GURBANI

Barah Mah

Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s message for each month.

Raag Maajh
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Ang 133

Introduction

Highlighting our place in the fabric of nature, the jīv-istrī (soul-bride) is portrayed in two key compositions, by the first and fifth Gurus, known as Barah Mah, the Twelve Months. Here, her inward evolution is evoked through the sights and sounds of nature across the seasons, from the blossoming of spring and intense heat of summer, to the downpours of the rainy season and darkening nights of autumn to the frosts of winter. As the rainbird sings or the frogs and peacocks call, an awareness surfaces within her of the pain of separation from God, who is imagined as a far-away husband. Observing the ever-changing landscape, the jīv-istrī becomes conscious of her potential to spiritually wither or come alive, by forgetfully entangling herself in the material world or by living in loving remembrance of the Divine. Through her, the Gurus teach that, whilst we might reject or forget the Creator’s existence, or superficially pursue rituals to ‘find’ God, it is inner change that evokes the Beloved’s long-awaited return, bringing deep joy and peace to the home of her heart.

The verses below were composed by the fifth Guru.

Chet (Mar - Apr)

ਚੇਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਅਰਾਧੀਐ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਨµਦੁ ਘਣਾ ॥
ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਿਲ ਪਾਈਐ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਣਾ ॥
ਜਿਿਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਏ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਗਣਾ ॥
ਇਕੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਜੀਵਣਾ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਣਾ ॥
ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਰਵਿਆ ਵਿਿਚ ਵਣਾ ॥
ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚਿਿਤ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਕਿਤੜਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਗਣਾ ॥
ਜਿਨੀ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤਿੰਨਾ ਭਾਗੁ ਮਣਾ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੰਉ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਿਆਸ ਮਨਾ ॥
ਚੇਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਪਾਇ ਲਗਾ ॥2॥

Guru Ji reminds us that by meditating on the Name of the Lord – a pure profound inner joy begins to arise gradually from deep within one’s soul. It’s like a gentle awakening of nature after a long spell of frosty winter, when the first glimpse of – a few dancing daffodils opening up of multi coloured buds gently, and the white and pink clusters of cherry blossom bringing the colour in the otherwise dreary looking garden, makes one realise that the Spring is here. Similarly when utterance of His Name (may it be Raam, Raheem, Allah or Waheguru) begins to bring tears of joy in one’s eyes, singing and listening to His praises causes unexplainable heartache as well as inner bliss and one begins to experience the closeness to God; that moment of spiritual awakening is really like being born again and that in fact is the month of Chet in one’s life. It’s only by spending time in the company of saintly souls that one can learn to recite His Divine Name with one’s tongue. Blessed are those, who through meditation, have established a close link with God. They have really made their human existence/lives worthwhile. Living without God realisation even for an instant makes this life shallow and worthless. The Lord, who resides in the whole universe i.e. in the water, earth, sky, forests and all the spaces in between, if one never remembers him deep within the realms of one’s heart, life becomes really painful and emotionally agonising for one without even realising it. Whilst those who have embraced his name deep within their souls; they are truly blessed with the great fortune. Guru Ji says, my mind and soul is longing for His divine glimpse with an undying intense thirst (a very few blessed souls have that never ending thirst). So much so that, in this month of Chet, whosoever unites me with the beloved Lord, I would bow and lovingly touch their feet in heartfelt gratitude.

Vaisakh (Apr - May)

ਵੈਸਾਖਿ ਧੀਰਨਿ ਕਿਉ ਵਾਢੀਆ ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਿਛੋਹੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਕੈ ਲਗੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਧੋਹੁ ॥
ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਧਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਅਵਿਨਾਸੀ ਓਹੁ ॥
ਪਲਚਿ ਪਲਚਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਮੁਈ ਝੂਠੈ ਧੰਧੈ ਮੋਹੁ ॥
ਇਕਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਗੈ ਲਈਅਹਿ ਖੋਹਿ ॥
ਦਯੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਵਿਗੁਚਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਚਰਣੀ ਜੋ ਲਗੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਵੈਸਾਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਤਾਂ ਲਗੈ ਜਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਇ ॥3॥

In the joyous month of Vaisakh,
How can the inner self find consolation and contentment
If, like a wife separated from her husband,
We discard and reject the love of our Beloved Lord?

