FOURTEEN LESSONS OF GURU NANAK

ABSTRACT

Guru Nanak has summarized his Philosophy in Raag Bilawal (Musical mode of delight sung during the 2^nd watch of the day).  It makes the reader understand the attributes of that incomprehensible force, which is responsible for creation.  This unfathomable, metaphysical force is also the Absolute Principle unfolding to date that can only be approached through meditation, deliberation, and devotional love.  Teachings to reflect upon in daily life are included in Sabd Guru. Guru Nanak describes God’s Nirgun and Sargun attributes through 14 lunar days, which could be easily understood step by step by any individual with metaphoric examples of mythological references for guidance. The foundation of Guru Nanak’s philosophy lies in inner cleanliness by living the truth rather than external piety.  This is achieved through the development of divine virtues and service to the Guru, which in fact is the service of the Absolute Principle, being an integral part of everything (ਨਿਰੰਤਰ). Its Grace is an expression of Divine benevolence, which is a cardinal doctrine in Sikhism.
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Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal:

ਏਕਮ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ॥
ਅਮਰੁ ਅਜੋਨੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਲਾ ॥
ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਰੇਖਿਆ ॥
ਖੋਜਤ ਖੋਜਤ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਦੇਖਿਆ ॥
---- ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਹਲੁ ਘਰੁ ਦੀਸੈ ॥
AykamAykankaar Niraala,Amar Ajoni Jaat Na Jala,Agam Agoacher Roop Na Raykhia, Khoajat Khoajafor ----- Gur Kai Sabd Mahal Ghar Deesai.

Lunar day1.  The One Universal Creator is unique, Immortal, Unborn, beyond social class or involvement, inaccessible, unfathomable, and with no form or features. Searching, searching, I have seen God in each and every heart. I am a sacrifice to one who sees, and inspires others to see God. By Guru's Grace, I have obtained the supreme status. Whose Name should I chant, and meditate on, except that of the Creator of the Universe? Through the Word of the Guru's Sabd, the Mansion of the God's Presence is revealed within the home of one's own heart.              

ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਲਗੇ ਪਛੁਤਾਣੇ ॥
ਜਮ ਦਰਿ ਬਾਧੇ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੇ ॥
Ḏūjai bẖā­ė lagė pacẖẖuṯāṇė. Jam ḏar bāḏẖė āvaṇ jāṇė.

Lunar day 2: Those who are in love with another, come to regret and repent, and are tied up at Death's door, and continue coming and going.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 839-2, 3

What have they brought, and what will they take with them when they go? The Messenger of   Death looms over their heads, and they endure his beating. Without the Word of the Guru's Sabd, no one finds release. Practicing hypocrisy, no one finds liberation. The True God Itself created the universe by joining the elements together. The cosmic egg was broken by God, the sky and earth were united and separated to create a place to live. It created day and night, fear and love. The only One, who created the Creation, also watches over it.

ਤ੍ਰਿਤੀਆ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸਾ ॥
ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵ ਉਪਾਏ ਵੇਸਾ ॥
Ŧariṯī­ā barahmā bisan mahėsā. Ḏėvī ḏėv upā­ė vėsa.-----839-6

Lunar day 3: God created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the gods, goddesses and various manifestations of the lights and forms, which cannot be counted. The One who fashioned them knows their value and evaluates them.  God totally pervades them, whether they are close or far away.

ਚਉਥਿ ਉਪਾਏ ਚਾਰੇ ਬੇਦਾ ॥
ਖਾਣੀ ਚਾਰੇ ਬਾਣੀ ਭੇਦਾ ॥
Cẖa­uth upā­ė cẖārė bėḏā. Kẖāṇī cẖārė baṇī bẖėḏā.-----839-8

Lunar day 4: God created the four Veda, the four sources of creation, and distinct forms of speech.  God created the eighteen Puraanas, the six Shaastras and the three qualities. God alone understands and causes some to understand. One, who overcomes the three qualities, dwells in the fourth state. Prays Nanak, I am his slave.

