ARTH (Meanings)
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Question 16 – Explain what knowledge is!
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
ਗੰਧਾਰੀ ਸੀਹੁਤੀ ਉਚਾਰੀ ॥
Gandharee Seehutee Ucharee
Gandharee = Gandh = nauseating smell, Aree = enemy, Seehutee = is, Ucharee = recite, utter
Knowledge is the enemy of the nauseating smell of sin. Knowledge is uttered through the intellect of the saints. Presently the saints utter and recite knowledge and will also do so in the future.
ਕਥੀਐ ਸੰਤਸੰਗਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥
One should listen to the exogenesis of the Lord by meeting the saints. By doing this one will gain the knowledge of self realisation.
(Kaanraa Mahalla 5 – Page 1300 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
ਸੋ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਅਨੰਤ ॥
ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਬਿਆਪਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਗਵੰਤ ॥
The infinite Lord is within and at the same time the infinite Lord is outside. The Lord is everywhere and is all pervasive.
(Gauree Sukhmani Mahalla 5 – Page 293 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 17 – How do we keep our mind free from the hunger for material objects?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਏ ਪਾਚਉ ਗਾਈ ॥
Dhanasree Ei Pachou Gaee
Dhanasree = wish for material objects, Ei = the, Pachou = destroy, Gaee = to sing
The mind which wishes for material objects can have its hunger destroyed if the individual sings the true name of God.
ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਬੁਝੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ॥
Due to the meditation of the Lords name the hunger for the material pleasures has died.
(Dhanaasree Mahalla 5 – Page 682 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 18 – How does the individual get rid of the attachment to Maya, which is known as the illusion?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
ਮਾਲ ਰਾਗ ਕਉਸਕ ਸੰਗਿ ਲਾਈ ॥
Maal Raag Kousak Sang Laee
Maal = wealth, riches, Raag = attachment, Kousak = Kou = the, Sak = doubt, Sang = company, Laee = to discard
The individual who is orientated toward the spiritual master has discarded the doubt caused by the attachment to riches and wealth. Attachment and wealth are the very form of Maya. They are able to discard this doubt due to the realisation that these material objects are not real because they cannot go with you when you leave this world.
ਮਿਥਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਤਜੀ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
The person who takes Maya to be an illusion only and due to this discards it then they will be able to deliberate with a peaceful soul.
(Bilaaval Bhagat Kabir Ji – Page 857 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 19 – How does the mind become carefree?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Maroo Mastaung Mevaraa
Maroo = to destroy, Mast = carefree, Ang = beloved, Me = in the heart, Varaa = to prevent
By preventing the mind from indulging carnal desires, by destroying the thirst for desire, the individual meets his Beloved Lord within his heart and becomes carefree.
ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਅਲਮਸਤੁ ਮਤਵਾਰਾ ॥
Whoever drinks the essence of the name of the Lord will become carefree and have a buoyance of spirit from the intoxication.
(Aasaa Mahalla 5 – Page 377 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 20 – What is the merit of obtaining knowledge directly from God?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Parbalchand Kousak Ubharaa.
Parbalchand = Parbal = one with distinctive strength, Chand = intense, Kou = who, Sak = doubt, Ubharaa = raise
The individual with the distinctive strength and intense knowledge gained from the spiritual master, who can raise a doubt about this person’s knowledgeable soul? It is not possible to deliberate on or understand the knowledge and the merit that such people.
ਗਿਆਨ ਖੰਡ ਮਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਰਚੰਡੁ ॥
The people who are in the realm of knowledge have an excess of copious amounts of knowledge.
(Jap Ji Sahib – Page 7 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
ਮੋਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਛੁ ਕਰਣੈ ਜੋਗਾ ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥
ਕਥਨ ਕਹਣ ਕਉ ਸੋਝੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੋ ਪੇਖੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਣਿ ਆਵੈ ॥੨॥
In this spiritual state there is no comprehension to what their knowledge is. What can a person estimate this state at? The person who tries to explain this spiritual state does not have enough knowledge to comprehend it. This is due to the mind of the spiritual individual being in a state of ecstasy. If a person is to look at this person with faith then they will also feel this ecstatic state.
(Ramkalee Mahalla 5 – Page 883 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 21 – Who has removed their sensual desires?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Khoukhat Aou Bhouranad Gaaei
KhouKhat = Khou = destroy, Khat = six (these are the 5 abstract elements of the body and the mind making 6), Aou = then, Bhouranad = the students bliss, Gaaei = explain
The individual who is orientated toward his spiritual master has destroyed the carnal desires of the five subtle elements and the sixth which is the mind. As the knower of knowledge, the disciple obtains a state of bliss which is impossible to describe.
