Guru Tegh Bahadur's 'Ab Main Kahaa Karon Ri Mai'

Guru Tegh Bahadur's "Ab Main Kahaa Karoun Ri Mai"




Notes from December 2018


Guru Nanak's 550th birthday celebrations (#GuruNanak550​) continue. Today I'm publishing a new arrangement of a shabad I have been singing for many years (see below for lyrics and translation). The shabad was written by the 9th master of Guru Nanak's lineage, Guru Tegh Bahadur (1 April 1621 – 24 November 1675). Guru Tegh Bahadur died for the freedom of religion and today (Dec 12, 2018) is when his martyrdom is being commemorated. 

Guru Tegh Bahadur continued in the spirit of the first guru, Nanak; his 116 poetic hymns are registered in Guru Granth Sahib. His bani includes "the shloks of the 9th master", regarded by many as the summary of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

Guru Tegh Bahadur resisted the forced conversions of Kashmiri Pandits and non-Muslims to Islam, and was publicly beheaded in 1675 on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi for himself refusing to convert to Islam and saving Kashmiri pandits and other non-muslims or as viewed by Muslims that he was condemned to death for waging war but was offered at last moment that reverting to Islam will save him, which he declined as he wanted to be in Sikh rehat till his last breath. 

Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi mark the places of execution and cremation of the Guru's body. 

Lyrics & Translation

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥ 
मारू महला ९ ॥ 
Mārū mėhlā 9. 
Maaroo, Ninth Mehl: 

ਅਬ ਮੈ ਕਹਾ ਕਰਉ ਰੀ ਮਾਈ ॥ 
अब मै कहा करों री माई ॥ 
Ab mai kahā karao rī māī. 
What should I do now, O mother? 

ਸਗਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਬਿਖਿਅਨ ਸਿਉ ਖੋਇਆ ਸਿਮਰਿਓ ਨਾਹਿ ਕਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ 
सगल जनम बिख्यन स्यों खोया सिमर्यो नाहीं कन्हाई ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥ 
Sagal janam bikẖyan sio kẖoyā simryo nāhi kanĥāī. ||1|| rahāo. 
I have wasted my whole life in sin and corruption; I never remembered Kanhai ||1||Pause|| 

Another translation of this line could be "I have wasted my whole life in poisonous pursuits." Poisonous pursuits seems such a wonderful way of saying what the Guru meant. Good poetry sometimes juxtaposes words that would normally never meet. I guess good poetry makes friends out of strangers. 

ਕਾਲ ਫਾਸ ਜਬ ਗਰ ਮਹਿ ਮੇਲੀ ਤਿਹ ਸੁਧਿ ਸਭ ਬਿਸਰਾਈ ॥ 
काल फास जब गर मह मेली तह सुध सब बिसराई ॥ 
Kāl phās jab gar mėh melī ṯeh suḏẖ sabẖ bisrāī. 
When Death places the noose around my neck, then I lose all my senses. 

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਯਾ ਸੰਕਟ ਮਹਿ ਕੋ ਅਬ ਹੋਤ ਸਹਾਈ ॥੧॥ 
राम नाम बिन या संकट मह को अब होत सहाई ॥१॥ 
Rām nām bin yā sankat mėh ko ab hoṯ sahāī. ||1|| 
Now, in this disaster, other than the Name of the Lord, who will be my help and support? ||1|| 

ਜੋ ਸੰਪਤਿ ਅਪਨੀ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੀ ਛਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਭਈ ਪਰਾਈ ॥ 
जो स्मपत अपनी कर मानी छिन मह भई पराई ॥ 
Jo sampaṯ apnī kar mānī cẖẖin mėh bẖaī parāī. 
That wealth, which he believes to be his own, in an instant, belongs to another. 

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਯਹ ਸੋਚ ਰਹੀ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਕਬਹੂ ਨ ਗਾਈ ॥੨॥੨॥ 
कहो नानक यह सोच रही मन हर जस कभूँ न गाई ॥२॥२॥ 
Kaho Nānak yėh socẖ rahī man har jas kabhū na gāī. ||2||2|| 
Says Nanak, this still really bothers my mind - I never sang the Praises of the Lord. ||2||2||


Notes from November 2017


These are notes I took for doing katha at the gurdwara ... some of the thoughts might not be complete.

