Shivpreet Singh
Shivpreet Singh
  • Home
  • Music
    • Spotify
    • Apple Music
    • Amazon
    • Pandora
    • SoundCloud
    • Google
    • You Tube
      • Music on YouTube
      • Uplifting Shabads
      • Guru Nanak Shabads
      • Meditation & Chanting
      • Shabads for Kids
      • Shabads of Guru Arjan
      • Shabads of Guru Gobind Singh
  • Videos
    • Latest
    • Popular
    • Uplifting
    • Guru Nanak
    • Meditation
    • For Kids
    • Guru Arjan
    • Guru Gobind Singh
  • Projects
    • DhunAnand Foundation
    • Pandemic 2020
    • Guru Nanak 550
    • Namdev 750
    • Thoughts and Ruminations
    • What I Love to Read
  • News
  • Meet Me
    • Meet Me
    • Request
    • Send Email
    • Newsletter
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Biography
    • Photos
    • Music
    • FAQs


I am reading about the parable of Jesus raising Lazarus from death. And reflecting upon these lines: believing is a kind a of dying. Jesus' followers follow Jesus to they can "die" with Lazarus. 

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

And that dying in belief is actually true living. It is eternal life.  Jesus says:

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

The Death of Lazarus: Parable from Mark: 

1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 

2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 

3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 

6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 

7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 

10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 

13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 

15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 

18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 

19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 

26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 

29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 

30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 

31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 

34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 

42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 

44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

A reminder of the story (John 11:1-45) - Brian Purfield

Jesus hears that his friend Lazarus is ill. Despite the disciples’ urging, Jesus does not rush to his side, but waits two days before heading for Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary. When Jesus finally decides to go to Bethany, the disciples urge caution because it is near Jerusalem, where there is a danger to Jesus’s life.

On his way Jesus is met by Martha who has heard that he is coming. She rushes to meet him and tells Jesus that Lazarus has died and has been in the tomb four days. Yet she says, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but even now I know that God will grant whatever you ask of him’ (11:21). When Jesus promises Lazarus will rise again, but makes no promise that it will be now rather than in the afterlife, Martha affirms her belief that Jesus is ‘the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world’ (11:27).

Mary is waiting at home with the mourners who have come to share her sorrow. Martha returns and tells Mary that Jesus is on his way. Hearing this, Mary and the mourners go to meet Jesus and, distraught with grief, Mary throws herself at Jesus’s feet, overcome by heartache and anger. She seems to rebuke him: ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died’ (11:52). Mary uses almost identical words to Martha, but there is no affirmation of faith in Jesus. Mary’s and the mourners’ reactions greatly distress Jesus; he bursts into tears.

Nevertheless, he is not deterred. On reaching Lazarus’s tomb, despite Martha’s protests that after four days the smell of Lazarus’s body will be overwhelming, Jesus commands the stone be removed and calls to Lazarus to come out of the tomb. At Jesus’s word, still bound by his burial cloths, Lazarus comes out. Jesus tells the onlookers to unbind Lazarus and let him go free from the captivity of death.

How does this story speak to us in our present circumstances?

‘Lazarus, come out!’ (11:43)

We don’t know the cause of Lazarus’s death. We do know he was in the tomb, dead, for four days. To the witnesses at Bethany, his raising was nothing short of miraculous. Even more so as the Jewish understanding was that the soul lingered with the corpse for three days, until the body burst open, then it left the body.

What must it have been like in that tomb with Lazarus? On his death, Lazarus’s body would have been washed, wrapped in burial cloths and anointed with oils. After four days his body would have started to decompose and the tomb, a cave in which Lazarus’s body had been laid, would have begun to smell horribly of the stench of death. For these reasons Martha warns Jesus not to have the covering stone removed. Furthermore, the Jews would have regarded Lazarus’s body as ritually unclean and not to be touched under any circumstances. Not only would the stench of Lazarus’s decaying body have been present in the tomb, but no light would have penetrated the covering stone and the tomb would have been in total darkness. This place was the embodiment of death from which there could be no escape.

At this time of enforced isolation, we may reflect on our own lives. We may see much goodness, life and light in our lives, perhaps we’ll also see parts of our behaviour where we have become strangely more comfortable in the stink and darkness of the tomb. Maybe we have become so comfortable living in this dark space that we’re afraid to come out into the light and life-giving fresh air of God. It is often easier to hold on to our bitterness and ill-feeling towards others than to swallow our pride and admit our failings. It is easier to hold on to broken and difficult relationships than to reach out to each other for healing in love. It is easier to blame ourselves, to hold on to our own guilt, than to accept the forgiveness of a loving and tender God. But these are all signs of death, not signs of life.

Jesus asks: ‘Where have you put him?’ They reply: ‘Come and see’, the very words Jesus said to the two disciples who asked where he was staying (1:38-39). When Jesus says, ‘come and see’, he brings them to a new life; when they say, ‘come and see’, they bring him to a tomb! But the Prologue of John’s Gospel reminded us that the word is light and that: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it’ (1:5). In the darkness and isolation of his tomb, Lazarus hears the word of God calling him to light and life.

‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God’ (11:27)

In the raising of Lazarus, we witness Jesus’s divinity and we also see his human side. When the sisters send a message to tell Jesus that Lazarus is ill, their words are revealing: ‘Lord, the man you love is ill’ (11:3). Lazarus is not some stranger or mere acquaintance. He is loved by Jesus. Jesus calls him ‘our friend’ (11:11). John says: ‘Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus’ (11:5). Later, when Jesus meets Mary on the road, he is so distressed at the sight of her grief and the grief of those mourning with her, that he weeps (11:35). John does not hide Jesus’s humanity, and Jesus does not hide his own vulnerability.

Knowing the deep emotional bond between Jesus and Lazarus’s family, Jesus’s response on hearing the news of Lazarus’s illness is surprising. He doesn’t rush to his friend’s side but stays where he is. This seems to go against any claim of friendship or love Jesus had for Lazarus. When we know someone we love is in distress, we want to be with them. But Jesus doesn’t seem to show any sense of this urgency. Later, when the disciples assume Lazarus is resting, Jesus bluntly tells them, ‘Lazarus is dead’ (11:14). If this were the case, perhaps Jesus would be justified in taking his time getting to Bethany: Lazarus would be raised from the dead no matter when he arrived. This may be one possible explanation.

But Jesus loved not just Lazarus but also Martha and Mary. To delay going to Bethany without good reason would be at best insensitive and at worse callous in the context of his reaction to Lazarus’s grieving sisters. Given Jesus’s reaction on seeing Mary’s grief and that of the mourners, it would also seem to be contradictory. Jesus is not ignoring or denying his natural humanity, his natural desire to rush to Lazarus’s side and to comfort Martha and Mary, but has to overcome this desire for some greater purpose, some greater part of God’s plan.

Jesus also had to struggle with a natural, understandable fear. Bethany was very near Jerusalem, probably less than a morning’s walk. Jesus had left Jerusalem to go to the far side of the Jordan because, having confronted the Jewish authorities in the Temple (8:59), the people were threatening to stone him. His disciples knew there was a real danger to Jesus’s life. When Jesus decides to travel to Judea to see Martha and Mary, the disciples are alarmed: ‘Rabbi, it is not long since the Jews were trying to stone you; are you going back there again?’ (11:8) Yet Jesus, while not denying these very real emotions, sets them to one side. He overcomes them for a higher purpose, a greater good.

This greater purpose is linked to bringing the community at Bethany into a closer relationship with God the Father: ‘it is for God’s glory’ (11:4). Perhaps God’s plan is why Jesus, attuned to the Father’s will, sacrifices his own natural and human desires for those of his Father. He sacrifices them so that, through the raising of Lazarus from the dead (rather than just healing him before his death), those who witnessed the event would come to believe. Before calling Lazarus from the tomb, Jesus prays, ‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I myself knew that you hear me always, but I speak for the sake of all these who are standing around me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me’ (11:41-42). Jesus directs our gaze not to himself but to his Father, and through his action we can come to know the Father better.

‘Jesus loved Martha and her sister’ (11:5)

Mary and Martha are very different in character. When Jesus visits the family before Passover, Mary is seen as the far more emotional sister. In the raising of Lazarus we see her falling at Jesus’s feet in pain and anguish: she seems to rebuke him for being late. ‘Lord, if you had been here…’ – how often have we uttered those words? Later we see a different but equally emotive side when, after the raising of her brother, she again falls at Jesus’s feet – this time to anoint them with precious oils. There seems to be no middle ground with Mary. We see only demonstrations of anguish and joy.

Martha is far more level-headed, more rational in her approach. She goes to meet Jesus alone. There is no demonstrable show of sadness; neither does she overtly plead for Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead. Her response is almost a rational and accepting faith in Jesus and in God’s will: ‘but even now I know that God will grant whatever you ask of him’ (11:22). No demand, just an acceptance that God’s will be done, not hers. Later, when Jesus visits Bethany, while Mary anoints Jesus’s feet, wiping them with her hair, John tells us Martha did not take centre stage; rather, ‘she waited on them’ (12:2) as they ate dinner. Martha seems to lack the demonstrable passion of Mary. In her we see a thinking, faithful and purposeful person, focused on the task at hand.

Most of us, if we’re honest, have elements of both Mary and Martha: the rational and the passionate, the thinking and the emotional.

‘He called Lazarus out of the tomb’ (12:17)

Lazarus is a key figure in John’s Gospel. It is because of Lazarus being called forth from the darkness and death of the tomb that Caiaphas convinces the Jewish authorities that Jesus must die (11:50). Yet while key, he only appears in the final moments of the story. For much of the narrative he is hidden from view, in the darkness of the tomb. Yet we are left in no doubt of his presence throughout the events in Bethany. What do we know of Lazarus?

