CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE

How can one’s pre-ordained destiny be erased? It is written in accordance with the Lord’s Will. Without the Name of the Lord, no one can be saved. Through the Guru’s Teachings, we are united in His Union.

|| 7 || Without Him, I have no one to call my own. My soul and my breath of life belong to Him. May my egotism and possessiveness be burnt to ashes, and my greed and egotistical pride consigned to the fire. O Nanak, contemplating the Shabad, the Treasure of Excellence is obtained.

|| 8 || 10 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL: O mind, love the Lord, as the lotus loves the water. Tossed about by the waves, it still blossoms with love. In the water, the creatures are created; outside of the water they die. || 1 || O mind, how can you be saved without love? God permeates the inner beings of the Gurmukhs. They are blessed with the treasure of devotion.

|| 1 || Pause || O mind, love the Lord, as the fish loves the water. The more the water, the more the happiness, and the greater the peace of mind and body. Without water, she cannot live, even for an instant. God knows the suffering of her mind.

|| 2 || O mind, love the Lord, as the song-bird loves the rain. The pools are overflowing with water, and the land is luxuriantly green, but what are they to her, if that single drop of rain does not fall into her mouth? By His Grace, she receives it; otherwise, because of her past actions, she gives her head.

|| 3 || O mind, love the Lord, as the water loves the milk. The water, added to the milk, itself bears the heat, and prevents the milk from burning. God unites the separated ones with Himself again, and blesses them with true greatness. || 4 || O mind, love the Lord, as the chakvee duck loves the sun. She does not sleep, for an instant or a moment; the sun is so far away, but she thinks that it is near. Understanding does not come to the self-willed manmukh. But to the Gurmukh, the Lord is always close.

|| 5 || The selfwilled manmukhs make their calculations and plans, but only the actions of the Creator come to pass. His Value cannot be estimated, even though everyone may wish to do so. Through the Guru’s Teachings, it is revealed. Meeting with the True One, peace is found.

|| 6 || True love shall not be broken, if the True Guru is met. Obtaining the wealth of spiritual wisdom, the understanding of the three worlds is acquired. So become a customer of merit, and do not forget the Immaculate Naam, the Name of the Lord.

|| 7 || Those birds which peck at the shore of the pool have played and have departed. In a moment, in an instant, we too must depart. Our play is only for today or tomorrow. But those whom You unite, Lord, are united with You; they obtain a seat in the Arena of Truth.

|| 8 || Without the Guru, love does not well up, and the filth of egotism does not depart. One who recognizes within himself that, “He is me”, and who is pierced through by the Shabad, is satisfied. When one becomes Gurmukh and realizes his own self, what more is there left to do or have done? || 9 || Why speak of union to those who are already united with the Lord? Receiving the Shabad, they are satisfied. The self-willed manmukhs do not understand; separated from Him, they endure beatings. O Nanak, there is only the one door to His Home; there is no other place at all.

|| 10 || 11 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL: The self-willed manmukhs wander around, deluded and deceived. They find no place of rest. Without the Guru, no one is shown the Way. Like the blind, they continue coming and going. Having lost the treasure of spiritual wisdom, they depart, defrauded and plundered.

|| 1 || O Baba, Maya deceives with its illusion. Deceived by doubt, the discarded bride is not received into the Lap of her Beloved. || 1 || Pause || The deceived bride wanders around in foreign lands; she leaves, and abandons her own home. Deceived, she climbs the plateaus and mountains; her mind wavers in doubt. Separated from the Primal Being, how can she meet with Him again? Plundered by pride, she cries out and bewails.

|| 2 || The Guru unites the separated ones with the Lord again, through the love of the Delicious Name of the Lord. Through truth and intuitive poise, great honor is obtained, with the Support of the Naam and the Glory of the Lord. As it pleases You, Lord, please save and protect me. Without You, O my Husband Lord, who else is there for me?

