amāvasiā candu gupatu gaiṇāri.
būjhahu giānī sabadu bīcāri.
sasīaru gagani joti tihu loī.
kari kari vekhai kartā soī.
gur te dīsai so tis hī māhi.
manmukhi bhūle āvahi jāhi.19.
-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 nineteenth stanza, through the day of the new moon, Guru Nanak says, the moon is hidden in the sky. O Wise One! Having contemplated the Sabad (hymn-like stanza that exemplifies the word-sound of the Infinite Wisdom), understand this. Guru Nanak addresses us as wise ones, as people who are capable of coming to this understanding: that the moon, the Creator, IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One), is present but hidden, just as the moon might be present but hidden in the sky during the day and sometimes even at night. We might think the One is not present because we cannot feel the One, but Guru Nanak is asking us to understand the mystery of that ever-presence through connection with the Wisdom of the Sabad.
Just as the moon is in the sky but not yet visible on the night of the new moon, the light of the Creator is present in all three realms (classically: earth, heaven, and hell), permeating the universe while remaining imperceptible. We might divide the universe or all of creation up into various parts or realms, but Guru Nanak emphasizes the One’s presence in all places, regardless of how we might understand them to be different from one another. This Creator continuously creates, is active in creation, and alone takes care of creation. The being who, through the Wisdom-Guru, is able to ‘see’ the Creator experiences the presence of the Creator everywhere. That being remains in a state of deep love and connection with that One. Those beings who are not Wisdom-centered and are instead self-centered continue to forget the Creator, unable to experience the One’s presence. They remain stuck in the cycle of birth and death. Will we feel the presence of that Moon, that Creator, even when we cannot ‘see’ the One? Will we, through the Wisdom, understand the mystery of this presence?
Just as the moon is in the sky but not yet visible on the night of the new moon, the light of the Creator is present in all three realms (classically: earth, heaven, and hell), permeating the universe while remaining imperceptible. We might divide the universe or all of creation up into various parts or realms, but Guru Nanak emphasizes the One’s presence in all places, regardless of how we might understand them to be different from one another. This Creator continuously creates, is active in creation, and alone takes care of creation. The being who, through the Wisdom-Guru, is able to ‘see’ the Creator experiences the presence of the Creator everywhere. That being remains in a state of deep love and connection with that One. Those beings who are not Wisdom-centered and are instead self-centered continue to forget the Creator, unable to experience the One’s presence. They remain stuck in the cycle of birth and death. Will we feel the presence of that Moon, that Creator, even when we cannot ‘see’ the One? Will we, through the Wisdom, understand the mystery of this presence?
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