Tuesday 9 March 2010

Sri Nanak Parkash - Post 030



Above is an image of the Waheguru incantation which is recited by all Sikhs as their Gurmantar daily. This is the incantation passed by the five beloved to the Sikhs on their initiation into the Khalsa. This incantation is a universal incantation and can be recited by anyone no matter of differences in sex, age, colour, creed, race or religion. In the last few hears a huge samagam has been held in the state of Rajasthan and is an annual event. During this event the Sikh Saints performed a two hour katha on the Waheguru incantation, its formula and merit. The locals were so surprised by the formula and merits of the mantra that they asked if they could recite it. The saints advised them that it was universal, now annually as the event takes place all the local population all recite the Waheguru incantation. you can go from shop to shop and hear the Waheguru incantation being played on the stereos systems.

Now in the translation of the Sri Nanak Parkash, the stanzas numbered sixty two to seventy seven from the first Adhyai are being translated. In these Kavi Santokh Singh ji explains the glory of the Waheguru incantation and formula. All the merits of the incantation are also explained. This topic is very important, many modern day scholars who have no depth in Sikh metaphysics and philosophy disregard this incantation and state that meditating on it has no merit and some have even considered that this incantation has no link to Sikhism. The perils of falsehood and destruction to the Sikh faith seem to have no fear of the Guru.

The translated verses can be found below;

ਚੌਪਈ ।
ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਨਾਮਨ ਤੇ ਵਧਿ ਐਸੇ । ਸੋ ਕਰਿ ਅਰਥ ਬਖਾਨੋਂ ਜੈਸੇ ।
ਵਾਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਚਰਜ ਕੋ ਹੋਈ । ਅਚਰਜ ਤੇ ਪਰਿ ਉਕਤਿ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥੬੨॥

Quatrain – (in this quatrain Kavi Santokh Singh Ji expounds the meaning of ‘Wahe’) Understand that the name of God is greater than the non transcendent form of God through the expounding of the word. The word ‘Wahe’ means wonderful and this cannot be expounded any further due to a lack of terminology or expressions. 62.

ਗੋ ਤਮ ਨਾਮ ਅਗਯਾਨ ਅਨਿੰਤ । ਰੋ ਪਰਕਾਸ਼ ਕਿਯੋ ਜਿਨ ਚਿੱਤੁ ।
ਇਉਂ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਬਨਾਯੋ । ਸੁਨਿ ਸ਼੍ਰੂਤਿ ਸੰਤਨ ਚਿਤ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਯੋ ॥੬੩॥

(In this quatrain Bhai Santokh Singh Ji expounds the meaning of the word ‘Guru’) The syllable ‘Gu’ meaning darkness and metaphorically stands for ignorance while the syllable ‘Ru’ means illumination. The total the meaning of the two is ‘the dispeller of the darkness known as ignorance arising into the illumination of knowledge’. In this way Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji created the incantation of Waheguru. In this way the saints have heard this incantation and gained a state of bliss. 63.

ਦੋਹਰਾ ।
ਪੁਨ ਸਰਗੁਨ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੇ ਅਧਿਕ ਜਾਨ ਮਨ ਮਾਂਹਿ । ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤਿ ਕਲਿਕਾਲ ਕੇ, ਕਲਮਲ ਅਖਿਲ ਨਸਾਹਿਂ ॥੬੪॥

Couplet – One should realise that the name of God is greater than his transcendent manifestation. If one is to meditate on the name of God in the age of Kaljug then all the great sins accumulated will be erased. 64.

ਚੌਪਈ ।
ਵੱਵਾ ਵਾਸੁਦੇਵ ਤੇ ਲੀਨੋ । ਹਰੀ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਤੇ ਹਾਹਾ ਚੀਨੋ ।
ਗੱਗਾ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਤੇ ਲਿਯ ਜਾਨੋ । ਰਾਰਾ ਰਾਮਚੰਦ ਮਨ ਮਾਨੋ ॥੬੫॥

Quatrain – (Now Kavi Santokh Singh Ji explains how the Waheguru incantation was created) from the incantation of ‘Vasdev’ the letter Vava (V) was taken as the initial letter. From the incantation ‘Hari Vishan’ the letter Haha (H) was taken. Understand that the third letter Guga (G) came from the incantation ‘Govind’. The letter Rara (r) was taken from the incantation ‘Ram Chand’. In this way the incantation of Waheguru was formed from the letters of the incantations of the four ages. 65.

ਚਤੁਰ ਬਰਨ ਕੋ ਏਕ ਬਨਾਯਾ । ਫਲ ਦਾਇਕ ਇਹ ਅਧਿਕ ਸੁਹਾਯਾ ।
ਚਤੁਰ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਿਯ ਏਕੂ । ਉਰਧਾਰੇ ਜਿਸ ਹੋਤਿ ਬਿਬੇਕੂ ॥੬੬॥

From the four letters the one great incantation of ‘Waheguru’ was created. This incantation holds great merit if recited. By reciting this one incantation you are actually repeating all four incantations which are used to make the word Waheguru. However adopts this great name of God within their mind with gain great knowledge. 66.

