BRIDAL MYSTICISM

The purpose of human life is to love the omniscient Divine, within (Mool, Source, Origim, Jot....). We can do so through many mental states. These various states can be lumped up in the following headings: Shaant Bhaava (tranquility), Daas Bhaava (master and a servant relationship), Sakhaa Bhaava (friendship or comradeship), Vatsalya Bhaava (affection, like between mother and child), and Maadhuriya Bhaava (bridal mysticism — sweetness, as between lover and beloved). On a material platform, these relationships are based on selfishness. However, on the Spiritual platform, they are purely based on selfless love (Bhagti ). The whole idea of all methods of Spiritual Realization is to revive our consciousness of these Eternal states by actively loving the Divine Factor within (Mool, Source, Origim, Jot....), leading to man's Freedom from Maya's bondage.

• ਮੈ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੰਤੁ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥ ਜੇਹਾ ਕਰਾਏ ਤੇਹਾ ਕਰੀ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥੧॥: Mai kaaman meraa kant kartaar. Jehaa karaae tehaa karee seegaar: I am woman (soul-bride); the Creator is my Husband. (I) adorn (myself) to His liking. ||1|| (sggs 1128).
• ਜਿਨਾ ਪਿਰੀ ਪਿਆਰੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਕਿਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੀਐ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੁਭਾਇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਰਹਸੀਐ ॥: Jinaa piri piyaar bin darsan kiyu tripteeyai. Nanak milai subhaaye gurmukh ih man rahaseeyai: Those who are in love with their Divine Beloved, how can they find satisfaction without His Darshan (Self-realization)? O Nanak, the Gurmukhs (Spiritual beings) meet Him with ease, and his mind blossoms forth in joy (sggs 1422).
• ਤੂ ਮੇਰਾ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਹਉ ਦਾਸੁ ਤੇਰਾ ॥ ਤੁਝ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ॥: Too meraa thaakur hayu daas teraa. Tujh bin avar nahee ko meraa: O Lord, You are my Master; I am Your slave. Without You, I have no one at all (sggs 1144).
• ਮਿਤ੍ਰੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੀ ਮੈ ਛਡਿ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਰੰਗਿ ਕਸੁੰਭੈ ਭੁਲੀ ॥: Mitru piaaraa Nanak jee mai shad gavaaiaa rangi kasunbhai bhulee: I abandoned and lost my Frioend, the Divine Beloved, O Nanak; I was fooled by the transitory color of the safflower-- deceptive Maya or world-appearance (sggs 963).
• ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿਤਾ ਤੂੰਹੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਾਤਾ ॥ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਭ੍ਰਾਤਾ ॥ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਸਭਨੀ ਥਾਈ ਤਾ ਭਉ ਕੇਹਾ ਕਾੜਾ ਜੀਉ ॥: Toon meraa pitaa toon hai meraa maataa. Toon meraa bandhap toon meraa bharaataa. Toon meraa rakhaa sabhnee thaayee taa bhaayu kehaa kaaraa jeeyu: O Lord, You are my Father, and You are my Mother. You are my Relative, and You are my Brother. You are my Protector everywhere; why should I feel any fear or anxiety? (sggs 103).
• ਕਵਲ ਨੈਨ ਮਧੁਰ ਬੈਨ ਕੋਟਿ ਸੈਨ ਸੰਗ ਸੋਭ ਕਹਤ ਮਾ ਜਸੋਦ ਜਿਸਹਿ ਦਹੀ ਭਾਤੁ ਖਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਦੇਖਿ ਰੂਪੁ ਅਤਿ ਅਨੂਪੁ ਮੋਹ ਮਹਾ ਮਗ ਭਈ ਕਿੰਕਨੀ ਸਬਦ ਝਨਤਕਾਰ ਖੇਲੁ ਪਾਹਿ ਜੀਉ ॥: Kaval nain madhur bain koti sain sang sobh kahat maa jasod jisahi dahee bhaat khaahi jeeo. Dekhi roop ati anoop moh mehaa magg bhaee kinkanee sabad jhanatakaar khel paahi jeeo: (sggs 1402).
• ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਸਦਾ ਹੋਇ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸੀਤਲ ਮਨੁ ਅਪਨਾ ॥: Hari simarat sadaa hoi anand sukh antari saanti seetal manu apanaa: Meditating on God, you will find Bliss and Peace forever deep Within, and your mind will become tranquil and cool (sggs 860).

