Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib 49

The God whom we call Nirgun because He has no form, shape, relationship becomes Sargun by existing in every life Form (Ashtapadi 21, 22).

Shlok: The formless, without shape and relationship Lord has taken the relationship and has manifested in all the worldly relationships. When in this state He was in a primordial trance. Now after becoming related (by creating His own Creation) He is still in His state of meditation.

Ashtapadi 21 begins: when this world was not yet created by Him that means nothing had appeared to have taken form then by whom were bad acts and good ones created? When the Lord Himself was in profound concentration against who were the jealousy and enmity harboured?  When the class and outer symbols of a man were not yet defined say, who then was affected by joy and sorrow? (class and outer symbols are varna system and janeyu and tilak).  When the Supreme Lord Himself was all in all then where was worldly love and superstitions? This is all His play and He himself has spread out O Nanak there is none other Creator (pad 1).

When Lord was the sole Master then say, who was accounted as bound or delivered? When there was only One inaccessible and infinite Lord, then say who did enter the hell or paradise? When the unqualitative (Nirgun) Lord was in His inherent nature then say at what place was mind and where was the matter? When He himself did hold His own light, who was then fearless and who did fear anyone? He himself is the performer of His plays. Nanak the Lord is unapproachable and has no limits (pad 2).

When the imperishable Lord was seated on His comfortable seat say, where was then transmigration and destruction? When there was that Only One perfect Lord, the Creator, say who then entertained the fear of death? When there was only Un-manifest and Incomprehensible Lord whom did the recording angels (known as Chitragupt) call on for accounting? When there was the pure in-apprehensible and unfathomable Master who was then emancipated and who was bound into worldly fetters? The Lord is all by Himself, He himself is wondrous and O Nanak He himself has created His Form (pad 3).

When there was only that Immaculate Being and there was no filth there, say what was there to be washed? When there was only the Bright, Formless and detached one then who was held in honour and who in Pride? When there was only the Form of Lord of the Universe say who then was afflicted by the fraud and the sin? When the embodiment of Light was immersed in His own Light who did there then felt hungry or satiated? The causes of all causes are the Creator Himself O Nanak the Creator is beyond any calculations (pad 4).