STAGES OF
HUMAN LIFE
ABSTRACT
Guru Tegh Bahadur
describes in his Slokes that the human life has three stages after birth.
ਬਾਲ ਜੁਆਨੀ ਅਰੁ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਫੁਨਿ ਤੀਨਿ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਜਾਨਿ ॥
ਕਹੁ
ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
Baal Juanee Ur Birdh Foun Teen Avasthaa
Jaan, Kaho Nānak Har Bẖajan Bin Birthā Sabẖ Hī Mān.
Childhood, youth, and old age – are known as three stages of
life. Says Nanak, without meditating on God, everything is useless; you
must appreciate this.-----Guru Tegh Bahadur Sloke,
AGGS, Page, 1428-7
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Guru Nanak in Raag Majh ponders on various ages from birth
to old age approaching the end of our journey:
ਦਸ ਬਾਲਤਣਿ ਬੀਸ ਰਵਣਿ ਤੀਸਾ ਕਾ ਸੁੰਦਰੁ
ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥
ਚਾਲੀਸੀ ਪੁਰੁ ਹੋਇ ਪਚਾਸੀ ਪਗੁ ਖਿਸੈ ਸਠੀ ਕੇ ਬੋਢੇਪਾ ਆਵੈ ॥
ਸਤਰਿ ਕਾ ਮਤਿਹੀਣੁ
ਅਸੀਹਾਂ ਕਾ ਵਿਉਹਾਰੁ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਨਵੈ ਕਾ ਸਿਹਜਾਸਣੀ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਅਪ ਬਲੁ ॥
ਢੰਢੋਲਿਮੁ
ਢੂਢਿਮੁ ਡਿਠੁ ਮੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗੁ ਧੂਏ ਕਾ ਧਵਲਹਰੁ ॥
Ḏas bālṯaṇ bīs ravaṇ ṯīsā kā sunḏar kahāvai. Cẖālīsī pur hoė pacẖāsī pag kẖisai saṯẖī kė bodẖėpā āvai. Saṯar kā maṯihīṇ asīhāʼn kā viuhār na pāvai. Navai kā sihjāsṇī mūl na jāṇai ap bal. Dẖandẖolim dẖūdẖim diṯẖ mai Nānak jag ḏẖūė kā ḏẖavalhar.
Ḏas bālṯaṇ bīs ravaṇ ṯīsā kā sunḏar kahāvai. Cẖālīsī pur hoė pacẖāsī pag kẖisai saṯẖī kė bodẖėpā āvai. Saṯar kā maṯihīṇ asīhāʼn kā viuhār na pāvai. Navai kā sihjāsṇī mūl na jāṇai ap bal. Dẖandẖolim dẖūdẖim diṯẖ mai Nānak jag ḏẖūė kā ḏẖavalhar.
At the age of ten, one is a child; at twenty, a youth, and at thirty, he is
called handsome. At forty, he is full of life; at fifty, his foot slips, and at
sixty, old age is upon him. At seventy, he loses his intellect, and at eighty,
he cannot perform his duties. At ninety, he lies in his bed, and he cannot
understand his weakness. After seeking and searching for such a long time, O
Nanak, I have seen that the world is just a mansion of smoke. -----Guru Nanak, Vaar Raag Majh, AGGS, Page,
138
A plea is being made to the ignorant Sikhs not to
procrastinate on the path of spirituality, sooner the better, which should be
considered a profitable trade. From this
trade profits are carried along after death in to the next life, as pointed out
by Guru Nanak in the following hymn of Raag Sorath:
ਸੁਣਿ ਸਾਸਤ ਸਉਦਾਗਰੀ ਸਤੁ ਘੋੜੇ ਲੈ ਚਲੁ ॥
ਖਰਚੁ
ਬੰਨੁ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਮਤੁ ਮਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਕਲੁ ॥
ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ
ਕੈ ਦੇਸਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਤਾ ਸੁਖਿ ਲਹਹਿ ਮਹਲੁ ॥
SouN Sasat Soudaagree Sat Ghoray Lai Chal, Kharch BaN Changiaa-ee-aa
Mat Man JaaNeh Kal, Nirankaar Kay Daysh Jaaeh Ta Sukh Leheh Mahul.
