Anand

Anand or Bliss is Within!

In other words, the Realization of Creator Within is in reality the definition of the Creator’s Blessing. Further, Guru Nanak’s Belief is that its Permanent, never ending, never changing …

• ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮੀ ਦਾਤਿ ॥੨੪॥ : Nanak, (My Realization Within is) is the Blessing from the Creator. ॥24॥ (sggs 5).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਬਖਸੀਸ ਕਾ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਨਿਖੂਟਸਿ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੪॥੨॥੩੨॥ : The Creator’s Blessing is never ending (never changing – Permanent). ॥4॥2॥32॥ (sggs 358).

The Gurus and Bhagat have used terms that were already within the use and within the psyche of people of the time. However, they have used these terms as examples (ਹਵਾਲਾ), but explicitly with new meanings and understanding to fit the new and unique spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS); NOT to regurgitate what already existed before the Gurus!

This word ‘ANAND‘ is derived from a Sanskrit word (‘Nand‘ meaning ‘to rejoice’ or ‘to delight’). For lack of a better word in English, ‘ANAND‘ (ਅਨੰਦ) is also seen translated to mean Bliss, Joy, ecstasy, tranquility, happiness, satisfaction, contentment etc.

Nonetheless, since all human languages have their own limitations, ‘ANAND‘ means differently to different people in the real world.

However, one thing is for sure — any ‘ANAND‘ derived from attachment to Mayaic stuff (food, wealth, children, worldly possessions, power, sense-gratification, worldly pleasures etc.) is NOT permanent.

It should be noted that the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS neither say position or power is bad, nor wealth is bad, nor love and emotions are bad, nor name or education is bad, and so on. Because they are all integral parts of our lives, even essential to our existence. The problem occurs with attachment. In attachment we begin to believe that the position is for ever as will be our wealth, strength, beauty, youth, property, people in our life etc. In reality, they are all temporary or fleeting, even our own body.

That being said, according to the Wisdom of SGGS, ‘ANAND‘ is a state where an individual’s Innermost Blossoms (Enlightenment, ‘Vigaas‘- ਅਨੰਦ, ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼, ਚਾਣਨਾ, ਖਿੜਨਾ).

This Innermost blooming (‘Vigaas‘) is one’s unique experience! To say it otherwise, it cannot be made to an order, gifted, inherited, purchased or stolen.

• ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੮॥ : Nanak, the spirituality of Internalizing the Shabad is Blissful. Internalization of the Shabad rids us of vices and sorrows. ॥8॥ (sggs 2-3).

The Wisdom of the SGGS counsels us that until we know the reality or Satt (Realization of the Creator Within), there can be no real Anand. Instead, the mind will remain restless and continue to wander around, experiencing repeated suffering in life, HERE AND NOW!

We routinely hear about ‘Anand’ in Gurdwaras, religious discourses etc. For example, before Ardaas (prayer), we sing from the ‘Raamkalee Mahalaa 3 Anand‘ (‘ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਅਨੰਦੁ’).

From whom can we know what the true Anand is?

The Gurbani says that the state of ‘ANAND‘ can be experienced through the Guru — Wisdom or Enlightenment of the Guru Shabad).

• ਆਨੰਦੁ ਆਨੰਦੁ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਆਨੰਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਜਾਣਿਆ ॥ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਆਨੰਦੁ ਸਦਾ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ॥: Bliss, Bliss – everyone talks of Bliss (i.e., all say they have realized Bliss)! Bliss is known (ਅਸਲ ਆਨੰਦ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ) only through the Guru (Shabad – Giaan, Bibek, Wisdom). O Dear! Eternal Bliss in known only through the ‘Gur’ (Shabad-Giaan, Bibek, Wisdom), when (one from within) shows mercy unto himself. (sggs 918).
• ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਹਜ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਵਜੀਆ ਵਾਧਾਈਆ ॥: O my mother! I am in Bliss (because), I have obtained or realized the Satiguru (within). In conjunction with the realization of the Satiguru, (I have also realized) Sahaj Avasthaa (Natural State of Being, Intuitive Ease, the State of the Divine Knowledge, ਗਿਆਨ ਅਵਸਥਾ, ਅਡੋਲ ਅਵਸਥਾ…), and now within my mind resounds Happiness (sggs 917).

Such real ‘Anand‘ understood and realized through Internalization of the Message of the Gur-Shabad alone is lasting. Those who experience this real Anand Within through the Guru Shabad are called ‘Fortunate-ਵਡਭਾਗੀ’ in the Gurbani (ਸਹਜ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਹੋਆ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ –Sahaj anand hoaa vadabhaagee…, sggs 773).

All other types of ‘Anand‘ (ਅਨੰਦ) are temporary or fleeting at best.

What are the signs of true Anand?

