ṛāṛai rāṛi karahi kiā prāṇī tisahi dhiāvahu ji amaru hoā.
tisahi dhiāvahu saci samāvahu osu viṭahu kurbāṇu kīā.33.
-Guru Granth Sahib 434
The Patti composition revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib consists of thirty-five stanzas, each containing two lines. This composition is based on the thirty-five letters of the alphabet prevalent at that time. In this composition the Guru has established a foundational system based on letters. In the rahau line, by addressing his own mind, the Guru provides insights, saying, “O fool! Why do you remain forgetful? You will be considered truly educated only when you are able to settle the account of your deeds in IkOankar’s (the Divine) court.” The Guru goes on to explain the mystery of the letters, enlightening that the limits of IkOankar, the Creator, cannot be known. All beings are under IkOankar’s command, and no one else can exercise authority over them. All-pervading IkOankar is the cause of everything in the creation. An arrogant being who forgets IkOankar and is engrossed in worldly matters continues to suffer. However, if a being recognizes the eternal IkOankar through the Wisdom (Guru), they are freed from suffering. The being who understands the mystery explained through these thirty-five letters becomes one with IkOankar.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
O mind! Why do you forget, O foolish mind? You will be considered learned only when you give the account of your deeds, O sibling! In the thirty-third couplet, Guru Nanak delivers a message through the letter ੜ (‘ṛāṛā,’ #35) and says, O being! What do you quarrel for? Contemplate that IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force the One) who is Eternal. The word the Guru uses here is ‘rāṛi,’ popularly ‘raari,’ or quarrel. When we are caught up in what we think is ‘learning’ or becoming scholars or displaying particular knowledges, we end up arguing, fighting and debating to extremes. There is no end to these intellectual exercises and disagreements, and they will come and go. There is always something new to debate, always something new to argue about, and always something new to get caught up in. Instead of wasting our time in this kind of learning, we ought to spend our time in remembrance of the One who is always present, who is eternal. The Guru urges us to meditate on IkOankar, to contemplate and remember the eternal One, and immerse ourselves in that eternal One. We have devoted so much time to these useless arguments. The Guru urges us to instead devote everything we have to that One. Will we be able to internalize this learning such that it changes how we do or do not engage? Will we change that we devote ourselves to, what we spend our time doing? Will we trade useless temporary quarrels for remembrance of the Eternal?
Tags
