SGGS pp 666-668, Soratth M: 4, Shabads 1-6.

 

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਚਉਪਦੇ            ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 4 gẖar 1 cẖa▫upḏe  Ik▫oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.

 

Composition of the fourth Guru in Raga Dhanaasri (chaupadey) with four stanzas, (ghar-u 1) to be sung to the first beat.  Invoking the One all-pervasive Creator who may be known with the true guru’s grace.

 

Note: The soul has influences of past doings of numerous past births sticking to it. It is only in human birth when one can be in company of the reformed souls/seekers of the Almighty, where one learns to wash off the past influences. This is done by obtaining awareness of Naam or virtues and commands of the Almighty and practice them in thought, word and deed. The fourth Guru motivates to this in this Shabad.

 

ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਸੰਤ ਭਗਤ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਸਭਿ ਪਾਪ ਨਿਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਮ ਊਪਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਖੁ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਤੁਮ ਜੁ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥੧॥

Jo har sevėh sanṯ bẖagaṯ ṯin ke sabẖ pāp nivārī.  Ham ūpar kirpā kar su▫āmī rakẖ sangaṯ ṯum jo pi▫ārī. ||1||

 

(Jo) those (sant-i = saints, bhagat = devotees) seekers who (seyvah-i = serve) obey (har-i) the Almighty, influence of (sabh-i) all (tin key) their past (paap) sins is (nivaaree) removed from their minds, i.e. they do not transgress any more.

O (suaami) Master, please (kirpa kar-i) bestow kindness (oopar-i) on (ham) me to (rakh-u) keep me (sangat-i) in holy company, (ju) which is (piaaree) dear to (tum) You – so that I shed vices and become acceptable to you. 1.

 

ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਉ ਬਨਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਮ ਪਾਪੀ ਪਾਥਰ ਨੀਰਿ ਡੁਬਤ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪਾਖਣ ਹਮ ਤਾਰੀ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Har guṇ kahi na saka▫o banvārī.  Ham pāpī pāthar nīr dubaṯ kar kirpā pākẖaṇ ham ṯārī. Rahā▫o.

 

O (banvaaree = gardener of vegetation) Sustainor (har-i) Almighty, I (na sakau) cannot (kah-i = say) describe (gun = virtues) Your virtues.

(Ham) I am (paapee) a sinner (paathar = stone) weighed down by wrongdoings, and (ddubat) am drowning (neer-i = in water) in the ocean of vices; please (kar-i kirpa) be kind and (taaree) ferry (ham) me (paakhan = stone) the transgressor, i.e. enable me to overcome vices and be acceptable to You.

(Rahaau) dwell on this and contemplate.

 

ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਬਿਖੁ ਮੋਰਚਾ ਲਗਿ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਧ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਬੈਸੰਤਰਿ ਤਾਇਓ ਮਲੁ ਕਾਟੀ ਕਟਿਤ ਉਤਾਰੀ ॥੨॥

Janam janam ke lāge bikẖ morcẖā lag sangaṯ sāḏẖ savārī.  Ji▫o kancẖan baisanṯar ṯā▫i▫o mal kātī katiṯ uṯārī. ||2||

 

(Morcha = rust) the dirt (key) of (bikh-u) vices of (janam janam) birth after birth (laagey) is sticking to the soul; the soul can be (savaaree) transformed (lag-i) by being in (sangat-i) company of (saadh) the seekers of the Almighty.

(Jio) like when (kanchan-u) gold (taaio) is heated (baisantar-i) by fire to (kaatti = cut) remove (mal-u) dirt/impurities, similarly company of the seekers (kattit) cuts and (utaaree) removes the effect of past vices on the soul/mind. 2.

 

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਨੁ ਜਪਉ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥੩॥

Har har japan japa▫o ḏin rāṯī jap har har har ur ḏẖārī.  Har har har a▫ukẖaḏẖ jag pūrā jap har har ha▫umai mārī. ||3||

 

I (japau) remember (japan-u) what is to be remembered to practice – commands of – (har-i har-i) the Almighty (din-u) day and (raatee) night, and by so (jap-i) remembering, I (ur-i dhaaree = keep in mind) am conscious of  commands (har-i, har-i, har-i – thrice) of God in thought, word and deed.