Let your business be listening to scriptures, and to
purchase the horses of Truth and contentment. For the journey take the food of
virtuous deeds, never delaying or postponing it for the next day. When you arrive
in the land of the Formless God, you shall enjoy the bliss in the Mansion of Its Presence.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 595-14
According to Sabd Guru, Sikhs are supposed to
remember God 24 hours a day with each breath. Devotion is one
of the necessary perfections required in Sikhism for growth in spirituality. It is defined as an ardent, pious,
selfless affection and zealous dedication, to a person or principle or love of
religious observance. It is an addiction of bringing eager feelings towards God
and is expressed by acts of worship with devoutness. Any
procrastination in this matter is nothing less than spiritual suicide as noted
by Guru Nanak and Guru Arjan in Raag Gauri:
ਰੈਣਿ ਗਵਾਈ ਸੋਇ ਕੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਖਾਇ ॥
ਹੀਰੇ ਜੈਸਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਉਡੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਜਾਇ ॥
RaiN Gavaa-ee Soey Kai
Divas Gavaaeaa Khaaey, Heray Jaissa Janam Hai Kaoudee Badlay Jaaey.
The nights are wasted sleeping, and the days are
wasted eating. Human life is such a precious jewel, but it is being lost in
exchange for a mere shell.-----Guru Nanak,
Raag Gauri Bairagan, AGGS, Page, 156-17
Guru Nanak, Guru Ram Das, and Guru Arjan in the mode of Sri
Raag, AGGS, Pages, 74,75,76,78 also describe an earlier stage of human life in
mother’s womb and thus describing the life with four stages;
First Stage:
Guru Nanak describes
the life of an individual during these four stages in Siri Raag, AGGS, Page 74:
ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਪਇਆ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ॥
Pehlai Pehrai RaiN Kai Vanjaria Mitra Hukam Paeaa
Garbhaas.
In the first watch of life, by Divine
Will, O my merchant friend, you were cast into the womb. Upside-down, within
the womb, you performed penance, prayed, and meditated with deep love and
affection to your Creator and Master. You came into this Dark Age naked, and
you shall depart again naked. As God's
Pen has written on your forehead, so it shall be with your consciousness.
ਦੂਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ
ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਵਿਸਰਿ ਗਇਆ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥
Ḏūjai pahrai raiṇ kai vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā visar ga▫i▫ā
ḏẖi▫ān.
In the second watch
of the night, O my merchant friend, you forgot to meditate. You are passed
around, from hand to hand, like Krishna in the
house of Yashoda. And your mother says, "This is my son." O, my
thoughtless and foolish mind, think: In the end, nothing shall be yours. You do
not know the One who created the creation. Gather spiritual wisdom within your
mind.
ਤੀਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਧਨ ਜੋਬਨ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ॥
Ŧījai pahrai raiṇ kai vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā ḏẖan joban si▫o cẖiṯ.
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your
consciousness was focused on wealth and youth. You did not remember the Name of
God, although it would have released you from bondage. However, you became confused by Maya.
Reveling in your riches and intoxicated with youth, you wasted your life
uselessly. You have not traded in righteousness; you have not made good deeds
your friends.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ
ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਚਉਥੈ
ਪਹਰੈ ਲਾਵੀ ਲੁਣਿਆ ਖੇਤੁ ॥
Kaoh Nanak PraaNee
Chouthay Pahrai Laavee LuNiaa Khayt.
In the fourth watch of the night, says Nanak, O my merchant
friend, the Grim Reaper comes to the field. When the Messenger of Death seizes
and dispatches you, no one knows the mystery of where you have gone. So think
of the Akal Purkh! No one knows this secret. All your weeping and wailing then
is false. In an instant, you become a stranger. You obtain exactly what you
have longed for. Guru Nanak describes the spiritual way
of life in Siri Raag, AGGS, Page 75 & 76 in the above described four stages
of life:
ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ
ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਬਾਲਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਅਚੇਤੁ ॥
Pehlai Pehrai RaiN Kai Vanjaria Mitra Baalak Budh
Achayt.
In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your innocent
mind has a child-like understanding. You drink milk, and you are fondled so gently.
The mother and father love their child so much, but in Maya, all are caught in
emotional attachment.
ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਆਇਆ ਕਿਰਤੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਾਈ ॥
Sanjogee Aaeaa Kirat Kamaaeaa KarNee Kaar Karaa-ee.
Sanjogee Aaeaa Kirat Kamaaeaa KarNee Kaar Karaa-ee.