Forgetting our True Companion,
We allow the termites of mammon to engulf and consume us
Yet, in this life, all our relationships and possessions are transitory;
Only He is Everlasting

In our abject suffering, we are dying a spiritual death,
Caught in the entanglements of falsehood
Without His Name in our heart, we lose out in this life and the life hereafter
Forgetting God, we remain restless and dissatisfied;
Without Him there is no source of fulfilment

Only those who take the shelter of His feet
Are able to find inner purity and peace
Says Nanak, ‘Oh Lord, this is my humble prayer: please unite me to Yourself
Vaisakh becomes truly beautiful and joyful,
When we find You through the company of kindled souls.’

Jeth (May - Jun)

ਹਰਿ ਜੇਠਿ ਜੁੜੰਦਾ ਲੋੜੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਅਗੈ ਸਭਿ ਨਿਵੰਨਿ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣ ਦਾਵਣਿ ਲਗਿਆ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਦੇਈ ਬੰਨਿ ॥
ਮਾਣਕ ਮੋਤੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਉਨ ਲਗੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਸੰਨਿ ॥
ਰੰਗ ਸਭੇ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੈ ਜੇਤੇ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੰਨਿ ॥
ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਲੋੜੇ ਸੋ ਕਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਜੀਅ ਕਰੰਨਿ ॥
ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕੀਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੇਈ ਕਹੀਅਹਿ ਧੰਨਿ ॥
ਆਪਣ ਲੀਆ ਜੇ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਿਛੁੜਿ ਕਿਉ ਰੋਵੰਨਿ ॥
ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗੁ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਣੰਨਿ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਜੇਠੁ ਰੰਗੀਲਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਧਣੀ ਜਿਸ ਕੈ ਭਾਗੁ ਮਥੰਨਿ ॥4॥

The month of Jeth marks the beginning of the summer season, reminding us of the constant transition and diversity in God’s creation and of the un-debateable fact that God is the ultimate authority. That is why God commands an awe, respect and love of all creatures. Holding on tight to the metaphorical hem of God’s robe ie developing an unconditional selfless love and steadfast faith in God’s supremacy, helps one to be free from the bonds of worldly attachments and the fear of death, because the ‘true friend’ will not let any harm come to those who take shelter and put their faith in God.

God’s name (nām) is such a priceless and unique jewel that it can never be stolen or taken away by any thief; whereas there is always a fear of worldly possessions and precious stones (diamonds, pearls and rubies etc ) getting lost or taken away. When we acquire the wisdom to realise that it is only through God’s divine grace that human beings enjoy all the worldly merriments.

Only then one also learns to submit to God’s will without any doubt or any question and realises that God is the master regulator and the hand at the reins of everything. Blessed are those who are pulled into God’s shelter by God himself, it’s only through divine mercy that those fortunate blessed beings can engrave God’s name in the deepest realms of their mind and soul.

If one could meet and get in tune with God through ones own efforts, intellect or wisdom, why would one cry in anguish when that bond is broken? i.e. When one is separated from one’s source of life. Only those who are blessed with the companionship of the holy can enjoy the bliss of ultimate union. Again only through God’s grace and not by one’s own wisdom or intellect. These people are always in a blissful state of mind.

Even the month of Jeth is colourful and pleasant for those blessed souls, who are pre-destined to be immersed in nām, through God’s grace.

Asaarh (Jun - Jul)

ਆਸਾੜੁ ਤਪੰਦਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਗੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੁ ਨ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਪਾਸਿ ॥
ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਕੈ ਮਾਣਸ ਸੰਦੀ ਆਸ ॥
ਦੁਯੈ ਭਾਇ ਵਿਗੁਚੀਐ ਗਲਿ ਪਈਸੁ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਫਾਸ ॥
ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਮਥੈ ਜੋ ਲਿਿਖਆਸੁ ॥
ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ ਪਛੁਤਾਣੀ ਉਠਿ ਚਲੀ ਗਈ ਨਿਰਾਸ ॥
ਜਿਨ ਕੌ ਸਾਧੂ ਭੇਟੀਐ ਸੋ ਦਰਗਹ ਹੋਇ ਖਲਾਸੁ ॥
ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਪਣੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰਸਨ ਹੋਇ ਪਿਆਸ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੁਧੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
ਆਸਾੜੁ ਸੁਹੰਦਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਲਗੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਨਿਵਾਸ ॥5॥

The blazing heat in the month of Asaarh reminds us of the anguish that one suffers when one’s heart is void of God’s presence. One has abandoned the creator and sustainer of the world, only to be attached to false and shallow worldly relationships, with all their limitations.

