harsharan000

Some Light on Bhakti ... The whole world is engaged in some type of devotions. Many think reciting scriptures, fasting, pilgrimages, idol worship, etc . are real forms of worship, and then, the blind fight and quarrel among themselves, as each think, their path, their method, is the only correct one, thus they try to impose on others, for that, they go to the extent on inflicting pain and torture on our fellow human beings. We tend to forget, that there is only one Truth, creative force, namely Nam or Shabad as per Bani. And this Supreme Consciouss powrer has created everything, seen or invisible, all creatures, all beings, whether of different caste, creed, gender or nationality Different people in different dharams, are born accordingly to their past own karam, as per laws of Nature, of which are not consciouss at all. Different thing is, if anyone misbehaves or acts as beasts, they should be punished as per constitutional laws, not fanatical laws. In the Bani, it is stated clearly, some are deluded, and some are put on the right path of devotion, all per His Hukum. So have we ever asked ourselves, how can we ever blame anyone, for being born in a particular dharam, caste or nation? What is their fault? Should we not feel pity for them, instead of hatred ? Should we not pray to Wahiguru, to bless us to remain in His hukum, instead of trying to impose our judgements, and aslo sincerely pray for them, so that one day, they too get blessed and have the chance of being on the right path, not to the label of any particular religion, but that path of devotion, which can reunite us with that our origin, as said before, Nam or Shabad, which we all popularly call also Wahiguru Akal Purukh. So as per the title of this post, have we ever asked ourselves, which is that real devotion, which is effective and accepted at His Court and turns us from manmukhs to gurmukhs? To this our question or doubt, Dhan Dhan Satguru Arjun Dev Maharaj tells us in His Bani of Raag Dhanaasree: ਜਾਪ ਤਾਪ ਭਗਤਿ ਸਾ ਪੂਰੀ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਈ ॥ Jaap Thaap Bhagath Saa Pooree Jo Prabh Kai Man Bhaaee || That alone is perfect chanting, meditation, penance and devotional worship service, which is pleasing to God's Mind. * He says, that practice is perfect devotion, which pleases Him. So then a question once again arises in our mind, which is that perfect fruitful devotion. To that, He also answers in the following next verse: ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਸਭ ਬੁਝੀ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਅਘਾਈ Naam Japath Thrisanaa Sabh Bujhee Hai Naanak Thripath Aghaaee Chanting the Naam, all thirst and desire is satisfied; Nanak is satisfied and fulfilled. * He says, that by chanting the Nam or Nam japna, all our thirst and sincere desire to realize Him and merge in Him, is fulfilled. That is why also as seen in the folloowing verse, He says that if ever we have to ask Him of anything in our prayers or Ardaas, that is to have mercy upon us, so that we can meditate upon Him. ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਇਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਈ ॥ Thumh Karahu Dhaeiaa Maerae Saaee || Have pity on me, O my Lord and Master. ਐਸੀ ਮਤਿ ਦੀਜੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਧਿਆਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Aisee Math Dheejai Maerae Thaakur Sadhaa Sadhaa Thudhh Dhhiaaee ||1|| Rehaao || Bless me with such understanding, O my Lord and Master, that I may forever and ever meditate on You. After going through these pearls of wisdom from Guru Jee, it is quite clear, there where we manmukhs, divide and put limitations, or boundaries as per our own agyanta, they, Guru Sahiban, expand the horizons of their vision and blessings on all, and by distributing equally, all their spiritual wisdom or wealth, among all beings, because there is only one permanent eternal reality, which is : Nam/Shabad, and no multiple gods, goddesses, devis, devtays, prophets, nor incarnations, as many proclaim it to be. For that Truth Of Nam and Shabad, is :Sabna jeea ka Iko Daata. Sat Sree Akal.

THE POINT OF LIFE? If we refer to Gurbani, it very clearly tells us: bhai prapat manukh de hureeya gobind milan ke eh teree bariaa. Our past karam, will always make us induce into more karma, thus perpetuate our stay in the mayavee creation. So do His bahkti as per Gurmat, thus get cleansed from all impurities, free from the cycle of births and deaths, and as a consequence of this attitude, merge in Him becoming one with Him, with His apaar kirpa. Sat Sree Akal.