By the good fortune of good deeds done in the
past, you have come, and now you perform actions that determine your future.-----75-3
Without God's Name, liberation is not obtained,
and you are drowned in the love of duality.
Says Nanak, in the first watch of
the night, O mortal, you shall be saved by remembering the Creator.
ਦੂਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਭਰਿ ਜੋਬਨਿ ਮੈ ਮਤਿ ॥
Ḏūjai pahrai raiṇ kai vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā bẖar joban mai maṯ.
In the second watch of the night, O my merchant friend, you were
intoxicated with the wine of youth, beauty, and engrossed in sexual desire day
and night. Your consciousness was blind to God's Name, which was not within
your heart, but all sorts of other tastes seemed sweet to you. You have no
wisdom at all, you did not meditate, neither you have any virtue nor
self-discipline. In falsehood, you were
caught in the cycle of birth and death. Pilgrimages, fasts, purification and
self-discipline are of no use, nor are rituals, religious ceremonies nor empty
worship. O Nanak, emancipation comes only by loving devotional worship,
but not through duality.
ਤੀਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਸਰਿ ਹੰਸ ਉਲਥੜੇ ਆਇ ॥
Ŧījai pahrai raiṇ kai vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā sar hans ulthaṛe ā▫e.
Ŧījai pahrai raiṇ kai vaṇjāri▫ā miṯrā sar hans ulthaṛe ā▫e.
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the
white hairs, come and land upon the pool of the head. Youth wears itself out,
and old age triumphs, and as time passes, your days diminish. At the last moment,
you repent-you are so blind! Then the
Messenger of Death seizes you and carries you away. You kept all your things
for yourself, but in an instant, they are all lost. Your intellect left you,
your wisdom departed, and now you repent for the evil deeds you committed. Says
Nanak, O mortal, in the third watch of the night, let your consciousness be
lovingly focused on God.
ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਭਇਆ ਤਨੁ ਖੀਣੁ ॥
ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਭਇਆ ਤਨੁ ਖੀਣੁ ॥
Chauthay Pahrai Rain Kai
Vanjaaria Mitra Birdh Bhaeaa Tan KheeN.
In the fourth watch of
the night, O my merchant friend, your body grows old and weak. Your eyes go
blind, you cannot see, your ears do not hear any words, and your tongue is
unable to taste; you live only with the help of the others. With no virtue
within, how can you find peace? The self-willed comes and goes. When the crop
of life has matured, it bends, breaks and perishes; why take pride in that
which comes and goes? Says Nanak, O
mortal, in the fourth watch of the night, the Guru oriented recognizes the Word of the Sabd.
Guru Ram Das ponders again on these four stages of life in Siri Raag,
AGGS, Page, 76
ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਹਰਿ
ਪਾਇਆ ਉਦਰ ਮੰਝਾਰਿ ॥
Pehlai Pehrai RaiN Kai
Vanjaria Mitra Har Paaeaa Ouder Manjhaar.
In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, God
places you in the womb. You contemplate, meditate, and chant God’s Name, within
the fire of the womb; your life is sustained by dwelling on the Naam. You are
born and you come out, and your mother and father are delighted to see your
face. Remember the One, O mortal, to whom the child belongs. As Guru willed,
reflect upon the Creator within your heart. Says Nanak, O mortal, in the
first watch of the night, dwell upon God, who shall shower you with Its Grace.
In the second watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the
mind is attached to the love of duality. Mother and father hug you close in
their embrace, in their minds claiming, "He is mine, he is mine"; so
the child is brought up, they believe that you will provide for them and
support them. The fool does not know the One who gives; instead, he clings to
the gift. Rare is the Guru oriented who reflects upon, meditates upon, and
within his mind, is lovingly attached to God. Says Nanak, in the second watch
of the night, O mortal, death never devours you.
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your
mind is entangled in worldly and household affairs. You think of wealth, and
gather wealth, but you do not contemplate on the God's Name, The Creator, who
will be your only Helper and Support in the end. This wealth, property and Maya
are false. In the end, you must leave these, and depart in sorrow. Those, whom
God in Its Mercy, unites with the Guru, reflect upon the Name of the Creator.
Says Nanak, in the third watch of the night, O mortal, they go, and are united
with God.
In the fourth watch of the night, O my merchant friend, God
announces the time of departure. Serve the Perfect True Guru, your entire
life-night is passing away. Serve the Creator each and every instant, do not
delay! You shall become Eternal throughout the ages. Enjoy ecstasy forever with
the God, and do away with the pains of birth and death. Know that there is no
difference between the Guru, the True Guru, and your Creator and Master.
