Japji – the four Khands or spiritual realms – Sdni Jessi Kaur (Vichaar – January 2016)
Japji – the four Khands or spiritual realms – Sdni Jessi Kaur
– Vichaar January 2016
Summary
Sdn. Jessi Kaur will complete the discussions on Japji Sahib by talking about the Khands (or spiritual realms) in pauris 34-38, and the final salok.
“We will continue our discussion on the four realms of consciousness in Jap Ji Sahib. It has been an amazing journey over the last four years . Together we have attempted to delve into the depths of our premier baani. This will be our concluding session. So do join and share your insights .”
Jassi Ji has done a good job in explaining the gist of Jap Ji Sahib as per her understanding. Please accept my congratulations.
Regarding Khands, these are four spiritual steps (Dharam-, Gian-, Saram-, Karam-Khands) to gather spiritual strength to clear the way to put Waheguru in driving seat of our life in order to reach “Sach Khand” (Gobind Milan) – an ultimate goal of a Sikh.
The four steps (like four Lavaan) help us erase our Houmai/Ego to achieve the necessary transformation to achieve a state of “ANAND” on merging with Waheguru:-
ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ (Raag Raamkali, M. 3, GGS. 917-2).
I am in ecstasy, O my mother, for I have found my True Guru.
The four khands prepare us to be ready for Divine Union on giving up of our self-hood:-
1.ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਿਲਿਓ ਸੁਖ ਬਾਲੇ ਭੋਲੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥(Raag Kaanhaa, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 1307-7).
I have met God through innocent faith, and He has blessed me with peace. ||1||Pause||
2.ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਤਾ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਉਰੁ ਕੈਸੀ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥ Raag Tilang ,Guru Nanak Dev, GGS. 722-130.
Give up your selfhood, and so obtain your Husband Lord; what other clever tricks are of any use?
3. ਆਪੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ॥(Raag Gauri, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 288-13).
Give up your selfishness and conceit, and seek the Sanctuary of the Divine Guru.
4.ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥੮॥੪॥ (Raag Gauri, Guru Amar Das, GGS. 231-7).
O Nanak, subduing egotism, one is absorbed into God. ||8||4||
5.ਹਉ ਆਪਹੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਨ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਮੈ ਕਹਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਹੁਕਮਾਉ ਜੀਉ ॥ (Raag Suhi, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 763-5).
By myself, I do not even know how to speak; I speak all that the Lord commands.
All powerful One God according to Gurbani suffers from a weekness i.e, for the company of His Devotees who see Waheguru in the driving seat in their lives:-
ਭਗਤ ਤੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵਦੇ ਦਰਿ ਸੋਹਨਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਗਾਵਦੇ ॥ (Raag Asa, Guru Nanak, GGS.468-3).
Your devotees are pleasing to Your Mind, Lord. They look beautiful at Your door, singing Your Praises.
……
ਇਕਿ ਮੂਲੁ ਨ ਬੁਝਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਅਣਹੋਦਾ ਆਪੁ ਗਣਾਇਦੇ ॥
Eik Mool N Bujhanih Aapanaa Anehodhaa Aap Ganaaeidhae ||
Guru Arjav Dev, the Editor of Granth Sahib provides a tried RECIPE to get closer to One God (Waheguru) as well:-
ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਘਿਣਾਵਣੇ ॥ (Raamkali Ki Vaar, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 962-9).
No one can bring You under control, by despising the world.
ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਬੇਦ ਪੜਾਵਣੇ ॥
No one can bring You under control, by studying the Vedas.
ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਈਐ ॥
No one can bring You under control, by bathing at the holy places.
ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਧਾਈਐ ॥
No one can bring You under control, by wandering all over the world.
ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਕਿਤੈ ਸਿਆਣਪੈ ॥
No one can bring You under control, by any clever tricks.
ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਦਾਨੁ ਦੇ ॥
No one can bring You under control, by giving huge donations to charities.
ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਤੇਰੈ ਵਸਿ ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰਾ ॥
Everyone is under Your power, O inaccessible, unfathomable Lord.
ਤੂ ਭਗਤਾ ਕੈ ਵਸਿ ਭਗਤਾ ਤਾਣੁ ਤੇਰਾ ॥੧੦॥
You are under the control of Your devotees; You are the strength of Your devotees. ||10||
-Bhagat Kabir goes a step further, when he is so pure that God seeks for him. The desired purity is gained on total surrender by becoming a Bhagat/Gurmukh:-
ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਜੈਸਾ ਗੰਗਾ ਨੀਰੁ ॥॥(Salok Bhagat Kabir,GGS.1367-8)
Kabeer, my mind has become immaculate, like the waters of the Ganges on losing my selfhood (Houmai/Ego)..
ਪਾਛੈ ਲਾਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਫਿਰੈ ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਬੀਰ ॥੫੫Paashhai Laago Har Firai Kehath Kabeer Kabeer ||55||
The Lord follows after me, calling, “Kabeer! Kabeer!”||55||