Avar Karathooth Sagalee Jam Ddaanai || All other efforts are punished by the Messenger of Death, Govindh Bhajan Bin Thil Nehee Maanai || Which accepts nothing at all, except meditation on the Lord of the Universe. Sukhmani Sahib Sree Guru Arjun Dev Maharaj

To those who think by gian one can reach Him, Guru Sahiban clarifies what does gyan means in ruhaniyat. Dhan Dhan Satguru Sachay Patsha Arjun Dev Maharaj tells us: Saaee math saaee budhh siaanap jith nimakh n prabh bisaraavai That alone is intelligence, that alone is wisdom and cleverness, which inspires one to never forget God, even for an instant. * Though His words are crystal clear, He says, that alone is wisdom, cleverness or intelligence, through which, we get inspired to do His bhakti. In the end, it His bhakti, the only means, to reunite ourselves with Him an thus merge in Him. Sat Sree Akal.

THE POWER IN BLESSING... Do you Bless or Curse? When something goes wrong do you bless it or curse it? Our natural reactions often lead us towards the negative, but that will only breeds more negativity. Catherine Ponder in her book, _'The Prosperity Secrets of the Ages', talks about blessing people and the situation. It is a very powerful tool and brings instant success manifold. It is a very simple way to say a positive prayer for someone or something. One of Catherine Ponder’s favourites is “I bless you, and bless you for the goodness of God that is within you.” You can create your own blessings. When you are sending positive thoughts and vibrations towards a person they are much more likely to respond in kind. It always has much better results than cursing them. When to use blessings? 1. Anytime when you are angry at someone or can’t seem to settle a disagreement with them. In Catherine’s book, she sites several examples of people being paid debts owed to them once they blessed the debtor and saw them as prosperous and able to pay. 2. Any part of your body that experiences pain or illness can be blessed. You can bless yourself and your own emotions too. 3. A boss or co-worker who makes work life difficult may stop harassing you, once you have blessed them and the situation. 4. Always bless your bills and your creditors and thank them for the service they provide. Once you start doing that, you will always have the money to pay them on time. 5. Bless your travel plans and see them going smoothly. 6. Bless your taxes and politicians. Politicians need to be blessed with the wisdom to make the best decisions for all who they serve. Blessing them will help much more than complaining about them. 7. Bless strangers you meet in the store. You can do this inside your head often as you shop. 8. Bless your relationships with your family, friends and significant others. Bless them when you feel they’ve hurt you. Relationships heal quickly after you stop worrying about the “wrong” someone had committed against you and begin blessing them. You can bless any situation and if the act of blessing shifts how you feel about it, the changes it creates can seem magical. The Forgiving State of Mind is a magnetic power for attractive good. Emmet Fox said: “Bless a thing and it will bless you. Curse a thing and it will curse you. If you put your condemnation upon anything in life, it will hit back at you and hurt you. If you bless a situation, it has no power to hurt you and even if it is troublesome for sometime, it will gradually fade out, if you sincerely bless it.” Always remember that happy people are not mean or rude, so send your blessings to those who treat others cruelly. If they turn happy, they will change their behavior and everyone benefit. Even if things don’t suddenly shift with the person or situation being blessed, you will surely feel better once you have blessed them. If you could only love enough, you could be the most powerful person in the world. - Emmet Fox Have A Blessed Day !!!

Brother, Though that is your personal choice., but as you are asking it on a public forum, I think no need to do Anand Karaj again, for it it is no joke. Just celebrate it as a second anniversary, and invite your family members or friends and give them a party. Above all, enjoy. Stay blessed.

