Selections from the Guru Granth Sahib · 140 of 228
Raag Aasaa: Kaafee, First Mehl, Eighth House, Ashtapadees
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
Aasaa, Kaafee, First Mehl, Eighth House, Ashtapadees:
As the shepherd is in the field for only a short time, so is one in the world.
Practicing falsehood, they build their homes. ||1||
Wake up! Wake up! O sleepers, see that the travelling merchant is leaving. ||1||Pause||
Go ahead and build your houses, if you think you will stay here forever and ever.
The body shall fall, and the soul shall depart; if only they knew this. ||2||
Why do you cry out and mourn for the dead? The Lord is, and shall always be.
You mourn for that person, but who will mourn for you? ||3||
You are engrossed in worldly entanglements, O Siblings of Destiny, and you are practicing falsehood.
The dead person does not hear anything at all; your cries are heard only by other people. ||4||
Only the Lord, who causes the mortal to sleep, O Nanak, can awaken him again.
One who understands his true home, does not sleep. ||5||
If the departing mortal can take his wealth with him, then go ahead and gather wealth yourself. See this, reflect upon it, and understand. ||6||
Make your deals, and obtain the true merchandise, or else you shall regret it later.
Abandon your vices, and practice virtue, and you shall obtain the essence of reality. ||7||
Plant the seed of Truth in the soil of Dharmic faith, and practice such farming.
Only then will you be known as a merchant, if you take your profits with you. ||8||
If the Lord shows His Mercy, one meets the True Guru; contemplating Him, one comes to understand.
Then, one chants the Naam, hears the Naam, and deals only in the Naam. ||9||
As is the profit, so is the loss; this is the way of the world.
Whatever pleases His Will, O Nanak, is glory for me. ||10||13||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
I have searched in the four directions, but no one is mine.
If it pleases You, O Lord Master, then You are mine, and I am Yours. ||1||
There is no other door for me; where shall I go to worship?
You are my only Lord; Your True Name is in my mouth. ||1||Pause||
Some serve the Siddhas, the beings of spiritual perfection, and some serve spiritual teachers; they beg for wealth and miraculous powers.
May I never forget the Naam, the Name of the One Lord. This is the wisdom of the True Guru. ||2||
Section 08 - Raag Aasaa - Part 073 Why do the Yogis, the revellers, and the beggars wander in foreign lands?
They do not understand the Word of the Guru's Shabad, and the essence of excellence within them. ||3||
The Pandits, the religious scholars, the teachers and astrologers, and those who endlessly read the Puraanas, do not know what is within; God is hidden deep within them. ||4||
Some penitents perform penance in the forests, and some dwell forever at sacred shrines.
The unenlightened people do not understand themselves - why have they become renunciates? ||5||
Some control their sexual energy, and are known as celibates.
But without the Guru's Word, they are not saved, and they wander in reincarnation. ||6||
Some are householders, servants, and seekers, attached to the Guru's Teachings.
They hold fast to the Naam, to charity, to cleansing and purification; they remain awake in devotion to the Lord. ||7||
Through the Guru, the Gate of the Lord's Home is found, and that place is recognized.
Nanak does not forget the Naam; his mind has surrendered to the True Lord. ||8||14||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
Stilling the desires of the mind, the mortal truly crosses over the terrifying world-ocean.
In the very beginning, and throughout the ages, You have been the Merciful Lord and Master; I seek Your Sanctuary. ||1||
You are the Giver, and I am a mere beggar. Lord, please grant me the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan.
The Gurmukh meditates on the Naam; the temple of his mind resounds with joy. ||1||Pause||
Renouncing false greed, one comes to realize the Truth.
So let yourself be absorbed in the Word of the Guru's Shabad, and know this supreme realization. ||2||
This mind is a greedy king, engrossed in greed.
The Gurmukh eliminates his greed, and comes to an understanding with the Lord. ||3||
Planting the seeds in the rocky soil, how can one reap a profit?
The self-willed manmukh is not pleased with Truth; the false are buried in falsehood. ||4||
So renounce greed - you are blind! Greed only brings pain.
When the True Lord dwells within the mind, the poisonous ego is conquered. ||5||
Renounce the evil way of duality, or you shall be plundered, O Siblings of Destiny.
Day and night, praise the Naam, in the Sanctuary of the True Guru's protection. ||6||
The self-willed manmukh is a rock, a stone. His life is cursed and useless.
No matter now long a stone is kept under water, it still remains dry at its core. ||7||
The Name of the Lord is the treasure; the Perfect Guru has given it to me.
O Nanak, one who does not forget the Naam, churns and drinks in the Ambrosial Nectar. ||8||15||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
The travellers travel from one road to another.
