dasmī nāmu dānu isnānu.
andinu majanu sacā guṇ giānu.
saci mailu na lāgai bhramu bhaü bhāgai.
bilamu na tūṭasi kācai tāgai.
jiu tāgā jagu evai jāṇahu.
asthiru cītu sāci raṅgu māṇahu.12.
-Guru Granth Sahib 840
This composition is based on fifteen lunar dates. Through the first lunar day, IkOankar (the Divine) is praised as unique, emphasizing the importance of Wisdom (Guru). Through the second, the plight of a being engrossed in the material world and relationships is described. Through the third and fourth, the creative power of IkOankar is highlighted. Through the fifth, while describing the destructive influence of attachment to the material world and relationships, the significance of Wisdom in life is explained. Through the sixth, the eternal Nam of IkOankar is elucidated in the context of the six Indic religious orders. Through the seventh and eighth, the importance of Wisdom and the contemplation of Nam are stressed. Through the ninth, IkOankar is praised. Through the tenth, again, the contemplation of Nam is encouraged. Through the eleventh, the being is advised to observe a fast of abstinence from vices. Through the twelfth, the way of life of a seeker is eulogized. Through the thirteenth, while highlighting the transient nature of life, the being is inspired to live in reverence of IkOankar and attain an exalted state. Through the fourteenth, the way to achieve the fourth state, which is beyond the influence of attachment to the material world and relationships and union with IkOankar, is described. Through the fifteenth lunar day, the all-pervading IkOankar is praised.
Commentary
Literal Translation
Interpretive Transcreation
Poetical Dimension
Calligraphy
What recitation might I recite other than the Nam of Jagdish? In the twelfth stanza, through the tenth lunar day, Guru Nanak says to recite Nam, give charity, and bathe. The words used here are Nam, Dan, and Isnan—all words with a Yogic context, and this is a day in the lunar calendar that involves a lot of physical cleansing and pilgrimages. But what are these terms to Guru Nanak? Nam is Identification with IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). Identification is not just a pronunciation or a recitation. It is an active and dynamic way of being, of experiencing the world in constant Remembrance, Praise, and Identification with the One. What does it mean to give Dan, charity? It is not about giving physically; it is about developing compassion as giving. What does it mean to take Isnan, a bath? This is not a physical cleansing but a cleansing of the internal. The truth bath is knowledge of the virtues of the One, knowing those virtues intimately because we have cultivated them within ourselves. It is through the Identification and the cultivation of the virtues that all the same ‘spiritual rewards’ said to be received through physical cleansing baths, alms, and pilgrimages are found.
We do so many things to cleanse ourselves of the filth within us. That might look like a spiritual retreat, a physical pilgrimage, or a series of practices that temporarily alleviate this issue. But Guru Nanak says that it is only through the eternal Identification that filth does not cling to the mind. Vices do not cling to our thoughts and behaviors. Our doubts, fears, wandering, and illusions about the world are all removed from within. These doubts and fears are not strong—they can easily be broken in no time as long as we do it through the Identification. Guru Nanak urges us to also understand that the world is like this—temporary, fleeting, and easily snapped, like a fraying thread. We are encouraged to keep our minds steady through the eternal Identification, to move from engaging in physical or mechanical cleansing and ritual into internal and deep work. We are urged to immerse ourselves in Identification and experience the bliss of devotion to IkOankar. Will we engage in this kind of Nam, this kind of giving, this kind of cleansing?
We do so many things to cleanse ourselves of the filth within us. That might look like a spiritual retreat, a physical pilgrimage, or a series of practices that temporarily alleviate this issue. But Guru Nanak says that it is only through the eternal Identification that filth does not cling to the mind. Vices do not cling to our thoughts and behaviors. Our doubts, fears, wandering, and illusions about the world are all removed from within. These doubts and fears are not strong—they can easily be broken in no time as long as we do it through the Identification. Guru Nanak urges us to also understand that the world is like this—temporary, fleeting, and easily snapped, like a fraying thread. We are encouraged to keep our minds steady through the eternal Identification, to move from engaging in physical or mechanical cleansing and ritual into internal and deep work. We are urged to immerse ourselves in Identification and experience the bliss of devotion to IkOankar. Will we engage in this kind of Nam, this kind of giving, this kind of cleansing?
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