Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib 26

Ashtapadi 10 continues: Many a million are seers, celibates and Yogis, many a million are Kings who lust only for enjoyment, many a million birds and snakes are created, many a million stones and trees have been created, there are many a million wind, water and fires, many a million are countries and regions of the earth, many a million are moons, the suns and the stars, many a million are demigods, demons and Indras wearing crown on their heads – all these creations The creator has on His strings and He will emancipate only whom He will O Nanak (pad 3).

Many a million abide by the disposition of passion, ignorance and calmness (these are three qualities of human nature), there are millions of scriptures like Vedas, Smritis and Puranas and in the ocean many a million pearls have been created,  many a million living creatures of various description have been created and many a million from these have been given longer life, many a million mountains have been turned to gold, many a million are high ranking Gods, celestial singers (Guru ji have written Kinnar here from Hindu mythology these are people with horse head and human body and they sing in the court of Gods in heaven), many a million are evil spirits, ghosts and tigers (Mrigach- that hunt and feast on deer) – in this creation The Lord is there and still far away because He is filling everything in His Creation yet He remains oblivious O Nanak (pad 4).

Many a million are residents of the worlds under earth, many a million become dwellers of hell or heaven, many a million become trans- migratory souls (according to Hindu scriptures if the Moksha-freedom of soul from rebirth and merging into Almighty is not achieved in human birth the soul wanders through many other living forms), many million are useless and eat without work, many a million are tired because they have to toll heavy labour, many a million are created wealthy, many a million are engrossed and worried for wealth. It is His (Lord’s) will where ever He keeps the mortals. Nanak everything is in His Hands (pad 5).