Planting Naam

In the Gurbani, Maya is likened to a snake, clinging to the world (including all beings).

As indicated in the Gurbani, antidote to the bite of this Maya-snake is the Naam (Shabad: Aatam Giaan, Divine Knowledge, Spiritual Wisdom of the Gurbani).

Our body is likened to a Khet (field). The Naam has to be planted within this body field, in the Heart.

Kaloo (ਕਲੂ) is generally seen in Teekaa translated as Kal Jug (in the context of one of the so called 4 Jug or Yuga )…

However, in more deeper sense, Kaloo indicates Mayaic mind ridden with thoughts (ਫੁਰਨੇ), doubts (ਭਰਮ), imaginations, fancies, wanderings, Dubidha, ਕਲਪਨ, ਮਾਇਕੀ ਫੁਰਨੇ, ਮਾਇਕੀ ਭਟਕਣਾਂ…

Now that the Mayaic mind is here and active (we all have it: over 99.9 percent!), to control it, the Gurbani tells us to sow the Naam within (Aatam Giaan, Divine Knowledge, Spiritual Wisdom of the Gurbani). It is the antidote to the “Kaloo”;

Essentially this seems to be the essence of the Following Gurbani verse:

• ਅਬ ਕਲੂ ਆਇਓ ਰੇ ॥ ਇਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਬੋਵਹੁ ਬੋਵਹੁ ॥: Ab kaloo aaio re. Iku naamu bovahu bovahu (sggs 1185).

Because, there can be be no harvest without sowing! So the Gurbani says “NOW” (ਅਬ – Ab ) is the right season and time to sow the seed of the Naam (the Divine Name) within.

• ਆਨ ਰੂਤੀ ਆਨ ਬੋਈਐ ਫਲੁ ਨ ਫੂਲੈ ਤਾਹਿ ॥ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਵਤ੍ਰ ਬੀਜਣ ਨਾਉ ॥: Aan rootee aan boeeai falu na foolai taahi. Re mann vatr beejan naaou: The ungenial seed, planted out of season, does not germinate; it does not produce flower or fruit. O mind! (Now is) the suitable (right, proper, ਢੁਕਵਾਂ ਸਮਾ) time to plant the seed of the Naam (sggs 1002).

Why Naam? According to the Gurbani, Naam is the Giaan Padaarath (ਗਿਆਨ ਪਦਾਰਥ), an antidote to the “Kaloo”. It can be Realized, cultivated or attained through the earnest Shabad-Vichaar. Then, it had to be truthfully lived.

In nutshell, the Spiritual Wisdom (Aatam Giaan) re-links the deluded mind back to  its  Mool (Source…), and thus making it One  again with its Origin.

• ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੋ ਦੇਇ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇ ॥: Gur Giaan padaarath naamu hai hari naamo dei drirhaai: The Gur-Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom…) is the Naam Padaarath. (Hence, the Guru) makes the Hari Naam firm (resolved, stable, strong, properly understood, ਪੱਕਾ, ਦ੍ਰਿੜ, etc., in the mind of the sincere seeker of Truth – ਜਗ੍ਯਾਸੂ…). (sggs 759).
• ਗਿਆਨਿ ਰਤਨਿ ਘਟਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਪਿਆਰੋ ॥: Giaani ratani ghati chaananu hoaa Nanak naam piaaro: O Nanak! (In whom) The Light of the Jewel of the Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom, Gur-Giaan…) shines within the Heart, (he) loves the Naam. (sggs 584).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨਾਮਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਹੋਈ ॥: By becoming the Gurmukh acquire Giaan (Wisdom…) and get liberated (Muki-ਮੁਕਤੀ) through the Naam (Giaan or Wisdom…). (sggs 117).