Whats with the rosaries? God is not a toy! - Kabir

I am singing this today.  And I have a new tune after a long time ...

From this shabad written by Kabir in Bhairav (Pg 1158 from the Guru Granth Sahib)

ਮਾਥੇ ਤਿਲਕੁ ਹਥਿ ਮਾਲਾ ਬਾਨਾਂ ॥ माथे तिलकु हथि माला बानां ॥ Māthe ṯilak hath mālā bānāʼn. Some apply ceremonial marks to their foreheads, hold rosaries in their hands, and wear religious robes.

ਲੋਗਨ ਰਾਮੁ ਖਿਲਉਨਾ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥੧॥ लोगन रामु खिलउना जानां ॥१॥ Logan rām kẖil▫a▫unā jānāʼn. ||1|| Some people think that the Lord is a play-thing. ||1||

ਜਉ ਹਉ ਬਉਰਾ ਤਉ ਰਾਮ ਤੋਰਾ ॥ जउ हउ बउरा तउ राम तोरा ॥ Ja▫o ha▫o ba▫urā ṯa▫o rām ṯorā. If I am insane, then I am Yours, O Lord.

ਲੋਗੁ ਮਰਮੁ ਕਹ ਜਾਨੈ ਮੋਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ लोगु मरमु कह जानै मोरा ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥ Log maram kah jānai morā. ||1|| rahā▫o. How can people know my secret? ||1||Pause||

ਤੋਰਉ ਨ ਪਾਤੀ ਪੂਜਉ ਨ ਦੇਵਾ ॥ तोरउ न पाती पूजउ न देवा ॥ Ŧora▫o na pāṯī pūja▫o na ḏevā. I do not pick leaves as offerings, and I do not worship idols.

ਰਾਮ ਭਗਤਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਿਹਫਲ ਸੇਵਾ ॥੨॥ राम भगति बिनु निहफल सेवा ॥२॥ Rām bẖagaṯ bin nihfal sevā. ||2|| Without devotional worship of the Lord, service is useless. ||2||

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਜਉ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਾਵਉ ॥ सतिगुरु पूजउ सदा सदा मनावउ ॥ Saṯgur pūja▫o saḏā saḏā manāva▫o. I worship the True Guru; forever and ever, I surrender to Him.

ਐਸੀ ਸੇਵ ਦਰਗਹ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਉ ॥੩॥ ऐसी सेव दरगह सुखु पावउ ॥३॥ Aisī sev ḏargėh sukẖ pāva▫o. ||3|| By such service, I find peace in the Court of the Lord. ||3||

ਲੋਗੁ ਕਹੈ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਬਉਰਾਨਾ ॥ लोगु कहै कबीरु बउराना ॥ Log kahai Kabīr ba▫urānā. People say that Kabeer has gone insane.

ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾ ਮਰਮੁ ਰਾਮ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਾਂ ॥੪॥੬॥ कबीर का मरमु राम पहिचानां ॥४॥६॥ Kabīr kā maram rām pahicẖānāʼn. ||4||6|| Only the Lord realizes the secret of Kabeer. ||4||6||

Give up your frown if you want love.  Give up this bitter speech.  Give up your desires.  Give up your ego.  Then Sing!  This is what I read from Guru Arjan today:


mwQY iqRkutI idRsit krUir ]
maathai tarikutee darisat karoor.
A frown creases her forehead, and her look is evil.

bolY kauVw ijhbw kI PUiV ]
bolai ka-urhaa jihbaa kee foorh.
Her speech is bitter, and her tongue is rude.

sdw BUKI ipru jwnY dUir ]1]
sadaa bhookhee pir jaanai door. ||1||
She is always hungry, and she believes her Husband to be far away. ||1||

AYsI iesqRI iek rwim aupweI ]
aisee istaree ik raam upaa-ee.
Such is Maya, the woman, which the One Lord has created.

auin sBu jgu KwieAw hm guir rwKy myry BweI ] rhwau ]
un sabh jag khaa-i-aa ham gur raakhay mayray bhaa-ee. rahaa-o.
She is devouring the whole world, but the Guru has saved me, O my Siblings of Destiny. ||Pause||

pwie TgaulI sBu jgu joihAw ]
paa-ay thag-ulee sabh jag johi-aa.
Administering her poisons, she has overcome the whole world.

bRhmw ibsnu mhwdyau moihAw ]
barahmaa bisan mahaaday-o mohi-aa.
She has bewitched Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

gurmuiK nwim lgy sy soihAw ]2]
gurmukh naam lagay say sohi-aa. ||2||
Only those Gurmukhs who are attuned to the Naam are blessed. ||2||

vrq nym kir Qwky punhcrnw ]
varat naym kar thaakay punharchanaa.
Performing fasts, religious observances and atonements, the mortals have grown weary.