Sikhi is giaan marg or bhakti marg? First of all, Sikhi for a sikh, is a path of the realization of the Highest Truth, or Sat-Nam. In my opinion, Sikhi is a path of bhakti or prem marg. You see, He is Infinite, and gyan is intellectual, so if one wants to realize Him through gyan, it would be impossible. That us why the bani says: Sochay soch na hovaee jeh sochee lakh vaar . So, even if by lakh vaar, one gets not even an inch closer to Him, can we say then, we would go further and try dus lakh vaar, and realize Him? Not all are gifted equally intellectual wise,so, does that mean that those who are dumb or intellectualy poor, can have no chance to get closer to Him? On the other side, we have heard also : God is love and love is God. So if He is an infinite Ocean of Love, is it not rational, that by cultivating that quality of love, or virtue in us, to merge in Him and fulfill our purpose? Then too, Guru Sahiban have clearly said: ਕਹਾ ਭਯੋ ਜੋ ਦੋਉ ਲੋਚਨ ਮੂੰਦ ਕੈ ਬੈਠਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਬਕ ਧਿਆਨ ਲਗਾਇਓ ॥ ਨ੝ਹਾਤ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਲੀਝ ਸਾਤ ਸਮ੝ਦ੝ਰਨਿ ਲੋਕ ਗਯੋ ਪਰਲੋਕ ਗਵਾਇਓ ॥ ਬਾਸ ਕੀਓ ਬਿਖਿਆਨ*1 ਸੋ ਬੈਠ ਕੈ ਝਸੇ ਹੀ ਝਸੇ ਸ੝ ਬੈਸ ਬਿਤਾਇਓ ॥ ਸਾਚ੝ ਕਹੋਂ ਸ੝ਨ ਲੇਹ੝ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੝ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੝ਰਭ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੯॥੨੯॥ Of what use is it if one sits and meditates like a crane with ones eyes closed. he wanders taking holy baths at the seven sacred rivers; he loses both this world and the next. He spends his life in sinful tasks and sits and ideals away his life in meaningless pursuits. I speak the truth, listen everyone: Only the one who is absorbed in True Love shall attain the Lord. 9.29. kehaa bhayo jo dhou loochan moundh kai baht raheeo bak dheeian laageeo || nhaath firio leeae saat samudhran lok gayo perlok gvaaeeo || baas keeou beekhian so baht kay aasay he aasay s bais bithaaeiou || saach keho suun laeho sabhay, jin praem keeo tin hee prabh paaeyo ||9|| 29 || If there was any other alternative, be it of gyan, for His realization, Guru Sahiban, would have never ever stated the lines above. Through gyan, He is beyond our reach; but through His kirpa, by loving Him, He gets attracted to the jeev atma, like iron to the magnet; though even then, it is much more about Him for pulling our strings from within towards Himself, then we doing anything worthy. But then, that is His wadeeayee. Then, what is bhakti of any type, is it not a manfestation of love, of prem? One can be a gyani, but empty of love, on the other side, one can be intellectually poor, yet full of love for Him, so in the end we should try to plant the seed of love and water it with intense one pointed bhakti, that one day, we may merge in Him. That is why the Bani, beautifully yet in simple transparent words says: jin Har japeeya, se Har hoeeya. Jap of His Nam is an aspect, a form, a way to express our love to Him, through which He extends out His powerful arm, and merges the drop of our surtee, in Him, the Infinite Ocean of Love, by His apaar Kirpa, we become Him, without any distinction. This is the power of Sikhee, from a stoned nature of ours, by lovingly following Sikhee implicitly, we get purified, to the extent of getting transformed from stone to a flower, and placed at His Lotus Feet, where it ought to be. Stay blessed. Sat Sree Akal.

Brother dalsingh 101, is quite right. What the Bani is trying to tell us, is that, the soul bride if it does not decorate itself with the ornaments of only His bhakti, then it does not matter if that soul has done everything else, whether dunyavee :maan, shaan, or dharmic, with all outer religious practices, and has not dyed itself in the "Naam da rang", then, that soul has lost the opportunity of her life, to become one with His groom, through prem bhakti, thus lost once again, in the endless cycle of births and deaths. The love connection, between the soul bride and the groom Wahiguru Akal Purukh, is none else, but the one of utter surrendering to the beloved. This is what happens, when we sit in His bhajan bandagee of Nam Simran, we disconnect for that time being from the mayavee creation, and dedicate exclusively, to Him for Him, and this what He most appreciates. Once we please Him, He showers unlimited blessings on us, He becomes our palanhaar, our rakhanhaar. Then, whom else should we fear or depend upon. He is ang sang with that blessed soul. Stay blessed. Sat Sree Akal.

