Saturday, December 7, 2019

On action, destiny and free-will...


Main points:
  1. A person’s (soul’s) domain of action, where a person can actually do any work, is in the mind, thoughts, prayers. The karmabhumi of the soul (ground where soul can work), is in the mind alone.
  2. A belief that the soul can do anything in the physical world is a myth, which is an illusion created by the actions of the body. We need to remember that most of the functions of the body are involuntary, outside the control of a person.
  3. A soul (or a person) can only direct the body, similar to a driver driving a vehicle.
  4. So for the soul a thought, feeling or a prayer are more important than an actual action.
  5. Soul living in a body is similar to a driver sitting inside a vehicle. Soul moving a body is similar to a driver moving a vehicle. The soul or the driver only convey intentions, while the construction of body or vehicle obey the natural laws to move.
  6. A soul or driver really have no control over most of the internal functions of the body or a vehicle, but the construction of the body/vehicle along with conditions of the environment govern where the body or vehicle actually goes.
  7. So anything that happens in the physical world is actually out of control of a person (soul), but a soul can only perform actions in its karmabhumi (mind), while these mental intentions are mirrored in the world around us sometimes, within the context of applicable natural laws.
  8. A lot of suffering in this world is because of ego and free-will (both are mental faculties, and central characteristics of human existence). Ego is self-deification, while free-will is freedom to choose from an infinite possible options. The collective desires of conceited people, which run contrary to each other’s intentions, cause clashes. Much like children fight when parents leave them alone, or a city can go into chaos if all police personnel go on leave. It is not that parents or police become powerless, but it is that the children and citizens have been given free-will to choose, and they abuse this power.
  9. Similarly God is not powerless nor has evil intentions, but it is just that the collective desires of free-willed self-centered people cause clashes and creates suffering in the world. This line-of-thinking, with appropriate modification, can also be used to explain natural disasters, although the natural actors/forces and their controlling forces are not apparent, and cannot be rationally explained.
  10. As per my understanding, most things are definitely predestined, but it is like seeds planted in the past, when a person exercised free-will. Future destiny will be created by planting seeds in our present. Cause of destiny could be God's Will, or our past wishes or actions. In general we could say most of the important things in life are predestined, how happy or grumpy we are traveling this predestined path is all up to us, and there is always a choice to pray (change our thoughts) and change our future destination (and destiny). Prayer first and change next, and not the other way round. (Note: During casual debates on this topic a person could hit another person playfully, and say that it was predestined; but this action is more like exercise of free-will, with possible future consequences, for example, a retaliatory playful punch.) It could be said “Free-will creates future destiny. Free-will gives choice to plant new seeds, while the previously planted seeds will still bear fruit.”.
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Reference verses with commentary:
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ਬਾਰਿ ਵਿਡਾਨੜੈ ਹੁੰਮਸ ਧੁੰਮਸ ਕੂਕਾ ਪਈਆ ਰਾਹੀ ॥
ਤਉ ਸਹ ਸੇਤੀ ਲਗੜੀ ਡੋਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਨਦ ਸੇਤੀ ਬਨੁ ਗਾਹੀ ॥੧॥
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Translation:

Strange forest of chaos and confusion, highways echo with screams,
Attached with You Lord, Nanak, traverse forest with tranquility.1.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 520:32-33]
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Commentary:

This verse gives a very important perspective on the state of the world, which is said to be like a chaotic forest. Any person who follows politics and news would realize that the world, for the most part, is indeed in a state of chaos, with a lot of suffering. Many would believe if God is in control then God is ultimately responsible and creator of this chaos. Maybe the reality is more nuanced than a simple cause-and-effect statement.

I understand the above verse and the chaos in this world with following analogies.

The chaos in this world is not directly God's Will, but because of human free-will to think, plan and choose a personal destination or collective destination of people (region, country, etc). Clash and confusion happen when different people try to achieve different goals. When a class-teacher leaves a class-room full of young children, all to themselves, then after sometime fights could start between children. When parents leave their young children all by themselves, then too sometime there is chaos and children fight. If all police personnel in a city go for a long vacation, then a city could slowly descend into chaos and rioting, as people want to achieve different things in life and are ready to fight without a visible authority to restrain them. The above example does not show lack of authority of teachers, parents or police, but it does show how free-will works. Authority figures in the above example have delegated choice of our actions to each individual separately. Free-will, freedom to choose, unhindered by fear of law or rules, can cause rise of chaos.

