THE LIGHT
ਭਇਓ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਸਰਬ ਉਜੀਆਰਾ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਮਨਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਇਓ ॥:Bhaio pragaasu sarab ujiaaraa Gur giaanu manhi pragataaio (sggs 209).
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If someone says: "In the darkness of the night, when I sit in a secluded place, engaged in reading scriptures or meditation, I see a light — like a burning candle; I see it emanating from the farthest corner of my room, slowly approaching me ...". Such person will be well advised to seek help of a competent psychiatrist! Because such fancy or hallucination results from visions in a state of delirium, optical illusions, psychosomatic illness, psychotic states, and emotional disturbances due to family affairs (divorce, legal or financial problems, etc.).
The "Light" conferred in the Gurbani is not to be mistaken for such fancy or hallucinations of a drunkard. The Light mentioned in the Gurbani must be understood in the metaphorical sense. It is the Light of Knowledge (Aatam-Giaan) that dispels man's ignorance of his Mool within (Source, Origin, Jot...). The Timeless Being is the Infinite Light (Knowledge), which ignites the spark in the recesses of the Soul and this grows into a steady glow and burns brighter till it totally merges into Reality.
Thus, Light mentioned in the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) is none other than the Divine Knowledge ( (Aatam-Giaan), Spiritual Wisdom, Intuitive Understanding...), Shabad-Surti, Naam-consciousness, and so on. Being extremely subtle and Transcendent in nature, this Light can not be perceived by material senses; such as our eyes blinded by the cataract of Maya.
- ਭਇਓ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਸਰਬ ਉਜੀਆਰਾ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਮਨਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਇਓ ॥: When the Guru's Spiritual Wisdom awakened in my mind , then the Divine Light illuminated within me, and I see that Divine Light everywhere. (sggs 209).
- ਮੰਦਰਿ ਮੇਰੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਉਜਾਰਾ ॥: In the temple of my Heart, shines the Light of the Shabad (i.e., the Divine Knowledge of the Shabad…). (sggs 384).
- ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ ॥੧॥: Gurbani isu jag mahi chaananu karami vasai mani aaye ||1||: The Gurbani is the Light (of Divine Wisdom, Brahm-Giaan...) to illuminate this world (it shows people the right way of life); by the Grace (of Divine Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad...) it comes to abide within the mind. ||1|| (sggs 67).
- ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਸਚੁ ਨੇਤ੍ਰੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥: Gur giaan anjanu sachu netree paaiaa. Antari chaananu agiaanu andheru gavaaiaa (sggs 124).
- ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡੁ ਬਲਾਇਆ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥੨॥: Gur giaanu parchandu balaaiaa agiaanu anadheraa jaai ||2||(sggs 29).
The majority of us revel in ignorance even without realizing it — it's like the ostrich who foolishly believes that the danger to his life is avoided when it sticks its head in the sand! The common theme mentioned in the Gurbani for us, therefore, is to progress from darkness to Light or from ignorance to Knowledge. This forms the crux of all Spiritual endeavor.
This material world is nothing but pure hallucination (Mithiya or perishable). It is nothing more than an idea — the idea of creation arisen in the Infinite Consciousness called Cosmic Drama or Leelaa. That's all. According to the Gurbani, therefore, to consider it real is the error or "Mall" (Bikaars, inner "filth" or conditioning, etc.). Those who understand the unreality of this universe become established in the Supreme Light within, rest of us remain stuck in the mud of darkness.
- ਜਗ ਰਚਨਾ ਸਭ ਝੂਠ ਹੈ ਜਾਨਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਰੇ ਮੀਤ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਨਾ ਰਹੈ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਲੂ ਕੀ ਭੀਤਿ ॥੪੯॥: Jag rachnaa sabh jhooth hai jaan lehu re meet. Kahi Nanak thir naa rahe jiyu baaloo kee bheet ||49||: The world-appearance is totally false; know this well, my friend. Says Nanak, it is like a wall of sand; it will not endure ||49|| (sggs 1429).
- ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਕਛੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਪਸੁ ਜਿਉ ਉਦਰੁ ਭਰਉ ॥: Gurmati suni kashu giyan na upjio pasu jiyu udar bharau: Despite listening to the Gurmati (Shabad-Giaan, Divine Teaching of the Gur-Shabad, etc.), (if) no spiritual wisdom (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਕੁਝ ਭੀ ਸੂਝ) wells up within (me); (then it would be) like a beast (routinely) filling its belly (sggs 685).
- ਸਹਜ ਗੁਫਾ ਮਹਿ ਆਸਣੁ ਬਾਧਿਆ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਦੁ ਵਾਜਿਆ ॥ ਮਹਾ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਸਿਉ ਰਾਤੀ ਧਨ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਨਾਰਿ ॥੩॥: Sahaj guphaa mahi aasan baadhiaa. Joti saroop anaahad vaajiaa. Mahaa anand Gur Sabad veechaar. Priya siou raatee dhann suaagan naar ||3||: (With the Guru's Grace, when I Realized the Lord) I became established in the cave of the Sahaj Avasthaa (Natural State of Being, ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ, etc.). (Now) Within me, plays the unstruck melody of the Lord, the embodiment of Light. By contemplating / Reflecting on the Gur-Shabad, I am in Great Bliss (ਆਤਮਕ ਅਨੰਦ). They are blessed soul-brides who are imbued in the Love of the Beloved (Lord) ||3|| (sggs 370).
- ਅੰਧਕਾਰੁ ਮਿਟਿਓ ਤਿਹ ਤਨ ਤੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਾ ॥: Andhkaar mitio tih tan te Gur Sabad deepak pargaasaa: Darkness is dispelled from within that body, in which the Divine Light of the Shabad shines (sggs 208).
Although this Supreme Light shines within everybody, we are still unable to realize it. Why? Because this Inner Light is covered with the cloud of false ego, and the thunderstorm of sense cravings and fear. Consequently, we search it in the external objects of the world (Maya). It is like the deer who searches for the musk in the bushes. The deer does not know the secret — the musk is within its own body, but due to its ignorance it searches for it outside.
- ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਮਿਟਿਆ ਅੰਧਿਆਰਾ ਘਟਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਨਣਿਆ ॥੭॥: Gur parsaad mitiaa andhiaaraa ghat chaanan aap pachhananiaa ||7||: By the Guru’s Grace (i.e., Grace of the Gur-Giaan), the darkness of spiritual ignorance is dispelled; Heart is Enlightened with the Divine Light (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਾਲੀ), and one comes to recognize his (true) Self ||7|| (sggs 129).
- ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥: By the Gurmat (Wisdom, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS), recognize your ownself; the Divine Light of the Divine Naam comes to shine within (sggs 86).
- ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮੀਠੀ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਰਲੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਚਖਿ ਡੀਠੀ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਦਰਿ ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਜਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥: Amrit Bani gur kee meethee. Gurmuh virlai kinai chakh deethee. Antar pargaas mahaa ras peevai dar sachai Shabad vajjavania ||1||: The Nectar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ) of the Baanee (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੀ - the giver of Spiritual Life) is very sweet (it makes life sweet). Rare are those who by becoming the Gurmukhs (spiritual Beings) have realize and taste it. The Divine Light dawns within (them), and the Supreme Essence (Understanding of the true Way of life) is realized. He remains attuned at the Door of the Truth, and within him the (Guru's) Shabad vibrates ||1|| (sggs 113).
- ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥: Iou kahai Nanaku man toon joti saroopu hai apanaa moolu pashaanu ||5||: Thus says Nanak - O mind! Your "Saroop" (your own, True State) is "Joti" (Divine Light)! Recognize your Mool (Source, Origin, Reality...) ||5|| (sggs 441).