Sat Sree Akal, I believe that the 2 paths which Guru Jee refers to in the Ang 688, are: Gurmat and manmat. All beings as per laws of nature, or call it Hukum, according to the seeds of their own past karam, either follow the path of Truth as per Gurbani, or does not. In that sense, either one walks towards Wahiguru or does not, so it may be well referred to these 2 paths in the Bani, the topic of this thread. And about the verse on Ang 142, I also believe, that Guru Jee is saying, that either you follow the Hukum and repsect the laws of His created Nature and allow yourself to flow towards Him through Bhakti, or either you prolong your stay in the mayavee creation by your manmat and evil karam, receive the blows of your own past bad karam, and amend your ways, or call it evil /bad nature, and thus the impressions or sanskaras of past joonees, avoid you in engaging in doing bad karam, thus you make yourself worthy of receiving His grace and return back to Him. Anyhow, in the end, whensoever He decides to stop His khel, everthing merge back into Him, as it is that from Him all was created. He did not bring anything from outside to create, He has that power, that gyan, all by Himself, to create the infinite creation of different planes of consciouss levels, such as material, astral , causal or the farther pure spiritual planes. In the end, i would say that, we people are beings of limited knowledge, so it would be more that suffice for us if we understood just one thing which Guru Sahiban stresses upon and keeps on repeating throughout the Bani: Vin Naavai Ko Mukath N Hoe Without the Name, no one is liberated Raag Gauri Guaarayree Guru Amar Das . His Name/Nam, is the only means to reach Him. Sat Sree Akal.

Amrit Vela – Time of Nectar : by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications London Amrit Vela is commonly known as early morning meditation. ‘How early’, you may ask… to be precise, at 4am! What is so appealing to yogis about this unearthly hour? Well, ‘Amrit’ means nectar while ‘Vela’ means time or moment. As one sits in meditation and in contemplation of God, one is able to taste the nectar, the sweetness, of this divine relationship and take sustenance to empower the self. It is a very special, silent and personal time with the Almighty that is much more difficult to recreate once the world begins its busy, noisy day. It is the only time to take real power from God. Sikhs believe that the day is divided into 8 parts or 8 ‘pehrs’ of three hours each, and the time between 3am and 6am is the highest energy. Buddhists also have an early morning meditation ritual. In Islam the first prayer of the day, ‘Fajr’, is also before sunrise. Hindus too believe in the ‘Brahma Muhurta’, time of God, which occurs exactly for the first 48 minutes, of the one hour and thirty-six minutes before sunrise everyday. This is a time, they say, that is conducive to learning and mastering the scriptures, music and any other art form. There is also a widely held belief that the early morning hours are the time when the gods or angels are encircling the world. They are ready and waiting to bestow blessings… but only to those who are awake! Which gives rise to the saying: if you snooze, you lose! The benefits of Amrit Vela are endless, and the practice is not as difficult as some may think. Yet some people’s immediate response when asked to try out this daily practice is one of shock and panic, especially those who go to bed at this hour! In response, I would say, try it and give it a chance. Don’t look to see what you losing, but look to see what you are gaining! Losing an hour or two of sleep is really nothing, compared to the power, confidence and spiritual stamina you will gain from awakening early and absorbing this early morning spiritual energy. The feeling for me is one of intricately fine tuning myself to God’s vibration, which in turns enables me to fine tune to the world, so that I can begin to know exactly what to think, say and do. I personally have been waking up at 4am everyday since 1983 and I thoroughly love it. I have never got bored with it. It’s a discipline I took up early on, and it has been a part of my life ever since then – it is just not negotiable. If due to sickness or travel I miss this early morning appointment, then there is definitely the feeling of having missed something important, like missing an important dose of powerful medicine! Of course in the beginning it is easier when you are practicing with others, but after a while when you get the hang of it, and are enjoying it, then sitting alone is also bliss. Of course it does help to go to bed early, and to go to sleep with the right type of thoughts: peaceful and positive, in remembrance of the true nature of the self and God. Going to bed at 2 or 3am is not ideal. In truth, one really needs to ask oneself the question; what is the real benefit of the late night entertainment, when perhaps it could be replaced with the early morning one! Late nights mostly drain you and give you hangovers, the morning one will recharge and revitalise you. Amrit Vela, is the only true time to fill up high quality fuel in the soul, for the rest of the day you will not pass such a ‘petrol pump’ no matter how powerful your meditation is. So what do you do once you have managed to wake up and get out of bed? Wash your face, and have coffee or tea if you feel you need it to stay awake. Then set a dim light and sit to meditate in your favorite place. Open a window for fresh air and fill your lungs with the morning ozone. Light a candle if you wish, but remember that that is simply a pale reflection of the light that is inside of you, the sparkling light sitting in the centre of your forehead. Amrit Vela is normally a time to bathe in the blissful experience of God, and our higher self. A time to quieten the mind and to keep the thoughts calm and still. Sit and absorb his love, energy and pure vibrations. It is not really a time to think of mundane matters such as work, or to try to resolve the inner and outer conflicts that may be ongoing; reserve those issues for your later meditations. In fact, as one fills oneself with power at this most auspicious time, one is able to gain the inner strength to overcome many of the obstacles that arise in one’s life. It’s Time… to wake up in the early morning hours and to fill up from the Supreme Source of love and light. Enjoy the sweet taste of Amrit Vela and awaken not only the body, but also the soul!