As I understand it, the primary reason for this chaos is presence of individual ego. Ego defined in a single word would mean "self-deification". When a person chooses to elevate oneself to a level of a god, maybe not using the word god, but use another word to denote supreme power like king, queen, etc. It is important to note, that the person does not become a god, but starts thinking of oneself as some kind of god. And a god or a king does not follow the rules, but makes own rules, and chooses to fight for them. In animals the sense of self-deification also exists, as they fight for maintaining their position for alpha males and females. When everyone in the world starts self-deifying oneself, and acting as per own choosing then slowly the world spirals into chaos, because different people want different things, sometimes at cost of other people's choices, and will fight for them without considering other person's feelings or ambitions. If we think about it, self-deification is quite a silly phenomena, but could ultimately be one of the causes of most of the chaos and suffering in the world.

It is like if drivers on the road do not follow traffic rules (do not fear authority), the state of traffic could be chaotic. Human soul is like the driver sitting inside a vehicle, body, driving it to achieve different goals. But soul is really just sitting and driving (giving attainable or unattainable directions), while all the movement is only done by the vehicle. If a vehicle moves at 50mph, then is the soul moving at the same speed. Yes and no, maybe.

Is the vehicle moving, or the soul is moving? Is the soul doing actions, or the body doing actions? I believe the answers are, the soul sits within the body, but appears to move and do while the body moves and does. The actions that an intangible soul performs are limited to giving directions to the body only, using intangible thoughts and words, while whatever is achieved in the physical world is achieved by the physical body (for present discussion we could consider this as true, but as per verse 17 below this too could be a simplified description). In a way the soul does not control the body, but only expresses commands or desires, while the body achieves if the desires conform to the natural laws.

The actions of the body are limited by the natural laws that control the body and the environment, which can seldom be broken (physical and spiritual laws), and in this sense God's laws are in complete control of what happens in this world. These laws are sometimes called God's Commands, Will, or by other similar names. But the direction that each individual body takes can be the choosing of individual people, while whatever is actually achieved is the result of destiny or God's Will. So from this perspective I believe that God's Laws, or God, are in complete control of whatever happens in this world, while each individual has the capacity to choose a direction for the body, which ultimately becomes a person's destiny. Whether the body would achieve the aspiration would depend on the laws.

In the above analogies, complete order could be restored if people recognize, respect and recall the authority figures. Failure to do these would not belittle the authority, or make authority incompetent, but it would lengthen the period in which the people have to live in chaos. I believe the above verse conveys this thought. If we forget God, and His authority and teachings, then our world descends into chaos. God does not become powerless if we remove God from our lives, but own lives do turn chaotic, because we choose to forge our own ideals and direction. A saint is a person who remembers God, invites God and His authority into one's life, and so brings order and tranquility into one's own world, while the world around could be descending into chaos. World around could also restore order by accepting God's authority and teachings. Different religions have claimed to know the teachings of God, The One God, who is the Creator of all there is. Each person could choose, and hope the choice leads in the correct direction.

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ਅਖਰਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ਵਖਾਣਿ ॥
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Translation:

Words describe destiny on each head.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 4:27]
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Commentary:

This verse specifies that words define destiny of a person. This verse does not say that the words which describe someone's destiny are immutable, or whether destiny is immutable, nor anything has been said about the origin of these words. As I understand, origin of words is a sentient being. Discussion of sentient beings is a topic for another article, but any being capable of thinking and speaking words as a form of prayer or command is a sentient being. For all practical and rational purposes, God and human beings are the only sentient beings that we know of, and I believe (and understand) that a person's destiny is created by God's commands, or human words, thoughts and prayers. Many religious cultures describe of sentient beings beyond the above two, and each person needs to decide for oneself based on beliefs or personal experience.

God's words and commands are mutable by God alone, but not directly discernible to a human being, while we have some control on our words, thoughts and prayers, and also on words of others. I believe we also have the power to change our destiny by changing our words, thoughts and prayers (a change in our actions is most likely a result of a change in our thoughts and intentions first), and to some extent we can also influence other person's destiny using the same process. Changing our prayers, thoughts and words are how a person could change the course of one's destiny to some extent. What actually happens would depend not only on our efforts, but also on natural laws, while God's Will remains final.