The Gurbani explains:

• ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਕਟੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਸਾਰਿਆ ॥ ਅੰਦਰਹੁ ਜਿਨ ਕਾ ਮੋਹੁ ਤੁਟਾ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਚੈ ਸਵਾਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਏਹੁ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਆਨੰਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਣਿਆ ॥੭॥: With the Grace (of the Gur-Wisdom from within-‘ਧੁਰਿ ਕਰਮਿ’)  transgressions are cut away (Maya’s thirst or hunger from within); and obtain the collyrium of Wisdom (in the Inner Eyes of Vichaar). Those who eradicate attachment from within themselves, are adorned with the Shabad (Shabad-Giaan, Wisdom). O Nanak! This alone is Bliss – Bliss which is known through the ‘Gur’ (Shabad-Giaan, Wisdom, Bibek). ||7|| (sggs 917).

Those ‘rare‘ ones who have Experienced real ANAND within are those who have realized the State of Gurmukh-Hood (State of Enlightenmentd or Guru Shabad-Orieneted mind) through the spirituality of the Guru’s Shabad.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਬਿਗਸੈ ਹਰਿ ਬੈਰਾਗੁ ਅਨੰਦੁ ॥: Who has become the Gurmukh performs deeds (as told by the Guru’s Giaan or Wisdom) and remains blooming (from within) (because within him) is divine love and spiritual Bliss or ANAND. (sggs 29).

In other words, in order for the mind to become Gurmukh, it has to be imbued with the Godly Virtues — contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), Truth (ਸਤ), honesty (ਇਮਾਨਦਾਰੀ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ-Natural State of Being), spiritual Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), humility (ਮਨ ਨਿਮਾਣਾ, ਬੁਧਿ ਗਰੀਬੀ), sweet speech (ਮਿਠ ਬੋਲੜਾ) and so on.

• ਤਿਨਾ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਨਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥: They alone are in Anand, always in Happiness, who have made the True Naam the support (of their life). (sggs 36).
• ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦਿ ਰਹਹਿ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਗੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਗੁਣੀ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥: (Bhagat are) Forever in bliss. (Through the Gur-Shabad) living the Divine Virtues day and night, (they) remain merged in Dive Virtues. ||1|| (sggs 122).

In short, the Gurmat Wisdom tells also that if one always remains established in Anand, that indicates mind has traced its steps back to its Mool or Jot Saroop within.

• ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ਭਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਗਮੁ ਸੁਣਿਆ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਗਲੁ ਗਾਉ ਸਖੀ ਗ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਬਣਿਆ ॥: If the mind has become established in Anand, (it means the mind) has realized its Mool (Jot Saroop or True Nature…). O my mate (mind, soul)! My (body-) House has become the Devine Temple, now sing in Joy (i.e., live every moment of life with Wisdom and Virtues…). (sggs 921).
• ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥ : This is what Nanak says: O my mind, you are the ‘Jot Saroop’ or embodiment of Light (God)! Recognize your Mool (ORIGIN, Source…) ||5|| (sggs 441).

The Gurmat’s real ‘Anand’ is to be found everywhere!

Since the Gurmat’s God is Omnipresent — One Universal Energy — the real ‘Anand‘ is also not limited to a particular geographical location, a particular building, a particular time or a particular person (ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ॥: Sabh Gobind hai… (sggs 485).

Also, since it’s everywhere, we all can experience it Here and Now, Provided WE ARE EARNESTLY WILLING TO experience it!

As per the Gurbani, all we need to do is tear down the veil, wall or curtain of the false ego-sense (Haumai) and its numerous faults that separate our mind from its Mool and inhibits from experiencing ‘Anand‘ Within!

• ਖੋਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਭੀਤਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦਾ ॥੪॥੧੪॥: Tearing down the wall, I have obtained the Supreme Bliss. ||4||14|| (sggs 1206).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾ ਦਿਨ ਹਉ ਮੂਆ ਪਾਛੈ ਭਇਆ ਅਨੰਦੁ ॥: O Kabeer! (By living the Divine Virtues) on the day when my egotism dies (bad influence of ego on my mind), afterwards there is Bliss within. (sggs 1364).
• ਹਉ ਭੀਤਿ ਭਇਓ ਹੈ ਬੀਚੋ ਸੁਨਤ ਦੇਸਿ ਨਿਕਟਾਇਓ ॥ ਭਾਂਭੀਰੀ ਕੇ ਪਾਤ ਪਰਦੋ ਬਿਨੁ ਪੇਖੇ ਦੂਰਾਇਓ ॥੩॥: (O my mother, I) hear this that (my Beloved) dwells near within (me but) the wall of egotism separates us. Like the wings of a butterfly, there is this thin veil (of egotism that separates us); without being able to see (due to the curtain of egotism, my Beloved), seems to be far away. ||3|| (sggs 624).

How can we all experience true Anand?