(Har-i = dispels vices) the purifying and (har-i = makes green) rejuvenating virtues and commands of (har-i) the Almighty are (poora) the perfect (aukhadh-u) medicine for ailments (jag-i = of the world) of the creature; one (maaree) kills (haumai) ego – the impediment to finding the Master – (jap-i) by remembering and obeying (har-i har-i) the Almighty. 3.

 

Page 667

 

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਾਧਿ ਬੋਧਿ ਅਪਰੰਪਰ ਪੁਰਖ ਅਪਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੈਜ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥੪॥੧॥

Har har agam agāḏẖ boḏẖ aprampar purakẖ apārī.  Jan ka▫o kirpā karahu jagjīvan jan Nānak paij savārī. ||4||1||

 

(Har-i har-i) the Almighty is (agam) beyond physical reach and comprehension; IT is (agaadh-i) a bottomless ocean of (bodh-i = knowledge) virtues, (aparampar = beyond whom there is none) Infinite/Supreme, (purakh) all-pervasive and (apaaree) infinite.

O Almighty (jagjeevan = life of creatures) Creator, please (kripa karh-u) bestow grace to (savaaree) preserve (paij) honour of Your (jan) servant, i.e. accept me for union with You, says fourth Nanak. 4. 1

 

————————————————

 

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿਓ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਦੂਖੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਭਾਗੀ ॥ ਅਪਨੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਾਈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜਾਗੀ ॥੧॥

Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 4.  Har ke sanṯ janā har japi▫o ṯin kā ḏūkẖ bẖaram bẖa▫o bẖāgī.  Apnī sevā āp karā▫ī gurmaṯ anṯar jāgī. ||1||

 

Composition of the fourth Guru in Raga Dhanaasri. (Sant janaa = saintly people) seekers of (har-i) the Almighty (japio) remember and emulate the virtues of (har-i) the Master; (tin ka) their (dookh-u) distress of repeated births, (bharam-u) doubts – about omnipresence of the Master, and (bhau) fear of the messenger of death (bhaagee = run) are obviated.

When (gurmat-i) the guru’s guidance (jaagee) enlightens (anatar-i) in the inner-self, the Almighty (karaaee) enables to engage in (apnee) IT’s (seyva) service – because the guru is found with Divine grace. 1.

 

ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤਾ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਣੀ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Har kai nām raṯā bairāgī.  Har har kathā suṇī man bẖā▫ī gurmaṯ har liv lāgī. ||1|| rahā▫o.

 

One who is (rataa) imbued (naam-i) with virtues (kai) of (har-i) the Almighty, (bairaagee) yearns to find the Master.

S/he (bhaaee) likes to (sunee) listen to (kathaa) description of (har-i) the purifying and (har-i) rejuvenating virtues of the Almighty; (gurmat-i) with the guru’s guidance s/he (liv laagee) focuses on (har-i) the Master. 1.

(Rahaau) dwell on this and contemplate.

 

ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਹਮ ਸਾਂਗੀ ॥ ਜੈਸੀ ਮਤਿ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹਮ ਤੈਸੇ ਬੁਲਗ ਬੁਲਾਗੀ ॥੨॥

Sanṯ janā kī jāṯ har su▫āmī ṯumĥ ṯẖākur ham sāʼngī.  Jaisī maṯ ḏevhu har su▫āmī ham ṯaise bulag bulāgī. ||2||

 

(Jaat-i = caste) the class of (sant janaa) the devotees is that of, i.e. they are like, You (har-i) the Almighty (suaami) Master; (tumh) You are (tthakur) the Master and (ham) we (saa’ngee) the imitators, i.e. follow You.

(Jaisi) as You (deyvh-u) give (mat-i = counsel) the sense, o (har-i suaami) Almighty Master, (taise) thus are (bulag) the words we (bulaagi) say, i.e. we act as You motivate. 2.

 

ਕਿਆ ਹਮ ਕਿਰਮ ਨਾਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਨਿਕ ਕੀਰੇ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਵਡ ਪੁਰਖ ਵਡਾਗੀ ॥ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਰੀ ਗਤਿ ਮਿਤਿ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਹ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਹਮ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਲਹ ਅਭਾਗੀ ॥੩ ॥

Ki▫ā ham kiram nānĥ nik kīre ṯumĥ vad purakẖ vadāgī.  Ŧumĥrī gaṯ miṯ kahi na sakah parabẖ ham ki▫o kar milah abẖāgī. ||3||

 

(Ham) we are (kia = what?) nothing in front of You; we are (naanh) small (kiram) insects, (nik) small (keerey) worms, while (tumh) You are (vadd) the greatest of (vaddaagee) the great, o (purakh) all-pervasive Master.