Absorbed in the love of duality, the poor individual is left trapped, with the noose of death around their neck, forgetting all the while that ‘you reap what you sow’.

It’s worth remembering that we write our own destiny not only through our actions but also throughout our inner thoughts, with every passing minute. Like the passing light, our life is ebbing away with each breath: we will be left with a sense of disappointment and sorrow, having lost the precious chance of attaining union with God.

However, those who are blessed with the company of the holy, find spiritual liberation and fulfilment in God’s divine court. Guru Ji encourages us to make a humble plea and say: ‘Forgiving God, please shower your mercy on me, so that my innermost thirst to see you is quenched’. Without you there is no other support or shelter for me in the whole universe. For those who become spiritually awakened and emboss God’s name deep within their hearts, they learn to put all their hopes and anxiety at God’s divine feet.

Saavan (Jul - Aug)

ਸਾਵਣਿ ਸਰਸੀ ਕਾਮਣੀ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਸਿਉ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਰਤਾ ਸਚ ਰੰਗਿ ਇਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥
ਬਿਿਖਆ ਰੰਗ ਕੂੜਾਵਿਆ ਦਿਸਨਿ ਸਭੇ ਛਾਰੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬੂੰਦ ਸੁਹਾਵਣੀ ਮਿਿਲ ਸਾਧੂ ਪੀਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
ਵਣੁ ਤਿਣੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਉਲਿਆ ਸੰਮ੍ਰਥ ਪੁਰਖ ਅਪਾਰੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਣੈ ਨੋ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਕਰਮਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
ਜਿਨੀ ਸਖੀਏ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਹੰਉ ਤਿਨ ਕੈ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਮਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਵਾਰਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
ਸਾਵਣੁ ਤਿਨਾ ਸੁਹਾਗਣੀ ਜਿਨ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਰਿ ਹਾਰੁ ॥6॥

Just as after the heat and humidity of Asaarh, the cool showers of Saavan are welcomed by one and all, similarly after experiencing the emotional highs and lows of life, the jeev-istree begins to blossom spiritually and every corner of his/her heart becomes completely occupied with the love for God’s lotus like beautiful feet. His/her mind and body gets imbued with the love of the true one, because His divine name becomes the sole support.

A spiritual awakening enables her to realise the worthlessness of the poisonous and false pleasures of this world; in the light of this realisation she becomes detached from them, knowing that they are worthless as ashes. The Lord’s name is the only life giving drop of nectar which one must seek in the company of enlightened souls.

Just as the showers of Saavan rejuvenates the forests and the meadows, similarly the divine name of the almighty infinite Lord is a reviving force for my soul. As the parched earth longs for the raindrops, so does my mind yearn intensely to meet the Lord. ‘Karam milavanhaar’ this phrase has a two fold meaning – we could say it is His nadar karam (grace) as well as our virtuous deeds that enable us to have oneness with God.

Those who have acquired the oneness with him, my friends, are really my cherished soul mates. I would do anything – even lay down my life for them. Guru Ji inspires the jeev to beg for his mercy, To bless us with such spiritual insight that enables us to have a deep connection with the Lord through the divine shabad that adorns this otherwise dull and shallow life.

In the month of Saavan, those enlightened souls who enjoy the blissful union with their husband Lord are beautiful in the true sense, adorning their hearts with a necklace of Rām nām they engrave his sublime name in the depths of their souls.

