FEARLESSNESS/ਨਿਰਭਉ

ABSTRACT

Fearlessness is defined as the trait of feeling no fear, which is the quality of mind enabling one to face danger or hardship resolutely in the mortal world. It is one of the attributes of God, but it is not possible to write on God’s attributes even in Google’s life times as expressed by Guru Nanak in his Japji:

ਲੇਖਾ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਲੇਖੈ ਹੋਇ ਵਿਣਾਸੁ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਵਡਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਆਪੁ ॥੨੨॥
Laykhaa Ho-ay Ta Likee-ai Laykhai Ho-ay Vinaas. Nānak vadā ākẖī▫ai āpe jāṇai āp. ||22||

If you try to write an account of this, you will surely finish yourself before you finish writing it. O Nanak, call God Great! God Itself knows Itself. ||22||-----Guru Nanak, Japji, 5-4

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This attribute of God has been used tin Sabd Guru more than 180 times as per search engine.

ਬਹੁਤਾ ਕਰਮੁ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਵਡਾ ਦਾਤਾ ਤਿਲੁ ਨ ਤਮਾਇ ॥
Bahutaa Karam Likhi-aa Naa Jaa-ay. vadā ḏāṯā ṯil na ṯamā▫e.

God’s Blessings are so abundant that there can be no written account of them. The Great Giver does not hold back anything.-----Guru Nanak, Japji, 5-11                                                        

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾਗਦ ਲਖ ਮਣਾ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਕੀਚੈ ਭਾਉ ॥

ਮਸੂ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਲੇਖਣਿ ਪਉਣੁ ਚਲਾਉ ॥

ਭੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਹਉ ਕੇਵਡੁ ਆਖਾ ਨਾਉ ॥
Nanak Kaagad Lakh Manaa Parh Parh Keechai Bhaa-o, Masoo Tot Na Aavee Laykhan Pa-un Chalaa-o, Bhee Tayree Keemat Naa Pavai Ha-o Kayvad Aakhaa Naa-o.

O Nanak, if I had hundreds of thousands of stacks of paper, and if I were to read, recite and embrace love for God, and if ink were never to fail me, and if my pen were able to move continuously, even then I would not be able to estimate Your Value. How can I describe the Greatness of Your Name?-----Guru Nanak, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 15-1

One should keep a strict vigil on the senses.  Once they are controlled, they should not get an opportunity to raise their ugly heads again and again.  It is best not to entertain bad thoughts -- certainly not bad deeds. Life is holy and sacred.  One should not carry a gloomy face.  One can learn to be joyful, happy and fearless.  Happiness is another name for union with God.  Through the Sabd, one can release the inner voice, the inner vision of one's spirit.  With the habit of listening to the inner voice; one is assured of unshakable Peace. With an immersion in Sabd Guru, infinite Joy can enter one's life.  One also achieves fearlessness through the fear of God, as Guru Nanak tells us in Sri Raag: 

ਮਨ ਰੇ ਸਚੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਭਉ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਭੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਕਿਉ ਥੀਐ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
Man re sacẖ milai bẖa▫o jā▫e. Bhai Bin Nirbha-o Ki-o Thee-ai Gurmukh Sabd Samaa-ay.

O mind, meeting with the True One, fear departs. Without the Fear of God, how can anyone become fearless? Become Guru oriented, and immerse yourself in the Sabd.-----Guru Nanak, Sri Raag, AGGS, Page, 18-6

An individual can face death without hesitation by praising the virtues of fearlessness, which is the door to spiritual progress and success. It leads to immortality by union with God and relying on patience.  One becomes fearless only through the devotional love and fear of God.  Guru Nanak addresses that fear which frightens other fears in Raag Gauri:

ਡਰਿ ਘਰੁ ਘਰਿ ਡਰੁ ਡਰਿ ਡਰੁ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਸੋ ਡਰੁ ਕੇਹਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਡਰਿ ਡਰੁ ਪਾਇ ॥

Dar Ghar Ghar Dar Dar Dar Jaaey, So Dar Kayhaa Jit Dar Dar Paa-ay.

Place the Fear of God within the home of your heart.   With this Fear of God in your heart, all other fears shall be frightened away. What sort of fear is that, which frightens other fears?-----Guru Nanak, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 151-7

One who acquires spiritual knowledge by subjugating his lower instincts, and then pass it on to the others, gets all his wishes fulfilled.  Success, prosperity and happiness enter one's life.  He becomes fearless and becomes a benefactor to others, says Guru Nanak in Raag Asa:

ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥

ਜਾਂ ਪੰਚ ਰਾਸੀ ਤਾਂ ਤੀਰਥ ਵਾਸੀ ॥
Vidi-aa Veechaaree TaaN Par-upkaaree, JaaN Panch Raasee TaaN Tirath Vaasee.
 