We (na sakah) are unable to (kah-i) state (tumhree) Your (gat-i mit-i = estimate of measure) worth; (kio kar-i) how can such (abhaagee) unfortunate ones (milah-i = meet) merge with you? 3.

 

ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਹੁ ਹਮ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਾਗੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਹਮ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਕਥਾਗੀ ॥੪॥੨॥

Har parabẖ su▫āmī kirpā ḏẖārahu ham har har sevā lāgī.  Nānak ḏāsan ḏās karahu parabẖ ham har kathā kathāgī. ||4||2||

 

O (har-i prabh-u) Almighty (suaami) Master, please (kirpa dhaarh-u) be kind so that we (laagee) engage in (seyva = service) obedience to You, (har-i har-i) the Almighty Master.

O (prabh) Master, please (karahu) make me (daas-u) the servant (daasan-i) of your servants and enable me to (kathaagee = say) remember (katha = description) virtues of You (har-i) Almighty, says the fourth Nanak. 4. 2.

 

——————————————

 

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਸਤ ਪੁਰਖਾ ਜੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਣੈ ਸੋ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਹਮ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਸਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀ ॥੧॥

Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 4.  Har kā sanṯ saṯgur saṯ purkẖā jo bolai har har bānī.  Jo jo kahai suṇai so mukṯā ham ṯis kai saḏ kurbānī. ||1||

 

Composition of the fourth Guru in Raga Dhanaasri. (Satigur-u) the true guru is (sant-u) is a saint of (har-i) the Almighty, is (sat = truthful) an exalted (purkha) person (jo) who (bolai = says) imparts (baanee = words) awareness of IT’s (har-i) purifying and (har-i) the rejuvenating virtues.

(Jo jo) whosoever (kahai = says) recounts, and (sunai) listens to, them, (so) that person is (mukta) liberated from vices; (ham = we) I (sad) ever (kurbaanee = am sacrifice) adore (tis) that person. 1.

 

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਜਸੁ ਕਾਨੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਇਕ ਨਿਮਖ ਪਲ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Har ke sanṯ sunhu jas kānī.  Har har kathā sunhu ik nimakẖ pal sabẖ kilvikẖ pāp lėh jānī. ||1|| rahā▫o.

 

O (sant) seekers of the Almighty, (sunhu) listen to (jas-u = praise) virtues of the Master (kaanee) with the ears, i.e. pay attention, for (ik = one) a (khin pal) moment, and you will (lah jaanee = removed) shed/keep away (sabh-i) all (kilvikh paap) transgressions. 1.

(Rahaau) dwell on this and contemplate.

 

ਐਸਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਸਾਧੁ ਜਿਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਤੇ ਵਡ ਪੁਰਖ ਵਡਾਨੀ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਧੂਰਿ ਮੰਗਹ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹਮ ਹਰਿ ਲੋਚ ਲੁਚਾਨੀ ॥੨॥

Aisā sanṯ sāḏẖ jin pā▫i▫ā ṯe vad purakẖ vadānī.  Ŧin kī ḏẖūr mangah parabẖ su▫āmī ham har locẖ lucẖānī. ||2||

 

(Jin) those who (paaia) find (aisa) such (sant-u saadh-u) a guru, (t-e) = those (purakh) persons are (vadd vaddaanee = great) blessed.

O (prabh suaami) Almighty Master, I (mangah) ask (dhoor-i) for the dust of the feet, i.e. the opportunity to serve and follow them; this is (ham) my (loch luchaanee) longing, o Almighty – please bless me. 2.

 

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਫਲਿਓ ਬਿਰਖੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਜਿਨ ਜਪਿਓ ਸੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਨੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਸੇ ਸਭ ਲਾਥੀ ਭੂਖ ਭੁਖਾਨੀ ॥੩॥

Har har safli▫o birakẖ parabẖ su▫āmī jin japi▫o se ṯaripṯānī.  Har har amriṯ pī ṯaripṯāse sabẖ lāthī bẖūkẖ bẖukẖānī. ||3||

 

(Prabh suaami) the Almighty Master is (birakh-u) a tree (saphlio) bearing the fruit of, i.e. disseminating, (har-i har-i) the purifying and rejuvenating Divine virtues; (jin) those who (japio = remember) emulate IT’s virtues, (sey) they (triptaanee) are satiated, i.e. acquire those virtues.