Bhaadron (Aug - Sept)

ਭਾਦੁਇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਣੀਆ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਗਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥
ਲਖ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਕਾਰਜਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੇਤੁ ॥
ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਿਨ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਸਸੀ ਤਿਤੁ ਵੇਲੈ ਕਹਸਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤੁ ॥
ਪਕੜਿ ਚਲਾਇਨਿ ਦੂਤ ਜਮ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਦੇਨੀ ਭੇਤੁ ॥
ਛਡਿ ਖੜੋਤੇ ਖਿਨੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਜਿਨ ਸਿਉ ਲਗਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥
ਹਥ ਮਰੋੜੈ ਤਨੁ ਕਪੇ ਸਿਆਹਹੁ ਹੋਆ ਸੇਤੁ ॥
ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਕਰਮਾ ਸੰਦੜਾ ਖੇਤੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਗਤੀ ਚਰਣ ਬੋਹਿਥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦੇਤੁ ॥
ਸੇ ਭਾਦੁਇ ਨਰਕਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਖਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੇਤੁ ॥7॥

In the month of Bhaadron, she (the jeev istree) is deluded by doubt because of her attachment to duality. She may wear thousands of ornaments, but they are of no use at all without having a link with the Beloved Lord.

On the day, when the body perishes – there and then the spirit would be called a ghost. The messenger of death (jumdoot) seize and take the soul to an unknown destination; and do not let anyone know its whereabouts.

The instant the body becomes a corpse, all those who were loved by you step back and leave you (the spiritless body) behind. When death stares the ‘jeev istree‘ in the face, she wrings her hands, her body writhes in pain and turns from black to deathly white.

As she has sown, so shall she reap; such is the harvest from the field of karma. Guru Ji teaches us to seek God’s shelter and hold on to His charan, i.e. His Divine Name, which is the boat (bohith) to carry us across the ocean of existence. Those who surrender to His Divine Protection would escape the sufferings of hell in His cool shelter.

Assu(n) (Sept - Oct)

ਅਸੁਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਉਮਾਹੜਾ ਕਿਉ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਪਿਆਸ ਦਰਸਨ ਘਣੀ ਕੋਈ ਆਣਿ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ਮਾਇ ॥
ਸੰਤ ਸਹਾਈ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੇ ਹਉ ਤਿਨ ਕੈ ਲਾਗਾ ਪਾਇ ॥
ਵਿਣੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਿਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੂਜੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਜਿੰਨ੍ੀ ਚਾਖਿਆ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰਸੁ ਸੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਰਹੇ ਆਘਾਇ ॥
ਆਪੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਬਿਨਤੀ ਕਰਹਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਲੜਿ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਕੰਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਈਆ ਸਿ ਵਿਛੁੜਿ ਕਤਹਿ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਵਿਣੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਣਾਇ ॥
ਅਸੂ ਸੁਖੀ ਵਸੰਦੀਆ ਜਿਨਾ ਮਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ ॥8॥

In the month of Assu(n), my love for the Beloved Lord overwhelms me. How can I go and meet the Him? My mind and body thirst so much for the Blessed Vision of His Darshan. O my mother, says the jeev-istree, Won’t someone please come and lead me to him?

The Saints are the helpers of those who are full of love and yearning for the Beloved Lord; I fall before them and touch their feet. Without God, how can I find contentment and peace? No other direction can lead me to this experience of inner bliss.

Those who have tasted the sublime essence of His Love, remain satisfied and fulfilled. Renouncing their selfishness and conceit, they pray, “Oh Lord, please attach me to the hem of Your robe and keep me in your loving shelter.”

Those whom the Husband Lord has united with Himself, shall not be separated from Him again. Guru Ji says, by realising that, without God, there is no other at all, we enter His Sanctuary. In Assu(n), the Lord, has granted His Mercy, and they dwell in peace.

Kattak (Oct - Nov)

ਕਤਿਿਕ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵਣੇ ਦੋਸੁ ਨ ਕਾਹੂ ਜੋਗੁ ॥
ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਤੇ ਭੁਲਿਆਂ ਵਿਆਪਨਿ ਸਭੇ ਰੋਗ ॥
ਵੇਮੁਖ ਹੋਏ ਰਾਮ ਤੇ ਲਗਨਿ ਜਨਮ ਵਿਜੋਗ ॥
ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਉੜੇ ਹੋਇ ਗਏ ਜਿਤੜੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਭੋਗ ॥
ਵਿਚੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਕਰਿ ਸਕੈ ਕਿਸ ਥੈ ਰੋਵਹਿ ਰੋਜ ॥
ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਲਿਿਖਆ ਧੁਰਿ ਸੰਜੋਗ ॥
ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾਂ ਉਤਰਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਬਿਓਗ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇਹਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਬੰਦੀ ਮੋਚ ॥
ਕਤਿਕ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਧਸੰਗੁ ਬਿਨਸਹਿ ਸਭੇ ਸੋਚ ॥9॥

Spiritual awareness should give us a constant reminder that at the moment of our death, all worldly possessions, pleasures and afflictions will lose their charm instantly, seeming bitter, without any further hold on us with their futility becomes more apparent.

