Prem Prakash: Loving Guru Maharaj
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ॥
ਆਦਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਏਕੈ ਅਵਤਾਰਾ॥ ਸੋਈ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਮਝਿਯਹੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੩੮੫॥
Aadh[i] A[n]th[i] Aekai Avthaaraa; Soee Guroo Samjhiyah[u] Hamaaraa
From the beginning till the end, there is only One Vaheguru taking on Avatar;
Consider that Vaheguru to be my Guru (Sri Charitropakhyaan/Benthee Chaupaee)
Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji: The Flame to warm my Candle-Heart.
Dhan Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji: The Light to my Darkened-Heart.
Dhan Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji: The Medic to my Wounded-Heart.
Dhan Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji: The Rain to my Thirsty-Heart.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji: The Muse of my Artwork-Heart.
Dhan Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji: The Pick-Axe to my Stone-Heart.
Dhan Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji: The Seed to my Flowering-Heart.
Dhan Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji: The Singer to my Listening-Heart.
Dhan Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji: The Guide to my Wandering-Heart.
Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji: The Knight to my Castle-Heart.
Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji: The Ink to my Paper-Heart.
Dhan Guru Khalsa Panth Sahib Ji: The Columns holding up my Heart.
Dhan Akaal Purakh Ke Bhagataa Sahibaa: The Hearts within my Heart.
ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਖੜਗ ਕੋ; ਕਰੌ ਸੁ ਹਿਤੁ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
Namaskaar Sri Kharag Ko Karo So Hith Chith Laae
Bowing to The Sword/Sword-Wielder, doing so with great affection and Attention on You
ਪੂਰਨ ਕਰੌ ਗਿਰੰਥ ਇਹ; ਤੁਮ ਮੁਹਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੧॥
Pooran Karo Gira[n]th Eh[u] Tum Muhi Karahu Sahaae
Please help me complete this Granth with Your Support
Maharaj please give this slave Your Strength to curate this collection of floating thoughts about Loving You. This is daas’ offering of love to You but how can he offer something to the One who gave it All.
This pothi is not a journal or diary but a commentary on one Gurbani pangkti revealed to us by Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj in Akaal Ustat(Tav Prasad Savaiye~Sravag Sudhh):
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੌਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ; ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੯॥੨੯॥
Saach[u] Kahau[n] Sun Laehu Sabhai Jin Praem[u] Thin Hee Prabh[u] Paaeio
[I am] stating the Truth, [so] listen everyone: whoever [Truly] loves will attain Vaheguru
What does it mean to Love Vaheguru? This question will be explored with the hopes it inspires the reader to strengthen their relationship with Akaal Purakh. These reflections have appeared as rain clouds over the years. You can see them pooled together in this rain barrel-pothi. Love has so many layers and can be seen from many perspectives. In the same way, there are various ways to love You, Guru Sahib.
The same concepts of romance – embedded in his head – daas started to see them alive in Gurbani. The relationship between the Separated Soul and Paramatma could be understood through the details of romantic love. Maharaj’s Grace has been pouring in for the last few years and daas’ mind has developed such a beautiful relationship with Akaal Purakh. He began to reflect on his mistaken fantasy based on Moh (emotional attachment) and how this could be redirected towards Sikhi.
Daas’ first reflection was about how poetry/music perfectly understands emotion versus academic research. You can read about this in "the heartbeats". In daas’ conversations with Sangat, he often mentioned this concept but never thought it would fuel an entire pothi. At Basics and Beyond Camp UK (2019), daas formally wrote the concept so it could be read aloud. From there, he began to think about turning this into a proper book. Daas realized Sangat would relate and benefit in the process.
The visit to the UK was a leg of a 4 month journey. Daas had done Ardaas to be able to have darshan of Darbar Sahib as well. Oftentimes, daas would just imagine sitting in the Parkarma of Darbar Sahib. This would bring immediate peace to his mind but had never actually been there physically. Begging Guru Ramdas Ji Maharaj became a routine. Finally, daas was blessed with Darshan of Darbar Sahib. Maharaj had sent a thought to daas’ mind to do an ardaas for writing this pothi. Daas had not been serious about it till then but now an ardaas had been done... that too in Sri Guru Ramdas Ji’s Charankamal.
Daas was only at Sri Darbar Sahib for a night but it was unforgettable. The clouds were gathered and daas was waiting in the Darshan Deori to have Hazuri in Maharaj’s Darbar. The following pangkti came into mind:
ਬਰਸੁ ਮੇਘ ਜੀ; ਤਿਲੁ ਬਿਲਮੁ ਨ ਲਾਉ ॥
Baras[u] Maegh Jee Thil[u] Bilam[u] n Laao[u]
Shower us Oh Cloud, do not take long!
(Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Malaar, Ang 1267)
Kirtan recording
Daas kept singing this pangkti while in the line to see Maharaj. The line abruptly halted and everyone stood up for ardaas. Maharaj began Their Hukam – and at that moment – it began pouring rain. Daas felt like it was just Maharaj and daas. As if no one else was there! Then thunder roared at the end of Maharaj’s Hukam.
