Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib   48

Ashtapadi 20 continues: Listen “O friends, O Saints ‘abandon all else and do only meditation on His (God’s) Name; remember, remember always to meditate on His Name, do it yourself and make others do as well and obtain the comfort of peace. By meditating and engrossing in His love this worldly ocean shall be crossed over. Without meditating on His Name this body will turn into ashes. God’s Name is the treasure house of all good fortunes and joys, by meditating on His Name all the sins that are drowning you will stop. The sorrows will vanish and all sins get dissolved O Nanak by meditating on His Name (pad 5).

 The yearning for love and affection for the Lord has sprung up within me, my mind and body has engulfed only these feelings. By beholding Lord in sight within my eyes I get peace. My soul is gladdened by washing the feet of Saints. (Because) The pious people behold love of God within their body and soul. Only few have this fortune of their associations. Grant me O Merciful Lord that by Guru’s grace I shall be able to meditate on your Name. Your praises cannot be expressed O Nanak as you are present in everything (pad 6).

The Lord’s grace is pardon and He is merciful to the poor and meek. He is ever compassionate to His devotees. He becomes Patron to the shelter less; He is cherisher of the world and preserver of the Universe. He nourishes all beings. He is the primal Being and the Creator of the Universe. He is the support and lifeline of His devotees whoever meditates on Him becomes pure. He who focuses on the devotional service to Him gets His hearty affection. Still Nanak says I am virtue less, ignorant, lowly O the Omnipresent, Auspicious Master I have come into your sanctuary (pad 7).

By singing His praises even for a moment one can get the salvation, heaven and emancipation. He to whose mind God’s Name becomes pleasing can get all the sovereignties, treasures and honours. He whose tongue utters Lord’s Name can get all the plentiful food, clothes and music. Good are his deeds, glorious and wealthy is he who has God’s Name abiding in his mind. Grant Nanak abode of all those Saints in whose company all the comforts shall become manifest into His Light (pad 8).