Rawel Singh

Rawel Singh I am a Sikh writer currently based in the United States. My interests include the exegesis of the Guru Granth Sahib, along with the comparative study of the Qur'an, Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Hindu texts. This blog is intended to engage in a dialogue with wider audience mostly on theological issues.

Congregation

"Sādh Saṅgat" in the Sikh parlance refers to the congregational body of committed human beings who aspire toward the attainment of self-realization while alive through the dual-act of active engagement with the Divine Word (gur śabad) and loving adherence to the long-established traditions (rahat maryādā) of the Panth.

SGGS pp 227-229, Gaurri M: 1, Asttpadees 15-18.   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਨਹੀ ਰਾਈ ॥ਚਾਲਹਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ॥ਰਹਹਿ ਅਤੀਤ ਸਚੇ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 1.  Bolėh sācẖ mithi▫ā nahī rā▫ī Cẖālėh gurmukẖ hukam rajā▫ī Rahėh aṯīṯ sacẖe sarṇā▫ī ||1||   Composition of the first Guru in Raga Gaurri. Those who follow the guru (bolah-i) speak (saach-u) the truth and not (raaee = mustard seed) a bit of (mithiaa) falsehood. (Gurmukh-i) one who follows the guru […]

SGGS pp 225-227, Gaurri M: 1, Asttpadees 11-14. ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ ਸੇਵਾ ਏਕ ਨ ਜਾਨਸਿ ਅਵਰੇ ॥ਪਰਪੰਚ ਬਿਆਧਿ ਤਿਆਗੈ ਕਵਰੇ ॥ਭਾਇ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਚੁ ਸਾਚੈ ਸਚੁ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 1. Sevā ek na jānas avre Parpancẖ bi▫āḏẖ ṯi▫āgai kavre Bẖā▫e milai sacẖ sācẖai sacẖ re ||1||   Composition of the first Guru in Raga Gaurri. A devotee of the Almighty (seyva = service) serves/worships/obeys commands of (eyk) the One Almighty, and (na) does not (jaanas-i = know) recognize (avrey) any other […]

SGGS pp 223-225, Gaurri M: 1, Asttpadees 7-10   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ ਖਿਮਾ ਗਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਤੁ ਸੀਲ ਸੰਤੋਖੰ ॥ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਨਾ ਜਮ ਦੋਖੰ ॥ਮੁਕਤ ਭਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਰੂਪ ਨ ਰੇਖੰ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 1. Kẖimā gahī baraṯ sīl sanṯokẖaʼn Rog na bi▫āpai nā jam ḏokẖaʼn Mukaṯ bẖa▫e parabẖ rūp na rekẖaʼn ||1||   Composition of the first Guru in Raga Gaurri. One who (gahi = holds) acquires the quality of (khima) forgiveness, sticks to (brat-u) resolution, (seel) serene nature and (santokhn) contentment/happily obeying Divine commands. S/he […]

SGGS pp 222-223, Gauri M: 5, Asttpadees 3-6.   ਗਉੜੀ ਗੁਆਰੇਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥  ਨਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਹੋਇ ॥   ਮਨੁ ਵਸਿ ਦੂਤਾ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਦੋਇ ॥   ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਇਕੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī gu▫ārerī mėhlā 1.  Nā man marai na kāraj ho▫e   Man vas ḏūṯā ḏurmaṯ ḏo▫e   Man mānai gur ṯe ik ho▫e ||1||   Composition of the first Guru in Raga Gaurri Raagini Guareyri. As long as (man-u = mind) the human being (na marai = does not die) acts by self-will, – and not […]

SGGS pp 220-221 Gauri: 5, Asttpadees 1-2   ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਅਸਟਪਦੀਆ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਗਉੜੀ ਗੁਆਰੇਰੀ Rāg ga▫oṛī asatpaḏī▫ā mėhlā 1 ga▫oṛī gu▫ārerī   Composition of the first Guru in Raga Gaurri Raagini Guaareyri, (asttpadeeaa) of eight stanzas.   ੴ ਸਤਿਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ Ik▫oaʼnkār saṯnām karṯā purakẖ gur parsāḏ   Invoking the One all-pervasive Creator, (satinaam-u) the Eternal authority, who may be known by the true guru’s grace/guidance.   ਨਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥   ਪੂਰਨ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਬਿਖੁ ਮਾਰਿ ॥   ਤ੍ਰਿਕੁਟੀ ਛੂਟੀ ਬਿਮਲ ਮਝਾਰਿ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਜੀਇ ਆਈ ਕਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ […]