This was Maharaj’s Hukam following daas’ ardaas (Evening Hukamnama Sahib on March 11th, 2020):
ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥
ਹੀਰਾ ਲਾਲੁ ਅਮੋਲਕੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਰੀ; ਬਿਨੁ ਗਾਹਕ ਮੀਕਾ ਕਾਖਾ ॥
Heeraa Laal[u] Amolak[u] Hai Bhaaree Bin[u] Gaahak Meekaa Kaakhaa
Diamonds and rubies might be quite precious [said to be priceless], [but] without a purchaser, it is worth nothing (lit. a piece of straw)
ਰਤਨ ਗਾਹਕੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਧੂ ਦੇਖਿਓ; ਤਬ ਰਤਨੁ ਬਿਕਾਨੋ ਲਾਖਾ ॥੧॥
Rathan Gaahak[u] Gur[u] Saadhhoo Dhaekhio Tab Rathan[u] Bikaano Laakhaa
When the [Jewellry] Customer (Guru Sahib) saw this Jewel, then the Jewel sold for hundreds of thousands
ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ; ਗੁਪਤ ਹੀਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਖਾ ॥
Maerai Man[i] Gupath Heer[u] Raakhaa
The Lord has kept this jewel hidden within my mind.
Within my mind, Vaheguru has kept this Diamond hidden.
ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਓ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਧੂ; ਗੁਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਐ ਹੀਰੁ ਪਰਾਖਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Dheen Dheiaal[i] Milaaeio Gur[u] Saadhhoo Gur[i] Miliai Heer[u] Paraakhaa || rahaaou ||
The Merciful-to-the-Weak Vaheguru led me to meet Guru Sahib & Saadhus; meeting Guru Sahib, the Jewel was appraised.
ਮਨਮੁਖ ਕੋਠੀ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ; ਤਿਨ ਘਰਿ ਰਤਨੁ ਨ ਲਾਖਾ ॥
Manmukh Kottee Agiaan[u] A[n]dhaeraa Thin Ghar[i] Rathan[u] n Laakhaa
Manmukhs are in rooms filled with ignorance and darkness, you cannot see the Jewel in their homes
ਤੇ ਊਝੜਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਮੁਏ ਗਾਵਾਰੀ; ਮਾਇਆ ਭੁਅੰਗ ਬਿਖੁ ਚਾਖਾ ॥੨॥
Thae Oojharh[i] Bharam[i] Muae Gaavaaree Maaeiaa Bhua[n]g Bikh Chaakhaa
They are lost in doubt, they become lost and die, they taste the poison of the Maya-snake
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਾਧ ਮੇਲਹੁ ਜਨ ਨੀਕੇ; ਹਰਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਸਰਣਿ ਹਮ ਰਾਖਾ ॥
Har[i] Har[i] Saadhh Maelah[u] Jan Neekae Har[i] Saadhhoo SaraN[i] Ham Raakhaa
Vaheguru fixes their lives and introduces them to great beings, They bring me to the safety of the Sanctuary of Saadhsਹਰਿ ਅੰਗੀਕਾਰੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੁਆਮੀ; ਹਮ ਪਰੇ ਭਾਗਿ ਤੁਮ ਪਾਖਾ ॥੩॥
Har[i] A[n]geekaar[u] Karah[u] Prabh Suaamee Ham Parae Bhaag[i] Thum Paakhaa
Vaheguru bring me close to You, I run to be by Your Side
ਜਿਹਵਾ ਕਿਆ ਗੁਣ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣਹ; ਤੁਮ ਵਡ ਅਗਮ ਵਡ ਪੁਰਖਾ ॥
Jihavaa Ki GuN Aakh[i] VakhaaNah Thum Vad Agam Vad Purakhaa
How can I sing Your Praises with the tongue, You are Quite Unreachable, Oh Greatest Being!
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰੀ; ਪਾਖਾਣੁ ਡੁਬਤ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਖਾ ॥੪॥੨॥
Jan Nanak Har[i] Kirpaa Dhhaaree PaakhaaN[u] Dubath Har[i] Raakhaa
Dhan Guru Ramdas Ji Maharaj gives us Updesh: When Vaheguru blesses, the sinking stone gets saved!
(Ang 696) Hukamnama Sahib recording
At the moment, daas had felt that the Jewel Maharaj had mentioned was of Prema-Bhagti. If you do not have Prema-Bhagti then you suffer in this world. Guru Sahib appraises the Diamond of Our Hearts and gives it life with Their Divine Love. So much Anand! What a Great Guru!
Daas went to receive Degh (Karaa Parshaad) and was just lost in awe of what he had witnessed. Daas kneeled and faced Darbar Sahib while it was pouring rain. He couldn’t stop crying but Maharaj kept wiping his tears with the rain and no one knew any better. Daas wanted to dance in the prakarma under the rain. He was so lost in the colours of Maharaj’s Love.
