#sangrand reflections

I’m doing a new series of posts where every Sangrand (the day marking the beginning of the new Sikh month) I will post reflections on the month’s description given under the Baraa Maaha Manjh. The Baraa Maaha Manjh is a Bani revealed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raaj Maajh, which can be found on Ang 133 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Bani outlines the twelve months of the year, and provides a spiritual commentary on them. For last month’s post, check out THIS link. Here’s Guru Ji’s updesh for the month of Vaisakh:

Gurbani:

ਵੈਸਾਖਿ ਧੀਰਨਿ ਕਿਉ ਵਾਢੀਆ ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਿਛੋਹੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਕੈ ਲਗੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਧੋਹੁ ॥ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਧਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਅਵਿਨਾਸੀ ਓਹੁ ॥ ਪਲਚਿ ਪਲਚਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਮੁਈ ਝੂਠੈ ਧੰਧੈ ਮੋਹੁ ॥ ਇਕਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਗੈ ਲਈਅਹਿ ਖੋਹਿ ॥ ਦਯੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਵਿਗੁਚਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਚਰਣੀ ਜੋ ਲਗੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਵੈਸਾਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਤਾਂ ਲਗੈ ਜਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥

Transliteration:

Vaisaakh Dhheeran Kio Vaadteeaa Jinaa Praem Bishhohu || Har Saajan Purakh Visaar Kai Lagee Maaeiaa Dhhohu || Puthr Kalathr N Sang Dhhanaa Har Avinaasee Ouhu || Palach Palach Sagalee Muee Jhoothai Dhhandhhai Mohu || Eikas Har Kae Naam Bin Agai Leeahi Khohi || Dhay Visaar Viguchanaa Prabh Bin Avar N Koe || Preetham Charanee Jo Lagae Thin Kee Niramal Soe || Naanak Kee Prabh Baenathee Prabh Milahu Paraapath Hoe || Vaisaakh Suhaavaa Thaan Lagai Jaa Santh Bhaettai Har Soe ||3||

Translation:

In the month of Vaisaakh, how can the bride be patient? She is separated from her Beloved. She has forgotten the Lord, her Life-companion, her Master; she has become attached to Maya, the deceitful one. Neither son, nor spouse, nor wealth shall go along with you-only the Eternal Lord. Entangled and enmeshed in the love of false occupations, the whole world is perishing. Without the Naam, the Name of the One Lord, they lose their lives in the hereafter. Pure is the reputation of those who are attached to the Feet of the Beloved Lord. Nanak makes this prayer to God: "Please, come and unite me with Yourself." The month of Vaisaakh is beautiful and pleasant, when the Saint causes me to meet the Lord. ||3||

Reflection:

It is too often in our lives that we look elsewhere to solve our problems. We try to look to our surrounding networks, but we are often let down and disappointed, but here in the month of Vaisakh, Guru Ji is bringing us back to the reality that whatever happens, it happens through Them and Them alone. However, it is the Maya (illusion) of the world that leads us to believe that “blood is thicker than water.” As Guru Ji writes here, that is definitely not the case. After all, Amrit- which is made of water- creates a bond that is stronger than that of blood with our Dasam Pitaa Maharaaj. 

Seeing as the month of Vaisakh is the month of the harvest, and thus the month of abundance, it is important to see God’s role in our harvest- both spiritually and agriculturally. This is exactly why degree is offered in the Gurdwara, because after planting, watering, harvesting, thrashing, winnowing, and grinding, we get life-sustaining flour. It is very easy here to think that we are the ones who made this all happen. However, Guru Ji is waking us up here and telling us that none of this goes along with us. That is why we separate a portion of our income for charity, and that is why we offer degh made up of the flour that God blessed us with, not because God is hungry and needs food, but rather to show ourselves what our true place in this cosmic play is, and there is definitely a beauty in that. 

