Nanak Gupas Maal - These are not songs, these are flowers in a garland of oneness

Kāiā kūmal phul guṇ Nānak gupas māl.

Ėnī fulī rao kare avar kė cẖuṇīah dāl. ||1||

- Guru Nanak

Nānak ṯinā basanṯ hai jinĥ gẖar vasiā kanṯ.

Jin ke kanṯ ḏisāpurī se ahinis firėh jalanṯ. ||2||

- Guru Angad

Kāiā means body and kūmal could mean either soft (or compassionate) or leaf. Phul guṇ means flowers virtue. On my soft body there are flowers of virtue. These are the flowers that my love appreciates, what other branch (other than my body) should I pluck flowers from (for offering as prayers). 

These compositions are in continuation of the garland that Guru Nanak weaves.  To weave this garland the flowers come to me.  Fortunately, these are some of the most beautiful flowers that can be found ... the flowers from rare poetry from Guru Nanak and Guru Angad who shared these flowers with each other in Kartarpur in a love filled meditative evening after the daily toil of farming ... the flowers of raag, in this case raag basant, the flowers of musicians around the world who inspire me, in this case Carnatic Saxophonist Prasant Radhakrishnan who's beautiful music you can find here, ... the flowers of rhythm, in this case a rare 20-beat cycle (Arjun taal).  While I can these flowers mine, but they are as well yours ... to be enchanted with and to be inspired from.  This garland is mine but in essence it is every seekers. 

All of us seekers have Guru Nanak's opportunity of weaving a garland in our life.  Each day we breathe on this earth, we have the opportunity to weave a new flower into the ever-growing garland of oneness. Just as a flower perfumes its surroundings, our best actions imbue the world with a fragrant essence of kindness. And kindness, like Guru Nanak says, is the basis of spirituality.  These kind-bodied flowers (kaaya komal phul gun), our compassionate actions, inspire others to do good by their aroma, and in that way. However, unlike flowers that spurt in our gardens, they never die.  They constitute the lasting imprint we leave behind, our legacy that transcends time.

For those who wield the power of words, such as poets like Rabindranath Tagore or Walt Whitman, their poems about oneness become the exquisite flowers that grace this garland. With eloquence and artistry, they weave verses that evoke emotions, capturing the essence of the human experience. Similarly, singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Bhai Mardana express their innermost sentiments through melodic blooms, their songs resonating with the hearts of listeners, spreading joy, solace, or inspiration. Composers like Mozart and Ravi Shankar, too, contribute to this floral tapestry, their compositions like intricate petals that intertwine harmoniously, creating symphonies that touch the souls of those who encounter them. And let us not forget the artists, who paint, sculpt, and create with passion, their art pieces becoming vibrant flowers that capture the imagination and evoke profound emotions.

Throughout the seeker's life, he continues to weave these flowers in this garland, each one a testament to our unique gifts and passions, and equally our borrowed learnings that the seeker gives his own touches to. With each act of creation, each thoughtful deed, the seeker contributes to the ever-evolving beauty of the garland. The essence of this garland, composed of these flowers with boundless beauty, is what ultimately shapes our legacy. It is a reflection of the compassion, beauty, and creativity we infused into the world.

Dear seeker, as we embark on this journey of existence, let us carry within us the awareness that our life can be the garland of the beautiful flowers of our actions.  With every petal we add to the garland, we contribute to a more compassionate and vibrant world, ensuring that our legacy remains forever intertwined with the interconnectedness of all things. Let us embrace the opportunities that arise to spread kindness, understanding, and love and with every choice we make, may we be mindful of the impact it has on others and the world at large.

In this way, may our life become a radiant bouquet, an inspiring garland, a testament to the beauty that can unfold when we infuse our best compassionate actions. As the bouquet grows, let its fragrance linger in the hearts of those we touch, and let it inspire others to nurture their own unique flowers. May the legacy of humanity continue to flourish in the light of Guru Nanak and inspire generations yet to come about oneness.