For anybody who is interested in live Kirtan from Sri Darbar Sahib , you may open the following link in You Tube in your PC , Tab or Laptop. Luckily since some few days Live Kirtan is being possible to view on the net. Enjoy

Though the current thread is a bit old, but nevertheless, the topic is very much valid today. Mukti, means freedom from the cycle of births and deaths. Many believe, Swarg or Baikunth as destinations for acheieving Mukti. The thing is, if one does not have Wahiguru Akal Purukh as their only objective, there is no real freedom for the soul, for many are deeply impacted by the mayavee nature of the different avtars, gods,godesses, devtays, prophets, etc ...an endless list of divinites and spiritual entities.... But Gurbani very clearly tells us: Ekas bin sabh dandh hae. Without the only One(Akal Purukh), all else(variety, multiplicity) is temporary and false. Just see the utter Truth and beauty in the following one verse only , how Guru Sahiban tells us, about how freedom and eternal union with Him, or merging in Him, can be acheieved. Vin Naavai Ko Mukath N Hoe Without the Name, no one is liberated Raag Gauri Guaarayree Guru Amar Das People love to have hot debates and discussions out of ignorance and ego, but Guru Sahiban in just one verse of 5 words, breaks all our haume and agyanta, without any place for second meaning, He goes direct to the point of our liberation and union with Him, Wahiguru Akal Purukh. Sat Sree Akal.

Why less Maya with Gursikhs? Mainly, because Gursikhs are the treasurers, the bankers of the inexhaustible true wealth (saacha dhan) of His Name. Sat Sree Akal.

We can have both of them in our relation with Wahiguru Akal Purukh. We should undoubtedly love Him, and do not fear Him, as if He were to judge or punish us, for He can never ever do so. Usually, people in moments of weakness, thus , out of ignorance blame Him, who is nothing, but an Infinite Ocean of Love (Prem) and Mercy (Daya) So, just as even in our personal relations, to those whom we love, we fear to do anything, which may be disliked by our beloved, so at least that attitude of love and fear, should be towards Him, the Highest, and most adorable and benevolent. Sat Sree Akal.

