saptamī satu santokhu sarīri.
sāt samund bhare nirmal nīri.
majanu sīlu sacu ridai vīcāri.
gur kai sabadi pāvai sabhi pāri.
mani sācā mukhi sācaü bhāi.
sacu nīsāṇai ṭhāk na pāi.9.
-Guru Granth Sahib 839
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 ninth stanza, through the seventh lunar day, Guru Nanak says that when the body contains truth and contentment within it, then the seven seas are filled with pure water. What are the seven seas? These are part of the Indic systems of understanding, where each of the seven oceans contains a different substance: salt water, sugarcane juice, wine, ghee, yogurts, milk, and sweet water. The reference to this system of understanding allows for it to be transcended. Guru Nanak emphasizes the importance of the internal virtues of truth and contentment if one seeks to experience ‘purification.’
This imagery of internal cleansing continues as Guru Nanak says that this is the being who, having contemplated the eternal Sabad (hymn-like stanza that exemplifies the word-sound of the Infinite Wisdom) in the heart, takes an inner bath and embraces good conduct. This is about bathing the mind and heart so that our thoughts, words, and actions are cleansed and changed. This is how we become beings who are genuine and content rather than beings full of pretense and hypocrisy who still wander in search of satiation. Through this inner cleansing, through the Wisdom of the Sabad, we can ‘cross over’ or make our lives in this world fruitful. Other systems orient us toward making our afterlives fruitful, with the promise of some kind of spiritual reward, whether that is living in heaven or breaking out of the cycle of birth and death. They frame this as a thing we can do for the benefit of our loved ones, too. This usually happens through particular rituals and systems of spiritual ‘reward.’ Here, we are being shown that we can make our lives and the lives of our loved ones and companions fruitful here and now on Earth.
Guru Nanak describes the being who has contemplated the Wisdom, cleansed themselves internally and embraced good conduct. They have lived a life such that the true and eternal Nam (Identification with IkOankar) dwells in their mind and in their mouth—in their thoughts and words—and they are in deep love with the One. This love radiates from within and is visible on their face! It is evident in their thoughts, words, and actions! And it is because of this eternal mark of Identification with IkOankar that no one can place a single obstacle in their path. This is not to say that they will not face obstacles; it is to say that those obstacles become irrelevant. The body where truth and contentment enter is a body that is living a different lifestyle, experiencing a different kind of cleansing and a different kind of love. Will we pursue this kind of cleansing, this kind of contentment, this kind of Identification? Will we immerse ourselves in a deep love of Identification and of the One?
This imagery of internal cleansing continues as Guru Nanak says that this is the being who, having contemplated the eternal Sabad (hymn-like stanza that exemplifies the word-sound of the Infinite Wisdom) in the heart, takes an inner bath and embraces good conduct. This is about bathing the mind and heart so that our thoughts, words, and actions are cleansed and changed. This is how we become beings who are genuine and content rather than beings full of pretense and hypocrisy who still wander in search of satiation. Through this inner cleansing, through the Wisdom of the Sabad, we can ‘cross over’ or make our lives in this world fruitful. Other systems orient us toward making our afterlives fruitful, with the promise of some kind of spiritual reward, whether that is living in heaven or breaking out of the cycle of birth and death. They frame this as a thing we can do for the benefit of our loved ones, too. This usually happens through particular rituals and systems of spiritual ‘reward.’ Here, we are being shown that we can make our lives and the lives of our loved ones and companions fruitful here and now on Earth.
Guru Nanak describes the being who has contemplated the Wisdom, cleansed themselves internally and embraced good conduct. They have lived a life such that the true and eternal Nam (Identification with IkOankar) dwells in their mind and in their mouth—in their thoughts and words—and they are in deep love with the One. This love radiates from within and is visible on their face! It is evident in their thoughts, words, and actions! And it is because of this eternal mark of Identification with IkOankar that no one can place a single obstacle in their path. This is not to say that they will not face obstacles; it is to say that those obstacles become irrelevant. The body where truth and contentment enter is a body that is living a different lifestyle, experiencing a different kind of cleansing and a different kind of love. Will we pursue this kind of cleansing, this kind of contentment, this kind of Identification? Will we immerse ourselves in a deep love of Identification and of the One?
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