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n this article, we will discuss the 6th Salok of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s Salok Mahala Nauva Baani.
The Ultimate Forgiver
ਪਤਿਤ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਭੈ ਹਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਅਨਾਥ ਕੇ ਨਾਥ ॥
He is the Saving Grace of sinners, the Destroyer of fear, the Master of the masterless.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਹ ਜਾਨੀਐ ਸਦਾ ਬਸਤੁ ਤੁਮ ਸਾਥਿ ॥੬॥
Says Nanak, realise and know Him, who is always with you. ||6||
In this Salok, Guru Sahib Ji shares some of the qualities of Vaheguru with us. Guru Sahib Ji begins by saying that Vaheguru is the ultimate forgiver and redeemer of sinners. At times, one may feel so burdened by mistakes made in the past that it becomes difficult to progress towards change, even if one wishes to. History shows us that the biggest of sinners have been saved when they entered the Guru’s sanctuary. Similarly, there is hope for us too, if we are willing to make this Ardaas (humble request) to Guru Sahib Ji, as described in the Gurbani below.
ਪਿਛਲੇ ਅਉਗੁਣ ਬਖਸਿ ਲਏ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਗੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
Please forgive my past actions, God, and place me on Your path for the future. ||2||
Vaheguru Ji’s heart is like that of a mother. Guru Sahib Ji explains to us and guides us on the right path, and then hugs us close again. The key is that we must be willing to surrender our ego and act according to the Guru’s wisdom, not our own minds.
ਜੈਸਾ ਬਾਲਕੁ ਭਾਇ ਸੁਭਾਈ ਲਖ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥
Like the child, innocently making thousands of mistakes
ਕਰਿ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਝਿੜਕੇ ਬਹੁ ਭਾਤੀ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਪਿਤਾ ਗਲਿ ਲਾਵੈ ॥
his father teaches him, and scolds him so many times, but still, he hugs him close in his embrace.
The Destroyer of Fear
Next, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji says that Vaheguru is ‘Bhai Haran’, meaning the destroyer of fear. Many things scare us today: the fear of the unknown future, the fear of death, and the fears that arise from various other insecurities. However, through Seva and Simran (selfless service and loving meditation on Vaheguru and reading Gurbani), we are blessed with a reverent fear of Vaheguru. This fear guides us to live a life centred around Gurmat (the Guru’s wisdom) and helps us overcome all our worldly fears.
ਡਡਾ ਡਰ ਉਪਜੇ ਡਰੁ ਜਾਈ ॥
DADDA: When the Fear of God wells up, other fears depart.
Master of the Masterless
‘Anaath’ refers to someone who doesn’t have a place to go, someone who lacks a home, a master, a protector. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji says that Vaheguru is the home of those who have no place to go. Spiritually, this is evident in how even when the world might betray us or when even our close ones forsake us, the love of Vaheguru is still ever-present, and we can feel its presence by being in Sangat (the holy company). Practically as well, over 10 Lakh people feed themselves through the Langar at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, every day. Here, Guru Ramdas Ji becomes the provider for those who have nowhere else to go or sustain themselves.
ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਨਾਹਿ ਕੋਇ ਹਾਂ ॥
One who has no one to call his own
ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸੋਇ ਹਾਂ ॥
Vaheguru is With You
In the second line of the Salok, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji encourages us to know within our hearts that, no matter where we are and how we might be feeling, Vaheguru is always with us. Guru Arjan Dev Ji offers a similar reminder in the following Gurbani Pangti.
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||
This inner knowing can only be blessed by Gurparsaad (the Guru’s grace), but we can certainly take steps towards this union by surrounding ourselves with Katha, Kirtan, and Gurbani. As Bhai Gurdaas Ji explains, when we enter the Saadh Sangat (holy company) and take even a single sincere step to connect with our Guru, the Guru comes to receive us with love, advancing a million steps towards us.
ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨ ਗੁਰੁ ਏਕ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ ॥
