Friday, September 09, 2005

Being Spiritual

I met one of my uncles yesterday after like 3 years. I've been close to him for the past 21 years, earliest memories include going to the Golden Temple during peak of militancy with him (with an onion on my head for tying a patka, that was like mandatory during that troubled time), aunty taught me to tie shoe laces (alright, I haven't been a good student when it comes to shoe laces!), and so on. Among other things, he wanted me to learn to be spiritual "from early on in life" (as if 24 is like early!). Anyway, so he told me about the "mool mantra", from the Guru Granth Sahib (the 11th Guru of the Sikhs, the Holy text).

Ek Omkar Satnaam Kartapurakh Nirbhav Nirvair Akalmurat Ajuni Saybhung

The above, he told me, is like the definition of God.

[Ek = one
Om = one that is unique
Kar = continous, immutable
Sat = undestroyable
Kartapurakh = The creator is within the creation
Nirbhav = fearless
Nirvair = enemyless
Akalmurat = eternel being
Ajuni = unclassified species, there's no other. The species are classified as being out of eggs (andaj), born out of a womb (jeraj), born out of sweat/moisture (setaj), born out of earth (utphuj). There was also a mention of existence of 84,000,000 species, half of them being underwater.
Saybhung = born out of itself]

To be in the sight of the above-defined God, one has to remember him, starting with at certain times - like morning and evening, and moving on to a state where in a continuous alaap of the God's name comes from within.

Gurprasar, Jap Aadsach Juugaadsach Haipisach, Nanak, Hosipisach

[Gurprasar = By the blessings of the Guru
Jap = Always remember
Aadsach = The first truth
Juugaadsach = The truth that spanned all the juugs, Satyug, Treta, Dwapar, and Kalyug
Haipisach = The current truth
Hosipisach = The truth forever]

After telling me about the mool mantra, he went on to describe a snippet, from the holy text, that advocates doing good Karma and remembering God, because that is what matters in the end (yes, some may yawn now!). Quoting him:

Je Juug Chaare Aarja, Hor Dasooni Hoye
[Even if you live ten times the span of the four juugs]

Nauwan Khandaan Wich jaaniye, Naal Chaalai Sab Koye
[You're known all over the nine khands, and all are with you]

Changa Naun Rakhaayekey, Jas Kirat Jug Le
[Attain fame/respect/wealth the world over]

Je Tis Nadar Na Aavaye, Taan Vaat Na Pooche Koye
[But if you're not able to see the God, then you have nowhere to go, none to turn to upon death]

Keetan Andar Keet Kar, Doshi Dosh Tarey
[Even the lowly insects - metaphorical for the miniscule - point fingers on you]

Nanak, Nirgun Gun Kare, Gunvateyan Gun Daye
[But Nanak says, by remembering Him (God), even the talentless (metaphorically) can attain the skill similar to those who are talented]

My uncle also advocated meditating (He says it leads to the tenth opening - somewhere within the forehead, the place where God appears, when you meditate - the other nine being: 2 earholes, 2 eye sockets, 2 nostrils, mouth, anus, rectum).

Well, I've always believed in a superior spiritual power, but may be a part of growing up, is to know more about Him, and know about more things that make sense. I am still to see myself immersed into meditation, but hopefully that should be a real task for me someday. Till then as Naaz Khialvi put it:

Ho Bhi Nahin Aur Harjaa ho,
Tum Ik Gorakh Dhandha Ho

Har Zarre Mein Kis Shaan Se Tu Jalwanuma Hai
Hairaan Magar Akl Ke Kaisa Hai Tu Kya Hai

Tujhe Dair-o-Haram Mein Maine Dhoondha Tu Nahin Milta
Magar Tashreef Farma Tujhko Apne Dil Mein Dekha Hai

Dhoondhe Nahin Mile Ho Na Dhoondhe Se Kahin Tum
Aur Phir Yeh Tamasha Hai Jahan Hum Hain Wohi Tum

(Beautifully rendered by NFAK sahib)

Funny as it sounds, everyone seeks to find The Omnipresent, duh!

2 comments:

Ghushe said...

This has effects very similar to the sufi writing. Thanks.

Have u read/heard Khusro. There are some amazing renditions of Khusro's works my Shubha Mudgal and Abida Parveen. The music somehow makes me relate more to the meaning of the words.

मिर्ची सेठ said...

राहुल,

आज निखिल जो कि अभी यहाँ जू-एस में है से बात हो रही थी कि आप का जिक्र हो आया। तो सोचा की बड़े दिन से कुछ पता नहीं आपका ब्लॉग देखतें हैं तो पता चले कि आप कर क्या रहे हैं। यहाँ आया तो देखता हूँ कि भैया आप तो बहुत आगे बढ़ गए हैं। वैसे भी निखिल का कहना है कि जब आदमी थोरु पढ़ना शुरु कर दे तो समझो उसका हो लिया।

आपकी वह ३६ घंटे, थोरु की कोट्स व यही दर्शन शास्त्र वाली पोस्टस पढ़ी व सही लगा। ग्रंथ साहिब वाकई कमाल की है कुछ और

- जो तुद भावे नानका सोई भली कार
- तेरा भाणा मीठा लागे
- तू मेरा राखा सभनी थाईं

गर कभी कैलिफोर्निया आओ तो बताना।

पंकज