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ਮਲਾਰ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
ਦੁਖੁ ਵੇਛੋੜਾ ਇਕੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਭੂਖ ॥
Dhukh Vaeshhorraa Eik Dhukh Bhookh ||
ਇਕੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਸਕਤਵਾਰ ਜਮਦੂਤ ॥
Eik Dhukh Sakathavaar Jamadhooth ||
ਇਕੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਰੋਗੁ ਲਗੈ ਤਨਿ ਧਾਇ ॥
Eik Dhukh Rog Lagai Than Dhhaae ||
ਵੈਦ ਨ ਭੋਲੇ ਦਾਰੂ ਲਾਇ ॥੧॥
Vaidh N Bholae Dhaaroo Laae ||1||
This Shabad tells us the four types of pain/sufferings.
The Pain of Separation - Dukh Veshora
Dukh = Suffering
Veshora = Separation
In this phrase, Guru Sahib tells us the first type of suffering is the pain of separation. A mother is in pain when separated from her child, similarly, a wife is in pain when separated from her husband. What happens then? One feels lonely, cries, and sometimes goes into depression due to this separation.
What is the ultimate separation?
Separation from Vaheguru is the ultimate separation. When we are separated from the Truth, from Peace, from Contentment, we are in pain. Being separated from Vaheguru means we are separated from their Gunn (qualities of Vaheguru). How can we avoid separation from Vaheguru? By constantly remembering Vaheguru through Simran (Remembering Vaheguru), Seva (Selfless Service), and Sat Sangat (True Congregation).
ਵਿਛੁੜਿਆ ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਲਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਰਸਿ ਨਾਮ ਪਿਆਰਿ ॥
The Pain of Hunger - Dukh Bhookh
Bhookh = Hunger
In this phrase, Guru Sahib tells us, the second type of suffering is the pain of hunger. A beggar is suffering from hunger as he has not eaten for days. He begs for money or food so that he can satiate his hunger. Some would even steal or hurt others for food. This pain leads one to do anything just to fill their stomach. Some are also hungry for wealth. They want more money, more possessions, more houses or cars. Their hunger is never satiated.
ਭੁਖਿਆ ਭੁਖ ਨ ਉਤਰੀ ਜੇ ਬੰਨਾ ਪੁਰੀਆ ਭਾਰ ॥
The hunger of the hungry is not appeased, even by piling up loads of worldly goods.
Guru Sahib also speaks of hunger of worldly desires,
ਤਿਸਨਾ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਅਗਨਿ ਹੈ ਨਹ ਤਿਪਤੈ ਭੁਖਾ ਤਿਹਾਇਆ ॥
The fire of desire is deep within; unsatisfied, people remain hungry and thirsty.
The hunger of desire is intense in all those who have forgotten that the only one who can satiate our hunger is Vaheguru. If we were hungry for Vaheguru, we would do anything to be one with Vaheguru. We must make a choice, is it hunger for Vaheguru or hunger for Maya (Worldly Illusion)?
The Fear of Death - Sakatvaar Jamdoot
Jamdoot - Messenger of death
This is the Fear of death. Those who are separated from Vaheguru will have a fear of death. Only Gurmukhs do not fear death, as they know this body is just a vessel and nothing is permanent other than Vaheguru.
ਹਰਿਜਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਣੇ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਮ ਤ੍ਰਾਸਾ ॥
In the remembrance of God, there is no fear of death.
These Gurbani Pangtiaan (lines) explain how to eradicate the fear of death, through going back to the basics - Simran, Seva, and Sangat.
The Pain of Disease - Rog Lagai Tan Dhaae
Rog - Disease
Tan - Body
This refers to the pain of diseases caused to the body. There are three types of diseases mentioned in Gurbani,
ਆਧਿ ਬਿਆਧਿ ਉਪਾਧਿ ਰਸ ਕਬਹੁ ਨ ਤੂਟੈ ਤਾਪ ॥
- Aadh - Disease of the mind - mental illnesses, psychiatric issues
- Biaadh - Disease caused within the body - Cancer, chronic illnesses
- Oupaadh - Disease from external forces - Nature, fights, attacks
What is the ultimate medicine for these types of diseases? Guru Sahib says,
ਸਰਬ ਰੋਗ ਕਾ ਅਉਖਦੁ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
The Naam is the panacea, the remedy to cure all ills.
Guru Sahib has given us the medicine to cure all diseases, Naam. Through Simran of Vaheguru we are remembering the one who is without any disease.
In the last Pangti, Guru Sahib says, no worldly doctors can cure these sufferings. They cannot get rid of the pain of separation, satiate our hunger, or cure our diseases. Only the most excellent Doctor, Vaheguru, can do that. The medicine Vaheguru gives us is Naam. That's why Guru Sahib says,
ਮੇਰਾ ਬੈਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਵਿੰਦਾ ॥
My physician is the Guru, the Lord of the Universe.
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਦੇਵੈ ਕਾਟੈ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਫੰਧਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
He places the medicine of the Naam into my mouth and cuts away the noose of Death. ||1||Pause||
Now that we are aware of this knowledge, let us go back to the roots of Simran, Seva, and Sangat, which will alleviate all the pain and suffering in our lives.
