Bahutaa karam likhi-aa naa jaa-ay.
Vadaa daataa til na tamaa-ay.
Kaytay mangeh jodh apaar.
Kayti-aa ganat naahee veechaar.
Kaytay khap tuteh vaykaar.
Kaytay lai lai mukar paahe.
Kaytay moorakh khaahee khaahe.
Kayti-aa dookh bhookh sad maar.
Ayhi bhe daat tayree daataar.
Band khalaasee bhaanai ho-ay.
Hor aakh na sakai ko-ay.
Jay ko khaa-ik aakhan paa-ay.
Oh jaanai jaytee-aa muh khaa-ay.
Aapay jaanai aapay day-ay.
Aakhahi se bhe kay-ee kay-ay.
Jis no bakhsay sifat saalaah.
Naanak paatsaahee paatsaah. ||25||
The blessed Satguru (Truth Guru) incarnate Nanak Patshah Ji (Guru Nanak Ji) imparts Puran Braham Gyan (entire divine wisdom) upon the entire humanity about the supreme power of the freedom from “Tamaa” (“Greed”). Only a person freed of “Tamaa” can be desire-free. “Tamaa” implies desires. Being desire-free can make one Nirbhao (fearless). Being desire-free can liberate one from the bonds of Moh Maya (worldly attachments and temptations). Being desire-free can make one Ik Drisht (seeing all as equal, non-discriminatory). Being desire-free can make one Nirvair (without hatred, without enmity). Being desire-free can beget one Jeevan Mukti (deliverance from the cycle of life & death, salvation). Being desire-free can lead one to follow the will of Dargah (Divine Court). Being desire-free can lead one to follow Puran Hukam (Absolute Divine Will) of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar (Truth, the Transcendent Lord and Creator of the Universe). Being desire-free can assimilate one with Sat (Eternal Truth, God Himself) and turn one into Sat Roop (Sat in a human form). Being desire-free can obtain one the bestowals of Puran Braham Gyan and Puran Tat Gyan (the entire divine knowledge, understanding of the divine ways). Being desire-free can make one worthy to serve Puran Sat (Absolute Eternal Truth). Being desire-free can make one capable of bestowing Puran Sat upon others. Being desire-free can make one a Parupkari Hirdha (Hirdha or Hirdha Kamal denotes one of the seven Sat Sarovars located near heart, part of one’s spiritual being; a Parupkari Hirdha is a person willing to perform selfless acts for benefaction of humanity) and Maha Parupkari Hirdha (a person willing to guide the mankind on the path of Bhagati and Jeevan Mukti). Being desire-free can endow one with the supreme power to bestow Gurprasad (Eternal Bliss and the Eternal Grace) upon others. Being desire-free can obtain one Param Padvi (the highest spiritual status). Being desire-free can turn one’s Hirdha into a Puran Sant (perfect saint), a Puran Braham Gyani (one in possession of Puran Braham Gyan), a Satguru or a Puran Khalsa (pure soul that possesses Puran Braham Gyan).
Desires present the biggest obstacles in one’s Bandagi (submission before God). The cause of all one’s pains and distresses is nothing but the desires. To satisfy one’s desires, one performs Asat Karam (untruthful deeds, deeds against Sat) under the influence of lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride. Trishna (desires) is a gravely destructive force of the Rajo attribute of Maya (the worldly temptations; all physical perceptions are nothing but illusions created by Maya; the three attributes of Maya are Sato – the goodness viz. charity, compassion, contentment, Rajo – the desires viz. hopes, expectations and yearnings, and Tamo – the vices viz. the lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride). Trishna forces one to drink the poison of the destructive vices such as the lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride. Gurbani (Gur’s words or God’s words, commonly referring to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) provides many evidences to reveal this whole truth:
“Thrisan Na Boojhee Bahu Rang Maaeiaa.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 1298)
“Laakh Kot Bikhiaa Kae Binjan Thaa Meh Thrisan Na Boojhee.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 497)
The entire world is an act of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar’s Maya. Maya takes an infinite number of forms of the material objects, and the human lives are bogged down in acquisition of these material objects. These infinite number of tempting objects of Maya cause constant distractions to a human being. The human mind is enveloped by the desires of acquiring these objects. In order to satisfy these desires a human being adopts all fair and foul means. To satisfy the desires a human being commits sins of all kinds. Swayed by the desires a human being turns corrupt. If one cannot satisfy one’s desires by fair means, one adopts the path of corruption to satisfy them. For satisfying the desires a human being is prepared to lose one’s character and commit vices. The cause of all corruption in the world is nothing but the need to satisfy one’s desires. Therefore the satisfaction of one’s desires becomes a cause of hardships in one’s coming days. How one satisfies one’s desires determines one’s destiny.