They are (triptaasey = satiated) happy to (pi) drink (amrit-u) the life-giving elixir of (har-i

 har-i) purifying and (har-i) rejuvenating Divine virtues, i.e. remembrance of the Master is so satisfying that (bhookh bhukhaanee = hunger) all craving (laathee= removed) goes. 3.

 

ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਵਡੇ ਭਾਗ ਵਡ ਊਚੇ ਤਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿਓ ਜਪਾਨੀ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਮੇਲਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਦਸਾਨੀ ॥੪॥੩॥

Jin ke vade bẖāg vad ūcẖe ṯin har japi▫o japānī.  Ŧin har sangaṯ mel parabẖ su▫āmī jan Nānak ḏās ḏasānī. ||4||3||

 

(Jin key) those who have (vadd = great, vaad oochey = very high) good (bhaag) fortune, (tin) they (japio japaanee) ever remember – virtues and commands – of (har-i) the Almighty.

O (har-i) Almighty (suaami) Master, please (meyl-i) help me find (tin) their (sangat-i) company, and (jan) the humble fourth Nanak shall be (daas) the servant of Your (dasaanee) servants, i.e. respect and follow their example. 4. 3.

 

—————————————-

 

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਹਮ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਅੰਧ ਬਿਖੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਰਾਤੇ ਕਿਉ ਚਾਲਹ ਗੁਰ ਚਾਲੀ ॥ ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਦਇਆ ਕਰੇ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਹਮ ਲਾਵੈ ਆਪਨ ਪਾਲੀ ॥੧॥

Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 4.  Ham anḏẖule anḏẖ bikẖai bikẖ rāṯe ki▫o cẖālah gur cẖālī.  Saṯgur ḏa▫i▫ā kare sukẖ▫ḏāṯa ham lāvai āpan pālī. ||1||

 

Composition of the fourth Guru in Raga Dhanaasri. (Ham) we humans are (andhuley) blind, (andh) blinded by (raatey) our love for (bikh-u) vices; hence we (kio = how?) cannot (chaalah) walk on (chaalee) the path shown by (gur) the guru.

May (satgur-u) the true guru, (sukhdaata) giver of solace, (daiaa karey) show compassion and (laavai) attach (ham) us to (aapan = own) his (paalee) scarf, i.e. make his followers. 1.

 

ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਮੀਤ ਚਲਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਚਾਲੀ ॥ ਜੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਕਹੈ ਸੋਈ ਭਲ ਮਾਨਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਨਿਰਾਲੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Gursikẖ mīṯ cẖalhu gur cẖālī.  Jo gur kahai so▫ī bẖal mānhu har har kathā nirālī. ||1|| rahā▫o.

 

O (gursikh) guru’s disciples, my (meet) friends, (chalh-u) walk on (chaalee) on the path shown by (gur) the guru.

(Maanh-u) accept as being for your (bhal) good (jo) what (gur-u) the guru (kahai) asks to do; he teaches based on (niraalee) the unique (kathaa = description) virtues and commands of (har-i har-i) the Almighty – which lead to emancipation. 1.

(Rahaau) dwell on this and contemplate.

 

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਜਨ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿਹੁ ਬੇਗਿ ਬੇਗਾਲੀ ॥ ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿ ਖਰਚੁ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਧਹੁ ਮਤ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਆਜੁ ਕਿ ਕਾਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ
॥੨॥

Har ke sanṯ suṇhu jan bẖā▫ī gur sevihu beg begālī.  Saṯgur sev kẖaracẖ har bāḏẖhu maṯ jāṇhu āj kė kālĥī. ||2||

 

O (sant jan) seekers, (key) of (har-i) the Almighty, (sunhu) listen, (bhaaee) my brethren, (beyg-i beygaalee = quickly) do not delay (seyviho = serving) living in obedience to the guru.

(Seyv-i = serve) obey (satgur-u) the true guru to (har-i) the Almighty; (baadhah-u = pack) arrange this (kharach) expenses for journey to, i.e. as guide for life; (mat) do not (jaanh-u = know) think whether to start doing it (aaj-u = today) now or (kaalhi = tomorrow) later – who knows when life may end. 2.