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ਜਿਉ ਜਿਉ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਤਿਵੈ ਤਿਉ ਹੋਵਣਾ ॥
ਜਹ ਜਹ ਰਖਹਿ ਆਪਿ ਤਹ ਜਾਇ ਖੜੋਵਣਾ ॥
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Translation:

As is Your Will, so is it done,
Wherever when He Himself keeps, there then I go stand.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 523:9-10]
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Commentary:

As is God's command, so does it happen. This is probably a controversial aspect, as people can associate bad things to the Will of God. Reality is much more complicated that a simple cause-effect statement, because it is difficult to understand God’s command. Please refer commentary of the first verse above for a perspective on why some of the bad things happen. To recap briefly, God's Will is indirectly expressed by the natural and physical laws of this world, and based on individual and collective desires of people the individual and collective destiny is created. Desires are like seeds which take different time-frame to sprout and bear fruit, so some seemingly unexplained incidents could possibly be results of seeds planted a long time ago.

As I understand it, the second statement of this verse states that everything that actually happens is in God's control, under the control of the physical and natural laws created by God that govern this world. Human free-will is limited to thoughts, feelings, plans, and other mental actions. So like a driver driving a vehicle, a driver is free to "try to do" whatever the driver wants with the vehicle, but what the vehicle does is limited by the vehicle's construction, characteristics and its environment (which are governed by physical and natural laws). Similarly, the driver could be happy, or sad, or frustrated with the results of his or her efforts, but it is best to simply accept whatever the vehicle is able to do, while trying to improve things in the future. The driver could plan, hope, and pray for improving the condition in the future, but has really no other option but to accept the present condition and achievements. Also, the driver has no control on the physical movement of the vehicle apart from giving steering directions, while the actual movement is a result of vehicle’s condition, environmental conditions/challenges on which a person does not have much control.

The key to understanding the second statement is realizing that body, soul and mind are three different things. Body is the actual physical body which soul occupies from birth to death, and soul and mind have limited control on the actions of a body. Soul is the actual entity aware of its own existence, trying to achieve something in life, as a result of ego, or self-deification, which drives the soul to fulfill various desires. Mind is the reasoning faculty which enables the soul to evaluate various situations and concepts (sometimes I refer to mind and soul interchangeably to simplify discussion). The actions on which each of the three entities have control on is the physical, spiritual and mental, respectively.

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ਰੂੜੋ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਕਿਤੈ ਵਸਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰੇ ਜਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਆ ਸੰਤਾ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
ਕੀਤਾ ਲੋੜਨਿ ਸੋਈ ਕਰਾਇਨਿ ਦਰਿ ਫੇਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੦॥
ਜਿਥੈ ਅਉਘਟੁ ਆਇ ਬਨਤੁ ਹੈ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ॥
ਤਿਥੈ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਸਾਰਿੰਗਪਾਣੀ ॥
ਜਿਥੈ ਪੁਤ੍ਰੁ ਕਲਤ੍ਰੁ ਨ ਬੇਲੀ ਕੋਈ ਤਿਥੈ ਹਰਿ ਆਪਿ ਛਡਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੧॥
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Translation:

Beautiful Master cannot be controlled anyhow,
God does that which the saints of God like,
Does as they like, so is it done, none can hinder them at His door.10.
O people where trouble comes,
There remember God, the Lord of the world,
Where son, wife nor friend is, there God Himself releases.11.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1076:11-13]
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Commentary:

This verse tells us that God is not under anyone’s control, but would generally do as the saints of God like things to be done. It is important to note that the saints do not do, but God does whatever the saints like.

An advice given in this verse is to remember God in time of need; for help, in prayer, whenever there is trouble. This is a practical advice, which a person could use in daily life, and evaluate for oneself. I believe that we cannot and should not test God, trying to see whether an instruction works or not, because it could back-fire, for God cannot be controlled and ordered around, but whenever there is a genuine need and help required then a person should remember God, pray for help.

Many godmen exist in cults who could help, when people pray to them, using their influence and network and could ask for something in return. This verse does not refer to godmen or non-monotheistic gods. This verse suggests to remember the monotheistic God, for whom a prayer and belief is sufficient. The way help would come, or a problem get resolved, will generally defy explanation or rationale, and most likely would appear to be a string of coincidences.

