Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib  29

 Ashtapadi 11 continues: In an instant He (God) can make a humble creepy creature like person to be a King, The Transcendent Lord is the saviour of the poor because if one does not have any qualities in an instant He can make him famous in all ten directions. In His generosity God does not keep any account of deeds (karmas) of a person whom He bestows His Grace. Soul and body are all His capital and he illuminates every heart with His divine light. He is the greatest and that status He has created Himself. Nanak lives by beholding His greatness (pad 4).

The mortal does not have power in his hand; the cause of all causes is in the hands of the Lord of Universe. The poor helpless mortal is only under His command. So whatever pleases Him (GOD), He will let it happen. He reveals Himself in higher and sometimes in lower beings. He grieves and then laughs with enjoyment. Sometime slander and worry are His occupation. Sometimes He sits higher in the heavenly sky and sometimes comes down to be under earth. Sometimes He becomes a knowledgeable person and deliberate on Himself. Nanak He, Himself unites with man (pad 5).

Sometimes man dances in various ways, sometimes he remains asleep day and night, sometimes he becomes terrible in his wrath, sometimes he becomes dust of all men’s feet, sometimes he sits as a great King and sometimes sit as a poor beggar, sometimes he comes into a mood of crime, sometimes he is known as extremely good. All this happens with man because it is The Lord who keeps him so. By the grace of Lord O Nanak this is truth (pad 6).

Sometimes he delivers lectures as a scholar (pundit), sometimes he becomes an ascetic and vows to keep silent but contemplates, sometimes he bathes at pilgrim places, sometimes he becomes an adept and delivers sermons and as adept he transforms into an insect, an elephant or a moth and continuously wanders into many life forms and guises into various  disguises. It is all God’s pleasure that he makes him dance so as it pleases Him (God) so it happens. Nanak, there is none other like Him (pad 7). (Sidh or adept are performers of miracles and can turn themselves in to any form and size).

Sometimes man come into the company of Saints and never ever wants to leave their place. In their company knowledge and enlightenment illuminate his mind. That abode is imperishable. His soul, body and mind get tinged with the love of the Only One Lord. He ever abides with the Supreme Lord as water becomes water when mixed, and light blends with the Supreme Light. His coming and going into human form stops (he achieves Moksha). Nanak is ever ready for sacrifice for such a Lord (pad 8).