Barah Maha (Mahala 5)

Guru Arjan Sahib

Delivering the message through the month of Kattak (mid-October to mid-November), Guru Arjan invites us to reflect inward. Message through the month of Kattak: The being has to bear the consequences of their deeds; to blame someone else is not right. In this month, the coolness of the season brings relief to the physical body, and in that comfort, an opportunity for the beings to reflect inward. While culturally, this is a time of external rituals—fasting, engaging in charity, and worshipping deities—Guru Arjan gently guides us to turn our focus inward. We are asked not to be swayed by external appearances or superficial acts but to recognize the deeper, more profound way to do good: by tending to our inner self. The pang of separation from Parameshvar, a synonymous divine name highlighting the excellence and supreme nature of IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One), is a feeling known intimately by those who experience it. When we are caught in the illusion of the world, caught up in the web of materialism, no matter how much we eat, drink, or decorate ourselves, we cannot truly enjoy these things. The heart remains restless, unsatisfied, for it knows that the supreme One is missing. In this separation, we find the bitterness in temporary joys and fleeting pleasures. The world and its offerings, no matter how attractive they may seem, ultimately leave us yearning for something more, something deeper, that can only be found in union with the One. Guru Arjan teaches us that complaining, blaming others, or seeking solace in worldly things is futile. What happens to us is the result of the seeds we have sown—our individualistic and collective actions, deeds, and choices. Instead of pointing fingers at the world, we are encouraged to look within and take responsibility for the circumstances of our lives. Deeds, Guru Arjan reminds us, are not just the external actions we perform in the world, but they begin in the heart and mind—our internal state—that must be attended to first. The suffering we experience in this world is inevitable as we live in the realm of Maya (allure to transient things and relationships). Everything feels like a struggle in separation, especially when we turn our back on the One. Instead of blaming others or focusing on the circumstances of life, we are asked to focus on earning good deeds. These are not the deeds of external ritual but the inner devotion and love that we cultivate day by day. The greatest deed Guru Arjan says is to overcome the forgetfulness of the One, for it is this separation that creates all pain, both mentally and physically. Guru Arjan reminds us that separation from the One is the root cause of all suffering. Pursuing external joys and temporary relationships can only lead to bitterness and frustration, for they are fleeting. True contentment comes when we recognize the eternal One, and in that recognition, our hearts are filled with a love so deep that no worldly attachment can compare. Once this love enters, all else becomes inconsequential. The pain of separation from the eternal One becomes the only reality, and all else disappears. What we do in this world is secondary, for it is what has been inscribed from the very Origin that will unfold. Our actions, though important, are guided by a divine plan beyond our control. It is through good fortune and divine grace that all separation and suffering can be overcome. The invocation of synonymous divine names like Prabhu, meaning the sovereign One, Ram, the beautiful and charming One, Suami, the Sovereign, and the Liberator of prisoners in this stanza gently highlights the unparalleled and supreme presence of the eternal One, IkOankar, whose authority and love are beyond compare. While reminding us of the importance of the One will, we are encouraged to hold honesty and hope. Sometimes we make mistakes, and the weight of those mistakes can hold us back. But it does not have to stay that way.  What we do in this world is secondary, for it is what has been inscribed from the very Origin that will unfold. Our actions, though important, are guided by a Divine plan beyond our control. It is through good fortune and divine grace that all separation and suffering can be overcome. Once we acknowledge and learn from our missteps, we can begin to transform our story and move forward. Guru Arjan guides us in this process, showing us that the end of separation depends on our willingness to change and cultivate love for the eternal and supreme One within our hearts. We call out to the Sovereign, the Liberator of our imprisonment, and humbly supplicate for refuge and protection. In times of separation, the Wisdom (Guru)—the wise and compassionate One—can guide us. It is this Wisdom that helps us find the right path, which teaches us to seek the One within and to remove the barriers that separate us from our true Beloved. Through the grace of the Wisdom, the weight of our doubts and sufferings dissolves, and we find inner harmony. The message here is simple: be in the company of the One who knows the way, who shows us how to transcend physical and internal struggles. Our actions and desire to end the separation are not at odds with one another. We’re not being asked to escape the consequences of our deeds—after all, even Guru Arjan endured unimaginable pain, sitting on a hot griddle as part of the torture he faced. Through grace, we are enabled to change the course of our actions. When love for the One fills our hearts, it becomes the guiding force in all we do. The pain of separation becomes so deeply felt that nothing else matters. We no longer worry about the consequences of our actions; instead, we are willing to face them, knowing that grace promises an end to the suffering of separation. 

With the lesson of Kattak in mind, as shared by Guru Arjan, even though the journey may feel challenging at times, are we ready to move beyond the weight of our regrets and past actions to seek union with the One? Or do we find ourselves too content in the place we’re currently standing?