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ਜੋ ਸੂਰਾ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਹੋਇ ਮਰਣਾ ॥
ਜੋ ਭਾਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਜੋਨੀ ਫਿਰਣਾ ॥
ਜੋ ਵਰਤਾਏ ਸੋਈ ਭਲ ਮਾਨੈ ਬੁਝਿ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਜਾਲੀਐ ॥੭॥
ਜਿਤੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਲਾਵਹਿ ਤਿਤੁ ਤਿਤੁ ਲਗਨਾ ॥
ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਅਪਣੇ ਜਚਨਾ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਕੇ ਪੂਰਨ ਸੁਖਦਾਤੇ ਤੂ ਦੇਹਿ ਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮਾਲੀਐ ॥੮॥੧॥੭॥
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Translation:

Whoever is brave, only such a one shall die,
Whoever runs away, such a one wanders in transmigration,
Whatever manifests, accept that as good, understand command, burn folly.7.
Wherever one is put, there one associates,
Doing watching Own wonders,
Perfect Patron of Nanak, You give, then remember Name.8.1.7.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1019:31-36]
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Commentary:

For understanding the first sentence of this verse, we need to realize that our reality is shaped by our deepest desires, some may even be consciously hidden from us. A person who is brave, and ready to take a stand could eventually face a premature death, as a person puts life at a lower priority than some other thing or belief. In a fight, where people take opposing stands, it is the nature of a fight to end after one of the sides perish, and when a person chooses to take a stand and fight, such a person increases his or her chance of facing death. On the other hand, a person who chooses to run away from a fight has a deep desire to experience more of life, and this desire would eventually lead a person to transmigrate.

The final point in the first statement is that whatever manifests is a result of our deepest desires (or result of past actions), and we should accept that as our fate because it is a manifestation of our deepest desires which manifest as per the natural and physical laws of the world (God’s commands). Once we understand this we remove our foolishness. This statement could also have another meaning as per my understanding. When faced with a vexing situation, to fight or to run away are two popular options, but the third option is to just be a spectator in the drama of this world, as it unfolds, and accept the things that happen around us as a collective manifestation of desires of people in the world around us (or alternatively called God’s commands). There may be a situation where being a spectator may be difficult or unnatural, when a person could be an unwilling participant, and there a person needs to use best judgement to decide the course of actions. Prayer for answer and direction at times of confusion or indecision would help (another verse in this essay would cover the details).

Next sentence of the verse continues the above statements. Based on a person’s previous aspirations, desires or actions, a person is put in an environment, on which a person has a limited control (environment created by birth, nationality, etc), and wherever a person is put the person automatically creates associations. Next part of the verse reiterates the fact that ultimately whatever happens is done by God alone (please refer other verses for more explanation), while God Himself watches Own wonders. Last statement of the verse specifies an important point, that a person receives the Name of God only when God gives the Name (gets to know about the importance of the Name of God, and accepts the Name of God). If God does not give the Name, a person would continue being skeptical about the importance of the Name of God.

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ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਕਿਸੁ ਆਖੈ ਕੋਈ ॥
ਆਖਣਿ ਜਾਈਐ ਜੇ ਭੂਲਾ ਹੋਈ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਾਏ ਨਾਮੇ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੮॥੭॥੮॥
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Translation:

Himself does, whom to tell,
Go and tell if He is mistaken,
Nanak, He himself does and is the cause, by Name, absorbed in Name.8.7.8.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 114:8-10]
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Commentary:

This verse reiterates, more directly what had been highlighted earlier. God is ultimately responsible for whatever happens in the world, and if we feel God has made a mistake then we could tell or complain to Him. People would believe that so many bad things happen in this world, so God must have made a mistake, or that God does not have power over the world, or that God’s intentions are bad. Reality is that misfortune is more a manifestation of collective free-will of society, specially when free-will is exercised chaotically and irresponsibly, without concern for its repercussions.

Anything done without considering the consequences may result in unexpected or undesirable consequences, that is all. But whatever happens is a consequence of our collective conscious and unconscious hopes, desires, and intent for action (intangible actions). As I understand, God has set up laws in this world which work like clock-work, giving to people as per people’s wishes and desires, doing as per people’s plans and thoughts. The laws and their Creator do not make a mistake, and an undesirable fruit may come from undesirable seeds like hate, greed, and fear. Similarly, a desirable fruit comes from desirable seeds like integrity, honesty and faith. God personally enters a situation only if we invite God into our world and lives, and do not remove God from our thoughts and world, while laws are always active. Only God can override the natural laws, which have been created by Him.