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ Maaroo Mehalaa 1 || Maaroo, First Mehl: ਮਾਰੂ ਸੋਲਹੇ (ਮਃ ੧) ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੫ ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥ Arabadh Narabadh Dhhundhhookaaraa || For endless eons, there was only utter darkness. ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ Dhharan N Gaganaa Hukam Apaaraa || There was no earth or sky; there was only the infinite Command of His Hukam. ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥ Naa Dhin Rain N Chandh N Sooraj Sunn Samaadhh Lagaaeidhaa ||1|| There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound Samaadhi. ||1|| ਖਾਣੀ ਨ ਬਾਣੀ ਪਉਣ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ Khaanee N Baanee Poun N Paanee || There were no sources of creation or powers of speech, no air or water. ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥ Oupath Khapath N Aavan Jaanee || There was no creation or destruction, no coming or going. ਖੰਡ ਪਤਾਲ ਸਪਤ ਨਹੀ ਸਾਗਰ ਨਦੀ ਨ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥ Khandd Pathaal Sapath Nehee Saagar Nadhee N Neer Vehaaeidhaa ||2|| There were no continents, nether regions, seven seas, rivers or flowing water. ||2|| ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ॥ Naa Thadh Surag Mashh Paeiaalaa || There were no heavenly realms, earth or nether regions of the underworld. ਦੋਜਕੁ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਖੈ ਕਾਲਾ ॥ Dhojak Bhisath Nehee Khai Kaalaa || There was no heaven or hell, no death or time. ਨਰਕੁ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥ Narak Surag Nehee Janman Maranaa Naa Ko Aae N Jaaeidhaa ||3|| There was no hell or heaven, no birth or death, no coming or going in reincarnation. ||3|| ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ Brehamaa Bisan Mehaes N Koee || There was no Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva. ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ॥ Avar N Dheesai Eaeko Soee || No one was seen, except the One Lord. ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੪॥ Naar Purakh Nehee Jaath N Janamaa Naa Ko Dhukh Sukh Paaeidhaa ||4|| There was no female or male, no social class or caste of birth; no one experienced pain or pleasure. ||4|| ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਜਤੀ ਸਤੀ ਬਨਵਾਸੀ ॥ Naa Thadh Jathee Sathee Banavaasee || There were no people of celibacy or charity; no one lived in the forests. ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਸੁਖਵਾਸੀ ॥ Naa Thadh Sidhh Saadhhik Sukhavaasee || There were no Siddhas or seekers, no one living in peace. ਜੋਗੀ ਜੰਗਮ ਭੇਖੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਥੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੫॥ Jogee Jangam Bhaekh N Koee Naa Ko Naathh Kehaaeidhaa ||5|| There were no Yogis, no wandering pilgrims, no religious robes; no one called himself the master. ||5|| ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਨਾ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ Jap Thap Sanjam Naa Brath Poojaa || There was no chanting or meditation, no self-discipline, fasting or worship. ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥ Naa Ko Aakh Vakhaanai Dhoojaa || No one spoke or talked in duality. ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੬॥ Aapae Aap Oupaae Vigasai Aapae Keemath Paaeidhaa ||6|| He created Himself, and rejoiced; He evaluates Himself. ||6|| ਨਾ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਤੁਲਸੀ ਮਾਲਾ ॥ Naa Such Sanjam Thulasee Maalaa || There was no purification, no self-restraint, no malas of basil seeds. ਗੋਪੀ ਕਾਨੁ ਨ ਗਊ ਗਦ਼ਆਲਾ ॥ Gopee Kaan N Goo Guoaalaa || There were no Gopis, no Krishna, no cows or cowherds. ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਵੰਸੁ ਵਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੭॥ Thanth Manth Paakhandd N Koee Naa Ko Vans Vajaaeidhaa ||7|| There were no tantras, no mantras and no hypocrisy; no one played the flute. ||7|| ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਾਖੀ ॥ Karam Dhharam Nehee Maaeiaa Maakhee || There was no karma, no Dharma, no buzzing fly of Maya. ਜਾਤਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ਆਖੀ ॥ Jaath Janam Nehee Dheesai Aakhee || Social class and birth were not seen with any eyes. ਮਮਤਾ ਜਾਲੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਥੈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਿਸੈ ਧਿਆਇਦਾ ॥੮॥ Mamathaa Jaal Kaal Nehee Maathhai Naa Ko Kisai Dhhiaaeidhaa ||8|| There was no noose of attachment, no death inscribed upon the forehead; no one meditated on anything. ||8|| ਨਿੰਦੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੀਉ ਨ ਜਿੰਦੋ ॥ Nindh Bindh Nehee Jeeo N Jindho || There was no slander, no seed, no soul and no life. ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਨਾ ਮਾਛਿੰਦੋ ॥ Naa Thadh Gorakh Naa Maashhindho || There was no Gorakh and no Maachhindra. ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕੁਲ ਓਪਤਿ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਗਣਤ ਗਣਾਇਦਾ ॥੯॥ Naa Thadh Giaan Dhhiaan Kul Oupath Naa Ko Ganath Ganaaeidhaa ||9|| There was no spiritual wisdom or meditation, no ancestry or creation, no reckoning of accounts. ||9|| ਵਰਨ ਭੇਖ ਨਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਖਤ੍ਰੀ ॥ Varan Bhaekh Nehee Brehaman Khathree || There were no castes or social classes, no religious robes, no Brahmin or Kh'shaatriya. ਦੇਉ ਨ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਗਊ ਗਾਇਤ੍ਰੀ ॥ Dhaeo N Dhaehuraa Goo Gaaeithree || There were no demi-gods or temples, no cows or Gaayatri prayer. ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਨਹੀ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਾ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੦॥ Hom Jag Nehee Theerathh Naavan Naa Ko Poojaa Laaeidhaa ||10|| There were no burnt offerings, no ceremonial feasts, no cleansing rituals at sacred shrines of pilgrimage; no one worshipped in adoration. ||10|| ਨਾ ਕੋ ਮੁਲਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਾਜੀ ॥ Naa Ko Mulaa Naa Ko Kaajee || There was no Mullah, there was no Qazi. ਨਾ ਕੋ ਸੇਖੁ ਮਸਾਇਕੁ ਹਾਜੀ ॥ Naa Ko Saekh Masaaeik Haajee || There was no Shaykh, or pilgrims to Mecca. ਰਈਅਤਿ ਰਾਉ ਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਹਣੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੧॥ Reeath Raao N Houmai Dhuneeaa Naa Ko Kehan Kehaaeidhaa ||11|| There was no king or subjects, and no worldly egotism; no one spoke of himself. ||11|| ਭਾਉ ਨ ਭਗਤੀ ਨਾ ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤੀ ॥ Bhaao N Bhagathee Naa Siv Sakathee || There was no love or devotion, no Shiva or Shakti - no energy or matter. ਸਾਜਨੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਰਕਤੀ ॥ Saajan Meeth Bindh Nehee Rakathee || There were no friends or companions, no semen or blood. ਆਪੇ ਸਾਹੁ ਆਪੇ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ ਸਾਚੇ ਏਹੋ ਭਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੨॥ Aapae Saahu Aapae Vanajaaraa Saachae Eaeho Bhaaeidhaa ||12|| He Himself is the banker, and He Himself is the merchant. Such is the Pleasure of the Will of the True Lord. ||12|| ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਨ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ ॥ Baedh Kathaeb N Sinmrith Saasath || There were no Vedas, Korans or Bibles, no Simritees or Shaastras. ਪਾਠ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਉਦੈ ਨਹੀ ਆਸਤ ॥ Paath Puraan Oudhai Nehee Aasath || There was no recitation of the Puraanas, no sunrise or sunset. ਕਹਤਾ ਬਕਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਆਪੇ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੩॥ Kehathaa Bakathaa Aap Agochar Aapae Alakh Lakhaaeidhaa ||13|| The Unfathomable Lord Himself was the speaker and the preacher; the unseen Lord Himself saw everything. ||13|| ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ Jaa This Bhaanaa Thaa Jagath Oupaaeiaa || When He so willed, He created the world. ਬਾਝੁ ਕਲਾ ਆਡਾਣੁ ਰਹਾਇਆ ॥ Baajh Kalaa Aaddaan Rehaaeiaa || Without any supporting power, He sustained the universe. ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਉਪਾਏ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਵਧਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੪॥ Brehamaa Bisan Mehaes Oupaaeae Maaeiaa Mohu Vadhhaaeidhaa ||14|| He created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; He fostered enticement and attachment to Maya. ||14|| ਵਿਰਲੇ ਕਉ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ॥ Viralae Ko Gur Sabadh Sunaaeiaa || How rare is that person who listens to the Word of the Guru's Shabad. ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ॥ Kar Kar Dhaekhai Hukam Sabaaeiaa || He created the creation, and watches over it; the Hukam of His Command is over all. ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਅਰੰਭੇ ਗੁਪਤਹੁ ਪਰਗਟੀ ਆਇਦਾ ॥੧੫॥ Khandd Brehamandd Paathaal Aranbhae Gupathahu Paragattee Aaeidhaa ||15|| He formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. ||15|| ਤਾ ਕਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਈ ॥ Thaa Kaa Anth N Jaanai Koee || No one knows His limits. ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੋਈ ॥ Poorae Gur Thae Sojhee Hoee || This understanding comes from the Perfect Guru. ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੀ ਬਿਸਮ ਭਏ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੬॥੩॥੧੫॥ Naanak Saach Rathae Bisamaadhee Bisam Bheae Gun Gaaeidhaa ||16||3||15|| O Nanak, those who are attuned to the Truth are wonderstruck; singing His Glorious Praises, they are filled with wonder. ||16||3||15||