We know that he lives with his two sisters, which at that time would not have been uncommon. There is no mention of a wife or children and, perhaps from the fact that it is Martha who waits at the table when Jesus visits Bethany, we can infer that he has neither. What we know for certain is that Lazarus is loved. He is loved in life and in death; he is loved by Jesus and by his sisters; and he is loved by the large crowd of mourners who come to wait with Mary and later meet Jesus on the road to Bethany. In his life Lazarus was a sign of love. In his death he becomes much more. He becomes a sign of conversion.

After his raising, Lazarus becomes a sign of hope and expectation. Crowds gather at Jerusalem to welcome Jesus because they have either witnessed the raising of Lazarus or have heard of the sign and now believe. But for this to happen Lazarus had to die. Without his death he could not have become a point of conversion for so many others. Yet this is not the resurrection of Lazarus but his recall to life. Resurrection is rising to glory and never having to face death again. When Jesus rises, he leaves his grave cloths behind. Lazarus emerges from the tomb still wrapped in his. Yet Jesus has the power to call us out of our tombs.

Jesus’s followers unbind Lazarus and in so doing they ignore the old law, for they touch what is ritually unclean. By acting on Jesus’s command, they accept the new law of the new covenant. They act as the agents of Lazarus’s liberation from death and the imprisonment and darkness of the tomb. We, too, as followers of the risen Christ, must be agents of liberation. From experience we know that we do not have to be dead physically to be in need of being raised. We can be dead in the midst of life, hoping for a word of life and a community that will help put us together again. Jesus’s voice calls us away from making the tomb our natural home and challenges us to take responsibility for our brother or sister who, like Lazarus, is loved by Jesus. If we see someone buried alive, we are invited to do as Jesus and the community do: call them, help them go free. Our mission in these trying times is to unbind humanity from the captivity of death, to bring new life to those caught in the darkness of the tomb. To be a light that ‘… shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’

Brian Purfield is a member of the London Jesuit Centre team. He gives talks and teaches short courses on Scripture.

dui ka tazkira tauhid mein paya nahin jata
jahan meri rasai hai mera saya nahin jata

mere tute hue pa-e-talab ka mujh pe ehsan hai
tumhaare dar se ab uth kar kahin jaya nahin jata

mohabbat ho to jati hai mohabbat ki nahin jati
ye shoala khud bhadak uthta hai bhadkaya nahin jata

faqiri mein bhi mujh ko mangne se sharm aati hai
sawali ho ke mujh se hath phailaya nahin jata

chaman tum se ibarat hai bahaaren tum se zinda hain
tumhaare samne phulon se murjhaya nahin jata

mohabbat ke liye kuchh khas dil makhsus hote hain
ye wo naghma hai jo har saz par gaya nahin jata

mohabbat asl mein 'makhmur' wo raaz-e-haqiqat hai
samajh mein aa gaya hai phir bhi samjhaya nahin jata

- Makhmoor Dehlvi

तौहीद की राह में है वीराना-ए-सख़्त 
आज़ादी-ओ-बे-तअल्लुक़ी है यक-लख़्त 
दुनिया है न दीन है न दोज़ख़ न बहिश्त 
तकिया न सराए है न चश्मा न दरख़्त 
- Ismail Merathi

Tu Tu Karta Tu Hua Mujh mein rahaa na hoon  
Jab Aapa Par ka Mit Gaya Jit Dekhoon Tit toon
- Kabir



दुई का तज़्किरा तौहीद में पाया नहीं जाता 
जहाँ मेरी रसाई है मिरा साया नहीं जाता 

Tazkira - to have a dialogue/ a biographical memoir
Rasaai - access, reach, approach, skill

मिरे टूटे हुए पा-ए-तलब का मुझ पे एहसाँ है 
तुम्हारे दर से अब उठ कर कहीं जाया नहीं जाता 

(Changed from तुम्हारे दर से उठ कर अब कहीं जाया नहीं जाता)

ਏਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨ ਭਈ ਉਮੰਗ ॥
One day, a desire welled up in my mind.
ਘਸਿ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੋਆ ਬਹੁ ਸੁਗੰਧ ॥
I ground up sandalwood, along with several fragrant oils.

ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥
Where should I go? My home is filled with bliss.

ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਭਇਓ ਪੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
My consciousness does not go out wandering. My mind has become crippled. ||1||Pause||

- Ramanand


Khabar-e-tahayyur-e-ishq sunn, na junoon raha na pari rahi
Na toh tu raha na toh mein raha, jo rahi so be-khabari rahi

Siraj Aurangabadi says in the beginning of his famous ghazal, on learning the amazing saga of love, neither the frenzy (junoon) was left, nor did the sweetheart (pari) remain. I was ‘me’ no more, you were ‘thee’ no more; only a state of oblivion remained.


Lines from Rumi's poem Seven Pearls:

I always thought that
I was me — but no, I was you
and never knew it.

मिरे टूटे हुए पा-ए-तलब का मुझ पे एहसाँ है 
तुम्हारे दर से अब उठ कर कहीं जाया नहीं जाता 

दुई का तज़्किरा तौहीद में पाया नहीं जाता 
जहाँ मेरी रसाई है मिरा साया नहीं जाता 

The Flint by Christina Rossetti

An emerald is as green as grass,
A ruby red as blood;
A sapphire shines as blue as heaven;
A flint lies in the mud.

A diamond is a brillant stone,
To catch the world's desire;
An opal holds a fiery spark;
But a flint holds fire.

मोहब्बत की नहीं जाती मोहब्बत हो ही जाती है 
ये शो'ला ख़ुद भड़क उठता है भड़काया नहीं जाता 

(Changed from मोहब्बत हो तो जाती है मोहब्बत की नहीं जाती)


दुई का तज़्किरा तौहीद में पाया नहीं जाता 
जहाँ मेरी रसाई है मिरा साया नहीं जाता 

फ़क़ीरी में भी मुझ को माँगने से शर्म आती है 
सवाली हो के मुझ से हाथ फैलाया नहीं जाता 


This morning I am ruminating and meditating on poetry about being woven from one thread. 


Just like one thread holds a thousand beads - Bhagat Namdev

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ੴ सतिगुर प्रसादि ॥
Ikoaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਆਸਾ ਬਾਣੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਜੀ ਕੀ
आसा बाणी स्री नामदेउ जी की
Āsā baṇī sarī nāmḏeo jī kī
Aasaa, The Word Of The Reverend Naam Dayv Jee:

ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਬਿਆਪਕ ਪੂਰਕ ਜਤ ਦੇਖਉ ਤਤ ਸੋਈ ॥
एक अनेक बिआपक पूरक जत देखउ तत सोई ॥
Ėk anek biāpak pūrak jaṯ ḏekẖau ṯaṯ soī.
In the one and in the many, He is pervading and permeating; wherever I look, there He is.

ਮਾਇਆ ਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਬਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਬਿਮੋਹਿਤ ਬਿਰਲਾ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥
माइआ चित्र बचित्र बिमोहित बिरला बूझै कोई ॥१॥
Māiā cẖiṯar bacẖiṯar bimohiṯ birlā būjẖai koī. ||1||
The marvelous image of Maya is so fascinating; how few understand this. ||1||

ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ॥
सभु गोबिंदु है सभु गोबिंदु है गोबिंद बिनु नही कोई ॥
Sabẖ gobinḏ hai sabẖ gobinḏ hai gobinḏ bin nahī koī.
God is everything, God is everything. Without God, there is nothing at all.

ਸੂਤੁ ਏਕੁ ਮਣਿ ਸਤ ਸਹੰਸ ਜੈਸੇ ਓਤਿ ਪੋਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
सूतु एकु मणि सत सहंस जैसे ओति पोति प्रभु सोई ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Sūṯ ek maṇ saṯ sahaʼns jaise oṯ poṯ parabẖ soī. ||1|| rahāo.
As one thread holds hundreds and thousands of beads, He is woven into His creation. ||1||Pause||

ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗ ਅਰੁ ਫੇਨ ਬੁਦਬੁਦਾ ਜਲ ਤੇ ਭਿੰਨ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥
जल तरंग अरु फेन बुदबुदा जल ते भिंन न होई ॥
Jal ṯarang ar fen buḏbuḏā jal ṯe bẖinn na hoī.
The waves of the water, the foam and bubbles, are not distinct from the water.

ਇਹੁ ਪਰਪੰਚੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕੀ ਲੀਲਾ ਬਿਚਰਤ ਆਨ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥
इहु परपंचु पारब्रहम की लीला बिचरत आन न होई ॥२॥
Ih parpancẖ pārbarahm kī līlā bicẖraṯ ān na hoī. ||2||
This manifested world is the playful game of the Supreme Lord God; reflecting upon it, we find that it is not different from Him. ||2||

ਮਿਥਿਆ ਭਰਮੁ ਅਰੁ ਸੁਪਨ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਸਤਿ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥
मिथिआ भरमु अरु सुपन मनोरथ सति पदारथु जानिआ ॥
Mithiā bẖaram ar supan manorath saṯ paḏārath jāniā.
False doubts and dream objects - man believes them to be true.

ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਮਨਸਾ ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸੀ ਜਾਗਤ ਹੀ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੩॥
सुक्रित मनसा गुर उपदेसी जागत ही मनु मानिआ ॥३॥
Sukariṯ mansā gur upḏesī jāgaṯ hī man māniā. ||3||
The Guru has instructed me to try to do good deeds, and my awakened mind has accepted this. ||3||

ਕਹਤ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥
कहत नामदेउ हरि की रचना देखहु रिदै बीचारी ॥
Kahaṯ nāmḏeo har kī racẖnā ḏekẖhu riḏai bīcẖārī.
Says Naam Dayv, see the Creation of the Lord, and reflect upon it in your heart.

ਘਟ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਕੇਵਲ ਏਕ ਮੁਰਾਰੀ ॥੪॥੧॥
घट घट अंतरि सरब निरंतरि केवल एक मुरारी ॥४॥१॥
Gẖat gẖat anṯar sarab niranṯar keval ek murārī. ||4||1||
In each and every heart, and deep within the very nucleus of all, is the One Lord. ||4||1||


There is a thread you follow - William Stafford


The Way it is

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

- William Stafford

I remember you on the rosary of my breath - Mirabai

Saanson Ki Mala Pe, made famous by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and written inspired by Mirabai and Amir Khusro. 

SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths

PREM KI MAALA JAPTE JAPTE AAP BANI MEIN SHAYAAM
Beading the garland of love my beloveds name I myself became the God or shyaam,
I forgot about my own physical and spiritual existence


PREETAM KA KUCH DOSH NAHI HAI, WO TO HAI NIRDOSH
My beloved is not guilty He is innocent he is blemish less

APNE AAP SE BAATEIN KER KE HOO GAYI MEIN BADNAAM
Like insane person by talking with myself, I got a bad repute , bad name


PREM PIYALA JAB SE PIYA HAI, JEE KA HAI YEH HAAL
Since I drank the love from the glass of love my condition is such that

TAARO  PE NEEND AA JAYE KAANTON PE AARAM
On burning coils I can sleep and thorns I can rest



JEEVAN KA SHINGAR  HAI PREETAM, MAANG KA HAI SINDOOR
My beloved is the beautification adornment of  life and  vermilion in my hair

PREETAM KI NAZROON SE GIR KER JEENA HAI KISS KAAM
When fallen from  the eyes of my beloved what is the use of such living


In one thread everyone is strung - Guru Arjan


ਪਉੜੀ ॥
पउड़ी ॥
Paoṛī.
Pauree:

ਓਅੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕੀਓ ਅਕਾਰਾ ॥
ओअं गुरमुखि कीओ अकारा ॥
Oaʼn gurmukẖ kīo akārā.
ONG: The One Universal Creator created the Creation through the Word of the Primal Guru.

ਏਕਹਿ ਸੂਤਿ ਪਰੋਵਨਹਾਰਾ ॥
एकहि सूति परोवनहारा ॥
Ėkėh sūṯ parovanhārā.
He strung it upon His one thread.

ਭਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੰ ॥
भिंन भिंन त्रै गुण बिसथारं ॥
Bẖinn bẖinn ṯarai guṇ bisthāraʼn.
He created the diverse expanse of the three qualities.

ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਤੇ ਸਰਗੁਨ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਾਰੰ ॥
निरगुन ते सरगुन द्रिसटारं ॥
Nirgun ṯe sargun ḏaristāraʼn.
From formless, He appeared as form.

ਸਗਲ ਭਾਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਉਪਾਇਓ ॥
सगल भाति करि करहि उपाइओ ॥
Sagal bẖāṯ kar karahi upāio.
The Creator has created the creation of all sorts.

ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਮਨ ਮੋਹੁ ਬਢਾਇਓ ॥
जनम मरन मन मोहु बढाइओ ॥
Janam maran man moh badẖāio.
The attachment of the mind has led to birth and death.

ਦੁਹੂ ਭਾਤਿ ਤੇ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰਾਰਾ ॥
दुहू भाति ते आपि निरारा ॥
Ḏuhū bẖāṯ ṯe āp nirārā.
He Himself is above both, untouched and unaffected.

ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰਾ ॥੨॥
नानक अंतु न पारावारा ॥२॥
Nānak anṯ na pārāvārā. ||2||
O Nanak, He has no end or limitation. ||2||


One thread of cotton - Bhai Gurdas

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੨ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੦

ਹੋਵੇ ਸੂਤ ਕਪਾਹ ਦਾ ਕਰਿ ਤਾਣਾ ਵਾਣਾ।
Hovay Sootu Kapaah Daa Kari Taanaa Vaanaa |
From cotton the thread and then its warp and waft is prepared.

ਸੂਤਹੁ ਕਪੜੁ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਆਖਾਣ ਵਖਾਣਾ।
Sootahu Kaparhu Jaaneeai Aakhaan Vakhaanaa |
It is well known that from that very thread the cloth is made.

ਚਉਸੀ ਤੈ ਚਉਤਾਰ ਹੋਇ ਗੰਗਾ ਜਲੁ ਜਾਣਾ।
Chausee Tai Chautaar Hoi Gangaa Jalu Jaanaa |
Made of the four threads are what are known as chausi, gangajali etc.(in india).

ਖਾਸਾ ਮਲਮਲ ਸਿਰੀਸਾਫੁ ਤਨਸੁਖ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਣਾ।
Khaasaa Malamal Sireesaadhu Tan Sukh Mani Bhaanaa |
The superior clothes (malmal, sirisaph) made out of it impart comfort and pleasure to the body.

ਪਾਗ ਦੁਪਟਾ ਚੋਲਣਾ ਪਟਕਾ ਪਰਵਾਣਾ।
Pag Dupataa Cholanaa Patukaa Pravaanaa |
By becoming turban, scarf, waist coat etc that thread from cotton becomes acceptable to one and all.

ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਣਾ ॥੧੦॥
Aapay Aapi Varatadaa Guramukhi Rang Maanaa ||10 ||
The Lord permeates among all and the gurmukhs enjoy His love.


The Master Weaver - Unknown


The Master Weaver
- Unknown

Our lives are but fine weavings,
that God and we prepare,
each life becomes a fabric planned,
and fashioned in his care . . .

We may not always see,
just how the weavings intertwine,
but we must trust the Master’s hand,
and follow His design.

For He can view the pattern,
upon the upper side,
while we must look from underneath,
and trust in Him to guide.

Sometimes a strand of sorrow,
is added to His plan,
and though it’s difficult for us,
we still must understand.

That it’s He who flies the shuttle,
it’s He who knows what’s best,
so we must weave in patience,
and leave to Him the rest . . .

Not till the loom is silent,
and the shuttles cease to fly,
shall God unroll the canvas,
and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed,
in the Weaver’s skillful hand,
as the threads of gold and silver,
in the pattern He has planned


The above poem seems to be anonymous but it has similarities to the following: 

“Life is but a Weaving” (The Tapestry Poem) by Corrie ten Boom

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

Corrie ten Boom

Separation by W.S. Merwin


Separation
By W. S. Merwin


Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color


Life weaves itself into its patterns - Kabir



ਗਉੜੀ ॥
गउड़ी ॥
Gaoṛī.
Gauree:

ਗਜ ਨਵ ਗਜ ਦਸ ਗਜ ਇਕੀਸ ਪੁਰੀਆ ਏਕ ਤਨਾਈ ॥
गज नव गज दस गज इकीस पुरीआ एक तनाई ॥
Gaj nav gaj ḏas gaj ikīs purīā ek ṯanāī.
Nine yards, ten yards, and twenty-one yards - weave these into the full piece of cloth;

ਸਾਠ ਸੂਤ ਨਵ ਖੰਡ ਬਹਤਰਿ ਪਾਟੁ ਲਗੋ ਅਧਿਕਾਈ ॥੧॥
साठ सूत नव खंड बहतरि पाटु लगो अधिकाई ॥१॥
Sāṯẖ sūṯ nav kẖand bahṯar pāt lago aḏẖikāī. ||1||
take the sixty threads and add nine joints to the seventy-two on the loom. ||1||

ਗਈ ਬੁਨਾਵਨ ਮਾਹੋ ॥
गई बुनावन माहो ॥
Gaī bunāvan māho.
Life weaves itself into its patterns.

ਘਰ ਛੋਡਿਐ ਜਾਇ ਜੁਲਾਹੋ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
घर छोडिऐ जाइ जुलाहो ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Gẖar cẖẖodiai jāe julāho. ||1|| rahāo.
Leaving her home, the soul goes to the world of the weaver. ||1||Pause||

ਗਜੀ ਨ ਮਿਨੀਐ ਤੋਲਿ ਨ ਤੁਲੀਐ ਪਾਚਨੁ ਸੇਰ ਅਢਾਈ ॥
गजी न मिनीऐ तोलि न तुलीऐ पाचनु सेर अढाई ॥
Gajī na miniai ṯol na ṯulīai pācẖan ser adẖāī.
This cloth cannot be measured in yards or weighed with weights; its food is two and a half measures.

ਜੌ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਚਨੁ ਬੇਗਿ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ਝਗਰੁ ਕਰੈ ਘਰਹਾਈ ॥੨॥
जौ करि पाचनु बेगि न पावै झगरु करै घरहाई ॥२॥
Jou kar pācẖan beg na pāvai jẖagar karai gẖarhāī. ||2||
If it does not obtain food right away, it quarrels with the master of the house. ||2||

ਦਿਨ ਕੀ ਬੈਠ ਖਸਮ ਕੀ ਬਰਕਸ ਇਹ ਬੇਲਾ ਕਤ ਆਈ ॥
दिन की बैठ खसम की बरकस इह बेला कत आई ॥
Ḏin kī baiṯẖ kẖasam kī barkas ih belā kaṯ āī.
How many days will you sit here, in opposition to your Lord and Master? When will this opportunity come again?