The world is engrossed in its entanglements, and does not appreciate the Truth. ||1||
Why wander around, and why go searching, when the Guru's Shabad reveals Him to us?
Leaving behind egotism and attachment, I have arrived at my own home. ||1||Pause||
Through Truth, one meets the True One; He is not obtained through falsehood.
Centering your consciousness on the True Lord, you shall not have to come into the world again. ||2||
Why do you weep for the dead? You do not know how to weep.
Weep by praising the True Lord, and recognize His Command. ||3||
Blessed is the birth of one who is destined to abide by the Lord's Command.
He obtains the true profit, realizing the Lord's Command. ||4||
Section 08 - Raag Aasaa - Part 074 If it pleases the Commander, one goes to His Court, robed in honor.
By His Command, God's slaves are hit over the head. ||5||
The profit is earned by enshrining Truth and justice in the mind.
They obtain what is written in their destiny, and overcome pride. ||6||
The self-willed manmukhs are hit over the head, and consumed by conflict.
The cheaters are plundered by falsehood; they are chained and led away. ||7||
Enshrine the Lord Master in your mind, and you shall not have to repent.
He forgives our sins, when we practice the Teachings of the Guru's Word. ||8||
Nanak begs for the True Name, which is obtained by the Gurmukh.
Without You, I have no other at all; please, bless me with Your Glance of Grace. ||9||16||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
Why should I go searching in the forests, when the woods of my home are so green?
The True Word of the Shabad has instantaneously come and settled in my heart. ||1||
Wherever I look, there He is; I know no other.
Working for the Guru, one realizes the Mansion of the Lord's Presence. ||1||Pause||
The True Lord blends us with Himself, when it is pleasing to His Mind.
One who ever walks in accordance with His Will, merges into His Being. ||2||
When the True Lord dwells in the mind, that mind flourishes.
He Himself grants greatness; His Gifts are never exhausted. ||3||
Serving this and that person, how can one obtain the Lord's Court?
If someone embarks on a boat of stone, he shall drown with its cargo. ||4||
So offer your mind, and surrender your head with it.
The Gurmukh realizes the true essence, and finds the home of his own self. ||5||
People discuss birth and death; the Creator created this.
Those who conquer their selfhood and remain dead, shall never have to die again. ||6||
Do those deeds which the Primal Lord has ordered for you.
If one surrenders his mind upon meeting the True Guru, who can estimate its value? ||7||
That Lord Master is the Assayer of the jewel of the mind; He places the value on it.
O Nanak, True is the Glory of that one, in whose mind the Lord Master dwells. ||8||17||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
Those who have forgotten the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are deluded by doubt and duality.
Those who abandon the roots and cling to the branches, shall obtain only ashes. ||1||
Without the Name, how can one be emancipated? Who knows this?
One who becomes Gurmukh is emancipated; the self-willed manmukhs lose their honor. ||1||Pause||
Those who serve the One Lord become perfect in their understanding, O Siblings of Destiny.
The Lord's humble servant finds Sanctuary in Him, the Immaculate One, from the very beginning, and throughout the ages. ||2||
My Lord and Master is the One; there is no other, O Siblings of Destiny.
By the Grace of the True Lord, celestial peace is obtained. ||3||
Without the Guru, no one has obtained Him, although many may claim to have done so.
He Himself reveals the Way, and implants true devotion within. ||4||
Even if the self-willed manmukh is instructed, he stills goes into the wilderness.
Without the Lord's Name, he shall not be emancipated; he shall die, and sink into hell. ||5||
He wanders through birth and death, and never chants the Lord's Name.
He never realizes his own value, without serving the Guru. ||6||
Section 08 - Raag Aasaa - Part 075 Whatever service the Lord causes us to do, that is just what we do.
He Himself acts; who else should be mentioned? He beholds His own greatness. ||7||
He alone serves the Guru, whom the Lord Himself inspires to do so.
O Nanak, offering his head, one is emancipated, and honored in the Court of the Lord. ||8||18||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
Beautiful is the Supreme Lord and Master, and beautiful is the Word of the Guru's Bani.
By great good fortune, one meets the True Guru, and the supreme status of Nirvaanaa is obtained. ||1||
I am the lowest slave of Your slaves; I am Your most humble servant.
As You keep me, I live. Your Name is in my mouth. ||1||Pause||
I have such a great thirst for the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; my mind accepts Your Will, and so You are pleased with me.
Greatness is in the Hands of my Lord and Master; by His Will, honor is obtained. ||2||
Do not think that the True Lord is far away; He is deep within.
Wherever I look, there I find Him pervading; how can I estimate His value? ||3||
He Himself does, and He Himself undoes. He Himself beholds His glorious greatness.
Becoming Gurmukh, one beholds Him, and so, His value is appraised. ||4||
So earn your profits while you are alive, by serving the Guru.