SGGS pp 218-220, Gauri M: 5 and 9.   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਹਰਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮਾ ॥   ਜਪਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਏ ਕਾਮਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mājẖ mėhlā 5   Har rām rām rām rāmā   Jap pūran ho▫e kāmā ||1|| rahā▫o   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri, Raagini Maajh. (Raama) the all- writ pervasive (har-i) Almighty (raam raam raam) pervades in water, on/in land and in space, i.e. laws of nature apply […]

SGGS pp 216-218, Gauri M: 5, (164-170).   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਾਲਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥   ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਬਿਰਥੇ ॥   ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਣੇ ਇਹਿ ਓਰੈ ਮੂਸੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mālā mėhlā 5   Har bin avar kir▫ā birthe   Jap ṯap sanjam karam kamāṇe ihi orai mūse ||1|| rahā▫o   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri, Raagini Maala. (Avar) other acts (bin-u) except conformance to (har-i) Divine commands are (kriaa) rituals which are (birthey) of no use in finding the Almighty within. (Kamaaney) […]

SGGS pp 214-216, Gauri M: 5, (157-163).   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਮਾਤੋ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਮਾਤੋ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5 Māṯo har rang māṯo ||1|| rahā▫o   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri. I am (maato) intoxicated, I am (maato) intoxicated (rang-i) with love of (har-i) the Almighty. 1. (Rahaau) dwell on this and reflect.   ਓ‍ੁਹੀ ਪੀਓ ਓ‍ੁਹੀ ਖੀਓ ਗੁਰਹਿ ਦੀਓ ਦਾਨੁ ਕੀਓ ॥   ਉਆਹੂ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਤੋ ॥੧॥ Ohī pī▫o ohī kẖī▫o gurėh ḏī▫o ḏān kī▫o U▫āhū si▫o man rāṯo ||1|| […]

ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਹੈ ਕੋਈ ਐਸਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਤੋਰੈ ॥   ਇਸੁ ਮੀਠੀ ਤੇ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਹੋਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5   Hai ko▫ī aisā ha▫umai ṯorai   is mīṯẖī ṯe ih man horai ||1|| rahā▫o     Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri. (Hai koi) is there (koee) any one (aisa) such who (torai = breaks) kills (haumai) ego; and (horai) turns away (ih = this) his/her (man) mind from (is) this (meetthi = sweet) tempting attribute – […]

SGGS pp 211-212, Gauri M:5, (142-149).   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਜੀਅਰੇ ਓਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਨਾਮ ਕਾ ॥   ਅਵਰੁ ਜਿ ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਵਨੋ ਤਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਭਉ ਹੈ ਜਾਮ ਕਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5.  Jī▫are olĥā nām kā.   Avar jė karan karāvano ṯin mėh bẖa▫o hai jām kā. ||1|| rahā▫o.   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri. O (jiarey) my mind, take (olha) protection of/rely only on (naam) Divine virtues and commands to overcome temptations. (Karan) doing (avar-u) anything else […]

SGGS pp 209-211, Gauri M: 5, (137-141).   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਮਨ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਓਟ ਗਹੀਜੈ ਰੇ ॥   ਜਿਨਿ ਧਾਰੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਖੰਡ ਹਰਿ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਜੈ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5 Pārbarahm pūran parmesur man ṯā kī ot gahījai re   Jin ḏẖāre barahmand kẖand har ṯā ko nām japījai re ||1|| rahā▫o     Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri.  O my (man = mind) human being, (gaheejai = catch) place yourself in (ott) protection of (paarbrahm) the Supreme Spirit who […]

SGGS pp 208-209, Gauri M: 5, (132-136).   Note: This Shabad uses the terminology employed by the Yogis. It brings out how, real Jog/Yog which means union with the Divine may be attained instead of symbolism as done by the Yogis.   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਆਇਓ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ॥   ਮੋ ਕਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਬੁਝਾਇਓ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5.  Jog jugaṯ sun ā▫i▫o gur ṯe   Mo ka▫o saṯgur sabaḏ bujẖā▫i▫o ||1|| rahā▫o   Composition of the fifth […]