There is no end to the human desires. As one desire is fulfilled, 10 more raise their heads. Human desires are like a flowing stream that never halts. When there is a deluge in this stream of desires, it destroys the human life. If we take a look at our daily life we will clearly realize this whole truth. Every human’s sole aim in life is to satisfy the desires. Entire humanity is burning in the inferno of desires. When a desire is fulfilled there is a temporary delight for a while. But if a desire remains unfulfilled it causes a disappointment. Gradually as one’s desires go unfulfilled they lead one into vexations. Because of these vexations one begins to be afflicted with mental ailments and gradually turns mentally sick. These mental ailments erode the strength of the human body and the human being falls prey to physical diseases. Only by being desire-free one can be rid of these mental ailments. The human Trishna is extinguished with the blessing of Gurprasad. Gurbani reveals this absolute truth:
“Thrisanaa Boojhee Gur Prasaadh.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 1181)
“Seethal Saanth Santhokh Hoe Sabh Boojhee Thrisanaa.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 811)
With the blessing of Gurprasad one’s Hirdha attains Sat Santokh (divine contentedness, state where there is humility and an absence of desires) and as a result one’s Trishna is quenched. By being blessed with Gurprasad one’s Bandagi takes a start. With Naam Simran (meditation upon Naam – the Name representing God and all His Creation) and Naam Di Kamai (Naam in practice in one’s life) one’s mind is cleansed. All one’s Bajjar Kapats (divine doors that once opened channel Amrit into the body and establish connection between human being and Akal Purakh) are opened. All one’s Sat Sarovars (the seven sources of Amrit, or of the spiritual energy inside the human body) are illuminated. One grasps the entire sophistry of Maya. With Hirdha and every pore of the body suffused with Naam, one vanquishes Maya, attains and adopts Puran Sachyari Rehat in life, triumphs over Panj Dhoots (the five thieves – lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride) and Trishna, achieves freedom from Trishna, attains Sat Santokh and becomes one with Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. Every deed performed by such great beings is free of Trishna. Therefore every deed performed without Trishna lies within Puran Hukam, and is towards Parupkar (selfless acts for benefaction of humanity) and Maha Parupkar (guiding the mankind on the path of Bhagati and Jeevan Mukti). Every deed that is devoid of Trishna and without expectations of reward goes unwritten. The deeds that are devoid of Trishna and without expectations of rewards become worthwhile and such deeds are not held to accounting.
When one is freed of Trishna, one is bestowed with all divine treasures and gifts by Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. Those who attain this supremely powerful and spiritual state, Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar fulfils their words to the Sangat (congregation, following) by bestowing all the gifts upon the Jigyasoo’s (seekers of divine truth) promised by such great beings. Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is bereft of Trishna. That’s why Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is a supremely powerful provider. Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is without Trishna and therefore Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is the owner and provider of all bestowals. Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is devoid of Trishna and therefore Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is supremely kind. Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is supremely kind and therefore Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar doesn’t tire of bestowing gifts from His everlasting storehouses upon the creatures of entire Creation. Because Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar has limitless capacity to bestow, hence His supremely powerful and limitless capacity is indescribable.
Thus being Trishna-less is a supremely powerful and spiritual state. Only a person freed of Trishna can be supremely kind and bear the capacity to perform Parupkar and Maha Parupkar.
