jap tap sanjam harakh sukh mān mahat aru garab.
mūsan nimkhak prem pari vāri vāri deuṁ sarab.5.
-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 fifth salok, Guru Arjan says, Recitations, austerities, disciplines, comforts, honors, greatness, and pride. O Musan! For a moment of love of IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One), I sacrifice all, I sacrifice all. Guru Arjan mentions the different efforts that people make to connect with the One, the Beloved: recitations, various rituals and disciplines for controlling the senses, various extreme physical feats, various fasting and restriction, and various ways to inflict pain on the body. We do this in and outside the context of ‘religiosity’ or ‘spirituality’ to gain honor, comfort, or greatness. Sometimes, we even do such things to feed our pride and sense of self. But none of these things can bring us what we truly seek. We do not experience any lasting sense of happiness or love through these disciplines. Rather, we only fuel a sense of self-importance and self-centeredness. Guru Arjan reminds us that these things are ultimately worthless, often empty gestures. Any single moment we are in love with the Beloved — and excited and enthusiastic in love — is better than every one of these disciplines combined. Nothing can take the space of deep love for the One. Love in our relationship with IkOankar is what matters most. Will we forsake these temporary fixes? Will we instead devote our time and effort to cultivating love with IkOankar?
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