ਛੂਟੇ ਕੂੰਡੇ ਭੀਗੈ ਪੁਰੀਆ ਚਲਿਓ ਜੁਲਾਹੋ ਰੀਸਾਈ ॥੩॥
छूटे कूंडे भीगै पुरीआ चलिओ जुलाहो रीसाई ॥३॥
Cẖẖūte kūnde bẖīgai purīā cẖalio julāho rīsāī. ||3||
Leaving his pots and pans, and the bobbins wet with his tears, the weaver soul departs in jealous anger. ||3||

ਛੋਛੀ ਨਲੀ ਤੰਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਨਿਕਸੈ ਨਤਰ ਰਹੀ ਉਰਝਾਈ ॥
छोछी नली तंतु नही निकसै नतर रही उरझाई ॥
Cẖẖocẖẖī nalī ṯanṯ nahī niksai naṯar rahī urjẖāī.
The wind-pipe is empty now; the thread of the breath does not come out any longer. The thread is tangled; it has run out.

ਛੋਡਿ ਪਸਾਰੁ ਈਹਾ ਰਹੁ ਬਪੁਰੀ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਸਮਝਾਈ ॥੪॥੩॥੫੪॥
छोडि पसारु ईहा रहु बपुरी कहु कबीर समझाई ॥४॥३॥५४॥
Cẖẖod pasār īhā rahu bapurī kaho Kabīr samjẖāī. ||4||3||54||
So renounce the world of form and substance while you remain here, O poor soul; says Kabeer: you must understand this! ||4||3||54||


No one knows the secret of the cosmic weaver - Kabir


ਆਸਾ ॥
आसा ॥
Āsā.
Aasaa:

ਕੋਰੀ ਕੋ ਕਾਹੂ ਮਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥
कोरी को काहू मरमु न जानां ॥
Korī ko kāhū maram na jānāʼn.
No one knows the secret of God, the Cosmic Weaver.

ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਆਨਿ ਤਨਾਇਓ ਤਾਨਾਂ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
सभु जगु आनि तनाइओ तानां ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Sabẖ jag ān ṯanāio ṯānāʼn. ||1|| rahāo.
He has stretched out the fabric of the whole world. ||1||Pause||

ਜਬ ਤੁਮ ਸੁਨਿ ਲੇ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨਾਂ ॥
जब तुम सुनि ले बेद पुरानां ॥
Jab ṯum sun le beḏ purānāʼn.
When you listen to the Vedas and the Puraanas,

ਤਬ ਹਮ ਇਤਨਕੁ ਪਸਰਿਓ ਤਾਨਾਂ ॥੧॥
तब हम इतनकु पसरिओ तानां ॥१॥
Ŧab ham iṯnak pasrio ṯānāʼn. ||1||
you shall know that the whole world is only a small piece of His woven fabric. ||1||

ਧਰਨਿ ਅਕਾਸ ਕੀ ਕਰਗਹ ਬਨਾਈ ॥
धरनि अकास की करगह बनाई ॥
Ḏẖaran akās kī kargah banāī.
He has made the earth and sky His loom.

ਚੰਦੁ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਦੁਇ ਸਾਥ ਚਲਾਈ ॥੨॥
चंदु सूरजु दुइ साथ चलाई ॥२॥
Cẖanḏ sūraj ḏue sāth cẖalāī. ||2||
Upon it, He moves the two bobbins of the sun and the moon. ||2||

ਪਾਈ ਜੋਰਿ ਬਾਤ ਇਕ ਕੀਨੀ ਤਹ ਤਾਂਤੀ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਾਂ ॥
पाई जोरि बात इक कीनी तह तांती मनु मानां ॥
Pāī jor bāṯ ik kīnī ṯah ṯāʼnṯī man mānāʼn.
Placing my feet together, I have accomplished one thing - my mind is pleased with that Weaver.

ਜੋਲਾਹੇ ਘਰੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਚੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਂ ਘਟ ਹੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਾਂ ॥੩॥
जोलाहे घरु अपना चीन्हां घट ही रामु पछानां ॥३॥
Jolāhe gẖar apnā cẖīnĥāʼn gẖat hī rām pacẖẖānāʼn. ||3||
I have come to understand my own home, and recognize the Lord within my heart. ||3||

ਕਹਤੁ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਕਾਰਗਹ ਤੋਰੀ ॥
कहतु कबीरु कारगह तोरी ॥
Kahaṯ Kabīr kārgah ṯorī.
Says Kabeer, when my body workshop breaks,

ਸੂਤੈ ਸੂਤ ਮਿਲਾਏ ਕੋਰੀ ॥੪॥੩॥੩੬॥
सूतै सूत मिलाए कोरी ॥४॥३॥३६॥
Sūṯai sūṯ milāe korī. ||4||3||36||
the Weaver shall blend my thread with His thread. ||4||3||36||

I weave your name on the loom of my mind - Kabir

I weave your name on the loom of my mind,
To make my garment when you come to me.
My loom has ten thousand threads
To make my garment when you come to me.
The sun and moon watch while I weave your name;
The sun and moon hear while I count your name.
These are the wages I get by day and night
To deposit in the lotus bank of my heart.
I weave your name on the loom of my mind
To clean and soften ten thousand threads
And to comb the twists and knots of my thoughts.
No more shall I weave a garment of pain.
For you have come to me, drawn by my weaving,
Ceaselessly weaving your name on the loom of my mind.
— Kabir



Farsi -

Nami danam chi manzil bood shab jaay ki man boodam;
Baharsu raqs-e bismil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

Pari paikar nigaar-e sarw qadde laala rukhsaare;
Sarapa aafat-e dil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

Raqeeba gosh-bar-awaaz o-dar naaz-o-man tarsa
Sukhan guftan ke mushkil bood shab jaay ke man boodam.

Khuda khud meer-e majlis bood andar laamakan Khusrau;
Muhammad shamm-e mehfil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

Related poem by Bu Ali Qalandar: Nami Daanam Kuja Raftam


English Translation.

I wonder what was the place where I was last night,
All around me were half-slaughtered victims of love,
tossing about in agony.
There was a nymph-like beloved with cypress-like form
and tulip-like face,
Ruthlessly playing havoc with the hearts of the lovers.
God himself was the master of ceremonies in that heavenly court,
oh Khusrau, where (the face of) the Prophet too was shedding light
like a candle.

Punjabi - 

na jaana kedi manzil si kal raat jithe main saan
har thaan raks-e-bismil si kal raat jithe main saan

Pari paikar nigaar-e sarw qadde laal ohda chehra;
Sarapa aafat-e dil si kal raat jithe main saan

Raqeeban gosh-bar-awaaz o-dar naaz-o-man tarsa
Sukhan bolan di mushkil si kal raat jithe main saan

Khuda khud meer-e majlis si andar laamakan Khusrau;
Muhammad sham-e-mehfil si kal raat jithe main saan


Another Transliteration -

Nami danam chi manzil bud shab jaay ki man budam
Baharsu raqs-e bismil bud shab jaay ki man budam

Pari paikar nigaar-e sarw qadde laala rukhsare
Sarapa aafat-e dil bud shab jaay ki man budam

Raqeeba gosh bar awaaz u dar naz o man tarsa
Sukhan guftam che mushqil bud shab jaay ki man budam

Khuda khud mir-e majlis bud andar la makan Khusro
Muhammad sham-e mehfil bud shab jaay ki man budam


Another Translation -


नमी दानम चे मंज़िल बुद शब् जाए के मन बुदम,
ब हर सू रक़्स-ए-बिस्मिल बुद शब् जाए के मन बुदम।

Nami danam che manzil bood shab jaaye ke man boodam
Ba har su raqs-e-bismil bood shab jaaye ke man boodam.

I wonder what was that place - last night where I was,
In every way half-slaughtered victims of love, last night where I was.

परी पैकर निगार-ए-सर्व कदे लाला रुख़सारे,
सरापा आफ़त-ए-दिल बुद शब् जाए के मन बुदम।

Pari paikar nigaar-e-sarw-qade laala rukhsare;
Sarapa aafat-e-dil bood shab jaay ke man boodam.

There was a fairy-like beloved, cypress-figured, tulip-cheek'd,
Playing ruthless havoc with hearts of lovers, last night where I was.

रक़ीबन गोश-बर-आवाज़, ओ-दर नाज़-ओ-मन तरसा,
सुख़न गुफ़्तन के मुश्किल बुद शब् जाए के मन बुदम।

Raqeeban gosh-bar-awaaz, o-dar naaz-o-man tarsa
Sukhan guftan ke mushkil bood shab jaay ke man boodam.

The rivals for the smallest sound of her voice were thirsty
Stood struck I, unable to speak, last night where I was.

ख़ुदा ख़ुद मीर-ए-मजलिस बुद अंदर लामकां ख़ुसरो,
मोहम्मद शम्म-ए-महफ़िल  बुद शब् जाए के मन बुदम।

Khuda khud meer-e majlis bood andar laamakan Khusrau -
Muhammad shamma-e-mehfil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

God Himself was Master-of-Ceremonies in that Heavenly court, Khusrau -
Where Muhammad too was shining like a candle, last night where I was.

There is an eerie story behind the song.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia directed Khusrau to switch his attendance to a gathering presided over by a "rival" master - Hazrat Shah Qalandar.

