Pritpaala originates from a Pauri by Guru Amardas in Suhi Ki Vaar. It expands on a concept introduced by Guru Nanak in the Mool Mantra, Saibhang, "Existing From Himself." To the best of my knowledge, this beautiful shabad has not been recorded by anyone.
Much gratitude to Slovenian composer Katarina Koprivc for her original and beautiful composition "The Remains of Love," as well as to Enrico Nichelatti for Strings, Suellen Primost for Cello on this track. In this case, which is somewhat unusual, the music was composed before the melody. When I first heard this composition from Katarina, I loved it and wanted to sing something along with it. So I opened a random hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib using an iPhone app and sang along Katarina's composition the following Guru Amardas Pauri. The Pauri is written in Raag Suhi, a raag about about love, so there was a coincidental match with Katarina's original title, The Remains of Love. But please be aware that this composition is not in Raag Suhi.
ਸੂਹੀ ਕੀ ਵਾਰ: (ਮ: ੩) - ਅੰਗ ੭੮੫
Suhi Ki Vaar - Guru Amar Das - Page 785
ਆਪੇ ਤਖਤੁ ਰਚਾਇਓਨੁ ਆਕਾਸ ਪਤਾਲਾ ॥
He Himself established His throne, in the Akaashic ethers and the nether worlds.
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਾਜੀਅਨੁ ਸਚੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲਾ ॥
By the Hukam of His Command, He created the earth, the true home of Dharma.
ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਖਪਾਇਦਾ ਸਚੇ ਦੀਨ ਦਇਆਲਾ ॥
He Himself created and destroys; He is the True Lord, merciful to the meek.
ਸਭਨਾ ਰਿਜਕੁ ਸੰਬਾਹਿਦਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ॥
You give sustenance to all; how wonderful and unique is the Hukam of Your Command!
ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਆਪੇ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲਾ ॥੧॥
You Yourself are permeating and pervading; You Yourself are the Cherisher. ||1||
Discussion
Let me take four words/phrases from this pauri that I found interesting to meditate upon to understand better the true meaning of these beautiful words:
1. Takhat or Throne: Every heart is God's throne; every song is under His direction
In Raag Asa, Guru Nanak says that the one who sits on the throne is imbued in the five elements.
Guru Nanak asks a question in the 27th pauri of Japji Sahib: Where does God sit and rule the world?
And he answers this question in the end:
2. Dharamsaal: The Earth is a beautiful temple where we come together and sing.
The concept of the earth being a temple originates from Guru Nanak who says the following in the 34th pauri of Japji Sahib:
Why is earth being a temple important. Its important because of what happens in a temple. Guru Arjan Dev describes what happens in a temple in a Chhant in Raag Gauri:
Let me take four words/phrases from this pauri that I found interesting to meditate upon to understand better the true meaning of these beautiful words:
1. Takhat or Throne: Every heart is God's throne; every song is under His direction
Guru Amardas says, "Your created your own throne in the ethers and the ethers.
ਆਪੇ ਤਖਤੁ ਰਚਾਇਓਨੁ ਆਕਾਸ ਪਤਾਲਾ ॥
He Himself established His throne, in the Akaashic ethers and the nether worlds.
Throne is the resting place for a king, the ruler, the emperor. The question is where is the resting place for God. Where does he sit?
In Ramkali, Guru Arjan Dev says, "O king of kings, with the greatest court, final justice, the real doer of everything, you sit on the true throne."
ਵਡਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ਸਚਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਤਖਤੁ ॥
The Darbaar of Your Court is glorious and great. Your holy throne is True.
ਤਖਤ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਪੰਚ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
The one on the throne is imbued in five (elements)
So every element, every molecule, every atom is His throne. If you recognize, God resides in your heart. So my own heart is God's throne. Every heart is God's throne.
ਸੋ ਦਰੁ ਕੇਹਾ ਸੋ ਘਰੁ ਕੇਹਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਬਹਿ ਸਰਬ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥
Where is that Gate, and where is that Dwelling, in which You sit and take care of all?
ਸੋ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ਸਾਹਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਹਣੁ ਰਜਾਈ ॥੨੭॥
He is the King, the King of kings, the Supreme Lord and Master of kings. Nanak remains subject to His Will. ||27||
Guru Nanak concludes that it is not "he" that is singing, it is really through the command of the supreme being that he is singing. Every heart is God's throne, and from there he makes Guru Nanak sing. Every heart is singing ... Sabhai Ghat Raam Bolai. Every song is under His direction.
The word Dharamsaal literally means the home of dharma, or a temple. Just like paathsaal means house of education or school. Guru Amardas says, "Your beautified the earth like a temple" in the following line:
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਾਜੀਅਨੁ ਸਚੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲਾ ॥
By the Hukam of His Command, He created the earth, the true home of Dharma.
ਰਾਤੀ ਰੁਤੀ ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ॥
Nights, days, weeks and seasons;
ਪਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥
Wind, water, fire and the nether regions
ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਥਾਪਿ ਰਖੀ ਧਰਮਸਾਲ ॥
In the midst of these, He established the earth as a home for Dharma.
