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A web diary of a lifelong learner...
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Gurbani Affirmations - II
Friday, January 12, 2024
Gurbani Affirmations - I
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Help in time of difficulty (intractable problems)
- The core philosophy of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on this topic, as per my understanding, is that wherever God is remembered, there works are accomplished, problems are resolved, and misery/sorrow is removed. The reason is that remembrance of God manifests order, smooth functioning, and creates an ideal environment, while chaos and resulting failure reigns wherever God is forgotten.
- Some of the ways to remember God are chanting the Name of God, talking about qualities of God (praising God), which could be considered similar actions, as most Names refer to one or the other quality of God.
- The God to be remembered is the One All Powerful Creator of the World, and not a deity or a demigod.
- This is actionable advice which can be applied in one's life, and one needs to try for oneself sincerely, as anyone else's experience would seem like a lucky coincidence. I do not have any details of how things will work out, or how much time it will take, but all I can say is that this method will work.
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Reference verses with commentary:
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ਜਾ ਕਉ ਮੁਸਕਲੁ ਅਤਿ ਬਣੈ ਢੋਈ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਦੇਇ ॥
ਲਾਗੂ ਹੋਏ ਦੁਸਮਨਾ ਸਾਕ ਭਿ ਭਜਿ ਖਲੇ ॥
ਸਭੋ ਭਜੈ ਆਸਰਾ ਚੁਕੈ ਸਭੁ ਅਸਰਾਉ ॥
ਚਿਤਿ ਆਵੈ ਓਸੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਲਗੈ ਨ ਤਤੀ ਵਾਉ ॥੧॥
ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਨਿਤਾਣਿਆ ਕਾ ਤਾਣੁ ॥
ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਥਿਰੁ ਸਦਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸਚੁ ਜਾਣੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਹੋਵੈ ਦੁਬਲਾ ਨੰਗ ਭੁਖ ਕੀ ਪੀਰ ॥
ਦਮੜਾ ਪਲੈ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਦੇਵੈ ਧੀਰ ॥
ਸੁਆਰਥੁ ਸੁਆਉ ਨ ਕੋ ਕਰੇ ਨਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਕਾਜੁ ॥
ਚਿਤਿ ਆਵੈ ਓਸੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਤਾ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਰਾਜੁ ॥੨॥
ਜਾ ਕਉ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਵਿਆਪੈ ਰੋਗੁ ॥
ਗ੍ਰਿਸਤਿ ਕੁਟੰਬਿ ਪਲੇਟਿਆ ਕਦੇ ਹਰਖੁ ਕਦੇ ਸੋਗੁ ॥
ਗਉਣੁ ਕਰੇ ਚਹੁ ਕੁੰਟ ਕਾ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਚਿਤਿ ਆਵੈ ਓਸੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥
ਕਾਮਿ ਕਰੋਧਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਕੀਆ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਲੋਭਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
ਚਾਰੇ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਉਨਿ ਅਘ ਕੀਏ ਹੋਆ ਅਸੁਰ ਸੰਘਾਰੁ ॥
ਪੋਥੀ ਗੀਤ ਕਵਿਤ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਕਰਨਿ ਧਰਿਆ ॥
ਚਿਤਿ ਆਵੈ ਓਸੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਤਾ ਨਿਮਖ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਤਰਿਆ ॥੪॥
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Translation:
When confronted with extreme difficulty, and no one gives shelter,
When enemies turn fatal, and relatives also run away,
When all support runs away, all protection ends,
Then if you remember That God, even scorching wind will not touch you.1.
Lord is the power of the powerless,
Neither comes nor goes, always steady, by Guru's word, know Him as True.1.Pause.
If you are thin, naked, have pain of hunger,
With no money, nor anyone to give support,
No one fulfils your desires, objectives, no work is accomplished,
If then you remember the Transcendent Lord, then you will achieve a stable kingdom.2.