|| 3 || Reading their books over and over again, people continue making mistakes; they are so proud of their religious robes. But what is the use of bathing at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, when the filth of stubborn pride is within the mind? Other than the Guru, who can explain that within the mind is the Lord, the King, the Emperor? || 4 || The Treasure of the Lord’s Love is obtained by the Gurmukh, who contemplates the essence of reality. The bride eradicates her selfishness, and adorns herself with the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. Within her own home, she finds her Husband, through infinite love for the Guru.

|| 5 || Applying oneself to the service of the Guru, the mind is purified, and peace is obtained. The Word of the Guru’s Shabad abides within the mind, and egotism is eliminated from within. The Treasure of the Naam is acquired, and the mind reaps the lasting profit. || 6 || If He grants His Grace, then we obtain it. We cannot find it by our own efforts. Remain attached to the Feet of the Guru, and eradicate selfishness from within. Attuned to Truth, you shall obtain the True One.

|| 7 || Everyone makes mistakes; only the Guru and the Creator are infallible. One who instructs his mind with the Guru’s Teachings comes to embrace love for the Lord. O Nanak, do not forget the Truth; you shall receive the Infinite Word of the Shabad. || 8 || 12 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL: The enticing desire for Maya leads people to become emotionally attached to their children, relatives, households and spouses. The world is deceived and plundered by riches, youth, greed and egotism. The drug of emotional attachment has destroyed me, as it has destroyed the whole world.

|| 1 || O my Beloved, I have no one except You. Without You, nothing else pleases me. Loving You, I am at peace. || 1 || Pause || I sing the Praises of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, with love; I am content with the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. Whatever is seen shall pass away. So do not be attached to this false show. Like a traveller in his travels, you have come. Behold the caravan leaving each day.

|| 2 || Many preach sermons, but without the Guru, understanding is not obtained. If someone receives the Glory of the Naam, he is attuned to truth and blessed with honor. Those who are pleasing to You are good; no one is counterfeit or genuine. || 3 || In the Guru’s Sanctuary we are saved. The assets of the self-willed manmukhs are false. The eight metals of the King are made into coins by the Word of His Shabad. The Assayer Himself assays them, and He places the genuine ones in His Treasury.

|| 4 || Your Value cannot be appraised; I have seen and tested everything. By speaking, His Depth cannot be found. Abiding in truth, honor is obtained. Through the Guru’s Teachings, I praise You; otherwise, I cannot describe Your Value. || 5 || That body which does not appreciate the Naam – that body is infested with egotism and conflict. Without the Guru, spiritual wisdom is not obtained; other tastes are poison. Without virtue, nothing is of any use. The taste of Maya is bland and insipid.

|| 6 || Through desire, people are cast into the womb and reborn. Through desire, they taste the sweet and sour flavors. Bound by desire, they are led on, beaten and struck on their faces and mouths. Bound and gagged and assaulted by evil, they are released only through the Name, through the Guru’s Teachings.

|| 7 || In all places, You are the One and Only. As it pleases You, Lord, please save and protect me! Through the Guru’s Teachings, the True One abides within the mind. The Companionship of the Naam brings the most excellent honor. Eradicate the disease of egotism, and chant the True Shabad, the Word of the True Lord.

|| 8 || You are pervading throughout the Akaashic Ethers, the nether regions and the three worlds. You Yourself are bhakti, loving devotional worship. You Yourself unite us in Union with Yourself. O Nanak, may I never forget the Naam! As is Your Pleasure, so is Your Will. || 9 || 13 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL: My mind is pierced through by the Name of the Lord. What else should I contemplate? Focusing your awareness on the Shabad, happiness wells up. Attuned to God, the most excellent peace is found. As it pleases You, please save me, Lord. The Name of the Lord is my Support.

|| 1 || O mind, the Will of our Lord and Master is true. Focus your love upon the One who created and adorned your body and mind. TO BE CONTINUED