Worldly couples often like to reflect on their “first moments”. For example: their first time meeting, first movie they saw together, first meal together, etc. These events are special to them. They remember what the weather was like on that day, the time of day, and other small details. They keep these close to heart because those memories are precious to them. Daas’ first time at Darbar Sahib was an event he will hold close to his heart until it’s last beat. Daas remembers even re-telling this story twice. Once to his mother while sitting on our porch and another time with Sangat on a road trip. Both of the times it had begun raining while just reminiscing. Daas’ spiritual beliefs are not dependent on these events but they were so beautiful to experience that they serve as inspiration to continue to do Bhagti.
This transition from wanting worldly love to an Infinite Divine love is what daas hopes to inspire with Kirpa. This is the epitome of spirituality. For those who may be heart broken, daas hopes you find your healing through this pothi. Please give purpose to that pain. That pain may have flipped your world upside down and it may have made you question your existence in this world. This chaos is the perfect time and place for a spiritual revolution. Turn the thoughts which are so attached to pain and use them to transcend this existence. Even if you have not experienced a heartbreak or severe pain, daas hopes this series of reflections allow you to question your relationship with spirituality and Gurbani.
Daas had asked Giani Bhagwan Singh Ji Bhindranwale about whether we should understand the arths (treasured meanings) of Gurbani through ancient texts like the Upanishads. Their answer is relevant to our discussion here. Giani Ji had stated that Gurbani is a Kendra (Center). It can be reflected on in many different ways. We should put importance on keeping Gurbani first-and-foremost, the center of our life and thinking.
This pothi views topics such as love and romance through the Lens of Gurbani. Those who can really engage with these topics, they will embrace this pothi with their hearts but it may not catch your attention if you never emphasized this type of love and emotion in your life. For these pyaare, daas would read this pothi simply as Gurmat commentary. Veechar on Gurbani is embedded throughout all of the concepts that you will read about.
This pothi is not split up in chapters but heartbeats. This is in line with how Kavi Santokh Singh Ji separates Gurpratap Suraj Prakash into 12 astrological signs related to the Sun and 6 seasons related to the Sun. In this case, Guru Sahib is the Heart from which all of the heartbeats originate because every heartbeat comes from and returns to the heart of the “Saach Kahon” Pangkti. Let us not waste our precious heartbeats on the world and let your Heart beat for the Beloved. Each Heartbeat brings you closer and closer to the Beloved.
Since this pothi is a series of reflections, daas cannot forget about the Gursikhs that have aided so far on this journey of love. Professor Puran Singh is the first Gursikh daas can think of. ‘Spirit of Oriental Poetry’ and ‘Prakasina’ are mirrors that allow daas to see the Beauty of His Heart. Although these books were written so long ago, daas has felt their strong and passionate feelings even today. If you can read the early 1900s style of English, daas recommends reading both of these arrows from cupid’s bow.
Aaeenaa – as you know today – would be nothing without the sangat of Bhai Sahib Bhai Jagraj Singh. The revolution they created in my heart will never be matched by any person ever. The flame of their candle still burns in my heart. Whenever Daas remembers them, he feels they are here with him.
Daas bows down to the following Gursikhs over and over again. They are lighthouses that brought me back towards the Truth: Bhai Jaswant Singh Ji ‘Bhagat Ji’, Bhai Harman Singh Ji (Basics of Sikhi), Giani Gurwinder Singh Ji (Nangli), Bhai Surjit Singh Ji Jogewal, Bhai Baljit Singh Ji (Basics of Sikhi), Bhai Simandeep Singh Ji (Gursevak), Baba Jawahar Singh Ji (Gursevak), Giani Sher Singh Ji Ambale Wale, Sant Baba Nihal Singh Harian Bela Tarna Dal, Sant Baba Avatar Singh Dal Baba Bidhi Chand, Bhai Sukha Singh (UK), Giani Kulwant Singh Ji Ludhiana Wale, Bhai Binod Singh, Bhai Veer Singh, Swami Ram Singh, Bhai Manvir Singh (Seattle), Bhagat Puran Singh Ji, Sant Baba Harnam Singh Rampur Khera, Sant Mani Singh UK, Damdami Taksal, Sant Giani Inderjeet Singh Rakbe Wale, Sant Isher Singh Rara Sahib, Sant Balwinder Singh Ji (Langar Sahib Hazur Sahib), Jathedar Baba Kulwant Singh Ji (Takht Sri Hazur Sahib), Meet Jathedar Baba Ram Singh (Takht Sri Hazur Sahib), Dal Panth Toronto, Experience Sikhi (formerly Sikh Youth Federation), Akhand Kirtani Jatha Sangat in Ontario, and daas could probably turn a list into an entire book of it’s own about all of the other GurSikhs who have done enough pity to even provide a precious drop of Sangat to this thirsty chaathrik.
Gursikhs, please forgive all the mistakes I have made while writing this pothi. Please do pity upon daas. See me as a child who makes many mistakes and correct me as needed for future revised versions.
–
Guru Panth Da Daas
Aaeenaa