In the third stanza (
savaiya), Guru Arjan spoke to the expanses that
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One) creates and pervades, and mentioned the limitless virtues of the One. In this next stanza, Guru Arjan elaborates on the virtues of IkOankar, saying IkOankar is the treasure of all virtues. All virtues emanate from the One. These virtues are so vast that their value is simply impossible to establish. Even with the most astute forms of meditation or the most complex knowledge systems, one cannot grasp the value of IkOankar’s virtues.
Invoking IkOankar through the name
Prabhu, the Sovereign,
Guru Arjan offers praise, describing the highest place as the place of IkOankar alone.
All is of IkOankar—the mind, the breath, and wealth are all IkOankar’s. To drive this message home, the entire world is poetically described as being strung on a single thread; all that exists, all that comes to pass, passes in the will of IkOankar. Completely in love with this ineffable One and recognizing that words will always fall short, Guru Arjan asks:
What praise may I offer? You are the greatest of the great. Guru Arjan rhetorically questions how IkOankar’s mystery can truly be known, as IkOankar is the support of all, infinite and imperceptible. In the same vein of unfathomability, Guru Arjan invokes Guru Nanak, reminding us that all Guru embodiments are of the same light. He says the true votary is the one at
Braham’s, the Divine’s, IkOankar’s
door. The accepted devotee of the One, as Guru Nanak was, sits at no other’s door—they are loyal to and answer to IkOankar alone. From a place of sincere devotion, he expresses an immense ultimacy in his devotion in the last line, reiterating
five times that he devotes himself to IkOankar always.
How do we recognize IkOankar as the treasure of all virtues? We may see the virtues within us grow through connection with the One—our patience, compassion, humility, and love increase tenfold as we become closer to the One. Further, relating to IkOankar as the Husband, as the feminine-spirited seekers as described in the Guru Granth Sahib, we come to understand ourselves more fully and grow into our best selves through this supportive relationship with the One. Even then, what we glean is only a glimpse of IkOankar’s virtues. Even the most astute meditation techniques and spiritual knowledge cannot lead one to fully comprehend the vast virtues of the One. While many people and systems claim to have
the way to meet the One, this wisdom reminds us to always approach our relationship with IkOankar with humility and awareness, as we can never fully comprehend IkOankar’s vastness. When we reflect on IkOankar as the One who bestows mind, wealth, and breath, we are brought into this humility even further.
All things we receive, all that happens in life, come and go in the will of IkOankar. IkOankar is the ultimate giver. Through our devotion, praise, and love, we come to see and accept this wholeheartedly, just as those accepted votaries at IkOankar’s door have.
Another poignant morsel of wisdom here is IkOankar’s place as the highest place. In previous stanzas, we learned that all places are of IkOankar, so is not every place important, beautiful, and worthy of respect? The highest place is not this land or that land, the land of these ‘chosen people’ or those ‘chosen people.’ Likewise, places with iconographies and statues depicting the divine are not necessarily more ‘pure’ or ‘holy.’ Guru Arjan brings us to confront our tendency to limit the vast, expansive, imperceivable IkOankar. This invites us to move beyond dualistic ways of seeing and simply keep the One in our devotion, praise, and love. In this way, we can become more like those accepted devotees at IkOankar’s door.
Through devotion, praise, and love, will we let IkOankar’s virtues grow within us? Will we accept our own limitations and remember to stay humble in our relationship with IkOankar? Will we move beyond our tendencies to see certain people and places as more divine and shift into seeing IkOankar in all of the One’s creation?
