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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 Harr.
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.
Introduction
ਆਸਾੜੁ ਤਪੰਦਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਗੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੁ ਨ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਪਾਸਿ ॥
The month of Aasaarh seems burning hot, to those who are not close to their Husband Lord.
What was the connection within Guru Arjan Dev Ji that allowed them to feel calm even when sitting on a burning hot plate?
To cool off this physical body and avoid heat, we use various methods like taking a cold shower or turning on the air conditioner. But then comes the fire that burns us from the inside. This is the fire of the 5 thieves (lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride). We burn in the fire of jealousy and slander (gossiping about others), and this fire cannot be cooled down with air conditioners or fans.
Where Does the Heat Come from?
ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਕੈ ਮਾਣਸ ਸੰਦੀ ਆਸ ॥
Guru Sahib Ji explains that when we detach from the loving relationship with Vaheguru and Guru Sahib Ji and instead attach ourselves to the worldly realm, relying on friends, relatives, or colleagues for our inner well-being, we inevitably develop expectations. When these expectations go unmet, we experience inner turmoil and restlessness. True peace and stability can only be found in the one who bestowed this life upon us, Jagjeevan Vaheguru Ji. By fostering a relationship with Gurbani, Seva, and Simran, we can quench the inner fire of discontentment.
The Consequences
ਦੁਯੈ ਭਾਇ ਵਿਗੁਚੀਐ ਗਲਿ ਪਈਸੁ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਫਾਸ ॥
In the love of duality, the soul-bride is ruined; around her neck she wears the noose of Death.
Guru Sahib Ji teaches that attachment to the world leads to suffering in duality and the looming fear of death. The Guru’s Shabad rescues us from this fear and empowers us to face our Karam (past deeds) strongly. Without the strength derived from Naam (the connection to Vaheguru), reliance on the world exposes us to adversity and binds us with the fear of death.
ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਮਥੈ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿਆਸੁ ॥
As you plant, so shall you harvest; your destiny is recorded on your forehead.
Guru Sahib Ji emphasizes our responsibility to connect with Naam, engage in Gurbani, perform Seva (selfless service), and participate in Sangat (holy congregation). Through this connection with Vaheguru, we can even cleanse our past wrongdoings and begin anew.
ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੩॥੧॥
The Word of the Guru's Shabad eradicates the karma of millions of past actions. ||3||1||
How Do You Want to Leave this World?
ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ ਪਛੁਤਾਣੀ ਉਠਿ ਚਲੀ ਗਈ ਨਿਰਾਸ ॥
When we spend our whole life relying on others, we leave this world with regret and hopelessness. The desires we keep from the world can never be completely fulfilled and hence they leave us feeling upset. Instead, the way we want to leave this world is in Anand (bliss) and Santokh (contentment).
How Do We Change Ourselves?
ਜਿਨ ਕੌ ਸਾਧੂ ਭੇਟੀਐ ਸੋ ਦਰਗਹ ਹੋਇ ਖਲਾਸੁ ॥
Those who meet with the Holy Saints are liberated in the Court of the Lord.
Guru Sahib Ji says that those who attach to Sangat, the saints and Gursikhs, become aware of their disease (such as anger, ego, or lust) and the medicine (such as Gurbani, Seva and Simran). In this way, they work upon themselves and break their bondages with the Guru’s grace.
ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਪਣੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰਸਨ ਹੋਇ ਪਿਆਸ ॥
Show Your Mercy to me, O God; I am thirsty for the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan.
Without the yearning to meet Vaheguru, we burn in the fire of all these desires and vices. Guru Sahib Ji advises us to humbly plead to Vaheguru to bless us with the thirst, the desire to unite with them. With this one true desire in our hearts, we lead a life of bliss and hope.
How to Remain Cool this Month
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੁਧੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
Without You, God, there is no other at all. This is Nanak's humble prayer.
ਆਸਾੜੁ ਸੁਹੰਦਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਗੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਨਿਵਾਸ ॥੫॥
The month of Aasaarh is pleasant, when the Feet of the Lord abide in the mind. ||5||
Guru Sahib Ji concludes by saying that Vaheguru is everywhere and in everyone. Hence we make this Ardaas (humble player) to bless us with this true connection to see and experience Vaheguru everywhere. Those who attach themselves to this connection are filled with a soothing, loving sense of peace even if the whole world is burning. This is the same connection that made Guru Arjan Dev Ji say,
ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਮੀਠਾ ਲਾਗੈ ॥
Your actions seem so sweet to me.
as they sat on the burning hot plate with hot sand being poured over them. We too, can experience the strength of Naam and cool down our soul.
Reflection Questions for this Month
The first question to ponder upon this month is, “who am I attached to?” Are we attached to people around us, or to Vaheguru? Secondly, we ask, “do I place my hopes on people, or on Guru Sahib Ji?” Lastly, we ask, “do I wish to become free from my bondages, so that when I leave this world, I am in complete bliss and contentment.” If yes, then we must begin walking on the path of Naam (connection to Vaheguru).
This article is a transcribed version of the video Is Your Mind on Fire? by Bibi Gurprit Kaur Ji.
