This chant equates the occasion of marriage with human life. For a seeker, human life is also an occasion of joy and enthusiasm because the connection with IkOankar (the Divine) is possible only during one’s lifetime. Guru Ramdas Sahib inspires the seeker to connect with IkOankar. Depicting the human body as a mare, the Guru reveals that the seeker can unite with IkOankar by putting the saddle of Wisdom (Guru) on their body.
ghoṛī tejaṇi deh rāmi upāīā rām.
jitu hari prabhu jāpai sā dhanu dhannu tukhāīā rām.
jitu hari prabhu jāpai sā dhannu sābāsai dhuri pāiā kiratu juṛandā.
caṛi dehaṛi ghoṛī bikhamu laghāe milu gurmukhi parmānandā.
hari hari kāju racāiā pūrai mili sant janā janñ āī.
jan nānak hari varu pāiā maṅgalu mili sant janā vādhāī.4.1.5.
-Guru Granth Sahib 575
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
In the fourth stanza, Guru Ramdas says, this body is great and blessed because this body and this being know exactly who IkOankar (One Universal Integrative Force, 1Force, the One) is. This body is great and of a superior breed; this body is rare and valuable because it is the body created by the Beautiful One, through which one can come to know and experience the 1-Light.
The Guru says the body through which the 1-Light is known is blessed and praiseworthy. All of us have the potential to be blessed and praiseworthy because all of us have the potential for union with IkOankar, and this potential is written from the Origin. It is not that there are a select few who have good fortune written from the Origin. This good fortune is available to all of us if we make these bodies the means of union with IkOankar. If we do that, we will be able to cross this difficult world-ocean and make our lives fruitful. We will be able to meet the bestower of supreme bliss. This happens through becoming Wisdom-centered. This happens with great effort, great discipline, and great devotion.
The Guru reminds us that this task of the wedding ceremony has been performed by the perfect Guru, the perfect Wisdom. Through the Wisdom, we learn how to ride these bodies and cross the difficult journey of life. By becoming Wisdom-oriented, separated seekers are united with IkOankar, and the virtuous beings help facilitate this union. Through the guidance of the Wisdom and the help of the virtuous beings, the separated seekers unite with IkOankar and become like IkOankar. In this union, blissful songs are sung, and the truth-exemplars extend their congratulations.
The Guru again emphasizes the beauty and value of these bodies created by the Beautiful One. We are reminded that the purpose of these bodies is Remembrance, Praise, and Identification. If we can pursue that purpose externally and internally, we can make these bodies blessed, beautiful, and graced with union. Will we come to know and experience the 1-Light, as written from the Origin?