Meeting with Him, take pleasure in God's devotional service.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ
ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਚਉਥੈ
ਪਹਰੈ ਸਫਲਿਓੁ ਰੈਣਿ ਭਗਤਾ ਦੀ ॥
Kaoh Nanak PraaNee
Chaouthay Pahrai Safleou RaiN Bhagta Dee.
Says Nanak, O mortal, in the fourth watch of the
night, the life-night of the devotee is fruitful.
Similarly Guru Arjan also ponders on the four stages of life in Siri
Raag, AGGS, Page, 77:
ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਧਰਿ
ਪਾਇਤਾ ਉਦਰੈ ਮਾਹਿ ॥
Pehlai Pehrai RaiN Kai
Vanjaria Mitra Dhar Paaetaa Oudrai Maaeh.
In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, thou
are conceived in the womb.
In the tenth month, you were made into a human
being, O my merchant friend, and you were given your allotted time to perform
good deeds, according to your pre-ordained destiny. God placed you with your
mother, father, brothers, sons and wife. God It self is the Cause of causes,
good and bad. No one has control over
these things.
In the second watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the
fullness of youth rises in you like waves in the storm. You do not distinguish
between good and evil, and your mind is intoxicated with ego, the road ahead
gets treacherous. They never serve the Perfect True Guru, and the cruel tyrant
Death stands over their heads. When the Righteous Judge seizes you and interrogates
you, O madman, what answer will you give him then?
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the
blind and ignorant person gathers poison. He is entangled in emotional
attachment to his wife and sons, and the waves of greed are rising up in him, and
he does not remember God. He does not join the Company of the Holy, and he
suffers in terrible pain through countless incarnations. He has forgotten the
Creator, and Master, and he does not meditate on It, even for an instant.
In the fourth watch of the night, O my merchant friend, that
day is drawing near. As Guru oriented, remember the Naam, It shall be your Friend
in the Court of God and shall be your only companion. This emotional attachment
to Maya shall not go with you; it is false to fall in love with it. The entire
night of your life has passed away in darkness; but by serving the True Guru,
the Divine Light shall dawn within.
Receiving the summons from the Creator of the
Universe, O my merchant friend, you must arise and depart with the actions you
have committed. You are not allowed a moment's delay. The Messenger of Death seizes you with firm
hands. Receiving the summons, people are seized and dispatched. The self-willed
are miserable forever. But those who serve the Perfect True Guru are forever
happy in the Court of God. The body is the field of karma (action) in this age;
whatever you plant, you shall harvest.
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤ ਸੋਹਹਿ ਦਰਵਾਰੇ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਸਦਾ ਭਵਾਤਿ ॥
Kaoh Nanak Bhagat Soheh
Darvaray Manmukh Sada Bhavaat.
Says Nanak, the devotees looks beautiful in the
Court of God; the self-willed wander forever. -----Guru Arjan, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 78-6
Guru Arjan in Raag Asa has further stressed that in addition
to remembering God, it is necessary to subdue the lower five instincts and
develop five virtues, otherwise it is a waste of life;
ਪੰਚ ਮਨਾਏ ਪੰਚ ਰੁਸਾਏ ॥
ਪੰਚ
ਵਸਾਏ ਪੰਚ ਗਵਾਏ ॥
ਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਗਰੁ ਵੁਠਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਦੁਰਤੁ
ਗਇਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਈ ॥
ਸਾਚ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਕਰਿ ਦੀਨੀ ਵਾਰਿ ॥
ਫਰਹੇ
ਮੁਹਕਮ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਖੇਤੀ ਬੀਜਹੁ ਭਾਈ ਮੀਤ ॥
ਸਉਦਾ
ਕਰਹੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਹੁ ਨੀਤ ॥
Panch Mana-ay Panch
Rusa-ay, Panch Vasaa-ay Panch Gavaa-ay, Inn Bidh Nagar Vutha Mayray Bhai, Durat
Gae-aa Gur Gian Dirrhaaee, Saach Dharam Ki Kar Deeni Vaar, Farhay Mohkam Gur
Giaan Bichaar,Naam Khaytee Beejoh Bhai Meet, Saudaa Karoh Gur Sevoh Neet.