 

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਪਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਣਾ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਤੁ ਚਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਲੀ ॥ ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿਆ ਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਹੋਏ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਕੇਲ ਕੇਲਾਲੀ ॥੩॥

Har ke sanṯ japahu har japṇā har sanṯ cẖalai har nālī.  Jin har japi▫ā se har ho▫e har mili▫ā kel kelālī. ||3||

 

O (sant) seekers of the Almighty, (japah-u) remember (japna) to practice virtues and commands of the Master; o (sant-u) seekers, this is what (chalai = goes, naalee = with) accompanies to the Almighty – and helps in acceptance by the Master.  

(Jin) those who (japiaa) practice virtues and commands of the Almighty, (sey) they (hoey) become like IT, who (keyl-i keylaalee = playfully) happily (miliaa = meets) unites with IT-self. 3.

 

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਨੁ ਜਪਿ ਲੋਚ ਲੁਚਾਨੀ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਬਨਵਾਲੀ ॥ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਧ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲਹੁ ਹਮ ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਪਗ ਰਾਲੀ ॥੪॥੪॥

Har har japan jap locẖ locẖānī har kirpā kar banvālī.  Jan Nānak sangaṯ sāḏẖ har melhu ham sāḏẖ janā pag rālī. ||4||4||

 

O (har-i) Almighty (banvaalee/banvaaree = gardener of vegetation) Sustainor of all, (kar-i kirpa) be kind so that my (loch luchaanee) yearning (jap-i) to keep in mind (japan-u) practice of Divine virtues and commands, is fulfilled.

For this, please (melhu) enable me to find (sangat-i) the company of the followers of (saadh) the guru; I shall (raalee = dust, pag = feet) humbly follow the example of (saadh janaa) the guru’s followers, i.e. the holy congregation, says (jan) the humble fourth Nanak. 4. 4.

 

Page 668

 

Note: In this Shabad, the fourth Guru uses allegories to describe yearning of the seekers for the Almighty. The Almighty is Infinite and beyond reach; however union with IT may be attained by emulating IT’s virtues and obeying commands. This enables to drive out other ideas  and recognize the Almighty within.

 

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਬੂੰਦ ਭਏ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹਮ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਬਿਲਲ ਬਿਲਲਾਤੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਅਪਨੀ ਮੁਖਿ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਮਖਾਤੀ ॥੧॥

Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 4.  Har har būnḏ bẖa▫e har su▫āmī ham cẖāṯrik bilal billāṯī.  Har har kirpā karahu parabẖ apnī mukẖ ḏevhu har nimkẖāṯī. ||1||

 

Composition of the fourth Guru in Raga Dhanaasri. (Ham = we) I yearn for the Almighty like (chaatrik) a rain-bird (bilal bil-laatee = agonizes) anxiously looks forward for the raindrop to fall into its mouth; (hari = dispels vices) the purifying and (har-i = makes green) rejuvenating virtues of the Almighty (suaami) Master (bhaey) are the (boond) drop of rain, i.e. the source of solace for the restless mind.

O (har-i har-i) Almighty, please (karah-u) bestow (apni = own) Your (kripa) mercy and (deyvah-u = give) impart me (nimkhaatee) a bit of awareness of (har-i) Divine virtues like  drop of rain (mukh-i) in the mouth of the rain bird – this seeker, i.e. make me aware of, and enable to emulate, Your virtues to find peace. 1.

 

ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਰਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਉ ਇਕ ਰਾਤੀ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਮਲੈ ਅਮਲੀ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਈ ਹੈ ਤਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਮ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਤੀ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Har bin rėh na saka▫o ik rāṯī.  Ji▫o bin amlai amlī mar jā▫ī hai ṯi▫o har bin ham mar jāṯī. Rahā▫o.

 

I (na sakau) cannot (rah-i) live (bin-u) without You (raatee) even a bit, o (har-i) Almighty.

(Jio) the way (amlee) an addict (mar-i jaaee hai = dies) is restless (bin-u) without (amlai) the intoxicant, (tio) similarly, (ham) I (mar-i jaatee = die) am restless (bin-u) without You, (har-i) the Almighty being with me – because then I cannot overcome by vices, and suffer.