WHOEVER COMES HAS TO GO

Everyone dies. That is the truth. The going joke is that the only two things that are certain in life are death and taxes. When the human body is born, it starts dying. Guru Nanak says that whosoever has come shall depart; all shall have their turn.

Guru Nanak in Raag Asa
ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਰਣਾ ਕੀਓ ਕਲ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਤੈ ਧਾਰੀਐ ॥
ਦੇਖਹਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਰਿ ਕਚੀ ਪਕੀ ਸਾਰੀਐ ॥
ਜੋ ਆਇਆ ਸੋ ਚਲਸੀ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਆਈ ਵਾਰੀਐ ॥
ਜਿਸ ਕੇ ਜੀਅ ਪਰਾਣ ਹਹਿ ਕਿਉ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮਨਹੁ ਵਿਸਾਰੀਐ ॥
ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥

EVERYONE HAS TO GO; THERE IS NO EXCEPTION

Some go faster, some slower. So go earlier, some later. But everyone goes. Even the greatest of the great go.

Guru Tegh Bahadur -

ਰਾਮੁ ਗਇਓ ਰਾਵਨੁ ਗਇਓ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਬਹੁ ਪਰਵਾਰੁ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਕਛੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਜਿਉ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥੫੦॥

Kise Urdu Shaayar says -

Mile Khaak Me Ahl-E-Shaan Kaise Kaise
Makeen Ho Gaye La Makaan Kaise Kaise
Hue Naamwar Be Nishaan Kaise Kaise
Zameen Kha Gayi Asmaan Kaise Kaise

So many who were proud are mixed in dust
Many with homes are now homeless
So many with high names, have no sign any more
The earth has eaten so many skies!


ONLY TIME IS TIMELESS

While the meaning of "Kaal" is time, it came to be known as Death. Because Time takes away. Everyone is eaten by time. Whatever comes in time, goes in time. Again Kaal has to do with Sansaar. While akaal has to do with Nirankaar.

Time is very important. Guru Gobind Singh says this about time, or Kaal:

ਸਵੈਯਾ ॥
ਕਾਲ ਹੀ ਪਾਇ ਭਯੋ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਸੁ ਜਾਗਤ ਯਾ ਜਗ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਕਲਾ ਹੈ ॥
ਕਾਲ ਹੀ ਪਾਇ ਭਯੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਸਿਵ ਕਾਲ ਹੀ ਪਾਇ ਭਯੋ ਜੁਗੀਆ ਹੈ ॥
ਕਾਲ ਹੀ ਪਾਇ ਸੁਰਾਸੁਰ ਗੰਧ੍ਰਬ ਜੱਛ ਭੁਜੰਗ ਦਿਸਾ ਬਿਦਿਸਾ ਹੈ ॥
ਔਰ ਸੁਕਾਲ ਸਭੈ ਬਸ ਕਾਲ ਕੇ ਏਕ ਹੀ ਕਾਲ ਅਕਾਲ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ॥੮੪॥

Kaal has to do with Sansaar. And Akaal has to do with Nirankaar. But Kaal is a form of Akaal. Just like Sansaar is a form of Nirankaar. The only thing that is timeless is time. The entirety of time is timeless. The entirety of Sansaar is Nirankaar. 

There is difference between time and timeless
sansaar is in time. nirankaar is without time.
whatever is attained in time, time takes away. birth. youth. old age. 
everything is in time. 

We have made the divisions - future, present, past.

If kaal is god. remembering kaal is like remembering god. therefore there is so much of an emphasis on remembering death. that we have a short time here in life. and that we should be accomplishing whatever we need to accomplish.

 LIFE IS RUNNING AWAY; YOU CAN'T RUN FROM DEATH.

ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥

ਬੀਤ ਜੈਹੈ ਬੀਤ ਜੈਹੈ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਕਾਜੁ ਰੇ ॥
ਨਿਸਿ ਦਿਨੁ ਸੁਨਿ ਕੈ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਮਝਤ ਨਹ ਰੇ ਅਜਾਨ ॥
ਕਾਲੁ ਤਉ ਪਹੂਚਿਓ ਆਨਿ ਕਹਾ ਜੈਹੈ ਭਾਜਿ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਜੋ ਮਾਨਿਓ ਦੇਹ ਸੋ ਤਉ ਤੇਰਉ ਹੋਇ ਹੈ ਖੇਹ ॥
ਕਿਉ ਨ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੇਹਿ ਮੂਰਖ ਨਿਲਾਜ ਰੇ ॥੧॥

ਰਾਮ ਭਗਤਿ ਹੀਏ ਆਨਿ ਛਾਡਿ ਦੇ ਤੈ ਮਨ ਕੋ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਇਹ ਬਖਾਨਿ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਬਿਰਾਜੁ ਰੇ ॥੨॥੪॥

Slipping away - your life is uselessly slipping away.
Night and day, you listen to the Puraanas, but you do not understand them, you ignorant fool!
Death has arrived; now where will you run? ||1||Pause||

You believed that this body was permanent, but it shall turn to dust.
Why don't you chant the Name of the Lord, you shameless fool? ||1||

 Let devotional worship of the Lord enter into your heart, and abandon the intellectualism of your mind.
O Servant Nanak, this is the way to live in the world. ||2||4||


YOU ARE IGNORING TRUTH LIKE AN ANIMAL

In Bilawal Guru Arjan Says,
ਮਿਰਤੁ ਹਸੈ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰੇ ਪਸੂਆ ਨਹੀ ਬੂਝੈ ॥
ਬਾਦ ਸਾਦ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਮਹਿ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਹੀ ਸੂਝੈ ॥੧॥

 ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਹੁ ਆਪਨਾ ਕਾਹੇ ਫਿਰਹੁ ਅਭਾਗੇ ॥
ਦੇਖਿ ਕਸੁੰਭਾ ਰੰਗੁਲਾ ਕਾਹੇ ਭੂਲਿ ਲਾਗੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

YOU ARE ENTANGLED IN THE USELESS PLAY OF MAYA

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਦਰੀਆਵੈ ਕੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਬਗੁਲਾ ਬੈਠਾ ਕੇਲ ਕਰੇ ॥
ਕੇਲ ਕਰੇਦੇ ਹੰਝ ਨੋ ਅਚਿੰਤੇ ਬਾਜ ਪਏ ॥
ਬਾਜ ਪਏ ਤਿਸੁ ਰਬ ਦੇ ਕੇਲਾਂ ਵਿਸਰੀਆਂ ॥
ਜੋ ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਚੇਤੇ ਸਨਿ ਸੋ ਗਾਲੀ ਰਬ ਕੀਆਂ ॥੯੯॥

'Fareed, the crane perches on the river bank, playing joyfully.
While it is playing, a hawk suddenly pounces upon it.
When the Hawk of God attacks, playful sport is forgotten.
God does what is not expected or even not foreseen'.



EVEN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES ARE CONSUMPTION; THEY ARE USELESS

Guru Gobind Singh: 
ਕਹਾ ਭਯੋ ਜੋ ਦੋਉ ਲੋਚਨ ਮੂੰਦ ਕੈ ਬੈਠਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਬਕ ਧਿਆਨ ਲਗਾਇਓ ॥
ਨ੍ਹਾਤ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਲੀਏ ਸਾਤ ਸਮੁਦ੍ਰਨਿ ਲੋਕ ਗਯੋ ਪਰਲੋਕ ਗਵਾਇਓ ॥
ਬਾਸ ਕੀਓ ਬਿਖਿਆਨ ਸੋ ਬੈਠ ਕੈ ਐਸੇ ਹੀ ਐਸੇ ਸੁ ਬੈਸ ਬਿਤਾਇਓ ॥
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪਾਇਓ ॥9॥29॥

We are focused on Jhooth, Not Saach:

ਦੇਵਗੰਧਾਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥

ਜਗਤ ਮੈ ਝੂਠੀ ਦੇਖੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ॥
ਅਪਨੇ ਹੀ ਸੁਖ ਸਿਉ ਸਭ ਲਾਗੇ ਕਿਆ ਦਾਰਾ ਕਿਆ ਮੀਤ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਮੇਰਉ ਮੇਰਉ ਸਭੈ ਕਹਤ ਹੈ ਹਿਤ ਸਿਉ ਬਾਧਿਓ ਚੀਤ ॥
ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਸੰਗੀ ਨਹ ਕੋਊ ਇਹ ਅਚਰਜ ਹੈ ਰੀਤਿ ॥੧॥

ਮਨ ਮੂਰਖ ਅਜਹੂ ਨਹ ਸਮਝਤ ਸਿਖ ਦੈ ਹਾਰਿਓ ਨੀਤ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਪਾਰਿ ਪਰੈ ਜਉ ਗਾਵੈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੇ ਗੀਤ ॥੨॥੩॥੬॥੩੮॥੪੭॥


YOU ARE NOT SINGING
YOU WASTE YOUR NIGHT SLEEPING
AND YOUR DAY CONSUMING


Guru Nanak says:

ਗਉੜੀ ਬੈਰਾਗਣਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥

ਰੈਣਿ ਗਵਾਈ ਸੋਇ ਕੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਖਾਇ ॥
ਹੀਰੇ ਜੈਸਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਉਡੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥

ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਕਾ ॥
ਮੂੜੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਛੁਤਾਹਿ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਅਨਤਾ ਧਨੁ ਧਰਣੀ ਧਰੇ ਅਨਤ ਨ ਚਾਹਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਅਨਤ ਕਉ ਚਾਹਨ ਜੋ ਗਏ ਸੇ ਆਏ ਅਨਤ ਗਵਾਇ ॥੨॥

ਆਪਣ ਲੀਆ ਜੇ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਭਾਗਠੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਕਰਮਾ ਉਪਰਿ ਨਿਬੜੈ ਜੇ ਲੋਚੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥੩॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਣਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਆ ਸੋਈ ਸਾਰ ਕਰੇਇ ॥

ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਪੀ ਖਸਮ ਕਾ ਕਿਸੈ ਵਡਾਈ ਦੇਇ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੮॥


WE ARE FOCUSED ON POISON

ਹਮ ਅਵਗੁਣਿ ਭਰੇ ਏਕੁ ਗੁਣੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਛਾਡਿ ਬਿਖੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਖਾਈ ॥
ਮਾਯਾ ਮੋਹ ਭਰਮ ਪੈ ਭੂਲੇ ਸੁਤ ਦਾਰਾ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਗਾਈ ॥
ਇਕੁ ਉਤਮ ਪੰਥੁ ਸੁਨਿਓ ਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਤਿਹ ਮਿਲੰਤ ਜਮ ਤ੍ਰਾਸ ਮਿਟਾਈ ॥
ਇਕ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਭਾਟ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਕੀ ਗੁਰ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੪॥੫੮॥

We leave amrit, and we consume poison
Poisons are of two kinds - ones that are consumed by the body. And ones that are produced by our minds. Buddhists say there are three kinds of poisons that affect our mind: these posions all emanate from ego: Greed, Hatred and Ignorance. 

Eating good is important. There is so much importance about eating organic food. Because organic food does not have fertilizers have toxins. Toxins can cause the body to become weak. 

Bad thoughts are toxins for the mind. Buddhists say there are three categories of poisons: greed, hatred and ignorance. These are toxins of the mind.  

But we cannot get rid of these. It is important to have some greed. If there was no greed there wouldn't be so much progress in mankind.  If there was no lust there would be no human race.