As mighty as one might be in this world, a human being cannot be devoid of Trishna. Since a mighty human being cannot be freed of Trishna, he or she cannot become a bestower. Therefore even such a mighty person has to seek out Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar for bestowals. It means that even the mightiest kings and emperors have to seek bestowals only from Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. A human being has no capacity to grant any bestowals to others. The Punn Karams (virtuous deeds) of your past births may be able to obtain very high worldly ranks and titles for you. These worldly ranks and titles may empower you to rule over mankind, but keep it in mind that the gifts of these ranks and titles too have been bestowed upon you from the everlasting treasures of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar in reward of your deeds in the past births. All the affairs of giving and taking in the world are determined by the Vidhan (constitution, laws) of Karma (destiny determined by one’s good and bad deeds). There are countless such mighty Soorma’s (brave warriors) in the world who are powerless to make any bestowals upon others. There are countless such mighty Soorma’s and holders of great earthly ranks and titles and political powers whose lives are stained with deeds of corruption. There are countless such mighty Soorma’s and holders of great earthly ranks and titles and political powers in the world whose lives are consumed in the slavery of the ruinous forces of vices. It goes to say that in this world have been, and are constantly inhabiting this earth, countless of these mighty Soorma’s, kings, emperors, leaders and rulers who have destroyed their priceless lives stuck in the swamp of vices, and continue to destroy it. Therefore those who are bestowed with the rewards of great worldly ranks and titles and those who are bestowed with the rewards of powers to rule over others should dedicate their lives in the service of humanity, without Trishna and without any expectations for returns. These mighty Soorma’s should devote their might in Parupkars. By doing so their deeds will turn worthwhile and they will receive Gurprasad – which will make their life successful.
There are innumerable unfortunate human beings in this world who never realize that everything that they receive is a bestowal from Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. These human beings spend their entire lives under the delusion that everything that they own and receive has been earned by them. In accordance with the Vidhan of Karma one reaps the rewards of one’s sins and Punn Karams in the past births, multiplied several times over, in coming lifetimes. But a common person, blinded by one’s ego, denies this wholly true fact that it is Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar who bestows everything upon us by the grace of His kindness, and with this denial one makes one’s future more and more arduous. In this way, these persons enjoy all the bestowals received with the kindness of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar, but never express their gratitude to Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. There are innumerable such people in this world who – while they relish all His bestowals – keep complaining to Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. Whenever such people accomplish anything they, in their ego, give themselves all the credit. But when their wish is not fulfilled they blame Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar for it. Such people hold Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar or other persons responsible for all their pains and troubles. What this means is that these people refuse to acknowledge that their own deeds alone are the cause of all their pains, distresses, hardships, troubles and failures. Therefore Satguru incarnate Nanak Patshah Ji addresses such people as fools. Fools are those who, in their ego, assume that all their worldly pleasures, conveniences and material possessions have been earned by them. Those who live and conduct themselves under this delusion ruin their human lives.
There are many human beings in this world whose lives are filled with pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures. Such human beings know of no worldly pleasure or luxury in their lives. The biggest issue before them is arranging two square meals a day. Such beings spend their entire lives struggling with their poverty. It is vitally important for these human beings to realize this complete truth that they themselves are responsible for the sorry state of affairs in their lives. The cause of all their pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures is the fault of their own deeds. Gurbani clarifies this complete truth:
“Dhadhai Dhos Na Dhaeoo Kisai Dhos Karanmaa Aapaniaa.