qt qIrQ Bvy sB Drnw ]
tat tirath bhavay sabh Dharnaa.
They wander over the entire planet, on pilgrimages to the banks of sacred rivers.

sy aubry ij siqgur kI srnw ]3]
say ubray je satgur kee sarnaa. ||3||
But they alone are saved, who seek the Sanctuary of the True Guru. ||3||

mwieAw moih sBo jgu bwDw ]
maa-i-aa mohi sabho jag baaDhaa.
Attached to Maya, the whole world is in bondage.

haumY pcY mnmuK mUrwKw ]
ha-umai pachai manmukh mooraakhaa.
The foolish self-willed manmukhs are consumed by their egotism.

gur nwnk bwh pkir hm rwKw ]4]2]96]
gur naanak baah pakar ham raakhaa. ||4||2||96||
Taking me by the arm, Guru Nanak has saved me. ||4||2||96||

Neil Armstrong Quotes
The Top Ten Phrases From the First Man on the Moon

Neil Armstrong was the first human to ever set foot on the Moon. Several of his quotes indicate his passion for his song in life. Today, he passed away at the age of 82. I found the following quotes from him to be very inspirational:

1. That's One Small Step For Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind.

His most famous quote is one that actually doesn't quite make sense since Man and Mankind have the same meaning. Neil Armstrong actually meant to say "... one small step for a man..." referring to himself setting foot on the Moon and this event having deep implications for mankind. The astronaut himself has mused that he hopes that the annuls of history would analyze his words for what he meant to say.


2. Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.

The words uttered by Neil Armstrong when the apollo craft landed on the surface of the Moon.

3. I believe that every human has a finite number of heartbeats...

The full quote is "I believe that every human has a finite number of heartbeats and I don't intend to waste any of mine." Some report that the phrase "running around doing exercises." though it is unclear if he actually said this.

4. We came in peace for all mankind.

In an expression of mankind's higher moral hope, Neil Armstrong stated "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind."

5. I put up my thumb and it blotted out the Earth

I can only imagine the view from the Moon. We become so accustomed to our view of the heavens, but to turn and see the Earth in all its blue glory; it must be a sight to see. This idea came to a head when Neil Armstrong found that he could hold up his thumb and completely block the view of Earth.

6. I think we're going to the Moon because it's in the nature of the human being...

"I think we're going to the Moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. We're required to do these things just as salmon swim up stream."

7. I was elated, ecstatic and extremely surprised that we were successful.

The complexity of traveling to the Moon is immense even by today's technology. But remember that the computing power available to the Apollo module was less than what you now have in your scientific calculator. The technology in your cell phone simply puts it to shame. In that context, I too am surprised that we were successful. An amazing achievement.

8. It's a brilliant surface in that sunlight.

"It's a brilliant surface in that sunlight. The horizon seems quite close to you because the curvature is so much more pronounced than here on earth. It's an interesting place to be. I recommend it." The Moon is an amazing place. The surface is unlike anything on Earth, and with the absence of an atmosphere the experience is simply mind boggling (or so I imagine).


9. Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand.

Man was given an inquisitive nature, and that manifests itself in our desire to take that next step, to seek out the next great adventure. Going to the Moon wasn't really a question, it was the next step in the evolution of our knowledge, of our understanding. It was necessary to explore the limits of our technology and set the stage for what mankind could achieve in the future.

10. I fully expected that... we would have achieved substantially more...

"I fully expected that, by the end of the century, we would have achieved substantially more than we actually did." Apollo was looked upon at the time to be a starting point. It was proved that Man could achieve what many considered impossible, and we set our sights on greatness. Everyone fully expected that we would soon be off to Mars. The colonization was a near certainty, probably by the end of the century. Yet more than 40 years later, little of what was expected has been achieved. Yes, we have moved forward in other areas, computing being one example. But manned space exploration has proceeded at a much slower pace than expected.

How to sing like Aaliah:


So, cut the crying, Cut the coughing, Cut the weazing, Girl
Quit the blaming, Cut the naming, Cut the sleeping, Girl
I think you need some prayer, Better call the deacon, Girl
So, get your act right or else we won't be speaking, Girl
So, what's it gonna be? Freaky, freaky... Me and you?
Or is it gonna be who blames who?
I'm tired of these things, I'm tired of these scars
I think I'm gonna get me a drink, I'll call you tomorrow

I have put my two kids in swimming lessons.  They learn in group of 4-5 kids with an instructor.  The instructor generally focuses on one kid at a time.  When it the turn of one of the kids to learn from the instructor, the other kids practice.