Khusrau was puzzled but did as he was asked. The master ignored him. One day, Hazrat Qalandar asked Khusrau - How is it that I have never seen your old Master Nizamuddin at the Lord's gathering in Heaven? Khusrau had no reason to doubt this assertion, so he was crestfallen and sad.

Meeting Khusrau some time later, Nizamuddin perceived something was amiss, and, upon questioning, learnt what had happened. He laughed - Tell Qalandar that he himself should take you one day to the Lord's gathering in Heaven, and that you will yourself seek out your old Master there.

And so the next time Qalandar poked fun at Khusrau, he asked to be taken to the Lord's gathering. Qalandar held his palm on Khusrau's heart and lo, he was transported to the ground floor of an eerily lit palace where shining figure after shining figure was in attendance. But there was no Nizamuddin Aulia there.

Not seeing Nizamuddin, Khusrau asked the Master of Ceremonies if his old Master would be coming. The figure pointed upwards to the next floor, where the scene repeated itself - shining saints and prophets, but no Nizamuddin. So Khusrau was led in turns to levels 2, 3, etc till 7 - and in this highest of floors levels he saw a mysterious veiled lady at whose feet the lovers writhed in the agony of Love. Khusrau approached the strange figure in a trance.  He removed the veil of this person - only to come face-to-face with his old Master Nizamuddin.  Khusrau shrieked to fall at the feet of this figure, and as he fell Qalandar withdrew his hand from Khusrau's heart, the brilliant lights vanished, and he was back in Old Delhi. On his way back home through the alleys lit by earthen lamps, Amir Khusrau composed "Nami Danam Che."


Another Translation -

نمی دانم چہ منزل بود

Nami danam che manzil bood shab Jae k mann boodum
ba harr soo raqs-e-bamil bood shab jae k mann boodam

Eng
I wonder what was the place where I was last night, 
all around me were half-slaughtered victims of love, tossing about in agony.



Pari paikar nigar-e-sarvakadday lalaa rukhsaraay 
saraapa aafat-e-dil bood shabb jae k mann boodam

Eng
There was a nymph-like beloved with cypress-like form and tulip-like face
ruthlessly playing havoc with the hearts of the lovers.


Raqeeban gosh barr awaaz, oo darr naaz o mann tarsaaan
sukhan guftam che mushkil bood shab jae k mann boodam

Eng
The enemies were ready to respond, He was attracted, I was dreading
It was too difficult to speak out there where I was last night.


Khuda khud meer-e-majlis bood andar la makan Khusro 
Muhammad (p.b.u.h) shamme mehfil bood shabb jae k mann boodam

Eng
God himself was the master of ceremonies in that heavenly court, 
Oh Khusrau, where (the face of) the Prophet too was shedding light like a candle


A prayer for those who are suffering during Covid:


ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
धनासरी महला ५ ॥
Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 5.
Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehl:

ਅਉਖੀ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਦੇਖਣ ਦੇਈ ਅਪਨਾ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥
अउखी घड़ी न देखण देई अपना बिरदु समाले ॥
Aukẖī gẖaṛī na ḏekẖaṇ ḏeī apnā biraḏ samāle.
He does not let His devotees see the difficult times; this is His innate nature.

ਹਾਥ ਦੇਇ ਰਾਖੈ ਅਪਨੇ ਕਉ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲੇ ॥੧॥
हाथ देइ राखै अपने कउ सासि सासि प्रतिपाले ॥१॥
Hāth ḏee rākẖai apne kao sās sās parṯipāle. ||1||
Giving His hand, He protects His devotee; with each and every breath, He cherishes him. ||1||

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਿਉ ਲਾਗਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਮੇਰਾ ਚੀਤੁ ॥
प्रभ सिउ लागि रहिओ मेरा चीतु ॥
Parabẖ sio lāg rahio merā cẖīṯ.
My consciousness remains attached to God.

ਆਦਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਹਾਈ ਧੰਨੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ਮੀਤੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
आदि अंति प्रभु सदा सहाई धंनु हमारा मीतु ॥ रहाउ ॥
Āḏ anṯ parabẖ saḏā sahāī ḏẖan hamārā mīṯ. Rahāo.
In the beginning, and in the end, God is always my helper and companion; blessed is my friend. ||Pause||

ਮਨਿ ਬਿਲਾਸ ਭਏ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੇ ਅਚਰਜ ਦੇਖਿ ਬਡਾਈ ॥
मनि बिलास भए साहिब के अचरज देखि बडाई ॥
Man bilās bẖae sāhib ke acẖraj ḏekẖ badāī.
My mind is delighted, gazing upon the marvelous, glorious greatness of the Lord and Master.

ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਆਨਦ ਕਰਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਪੈਜ ਰਖਾਈ ॥੨॥੧੫॥੪੬॥
हरि सिमरि सिमरि आनद करि नानक प्रभि पूरन पैज रखाई ॥२॥१५॥४६॥
Har simar simar ānaḏ kar Nānak parabẖ pūran paij rakẖāī. ||2||15||46||
Remembering, remembering the Lord in meditation, Nanak is in ecstasy; God, in His perfection, has protected and preserved his honor. ||2||15||46||



Shivpreet Singh · Aukhi Ghadi (Alaap version)

This particular translation/reflection, especially the “that’s just how you are” reminds me of a William Stafford poem I recently read. We are all following a thread:

The way it is 

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

- William Stafford 

And while we are on “following” might as well ponder upon this:



Translation and Lyrics in Hindi


धनासरी महला ५ ॥ अउखी घड़ी न देखण देई अपना बिरदु समाले ॥ हाथ देइ राखै अपने कउ सासि सासि प्रतिपाले ॥१॥

पद्अर्थ: अउखी = दुख देने वाली। देई = देता। बिरदु = मूल कदीमों का (प्यार वाला) स्वभाव। समाले = याद रखता है। देइ = दे के। राखै = रक्षा करता है। कउ = को। सासि सासि = हरेक सांस के साथ।1।

अर्थ: हे भाई! (वह प्रभु अपने सेवक को) कोई दुख देने वाला समय नहीं देता, वह अपना प्यार वाला बिरद स्वभाव सदा याद रखता है। प्रभु अपना हाथ दे के अपने सेवक की रक्षा करता है, (सेवक को उसके) हरेक सांस के साथ पालता रहता है।1।

प्रभ सिउ लागि रहिओ मेरा चीतु ॥ आदि अंति प्रभु सदा सहाई धंनु हमारा मीतु ॥ रहाउ॥

पद्अर्थ: सिउ = साथ। आदि अंति = शुरू से आखिर तक, सदा ही। सहाई = मददगार। धंनु = सराहनीय। रहाउ।

अर्थ: हे भाई! मेरा मन (भी) उस प्रभु से जुड़ा रहता है, जो आरम्भ से आखिर तक सदा ही मददगार बना रहता है। हमारा वह मित्र प्रभु धन्य है (उसकी सदा तारीफ करनी चाहिए)। रहाउ।

मनि बिलास भए साहिब के अचरज देखि बडाई ॥ हरि सिमरि सिमरि आनद करि नानक प्रभि पूरन पैज रखाई ॥२॥१५॥४६॥

पद्अर्थ: मनि = मन में। बिलास = खुशियां। देखि = देख के। सिमरि = स्मरण करके। करि = मान। प्रभि = प्रभु ने। पैज = इज्जत।2।

अर्थ: हे भाई! मालिक प्रभु के हैरान करने वाले करिश्मे देख के, उसका बड़प्पन देख के (सेवक के) मन में (भी) खुशियां बनी रहती हैं। हे नानक! तू भी परमात्मा का नाम स्मरण कर-कर के आत्मिक आनंद ले। (जिस भी मनुष्य ने स्मरण किया) प्रभु ने पूरे तौर पर उसकी इज्जत रख ली।2।15।46।

Another English Translation - 

The Lord does not let his servant go through any painful time, he always remembers his servant. That is his loving nature. The Lord protects His servant by lending his own hand.  He sustains the servant through every breath. 

My mind remains attached to the one who is always helpful from beginning to end. My companion is great!

Seeing the astonishing charisma of the Lord, seeing his greatness, happiness resides in my mind. O Nanak! Be blissful in the remembrance of the Lord who saves his own honor.

My thoughts

Today I am marveling upon the times of Guru Arjan, the guru who sat on a boiling iron plate and sang Tera Kiya Meetha Lagai in raag Asa - whatever you do appears sweet to me he sang. This steadfast optimism in the power of oneness is reflected in another phrase he sings ... this time in raag dhanasri - Sada Sahai. Always helpful. I hear him meditating upon oneness - 

Prabhu ...
You are saḏā sahāī ... always helpful
You lend me your own hand, 
You nurture every breath of mine
You don't let me see any difficult times; 
because that is what you do
that is your inherent
nature.

You are saḏā sahāī ... always helpful
From the very beginning to forever
you sustain me breath by breath
you help me task after task

Through your remembrance 
my bliss is unfolded.
My mind is unfurled 
in enchanting amazement
as I behold your compassion.