ਲੋਭ ਮੋਹ ਏਹ ਪਰਸਿ ਨ ਸਾਕੈ ਗਹੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਗਵਾਨ ॥੧॥
The greed of material objects and attachment to family members cannot touch me as I have adopted the loving devotion of the Lord.1.
(Basant Mahalla 9 – Page 1186 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 22 – How does an individual gain virtues?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Ast Maalkousak Sang Laee
Ast = eight (truth, content, mercy, faith, reflection, goodness, consciousness and bliss), Maal = property, Kou = why,
Sak = doubt, Sang = with, Laee = to have
Those people who have made the eight virtues their possessions have no doubt that these are attainable. They do not have any doubts. Due to being exempt from any doubt they have been able to gain these virtues.
ਸੰਤ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਭਏ ਕਿਰਪਾਲਾ ਹੋਏ ਆਪਿ ਸਹਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਨ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਨਿਤਿ ਗਾਵੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸਹਸਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਮਿਟਾਇ ॥੨॥੩੧॥
Due to the kindness of the saints the Lord has graced me. God is the one who has assisted me. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji state that the Lord is the treasure trove of good virtues should have his praises sung. If the individual is to do this then they will gain virtues, eradicate pain and doubts.
(Aasaa Mahalla 5 – Page 378 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 23 – How does a person eradicate ego?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
ਪੁਨਿ ਆਇਅਉ ਹਿੰਡੋਲੁ ਪੰਚ ਨਾਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਅਸਟ ਸੁਤ ॥
Puni Aaiyou Hindol Panch Naari Sang Ast Sut
Puni = pure, Aaiyou = come, embed, Hindol = Hin = ego, Dol = to lose, Panch = five, Naari = sheaths, Sang = in company,
Ast = eight, Sut = properly adjust
Those who embed the name of God within their hearts lose their ego. With their five sheaths they contemplate and with the body they have been able to properly adjust these eight to gain praise.
The sheaths (kosh) within the body are the following:
a) Ananmay – this is the sheath which is the physical body.
The body requires nourishment from food. Within the subtle body are three sheaths.
b) Praanmay – this is the sheath with five different types of air. These are Praan, Apaan, Samaan, Biyaan and Udiyaan.
c) Manmay – this sheath consists of the five organs of action and the mind.
d) Vigyaanmay – this sheath consists of the five knowledge
organs and the intellect.
e) Anandmay – this is the sheath in which the person feels bliss which is usually experienced in the unconscious state.
If we take the physical body then there are the ‘sat dhaatoo’, the seven ingredients which are the following:
a) Bone
b) Blood
c) Flesh
d) Fat
e) Bile
f) Semen
g) Nerve tissue
God is distinct and separate from the five sheaths and is within the ingredients of the body. In this way God brings glory and praise to the being.
The ਪੰਚ ਨਾਰਿ (five practices) are the following:
a) Khechree
b) Bhoochree
c) Chaachree
d) Agochree
e) Unmanee
The ਅਸਟ ਸੁਤ (eight adjusted parts) within the body are the following:
a) Praan
b) Biyaan
c) Sumaan
d) Apaan
e) Udiyaan
f) Ira
g) Pingla
h) Sukhmana
These are the eight that are properly adjusted and in working order.
For those who have the pure name of God within their hearts, these five spiritual states are with them and they have complete control over the different types of air in the body. In this way the individual loses his ego.
According to the Yoga school of thought the following meanings are given for the five spiritual states:
a) Khechree – where the individual can catch the dripping nectar inside him using his tongue. In this state he can disappear into the sky and become invisible.
b) Bhoochree – where the individual can gain focus of the
Lord in the point between the nose and the brow. This is where the Praan and the Apaan meet. The Apaan immerses into the Praan and the individual gains the state of Samadhi. In this state they can disappear into the earth.
c) Chaachree – where the individual can focus on the Lord at the Trikuti which is the point where the nerves merge in the head. This individual can become the form of the Lord. This is where the individual eradicates duality.
d) Agochree – where the individual reaches the tenth gate in the body. All of their senses merge into the Anahad shabad. This individual can hide themselves in water.
e) Unmanee – where the individual is within the tenth gate
and uses the force of their breath to open the vein known as the Brahamrandhra. Only bliss is experienced here. This location is free of objectification and here the Jiv becomes Parmatma.
By doing these things the ascetic becomes powerful and has the power to merge with the five elements. However, their subtle and minute forms still remain. The whole point of the yoga process is to become separate from the body.