POISONS DESTROY US VERY FAST - THEY ARE DEVASTATING

Bhai Gurdas - Kabitt Savaiyye

ਜੈਸੇ ਬਿਖ ਤਨਕ ਹੀ ਖਾਤ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਤਿ ਤਾਤ ਗਾਤਿ ਮੁਰਝਾਤ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲੀ ਬਰਖਨ ਕੀ ।
ਜੈਸੇ ਕੋਟਿ ਭਾਰਿ ਤੂਲਿ ਰੰਚਕ ਚਿਨਗ ਪਰੇ ਹੋਤ ਭਸਮਾਤ ਛਿਨ ਮੈ ਅਕਰਖਨ ਕੀ ।
ਮਹਿਖੀ ਦੁਹਾਇ ਦੂਧ ਰਾਖੀਐ ਭਾਂਜਨ ਭਰਿ ਪਰਤਿ ਕਾਂਜੀ ਕੀ ਬੂੰਦ ਬਾਦਿ ਨ ਰਖਨ ਕੀ ।
ਤੈਸੇ ਪਰ ਤਨ ਧਨ ਦੂਖਨਾ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਕੀਏ ਹਰੈ ਨਿਧਿ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਤ ਸਹਜ ਹਰਖਨ ਕੀ ॥੫੦੬॥
ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ : ਕਬਿੱਤ ੫੦੬ ਪੰ. ੪

Just as by taking a very small quantity of poison, one dies instantly, destroying the body that had been reared and sustained over many years.
Just as a spark of fire can burn millions of bales of cotton in a short time.
Just as a can of milk of buffalo contaminated with a drop of citric acid becomes useless and not worth keeping.
Similarly, the vices and sins that one acquires by associating oneself with other's wealth and beauty, one loses the much valuable commodity of happiness, good deeds and peace.  (506)



BE FOCUSED ON AMRIT - 

 BANI IS AMRIT; GURBANI HAS AMRIT NAAM

Amrit Bani Har Har Teri -

ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿੰਨਿ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੋ ॥
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਪਇਓ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭਸੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥
ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ ॥
ਏਹ ਵਸਤੁ ਤਜੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਰਖੁ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੋ ॥

ਤਮ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਸਾਰੋ ॥੧॥

When you add truth, add contentment, add wisdom -- which all arise from amrit naam -- you dilute these toxins away. And you have a healthy mind. A healthy mind is the gateway to contentment. 

Saint Augustine, who is often seen as a luminary in Christianity talks about morality as being key to happiness.  He said that the problem is that we do not order our love correctly.  We are after things that don't necessarily give us happiness.  We go after Moti, Mandar, we go after Mohini, beautiful companions. The solution that the buddhists have is to remove these.  Get rid of all your wealth and become sanyasis and bachelors and bachelorettes.  But the solution of Guru Nanak is different. He says, its ok to enjoy the wealth, but to always remember Naam.  Amrit Naam. Which will give rise to Sat, Santokh and Gyaan. 

WE CAN CONSUME AMRIT BY LISTENING -

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਅਠਸਠਿ ਕਾ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਲਾਗੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੧੦॥


BY LISTENING FEAR OF DEATH IS CONQUERED

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਸਿਧ ਪੀਰ ਸੁਰਿ ਨਾਥ ॥
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਧਰਤਿ ਧਵਲ ਆਕਾਸ ॥
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੀਪ ਲੋਅ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥
ਸੁਣਿਐ ਪੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕਾਲੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥

ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੮॥

ਜਪਿ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਲਾਲੁ।। 
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਤੂ ਜੀਵਹਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਨ ਖਾਈ ਮਹਾ ਕਾਲੁ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ || (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮ: ੫, ਅੰ: ੮੮੫)
Rabindranath Tagore says:

O thou the last fulfilment of life,
Death, my death, come and whisper to me!

Day after day I have kept watch for thee;
for thee have I borne the joys and pangs of life.

All that I am, that I have, that I hope and all my love
have ever flowed towards thee in depth of secrecy.

One final glance from thine eyes
and my life will be ever thine own.

The flowers have been woven
and the garland is ready for the bridegroom.

After the wedding the bride shall leave her home
and meet her lord alone in the solitude of night. 


Allama Iqbal

Lahad Mein Bhi Yehi Ghaib-o-Huzoor Rehta Hai
Agar Ho Zinda To Dil Na-Suboor Rehta Hai

Meh-o-Sitara, Misal-e-Shararah Yak Do Nafas
Mai-e-Khudi Ka Abad Tak Suroor Rehta Hai

Farishta Mout Ka Chhuta Hai Go Badan Tera
Tere Wujood Ke Markaz Se Door Rehta Ha!