- ਤਪਤਿ ਬੁਝੀ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਭ ਆਸਾ ॥ ਮਿਟੇ ਅੰਧੇਰ ਭਏ ਪਰਗਾਸਾ ॥ ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦ ਅਚਰਜ ਬਿਸਮਾਦ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਪੂਰਾ ਪਰਸਾਦ ॥੨॥: Tapat bujhee pooran sabh aasaa. Mite andher bhaye pargaasaa. Anhad Sabad achraj bismaad. Gur pooraa poora parsaad ||2||: The burning (of desire-fire) has been extinguished (from within me), and all my desires have been fulfilled. The darkness (of ignorance from within me) has been dispelled, and the Divine Light (understanding of the spiritual Life - ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ ਦਾ ਚਾਨਣ) blazes forth (within me). (Now) the Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad (vibrates within me) and (I am situated at the) wondrous and amazing (spiritual state - ਉੱਚੀ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਵਸਥਾ)! (All of this is happened because of the) Perfect Guru and (all this is) the Grace of the Perfect Guru (Grace of the Gur-Giaan...). ||2|| (sggs 1143).
- ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਭਲੀ ਸਿਵ ਨੀਕੀ ਆਨਿ ਪਾਨੀ ਸਕਤਿ ਭਰੀਜੈ ॥: Gurmukh jot bhalee siv neekee aan paanee sakti bhareejai: Those who become the Gurmukhs are blessed with the Divine Light of the Lord (Siva Joti); Maya comes to serve them (sggs 1324). (sggs 1324).
- ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਲਾਗੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਖੋਵੈ ॥: Haumai mail laagee gur sabdee khovai: The filth of ego (ਹਉਮੈ) stuck to the (mind) is removed through the Shabad (sggs 123).
- ਜਬ ਹਮ ਹੋਤੇ ਤਬ ਤੁਮ ਨਾਹੀ ਅਬ ਤੁਮ ਹਹੁ ਹਮ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਅਬ ਹਮ ਤੁਮ ਏਕ ਭਏ ਹਹਿ ਏਕੈ ਦੇਖਤ ਮਨੁ ਪਤੀਆਹੀ ॥੧॥: Jab ham hote tab tum naahee ab tum hahu ham naahee. Ab ham tum ek bhaye hahi ekai dekhat man pateeaahee ||1||: (O Lord) So long we are in Haume (ਹਉਮੈ - false ego-sense), until then You are not (awakened within - ਤਦ ਤਕ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਡੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਪਰਗਟ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ / ਆਪਣਾ ਚਾਨਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ); now that You are (awakened within), we are not in Haume (ਹਉਮੈ). Now that You and we have become one; seeing this, our minds have faith (that You and we are one and the same - ਕਿ ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਹੈਂ, ਤੈਥੋਂ ਵੱਖਰੇ ਅਸੀ ਕੁਝ ਭੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਾਂ). ||1|| (sggs 339).
The Transcendental vibration of the Shabad (Naam) and the Infinite Consciousness are inseparable. They are inseparable like the whiteness of the snow, oil in the seed, fragrance in the flower, heat in the fire, liquidity of the water, blackness in the collyrium, light in the bulb, waves in the ocean, gold in the bracelet, clay in the pot, and rays in the sun.
- ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਭਾਲਦਾ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਘਾਲਦਾ ॥: Paaiaa Naam nidhaan jis no bhaaldaa. Joti milee sang joti rahiaa ghaaladaa: The treasure of the Naam (Aatam Giaan...) I was searching for so long is obtained. (now my individual) light has merged into the (Supereme) Light, and Mayaic efforts (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ ਦੌੜ-ਭੱਜ, ਭਟਕਣਾ, ਭੁਖ) ceased to be (sggs 524).
- ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈਤ ਅਤਿ ਮੂੜ ਸੁਗਿਆਨਾ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈਤ ਪਰਗਟਿ ਉਜੀਆਰਾ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈਤ ਛੁਟੇ ਜੰਜਾਰਾ ॥੨॥ Naam lait ati moor su giaanaa. naam lai pargat ujiaaraa. Naam lai chhootai janjaaraa ||2||: Taking the Naam (Aatam-Giaan...), a great fool becomes Wise (of Supreme Knowledge - ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੋਹਣੀ ਸੂਝ ਵਾਲਾ). Taking the Naam, the Divine Light (Enlightenment - ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਚਾਨਣ-Giaan) blazes forth. Taking the Naam, bonds fetters (of one's love of Maya) are broken ||2|| (sggs 1142).
— T. Singh
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