Jo Mai Keeaa So Mai Paaeaa Dhos Na Dheejai Avar Janaa. ||21||”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 433)
Therefore we are all divinely directed to weigh our deeds in our daily life. Those who pay attention upon their deeds in their daily lives succeed in turning their deeds into Sat Karams (the deeds of Sat, truthful deeds). As a result their Sat Karams begin accumulating and make their destinies delightful and pleasurable. Those performing Sat Karams are the only ones who receive Gurprasad. Those who realize the cause of the pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures in their lives are bestowed with His kindness and grace. Their life of pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures becomes their cure, and their source of inspiration. They are enlightened with the realization of the reason behind their misfortunes, and begin to pay attention upon their deeds. They come to grasp with the fact that the cause of their pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures is nothing but their own deeds, and that the only way to break the shackles of their deeds is by receiving Gurprasad. Therefore, following the Hukam (Divine Will) of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar, they absorb themselves in Naam Simran and Naam Di Kamai. Their pain becomes their cure and aids them. This is why Gurbani calls the pain as a cure and the pleasure as a disease. Because the pain leads the human being into the sanctuary of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar, and the pleasure leads one into “Tamaa” (Trishna). “Tamaa” becomes the cause of one’s ruin, and pain becomes the means of one’s Mukti (liberation of soul from the slavery of Maya):
“Dukh Daaroo Sukh Rog Bhaeaa Jaa Sukh Taam Na Hoee.”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 469)
Therefore the pleasure is a disease and becomes a cause of one’s adversity, and the pain unifies one with Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar and thus the pain becomes a blessing. Therefore whenever we feel pain in our lives we shouldn’t complain about it to Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar, but instead regard the pain as a blessing, seek refuge of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar and make Ardas (humble prayer) to Him. Because, complaint will make the pain worse, but being in Bandagi of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar will erase the pain and make one progress on the road to Mukti. It must be understood that the cause of all our pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures is our own deeds and nothing else.
Therefore turn your pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures into your strengths, accept them and treat them as a gift and follow His divine will. By doing so, you will open the door to liberation from Moh Maya. All your deeds will turn into Sat Karams. Gradually with Sat Karams you will gain the trust of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. You will receive Gurprasad. With Gurprasad of Naam, Naam Simran, Naam Di Kamai and Puran Bandagi (complete surrender before God) you will attain liberation (Mukti) from the bonds of Maya. All your pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures will come to an end. Your Hirdha will attain the supreme bliss of Sat Chit Anand (bliss of being in consciousness of Truth, the highest consciousness; eternal happiness) and will turn into a Sant Hirdha (saintly Hirdha). Therefore they – who consider their pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures as the result of their own deeds, accept them as His divine will and are endowed with Gurprasad – are the only ones who immerse themselves in Bandagi and experience the supreme power of Gurprasad. In this way they – who achieve liberation from the gravely destructive bonds of Moh Maya – are the only ones who realize how much compassion they are bestowed with – and how their pains turn into their remedy and shield them – once they treat and accept their pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures as His will. That is why the blessed Satguru incarnate the Tenth Patshah Ji hails these afflictions:
“Namo Rog Roge Namastang Sanaane. ||56||”
(Jap Sahib)
The hurts caused by Maya become the guiding lights for a human being. When we experience the hurts caused by Moh Maya in our daily lives, we must understand that it is a signal from Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar that we must now seek the shelter of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. When the pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures show no sign of abating, we must understand that there is no other alternative of escaping these afflictions. It is exactly as transpires in an ordinary life. When a human being is beaten and broken from the hurts caused by the pains afflicted by Moh Maya, one seeks the sanctuary of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. In this way the pain turns into the cure for the human being. Therefore only that human being learns the significance of these hurts of Moh Maya who bears the brunt of these hurts of Moh Maya, accepts and treats them as His divine will and command, bows before one’s pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures and as a result receives Gurprasad, devotes oneself to Naam Di Kamai and gradually carrying on with Naam Di Kamai liberates oneself from the bonds of Moh Maya.
Apart from Bandagi of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar, there is no other way to forever get rid of these pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures. They – who in their foolishness try other means to be rid of these pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures – are further weighed down by these afflictions; because they refuse to follow the will of Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar. Thereby instead of abating the influence of their Asat Karams, they accumulate more and more Asat Karams in their Chitter-gupt (the divine records of one’s good and bad deeds). Therefore only by following His will one can receive His grace. This complete truth is revealed in many Saloks (verses) of Gurbani:
“Bhaanai Hukam Manaaeon Bhaanai Sukh Paaeaa.