At the end of the day, we are all brides impatiently waiting to unite with their Beloved. This reminds me of that Vaisakhi of 1699. Can you imagine what Bhai Daya Singh Ji, Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, Bhai Himmat Singh Ji, Bhai Mohkam Singh Ji, and Bhai Sahib Singh Ji must have been feeling sitting in that crowd waiting for Dasam Patshah to grace the sangat? They were filled with so much love, that when Guru Ji asked them for their heads, the lovingly bowed down and sacrificed themselves. 

I’m trying out a new series of posts where every Sangrand (the day marking the beginning of the new Sikh month) I will post reflections on the month’s description given under the Baraa Maaha Manjh. The Baraa Maaha Manjh is a Bani revealed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raaj Maajh, which can be found on Ang 133 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Bani outlines the twelve months of the year, and provides a spiritual commentary on them. 

Here’s the beginning of the Bani, which starts the commentary on Chet- the first Sikh month:

ਬਾਰਹ ਮਾਹਾ ਮਾਂਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੪

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਕਰਮ ਕੇ ਵੀਛੁੜੇ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਮੇਲਹੁ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਚਾਰਿ ਕੁੰਟ ਦਹ ਦਿਸ ਭ੍ਰਮੇ ਥਕਿ ਆਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਸਾਮ ॥ ਧੇਨੁ ਦੁਧੈ ਤੇ ਬਾਹਰੀ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਕਾਮ ॥ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਖ ਕੁਮਲਾਵਤੀ ਉਪਜਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਦਾਮ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਹ ਨ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਸਾਜਨੈ ਕਤ ਪਾਈਐ ਬਿਸਰਾਮ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੰਤੁ ਨ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਈ ਭਠਿ ਨਗਰ ਸੇ ਗ੍ਰਾਮ ॥ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਤੰਬੋਲ ਰਸ ਸਣੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਸਭ ਖਾਮ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਕੰਤ ਵਿਹੂਣੀਆ ਮੀਤ ਸਜਣ ਸਭਿ ਜਾਮ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਬੇਨੰਤੀਆ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੀਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲਹੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਧਾਮ ॥੧॥

ਚੇਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਅਰਾਧੀਐ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਘਣਾ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਣਾ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਏ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਗਣਾ ॥ ਇਕੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਜੀਵਣਾ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਣਾ ॥ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਰਵਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਣਾ ॥ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਕਿਤੜਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਗਣਾ ॥ ਜਿਨੀ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤਿੰਨਾ ਭਾਗੁ ਮਣਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੰਉ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਿਆਸ ਮਨਾ ॥ ਚੇਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਪਾਇ ਲਗਾ ॥੨॥

Translation:

Baara Maaha - The Twelve Months- in Maajh, Mahalla 5, Ghar 4

One Universal Creator; obtained through the Grace of the Guru- the Manifestation of Truth. By the actions we have committed, we are separated from You. Please show Your Mercy, and unite us with Yourself, Lord. We have grown weary of wandering to the four corners of the earth and in the ten directions. We have come to Your Sanctuary, God. Without milk, a cow serves no purpose. Without water, the crop withers, and it will not bring a good price. If we do not meet the Lord, our Friend, how can we find our place of rest? hose homes, those hearts, in which the Husband Lord is not manifest-those towns and villages are like burning furnaces. All jewellery, the chewing of betel to sweeten the breath, and the body itself, are all useless and vain. Without God, our Husband, our Lord and Master, all friends and companions are like the Messenger of Death. This is Nanak's prayer: Please show Your Mercy, and bestow Your Name. O my Lord and Master, please unite me with Yourself, O God, in the Eternal Mansion of Your Presence. ||1|| 