At that moment no one is able to step in as a mediator, to provide us with any solace or comfort or save us from the frightening predicament. so unto whom can we turn to cry and express our anxieties? All human efforts seem futile at the time. There is a school of belief that our destiny has already been pre-determined according to our previous deeds and cannot be altered. However it’s never too late to retrieve and make up for the time that has been wasted and lost.

Gurbani teaches us, if by good fortune the merciful god enables us to have an encounter with a kindled soul, we can then be taught to apply the message of gurbani in our daily lives. We can then learn to rise above the daily challenges and the pain of separation from god.

Finally Guru Ji makes the humble plea to God on our behalf, pleading him to pull us out of the web of moh and maya, as only he has the capacity to do so. Thus, Kattak is the month in which we can learn to be fully vigilant about our actions and take positive steps to deal with daily anxieties through the company of the holy.

Maghar (Nov - Dec)

ਮੰਘਿਿਰ ਮਾਹਿ ਸੋਹੰਦੀਆ ਹਰਿ ਪਿਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਬੈਠੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਕਿਆ ਗਣੀ ਜਿ ਸਾਹਿਿਬ ਮੇਲੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਮਉਲਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਧ ਸਹੇਲੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਤੇ ਬਾਹਰੀ ਸੇ ਰਹਨਿ ਇਕੇਲੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਤਿਨ ਦੁਖੁ ਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਉਤਰੈ ਸੇ ਜਮ ਕੈ ਵਸਿ ਪੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਜਿਨੀ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਸੇ ਦਿਸਨਿ ਨਿਤ ਖੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਰਤਨ ਜਵੇਹਰ ਲਾਲ ਹਰਿ ਕੰਠਿ ਤਿਨਾ ਜੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਬਾਂਛੈ ਧੂੜਿ ਤਿਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣੀ ਦਰਿ ਪੜੀਆਹ ॥
ਮੰਘਿਿਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਰਾਧਣਾ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਜਨਮੜੀਆਹ ॥10॥

Those blessed souls who engrave their Husbands Lord’s Name, in the deepest realms of their inner consciousness, remain connected with Him at all times. They acquire natural spiritual and regal splendour beyond any worldly measure and description, because their bodies and minds blossom forth and flourish with an undying Divine Love, in the company of highly enlightened souls.

Where as those troubled/restless souls, who shy away from sadh sangat, remain emotionally and spiritually starved, weak and forlorn. They lack inner strength to fight against kalyug’s vicious forces and get easily sucked in worldly trappings. Thus they have to go through the pain of transformation, being caught in the grip of the messenger of death. They are like the helpless and vulnerable.

Those rare blessed jeev, who are totally absorbed in their Husband Lord, acquire the inner strength to stay alert and withhold the fierce attack of five deadly temptations. They adorn their inner conscious with the priceless jewels of Godly qualities, beyond any comparison with the precious jewels, emeralds and rubies of this world. Such is the spiritual splendour of these elevated souls, who remain in His presence with every passing moment. Guru Ji inspires us to seek the dust of their feet

Finally, in the month of Maghar (in this life), we should worship and adore our Beloved Lord passionately with single minded focus, so that we could become free from the cycle of transmigration.