Yeh Nukta Maine Seekha Bul Hassan Se

ये नुक्ता मैं ने सीखा बुल-हसन से
कि जाँ मरती नहीं मर्ग-ए-बदन से
चमक सूरज में क्या बाक़ी रहेगी

अगर बे-ज़ार हो अपनी किरन से


ARE YOU WASTING YOUR TIME?

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਦਰੀਆਵੈ ਕੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਬਗੁਲਾ ਬੈਠਾ ਕੇਲ ਕਰੇ ॥
ਕੇਲ ਕਰੇਦੇ ਹੰਝ ਨੋ ਅਚਿੰਤੇ ਬਾਜ ਪਏ ॥
ਬਾਜ ਪਏ ਤਿਸੁ ਰਬ ਦੇ ਕੇਲਾਂ ਵਿਸਰੀਆਂ ॥
ਜੋ ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਚੇਤੇ ਸਨਿ ਸੋ ਗਾਲੀ ਰਬ ਕੀਆਂ ॥੯੯॥

'Fareed, the crane perches on the river bank, playing joyfully.
While it is playing, a hawk suddenly pounces upon it.
When the Hawk of God attacks, playful sport is forgotten.
God does what is not expected or even not foreseen'.



The time of our birth is not in our hands. The time of our death is not in our hands. The little time that we have in this life, is however, in our hands. Between the B of birth, and the D of death, in our hands is the C of choice.

When you are ready for death. If death comes today I will have fulfilled everything I wanted to do in life. I am ready.

ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਰਣਾ ਕੀਓ ਕਲ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਤੈ ਧਾਰੀਐ ॥
ਦੇਖਹਿ ਕੀਤਾ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਰਿ ਕਚੀ ਪਕੀ ਸਾਰੀਐ ॥
ਜੋ ਆਇਆ ਸੋ ਚਲਸੀ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਆਈ ਵਾਰੀਐ ॥
ਜਿਸ ਕੇ ਜੀਅ ਪਰਾਣ ਹਹਿ ਕਿਉ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮਨਹੁ ਵਿਸਾਰੀਐ ॥

ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥





We waste our time. We often do not spend our time on what we are truly passionate about. Do we even take the time to learn about what we are so passionate about? What percentage of the time did you spend today for instance doing something that you are passionate about. 

What is this Naam. Naam can transform us.  Naam channels our passions.  Passion can lead us astray. Passion can lead us to a fulfilling life.  Thats why we need Gurbani. 

Why do we have to do it everyday. Because we need to be reminded everyday. There are so many distractions. Life is like a browser with multiple tabs.  I keep these tabs open. We leave so much incomplete. How can we lead a complete contented life if we leave so many things incomplete. 

Do you have time. Time to read. Time to explore. Time to spend with your family. With friends. To spend with other people who help you with your goals. That is where Saadh Sangat comes in. You have to find Saadh Sangat. If you are coming to the Gurdwara, sitting here.  

Your passion can be traveling. Your passion can be archery.  Your passion might be knitting. It can be writing. Your passion might be compiling other people's works. Your passion maybe cooking. Your passion can be business. Gurbani or the poetry of oneness helps all of us.  It helps us channel our passions. 

Alarm

The alarm clock. We shut it down. Does nothing. The alarm rings again. There are two kinds of people. Ones that shut the alarm and go back to sleep and ones who wake up. 

Traveling in a train or traveling in a car
You have a choice. You can take the train. And you lose all control over what you can emphasize on. You go wherever the train goes. Instead you can also be traveling in a car.

Guru Tegh Bahadur says, "Life is slipping away. Soon death will come. Then where will you run?"

Life is running away from you.
But you cannot run away from death.

Death is a reminder of an urgency. An urgency to do what you need to do. To fulfill your purpose in life. There are only around 30,000 days that an average human lives these days. Today is one such day. The question is what have you done today that makes you of deserving this life as a gift.

Death is a great equalizer. The best of us will die and so will the worst. The richest and the poorest will die.  So in the end we will go back to the five elements that we came from.  

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