gāthā gūṛ apāraṅ samjhaṇaṅ birlā janah.
sansār kām tajṇaṅ nānak gobind ramṇaṅ sādh saṅgmah.10.
-Guru Granth Sahib 1360
Guru Arjan Sahib describes a flaw-riddled body and the futile nature of pride in material attachment to the physical world. The seeker is encouraged to connect with the eternal IkOankar (the Divine), who removes diseases, sorrows, and sufferings, making way for a fruitful life. The precious gift of Nam is received in the company of virtuous beings and makes the seekers’ lives fruitful. This saloks encourages seekers to welcome the company of virtuous beings to unite with the all-pervasive IkOankar and find eternal comfort and happiness.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the tenth salok, Guru Arjan says that the narrative of the Boundless IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One) is profound. Only a rare one can understand it. It is not easy — we all know this narrative logically, but we do not understand it. If we really were to understand beyond just the mental level, if we really understood at the inner behavioral level, we would not be living the way we are living. We might think we can surround ourselves with certain people to ‘fix’ our behavior without any effort. But the ones who understand do what they say they will do. They make the effort that is required to understand.
The ones who understand this narrative give up worldly desires and contemplate the virtues of the Earth-Knower, IkOankar, by joining the company of the virtuous ones. They praise the Earth-Knower, the One who knows the narrative of creation, who understands the vastness of creation and thus the vastness of our experiences in a way that we cannot. When we align with the Earth-Knower and try to become like the Earth-Knower, we can become unaffected by whatever ailments might come our way as a part of being human in the world. If we can live in remembrance of IkOankar, the creative force that pervades the world, we can get rid of our lust for the world. This change happens when we live lives guided by the Wisdom and the virtuous ones. This is a change that happens with great effort, great concentration, and great mindfulness. This change is difficult because the mind is stubborn and entangled and unable to listen, unable to give up its desires, its lust, and its greed. This, the Guru says, is the vast and profound narrative that is difficult to understand, that only a rare one understands. Will we do the hard work of giving up our worldly desires to understand the vast narrative of the One?
The ones who understand this narrative give up worldly desires and contemplate the virtues of the Earth-Knower, IkOankar, by joining the company of the virtuous ones. They praise the Earth-Knower, the One who knows the narrative of creation, who understands the vastness of creation and thus the vastness of our experiences in a way that we cannot. When we align with the Earth-Knower and try to become like the Earth-Knower, we can become unaffected by whatever ailments might come our way as a part of being human in the world. If we can live in remembrance of IkOankar, the creative force that pervades the world, we can get rid of our lust for the world. This change happens when we live lives guided by the Wisdom and the virtuous ones. This is a change that happens with great effort, great concentration, and great mindfulness. This change is difficult because the mind is stubborn and entangled and unable to listen, unable to give up its desires, its lust, and its greed. This, the Guru says, is the vast and profound narrative that is difficult to understand, that only a rare one understands. Will we do the hard work of giving up our worldly desires to understand the vast narrative of the One?
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