Pokh (Dec - Jan)

ਪੋਖਿ ਤੁਖਾਰੁ ਨ ਵਿਆਪਈ ਕੰਠਿ ਮਿਿਲਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੁ ॥
ਮਨੁ ਬੇਧਿਆ ਚਰਨਾਰਬਿੰਦ ਦਰਸਨਿ ਲਗੜਾ ਸਾਹੁ ॥
ਓਟ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਰਾਇ ਸੇਵਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਲਾਹੁ ॥
ਬਿਿਖਆ ਪੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਈ ਮਿਿਲ ਸਾਧੂ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਹੁ ॥
ਜਹ ਤੇ ਉਪਜੀ ਤਹ ਮਿਲੀ ਸਚੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਸਮਾਹੁ ॥
ਕਰੁ ਗਹਿ ਲੀਨੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮਿ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਵਿਛੁੜੀਆਹੁ ॥
ਬਾਰਿ ਜਾਉ ਲਖ ਬੇਰੀਆ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣੁ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਾਹੁ ॥
ਸਰਮ ਪਈ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰਿ ਪਈਆਹੁ ॥
ਪੋਖੁ ਸੁੋਹੰਦਾ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖ ਜਿਸੁ ਬਖਸੇ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥11॥

Bitter frosty cold weather does not affect those saintly souls, who are enjoying the warmth of their husband Lords embrace, by having a direct link with him. Genuine love and compassion flows through their eyes, they neither speak harshly to anyone, nor do they react to anyone’s unwelcoming and bitter words. Their minds inner consciousness remain transfixed on gods Lotus like pure and beautiful feet at all times. They yearn for his divine glimpse with each breath, that rare momentary experience, which fills ones heart with unique warmth and serenity, bringing tears in one’s eyes at the same time.

Such elevated souls are role models for ordinary mortals, who inspire us to seeks stable protection of the Lord of the universe and serve him selflessly, which in turn will help us to develop emotional and spiritual equilibrium, enabling us to stay afloat amidst the tempting worldly entanglements. The poisonous worldly vices and negative influences do not touch or deter us when we learn to reflect on his virtuous qualities and sing his praises in the company of saintly souls.

Sadh sangat helps us to develop the understanding, that intense selfless love for God, leads one to merge into the same divine source, from where one has originally emerged from. Those rare detached souls, who are totally immersed in divine love, God takes them in his protective embrace holding their hands himself. They no longer have to suffer in his separation and go through the cycle of life and death again. Overwhelmed with love and devotion for my beloved friend the infinite and unfathomable Lord, they humbly offer their whole being to him.

Guru Ji says “oh Lord, I stand at your doorstep with this humble plea, please preserve my honour just this once and shelter me from all negativities”. This plea should be made in our daily ardas. The month of Pokh (challenging time in life) becomes, a pleasant downhill walk with natural contentment for those, who are blessed by the carefree Lord. They hold immense reservoir of godly qualities, which reflects in their dealings with other fellow beings.

Maagh (Jan - Feb)

ਮਾਘਿ ਮਜਨੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਧੂਆ ਧੂੜੀ ਕਰਿ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਸੁਣਿ ਸਭਨਾ ਨੋ ਕਰਿ ਦਾਨੁ ॥
ਜਨਮ ਕਰਮ ਮਲੁ ਉਤਰੈ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਜਾਇ ਗੁਮਾਨੁ ॥
ਕਾਮਿ ਕਰੋਧਿ ਨ ਮੋਹੀਐ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਲੋਭੁ ਸੁਆਨੁ ॥
ਸਚੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਜਹਾਨੁ ॥
ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਸਗਲ ਪੁੰਨ ਜੀਅ ਦਇਆ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦੇਵੈ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਸੋਈ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸੁਜਾਨੁ ॥
ਜਿਨਾ ਮਿਿਲਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੁ ॥
ਮਾਘਿ ਸੁਚੇ ਸੇ ਕਾਂਢੀਅਹਿ ਜਿਨ ਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨੁ ॥12॥

Since ancient times in India, the month of Maagh marks a time for making pilgrimages to sacred shrines hoping to purify the soul and to perform acts of charity. Here Guru Ji says, during Maagh, let the company of saintly souls be your pilgrimage site and make the dust of their feet your cleansing bath (ishnān). Meditate on the Divine Name and listen to His praises; by sharing spiritual experiences with like minded fellow travellers, one can make this act as one’s charitable donation (dān).

By doing so, one can wash away one’s deep rooted filth of ego accumulated through the karmas of many lives and become free from the bondage of false pride. No longer is one allured by the vices of lust or anger, or hounded by dogs like filthy greed.

Those liberated souls who walk the Path of Truth (sachaa maarag) are an example to humanity; their praises are sung throughout the world. The ability to show sincere kindness and compassion to other fellow beings is more precious, worthwhile and acceptable to God than any outwardly bathing at the sixty-eight (athsath) traditional shrines or making ritual donations to charity.