It is true, that each avatar comes with a specific role to play according to Nature, all act acordingly to the one Hukum of Akal Purukh, but in the end, whichsoever Yuga it maybe, it is all chaurasee ka chakar. So irrespectively, whosoever comes, it is not by that particular form in that period of time, that one is carried to the consciouss level of that deity or avtaar of devlok, Swarg or Baikunth, or even to the highest abode of Guru Sahiban. Because it is the method, the parsad they give, which takes us to that goal, that destiny. We by ourselves are limited, so we can not judge or differentiate what is superior or not, it is only by applying the Bani, we can make that discernment. Third Patshahee, refering to the topic in this thread, beautifully and in one simple verse, rescues us from our doubt. He says: Vin Naavai, Ko Mukath N Hoe Without the Name, no one is liberated Raag Gauri Guaarayree Guru Amar Das This means, be it any yuga, and if one does not hold on to the one Nam, one wil remain drowned in the Maha bhavsagar. In conclusion, if that avtaar, does not impress on the beings of that era, to search and hold on to that on Truth of Nam, to be ferried across, that avtaar, howsoever powerful may appear to be, is not worthy of any devotion of ours, not because it is not respectable, but because does nothing positive, to reunite us with our origin: Wahiguru Akal Purukh. Sat Sree Akal.