When the five virtues were reconciled, and the
five passions were estranged, I enshrined the five within myself, and cast out
the other five. In this way, the village of my body became inhabited; O my
Siblings of Destiny, vice departed, and the Guru's spiritual wisdom was
implanted within me. The fence of true Righteous religion has been built around
it. The spiritual wisdom and reflective meditation of the Guru has become its
strong gate. So plant the seed of the Naam, the Name of god, O friends, O
Siblings of Destiny. Deal only in the constant service of the Guru.-----Guru
Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 430
ਬਾਰਹ ਬਰਸ ਬਾਲਪਨ ਬੀਤੇ ਬੀਸ
ਬਰਸ ਕਛੁ ਤਪੁ ਨ ਕੀਓ ॥
ਤੀਸ ਬਰਸ ਕਛੁ ਦੇਵ ਨ ਪੂਜਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਨਾ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਭਇਓ
॥
ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਤੇ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਇਓ ॥
ਸਾਇਰੁ ਸੋਖਿ ਭੁਜੰ ਬਲਇਓ ॥
ਸੂਕੇ ਸਰਵਰਿ ਪਾਲਿ ਬੰਧਾਵੈ ਲੂਣੈ ਖੇਤਿ ਹਥ ਵਾਰਿ ਕਰੈ ॥
ਆਇਓ ਚੋਰੁ ਤੁਰੰਤਹ ਲੇ ਗਇਓ ਮੇਰੀ ਰਾਖਤ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਫਿਰੈ ॥
ਚਰਨ ਸੀਸੁ ਕਰ ਕੰਪਨ ਲਾਗੇ ਨੈਨੀ ਨੀਰੁ ਅਸਾਰ ਬਹੈ ॥
ਜਿਹਵਾ ਬਚਨੁ ਸੁਧੁ ਨਹੀ ਨਿਕਸੈ ਤਬ ਰੇ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਆਸ ਕਰੈ
॥
ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੈ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਵੈ ਲਾਹਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ
ਲੀਓ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਪਾਇਓ ਅੰਤੇ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਚਲਿਓ ॥
ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਅਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਕਛੂਐ ਲੈ ਨ ਗਇਓ
॥
ਆਈ ਤਲਬ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਰਾਇ ਕੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੰਦਰ ਛੋਡਿ ਚਲਿਓ ॥
Bārah baras bālpan bīṯė bīs baras kacẖẖ ṯap na kīo. Ŧīs baras kacẖẖ ḏėv na pūjā fir pacẖẖuṯānā biraḏẖ bẖaio. Mėrī mėrī karṯė janam gaio. Sāir sokẖ bẖujaʼn balio. Sūkė sarvar pāl banḏẖāvai lūṇai kẖėṯ hath vār karai. Āio cẖor ṯuranṯah lė gaio mėrī rākẖaṯ mugaḏẖ firai. Cẖaran sīs kar kampan lāgė nainī nīr asār bahai. Jihvā bacẖan suḏẖ nahī niksai ṯab rė ḏẖaram kī ās karai. Gur parsādī har ḏẖan pāio anṯė cẖalḏiā nāl cẖalio. Kahaṯ Kabīr sunhu rė sanṯahu an ḏẖan kacẖẖūai lai na gaio. Āī ṯalab gopāl rāė kī māiā manḏar cẖẖod cẖalio
Bārah baras bālpan bīṯė bīs baras kacẖẖ ṯap na kīo. Ŧīs baras kacẖẖ ḏėv na pūjā fir pacẖẖuṯānā biraḏẖ bẖaio. Mėrī mėrī karṯė janam gaio. Sāir sokẖ bẖujaʼn balio. Sūkė sarvar pāl banḏẖāvai lūṇai kẖėṯ hath vār karai. Āio cẖor ṯuranṯah lė gaio mėrī rākẖaṯ mugaḏẖ firai. Cẖaran sīs kar kampan lāgė nainī nīr asār bahai. Jihvā bacẖan suḏẖ nahī niksai ṯab rė ḏẖaram kī ās karai. Gur parsādī har ḏẖan pāio anṯė cẖalḏiā nāl cẖalio. Kahaṯ Kabīr sunhu rė sanṯahu an ḏẖan kacẖẖūai lai na gaio. Āī ṯalab gopāl rāė kī māiā manḏar cẖẖod cẖalio
Twelve years pass in childhood, and for another twenty years, one does not
practice self-discipline and austerity. For another thirty years, one does not
worship God in any way, and then, when one is old, one repents and regrets.
