how to center our mind and attend to our emotions without letting them overwhelm us, so we can remain in the constancy of the joy that naturally arises and flows from within.

O being, discover how to tame your mind, to be free from attachments, and from being overpowered by emotions such as anger, lust, greed, and pride. IkOankar, the Remover of suffering, is with us as our protector-guardian, to help us overpower these vices and to experience the gift of Nam, the Identification with the Remover of suffering. In centering our minds in Nam, our worries and sorrows no longer control us, they dissipate, and we feel rejuvenated. In our daily remembrance of Nam, we awaken each day feeling renewed. Our fears about life, death, and separation leave us. This is how we become divine-like and realize our true potential, with the eternal wisdom and Nam, with the 1Ness that is available to us, through the grace and support of IkOankar, the Remover of suffering. Imagine being in an arena with boxing gloves on getting ready to battle a strong opponent. Similarly, we are preparing for the battle of our lives, not an external battle but one that lies within us. This battle is against our negative thinking, attachments, and emotions (of pride, anger, lust, and greed) that engulf us, overwhelm us, and cause us to react harmfully to ourselves and others. These internal vices, if untamed, cause us much suffering and discontent, and managing them on our own can be exhausting. In this verse, the Guru assures us that if we are prepared for the battle against our vices, the Remover of suffering becomes our coach, mentor, and support who stands by our side. Suppose we persevere and are committed to seeing through the struggle. Then, the Remover of suffering is the life-force energy that revitalizes us and shows us how to align ourselves back to that sanctuary of inner-goodness, the Nam, within. Suppose we allow ourselves to drench in the vitality of our life force to feel its presence inwardly. Then, the support, training, and action happen with the grace of IkOankar, the Remover of Suffering. Do we seek the support of our mentor-guardian, the Remover of Suffering, to help us cultivate feelings of joy and happiness from within?