That person is truly wise, upon whom the Lord bestows His kind and merciful Grace. Guru Ji says “I feel such humble reverence for those who are in union with the Lord; I am forever eager to sacrifice my whole being for such blessed souls”.

During Maagh, perhaps it is easy to say that those who perform all the necessary outward rituals have become spiritually elevated. But in reality only those are pure and truthful in the court of God, whose faith rests in the transforming Grace of the Perfect and Merciful Lord.

Phalgun (Feb - Mar)

ਫਲਗੁਣਿ ਅਨµਦ ਉਪਾਰਜਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣ ਪ੍ਰਗਟੇ ਆਇ ॥
ਸੰਤ ਸਹਾਈ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਦੀਆ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥
ਸੇਜ ਸੁਹਾਵੀ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖ ਹੁਣਿ ਦੁਖਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਇਛ ਪੁਨੀ ਵਡਭਾਗਣੀ ਵਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ ॥
ਮਿਿਲ ਸਹੀਆ ਮੰਗਲੁ ਗਾਵਹੀ ਗੀਤ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਅਲਾਇ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਜੇਹਾ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦਿਸਈ ਕੋਈ ਦੂਜਾ ਲਵੈ ਨ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਸਵਾਰਿਓਨੁ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਦਿਤੀਅਨੁ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਸੰਸਾਰ ਸਾਗਰ ਤੇ ਰਖਿਅਨੁ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਜਨਮੈ ਧਾਇ ॥
ਜਿਹਵਾ ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਗੁਣ ਤਰੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਰਣੀ ਪਾਇ ॥
ਫਲਗੁਣਿ ਨਿਤ ਸਲਾਹੀਐ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਤਿਲੁ ਨ ਤਮਾਇ ॥13॥

Phalgun is the last month of the year according to Vikrami Samvat. It reminds us of the fact that the winter season is coming to an end and the warmth of the spring is in the air. Phalgun also means gunna da fal, or reward of one’s assembled virtues through having a union with The Lord. What does it mean in a spiritual language? Guru Arjun Dev Ji says that when realization of God dawns deep within one’s heart one begins to feel intoxicated, a state of eternal bliss (chardhi kala) one remains attuned to God at all times. This is in fact the coming of spring i.e spiritual awakening in one’s life.

How does a spiritual awakening take place? Guru Ji says that the saints, the kindled souls, are like the Lord’s helpers/ambassadors; It is through God’s mercy and grace (bakhshish) that one comes in the fold of saintly souls, who in turn help and guide one to have oneness with God. Maybe that’s why Kabir Ji says, Kabir sewa kou duei bhale, ek sant ik Rām, Rām ju Daataa mukat ko sant jpaavai nām. It is true that Lord Himself is the mukti-daata but sant jan (kindled souls) guide and lead us forward in our spiritual journey.

So when one’s heart is adorned with His Loving presence, one enjoys inner contentment and all other comforts of life one could wish for; all sadness and discontentment just fades away even before one could realise it. It is only through His bakhshish (blessings) one’s good fortune shines through in one’s innermost desire of having a union with the Husband Lord is finally fulfilled. One’s search comes to an end and one becomes fully content (Nir-ishat).

The union with the Husband Lord is an occasion for celebration; so one is keen to seek the company of like-minded friends and kindred souls, and to sing soul inspiring joyful praises of the Lord of the Universe. Thus the whole atmosphere becomes blissful. Once, one’s focus is only on the Supreme Lord one can not see anyone like Him in the whole universe. There is none equal to Him, no one can even dare to touch those heights.

He not only helps and guides us in this world and beyond but He also secures a place for us in our eternal home as well. He helps us to sail through this treacherous ocean of existence; through His grace, we become liberated from the cycle of births & deaths.

Guru Ji says, I have but one tongue to describe You, yet your Glorious Virtues are countless; overcome by awe and reverence, I fall before Your feet. In the month of Phalgun (this life) let us praise the Almighty Lord who has not even a grain of greed or desire. He blesses us in more than many ways and does not expect anything in return so why not sing His praises every moment of the day with each breath, which would help one to become egoless eventually and acquire Godly qualities in turn.