In the month of Chet, by meditating on the Lord of the Universe, a deep and profound joy arises. Meeting with the humble Saints, the Lord is found, as we chant His Name with our tongues. Those who have found God-blessed is their coming into this world. Those who live without Him, for even an instant-their lives are rendered useless. The Lord is totally pervading the water, the land, and all space. He is contained in the forests as well. Those who do not remember God-how much pain must they suffer! Those who dwell upon their God have great good fortune. My mind yearns for the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan. O Nanak, my mind is so thirsty. I touch the feet of one who unites me with God in the month of Chet. ||2||

Reflection:

The Mangalchaaran “Ek Oangkar Satgur Prasaad”- essentially the stamp that is put in front of every shabad in Gurbani- always marks the primacy of the Creator over everything, and I find this a beautiful way to remind us that before we came into the world, and even before this world existed, there was a Primal Being who had no beginning and has no end. This humbles you and makes you see the bigger picture.

Before the description of the months begin, there is a prologue that from the very beginning talks about the root of our spirituality- our separation from God. This is something that is common in basically every faith, from the Kabbalistic view of the world being shattered and dispersed from union with God, to Dharmic views of us being separated from God due to our karam- our actions. This yearning, the bairaag of separation from our Beloved is what should fuel our spirituality. I feel as though many times we approach faith from a very superficial level. We make it about the rules and regulations, when we wake up for Amrit Vela, how much Simran we do, how many Baniyaan we have memorized, and often we are as superficial as putting on an act to show how spiritual we are (one only has to turn the TV onto a live broadcast of a Darbar in any Gurdwara and see that in action). We don’t do things for the right reasons. This reminds me of a piece written by the Sufi poetess and mystic Hazrat Rabia Basri:

"O Allah, if I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell, and if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your Own sake, Grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty."

However, Guru Ji reminds us that the root of everything we do has only one thing at its core- the Lord of the Universe, and our love and desire to unite with Them. Without that, everything is superficial and false- even our own bodies. If it is for any sake other than love for the Lord, it is futile to our spirituality. That’s something that really hit me in the face like a ton of bricks. I haven’t put God at the centre of everything, and I pray that I may be able to fix that.

The month of Chet begins with a description of the Anand- the bliss- we feel when we Araadh- meditate, or call upon- Govindh. The name used for God in this verse, Govindh, literally translated to “cowherd” (same thing as a shepherd, just a different animal). Herders of any farm animal is its caretakers. They give the animals lush green pastures to graze on. They allow the animals to walk freely, but if they wander astray they will guide them back to the right path. That is what our Govindh does for us, and to be completely honest it gives me the warm and fuzzy feelings inside. To go off the analogy of the farm animals, the herder is the controller overall, but animals also influence other animals and often they will lead one another to follow the commands of the herder. These leaders in our human community are Sants- or Saints; just like Hazrat Rabia Basri! They are our equals, but they guide us. I think in today’s individualistic society we are too egotistical to ask for help, but seeing this verse and how we all work together towards a common goal, it reminds us that we should not be caught up in ourselves so much and do things for others and the greater good.

The section ends by describing the Lord’s omnipresence, and a call for humility, to touch the feet of Sants. The touching or washing of another’s feet is often mistaken as worship, but this is not the case. This is a mark of humility. Coincidentally, right now is the Christian season of Lent, and Lent begins with Ash Wednesday where the foreheads of the faithful are marked with ash to humble them and remind them that they are dust and to dust they will return. When we enter the Gurdwara, we do something similar. We swipe the ground at the doorstep, taking the dust of the feet of the faithful and we touch it to our foreheads to mark that we are nothing. We are servants of Lord, and the servants of His servants, and this body that we pride ourselves in so much will reduce to ash. When Lent nears its end on Maundy Thursday, Catholic priests all over the word wash the feet of people in the neighbourhood to recreate the act of humility Jesus showed in his last hours before his suffering. In this way, the touching of feet is a universal symbol of humility, and I find it beautiful that we end this section with that reminder. We often take lessons of spirituality but then inflate our egos and ruin our efforts, but we should always remain focussed on our true cause in this world, and remain humble.