lakh ghāṭīṁ ūṁcau ghano cancal cīt bihāl.
nīc kīc nimrit ghanī karnī kamal jamāl.9.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1364
The love of IkOankar (the Divine) cannot be inculcated through wealth, pilgrimages, recitations, austerities, or disciplines. The being who connects with IkOankar consciously becomes worthy of IkOankar’s love. Their mind remains immersed in the Nam of IkOankar in every moment; they do not go anywhere else in search of bliss. They remain in a constant state of joy due to their humility. Worldly comforts and praise received because of various practices like recitations and austerities are worthless before the love of IkOankar. On the other hand, a being entangled in attachment to the material world and relationships remains miserable despite having attained worldly comforts.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the ninth salok, Guru Arjan says, Even after climbing so high on hundreds of thousands of mountain ranges, the fickle mind remains miserable. While the lowly mud, which has utter humility, is able to grow the beautiful lotus. Guru Arjan explores our fickleness here, reminding us that a fickle being full of pride can achieve any amount of fame and wealth, but no matter their achievements, they are still miserable, empty, and pained inside. We find ourselves chasing accolades, promotions, and recognition, and we might orient ourselves around our desire to be well-liked and well-respected by the broader society. In our stubborn forgetfulness, especially if we chase these things and remain fickle-minded and prideful, we will not find lasting happiness through worldly accomplishment. No eternal bliss or alertness blooms inside our consciousness when we are further entrenched in the entanglements of the physical world. In contrast, the lotus blooms even in the mud and depth of a lowly and mucky space. How can we access this eternal and enduring blooming? If we cultivate humility and tenderness, if we eliminate our fickleness and pride, if we serve in devotion, we can grow something beautiful. The things that glitter cause and create pain, while humility creates happiness, excitement, and beauty. Will we recognize this truth and change what we are chasing? Will we prioritize the inner cultivation of virtues rather than external praise?
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