ਸੋਰਠਾ ।
ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਸਰਗੁਨ ਜੇ ਨਾਮ ਤਿਨ ਤੇ ਇਉਂ ਜਾਨਯੋ ਅਧਿਕ । ਔਰ ਅਰਥ ਮਤਿਧਾਮ ਕਰਿਹੈਂ ਸੁਖਦ ਅਨੰਤ ਗਤਿ ॥੬੭॥

Sortha – In this way the name of the Lord through the incantation Waheguru is greater than the names of the transcendent manifestations of the Lord. Other knowledgeable people expound different meanings for this incantation as it is endless and creates bliss. 67.

ਦੋਹਰਾ ।
ਬੀਜ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਬਰ ਨਾਮ ਹੈ ਰਿੱਧਿਨਿ ਸਿੱਧਿਨਿ ਧਾਮ । ਮੋਖ ਧਰਮ ਸੁਖ ਦੇਤਿ ਹੈ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਆਠਹੁ ਜਾਮ ॥੬੮॥

Couplet – This incantation is the root incantation and is form from the four root incantations of the ages. This incantation is the abode of all the Riddhis and Siddhis. This incantation gives a being the status of a liberated being, so repeat this incantation in all the eight pehars of the day (a Pehar is a three hour time frame). 68.

ਚੌਪਈ ।
ਅੱਖਰ ਮਧੁਰ ਮਨੋਹਰ ਚਾਰ । ਚਾਰ ਬੇਦ ਕੇ ਜਾਨਹੁਂ ਸਾਰ ।
ਚਾਰ ਬਰਨ ਕੋ ਹਰਨ ਬਿਕਾਰ । ਚਾਰ ਜੁ ਆਸ਼੍ਰਮ ਸੁਖਦ ਅਚਾਰ ॥੬੯॥

Quatrain – These four letters are beautiful and sweet. This incantation contains all the essence of the Vedas. This incantation is able to eradicate the sins of all four social castes. This incantation is able to assist all the people from the four fold division of human life in accordance with Hinduism. 69.

ਚਾਰ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕੇ ਇਹੁ ਦਰ ਚਾਰ । ਕਿਧੌਂ ਵਿਸ਼ਨੁ ਕੀ ਹੈਂ ਭੁਜ ਚਾਰ ।
ਚਾਰੁਪਦੇਸ਼ ਚੱਕ ਜੇ ਚਾਰ । ਚਾਰ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਮਹਿਂ ਸੁਖਕਾਰ ॥੭੦॥

The four letters of this incantation is able to grant the four different types of liberation. Understand these letters to have the same power as the fours arms of Vishnu though the representation of the items he holds. In the four directions you will find no other incantation as beautiful. Within the four different spiritual states this incantation offers bliss. 70.

ਦੋਹਰਾ ।
ਨ੍ਰਿਪ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਕੀ ਸੈਨ ਮਹਿਂ ਸੈਨਾਪਤਿ ਏ ਚਾਰ । ਮੋਹ ਕਟਕ ਕੋ ਜੀਤਿ ਕੈ ਛਿਨ ਮਹਿਂ ਲੇਵਤਿ ਮਾਰ ॥੭੧॥

Couplet – The knowledgeable king has an army within which these four letters are the four generals are able to defeat the army of attachment within a single moment. 71.

ਚੌਪਈ ।
ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਭਗਤਿ ਕੇ ਭੂਖਨ ਚਾਰੁ । ਲਖਨ ਗਯਾਨ ਕੋ ਲੋਚਨ ਚਾਰ ।
ਚਾਰ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਕੇ ਦਾਤਾਰ । ਚਾਰ ਜੁ ਯੁਗ ਤਿਨ ਮਹਿਂ ਗਤਿ ਕਾਰਿ ॥੭੨॥

Quatrain – These four letters are the ornaments/jewellery of loving devotion. In order to understand the knowledge of God one only need to know or be aware of these four letters. These four letters are able to grant the four rich commodities. Within the four ages these four letters are able to grant an individual liberation. 72.

ਭਗਤਨ ਕੰਠਾਭਰਨ ਸੁ ਚਾਰ । ਜਿਹ ਛਬਿ ਦੋਨੌ ਲੋਕ ਉਜਾਰ ।
ਚਾਰੁ ਬਰਨ ਕੋ ਧਰਮ ਅਧਾਰੁ । ਚਾਰ ਬਰਨ ਉਰ ਕਬਿ ਨ ਬਿਸਾਰਿ ॥੭੩॥

The holy men of the Lord regard these four letters as a precious garland which they put around their neck. Within the two worlds (the earth and heavens) there is illumination due to these four letters. These four letters are the asylum and refuge for the four social castes. Do not ever forget the four letters of the Waheguru incantation. 73.

