Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth sahib

Sukhmani Sahib  55

God is the treasure house of all virtues and by reciting (Simran) His Name one gets the Bliss of His Precious Name that is Sukhmani (Ashtapadi 24).

Shlok: I meditated on the Perfect God, whose Name is Perfect. By singing the praises of the Perfect One, Nanak has obtained the Perfect Master.

Ashtapadi 24 begins:   Listen to the instructions of the Perfect Guru. Keep the Supreme Lord close to you. With every breath remember His Name the Lord of the world. The anxiety of the heart and mind is subdued. Abandon the waves of transient desires. Pray for the dust of the Saints feet (seeking company of the Saints). Renounce your pride and make supplications. In the company of the Saints you shall be able to cross the ocean of fire. Fill your treasure house with the Name of the God. Nanak makes obeisance to the Perfect Guru (pad 1).

By meditating on the Name of Supreme Lord in the company of Saints you shall have supreme joy, salvation, happiness, calmness and bliss. Quaffing on the ambrosial nectar of the Lord’s praises you shall be able to avoid the hell and save your soul. Always keep in your mind that there is only One Lord who may be having many manifestations. He is the Cherisher of world and holds the Universe in His belly. He is kind to the poor and destroyer of the pain and perfectly merciful. Remember, remember the Name over and over again. O Nanak He is the only support to your soul (pad 2).

The words of Saints are supreme. These are invaluable rubies and gems. The one who hears and acts upon them is saved. He swims across and helps others to swim across (worldly ocean). The company of one who is imbued in the love of God is profitable because life becomes fruitful. Hail, hail the one who hears the celestial music and hears continuous of praises Lord and makes merry. God appears on the brows of such pious people O Nanak you are saved in their company (pad 3).

Hearing that God is capable of giving shelter I have come to seek shelter. Showing mercy God has united me with Himself. All the enmity has gone from my mind and I have become dust of all. In the company of the Saints I have obtained the ambrosial nectar of His Name. The Divine Guru is well pleased with me and the service of the servant has borne fruit. By hearing Lord’s Name and repeating it with my tongue I have become free of all my worldly entanglements and sins. By His Grace the Lord has shown mercy to me O Nanak my merchandise has arrived (pad 4).