I know that you are saḏā sahāī
that no matter what happens
you will uphold your own honor
you will always protect me

after all that's just how you are 
and I ... I am your very own

Guru Nanak on royalty of praising

Jisno Bakshe Sifat Salaah
Nanak Paatshaahi Paatshaah
 - Guru Nanak (Japji 25)

The one gifted with praising
is the king of all kings

Guru Gobind Singh on Praising 

Ar Sikhon Apne hi man ko
Eh Laalach haun gun tau ucharon

Let my mind be trained
to want to say your praises

 - Guru Gobind Singh in Deh Shiv Bar Mohe

Bhai Nandlal on Royalty of His Guru

Hak Hak Aagah Guru Gobind Singh
Shah-e-shehenshaah Guru Gobind Singh

Knower of the truth of truths is Guru Gobind Singh
King of all kings is Guru Gobind Singh

Wallace Stevens on the Temporary Emperors of the World

The Emperor of Ice-Cream 

Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

Take from the dresser of deal,
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
On which she embroidered fantails once
And spread it so as to cover her face.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
Let the lamp affix its beam.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

Wallace Stevens

Poem by William Stafford - The Royal Truth of Self

A Story That Could Be True

If you were exchanged in the cradle and
your real mother died
without ever telling the story
then no one knows your name,
and somewhere in the world
your father is lost and needs you
but you are far away.
He can never find
how true you are, how ready.
When the great wind comes
and the robberies of the rain
you stand on the corner shivering.
The people who go by—
you wonder at their calm.
They miss the whisper that runs
any day in your mind,
“Who are you really, wanderer?”—
and the answer you have to give
no matter how dark and cold
the world around you is:
“Maybe I’m a king.”

- William Stafford

Excerpt From: William Stafford. “Ask Me.” Apple Books. 

A Real King - Finding Real Royalty Through Oneness

Once there was a king who was both good and righteous. He was known far and wide for his wisdom and his kindness to the people of his kingdom. After many years, he began to feel bored with being a king, so he asked his adviser, "How old is my son now? I want him to become king so I can quit this job." The adviser said, "Your son is only 15 years old. The law says he must be 18 years old before he may be crowned as the king." The king said, "No, no no... that is no good at all. I want him to become king now." The adviser said, "You yourself are still a young king. If you were to wait for 3 years, you would still be very young to be retiring from your duties as a king." The king thought this over.

After a few days, the king had made his decision. He announced to all his people, "I have decided not to be your king anymore. My son, the prince, will be crowned king when he is 18. Until that time I am putting my advisor in charge. He will manage and guide my son until he is ready to become your king." The people did not understand why their king did not want to be their king anymore. His adviser asked, "Why are you so determined to retire so early?" The king explained, "Some thrones belong to the earth. Some thrones are beyond the earth. I am looking for a throne that is beyond this earth."

The king held the ceremony celebrating his son as the future king and he proclaimed his adviser to be his son's trainer. Then he climbed up on his favorite horse and galloped off all alone. The people felt very sad that their king was leaving them.

Three years passed and the prince, who was now 18 years old, was crowned as king. He showed himself to be a very good and very fair king. One day the new king set out on a voyage to find his father. Some of the people said, "We want to go with you. We want to see our beloved old king." So the prince, the royal adviser and many other people went together on a long journey to find their old king.

After several months they came to an ashram. They heard that the old king was living near this ashram. A guard said, "Welcome to this ashram. You are welcome to wait here until the holy man requests to see you." The prince said, "That holy man is my father who used to be the ruler of our kingdom. I am now the king, and I have traveled for many moons over many, many lands to find him. I wish to see him now." The guard said, "Many kings from many different lands have come to see the holy man. Everyone waits their turn, and so must you." The new king and his party couldn't believe this was happening, but they waited... and waited... and waited... They waited for many weeks; and then one day they were finally let in to see him.

When they saw the old king they were all very excited. They said, "It's so great to see you!" Everyone was happy. They asked, "How are you." He replied, "Satisfied." The adviser said, "May I ask you a question? It seems that this ashram is very similar to the palace. Look around, you are sitting here, everyone is seeking your guidance, there are people everywhere! It's like a whole kingdom here! What is the difference between this and the throne you left behind?" The king said, "The difference is that before I had my subjects all around me, but here, all around me are my fellow lovers of God. I have conquered their hearts, not just their heads. It is not a matter of ruling people. It is a matter of fellowship and love." The worst leaders make people fear and obey them. The best leaders are loved by the people.

Storyteller:  Ravi Kaur Khalsa


In the book Journal of a Solitude, the poet May Sarton once wrote that “Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is richness of self.”   

Poems can be companions when you are alone. In his poem, The Day is Done, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow invites a poem to soothe his feelings, and in turns soothes anyone who reads his words:
Come, read to me some poem,
      Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling,
      And banish the thoughts of day.

The following poems soothe my feelings:

Tagore - Jodi Tor Dak Shune

Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re,
Êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo re.
Jodi keu kôtha na kôe, ore ore o ôbhaga,
Jodi shôbai thake mukh firaee shôbai kôre bhôe---
Tôbe pôran khule
O tui mukh fuţe tor moner kôtha êkla bôlo re.
Jodi shôbai fire jae, ore ore o ôbhaga,
Jodi gôhon pôthe jabar kale keu fire na chae---
Tôbe pôther kãţa
O tui rôktomakha chôrontôle êkla dôlo re.
Jodi alo na dhôre, ore ore o ôbhaga,
Jodi jhôŗ-badole ãdhar rate duar dêe ghôre---
Tôbe bojranôle
Apon buker pãjor jalie nie êkla jôlo re.

Tagore's English translation

If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.

If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou unlucky one,
trample the thorns under thy tread,
and along the blood-lined track travel alone.

If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
O thou unlucky one,
with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart
and let it burn alone.


William Stafford - Royalty in Desperation

A Story That Could Be True

If you were exchanged in the cradle and
your real mother died
without ever telling the story
then no one knows your name,
and somewhere in the world
your father is lost and needs you
but you are far away.
He can never find
how true you are, how ready.
When the great wind comes
and the robberies of the rain
you stand on the corner shivering.
The people who go by—
you wonder at their calm.
They miss the whisper that runs
any day in your mind,
“Who are you really, wanderer?”—
and the answer you have to give
no matter how dark and cold
the world around you is:
“Maybe I’m a king.”

- William Stafford 

Guru Arjan - Bhinni Rainariye

The night is beautiful
but everyone is asleep
Still, the saints are awake
they are awake day and night
to see the stars twinkling in the sky
and in the dewdrops on petals and sepals

More on Bhinni Rainariye


Song by Adrienne Rich

Song

“You’re wondering if I’m lonely;
OK then, yes, I’m lonely
as a plane rides lonely and level
on its radio beam, aiming
across the Rockies
for the blue-strung aisles
of an airfield on the ocean

You want to ask, am I lonely?
Well, of course, lonely
as a woman driving across country
day after day, leaving behind
mile after mile
little towns she might have stopped
and lived and died in, lonely

If I’m lonely
it must be the loneliness
of waking first, of breathing
dawn’s first cold breath on the city
of being the one awake
in a house wrapped in sleep

If I’m lonely
it’s with the rowboat ice-fast on the shore
in the last red light of the year
that knows what it is, that knows it’s neither
ice nor mud nor winter light
but wood, with a gift for burning”

—Adrienne Rich

Unto my books - Emily Dickinson


Unto my books so good to turn
Far ends of tired days;
It half endears the abstinence,
And pain is missed in praise.

As flavors cheer retarded guests
With banquetings to be,
So spices stimulate the time
Till my small library.

It may be wilderness without,
Far feet of failing men,
But holiday excludes the night,
And it is bells within.

I thank these Kinsmen of the Shelf;
Their countenances bland
Enamour in prospective,
And satisfy, obtained.

- Emily Dickinson

Acquainted with the Night - Robert Frost


I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. 
I have been one acquainted with the night.

- Robert Frost

Māḏẖve ṯum na ṯorahu ṯao ham nahī ṯorėh.

Today I found a Meera bhajan that was very similar to a shabad by Bhagat Ravidas: "Māḏẖve ṯum na ṯorahu ṯao ham nahī ṯorėh."  Interesting! Lyrics of both are below ...

Bhagat Ravidas


ਜਉ ਤੁਮ ਗਿਰਿਵਰ ਤਉ ਹਮ ਮੋਰਾ ॥
जउ तुम गिरिवर तउ हम मोरा ॥
Jao ṯum girivar ṯao ham morā.
If You are the mountain, Lord, then I am the peacock.

ਜਉ ਤੁਮ ਚੰਦ ਤਉ ਹਮ ਭਏ ਹੈ ਚਕੋਰਾ ॥੧॥
जउ तुम चंद तउ हम भए है चकोरा ॥१॥
Jao ṯum cẖanḏ ṯao ham bẖae hai cẖakorā. ||1||
If You are the moon, then I am the partridge in love with it. ||1||

ਮਾਧਵੇ ਤੁਮ ਨ ਤੋਰਹੁ ਤਉ ਹਮ ਨਹੀ ਤੋਰਹਿ ॥
माधवे तुम न तोरहु तउ हम नही तोरहि ॥
Māḏẖve ṯum na ṯorahu ṯao ham nahī ṯorėh.
O Lord, if You will not break with me, then I will not break with You.

ਤੁਮ ਸਿਉ ਤੋਰਿ ਕਵਨ ਸਿਉ ਜੋਰਹਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
तुम सिउ तोरि कवन सिउ जोरहि ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Ŧum sio ṯor kavan sio jorėh. ||1|| rahāo.
For, if I were to break with You, with whom would I then join? ||1||Pause||

ਜਉ ਤੁਮ ਦੀਵਰਾ ਤਉ ਹਮ ਬਾਤੀ ॥
जउ तुम दीवरा तउ हम बाती ॥
Jao ṯum ḏīvrā ṯao ham bāṯī.
If You are the lamp, then I am the wick.