To experience the bridal mysticism, all souls are considered as female in relation to the Supreme Being, who is considered the only man (Purukh or Purushottama). The lives of all God-immersed souls or Rasik Bhagatas (lovers of the Divine Name-Naam) who have reveled in this form of mysticism testify to this. As indicated in the Gurbani (SGGS) as well, those engrossed in the Bliss of the Divine Love consider the one Divine as Beloved or Husband, and rest as His soul-brides. In other words, considering one's soul as the lover or bride and the Divine Being as her Beloved or Husband, one surrenders the false ego and then maintains this relationship to Eternity.

• ਕੇਤੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਵਰੁ ਏਕੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥: Ketee naari var ek samaal: There are so many brides of the One Divine Beloved - consider this (sggs 932).
• ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਏਕੁ ਸਬਾਈ ਨਾਰਿ ॥: Thaakur ek sabaaee Naar: There is one Husband Lord, and all are His brides (sggs 933).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਗਈ ਸੋਭਾਵੰਤੀ ਨਾਰਿ ॥ ਪਿਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਸਦਾ ਚਲੈ ਤਾ ਬਨਿਆ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥: Sabadi ratte houmai gaee sobhaavantee naari: Attuned to the Divine Name (Word or Shabad), the soul-bride is rid of egotism, and she is glorified. She walks steadily in the way of His Will; thus her decorations become meaningful (sggs 651).
• ਸੇਜ ਸੁਹਾਵੀ ਸਦਾ ਪਿਰੁ ਰਾਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਵਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਰਿ ॥: Sej suhaavee sadaa pir raavai har var paaeiaa naar: Her couch becomes beautiful, and she constantly enjoys her Divine Beloved; for she has Realized the Divine Beloved (sggs 651).
• ਮਿਲਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੋਭਾਵੰਤੀ ਨਾਰਿ ॥: Mil preetam sukh paaiaa sobhaavantee naari: Meeting with my Divine Beloved, I have found peace; I am most beautiful and happy soul-bride (sggs 755).
• ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਰਸ ਰਸਿਕ ਗਟਕ ਨਿਤ ਪੀਜੈ ॥: Raam raam raam rang raate ras rasik gatak nit peejai: Those who are imbued with the Love of the Divine Name continually drink in this essence as a Rasik - the lover of the Divine (sggs 1323).

The Gurbani is among many unique exemplars of bridal mysticism. To spread the glory of the Divine Love or Bhagati, there are numerous Shabad throughout the Gurbani representing exceptional works in the genre of bridal mysticism - written by those reveled in this form of selfless Love, steeped in the Bliss of the Divine experience by constantly remembering Him. It is said that bridal mysticism (Maadhuriya Bhaava) is the all-rounded, most intimate, highest ecstasy and most exalted expression of pure Transcendental Love. Also, the bridal mysticism is considered to be inclusive of all the qualities of other "Bhaavas" or "Rasas", where all other Bhaavas attain their Spiritual Perfection.