Why is earth being a temple important. Its important because of what happens in a temple. Guru Arjan Dev describes what happens in a temple in a Chhant in Raag Gauri:
ਮੋਹਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਊਚੇ ਮੰਦਰ ਮਹਲ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥
O Mohan, your temple is so lofty, and your mansion is unsurpassed.
ਮੋਹਨ ਤੇਰੇ ਸੋਹਨਿ ਦੁਆਰ ਜੀਉ ਸੰਤ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲਾ ॥
O Mohan, your gates are so beautiful. They are the worship-houses of the Saints.
ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲ ਅਪਾਰ ਦੈਆਰ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਸਦਾ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਵਹੇ ॥
In these incomparable worship-houses, they continually sing Kirtan, the Praises of their Lord and Master.
ਜਹ ਸਾਧ ਸੰਤ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਤਹਾ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਧਿਆਵਹੇ ॥
Where the Saints and the Holy gather together, there they meditate on you.
Places of worship are made so saints can get together, meditate upon the one and sing the ONE's praises. The purpose of life is to sing and the earth has been designed to be a place where this singing can be done. The earth has been designed by God to come together and sing. Earth becomes beautiful when we come together and sing.
What is singing other than just following the command of the ONE. Gurbani says Sabhai Ghat Raam Bolai or Every heart is singing in the temple of the earth.
3. Rijak: Why do we need to worry when we know we will have food!
ਸਭਨਾ ਰਿਜਕੁ ਸੰਬਾਹਿਦਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ॥
You give sustenance to all; how wonderful and unique is the Hukam of Your Command!
In Sodar Gujri, Guru Arjan Dev asks, "Why, O mind, do you plot and plan when Waheguru, the Pritpaala, the Deen Dayaala, is there to care for you. Even those living beings that are created in the rocks, they get nourishment. Its not the fathers, mothers, children or spouses; its God that provides for every single one. Why is there any need to be afraid. Flamingoes fly hundreds of miles, leaving their young ones behind. Who feeds them, and who teaches them to feed themselves? Have you ever thought of this, dear mind? The one without any end takes care of everyone, the omnipotent one. Slave Nanak endlessly loves the one who holds all power in the palm of His hand."
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੂਜਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Raag Goojaree, Fifth Mehl:
ਕਾਹੇ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਚਿਤਵਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਜਾ ਆਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਪਰਿਆ ॥
ਸੈਲ ਪਥਰ ਮਹਿ ਜੰਤ ਉਪਾਏ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਰਿਜਕੁ ਆਗੈ ਕਰਿ ਧਰਿਆ ॥੧॥
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਾਧਉ ਜੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੁ ਤਰਿਆ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੂਕੇ ਕਾਸਟ ਹਰਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਜਨਨਿ ਪਿਤਾ ਲੋਕ ਸੁਤ ਬਨਿਤਾ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਕਿਸ ਕੀ ਧਰਿਆ ॥
ਸਿਰਿ ਸਿਰਿ ਰਿਜਕੁ ਸੰਬਾਹੇ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਕਾਹੇ ਮਨ ਭਉ ਕਰਿਆ ॥੨॥
ਊਡੇ ਊਡਿ ਆਵੈ ਸੈ ਕੋਸਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਪਾਛੈ ਬਚਰੇ ਛਰਿਆ ॥
ਤਿਨ ਕਵਣੁ ਖਲਾਵੈ ਕਵਣੁ ਚੁਗਾਵੈ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਕਰਿਆ ॥੩॥
ਸਭਿ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਦਸ ਅਸਟ ਸਿਧਾਨ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਰ ਤਲ ਧਰਿਆ ॥
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਸਦ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈਐ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਰਿਆ ॥੪॥੫॥
4. Aape Aap Vartadaa: You Yourself Permeate
Guru Nanak first used the phrase "Aape Aap Vartadaa" Or "He himself permeates" in a couple of shabads, one in Raag Malhar
and another in Raag Gauri:
Guru Nanak first used the phrase "Aape Aap Vartadaa" Or "He himself permeates" in a couple of shabads, one in Raag Malhar
Tu Aape Aap Vartada, Aap Banat Banaii
Tudh Bin Dooja Ko Nahin, Tu Raheya Samaii
Sabh Aape Aap Vartada Aape Bharmaaya
Gur Kirpa Te Boojhiyeh Sabh Brahm Samaayaa
At the time of Guru Arjan Dev, Bhai Gurdas explained in detail what this really meant using many different examples in his second Vaar. This vaar has 20 pauris or poems that each end with the phrase "Aape Aap Vartada". This must have been an important topic of discussions. Perhaps a lot of questions were asked about God permeating everything. That's why Bhai Gurdaas has given this concept so much importance. Bhai Gurdaas's Vaar 2.
Singing oneness!