If it is so pre-ordained, then one finds the True Guru. ||5||
The self-willed manmukhs continually lose, and wander around, deluded by doubt.
The blind manmukhs do not remember the Lord; how can they obtain the Blessed Vision of His Darshan? ||6||
One's coming into the world is judged worthwhile only if one lovingly attunes oneself to the True Lord.
Meeting the Guru, one becomes invaluable; his light merges into the Light. ||7||
Day and night, he remains detached, and serves the Primal Lord.
O Nanak, those who are imbued with the Lord's Lotus Feet, are content with the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||8||19||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
No matter how much one may describe the Lord, His limits still cannot be known.
I am without any support; You, O Lord, are my only Support; You are my almighty power. ||1||
This is Nanak's prayer, that he may be adorned with the True Name.
When self-conceit is eradicated, and understanding is obtained, one meets the Lord, through the Word of the Guru's Shabad. ||1||Pause||
Abandoning egotism and pride, one obtains contemplative understanding.
When the mind surrenders to the Lord Master, He bestows the support of the Truth. ||2||
Day and night, remain content with the Naam, the Name of the Lord; that is the true service.
No misfortune troubles one who follows the Command of the Lord's Will. ||3||
One who follows the Command of the Lord's Will is taken into the Lord's Treasury.
The counterfeit find no place there; they are mixed with the false ones. ||4||
Forever and ever, the genuine coins are treasured; with them, the true merchandise is purchased.
The false ones are not seen in the Lord's Treasury; they are seized and cast into the fire again. ||5||
Those who understand their own souls, are themselves the Supreme Soul.
The One Lord is the tree of ambrosial nectar, which bears the ambrosial fruit. ||6||
Those who taste the ambrosial fruit remain satisfied with Truth.
They have no doubt or sense of separation - their tongues taste the divine taste. ||7||
By His Command, and through your past actions, you came into the world; walk forever according to His Will.
Please, grant virtue to Nanak, the virtueless one; bless him with the glorious greatness of the Truth. ||8||20||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
One whose mind is attuned to the Lord's Name speaks the truth.
What would the people lose, if I became pleasing to You, O Lord? ||1||
Section 08 - Raag Aasaa - Part 076 As long as there is the breath of life, meditate on the True Lord.
You shall receive the profit of singing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and find peace. ||1||Pause||
True is Your Service; bless me with it, O Merciful Lord.
I live by praising You; You are my Anchor and Support. ||2||
I am Your servant, the gate-keeper at Your Gate; You alone know my pain.
How wonderful is Your devotional worship! It removes all pains. ||3||
The Gurmukhs know that by chanting the Naam, they shall dwell in His Court, in His Presence.
True and acceptable is that time, when one recognizes the Word of the Shabad. ||4||
Those who practice Truth, contentment and love, obtain the supplies of the Lord's Name.
So banish corruption from your mind, and the True One will grant you Truth. ||5||
The True Lord inspires true love in the truthful.
He Himself administers justice, as it pleases His Will. ||6||
True is the gift of the True, Compassionate Lord.
Day and night, I serve the One whose Name is priceless. ||7||
You are so sublime, and I am so lowly, but I am called Your slave.
Please, shower Nanak with Your Glance of Grace, that he, the separated one, may merge with You again, O Lord. ||8||21||
Aasaa, First Mehl:
How can coming and going, the cycle of reincarnation be ended? And how can one meet the Lord?
The pain of birth and death is so great, in constant skepticism and duality. ||1||
Without the Name, what is life? Cleverness is detestable and cursed.
One who does not serve the Holy True Guru, is not pleased by devotion to the Lord. ||1||Pause||
Coming and going is ended only when one finds the True Guru.
He gives the wealth and capital of the Lord's Name, and false doubt is destroyed. ||2||
Joining the humble Saintly beings, let us sing the blessed, blessed Praises of the Lord.
The Primal Lord, the Infinite, is obtained by the Gurmukh. ||3||
The drama of the world is staged like the show of a buffoon.
For an instant, for a moment, the show is seen, but it disappears in no time at all. ||4||
The game of chance is played on the board of egotism, with the pieces of falsehood and ego.
The whole world loses; he alone wins, who reflects upon the Word of the Guru's Shabad. ||5||
As is the cane in the hand of the blind man, so is the Lord's Name for me.
The Lord's Name is my Support, night and day and morning. ||6||
As You keep me, Lord, I live; the Lord's Name is my only Support.
It is my only comfort in the end; the gate of salvation is found by His humble servants. ||7||
The pain of birth and death is removed, by chanting and meditating on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
O Nanak, one who does not forget the Naam, is saved by the Perfect Guru. ||8||22||