• ਨੀਹੁ ਮਹਿੰਜਾ ਤਊ ਨਾਲਿ ਬਿਆ ਨੇਹ ਕੂੜਾਵੇ ਡੇਖੁ ॥ ਕਪੜ ਭੋਗ ਡਰਾਵਣੇ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਪਿਰੀ ਨ ਡੇਖੁ ॥: Neehu mahinjaa taou naal biaa neh koorraave dekh. Kaparr bhog daraavane jichar piree na dekh: I am in love with You; I have seen that other love is false. Even clothes and food are frightening to me, as long as I do not see my Divine Beloved (sggs 1094).
• ਜਾਲਉ ਐਸੀ ਰੀਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਮੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਵੀਸਰੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਈ ਭਲੀ ਪਰੀਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸੇਤੀ ਪਤਿ ਰਹੈ ॥: Jaalayu aisee reet jit mahi piyaaraa veesrai. Nanak saayee bhalee preet jit sahib setee pat rahai: Burn away those rituals which lead you to forget the Beloved Lord. O Nanak, sublime is that love, which preserves my honor with my Lord (sggs 590).
• ਫਰੀਦਾ ਗਲੀਏ ਚਿਕੜੁ ਦੂਰਿ ਘਰੁ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਨੇਹੁ ॥ ਚਲਾ ਤ ਭਿਜੈ ਕੰਬਲੀ ਰਹਾਂ ਤ ਤੁਟੈ ਨੇਹੁ ॥੨੪॥: Freedaa galeeeae chikarr doori gharu naali piaare nehu. Chalaa ta bhijai kambalee rahaan ta tuttai nehu ||24||: O Fareed! The Path is muddy (with Maya, Bikaar...), and the House of my Beloved (Mool), whom I love, is far away (i.e., ardous, difficult...). If I go out, my blanket (i.e., Budh, intellect...) will get drenched (with rain and mud: Maya, Bikaar...), but if I do not go, then my heart will be broken ||24||. (sggs 1379).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਲਾਗੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਸੁਜਾਨ ਸਿਉ ਬਰਜੈ ਲੋਗੁ ਅਜਾਨੁ ॥ ਤਾ ਸਿਉ ਟੂਟੀ ਕਿਉ ਬਨੈ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਜੀਅ ਪਰਾਨ ॥: Kabeer laagee preeth sujaan sio burujai log ajaan. Taa sio toottee kiou banai jaa ke jeea paraan: Kabeer, I am in love with the All-knowing Divine; the ignorant ones try to hold me back. How could I ever break with the One, who owns our soul and breath of life (sggs 1376).
• ਜਿਨ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਕੀ ਜਿਉ ਬੋਲਨਿ ਤਿਵੈ ਸੋਹੰਨਿ ॥: Jiin aandari preeti piram kee jiou bolan tivai sohann: Those whose inner beings are filled with the Love of their Divine Beloved, look beautiful as they speak (sggs 301).
• ਜਿਨਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਸਾ ਭਲੀ ਸੁਹਾਗਣਿ ॥: Jin pir raaviaa saa bhalee suhaagan: She who enjoys her Beloved, is the good Soul-bride (sggs 561).
• ਪਿਰੁ ਪਾਇਅੜਾ ਬਾਲੜੀਏ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਮਾਤੀ ਰਾਮ ॥: Pir paaiarraa baalarreeeye anadin sahaje maatee raam: When the young, innocent bride finds her Divine Beloved, she is automatically intoxicated with Him, night and day (sggs 771).
• ਕਾਮਣਿ ਮਨਿ ਸੋਹਿਲੜਾ ਸਾਜਨ ਮਿਲੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਰਾਮ ॥: Kaaman man sohilarraa saajan mile piaare raam: The mind of the soul bride is very happy, when she meets her Friend, her Divine Beloved (sggs 772).
• ਹਰਿ ਅੰਕਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ਜਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਾਣੀ ਸਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਨਾਰੇ ॥: Har anki samaanee jaa prabh bhaanee saa sohaagan naarae: She merges into the Being of her Beloved, when she becomes pleasing to God; she is the happy, blessed Soul-bride (sggs 1107).
• ਪਿਰੁ ਰਾਵੇ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੜੀਏ ਪਿਰ ਕਾ ਮਹਲੁ ਤਿਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥: Pir raave rang raatarreeye pir kaa mahal tin paaiaa raam: Ravishing her Divine Beloved, soul-bride is imbued with His Love; she experiences His Presence within (sggs 771).
• ਸੁਨਿਬੋ ਸਖੀ ਕੰਤਿ ਹਮਾਰੋ ਕੀਅਲੋ ਖਸਮਾਨਾ ॥: Sunibo sakhee kanti hamaaro keealo khasamaanaa: Hear, O my companions, my Divine Beloved, My Husband, has possessed me (sggs 372).
• ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਹੀਅਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਭਗਵੰਤ ॥: Miratak kaheeahi Nanakaa jih preet nahee bhagavant: He is likened to a corpse, O Nanak, if one does not love the Divine (sggs 253).
• ਸੁਨਹੁ ਲੋਕਾ ਮੈ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥: Sunahu lokaa mai prem Rasa paaiaa: Listen, O people: I have tasted the elixir of Divine love (sggs 370).

