maganu bhaïo pria prem siu sūdh na simrat aṅg.
pragaṭi bhaïo sabh loa mahi nānak adham pataṅg.11.
-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 eleventh salok, Guru Arjan describes the lover of the Beloved, IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One), and says, The one who has immersed in the love of the Beloved while remembering the Beloved does not have awareness of any part of the body. That lowly moth has become revealed in all realms. When we are entangled in the intoxication of the material and temporary world, we love external beauty. We are moved by it and motivated by it; we seek to accumulate it and emulate it. But what if we cut all of these things away? Those intoxicated in the love of the eternal Beloved actually lose awareness of the physical body. This is not about people who offer their bodies and die in that flame of love. This is something else! We are lowly moths, small and insignificant. When a moth goes to the light, it dies. It has no awareness of where the body is or what it is doing. Those seekers who are in love with the Beloved in the same way that Guru Arjan is in love with the Beloved are like lowly moths who see that light of the One in every space. The ones absorbed in love of the Beloved do not have an awareness of what is happening with the body — they are not worried about how to decorate or adorn it. Their minds are lit by the Beloved. Instead of losing themselves in that love and annihilating themselves in the flame, these lovers become known worldwide. They gain glory, fame, or honor because of their deep love for the Beloved. Just like the example of Ravan in the first salok, they understand that none of their worldly power, wealth, or influence is valuable in this relationship with IkOankar. It is only their deep love and devotion, their excitement and enthusiasm, their humble submission, and their willingness to serve the Beloved that is of real value. Will we lose ourselves in this excitement and enjoyment of love? Will we immerse ourselves in the Beloved?
Tags