If you are very very anxious, body has disease,
Surrounded by home, family, sometimes pleasure, sometimes remorse,
Wandering in four directions, no time to sit or sleep,
If then you remember the Transcendent Lord, then body, mind will be cooled.3.
Under control of lust, anger, worldly love, afflicted by love of greed,
If you have committed four great sins, a demon deserving to die,
If you never listened to religious text, song, poetry,
If still you remember the Transcendent Lord, even a moment's remembrance will ferry you across.4.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 70:11-28]
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Commentary:
This verse is self-explanatory and the main message is that if a person feels alone, defeated, or helpless at any time in life, then if the person sincerely remembers God the person would find peace and help, even in most unlikely of situations. This verse is a very big promise from God that help will come if a person does not forget God in times of need, a promise that God will not leave a person alone. I encourage the reader to remember and apply this knowledge.
Now the clever among us might ask why then do people suffer or die, or what about ignorant children or people who are unaware of this promise. I do not know. If you think about it, there are many situations of when this might happen, specifically in a complex world of free-will, choice, destiny and natural laws. Scriptures share knowledge freely, few read and understand it, and fewer still accept and apply the knowledge.
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ਦੂਖੁ ਤਦੇ ਜਦਿ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਏ ॥
ਸੰਤਨ ਕੈ ਆਨੰਦੁ ਏਹੁ ਨਿਤ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਏ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
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Translation:
Misery then when you forget, comfort when God comes to mind,
Such is the joy of saints, they ever sing the qualities of God.1.pause.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 813:20-21]
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Commentary:
This verse reiterates the point that remembrance of God brings peace, joy and comfort. While forgetting God will cause sorrow and misery. This is also the secret of how saints remain in bliss, i.e. by remembering God at all times (as a result of singing praise of God).
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ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੀਐ ਸਭ ਦੁਖ ਗਵਾਈ ॥-----------------
Translation:
Hearing Name, mind is satisfied, all misery is gone.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1240:4]
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Commentary:
This blog post has been short. All three verses in this post state the same point, that by remembering God, misery of a person is taken away. The person may still have to do some actions, but it will all happen naturally. Wishing the reader all the best in life!!
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When others are believed to be bad, Then it feels that all lay traps.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 235:22-23]
Do not keep ill-intentions against others in mind, and brother, friend you will not face misery.
[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 386:37-38]
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-x-
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Fulfilment of wishes
Fulfilment of wishes is a very interesting and popular topic. Self help and psychology of human achievement is a much researched subject. Mythology, magic and fiction are filled with tales of secrets of how a human being achieved a power to fulfil wishes. Like many others, starting with the book The Secret, I also read a few of such books on the so called law of attraction, dreaming of a better life. I finally found a verse in Shri Guru Granth Sahib which promised this too. I was very excited and even wrote an essay on this topic in an unrelated book on my experience with atheism (Irrational), although completely unrelated, in hope of sharing the teaching with others (I am not an atheist anymore). I was surprised that not many mainstream teachings talk about this topic.
Since that time, I had a chance to read more of scripture, and was surprised at the frequency of times this topic is discussed, and how frequently it is ignored by mainstream teaching. This post presents a few of these verses, but there are many more. I have tried to cover some of the important aspects of this topic using reference to 20+ verses. Following are some key points:
1. God is the only One who fulfils desires. The final means may appear to be many, but they all come from God alone.
2. This world has been made such that a person receives or achieves whatever a person applies one's mind to, whatever a person asks for, whatever a person prays for, or even secretly wishes/longs for under certain conditions - this list is not complete, but these are the ones that I cover in this blog post. There are many different ways mentioned in following verses, perhaps because different people may have different preferences.
3. Spiritual practices like chanting Name of God, chanting praise of God, remembrance of God, listening to sermon of God help in fulfilling one's desires.
4. Most of the things in this world are impermanent, so unnecessary desires can also waste a person's time or life. So a person needs to be careful.
