Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib 53

When He becomes enlightened as the knight of knowledge in the human soul then one realizes His existence is everywhere (Ashtapadi 23).

Shlok:  The Guru has given me the collyrium (kajal) of divine knowledge by which the darkness of ignorance is dispelled. By God’s grace I have met the Saint (Guru) and my mind O Nanak is enlightened.

Ashtapadi 23 begins: In the society of Saints I have seen the Lord within me. His Name has started becoming sweet to me. All the things that appear in many and diverse colours are in the mind of One Lord (He alone can express them in all diversity). All the nine treasures and ambrosial nectar are in His Name. He seats Himself within the human body. Once in the mind there is deep meditation and celestial music there. The wonder and marvel of it cannot be narrated. God alone shows it for the person to behold it. Nanak says such a person obtains the understanding (Of Lord). –pad 1.

The Infinite Lord is within and around everywhere. He is in every heart. He is in earth, the sky and the underworld. Of all the worlds He is the Perfect Cherisher. The Supreme Lord is contained in the forests, mountains and even grass blades. All the creatures act as per His command. The Lord is in the wind, water and fire. He is in all four quarters and ten directions and there is no place where He is not there. By Guru’s grace, Nanak has obtained peace (pad 2).

Look for Him in Vedas, Puranas and Smritis. In the moon, in the sun and stars, He is the One Lord. Every one speaks of Lord’s Gurbani (There are so many religions and everyone speaks of His presence in their own way). He is unwavering and wavers not ever. With all the skills He plays His Plays. His worth cannot be appraised, so priceless are His merits. His Light is there in all the enlightenments. He holds the warp and woof of the world. All those, whose doubt (of oneness of God) has been, removed O Nanak by the grace of Guru have come to this firm faith (pad 3).

In the opinion of the Saints the Lord is in the whole Universe. The holy men hear all the good words. They merge in the All Pervading Lord. This is way of life for him who knows the Lord. That is why all the Words the holy men speak are true. They (holy men) are happy in whatever happens because they know Lord is the doer of all that happens. He abides within and around everywhere. O Nanak one who can sight Him is bewitched (pad 4).