ਪੰਚਮੀ ਪੰਚ ਭੂਤ ਬੇਤਾਲਾ ॥
ਆਪਿ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ॥
Pancẖmī pancẖ bẖūṯ bėṯālā.Āp agocẖar purakẖ nirālā.-----839-10

Lunar day 5: Human beings made up of five elements are restless like goblins. God Itself is unfathomable and detached. Some are gripped by doubt, hunger, emotional attachment and desire. Some taste the sublime essence of the Sabd, and are satisfied. Some are imbued with God’s Love, while some die, and are reduced to dust. Some attain the Court and Mansion of the True master; they understand God to be present. The false one has no honor or fame. Like the black crow, he never becomes pure and white, and is like the bird, imprisoned in a cage. It paces back and forth behind the bars, but is not released. He alone is emancipated, whom the Master emancipates if he follows the Guru's Teachings with devotional worship.

ਖਸਟੀ ਖਟੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਜੇ ॥
ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ਵਾਜੇ ॥
Kẖastī kẖat ḏarsan parabẖ sājė.Anhaḏ sabaḏ nirālā vājė.-----839-13

Lunar day 6: God organized the six systems of Yoga. The unstruck sound current of the Sabd vibrates of itself. If God wills it so, then one is summoned to the Mansion of Its Presence. One, who is pierced through by the Sabd, obtains honor. Those wearing religious robes burn, and are ruined. Through Truth, the truthful ones merge into the True God.

ਸਪਤਮੀ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸਰੀਰਿ ॥
ਸਾਤ ਸਮੁੰਦ ਭਰੇ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨੀਰਿ ॥
Sapṯamī saṯ sanṯokẖ sarīr.Sāṯ samunḏ bẖarė nirmal nīr.-----839-15

Lunar day 7: When the body is imbued with Truth and contentment, the seven seas within is filled with the Immaculate Water. Bathing in good conduct, and contemplating the True God within the heart, one obtains the Word of the Guru's Sabd, and carries one across. With the True God in the mind, and lovingly on one's lips, one is blessed with the banner of Truth.  He then overcomes all obstructions.

ਅਸਟਮੀ ਅਸਟ ਸਿਧਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਾਧੈ ॥
ਸਚੁ ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਅਰਾਧੈ ॥
Astamī asat siḏẖ buḏẖ sāḏẖai.Sacẖ nihkėval karam arāḏẖai.-----839-17

Lunar day 8: The eight miraculous powers come when one subdues his own mind and contemplates on the True Akal Purkh through pure actions. One should forget the three qualities of wind, water and fire, and concentrate on the pure True Name.  One who remains lovingly focused on God, prays Nanak, shall not be consumed by death.

ਨਾਉ ਨਉਮੀ ਨਵੇ ਨਾਥ ਨਵ ਖੰਡਾ ॥
ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਨਾਥੁ ਮਹਾ ਬਲਵੰਡਾ ॥
Nā­o na­umī navė nāth nav kẖanda.Gẖat gẖat nāth mahā balvandā-----839-19

Lunar day 9:  The Name is the supreme almighty.  God is the Master of the nine masters of Yoga, the nine realms of the earth, and each and every heart. This whole world is the child of Maya. I bow in submission to God, my Protector. It was in the beginning, and has existed through the ages, is extant now, and shall always be. It is unlimited, and capable of doing anything.

ਦਸਮੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥
ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਮਜਨੁ ਸਚਾ ਗੁਣ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥
Ḏasmī nām ḏān isnān.An­ḏin majan sacẖā guṇ gi­ān.-----840-2

Lunar day 10: Meditate on the Naam, give to charity, and purify yourself. Night and day, bathe in spiritual wisdom and the Glorious Virtues of the True God. Truth cannot be polluted. Doubt and fear run away from it.  A flimsy thread breaks in an instant. Know that the world is just like this thread. Your consciousness shall become steady and stable, enjoying the Love of the True God.

ਏਕਾਦਸੀ ਇਕੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਵਸਾਵੈ ॥
ਹਿੰਸਾ ਮਮਤਾ ਮੋਹੁ ਚੁਕਾਵੈ ॥
Ėkāḏasī ik riḏai vasāvai.Hinsā mamṯā moh cẖukẖāvai-----840-4

Lunar day 11: Enshrine the One God within your heart. Eradicate cruelty, egotism and emotional attachment. Earn the fruitful rewards, by observing the fast of knowing your own self. One, who is engrossed in hypocrisy, does not see the true essence. God is immaculate, self-sustaining and unattached. The Pure, True God cannot be polluted. Wherever I look, I see the One God there. God created the other beings, of many and various kinds. Eating only fruits, one loses the fruits of life. Eating only delicacies of various sorts, one loses the true taste.  People are entangled in fraud and engrossed in greed.  The Guru Oriented is emancipated by practicing Truth.