SGGS pp 206-207, Gauri M5 (127-131).     ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਛੋਡਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਰੇ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਕੇ ਰਸੂਆ ॥ ਉਰਝਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਰੇ ਬਾਵਰ ਗਾਵਰ ਜਿਉ ਕਿਰਖੈ ਹਰਿਆਇਓ ਪਸੂਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5.  Cẖẖod cẖẖod re bikẖi▫ā ke rasū▫ā   Urajẖ rahi▫o re bāvar gāvar ji▫o kirkẖai hari▫ā▫i▫o pasū▫ā ||1|| rahā▫o   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri. (Rey) O my mind (chhod-i) give up attachment to (bikhia = poison, intoxicants) transitory (rasooaa) pleasures. (Jio) like a (hariaio) stray (pasooa) animal […]

SGGS pp 205-206, Gauri M: 5, (123-126).     Note: This Shabad uses the term ਬੀਠੁਲੈ (beetthulai), derived from Beethal also called Vittal or Vithoba. According to Wikipedia “Vithoba is the focus of the monotheistic, non-Brahmanical Varkari sect of Maharashtra and the Haridasa sect of Karnataka Vithoba’s main temple stands at Pandharpur in Maharashtra, close to the Karnataka border”. Vihoba is shown standing on a […]

SGGS pp 203-205, Gauri M: 5, (116-122)   ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਬੈਰਾਗਣਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ Rāg ga▫oṛī bairāgaṇ mėhlā 5   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri Ragini Bairagan.   ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ Ik▫oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ   Invoking the One all-pervasive Creator who may be known by the true guru’s grace/guidance.   ਦਯ ਗੁਸਾਈ ਮੀਤੁਲਾ ਤੂੰ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਬਾਸੁ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ḏa▫y gusā▫ī mīṯulā ṯūʼn sang hamārai bās jī▫o. ||1|| rahā▫o.   O (dayy) merciful (gusaaee) […]

SGGS pp 201-203, Gauri M: 5, (109-115).   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਭਾਹਿ ਨ ਜਲੈ ॥   ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਨਹੀ ਛਲੈ ॥   ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਨਹੀ ਡੂਬੈ ਜਲਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਸੁਫਲ ਫਲਾ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5.  Har sang rāṯe bẖāhi na jalai.   Har sang rāṯe mā▫i▫ā nahī cẖẖalai.   Har sang rāṯe nahī dūbai jalā.  Har sang rāṯe sufal falā. ||1||   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri. One does not (jalai) burn (bhaah-i) in fire of craving and jealousy when (raatey = dyed) imbued (sang-i) […]

SGGS pp 200-201, Gauri M: 5. (101-108).   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਜੀਵਨ ਪਦਵੀ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਦਾਸ ॥   ਜਿਨ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਆਤਮ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5 Jīvan paḏvī har ke ḏās   Jin mili▫ā āṯam pargās ||1||   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri (Daas = servants) devotees of the Eternal attain (jeevan) life (padvi) status, i.e. do not fall prey to temptations. They are those (milia) by meeting (jin) whom, i.e. in whose company, (aatam) […]

SGGS pp 198-200, Gauri M; 5, (160-169).     ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਦਾਸ ਸਿਉ ਸਾਕਤ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਗੁ ॥   ਓਹੁ ਬਿਖਈ ਓਸੁ ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5.  Har ke ḏās si▫o sākaṯ nahī sang.   Oh bikẖ▫ī os rām ko rang ||1|| rahā▫o evil   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri. (Saakat) a person who turns away from god (nahi sang-u = cannot keep company) is not compatible (siau) with (daas = servants) devotes of (har-i) the […]

SGGS pp 196-198, Gaurri M: 5 (152-159).   Note: This Shabad uses the expression ਬਟਵਾਰੇ (battvaarey) meaning highway robbers. This term is used as a metaphor for temptations. It is sometimes used as panj battvaarey i.e. five robbers namely lust, wrath, greed, attachment to transitory pleasures and relations, and vanity.   ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਸੰਗੀ ਬਟਵਾਰੇ ॥   ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਲਏ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5.  Āṯẖ pahar sangī batvāre.   Kar kirpā parabẖ la▫e nivāre. ||1|| […]

SGGS pp 195-196, Gauri M: 5 (146-151)     ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥  ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੇ ਚਰਨ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ਸਗਲ ਤੀਰਥ ਮਜਨ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥੧॥ Ga▫oṛī mėhlā 5.  Parabẖ ke cẖaran man māhi ḏẖi▫ān.   Sagal ṯirath majan isnān. ||1||   Composition of the fifth Guru in Raga Gaurri. Paying (dhiaan-u) attention to (charan = feet) commands of (prab) the Almighty (maah-i) in the mind, cleanses the mind, for which people take (majan isnaan-u) bath at (sagal) at […]


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