ਜਉ ਤੁਮ ਤੀਰਥ ਤਉ ਹਮ ਜਾਤੀ ॥੨॥
जउ तुम तीरथ तउ हम जाती ॥२॥
Jao ṯum ṯirath ṯao ham jāṯī. ||2||
If You are the sacred place of pilgrimage, then I am the pilgrim. ||2||


ਸਾਚੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਹਮ ਤੁਮ ਸਿਉ ਜੋਰੀ ॥
साची प्रीति हम तुम सिउ जोरी ॥
Sācẖī parīṯ ham ṯum sio jorī.
I am joined in true love with You, Lord.

ਤੁਮ ਸਿਉ ਜੋਰਿ ਅਵਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਤੋਰੀ ॥੩॥
तुम सिउ जोरि अवर संगि तोरी ॥३॥
Ŧum sio jor avar sang ṯorī. ||3||
I am joined with You, and I have broken with all others. ||3||

ਜਹ ਜਹ ਜਾਉ ਤਹਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਸੇਵਾ ॥
जह जह जाउ तहा तेरी सेवा ॥
Jah jah jāo ṯahā ṯerī sevā.
Wherever I go, there I serve You.

ਤੁਮ ਸੋ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਅਉਰੁ ਨ ਦੇਵਾ ॥੪॥
तुम सो ठाकुरु अउरु न देवा ॥४॥
Ŧum so ṯẖākur aor na ḏevā. ||4||
There is no other Lord Master than You, O Divine Lord. ||4||

ਤੁਮਰੇ ਭਜਨ ਕਟਹਿ ਜਮ ਫਾਂਸਾ ॥
तुमरे भजन कटहि जम फांसा ॥
Ŧumre bẖajan katėh jam fāʼnsā.
Meditating, vibrating upon You, the noose of death is cut away.

ਭਗਤਿ ਹੇਤ ਗਾਵੈ ਰਵਿਦਾਸਾ ॥੫॥੫॥
भगति हेत गावै रविदासा ॥५॥५॥
Bẖagaṯ heṯ gāvai Raviḏāsā. ||5||5||
To attain devotional worship, Ravi Daas sings to You, Lord. ||5||5||




Sant Mirabai


जो तुम तोडो पियो मैं नही तोडू। तोरी प्रीत तोडी कृष्ण कोन संग जोडू
॥ध्रु०॥
तुम भये तरुवर मैं भई पखिया। तुम भये सरोवर मैं तोरी मछिया॥ जो०॥१॥
तुम भये गिरिवर मैं भई चारा। तुम भये चंद्रा हम भये चकोरा॥ जो०॥२॥
तुम भये मोती प्रभु हम भये धागा। तुम भये सोना हम भये स्वागा॥ जो०॥३॥
बाई मीरा कहे प्रभु ब्रजके बाशी। तुम मेरे ठाकोर मैं तेरी दासी॥ जो०॥४॥

Words are slightly different; one key difference is "Toso preet tod" which is similar to gurbani. Also dhrupad antaras are combined to have a total of two antaras compared to four. 

Listening to this qawwali this evening ... about drinking from the eyes of the beloved!



Saqi Ki Her Nigah Pe Bal Kha Kay Pee Gaya
Lehron Se Khailta Hua Lehra Kay Pee Gaya

Lehra Kay Jhoom, Jhoom Kay La, Muskra Kay La
Phoolon Kay Ras Mein Chand Ki Kirnain Mila Kay La
Kiyon Ja Rahi Hai Rooth Kay Rangeeni e Bahaar
Ja Aik Martaba Isse Phir Wargla Kay La
Kehte Hain Umar e Rafta Kabhi Laout'ti Nahi
Ja Maikada Se Meri Jawani Utha Kay La

Yeh Jo Diwane Se Do Chaar Nazar Atey Hain
In Mein Kuch Sahib e Asrar Nazar Aate Hain
Teri Mehfil Ka Bharam Rakhte Hain So Jate Hain
Warna Yeh Log To Baidaar Nazar Atey Hain
Mere Daman Mein To Kanton Kay Siwa Kuch Bhi Nahi
Aap Phoolon Kay Khareedar Nazar Aate Hain
Kal Jinhe Choo Nahi Sakti Thi Farishton Ki Nazar
Aaj Woh Ronaq e Bazar Nazar Aate Hain
Hashar Mein Kon Gawahi Meri De Ga Sagar
Sab Tumhare He Tarafdaar Nazar Aate Hain

Ker Rahi Hai Dar Haqeeqat Kaam Saqi Ki Nazar
Maikaday Mein Gardish e Sagar Bara e Naam Hai

Phiroon Dhoondta Maikada Tauba Tauba
Phiroon Dhoondta Maikada Tauba Tauba
Mujhe Aaj Kal Itni Fursat Nahi Hai

Salamat Rahe Teri aankhon Ki Masti
Mujhe Maikashi Ki Zarorat Nahi Hai

Na Gharaz Mujhe Harm Se, Na Khiyal e Maikada Hai
Meri Zindagi Hai Tum Se, Mujhe Tum Se Wasta Hai

Salamat Rahe Teri aankhon Ki Masti

Suroor Cheez Ki Miqdar Per Nahi Moqoof
Sharab Kam Hi To Saqi Nazar Mila Ker Pila

Salamat Rahe Teri aankhon Ki Masti

Jaam Per Jaam Peene Ka Kia Faida
Subha Tak To Yeh Sari Utar Jaye Gi
Teri Nazron Se Pee Hai Khuda Ki Qasam
Umar Sari Nashe Mein Guzar Jaye Gi

Salamat Rahe Teri aankhon Ki Masti

Khanakte Jaam Ka Mohtaj Mein Nahi Saqi
Teri Nigah Salamat Mujhe Kami Kia Hai

Salamat Rahe Teri aankhon Ki Masti

Dil Uska Namazi Ban Jaye Aankh Uski Gulabi Ho Jaye
Tu Jis Ko Mohabbat Se Dekhe Saqi Wo Sharabi Ho Jaye

Salamat Rahe Teri aankhon Ki Masti
Mujhe Maikashi Ki Zarorat Nahi Hai

Yeh Tarq e Taluq Ka Kia Tazkra Hai
Tumhare Siwa Koi Apna Nahi Hai

Agar Tum Kaho To Mein Khud Ko Bhula Don
Tumhe Bhool Jane Ki Taqat Nahi Hai

Her Ik Morr Per Ik Nai Maat Khaai
Rahi Dil Ki Dil Mein Zuban Tak Na Ai

Kiye Hain Kuch Aese Karam Doston Ne
Kay Ab Dushmano Ki Zaroorat Nahi Hai

Hazaron Tamannaien Hoti Hain Dil Mein
Hamari To Bus Ik Tamanna Yehi Hai

Mujhe Ik Dafa Apna Keh Ker Pukaro
Bus Iss Ke Siwa Koi Hasrat Nahi Hai

Phiroon Dhoondta Maikada Tauba Tauba
Mujhe Aaj Kal Itni Fursat Nahi Hai


Last night I was singing Guru Nanak's poem about the importance of life. He warns, Andhe Jeevana Veechaar: "O Blind one, ponder about life!" This shabad (see below) is in raag dhanasari, and dhanasri is a raag of gratitude.  Singing Dhan Sri Dhan Sri Dhan Sri one is filled with gratitude. Coincidentally this morning I continued my reading of Willam Stafford poems and came across one about a librarian. Apparently this was the local librarian that William Stafford knew well.  Anyone who knows a helpful librarian and someone who leads a joyful life will love this poem.  

Bess

Ours are the streets where Bess first met her   
cancer. She went to work every day past the   
secure houses. At her job in the library
she arranged better and better flowers, and when   
students asked for books her hand went out   
to help. In the last year of her life
she had to keep her friends from knowing   
how happy they were. She listened while they
complained about food or work or the weather.   
And the great national events danced   
their grotesque, fake importance. Always

Pain moved where she moved. She walked   
ahead; it came. She hid; it found her.   
No one ever served another so truly;   
no enemy ever meant so strong a hate.   
It was almost as if there was no room   
left for her on earth. But she remembered
where joy used to live. She straightened its flowers;   
she did not weep when she passed its houses;   
and when finally she pulled into a tiny corner   
and slipped from pain, her hand opened
again, and the streets opened, and she wished all well.

- William Stafford

Someone who is close to death recognizes the value of death.  Guru Nanak says at the end of his meditation on life (see below):"I have searched, but I have found no way to remain here; so, remain dead while yet alive." The complaints about food, work and weather are made by the blind folks who have not pondered about life. Ponder about true life; true living is one that involves not being afraid of death. But loving it with open arms. Singing with with throated voice.  The joyous ones sing.

Complete Shabad and Translation: Andhe Jeevana Veechaar

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
धनासरी महला १ ॥
Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 1.
Dhanaasaree, First Mehl:

ਹਮ ਆਦਮੀ ਹਾਂ ਇਕ ਦਮੀ ਮੁਹਲਤਿ ਮੁਹਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ॥
हम आदमी हां इक दमी मुहलति मुहतु न जाणा ॥
Ham āḏmī hāʼn ik ḏamī muhlaṯ muhaṯ na jāṇā.
We are human beings of the briefest moment; we do not know the appointed time of our departure.