Last statement repeats the fact that God Himself does everything, or is the cause of everything that happens in this world. And final recommendation is that a person is absorbed in the Name of God using God’s Name alone. Being absorbed in the Name of God would mean having strong belief in the Name of God, remembering and chanting the Name at all possible times, which will be a step towards a person’s final union with God, and will pave the way to one’s salvation. Also, if we remember God during our normal day, we would find that our days are smoother, as wherever God is remembered order is restored and chaos recedes.

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ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਕਿਸੁ ਆਖੀਐ ਹੋਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥
ਆਖਣ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਜਾਈਐ ਜੇ ਭੂਲੜਾ ਹੋਈ ॥
ਜੇ ਹੋਇ ਭੂਲਾ ਜਾਇ ਕਹੀਐ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਿਉ ਭੁਲੈ ॥
ਸੁਣੇ ਦੇਖੇ ਬਾਝੁ ਕਹਿਐ ਦਾਨੁ ਅਣਮੰਗਿਆ ਦਿਵੈ ॥
ਦਾਨੁ ਦੇਇ ਦਾਤਾ ਜਗਿ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਚੁ ਸੋਈ ॥
ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਕਿਸੁ ਆਖੀਐ ਹੋਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥੪॥੧॥੪॥

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Translation:

Himself does, who else to tell, none else does,
Go to tell Him, if He is mistaken,
If He is mistaken, go tell, How can Creator Himself be mistaken,
Hears, watches, without telling, gives gifts unasked,
God gives gifts, Lord of the World, Nanak, He is true,
Himself does, whom to tell, None else does.4.1.4.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 766:5-10]
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Commentary:

This verse repeats some of the facts discussed in the previous verse. God is in control of this world, and nothing happens by mistake. Everything that happens is as per the conscious and unconscious desires of the people, operating within natural laws set up by God. If we need to change the things around us, in the world around us, we need to change our explicit desires, without letting our subconscious desires negate them. If society desires to change itself, the collective aspirations of the majority need to change first.

Our actions are directed by our deepest desires, and we receive that which we believe we can and are willing to work to achieve them; all the while the natural law orchestrating and directing the conditions for fulfillment of our desires (for example, two people may desire the same things, and one would be willing to work for it, while another would think about stealing it. The natural laws would lead them as per their desires for work or stealing, while the deed once accomplished would bear appropriate fruits in their own time; the mental deed of “deciding a course of action” produces mental peace or misery, and physical deed produces physical peace or misery). If one is unsure of what to aspire for, one could pray to God to show the way, or better still pray to God to show His Will for our life.

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ਤੇਰਾ ਭਾਣਾ ਮੰਨੇ ਸੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤੁਧੁ ਆਏ ॥
ਜਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਸਮਾਏ ॥
ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਡੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਭਾਣਾ ਕਿਸਹਿ ਕਰਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥
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Translation:

One who accepts Your Will, comes to meet You,
Whoever likes Your Will, merges in You,
In His Will is great greatness, few submit to His Will.3.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1063:47-1064:1-2]
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Commentary:

This verse recommends accepting God’s Will. It is not that we have a choice, the actual events don’t change by our acceptance or not acceptance, but we find peace within by accepting God’s Will. As per God’s Will (natural laws setup in this world), the collective desires of people manifest as reality in the world around us, and there is little that a person can do about collective desires of people around. With this realization a person (soul) understands reality, lets go of rage or despair, and is more likely to merge in God, the source of its creation, like a wave merges back in the ocean, and a ripple merges back in the quiet water, after a brief play.

A ripple needs to quieten till,
It merges back in the water still.

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ਜੀਅ ਕੀ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਕਰਿ ॥
ਛੋਡਿ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਸਗਲ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਰਪਿ ਧਰਿ ॥
ਪੂਜਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਪੈਰ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਜਾਇ ਜਰਿ ॥
ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਭਵਜਲੁ ਬਿਖਮੁ ਤਰਿ ॥
ਸੇਵਹੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਦੇਵ ਅਗੈ ਨ ਮਰਹੁ ਡਰਿ ॥
ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਰੇ ਨਿਹਾਲੁ ਊਣੇ ਸੁਭਰ ਭਰਿ ॥
ਮਨ ਕਉ ਹੋਇ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਸਦਾ ਹਰਿ ॥
ਸੋ ਲਗਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਵ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਕਰਮੁ ਧੁਰਿ ॥੬॥
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Translation:

