SGGS pp 1429-1429, Mundaavni and Slok M: 5

Note: The first Shabad below is titled Mundaavni. Scholars have attributed mainly two meanings to it. First is ‘riddle’ and the second ‘seal’.

The first meaning is supported by a Slok of the third Guru on SGGS p 645 where the Guru says “thaalai vich trai vastoo paeeio” meaning three things have been placed in a plate which are sublime food. The platter here stands for the mind. The Guru does not name them. Then he says “Ih mudaanvni satguru paee gusikhaa ladhi bhaal-i” meaning this riddle was put for disciples of the guru to search and find/solve. This Shabad titled Mundaavni by the fifth Guru on page 1929 says “thaal vich tin vastoo paeeio, sat santokh veechaaro” the three things put in the platter and names them as (sat-i) truthful living, (santokh = contentment) happily accepting Divine commands and (veechaaro) discernment, to know what is right and what is not. This Shabad also mentions Naam being placed. Both Shabads say these things are unavoidable.

The second meaning namely ‘seal’ to means ‘end’ is supported on the basis that this marks end of compositions of the gurus, treating the Slok M: 5, as part of this seal. Mund/moondh means closing the lid of a container to indicate the end. This also stands to reason because the fifth Guru acknowledges that he has been able to accomplish the task of compilation of the compositions. He acknowledges kindness of the Almighty for availability of compositions of the predecessor gurus and saints. He calls the compositions “Pothi Sahib” or revered Book.

As may be seen there is no conflict between the two meanings; they are complementary.

ਮੁੰਦਾਵਣੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿੰਨਿ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੋ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਪਇਓ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭਸੁ
ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥

Munḏāvaṇī mėhlā 5.   Thāl vicẖ ṯinn vasṯū pa▫ī▫o saṯ sanṯokẖ vīcẖāro.   Amriṯ nām ṯẖākur kā pa▫i▫o jis kā sabẖas aḏẖāro.

(Mundaavani) the final guru composition solving a riddle mystery, (mahla 5) by the fifth Guru. (Ti’nn-i) three (vastoo) things (paeeio) have been placed (vich-i) in (thaalai = plate for eating) the human mind – for the human being to feed, i.e. to conduct the self; they are (sat-u) truthful living, (santokh = contentment) happy acceptance of Divine will and (veechaaro) discernment.

With them has been placed (a’mmrit) the life-giving Naam/virtues and commands (ka) of (tthaakur) the Master, (jis ka) whose (adhaaro) support (sabhas-u) everyone has, i.e. everyone is to live by Naam as guide.

ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਏਹ ਵਸਤੁ ਤਜੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਰਖੁ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਤਮ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਸਾਰੋ ॥੧॥

Je ko kẖāvai je ko bẖuncẖai ṯis kā ho▫e uḏẖāro.   Ėh vasaṯ ṯajī nah jā▫ī niṯ niṯ rakẖ ur ḏẖāro.  Ŧam sansār cẖaran lag ṯarī▫ai sabẖ Nānak barahm pasāro. ||1||

(Jey ko) whosoever (khaavai = eats, bhunchai = enjoys) lovingly complies with Naam (udhaaro) emancipation (hoey) happens (ka) of (tis) that person, i.e. s/he does not fall prey to vices, attains union with God and is not reborn.

(Eyh) this (vast-u) thing, – complying with Naam – (na jaaee = cannot, taji = given up) is essential; (rakho) keep (ur-i dhaaro) in mind (nit nit) forever – in thought, word and deed.

(Tam = dark) blinding (sansaar-u = world) temptations of the world-play (tareeaai = swim across) are overcome by (lag-i) touching (charan) feet, i.e. submitting to commands of (braham) Creator whose writ applies to (sabh) all (pasaaro = expanse) creation, says the fifth Guru. 1.

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ਸਲੋਕ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਤੋ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੈਨੋ ਜੋਗੁ ਕੀਤੋਈ ॥ ਮੈ ਨਿਰਗੁਣਿਆਰੇ ਕੋ ਗੁਣੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਆਪੇ ਤਰਸੁ ਪਇਓਈ ॥

Salok mėhlā 5.   Ŧerā kīṯā jāṯo nāhī maino jog kīṯo▫ī.  Mai nirguṇi▫āre ko guṇ nāhī āpe ṯaras pa▫i▫o▫ī.

(Slok) verse (mahla 5) by the fifth Guru. O Almighty, I have not (jaato) known/realized (teyra) Your (keetaa = doing) kindness to me; You (keetoee) made (maino) me (jog-u) capable – to accomplish compilation of this Granth/holy book.

(Mai) I am (nirguniaarey) meritless, have (ko naahi = not any) no (gun-u = virtue) capability, You (paiaoee) showed (taras-u = pity) compassion (aapey) on Your own – to enable me.

ਤਰਸੁ ਪਇਆ ਮਿਹਰਾਮਤਿ ਹੋਈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਜਣੁ ਮਿਲਿਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਥੀਵੈ ਹਰਿਆ ॥੧॥

Ŧaras pa▫i▫ā mihrāmaṯ ho▫ī saṯgur sajaṇ mili▫ā.  Nānak nām milai ṯāʼn jīvāʼn ṯan man thīvai hari▫ā. ||1||

Your (paiaa) showing (taras-u) compassion (hoee = happened) bestowed (mihraamat) grace and I (miliaa) found (sajan-u = friend) helpful (satigur-u) true guru, i.e. collection of compositions/teachings of the predecessor gurus and saints.

Now when (milai = obtained) I am conscious of Naam/Divine virtues and commands – imparted by the guru – (taa’n) then I (jeevaa’n) live; my (tan-u) body and (man-u) mind (theeavai) becomes (hariaa = green) rejuvenated, i.e. have the strength to overcome temptations, and attain union with You, says fifth Nanak. 1.