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬਿਨਵੈ ਤਿਸੈ ਸਰੇਵਹੁ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਜੀਅ ਪਰਾਣਾ ॥੧॥
नानकु बिनवै तिसै सरेवहु जा के जीअ पराणा ॥१॥
Nānak binvai ṯisai sarevhu jā ke jīa parāṇā. ||1||
Prays Nanak, serve the One, to whom our soul and breath of life belong. ||1||

ਅੰਧੇ ਜੀਵਨਾ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ਦੇਖਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇ ਦਿਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
अंधे जीवना वीचारि देखि केते के दिना ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Anḏẖe jīvnā vīcẖār ḏekẖ keṯe ke ḏinā. ||1|| rahāo.
You are blind - see and consider, how many days your life shall last. ||1||Pause||

ਸਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਸਭੁ ਜੀਉ ਤੁਮਾਰਾ ਤੂ ਮੈ ਖਰਾ ਪਿਆਰਾ ॥
सासु मासु सभु जीउ तुमारा तू मै खरा पिआरा ॥
Sās mās sabẖ jīo ṯumārā ṯū mai kẖarā piārā.
My breath, my flesh and my soul are all Yours, Lord; You are so very dear to me.

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸਾਇਰੁ ਏਵ ਕਹਤੁ ਹੈ ਸਚੇ ਪਰਵਦਗਾਰਾ ॥੨॥
नानकु साइरु एव कहतु है सचे परवदगारा ॥२॥
Nānak sāir ev kahaṯ hai sacẖe parvaḏgārā. ||2||
Nanak, the poet, says this, O True Lord Cherisher. ||2||

ਜੇ ਤੂ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਦੇਹੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਿਬਾ ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਕਢੈ ਗਹਣਾ ॥
जे तू किसै न देही मेरे साहिबा किआ को कढै गहणा ॥
Je ṯū kisai na ḏehī mere sāhibā kiā ko kadẖai gahṇā.
If you gave nothing, O my Lord and Master, what could anyone pledge to You?

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬਿਨਵੈ ਸੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਲਿਖੇ ਕਾ ਲਹਣਾ ॥੩॥
नानकु बिनवै सो किछु पाईऐ पुरबि लिखे का लहणा ॥३॥
Nānak binvai so kicẖẖ pāīai purab likẖe kā lahṇā. ||3||
Nanak prays, we receive that which we are pre-destined to receive. ||3||

ਨਾਮੁ ਖਸਮ ਕਾ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਕੀਆ ਕਪਟੀ ਕਪਟੁ ਕਮਾਣਾ ॥
नामु खसम का चिति न कीआ कपटी कपटु कमाणा ॥
Nām kẖasam kā cẖiṯ na kīā kaptī kapat kamāṇā.
The deceitful person does not remember the Lord's Name; he practices only deceit.

ਜਮ ਦੁਆਰਿ ਜਾ ਪਕੜਿ ਚਲਾਇਆ ਤਾ ਚਲਦਾ ਪਛੁਤਾਣਾ ॥੪॥
जम दुआरि जा पकड़ि चलाइआ ता चलदा पछुताणा ॥४॥
Jam ḏuār jā pakaṛ cẖalāiā ṯā cẖalḏā pacẖẖuṯāṇā. ||4||
When he is marched in chains to Death's door, then, he regrets his actions. ||4||

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਰਹੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਹੀਐ ॥
जब लगु दुनीआ रहीऐ नानक किछु सुणीऐ किछु कहीऐ ॥
Jab lag ḏunīā rahīai Nānak kicẖẖ suṇīai kicẖẖ kahīai.
As long as we are in this world, O Nanak, we should listen, and speak of the Lord.

ਭਾਲਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਮ ਰਹਣੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜੀਵਤਿਆ ਮਰਿ ਰਹੀਐ ॥੫॥੨॥
भालि रहे हम रहणु न पाइआ जीवतिआ मरि रहीऐ ॥५॥२॥
Bẖāl rahe ham rahaṇ na pāiā jīvṯiā mar rahīai. ||5||2||
I have searched, but I have found no way to remain here; so, remain dead while yet alive. ||5||2||
Newer Posts Older Posts Home

SHIVPREET SINGH

Singing oneness!
- Shivpreet Singh

Related Posts

Popular - 30 days

  • Vande Mataram - Lyrics and Translation
    I love the Vande Maataram composition in Raag Des sung by Lata Mangeshkar.  Vande Mataram is the national song of India. In 2003, BBC World ...
  • Kabir's Gao Gao Ri Dulhani - Lyrics and meanings
    One of my favorite Kabir's poem I call "Dulhani." In this beautiful poem, Kabir envisions himself as the bride and the univers...
  • The Many Types of Raag Malhar
    Pour love in your heart, like the rain pours on the land today. As I am working on a Meerabai song I am doing research on the different vari...
  • Sanson Ki Mala Pe - Lyrics, Translation and Background
    Sanson ki Maala was made famous by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahib.  Although some have attributed this song to Mirabai and Khusro, this is a gh...
  • Loving in the night - a poem by Rabi'a
    [O my Lord] by rabi'A Translated by Jane hirshfield O my Lord, the stars glitter and the eyes of men are closed. Kings have locked their...
  • Love and the Mool Mantra
    Guru Nanak's teachings are undoubtedly about love. So are Guru Arjan's teachings. The Mool Mantra is given the highest importance i...
  • Couplets of Kabir - Kabir ke Dohe with translations
    Dohas of Kabir, starting with my composition on Kabir (Tu Tu Karta), then a short intro on Kabir,  followed by his top ten dohas, then ...
  • Gulon Mein Rang Bhare - Lyrics and Translation of Mehdi Hassan Ghazal
    I was listening and meditating upon this beautiful ghazal by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, beautifully composed by Mehdi Hassan. It is one of my favorite...
  • Ve Mahiya Tere Vekhan Nu - Tufail Niazi and Wadali Brothers
    I have recently heard this Bulleh Shah song and it has really touched my heart. Several people have sung it, but I love the original composi...
  • Nasro Mansoor Guru Gobind Singh - Bhai Nand Lal Goya
    I have been singing this shabad for over 30 years; I composed it when I was a teenager. It comes from a fairly long poem of 55 couplets, lyr...

Blog Archive

  • ►  2025 (5)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (2)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2024 (20)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (3)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  August (4)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (1)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2023 (41)
    • ►  December (4)
    • ►  November (3)
    • ►  October (4)
    • ►  September (7)
    • ►  August (5)
    • ►  July (7)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (3)
  • ►  2022 (7)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ▼  2021 (139)
    • ►  December (15)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  September (7)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  July (4)
    • ▼  May (21)
      • Hidden Meaning of the Parable of Lazarus' Resurrec...
      • Dui ka Tazkira - Makhmoor Dehlvi
      • The Colloquy of the One Thread
      • Nami Boodam - Amir Khusro
      • Aukhi Ghadi (alaap version)
      • Who is a King
      • Poems For When You Feel Alone
      • Madhave Tum Na Toroh by Bhagat Ravidas and Jo Tum ...
      • Phiroon Dhoondta Maikada Tauba Tauba - Nusrat Fate...
      • Ponder About Life, Die While Living - Guru Nanak
      • Service and Seva - Cousins from Disparate Languages
      • Har lehza ba shakl aan - Shams Mashraqi (Rumi)
      • Ay chehra-e zeba-e tu - Amir Khusrao
      • The sun shines on everyone
      • Grass ... the handkerchief of the Lord - Musings o...
      • The List of the List of Virtues: Truth, Contentmen...
      • Jaan Boojh Ke Baavare - Knowingly you commit misde...
      • Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing
      • Deceptive Heart, Lofty Words - Kabir - Kaaya Maanj...
      • All paths lead to Keshav
      • Az dair e mughan aayam - Ghazal by Allama Iqbal
    • ►  April (21)
    • ►  March (35)
    • ►  February (23)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2020 (149)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (13)
    • ►  October (31)
    • ►  September (47)
    • ►  August (37)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (3)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2019 (44)
    • ►  December (5)
    • ►  November (8)
    • ►  October (14)
    • ►  September (4)
    • ►  July (3)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (2)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ►  2018 (53)
    • ►  December (8)
    • ►  November (5)
    • ►  October (3)
    • ►  September (4)
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (3)
    • ►  June (4)
    • ►  May (6)
    • ►  April (5)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  February (4)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2017 (72)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (12)
    • ►  October (8)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  August (7)
    • ►  July (6)
    • ►  June (12)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (7)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ►  2016 (141)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (9)
    • ►  October (16)
    • ►  September (19)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (18)
    • ►  March (34)
    • ►  February (16)
    • ►  January (11)
  • ►  2015 (28)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (1)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (12)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  May (1)
    • ►  April (7)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2014 (107)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (6)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  June (11)
    • ►  April (10)
    • ►  March (15)
    • ►  February (24)
    • ►  January (36)
  • ►  2013 (242)
    • ►  December (13)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (3)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (62)
    • ►  April (79)
    • ►  March (12)
    • ►  February (23)
    • ►  January (35)
  • ►  2012 (145)
    • ►  December (29)
    • ►  November (31)
    • ►  October (44)
    • ►  September (5)
    • ►  August (9)
    • ►  July (7)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (9)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2011 (252)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (1)
    • ►  October (4)
    • ►  September (13)
    • ►  August (28)
    • ►  July (44)
    • ►  June (33)
    • ►  May (15)
    • ►  April (2)
    • ►  March (45)
    • ►  February (43)
    • ►  January (23)
  • ►  2010 (70)
    • ►  December (31)
    • ►  November (20)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2009 (15)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (3)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (2)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2008 (15)
    • ►  November (1)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  June (5)
    • ►  May (1)
    • ►  April (2)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2007 (9)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  August (2)
  • ►  1999 (1)
    • ►  May (1)

Message

Name

Email *

Message *

Twitter

Tweets by @shivpreetsingh


Copyright © Shivpreet Singh. Designed by OddThemes