5. In this impermanent world, at least one worthwhile desire is to ask God to give the wealth of Name. Name of God can be an eternal companion to one's soul, and one should definitely pray to receive it.
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Reference verses with commentary:
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ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਜੋ ਮਾਗਉ ਸੋ ਪਾਵਉ ਰੇ ॥ਨਾਮ ਰੰਗਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਨਾ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਕਤਹੂੰ ਧਾਵਉ ਰੇ ॥੧॥
By Guru's grace He rests in my mind, whatever I ask for, that I receive,Color of Name satisfies the mind, no need to run anywhere else.1.
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Commentary:
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ਜੋ ਮਾਗਉ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਪਾਵਉ ਅਪਨੇ ਖਸਮ ਭਰੋਸਾ ॥ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਭੇਟਿਓ ਮਿਟਿਓ ਸਗਲ ਅੰਦੇਸਾ ॥੨॥੧੪॥੪੨॥
Translation:
Whatever I ask, so and so I receive, I have faith in my Master,Nanak says, meeting Complete Guru, all anxiety is removed.2.14.42.
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Commentary:
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ਰਸਨਾ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਨਿਧਿ ਗਾਇਣ ॥ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸਹਜੁ ਰਹਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਸਗਲੇ ਦੂਖ ਪਲਾਇਣ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਜੋ ਮਾਗਹਿ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਸੇਵਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਚਰਣ ਰਸਾਇਣ ॥ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਹਹੂ ਤੇ ਛੂਟਹਿ ਭਵਜਲੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਤਰਾਇਣ ॥੧॥ਖੋਜਤ ਖੋਜਤ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿਓ ਦਾਸ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਪਰਾਇਣ ॥ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਖੇਮ ਚਾਹਹਿ ਜੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਦਾ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ॥੨॥੫॥੧੦॥
Translation:
Singing, with tongue, good qualities of treasure God,Peace, knowledge, bliss appear in mind, all sorrows depart.1.pause.Whatever I ask, same, same I receive, serving at feet of the God of treasures,Escaped both birth & death, crossed over the whirlpool of the world.1.Searching, searching, reflect on the essence, servant of God depends on Him,If you want eternal joy, Nanak, always remember God.2.5.10.
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Commentary:
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ਜਿ ਵਸਤੁ ਮੰਗੀਐ ਸਾਈ ਪਾਈਐ ਜੇ ਨਾਮਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਈਐ ॥
Translation:
The thing asked, same received, if mind is focused on Name.
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Commentary:
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ਐ ਜੀ ਕਿਆ ਮਾਗਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਆਇਆ ਜਾਈ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਕੰਠਿ ਬਣਾਈ ॥੮॥੩॥
Translation:
O sir, what to request, nothing seems permanent, in this world whatever comes goes,Give wealth of Name to Nanak, to adore heart and neck.8.3.
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Commentary:
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ਪਿਤਾ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲਿ ਆਗਿਆ ਇਹ ਦੀਨੀ ਬਾਰਿਕੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਮਾਂਗੈ ਸੋ ਦੇਨਾ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਬਾਰਿਕੁ ਦਰਸੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਚਾਹੈ ਮੋਹਿ ਹ੍ਰਿਦੈ ਬਸਹਿ ਨਿਤ ਚਰਨਾ ॥੪॥੨॥
Translation:
Merciful Father has given this command, to give whatever child requests with mouth,Nanak child desires vision of God, may His feet always rest in my heart.4.2.
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Commentary:
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ਮਨ ਕੀਆ ਇਛਾ ਪੂਰੀਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥
Translation:
Desires of the mind are fulfilled, when mind is brimming with word.
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Commentary:
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ਜਿ ਤੁਧ ਨੋ ਸਾਲਾਹੇ ਸੁ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਕੇਰੀ ॥
Translation:
One who praises You, receives everything, one on whom You are merciful.