(Rahaau) dwell on this and contemplate.

 

ਤੁਮ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਵਰ ਅਤਿ ਅਗਾਹ ਹਮ ਲਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਹਿ ਅੰਤੁ ਮਾਤੀ ॥ ਤੂ ਪਰੈ ਪਰੈ ਅਪਰੰਪਰੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਮਿਤਿ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਆਪਨ ਗਾਤੀ ॥੨॥

Ŧum har sarvar aṯ agāh ham lėh na sakahi anṯ māṯī.  Ŧū parai parai aprampar su▫āmī miṯ jānhu āpan gāṯī. ||2||

 

O Almighty, (tum) You are like (at-i) the very (agaah = bottomless) deep (sarvar/sarovar = pool of water) ocean; (ham) I (na sakah-i) cannot (lah-i) take (maatee) measure of Your (ant-u = limit) depth/expanse – profoundness.

(Too = you) Your expanse/domain extends (parai parai) farther and farther, and (aprampar-u) beyond You there is nothing, o (suaami) Master; You alone (jaanh-u) know (mit-i) the measure of (aapan = own) Your (gaatee = state) virtues and powers. 2.

 

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿਓ ਗੁਰ ਰੰਗਿ ਚਲੂਲੈ ਰਾਤੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਬਨੀ ਅਤਿ ਸੋਭਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿਓ ਊਤਮ ਪਾਤੀ ॥੩॥

Har ke sanṯ janā har japi▫o gur rang cẖalūlai rāṯī.  Har har bẖagaṯ banī aṯ sobẖā har japi▫o ūṯam pāṯī. ||3||

 

 (Raatee) dyed with (chaloolai) deep red (rang-i) colour – epitome of love, i.e. imbued with love, created by (gur) the guru, (sant janaa = saints) seekers of the Almighty, (japio) remember and practice virtues and commands of the Almighty.

Their (bhagat-i) devotion to (har-i har-i) the Almighty (banee) becomes the source of (at-i) great (sobha) glory; (japio) remembering, and emulating the virtues of the Almighty brings (ootam) sublime (paatee) honour – by way of being accepted for union with the Creator. 3.

 

ਆਪੇ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਆਪੇ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਆਪਿ ਬਨਾਵੈ ਭਾਤੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਤੁਮਰੀ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਲਾਜ ਭਗਾਤੀ ॥੪॥੫॥

Āpe ṯẖākur āpe sevak āp banāvai bẖāṯī.  Nānak jan ṯumrī sarṇā▫ī har rākẖo lāj bẖagāṯī. ||4||5||

 

The Almighty is (aapey) IT-self (tthaakur-u) the Master as well as (seyvak-u) the servant and (aap-i) IT-self (banaavai = makes) transforms the servant to be of the same (bhaatee) type as IT-self.

(Jan-u) humble fourth Nanak has placed himself in (tumree) Your (sarnaaee) care and obedience; o Almighty, please (raakhah-u) preserve (laaj) honour of Your (bhagaatee) devotee – and unite me with You. 4. 5.

 

———————————————–

 

Note: According to old Indian belief system the universe experiences four types of conduct, represented by the four ages namely Satyug, Treytayug, Duaapuryug and Kaliyug. The last literally means the age of conflicts. This is the age when the human beings are caught between numerous temptations, which detract from conformance to Naam or Divine virtues and commands. Success in overcoming temptations is achieved by those who join holy congregation where Divine virtues and commands are recounted and learnt to practice, says the fourth Guru in this Shabad.

 

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਕਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਭਾਈ ਕਿਵ ਛੂਟਹ ਹਮ ਛੁਟਕਾਕੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਬੇੜੀ ਹਰਿ ਤੁਲਹਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿਓ ਤਰੈ ਤਰਾਕੀ ॥੧॥

Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 4.  Kalijug kā ḏẖaram kahhu ṯum bẖā▫ī kiv cẖẖūtah ham cẖẖutkākī.  Har har jap beṛī har ṯulhā har japi▫o ṯarai ṯarākī. ||1||

 

Composition of the fourth Guru in Raga Dhanaasri. Question: O (bhaaee) brother, (tum) you please (kahah-u) tell me (dharam = law) the method, (kiv = how) by which, (ham) we (chhuttkaakee) who wish to be freed, can (chhoottah) can be freed of temptations in this (kalijug) age of conflicts.

