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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 Maghar.
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.
The Beauty of those Closest to the Guru
ਮੰਘਿਰਿ ਮਾਹਿ ਸੋਹੰਦੀਆ ਹਰਿ ਪਿਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਬੈਠੜੀਆਹ ॥
In the month of Maghar, those who sit with their Beloved Husband Lord are beautiful.
ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਕਿਆ ਗਣੀ ਜਿ ਸਾਹਿਬਿ ਮੇਲੜੀਆਹ ॥
How can their glory be measured? Their Lord and Master blends them with Himself.
ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਮਉਲਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਧ ਸਹੇਲੜੀਆਹ ॥
Their bodies and minds blossom forth in the Lord; they have the companionship of the Holy Saints.
Guru Sahib Ji begins by telling us about the greatness of the soul-brides, the Gurmukhs who are united with Vaheguru. Their faces are ever-radiant, as they look towards none other than their Husband Lord, Vaheguru. They don’t bow to anybody else, not even to their own desires, and they only listen to their beloved Guru.
An example of this would be the relationship between Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Bhai Mardana Ji. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the form of Parmatma themselves, and Bhai Mardana Ji is an example of the soul bride who is constantly sitting right next to Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. How blessed is Bhai Mardana Ji, that all their life, they had a space right next to Guru Sahib Ji.
Next, Guru Arjan Dev JI says that the praise of these Gurmukhs is limitless.
ਓਨਾ ਦੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਹੋਈ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਮੇਟਣਹਾਰਾ ॥
Their praises echo throughout the ages, and no one can erase them.
The whole of humanity remembers the Bhagats (devotees) for ages and ages. We remember Bhagats from even other faiths, like Bhagat Prahlad Ji, Bhagt Dhru Ji, Bhagat Kabeer Ji and Gurbani constantly speaks about them. These are the Bhagats who have spent their life loving Vaheguru Ji and not questioning Vaheguru Ji’s Hukam.
Without Vaheguru, we Remain Alone
ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਤੇ ਬਾਹਰੀ ਸੇ ਰਹਨਿ ਇਕੇਲੜੀਆਹ ॥
Those who lack the Company of the Holy, remain all alone.
ਤਿਨ ਦੁਖੁ ਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਉਤਰੈ ਸੇ ਜਮ ਕੈ ਵਸਿ ਪੜੀਆਹ ॥
Their pain never departs, and they fall into the grip of the Messenger of Death.
Next, Guru Arjan Dev Ji talks about those who forsake Vaheguru and do not go into the Saadh Sangat. They remain immersed in their sorrows and do not find an escape from the ties of greed, anger, lust, attachment and pride.
They rush into various kinds of social gatherings to fill the void of loneliness inside, not realising that a person can feel lonely even in the presence of hundreds of people. True strength is found in knowing that Vaheguru is always by your side, no matter where you go, and this realisation can only be achieved by the grace of the Guru and Sangat.
ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ ॥
My Guru is always with me, near at hand.
ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਮੑਾਲੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Meditating, meditating in remembrance on Him, I cherish Him forever. ||1||Pause||
The Nature of the Connected Souls
ਜਿਨੀ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਸੇ ਦਿਸਨਿ ਨਿਤ ਖੜੀਆਹ ॥
Those who have ravished and enjoyed their God, are seen to be continually exalted and uplifted.
ਰਤਨ ਜਵੇਹਰ ਲਾਲ ਹਰਿ ਕੰਠਿ ਤਿਨਾ ਜੜੀਆਹ ॥
They wear the Necklace of the jewels, emeralds and rubies of the Lord's Name.
Guru Sahib Ji further explains to us about the nature of those whose minds are attuned to Vaheguru. It is almost like their mind and body is blossoming forth, like a plant blossoms with water and sunshine, these souls blossom with the power of Naam, Gurbani and Sangat. They are always flourishing, radiant and cheerful. The Dukh (sorrows) of life don’t even get close to them. They are unaffected by people’s comments about them. Their pride doesn’t increase when people praise them, and their heart doesn’t sink when people slander them.
ਜੇ ਲੋਕੁ ਸਲਾਹੇ ਤਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਪਮਾ ਜੇ ਨਿੰਦੈ ਤ ਛੋਡਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੯॥
If people praise me, the praise is Yours. Even if they slander me, I will not leave You. ||9||
Just being in the presence of these souls, we too feel peace. Looking at their radiant faces, the hope of meeting Vaheguru lights up in our hearts too.
Unite with the True Ones!
ਨਾਨਕ ਬਾਂਛੈ ਧੂੜਿ ਤਿਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣੀ ਦਰਿ ਪੜੀਆਹ ॥
Nanak seeks the dust of the feet of those who take to the Sanctuary of the Lord's Door.
ਮੰਘਿਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਰਾਧਣਾ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਜਨਮੜੀਆਹ ॥੧੦॥
Guru Sahib Ji says that these soul brides, the connected Gurmukhs, are adorned with the jewellery of Vaheguru’s name. They wear the necklace of Vaheguru’s loving arms around their neck, constantly absorbed in a state of love and surrender.
They decorate themselves with the jewel of Naam, the most priceless jewel on earth.
ਸਾਈ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਮੋਲੁ ਕੀਮ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਜਾਣਦੋ ॥
The Master's Name is Priceless; no one knows its value.
If we want to enjoy this ultimate jewel, we should come to the Sharan (sanctuary) of the Guru and keep on doing Ardaas (humble request) to Guru Sahib Ji to bless us with Naam.
The Sanctity of Charan Dhoor
Towards the end, Guru Sahib Ji ends by a Benti (request) to Vaheguru Ji to bless us with the dust of the feet of the holy.
When we look back at history, we can see the importance of Jodeyan Di Sewa. When Sangat from Kabul came all the way to Amritsar to have Darshan of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, they eagerly went into the court (Darbaar) of the Guru and saw that the Takht (throne) was empty, as Guru Sahib Ji were the one doing the Sangat’s Jodeyan di Sewa outside.
When Baba Buddha Ji asked Guru Arjan Dev Ji, “Maharaj, why are you looking after the Sangat’s Jode?” Guru Sahib Ji replied that they see Guru Nanak’s Jode in the Jode of the Sangat. This is the kind of Shardha (faith) that Sangat has when they do Jodeyan Di Sewa. Who knows that if one of the Joda we are cleaning belongs to a Saint or Gurmukh, we could be liberated from the shackles of birth and death.
Message of the Month
In conclusion, the message of Maghar is to go into the company of those who are absorbed in Vaheguru’s love, do their Sewa and absorb their qualities and virtues. We should also reflect on our relationship with Vaheguru, are we the soul bride who is united with her Husband Lord, or are we suffering alone, away from Saadh Sangat? One must remember that very little can be achieved with the power of one's own self, but by singing the praises of Vaheguru in the Saadh Sangat, one can break away from the cycle of birth and death.
This article is a transcribed version of the Video Building a Relationship with God by Bibi Gurprit Kaur Ji.