Thus, bridal mysticism is a characteristic of Pure Love (Bhagti), not lust; for Love and lust are two totally opposite feelings. Simply put: bridal mysticism is acting in a way that is pleasing to the Divine Will (Eternal Law or Hukam). Other characteristics of Pure devotion include abandoning of all desires and fear, keeping devotion unadulterated, being steadfast in devotion to the One Divine only, and keeping mind engaged in meditation and deep reflections.

• ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ ਸਹੁ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਨਿਰਗੁਣਿ ਕੂਕੇ ਕਾਇ ॥ ਜੇ ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ ਥੀ ਰਹੈ ਤਾ ਭੀ ਸਹੁ ਰਾਵਣ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੰਤੁ ਰੀਸਾਲੂ ਕੀ ਧਨ ਅਵਰਾ ਰਾਵੇ ਜੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਮਣ ਜੇ ਥੀਐ ਜੇ ਮਨੁ ਧਾਗਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਮਾਣਕੁ ਮੁਲਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਲੀਜੈ ਚਿਤਿ ਪਰੋਇ ॥੨॥: Gunvantee sahu raaviaa nirguni kooke kaai. Je gunvantee thee rahai taa bhee sahu raavan jaai ||1||. Meraa kant risaaloo kee dhann avaraa raave jee ||1||rahaaou||. Karanee kaaman je theeai je manu dhaagaa hoi. Maanak muli na paaeeai leejai chit paroi ||2||: The virtuous bride enjoys (realizes) her Divine Beloved; but one without the Divine virtues (who wanders around) uselessly cries out. If she were to become virtuous, then she too could enjoy her Divine Beloved. ||1|| (The soul-bride who understands that) My Divine Beloved is the Source of all Happiness; she then does not wander around to enjoy anyone else (in search of happiness). ||1||Pause|| O soul-bride, cultivate good conduct; make your mind the thread, and string the Jewel (of the Divine Name) on your consciousness through this thread of your mind within. No one can purchas this Jewel for any price outside ||2||(sggs 557).
• ਜੇ ਲੋੜਹਿ ਵਰੁ ਕਾਮਣੀ ਨਹ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਪਿਰ ਕੂਰਿ ॥: Je lorrahi var kaamanee nah mileeai pir koori: If you long for your Divine Beloved, O soul-bride, you must know that He is not met by falsehood (sggs 17).
• ਸਚਿ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਵਰ ਕਾਮਣੀ ਪਿਰਿ ਮੋਹੀ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਇ ॥: Sach milahu var kaamanee piri mohee rang laai: Through Truth, meet your Divine Beloved, O soul-bride. He has embellished me with His love (sggs 58).
• ਚਲੁ ਚਲੁ ਸਖੀ ਹਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਰਬੋਧਹ ਗੁਣ ਕਾਮਣ ਕਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਲਹੀਆ ॥: Chal chal sakhee hamm prabh parabodhah gun kaaman kar har prabh laheeaa: Let us go, O my fellow devoted souls, and understand our Divine; with the Divine virtue, let us obtain Him (sggs 836).

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org