Contemplate and reflect upon Spiritual knowledge, and you will become a benefactor to the others. When you conquer the five passions, then you shall come to dwell at the sacred shrine of pilgrimage.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 356-14
Religion without fearlessness and worship without awareness, progress with out compassion, politics with out principle, if ignored will destroy the human race. God is the only One having an attribute of fearlessness as It does not have any peer as proclaimed by Guru Nanak in Raag Maru:

ਜੁਗ ਛਤੀਹ ਤਿਨੈ ਵਰਤਾਏ ॥

ਜਿਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਤਿਵੈ ਚਲਾਏ ॥

ਤਿਸਹਿ ਸਰੀਕੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਕੋਈ ਆਪੇ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰਾ ਹੇ ॥
Jug cẖẖaṯīh ṯinai varṯā▫e. Ji▫o ṯis bẖāṇā ṯivai cẖalā▫e. Tiseh Sareek Na Deesai Ko-ee Aapay Apar Apaaraa Hay.

Thirty-six (many) ages passed like this. God causes all to happen by the Pleasure of Its Will. No rival of God can be seen, and It Itself is infinite and endless.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1026-16

If one attempts to rid of fears; he should reflect on the following hymns from the Sabd Guru:

ਨਰ ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਾਉ ॥

ਅਨਾਥਹ ਨਾਥ ਕਰੇ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ॥

ਪੁਨਰਪਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਉ ॥੫॥
Nar Nihkayval Nirbha-o Naa-o. Anāthah nāth kare bal jā▫o.Punrap janam nāhī guṇ gā▫o. ||5||
 

The Name makes a man pure and fearless. Such a person is not reincarnated again; he sings the Glories of God. ||5||-----Guru Nanak, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 224-1

 Life without goodness, good thoughts, good actions and good words is like the dark sky in the night without the moon or stars.   Such darkness is frightening.  But the fear of God makes one fearless as quoted by Guru Angad in Raag Suhi:

ਜਿਨਾ ਭਉ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਨਾਹਿ ਭਉ ਮੁਚੁ ਭਉ ਨਿਭਵਿਆਹ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਏਹੁ ਪਟੌਤਰਾ ਤਿਤੁ ਦੀਬਾਣਿ ਗਇਆਹ॥

Jina Bhou Tin Nahin Bhou Mouch Bhou Nibhviaah, Nanak Ayh Patantra Tit Deeban Gai-aah.

Those who have the Fear of God, have no other fears, and those who do not have the Fear of God, are very afraid. O Nanak, this mystery is revealed at the Court of God.-----Guru Angad, Suhi Ki Vaar, AGGS, Page 788-2, 3

Fear is like a wheel without a hub or spokes.  Just as it is difficult for anyone to push a boulder away while standing on it, an individual cannot free himself from anxiety -- while all the entrances through which fear sneaks in are open.  In fear one also become an easy victim of lust, anger, malice, envy and many other evils.  These evils brood pollute the ecology of the heart.  They fan the flames of one's ego. Anxiety is removed by faith in God. One needs to realize that whatever happens is for the best, because it happens under God's Will.  One becomes fearless by meditating on the Naam, as stated by Guru Amar Das in Sri Raag:

ਜਿਨ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਜੀ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਸਭੁ ਗਵਾਸੀ ॥

ਜਿਨ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਜਿਨ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਮੇਰਾ  ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਰੂਪਿ ਸਮਾਸੀ ॥ 

ਸੇ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੇ ਧੰਨੁ ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਜੀ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤਿਨ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਸੀ ॥੩॥
Jin Nirbha-o Jin Har Nirbha-o Dhi-aa-i-aa Jee Tin Kaa Bha-o Sabh Gavaasee. Jin sevi▫ā jin sevi▫ā merā har jī ṯe har har rūp samāsī.Se ḏẖan se ḏẖan jin har ḏẖi▫ā▫i▫ā jī jan Nānak ṯin bal jāsī. ||3||

All the fears of those who meditate on the Fearless One are dispelled. Those who serve, those who serve my Dear God, are absorbed into the Being of the God, Waheguru. Blessed are they, blessed are they, who meditate on their Dear God. Servant Nanak is a sacrifice to them. ||3||-----Guru Amar Das, Sri Raag, AGGS, Page, 11-5

If you cannot derive happiness and live in Bliss at a young age, can you be blissful when you grow old?  A human being has only two legs to carry him.  In youth one can jump about freely. But after he marries and rears a family, he may only move like a caterpillar with many legs.  He would be far too busy to have time to remember God.  This can only make life dark and gloomy. During a night, one may not know what to expect from the dawn.  Guru Amar Das in Raag Majh advises us that the light of the Sabd sweetens the morning.

ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮੀਠੀ ॥

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਰਲੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਚਖਿ ਡੀਠੀ ॥

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਦਰਿ ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਜਾਵਣਿਆ ॥
Amrit Banee Gur Kee Meethee, Gurmukh Virlai Kinai Chakh Deethee, Antar Pargaas Mahaa Ras Peevai Dar Sachai Sabd Vajaavani-aa.

The Nectar of the Guru's Sabds is very sweet, seen and tasted by rare Guru oriented. The Divine Light dawns within, and then its supreme essence can be experienced.  In the Court of the True God, the Word of the Sabd vibrates.-----Guru Amar Das, Raag Majh, AGGS, Page, 113-13

ਆਇਓ ਸਰਣਿ ਦੀਨ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨ ਚਿਤਵਉ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਰੀ ਓਰਿ ॥

ਅਭੈ ਪਦੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਕੋ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੰਧਨ ਛੋਰਿ ॥
Ā▫i▫o saraṇ ḏīn ḏukẖ bẖanjan cẖiṯva▫o ṯumĥrī or. Abhai Pad Daan Simran Su-aamee Ko Parabh Nanak BanDhan Chhor.

I have come to Your Sanctuary, O Destroyer of the suffering of the innocent; I keep my consciousness focused on You.  Bless me with the gifts of the state of fearlessness, and meditative remembrance, O, God is the Breaker of bonds says Nanak.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Jaitsari, AGGS, Page, 702-1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

ਨਾਹਿਨ ਗੁਨੁ ਨਾਹਿਨ ਕਛੁ ਬਿਦਿਆ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਗਜਿ ਕੀਨਾ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਰਾਮ ਕਾ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਅਭੈ ਦਾਨੁ ਤਿਹ ਦੀਨਾ ॥
Nāhin gun nāhin kacẖẖ biḏi▫ā ḏẖaram ka▫un gaj kīnā. Nanak Birad Raam Kaa Daykhhu Abhai Daan Tih Deenaa.

O Nanak, behold the way of God, who bestowed the gift of fearlessness.-----Guru Tegh Bahadur, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 902-3

Those living under the Will of God – Guru oriented -- are blessed by Its Grace to live without fear. Kabir in Raag Gauri, questions about it:

ਕਵਨੁ ਸੁ ਘਰੁ ਜੋ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਕਹੀਐ ॥
ਭਉ ਭਜਿ ਜਾਇ ਅਭੈ ਹੋਇ ਰਹੀਐ ॥
Kavan So Ghar Jo Nirbha-o Kahee-ai, Bha-o Bhaj Jaa-ay Abhai Ho-ay Rahee-ai.
                

Where is such a home, which is said to be free of fear? There, fear is dispelled and one lives without fear.-----Kabir, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 325-5

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਨਿ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਨ ॥

ਦੇਹਿ ਅਭੈ ਪਦੁ ਮਾਂਗਉ ਦਾਨ ॥

Kahi Kabir Sun Saarigpaan, Deh Abhai Pad MaaNga-o Daan.

Says Kabir, please hear me, O, God of the World. I beg for the blessing of fearless dignity.-----Kabir Raag Bhairo, AGGS, Page, 1163-8, 9

Conclusion:

Fearless Creator makes an individual fearless through It’s Grace.  One achieves fearlessness by reciting Naam and following the teachings contained in the Sabd Guru. Bhai Gurdas emphasizes this in his Vaars:

ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਅਵੇਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਅਨਭੈ ਪਿਰਮ ਪਿਰੀ ਅਨੁਰਾਗੇ ।

Gur Oupdays Avays Kar Anbhai Piram Piri Anuragay.

Adopting the teachings of the Guru, the state of fearlessness and total absorption in love of God is obtained.-----Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 6, Pauri, 17-6

ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਲਿਵਲੀਣੁ ਹੋਇ ਅਨਭਉ ਅਘੜ ਘੜਾਏ ਗਹਣਾ ।

Sabd Surat LivleeN Hoay Anbhou Agharh Ghrhaa-ay Gehnaa.

Through a merger with the consciousness in the Word, one gets adorned in fearlessness.-----Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 18, Pauri 22-5