Bhaanai Sathigur Maelion Bhaanai Sach Dhheaaeaa.
Bhaanae Jaevadd Hor Daat Naahee Sach Aakh Sunaaeaa.
Jin Kao Poorab Likheaa Tin Sach Kamaaeaa.
Naanak Tis Saranaagathee Jin Jagat Oupaaeaa. ||21||”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 1093)
One is considered to be following His will only when one holds oneself responsible for one’s pains, distresses, hardships, diseases, troubles, penury, misery and failures. Only the one who follows His will is blessed with His kindness and with admission in the Sangat of a Satguru. Puran Sat is bestowed only in the Sangat of a Satguru, and therefore only in the Sangat of a Satguru one meditates upon Sat. Only the one who follows His will is blessed with the enlightenment of Sat. Only the one who follows His will obtains complete initiation in the Puran Sat by Satguru. Without being fully initiated, one cannot attain the state of Puran Bandagi. It is a Gurprasad, and an immense and eternal supreme power. As one receives Gurprasad, one’s whole life is transformed. The mind is calmed. Naam is etched in the Surat (mind), in Hirdha and in every pore of the body. The Sat Sarovars are illuminated. All Bajjar Kapats are opened. Hirdha attains supreme bliss. Hirdha turns saintly. One attains Jeevan Mukti. Therefore there is no greater gift than to follow in His will. In following His will one achieves supreme bliss; in following His will one achieves all pleasures; in following His will one is ameliorated from one’s pains and sufferings:
“Bhaanaa Mannae So Sukh Paae Bhaane Vich Sukh Paaendaa. ||1||”
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib 1063)
The one upon whom Sat Par Brahm Pita Parmeshwar is kind follows His will. The one who follows His will is divinely blessed. Such a person has all five sensory organs and all five action organs subjugated under Puran Hukam. One’s ego is obliterated. One’s Hirdha is illuminated with Param Jyot Puran Prakash (the perfect radiance of divine light, His aura, God Himself). One’s Hirdha attains Puran Sachyari Rehat. One vanquishes Trigun Maya (Maya of the three attributes – Sato, Rajo and Tamo) and becomes one with Akal Purakh (Timeless Being, Immortal Being, God). Maya consigns itself to one’s service. With Darshan (vision with the inner, spiritual eye) of Akal Purakh, Puran Braham Gyan and Puran Tat Gyan are revealed to the human being. Attainment of Puran Braham Gyan and Puran Tat Gyan is the attainment of true Sifat Salah (appreciation of God). Thus one is blessed with the true Sifat Salah. One is blessed with the Gurprasad of being in the service of Puran Sat. One is divinely ordained to bestow Puran Sat upon others and is endowed with the Gurprasad of performing Parupkar and Maha Parupkar. One is blessed with the empowerment to grant Jee-a Daan (The highest level of Seva is Jeea Daan, meaning Daan of Puran Bandgi and Seva which leads to salvation. This is the Seva that only a Sant Hirda can do for the Sangat). One is endowed with the service to lead the Sangat in Jaap (recitation) of Naam. One is endowed with the Gurprasad to bestow Naam, Naam Simran, Naam Di Kamai and Puran Bandagi upon the Sangat. Satguru incarnate the blessed Nanak Patshah Ji has endowed such a soul with the address of “Patshahi Patshah” (king of kings – in spiritual sense) because, the words of such great beings are Sat Bachans (words of Truth, divine words). The words of such great beings are the words of Dargah. The words of such great beings are the edicts of Dargah. Maya places itself at the feet of such great beings. Ridhi-Sidhis (supernatural powers; these come at a very early stage of Bandgi but, if indulged, stop any further spiritual progress and are thus a major roadblock in the passage to Sach Khand. These supernatural powers are used by Akal Purakh for His administration of the universe and the use of such powers by individuals is considered a violation of the Hukam of Akal Purakh) place themselves at the feet of such great beings. Panj Bhootak’s (the five elements – earth, water, fire, air and space) are under the command of such great beings.