If mind is anxious, then pray to Guru,
Leave all prudence, dedicate mind, body,
Worship feet of Guru, folly is burned,
With holy people swim the terrible world of illusions,
Serve the divine true Guru, do not die of fear in future,
Will exalt in an instant, emptiness filled brimful,
Mind will be content, always remembering God,
Such a one serves true Guru, who has primal good fortune.6.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 519:28-35]
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Commentary:

This verse begins with a very important instruction. Whenever a person is anxious, pray to God. Pray for guidance, solace, a solution, or whatever it is that is troubling you. Pray to God, or a True Mentor, who is the same as God, an aspect of God who instructs. The way I understand prayer is something that a small child would say to his or her parents, when faced with some anxiety. A parent may or may not give, or do everything that a child asks, but still would pacify the child. Prayers, I believe, have the power to mould a person’s destiny.

A person’s relationship with God is not very different from a child’s relation to parents. Thinking of God as a parent does not mean that parents are God. This mindset does not come easy to grown people, who think of themselves as very mature, grown up, and are filled with feelings of self-importance. So depending on God is difficult, but realizing that God has provided mind and body for this life, a person should use them to practice devotion to God. This helps in removing foolishness from mind.

This verse further tells that this world, which is like a magic show of illusions, where everything turns into a memory sooner or later, can be crossed by associating with holy people. Inability to cross-over would be like getting trapped in the world of illusions, or a worse destiny. By serving God, which I believe is remembering God, chanting the Name of God, and pondering over the Word of God, one does not have anxiety. This also rids a person of feelings of loneliness and emptiness. Remembrance of God, like a person remembers another person, without any strings or expectations, makes the mind content, and brings solace.

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ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਖਾਵਣਾ ਕਰਤੈ ਲਿਖਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧੫॥
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Translation:

Nanak, eat what is sowed, Creator has put in writing.15.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1243:38]
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Commentary:

This verse specifies one of the natural laws which govern this world, a very popular maxim. This law has been written by God, and specifies that one reaps and eats whatever one sows. The reaping, and eating does not refer to food alone, but is a metaphor for any action (physical or intangible) which will result in an appropriate fruit, and that alone will become a person’s destiny.

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ਏ ਮਨ ਜੈਸਾ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਤੈਸਾ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਤੇਹੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
ਆਪਿ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਵਣਾ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਿਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥੭॥
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Translation:

O mind, as you serve, so you become, perform similar actions,
Oneself sow, oneself eat, nothing else could be said.7.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 755:16-17]
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Commentary:

Impalpable mind serves something by giving space to something in mind, pondering over it, accepting and agreeing to it. Whatever the mind serves, the mind is moulded by it, and becomes like it. So we think, use our mind, causing it to become what it is today. Again the concept of reaping and sowing has been referred. If we want a specific type of harvest, then we need to sow similar thoughts and actions (mentally first).

If we want peace, we cannot go about sowing war in our or other people’s minds. If we want love, we cannot go about sowing hatred.

The roads paved with war,
Will only lead to more war.
Peace will always stay afar,
From the roads paved in war.

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ਜੈਸਾ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਆਪਿ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਵੈ ॥
ਜੇ ਵਡਿਆਈਆ ਆਪੇ ਖਾਇ ॥
ਜੇਹੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਤੇਹੈ ਰਾਹਿ ਜਾਇ ॥੩॥

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Translation:

As one does, so one receives,
Oneself sows, so one eats,
Even if one partakes own praise,
As is one's understanding, that path one goes.3.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 662:22-25]
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Commentary:

This verse also tells about the concept of sowing and reaping, followed by another important concept. A person decides to go down a particular path based on one’s understanding. A person is right in one’s own eyes. So it is important to work on improving our understanding. Understand the things as they truly are. Understand the fruits of the seeds that we sow. Understand the nature of the path that one follows, understand the destination that a path will lead to. Our level of understanding can affect our destiny, by causing us to go down a particular path.

Understand the fruit of seeds that you sow,
Know the nature of the paths that you go.