One’s life wastes away as one cries out, "Mine, mine!” The pool of one’s
power has dried up. One makes a dam around the dried-up pool, and with one’s
hands, one makes a fence around the harvested field. When the thief of Death comes,
one quickly carries away what the fool had tried to preserve as one’s own.
One’s feet and head and hands begin to tremble, and the tears flow copiously
from one’s eyes. One’s tongue has not spoken the correct words, but now, one
hopes to practice religion! If the Dear
God shows Its Mercy, one enshrines love for It, and obtains the Profit of God's
Name. By Guru's Grace, one receives the wealth of God's Name, which alone shall
go with him, when one departs in the end. Says Kabir, listen, O Saints - he shall
not take any other wealth with him. When the summons comes from the King, the
God of the Universe, the mortal departs, leaving behind his wealth and
mansions.-----Kabir, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 479
Bhagat Kabir in Raag Suhi has given further advice in this respect by asking questions:
ਅਵਤਰਿ ਆਇ ਕਹਾ ਤੁਮ ਕੀਨਾ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਲੀਨਾ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਨ ਜਪਹੁ ਕਵਨ ਮਤਿ ਲਾਗੇ ॥
ਮਰਿ ਜਇਬੇ ਕਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਹੁ ਅਭਾਗੇ ॥
ਦੁਖ ਸੁਖ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਜੀਵਾਇਆ ॥
ਮਰਤੀ ਬਾਰ ਇਕਸਰ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Avtar Aaey Kahaa Tum Keena, Ram Ko Naam Na Kabhoo Leena, Ram Na Japoh Kavan Mat Laagay, Mar Jaebay Kaou Kia Karoh Abhagay, Dukh Sukh Kar Kai Kutanb Jeevaaeaa, Martee Bar Iksar Dukh Paaeaa.
ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਲੀਨਾ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਨ ਜਪਹੁ ਕਵਨ ਮਤਿ ਲਾਗੇ ॥
ਮਰਿ ਜਇਬੇ ਕਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਹੁ ਅਭਾਗੇ ॥
ਦੁਖ ਸੁਖ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਜੀਵਾਇਆ ॥
ਮਰਤੀ ਬਾਰ ਇਕਸਰ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Avtar Aaey Kahaa Tum Keena, Ram Ko Naam Na Kabhoo Leena, Ram Na Japoh Kavan Mat Laagay, Mar Jaebay Kaou Kia Karoh Abhagay, Dukh Sukh Kar Kai Kutanb Jeevaaeaa, Martee Bar Iksar Dukh Paaeaa.
Since your
birth, what have you done? You have never even chanted the Name of God. You
have not meditated on the It; what thoughts are you attached to? What
preparations are you making for your death, O unfortunate one? Through pain and
pleasure, you have taken care of your family. But at the time of death, you
shall have to endure the agony all alone.-----Kabir,
Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 792-7, 8
Conclusion:
The Sikh way of life is characterized by remembering God at
all times during our experience as humans on this earth. There can, of course, be substantial variations
between what a religion commands and what people actually do. Hymns in Sabd Guru revolve around Truth, truthful conduct,
and the recitation of Naam of the Absolute Principle/God. That Absolute Principle is the law of all
things and events. The Universal Laws of
Mother Nature is the common ground of all creation. The Universal law is blind
but even handed. All creation is a
single whole, which works and unfolds according to the Absolute Principle,
which is in the creation and vice versa. Guru Arjan in Raag Gauri urges the
followers to remember God all the time:
ਜਿਨਿ ਦੀਨੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥
ਤਿਸੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਧਿਆਈ ॥
ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਨੀ ਸਭ ਪੂਰਨ ਆਸਾ ॥
ਸਿਮਰਉ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਸਾਸ ਗਿਰਾਸਾ ॥
Jin Deenee Sobha Vadiaa-ee, Tis Prabh
Kou Aath Pehar Dhiaa-ee. Simrou Din Rain Saas Giraasa, Jin
kīnī sabẖ pūran āsā.
God has given you fame and greatness. Meditate on that God, twenty-four hours a
day. It has fulfilled all desires.
Remember God in meditation, day and night while breathing and
eating.-----Guru Arjan, Gauri Guaarayri, AGGS, Page, 177-11,15
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