When Does Belief become Firm? Faith or belief, becomes firm only, when one experiences the eternal changeless Truth of Nam /Satnam, within oneself by His apaar kirpa. In that direction, the pure paviter Bani says: Har Har Naam Thinee Aaraadhhiaa, Jin Masathak Dhhur Likh Paae Jeeo They alone meditate on the Lord's Name, Har, Har, upon whose foreheads such destiny is written Raag Aasaa Guru Ram Das Sat Sree Akal.

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਦਖਣੀ ॥ Maaroo Mehalaa 1 Dhakhanee || Maaroo, First Mehl, Dakhanee: ਮਾਰੂ ਦਖਣੀ (ਮਃ ੧) ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੩ ਕਾਇਆ ਨਗਰੁ ਨਗਰ ਗੜ ਅੰਦਰਿ ॥ Kaaeiaa Nagar Nagar Garr Andhar || Deep within the body-village is the fortress. ਸਾਚਾ ਵਾਸਾ ਪੁਰਿ ਗਗਨੰਦਰਿ ॥ Saachaa Vaasaa Pur Gaganandhar || The dwelling of the True Lord is within the city of the Tenth Gate. ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਥਾਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਆਪੇ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥ Asathhir Thhaan Sadhaa Niramaaeil Aapae Aap Oupaaeidhaa ||1|| This place is permanent and forever immaculate. He Himself created it. ||1|| ਅੰਦਰਿ ਕੋਟ ਛਜੇ ਹਟਨਾਲੇ ॥ Andhar Kott Shhajae Hattanaalae || Within the fortress are balconies and bazaars. ਆਪੇ ਲੇਵੈ ਵਸਤੁ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥ Aapae Laevai Vasath Samaalae || He Himself takes care of His merchandise. ਬਜਰ ਕਪਾਟ ਜੜੇ ਜੜਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਖੋਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥ Bajar Kapaatt Jarrae Jarr Jaanai Gur Sabadhee Kholaaeidhaa ||2|| The hard and heavy doors of the Tenth Gate are closed and locked. Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, they are thrown open. ||2|| ਭੀਤਰਿ ਕੋਟ ਗੁਫਾ ਘਰ ਜਾਈ ॥ Bheethar Kott Gufaa Ghar Jaaee || Within the fortress is the cave, the home of the self. ਨਉ ਘਰ ਥਾਪੇ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ॥ No Ghar Thhaapae Hukam Rajaaee || He established the nine gates of this house, by His Command and His Will. ਦਸਵੈ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਲੇਖੁ ਅਪਾਰੀ ਆਪੇ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥ Dhasavai Purakh Alaekh Apaaree Aapae Alakh Lakhaaeidhaa ||3|| In the Tenth Gate, the Primal Lord, the unknowable and infinite dwells; the unseen Lord reveals Himself. ||3||

One more beautiful katha :