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n this article of the Barah Maha series, we will delve into the message that Guru Arjan Dev Ji shares with us for the month of Jeth.
Composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, The Barah Maha Baani takes us on a journey throughout the year, allowing us to focus on a different aspect of spirituality each month.
Awaken the Desire to Connect
ਹਰਿ ਜੇਠਿ ਜੁੜੰਦਾ ਲੋੜੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਅਗੈ ਸਭਿ ਨਿਵੰਨਿ ॥
In the month of Jayt'h, the bride longs to meet with the Lord. All bow in humility before Him.
Guru Sahib Ji begins by inspiring us to have the desire to connect with Vaheguru and recognize our roots. Just like a leaf slowly withers away when detached from the tree, we suffer when detached from Vaheguru.
ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣ ਦਾਵਣਿ ਲਗਿਆ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਬੰਨਿ ॥
One who has grasped the hem of the robe of the Lord, the True Friend-no one can keep him in bondage.
Next, Guru Sahib Ji says that as long as you are connected to Vaheguru, you cannot fall into any other bondage. One path is the path of Haumai (ego), and one path is the path of Naam (experience of connecting to Vaheguru). The path of ego is laid by ignorance, of not recognizing your origin, and the path of Naam is that of Giaan, knowledge of your roots that come from Vaheguru. While the path of ego is full of lust, anger, greed, attachment, and the fear of separation and death, the Path of Naam is not bound by fear but by Sat, Santokh, Daya, Dharam, and Dheeraj (truth, contentment, compassion, righteousness, and patience).
The Wealth that Never Runs Out
ਮਾਣਕ ਮੋਤੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਉਨ ਲਗੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਸੰਨਿ ॥
God's Name is the Jewel, the Pearl. It cannot be stolen or taken away.
Guru Sahib Ji says that on the path of Naam, we earn true wealth, the permanent Anand (bliss) that comes from connecting to your creator, whereas on the path of ego, one loses this Anand and gains Chinta (anxiety). While the wealth earned in this world, including our possessions, lasts in our name only until we are alive, the wealth of Naam stays forever and goes on with us. It cannot be taken or stolen away from us. Contrasted with worldly wealth, which depletes as we spend it, the account of Naam never runs out even as we spend it; in fact, it grows more and more.
ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੈ ਵਤੈ ਕਾ ਬੀਜਿਆ ਭਗਤ ਖਾਇ ਖਰਚਿ ਰਹੇ ਨਿਖੁਟੈ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
This wealth is spent during an Amrit Sanchaar by the Panj Piare as they put their Kamaai (spiritual earnings) into the Amrit by reading the Baani, and drinking this Amrit gives us the boost we need to begin our journey. Even as they share their wealth, it doesn’t reduce but increases.
The Game of Vaheguru
ਰੰਗ ਸਭੇ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੈ ਜੇਤੇ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੰਨਿ ॥
In the Lord are all pleasures which please the mind.
ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਲੋੜੇ ਸੋ ਕਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਜੀਅ ਕਰੰਨਿ ॥
As the Lord wishes, so He acts, and so His creatures act.
Guru Sahib Ji says that as we continue to walk on this path, we realize that everything is a play of Vaheguru. Everyone is acting according to the Hukam written by Vaheguru. An example would be the Shaheedi (martyrdom) of Guru Sahib Jees such as Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. If they wanted, they could have demolished the whole Mughal Empire, but they chose to walk in the will of Vaheguru and accepted it as sweet.
ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਮੀਠਾ ਲਾਗੈ ॥
Your actions seem so sweet to me.
You Must Make an Effort
ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕੀਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਈ ਕਹੀਅਹਿ ਧੰਨਿ ॥
They alone are called blessed, whom God has made His Own.
ਆਪਣ ਲੀਆ ਜੇ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਿਛੁੜਿ ਕਿਉ ਰੋਵੰਨਿ ॥
Guru Sahib Ji says that if it were only through effort that we find Vaheguru, there would be no separation in the first place. The balance on this path is found when a Sikh makes the effort but also recognizes that this effort is only possible through Guru Sahib Jee’s Kirpa. With the Guru’s Kirpa, one can attain oneness with Vaheguru. Effort and Ardaas, together with the Guru’s Kirpa, help the Sikh meet Vaheguru.
Unite with the Saadh Sangat
ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗੁ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਣੰਨਿ ॥
Meeting Him in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, celestial bliss is enjoyed.
ਹਰਿ ਜੇਠੁ ਰੰਗੀਲਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਧਣੀ ਜਿਸ ਕੈ ਭਾਗੁ ਮਥੰਨਿ ॥੪॥
Guru Sahib Ji says that the month of Jeth becomes blissful by doing Sangat (keeping company) with those who are united with Vaheguru, and it is through Guru Kirpa that this month becomes blissful. Simple steps include recognizing and asking ourselves: Do we have the desire to connect to Vaheguru? Are we walking on the path of ego or Naam? Going into Sangat to seek learnings from those who are connected, and lastly, recognizing that it is all in the play of Vaheguru, and that effort and Ardaas, along with Kirpa, will unite us with Vaheguru.
This article is a transcribed version of the video How To Become Detached From The World by Bibi Gurprit Kaur Ji.