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Commentary:
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ਮਨੁ ਜੋ ਇਛੇ ਸੋ ਲਹੈ ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
Translation:
What mind wishes, it receives, by having loving faith in the true word.
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Commentary:
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ਜੋ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ਪੂਜੇ ਗੁਰ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਸੋ ਮਨ ਇਛੇ ਫਲ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
One who focuses & worships embodiment of Guru, receives fruit as per mind's wish.
ਓਇ ਜੇਹਾ ਚਿਤਵਹਿ ਨਿਤ ਤੇਹਾ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਓਇ ਤੇਹੋ ਜੇਹੇ ਦਯਿ ਵਜਾਏ ॥
As one always thinks, so does one receive, so does God play one.
ਇਕੁ ਮਨੁ ਇਕੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਲਗੈ ਸੋ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਇ ॥
One mind, one task, finds success wherever applied.
ਮਨਿ ਚਿੰਦੇ ਫਲ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਇ ॥੧੭॥
Receive as per mind's desire, Nanak, singing praise of God.17.
ਸੁਨਿ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਬਸਾਵਹੁ ॥ਮਨ ਇਛੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਫਲ ਪਾਵਹੁ ॥੫॥
Listen to teachings, cherish in heart,Receive fruit, Nanak, as per mind's desire.5.
ਸੋ ਐਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੁ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਸਭ ਭੁਖ ਗਵਾਏ ॥
So chant such Name my mind, which removes craving, all hunger of mind.
ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਕਥਾ ਰਿਦ ਮਾਹਿ ਬਸਾਈ ॥ਮਨ ਬਾਂਛਤ ਸਗਲੇ ਫਲ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥
Sermon of God, enshrine in heart,Get all fruits, mind's desire.2.
ਮਨਸਾ ਮਨਹਿ ਸਮਾਇਲੇ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਸਚਿ ਤਰਣਾ ॥
Stilling desires in mind, True, swim across dreadful ocean.
ਮਿਲਿ ਸਾਧਸੰਗੇ ਨਾਮ ਰੰਗੇ ਮਨਿ ਲੋੜੀਦਾ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Meet Saadh Sangat, coloured with Name, receive desire of mind.
ਹਰਿ ਚੇਤਿ ਅਚੇਤ ਮਨਾ ਜੋ ਇਛਹਿ ਸੋ ਫਲੁ ਹੋਈ ॥
Remember God, ignorant mind, what you desire, that is obtained.
ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਪੂਰਿਆ ॥ਇਛ ਪੁੰਨੀ ਮਨਿ ਆਸ ਗਏ ਵਿਸੂਰਿਆ ॥
Remember, remember The Great Giver, desires fulfilled,Wish accomplished, mind's hope, sorrows depart.
ਮਨ ਇਛੇ ਸੇਈ ਫਲ ਪਾਏ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਹੇਲੀ ॥
Mind's desire, receive same fruits, listening to delightful sermon of the Lord.
ਜੇ ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਸ ਰਖਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਊਪਰਿ ਤਾ ਮਨ ਚਿੰਦੇ ਅਨੇਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਫਲ ਪਾਈ ॥
If mind remembers, places hope on God, then mind's wish, many many fruits received.
ਸਭ ਸੁਖ ਦਾਤਾ ਰਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਸਰ ਨਾਹਿਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਨਿ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਤਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਗਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥੯॥
God is Giver of all joy, there is no other,Speaks Nanak, listen mind, remembering Him find emancipation.
ਕਬੀਰ ਬਿਕਾਰਹ ਚਿਤਵਤੇ ਝੂਠੇ ਕਰਤੇ ਆਸ ॥ਮਨੋਰਥੁ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਪੂਰਿਓ ਚਾਲੇ ਊਠਿ ਨਿਰਾਸ ॥੨੦੫॥
Kabir! Those who think of evil and entertain false hopes -None of their desires shall be fulfilled; they shall depart in despair. ||205||