According to the Yoga school of thought the five types of air along with the Ira, Pingla and Sukhmana are:
1) Praan – the air that is the life force.
2) Biyaan – the air in the whole body.
3) Sumaan – the air behind the naval.
4) Apaan – the air within the rectum.
5) Udiyaan – the air within the throat.
6) Ira – the left nerve to the Trikuti which is related to the moon.
7) Pingla – the right nerve to the Trikuti which is related to the sun.
8) Sukhmana – this is where the Ira and Pingla meet. The point where the air rests in the Trikuti is known as the Sukhmana.
According the Yoga school of thought if a person eradicates their ego then the five and eight explained above will connect.
According to Gurmat the following explanations are given to the thirteen above:
a) Khechree – to believe that God is omnipresent in the sky.
b) Bhoochree – to contemplate on the enormous form of
God.
c) Chaachree – to keep the individuals contemplation in the yearning of God.
d) Agochree – to overcome the five organs and senses.
e) Unmanee – to achieve the state of turiya.
Another explanation for these is given below:
a) Khechree – one who sings the praises of God in the true congregation. This is the state of Dharam Khand.
b) Bhoochree – one who serves through devotion to God.
This is the state of Giyaan Khand.
c) Chaachree – one who is a disciple of the spiritual master.
This is the state of Saram Khand.
d) Agochree – one who accepts the will, wish or command of the spiritual master. This is the state of Karam Khand.
e) Unmanee – one who is orientated toward the spiritual
master. This is the state of Sach Khand.
The translations according to Gurmat for the five types of air and the Ira, Pingla and Sukhmana are given below:
1) Praan – where one recognises God.
2) Biyaan – where one is without duality and doubts.
3) Samaan – where one understands that God is omnipresent.
4) Apaan – where one cannot be noticed by the world.
5) Udiyaan – where one understands the world to be the form of death.
6) + 7) Ira – where the stubbornness for desires are discarded
(Pingla) by the mind.
8) Sukhmana – one who meditates and brings peace to the mind.
With the Ira (left nostril) one should breathe out, in the same way one should discard their bad actions or deeds. With the Pingla (right nostril) one should breathe in, in the same way that one should take the discourses of the spiritual master and embed them within the heart. The Sukhmana is where the breath rests, in the same way the individual take the teachings of the spiritual master within them.
ਹਉਮੈ ਦੀਰਘ ਰੋਗੁ ਹੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਭੀ ਇਸੁ ਮਾਹਿ ॥
ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਜੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਾ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥
ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਜਨਹੁ ਇਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਦੁਖ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੨॥
Pride is the biggest illness that a person can have. To eradicate pride is very difficult. The cure to this pride is found in the spiritual discourses of the spiritual master which has to be earned. This discourse is given to the individual through the grace of the Lord. Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji states that a person should listen to this teaching as it is through this method somebody can eradicate this illness known as pride.
(Aasaa Di Vaar Mahalla 2 – Page 466 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 24 – How does somebody eradicate the waves of thoughts and doubts within their mind?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
ਉਠਹਿ ਤਾਨ ਕਲੋਲ ਗਾਇਨ ਤਾਰ ਮਿਲਾਵਹੀ ॥੧॥
Oothi Taan Kalol Gaiyan Taar Milaavhee
Taan = body, Kalol = resolve, thought, Taar = concentration
Those who sing the praises of God whilst concentrating on the Lord will have all of their thoughts disappear from within their mind and body.
ਮਾਈ ਮੈ ਧਨੁ ਪਾਇਓ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
ਮਨੁ ਮੇਰੋ ਧਾਵਨ ਤੇ ਛੂਟਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਬੈਠੋ ਬਿਸਰਾਮੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
O brother (saints), I have accumulated the wealth of the Lord’s name. Due to this my mind has stopped wandering in thoughts and doubts. The mind has now settled and is at peace. The mind is now settled in the true form.1.Pause.
(Basant Mahalla 9 – Page 1186 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 25 – Who is able to worship their own soul?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Telangee Devkaree Aaee
Telangee = Te = three, Langee = pass, bypass, Dev = worship, Karee = to do
Like the individuals who are orientated toward their spiritual master and have bypassed the three virtues of goodness, worldliness and evil, they are able to worship their own soul. They are able to do this as they are one with God and the soul is the form of God.
ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਰਹਤ ਰਹੈ ਨਿਰਾਰੀ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਸਿਧ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ॥
ਰਤਨ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੰਪੂਰਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਖਜਾਨੈ ॥੧॥
The soul is separate from the three virtues of goodness, worldliness and evil. The devotee and the hermits do not know about this fact. This soul is the treasure trove to the good virtues. Due to the bliss from the nectar within, the soul is complete like the Lord.1.
