Some Important Tips For Abhiyaas - Part I

[Prabhjot Singh]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Guru Roop Sangat Jeo,

I was reading this wonderful book called 'Bhajan Bandagi Da Partaap' by Sodhi Harbhajan Singh Ji when I came across this chapter on Abhiyaas. I found it an immensely wonderful and spiritually satisfying read and felt like sharing with the Sangat. So, here is an attempt at its translation, will be posting it in chunks of 5 tips per post so that its easy to read, and digest really hope you will also enjoy it as much I did

Tuhi Tuhi!

Some Important Tips for Abhiyaas

Sodhi Harbhajan Singh Ji

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1. When a mother gives birth to her child, she has an intense desire in her heart to hear her child talk to her. When the child starts responding to her, she becomes hopeful and calls out by his or her name, and the child turns around to look at her, and that brings immense joy to the mother. She then expects the child to speak and call her name, and for that she tries all sorts of tricks, so that he or she can start speaking. But if the child still does not speak, the mother gets worried and consults relatives, neighbours and doctors to make sure that there is nothing wrong with the child’s tongue. And the day that child says ‘Ma’, only the mother can explain the euphoric joy she feels on hearing the magical word.

At Lahore, we had a Hindu family living opposite our house. A Bibi Ji of that house gave birth to a son, and she would try to talk to him in the same way as mentioned above. Eventually the child started talking and started calling her ‘Ma’, which would make her ecstatic. She would call out, ‘Babu Madan Lal!’, and he would respond back with ‘Ma!’, and this way she would be at it for hours without getting tired. Similarly, Waheguru Ji is our mother; He wants us to call Him by His name. When the child starts going to Gurughar, reads Gurbani, and performs other religious actions, the Mother becomes joyous and hopes that the child will now take the blessing of Amrit and recite Naam. And when the child starts calling the Mother by her Naam, She becomes ecstatic, and rushes to hug and kiss the child without any delay. We should learn from this example, that whenever I recite Waheguru with my tongue, I should have complete and undying faith that my Lord is with me, who becomes joyous on listening to my Jaap and comes out to hug and shower His love on me. Just remember that the Mother is spinning the child around in joy if one feels like reciting ‘Waheguru’ again after the first time.

2. The first condition of Bandagi and meditation is to be aware that our Mother is always around us, and that we are here to make Her happy:

ਗੁਰ ਸਭਾ ਏਵ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾ ਨੇੜੈ ਨਾ ਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤਾਂ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥੨॥

The Society of the Guru is not obtained like this, by trying to be near or far away. O Nanak, you shall meet the True Guru, if your mind remains in His Presence. ||2||

(Ang 84, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj)

In order to keep mind present in the moment, it is important that we remember that I am just a little child, my Mother is right next to me, and the only purpose of my act is to please Her. Jaap done for any other purpose is absolutely meaningless:

ਅਪਣਾ ਆਪੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਈ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਤਾ ਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਵਿਸਰੀ ਕਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਹਜੂਰਿ ॥

He does not understand himself; he believes the Lord God to be far away. He forgets to serve the Guru; how can his mind remain in the Lord's Presence?

(Ang 854, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj)

3. Keep this in mind while walking, talking, eating, and especially while meditating that:

ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਲੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

My Guru is always with me, near at hand. Meditating, meditating in remembrance on Him, I cherish Him forever. ||1||Pause||

(Ang 394, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj)

There are two things to keep in mind here: First, my Guru Ji is always with me, and second, that I have to remain in his remembrance forever. Do not think that Waheguru Ji comes close to me only when I recite His name. He is close to everyone, the rich and the poor alike, but only those who are aware of this remain in the blissful state. Such a person knows that he has got immense wealth in his pocket that can be used at any time, as opposed to those who have forgotten they are Kings and helplessly wander around begging from door-to-door.

ਨਰਪਤਿ ਏਕੁ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਨਿ ਸੋਇਆ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਭਇਆ ਭਿਖਾਰੀ ॥ ਅਛਤ ਰਾਜ ਬਿਛੁਰਤ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੋ ਗਤਿ ਭਈ ਹਮਾਰੀ ॥੨॥

It is like the king, who falls asleep upon his throne, and dreams that he is a beggar. His kingdom is intact, but separated from it, he suffers in sorrow. Such is my own condition. ||2||

(Ang 657, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj)

One time, daas withdrew 2200 rupees from bank for some personal reason, which was in my briefcase and I carried it around everywhere. On my way home, I ran short of petrol, so I went to the filling station and got 3 litres filled in the tank. When the person asked for money, I searched all my pockets then remembered that I had left my wallet back home in the pocket of my coat. I had completely forgotten about the money in the briefcase. The gas station employee asked for the money again, and I sheepishly told him that I have forgotten my wallet at home. If I had purchased groceries I would have returned them back, but the fuel could not returned. He got angry and took me to his boss, who insulted me much and wrote down my name, house number and sector, made me sign a paper and asked when I will return him the money. I said to him I will eat only after I have handed you your money. Anyway, I must have only reached the main road when I suddenly realised that I have got 2200 rupees with me, and I got insulted for mere 11 rupees. I took a U-turn at once, went up to the owner and took out the money from the briefcase, which surprised him too. A voice came from within, “I was with you, but you had forgotten me. Those who forget me and do not consider me as being next to them will have to suffer like this.”

4. The fruits of Bandagi are sweeter if it is possible to meditate on the banks of a river or moving water body. A story goes like this: Hanging upside down in mother’s womb, the person made requests to the Lord to let him out on the promise that he will recite His name. Waheguru Ji said that all your brothers and sisters who have come out have forgotten me, now I need a guarantor who can promise me that you will fulfil your pledge. The person went hither and thither to all Devis and Devtas asking for support, but everyone refused. In the end, water agrees and says that he will remember You whenever he touches me. Perhaps that is why all the Gurughars that Guru Ji got constructed were either built on the banks of some river, or had Sarovars and Baolis specifically constructed near them. Therefore, it is advisable that one keeps a glass of water or some water vessel nearby whenever one sits for Bandagi.

5. One should choose a specific place or room for Bandagi, and keep that room fresh and pleasant with incense sticks, dhoof, etc. This helps in concentrating the mind, and the place itself becomes pure with positive vibrations, and that helps in connecting one’s mind instantly in the remembrance of Waheguru Ji.

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... to be continued ...

[Malwe Da Sher]

Gurfateh, thanks for that, wonderful post.

Could you give some more information on the author please. Bears a storng influence from the writers personal inclinations and intuitions towards Bhagti, which is perhaps what makes it more interesting.

With regards to the agreement with water, I recall coming across that idea a while back but cant remember the source. Anyone know of other sources for that teaching?

Looking foward to the next parts.

[Ragmaala]

Beautiful Read

Thanks, Guru Gobind Singh Ji is indeed with us at all times, just need to develop this feeling consistently and be aware of it all times , I am actually going to practice this emotion from now on.

[Prabhjot Singh]

Waheguru

The only information about the author is in the preface of the book. According to that, he was the born 12th generation of Guru Ram Dass Ji's Sodhi clan, and 5th generation of Baba Wasava Singh Ji. In his youth he did sangat of Sant Attar Singh Mastuana Sahib, Sant Baba Mansa Singh Ji, Bhai Veer Singh Ji, and other Mahapurashs. The preface also tells us that he was a Kathavachak, a sewa that he performed for more than 50 years all around India.

Here is a pic of Sodhi Ji:

http://sodhiharbhajansingh.org

The latter part of the book is full of his personal life experiences, I will try to post some of them here

Edited November 25, 2010 by pjs

[Parchand]

very nice indeed !!