During their break, one of my kids keeps practicing what they were taught.  The other one has fun by splashing water on the others.  You can guess that one is progressing in their swimming the other one is not. 

But one cannot blame one of the kids.  Its just how they are built.  One of them wants to learn, the other wants to play.  Guru Nanak says "Some are near, others are far; only the ultimate judge can pass a judgement."

One who learns and practices with an open heart, sings sweeter.

It dawned on me today, that "Satguru" or the "true guru" is not necessarily just the guru that is true, but the guru that shows truth.  The better definition of "satguru" then is not "True Guru" but the "Guru of Truth."  This is how Kabir explains it:

He is the real Sadhu, who can reveal the form of the Formless to the vision of these eyes;
Who teaches the simple way of attaining Him, that is other than rites or ceremonies;
Who does not make you close the doors, and hold the breath, and renounce the world;
Who makes you perceive the Supreme Spirit wherever the mind attaches itself;
Who teaches you to be still in the midst of all your activities.
Ever immersed in bliss, having no fear in his mind, he keeps the spirit of union in the midst of all enjoyments.
The infinite dwelling of the Infinite Being is everywhere: in earth, water, sky, and air;
Firm as the thunderbolt, the seat of the seeker is established above the void.
He who is within is without: I see Him and none else.

Song of Nature

I have consistently argued that songs achieve popularity by reminding us that the purpose of life is to sing. Let me present another instance that exemplifies this notion: Owl City's upbeat track, "It's Always a Good Time!"

I am singing Guru Arjan Dev's "Tum Sarnai Aaya" today ...



As I surrendered ...

I savored your essense
my anxiety went
all pains departed
darkness left
seperation ended
all illusion too.
I sing in bliss
in harmony with you

as I surrendered!

The original poem:


ਸਾਰਗ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
सारग महला ५ ॥
Sārag mėhlā 5.
Saarang, Fifth Mehl:

ਠਾਕੁਰ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਆਇਆ ॥
ठाकुर तुम्ह सरणाई आइआ ॥
Ŧẖākur ṯumĥ sarṇā▫ī ā▫i▫ā.
O my Lord and Master, I have come to Your Sanctuary.

ਉਤਰਿ ਗਇਓ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਸੰਸਾ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
उतरि गइओ मेरे मन का संसा जब ते दरसनु पाइआ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Uṯar ga▫i▫o mere man kā sansā jab ṯe ḏarsan pā▫i▫ā. ||1|| rahā▫o.
The anxiety of my mind departed, when I gazed upon the Blessed Vision of Your Vision. ||1||Pause||

ਅਨਬੋਲਤ ਮੇਰੀ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਾਨੀ ਅਪਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਇਆ ॥
अनबोलत मेरी बिरथा जानी अपना नामु जपाइआ ॥
Anbolaṯ merī birthā jānī apnā nām japā▫i▫ā.
You know my condition, without my speaking. You inspire me to chant Your Name.

ਦੁਖ ਨਾਠੇ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਏ ਅਨਦ ਅਨਦ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
दुख नाठे सुख सहजि समाए अनद अनद गुण गाइआ ॥१॥
Ḏukẖ nāṯẖe sukẖ sahj samā▫e anaḏ anaḏ guṇ gā▫i▫ā. ||1||
My pains are gone, and I am absorbed in peace, poise and bliss, singing Your Glorious Praises. ||1||

ਬਾਹ ਪਕਰਿ ਕਢਿ ਲੀਨੇ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਅੰਧ ਕੂਪ ਤੇ ਮਾਇਆ ॥
बाह पकरि कढि लीने अपुने ग्रिह अंध कूप ते माइआ ॥
Bāh pakar kadẖ līne apune garih anḏẖ kūp ṯe mā▫i▫ā.
Taking me by the arm, You lifted me up, out of darkness and illusion.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਬੰਧਨ ਕਾਟੇ ਬਿਛੁਰਤ ਆਨਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥੨॥੫੧॥੭੪॥
कहु नानक गुरि बंधन काटे बिछुरत आनि मिलाइआ ॥२॥५१॥७४॥
Kaho Nānak gur banḏẖan kāte bicẖẖuraṯ ān milā▫i▫ā. ||2||51||74||
Says Nanak, the Guru has broken my bonds, and ended my separation; I am united. ||2||51||74||