ਦੋਹਰਾ ।
ਜੀਵ ਪਰਾਤਮ ਮੇਲਕੇ ਕਿਧੋਂ ਦੁਭਾਸ਼ੀ ਚਾਰੁ । ਗਾਹਿਕ ਕੇ ਅਪਵਰਗ ਕੇ ਭਲੇ ਦਲਾਲ ਬਿਚਾਰਿ ॥੭੪॥

Couplet – The four letters of this great incantation are the ones who allow the soul and the lord to meet. These four letters act as the intercessor for the meeting. Those people who are able to purchase the virtue of liberation understand these four letters to be the broker for the deal. 74.

ਭਵ ਬੰਧਨੁ ਕੇ ਆਮ ਕੋ ਆਖਯ ਭੇਖਜੁ ਚਾਰੁ । ਭ੍ਰਮ ਤਮ ਕੋ ਸਮ ਭਾਨੁ ਕੇ ਦੇਤਿ ਸਪਦ ਉਰ ਟਾਰਿ ॥੭੫॥

Couplet – This four lettered incantation is the remedy to all the bondage's and illnesses that a person can suffer. The doubts are similar to darkness and these four letters are like the sun that quickly dispels it from the heart. 75.

ਚੌਪਈ । ਜੇ ਭਵ ਸਾਵਜ ਕਰਹਿਂ ਅਤੰਕਾ । ਨਾਮੁ ਕੇਹਰੀ ਤਕਹਿਂ ਸੁ ਅੰਕਾ । ਕੇ ਨਰ ਗ੍ਰਸੇ ਕਲੂਖ ਅਹੇਸ਼ਾ । ਜਾਹਿਂ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਸੋ ਨਾਮ ਖਗੇਸ਼ਾ ॥੭੬॥

Quatrain – Creation is a metaphorical elephant from which everyone fears and due to this people seek a refuge under the four letters of the Waheguru incantation which is a metaphorical lion. Those people who are sinners are like a metaphorical snake they should seek refuge from under the name of God which is the metaphorical Garur. 76.

ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰ ਮਹਿਂ ਖਾਤਿ ਜਿ ਗੋਤੂ । ਗਹੈਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਨ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਨਾਮ ਜਿ ਪੋਤੂ ।
ਸਿਮਰਨ ਮਹਿਂ ਕਿਛੁ ਖਰਚ ਨ ਖੇਦਾ । ਹੈ ਸੁਖੇਨ ਸੁਖਦਾਨ ਅਛੇਦਾ ॥੭੭॥

Those people who are drowning in the metaphorical worldly ocean why don’t they climb aboard the ferry that is the name of God? To meditate on the name of God does not cause one any unnecessary cost or inconvenience. Meditate on the name of God as it is easy and brings peace. 77.

3 comments:

  1. vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

    In the last two posts the merits of Naam have been described. Apologies for my lack of understanding regarding the following concept:

    "One should realise that the name of God is greater than his transcendent manifestation...(64)."

    Could you please expand a little on what this actually means? What does it mean by transcendent manifestation? Does the above couplet mean that Naam is greater than Akaal Purakh Himself? How is this possible?

    Thank you.

    vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gurfateh,

    "One should realise that the name of God is greater than his transcendent manifestation...(64)."

    This is in relation to the difference in manifestations and the characteristics of the divine form.

    In Sikhism we get the non transcendant form of God (nirankar) where god has no characteristics of form and is forever true in a state of Sat Chit and Anand.

    The transcendant form is a form that transcends to the earth as in a form cush as that of the Avtars and Gurus. the difference is that the mantar although it only has a form once written other wise the gurshabad form remains without characteristics.

    The reason the gurmantar is greater then the transcendant form is both symbolic and real at the same time. It is symbolic ans Ram Chandar, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru HArgobind Ji (in the story with Bhai Gopala and Guru Gobind Singh Ji have shown in their lives that the word of God is eternal and thus greater then thir manifest forms on the earth as they will come to an end. It is also symbolic as each avtar has rather then proclaimed their divinity have remained humble and showed that the worship of a Nirgun Parmatma is greater then all.

    Naam is not greater then Akal purkh but is Akal Purkh the essence of the divine is contained in the incantation and is the calling required to unravel the veil of Maya to reveal the truth.

    I hope that helps. i apologise for the short reply i am stuck at work trying not to get caught while replying.

    ReplyDelete
  3. vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

    Thanks so much for sharing. I think that makes sense but will read it over a few times to make sure.

    (Btw - that was a 'short' reply?!)

    vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

    ReplyDelete

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