First off, everyone is entitled to Anand, ONLY if one is honestly willing to put forth sincere efforts (i.e., Shabad-Vichaar) to Realize it. Longing for experience of Anand is inherent in all human beings, but only a ‘rare’ can experience it. ONE THING IS CERTAIN: Anand cannot be made to an order, gifted, inherited, purchased or stolen.

Can we experience it by just sitting idle waiting for some grace to dawn on us from the sky? Or, can we experience it wandering around from one Gurdwara, Deraa or Teerath to the other?  Or ritual bathing in pond to the other etc.?

The Gurbani teaches us Anand will NOT happen that way:

• ਇਕਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੂਲੇ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਦਹ ਦਿਸਿ ਇਕਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਾਗਿ ਸਵਾਰਿਆ ॥: Some deluded by doubt, wander in the ten directions; some others apply themselves to living by Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues …). (sggs 918).

We have to take up that responsibility — we need to put self-efforts (Uddam-ਉਦਮ = Shabad-Vichaar…) and apply ourselves to living by Naam. The Gurbani’s edict is:

• ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰਤ ਆਨਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਸੁਖ ਸਾਰੁ ॥: By making effort (Shabad-Vichaar…), Bliss happens; contemplating (Naam), Essence of Happiness (is experienced). (sggs 815).

Intellectual cleverness, pretense (Pakhand), deceptions or ploys of the crooked mind as propagated by the self-serving Pujaaree will not do the trick. The divine Virtues and covetousness do not go together: the former lead to inner blooming or Anand; the covetousness keeps one embroiled in the relativist consciousness.

• ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਕਿਨੈ ਤੂ ਸੁਣਿ ਮੰਨ ਮੇਰਿਆ ॥: Listen, O my (fickle) mind! Through cleverness (worldly cleverness, tricks – ਚਲਾਕੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ), no one has attained (ਕੋਈ ਪਰਾਪਤੀ ਨਹੀ). (sggs 918).

However, we can change ONLY if we want to change. Nobody else can change us. In other words, we can experience ANAND ONLY if we want to experience it!

• ਕਬੀਰ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਜਉ ਸਿਖਾ ਮਹਿ ਚੂਕ ॥ ਅੰਧੇ ਏਕ ਨ ਲਾਗਈ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਂਸੁ ਬਜਾਈਐ ਫੂਕ ॥੧੫੮॥: O Kabeer! The Satguru (ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ-True Wisdom) can’t do anything if there is a lapse or fault in Sikhs (learners, ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ). (The Satguru’s Knowledge, Giaan…) can’t affect or change the (arrogant or mentally) blind person (if he does not want to change); it is as useless as the bamboo (flute) of begins to play when blown in (but the blow passes through one end and goes out the other way, similarly the Gur-Giaan or Wisdom passes from one ear and escapes through the other ear without affecting an arrogant person who does not want to change. ||158|| (sggs 1372).

Way to ultimate Anand

The Gurbani also reveals to us the Source of Anand and Way to ultimate Bliss.

• ਮਹਾ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥: Reflecting on the Gur-Shabad, Great Joy (is experienced…). (sggs 370).
• ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦ ॥: Within the mind of the Brahm Giaanee (a person of Wisdom, Bibek, Truth…) is the Supreme bliss. (sggs 273).
• ਚਿਤਹਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਸਮਾਇ ਤ ਹੋਵੈ ਰੰਗੁ ਘਨਾ ॥: If (a person’s) mind (or thinking) is absorbed in the mind (or Wisdom of the Satguru), then (within that person) great Bliss is realized. (sggs 1362).
• ਗੁਰ ਪਾਰਸ ਹਮ ਲੋਹ ਮਿਲਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਹੋਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੜੁ ਸੋਹਿਆ ਰਾਮ ॥: The ‘Gur‘ (-Giaan or Wisdom) is the ‘Paaras’ (philosopher’s stone) and we (mortals) are like iron (deluded or ignorant mind, Bikaaree…), as the iron gets transmuted into gold by the touch of (‘Paaras’, similarly), by merging our Jot (or mind or thinking) in the Jot (or Mind or Wisdom of the of ‘Gur’), the mind-fortress (of us beings) becomes beautiful. (sggs 1114).

In short, to realize an enduring and untrammeled Anand, one has to make a leap from the gross and the physical (Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree lifestyle) to the metaphysical (Gurmukh-Hood).

• ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦਿ ਰਹੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਰਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੫॥: Who has become the Gurmukh always remains engrossed in spiritual Bliss or Anand day and night, he always Practices Shabad (Upadesh, Giaan, Wisdom…). (sggs 129).
• ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਆਨੰਦੁ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪਾਏ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦੁ ॥੩॥: Through Bhagti, Anand and Liberation is obtained. Through the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giaan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS), Supreme Anand is obtained. ||3|| (sggs 154).