ਦੁਆਦਸਿ ਮੁਦ੍ਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਅਉਧੂਤਾ ॥ 
ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਜਾਗਹਿ ਕਬਹਿ ਨ ਸੂਤਾ ॥
Ḏu­āḏas muḏrā man a­uḏẖūṯā.Ahinis jāgeh kabeh na sūṯā.-----840-7

Lunar day 12: One whose mind is not attached to the twelve signs, remains awake day and night, and never sleeps. He remains awake and aware, lovingly centered on God. With faith in the Guru, he is not consumed by death. Those who become detached, and conquer the five enemies are lovingly absorbed in God, prays Nanak. The Twelfth Day: Know, and practice, compassion and charity. Bring your out-going mind back home. Observe the fast of remaining free of desire. Chant of the Naam with your mouth. Know that the One God is contained in the three worlds. Purity and self-discipline are all contained in knowing the Truth.

ਤੇਰਸਿ ਤਰਵਰ ਸਮੁਦ ਕਨਾਰੈ ॥
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਮੂਲੁ ਸਿਖਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਤਾਰੈ ॥
Ŧėras ṯarvar samuḏ kanārai.Amriṯ mūl sikẖar liv ṯāra.-----840-11

Luna day 13: An individual is like a tree on the seashore. But his roots can become immortal, if his mind is attuned to the God's Love. Then, he will not die of fear or anxiety, and he will never drown. Without the Fear of God, he drowns and dies, and loses his honor. With the Fear of God in his heart, he knows God. He sits on the throne, and becomes pleasing to the Mind of the True God.

ਚਉਦਸਿ ਚਉਥੇ ਥਾਵਹਿ ਲਹਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਰਾਜਸ ਤਾਮਸ ਸਤ ਕਾਲ ਸਮਾਵੈ ॥
Cẖa­uḏas cẖa­uthė thāveh leh pāvai.Rājas ṯāmas saṯ kāl samāvai.-----840-13

Lunar day 14: One, who enters into the fourth state, overcomes time, and the three qualities of Maya; (raajas, taamas and satva). Then the sun enters into the house of the moon, and one knows the value of the technology of Yoga. He remains lovingly focused on God, who is permeating the fourteen worlds, the nether regions of the underworld, the galaxies and solar systems. Amaavas – On the night of the new moon, the moon is hidden in the sky. O wise one, understand and contemplate the Word of the Sabd. The moon in the sky illuminates the three worlds. Creating the creation, the Creator beholds it. One, who sees, through the Guru, merges into God. The self-willed are deluded, coming and going in reincarnation. One, who establishes his home within his own heart, obtains the most beautiful, permanent place. One comes to understand his own self, finds the True Guru. Who has shattered the desires has broken the pot of duality and selfishness.

ਅਮਾਵਸਿਆ ਚੰਦੁ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਗੈਣਾਰਿ ॥
ਬੂਝਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥-------
ਮਮਤਾ ਜਾਲ ਤੇ ਰਹੈ ਉਦਾਸਾ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਣਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਮ ਤਾ ਕੇ ਦਾਸਾ ॥
Amāvasi▫ā cẖanḏ gupaṯ gaiṇār.Būjẖhu gi▫ānī sabaḏ bīcẖār. -----Mamta Jaal Tay Rahai Oudasaa, Parnvat Nanak Han Ta Kay Dasaa.-----840-19

Amaavas - The Night of the New Moon: The moon is hidden in the sky. O wise one, understand and contemplate the Word of the Sabd. ------Prays Nanak; I am the slave of that one, who remains detached amidst the snares of attachment.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 838-7 to 840-19

Conclusion:

The danger to the philosophy of Guru Nanak comes from degeneration of morals, from beclouding one's mental horizon and from an atrophy of moral and spiritual nature. Individuals put their vested interest first, and truths and ideals go begging. Moral life cannot be lived in isolation. Morality is the nurse of spirituality. All the present problems are self-inflicted and are caused by ignorance. Ignorance of reality is no excuse. The only cure is self-knowledge.  One has to become conscious of his infinite worth.  This will put him on a path to progress spiritually and towards God. For the truly faithful, no miracle is necessary, but for those who doubt, no miracle is sufficient.