(Raamkali Mahalla 5 – Page 883 of the
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁ ਪੂਜਾ ਜਾਣੈ ਭਾਣਾ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥੧੧॥
The devotee orientated towards the spiritual master knows how to worship. The devotee accepts the will of God and lives in accordance to the will.11.
(Raamkalee Mahalla 3 – Page 910 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 26 – What merit does the individual gain by accepting the will of God?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Basantee Sandoor Suhai
Basantee = Basan = lost, Tee = female, Sandoor = Sun = due to belief, Door = away, Suhai = greatest
The ignorance, which takes the form of a female, surrenders. The greatest of the temptresses is also known as Maya, with the blessings of the Lord it goes far away from the individual.
ਤੇਰਾ ਭਾਣਾ ਮੰਨੇ ਸੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤੁਧੁ ਆਏ ॥
ਜਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਸਮਾਏ ॥
The person who accepts your will O Lord is the one who is able to meet you. The person who accepts and lives in accordance to your command will eventually become your form.
(Maroo Mahalla 3 – Page 1063 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਗਤੁ ਠਗਾਨਾ ਸੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਠਾਗੀ ॥੨॥੪੪॥੬੭॥
Guru Arjan Dev Ji state that Maya has cheated the people of the world
but then she has been cheated by the saints of the world who follow your will.2.44.67.
(Saarang Mahalla 5 – Page 1217 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 27 – How can a person become the illuminated form of the Lord?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Saras Aheeree Lai Bharja
Saras = with the help of love, the assistance of love, Aheeree= Ahee = dreams, Ree = sense organs, Lai = destroy, Bharja = Bha = illuminated form, Ja = satisfied, content
The individual who is orientated toward his spiritual master is able to destroy the sense organs with the assistance of love. The sense organs are in the metaphorical form of a snake. The individual then becomes the illuminated form of the Lord and becomes content.
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੯॥੨੯॥
I state the truth and all should listen to this advice, if you truly love the
Lord then you will become one with God thus becoming the illuminated form.9.29.
(Tavparsad Savaiyai – Page 110 of the Sri Dasam Granth)
Question 28 – What do the individuals who are orientated toward their spiritual master focus upon?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Sang Laee Panchou Aarja
Sang = with, Laee = remain, Panchou = conscious, Aarja = great
The Lord is the form of supreme consciousness is the greatest of all. It is the Lord who the mentioned individuals focus upon.
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਹੋਇ ਰਹੇ ਲਿਵ ਏਕੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨੀ ॥੨॥੧॥
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji states that they have focused their attention on the one Lord and due to this have no fear. Due to this their mind is focused on the Lord.2.1.
(Todi Mahalla 5 – Page 711 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 29 – Where does an individual propagate the Lord?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Surmaanand Bhaaskar Aaie
Surmaanand = Surmaa = black (maya), Nand = son, Bhaaskar = Bhaas = illuminated, Kar = become
The son of Maya is the mind of the individual. Once the mind becomes illuminated with the knowledge of God then the Lord can be propagated.
ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਆਪਿ ਮਨ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਮਾਹਿ ॥
God is within the individual and the individual is within God
(Gauree Sukhmani Mahalla 5 – Page 279 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਮਨੂਆ ਪੰਚ ਮਿਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਭਾਈ ॥
Those who have listened to the discourse by the superior spiritual master they realise that the Lord is within the individual and the individual is within the Lord.
(Raamkalee Mahalla 1 – Page 879 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Question 30 – What is the nature of the illuminated light in the heart like?
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied:
Chandarbinb Mangalan Suhai Chandarbinb = Chandar = moon, Binb = reflection, Mangalan = blissful
In the way that the reflection of the moon can be seen in a pitcher of water, similarly the individual who is focused on the spiritual master has the illuminating and blissful light of the Lord within his heart. This is how the illumination can be described.
ਹਭ ਸਮਾਣੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਘਟਾਊ ਚੰਦ੍ਰਮਾ ॥
The illuminating light of the Lord is embedded within each being. It is similar to the way that all pitchers full of water show a reflection of the moon.
(Maroo Mahalla 5 – Page 1099 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
ਜਿਉ ਪਸਰੀ ਸੂਰਜ ਕਿਰਣਿ ਜੋਤਿ ॥
ਤਿਉ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਮਈਆ ਓਤਿ ਪੋਤਿ ॥੧॥
In the way that the rays of the candles merge into the rays of the sun similarly in the same way the all pervasive Lord is found every- where.1.
(Basant Mahalla 4 – Page 1177 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
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