Answer: (Jap-u) remembrance and practice of virtues and commands of (har-i har-i) the Almighty is (beyrree) the boat and (tulha) the raft; those who (japio) remember and practice them, – board the boat – (tarai taraakee = swim) get across – overcome the world-ocean of temptations. 1.

 

ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਲਾਜ ਰਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਨੁ ਜਪਾਵਹੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਹਮ ਮਾਗੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਇਕਾਕੀ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Har jī lāj rakẖahu har jan kī.  Har har japan japāvhu apnā ham māgī bẖagaṯ ikākī. Rahā▫o.

 

O (jee) revered Almighty, please (rakhah-u) preserve (laaj) the honour of (har-i jan) seekers of You, the Almighty, and enable them to overcome temptations and find You.

For this, please (japaavh-u) enable them to remember and comply with (japan-u) what is to be remembered and complied, (har-i = dispels vices) the purifying and (har-i = makes green) rejuvenating Divine virtues and commands; (ham) I (maagee) ask for (bhagat-i) devotion to, i.e. ability to live by commands of (ikaakee) the One Master.

(Rahaau) dwell on this and contemplate.

 

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਸੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜਿਨ ਜਪਿਓ ਹਰਿ ਬਚਨਾਕੀ ॥ ਲੇਖਾ ਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਗੁਪਤਿ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਸਭ ਛੂਟੀ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਬਾਕੀ ॥੨॥

Har ke sevak se har pi▫āre jin japi▫o har bacẖnākī.  Lekẖā cẖiṯar gupaṯ jo likẖi▫ā sabẖ cẖẖūtī jam kī bākī. ||2||

 

Those who are (seyvak = servants) obedient to the Almighty, (sey) they are (piaarey) dear to the Master; they are those (jin) who (japio) remember and obey (bachnaaki = words) commands of (har-i) the Almighty.

(Leykha) the account of deeds (jo) which is (likhiaa) written by (chitr = writer, gupt = hidden) the metaphoric Divine recorders, reveals that (sabh) all (baakee) dues (ki = of) which make one liable to be detained (jam) Divine justice, i.e. shortfall in performance of the allotted role, (chhoottee) are settled – in their case. 2.

 

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਪਿਓ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਗਿ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਕੀ ॥ ਦਿਨੀਅਰੁ ਸੂਰੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਅਗਨਿ ਬੁਝਾਨੀ ਸਿਵ ਚਰਿਓ ਚੰਦੁ ਚੰਦਾਕੀ ॥੩॥

Har ke sanṯ japi▫o man har har lag sangaṯ sāḏẖ janā kī.  Ḏinī▫ar sūr ṯarisnā agan bujẖānī siv cẖari▫o cẖanḏ cẖanḏākī. ||3||

 

(Sant) seekers (key) of (har-i) of the Almighty (lag-i = attached) together (sangat-i = company) in congregation of (saadh janaa) seekers, (japio) remember and learn to practice virtues and commands of (har-i har-i) the Almighty.

(Agan-i) the fire of (trisna = craving) desires caused by (dineear-u, soor-u = sun) heat, i.e. restless caused by vices, (bujhaanee) is quenched with the cool (chandaakee) moonlight when (chand-u) the moon of (siv = god) spiritual awakening (chario) rises – by remembrance of the Master. 3.

 

ਤੁਮ ਵਡ ਪੁਰਖ ਵਡ ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰ ਤੁਮ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਅਪਾਕੀ ॥ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ਕਰਿ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸ ਦਸਾਕੀ ॥੪॥੬॥

Ŧum vad purakẖ vad agam agocẖar ṯum āpe āp apākī.  Jan Nānak ka▫o parabẖ kirpā kījai kar ḏāsan ḏās ḏasākī. ||4||6||

 

O Almighty, (tum) You are (vadd) great, (purakh) all-pervasive, (agam) beyond comprehension, and (agochar) beyond reach of the senses. You are (aapey = by the self) self-existent and (aap-i apaaki) by Yourself – we are unable to find You on our own.

O (prabh-u) Almighty, please (kirpa keejai) be kind to fourth Nanak, i.e. all mankind, to (kar-i) make us (daas) servants of (dasaakee) servants (daasan-i) of Your servants – to learn from them, and follow their example. 4. 6.