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ਦਦੈ ਦੋਸੁ ਨ ਦੇਊ ਕਿਸੈ ਦੋਸੁ ਕਰੰਮਾ ਆਪਣਿਆ ॥
ਜੋ ਮੈ ਕੀਆ ਸੋ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ਦੋਸੁ ਨ ਦੀਜੈ ਅਵਰ ਜਨਾ ॥੨੧॥
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Translation:

Dd, do not blame others, blame own actions,
Whatever I did, that I received, do not blame other people.21.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 433:23-24]
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Commentary:

This verse again reminds us to be mindful of our actions, mental actions. I believe that the actions of a body follow the actions of the mind (thoughts and decisions). A person (soul) has control only on the thoughts and decisions of the mind; and the mind, not the body, is the domain of a soul’s actions. Mind controls the actions of a body, as much as a driver controls the actions of a vehicle, which is about controlling the direction and destination, but not exactly every nitty-gritty of the vehicle’s functions. More or less, a vehicle arrives where the driver takes it, and a body would achieve what the mind sets out to achieve, within the context of its environment and natural laws (constraints and past actions).

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ਤੂ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਤੂ ਆਪੇ ਕਰਹਿ ਸੁ ਹੋਗੀਆ ॥
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Translation:

You Yourself God utilize, You Yourself do, that happens.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1313:6]
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Commentary:

God Himself utilizes the creation for His own purposes. Ultimately whatever happens is done by God. Repeating some of the concepts already discussed above, as I understand this statement is that God manifests reality based on the collective and individual desires of the people, conscious and unconscious desires and aspirations.

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ਕੀਤਾ ਕਰਣਾ ਸਰਬ ਰਜਾਈ ਕਿਛੁ ਕੀਚੈ ਜੇ ਕਰਿ ਸਕੀਐ ॥
ਆਪਣਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਵੈ ਜਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਉ ਰਖੀਐ ॥੧॥
ਮੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਤੇਰੈ ਵਸਿ ॥
ਅਸਾ ਜੋਰੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਮ ਸਾਕਹ ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਵੈ ਬਖਸਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਸਭੁ ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਦੀਆ ਤੁਧੁ ਆਪੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਆਪੇ ਕਾਰੈ ਲਾਇਆ ॥
ਜੇਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਤੇਹੇ ਕੋ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਜੇਹਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਧੁਰਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੨॥
ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਤੁਧੁ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਭ ਸਾਜੀ ਕੋਈ ਛੇਵਾ ਕਰਿਉ ਜੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੋਵੈ ॥
ਇਕਨਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਲਿ ਤੂੰ ਬੁਝਾਵਹਿ ਇਕਿ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਸਿ ਰੋਵੈ ॥੩॥
ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਹਉ ਆਖਿ ਨ ਸਾਕਾ ਹਉ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਨੀਚਾਣੁ ॥
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਬਖਸਿ ਲੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਰਣਾਗਤਿ ਪਇਆ ਅਜਾਣੁ ॥੪॥੪॥੧੫॥੨੪॥
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Translation:

Accomplished action all His Will, Do something if it can be done,
Own actions nothing happens, as it pleases Him, God keeps.1.
My dear God all is in Your control,
We do not have power to do anything, as it pleases You, forgive us.1.pause.
You give all life, body, You Yourself, You Yourself put us to work,
As is Your command, so does one earn actions, like You have put in primal writing.2.
Making five elements, You decorated all nature, someone could make sixth, if one could do something,
Understand meeting one True Guru, an apostate acts and weeps.3.
Glory of God, one cannot say, one is a fool, idiot, lowly,
God forgive person Nanak, my Master, the ignorant takes Your shelter.4.4.15.24.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 736:5-14]
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Commentary:

This verse again emphasizes that God is ultimately in control of everything. In addition the verse specifies that God puts each of us to work; so if we are not sure of the work that we are destined to do, then a person should pray for awareness and understanding of the work that one is destined to do. A fortunate person understands this after meeting a true mentor; while an unfortunate person, an apostate, acts without understanding the basic principles, tries to perform various actions, struggles and cries on failure (imagine a driver trying to make a vehicle do something that it is not designed to do, e.g. trying to fly a car or trying to drive a jeep above the maximum speed that it is designed for.)

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ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਜੇਵਡੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਥੀਐ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਬੇਅੰਤੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਾਲਾਹਿਆ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਸੀਤਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥
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Translation:

God Himself is compassionate, God Himself does, that happens,
God Himself utilizes, none is as great as God,
Whatever Lord God likes, that happens, whatever Lord God does, that happens,
No one can find value, that Lord God is endless,
Nanak, devotee praises God, mind, body are cooled.2.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1313:14-18]
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Commentary:

This verse again emphasizes that God is in control. If we have a question about God’s Will, then we just need to realize that whatever has happened is God’s Will. A difficult fact to accept considering all suffering in this world. But seeing from the viewpoint of our limited knowledge and understanding, we need to realize that we do not understand everything perfectly. An easier way to reconcile yourself to this fact, without bitterness, is to refer to the parent-children or police-city metaphor referred above.

Free-will exercised irresponsibly creates suffering in this world! So it is very important that we choose our environment and friends wisely, so as not to share results of their deliberate and undesirable choices. If we want to bring about a change, we need to change our desires, aspirations and prayers first. The above verse ends with a statement that by praising God, in song or words, cools the mind and body. As I understand, praise of God are powerful words, and free the mind of various other parasitic thoughts and feeling, leaving the mind cool and peaceful.

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ਕਬੀਰ ਨਾ ਹਮ ਕੀਆ ਨ ਕਰਹਿਗੇ ਨਾ ਕਰਿ ਸਕੈ ਸਰੀਰੁ ॥
ਕਿਆ ਜਾਨਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਆ ਭਇਓ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਕਬੀਰੁ ॥੬੨॥
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Translation:

Kabir, neither have I done, nor will I do, nor can the body do,
Don't know, something God did, occurred, Kabir, Kabir.62.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1367:27-28]
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Commentary:

In this verse Bhagat Kabir describes that a human body and soul are unable to accomplish anything in this world, and whatever happens is ultimately result of God’s Will, and grand orchestration. People see the works accomplished and say that Bhagat Kabir has accomplished them, but in reality only God does actions in this world. A person is still free to be happy or sad with the occurrences, or be indifferent to them, or could plan for, or wish, or pray for things to change in the future (for oneself or collectively); and these are all that a soul could do. But these mental actions are like seeds, which will eventually manifest at some point.

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ਆਪੇ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਾਏ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਿਸ ਨੋ ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਈਐ ॥
ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਤੇਰੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਹੋਵੈ ਕਿਸ ਥੈ ਜਾਇ ਰੂਆਈਐ ॥
ਹੁਕਮੀ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਚਲਾਏ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੭॥੧੨॥
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Translation:

Himself does, Doer actualizes, whom to speak and tell,
Sorrow, pleasure, happen by Your Will, which place to go and complain,
Commander commands, moves, delights, O Nanak, receive what is written.7.12.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 418:9-11]
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Commentary:

This verse speaks of God as the ultimate cause of everything that happens in this world. Whatever sorrow or suffering manifests in this world is as per the natural laws governing this world, and the collective seeds planted by people in this world.

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ਜੇਹਾ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਤੇਹਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਜੇਹਾ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥
ਧੰਨੁ ਸਿਰੰਦਾ ਸਚਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਗੁ ਧੰਧੈ ਲਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
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Translation:

As it is written, so it is received, what was previously earned,
Blessed Creator, True King, who put world to work.1.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 579:3-4]
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Commentary:

This verse very clearly specifies that a person receives whatever the person has previously earned. A person could earn desirable or undesirable results. Another word for earn would be the seeds that a person plants. Whatever a person plants today, is what a person reaps or earns tomorrow. God has put everything to work in their respective works.

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ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮਿ ਫੁਰਮਾਇਆ ਮੀਹੁ ਵੁਠਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
ਅੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੀ ਰਜੀ ਤਿਪਤਿ ਅਘਾਇ ॥
ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਗੁਣ ਉਚਰੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਦਾਲਦੁ ਗਇਆ ਬਿਲਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਤਿਸੈ ਰਜਾਇ ॥
ਪਰਮੇਸਰਿ ਜੀਵਾਲਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੈ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੧॥
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Translation:

Supreme God willed, rain rained, easily, naturally,
Lot of grain, wealth grew, Earth sated, satisfied to the full,
Always, always, speak praise, pain, poverty will be removed and dispelled,
Previously written is received, he receives as per God’s Command,
God keeps us alive, O Nanak, remember Him.1.

[Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 321:44-48]
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Commentary:

This verse recommends a person should sing praise of God, which will cause a person to be free from pain and poverty. This is a practical advice which a person could try out, and again how much time it takes, what is the process in which good fortune will manifest will be subjective. I would believe it will first change the mindset of a person, and finally change actions which will eventually manifest as good fortune. The verse specifies that whatever is written for a person previously, is received by the person now; this is God’s Will or Command, and the way this world works. Previously written could be our past wishes or prayers, God’s Wishes, or result of our past actions.
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