Dear Members,
In this post, I share with you all my understanding of the 7th Pauri of Japji Sahib.
In this Pauri Guru Sahib is making a clear distinction between ‘Status’ and ‘Stature’.
‘Status’ is what the individual gets because of her/his position in the society. ‘Status’ is always conferred from out side by some one else to the individual. The ‘Status’ of the individual remains as long as the individual holds that position. All the respect and the frills attached with that position one enjoys till the position remains with the individual; once the individual is remove from that position all the trapping disappear. Once that is gone the individual gets what she/he deserves.
‘Stature’ is intrinsic to the individual. It results from the values and beliefs the individual holds which give the individual a live based on virtues and principles. Guru Sahib tells us that ‘Karta Purakh’ bestows the virtues on all who deserve.
This is what Guru Sahib is telling us in this Pauri.
jy jug cwry Awrjw hor dsUxI hoie ] jay jug chaaray aarjaa hor dasoonee ho-ay.
Even if one lives for a very long duration.
nvw KMfw ivic jwxIAY nwil clY sBu koie ] navaa khanda vich jaanee-ai naal chalai sabh ko-ay.
Even if one is known to the others all over the universe.
cMgw nwau rKwie kY jsu kIriq jig lyie ] changa naa-o rakhaa-ay kai jas keerat jag lay-ay.
Even with a good title/name getting respect from all in the world.
jy iqsu ndir n AwveI q vwq n puCY ky ] jay tis nadar na aavee ta vaat na puchhai kay.
If ‘Karta Purakh’ has not notice the individual then no one will care for her/him.
kItw AMdir kItu kir dosI dosu Dry ] keetaa andar keet kar dosee dos Dharay.
The individual will be treated as lowest of the insets and the most blemished among the sinners.
nwnk inrguix guxu kry guxvMiqAw guxu dy ] (2-15, jpu, mÚ 1)
naanak nirgun gun karay gunvanti-aa gun day.
‘Karta Purakh’ bestows virtues in those who are virtue less and make virtuous still better.
qyhw koie n suJeI ij iqsu guxu koie kry ]7] tayhaa ko-ay na sujh-ee je tis gun ko-ay karay. ||7||
No one can think of any one who can bestow virtues on ‘Karta Purakh’. In other words Guru Sahib is telling us that ‘Karta Purakh’ is the ultimate.
Guru sahib in this Pauri has not stated what the individual should be so that she/ he is noticed by ‘Karta Purakh’ and what makes the individual eligible for the grace of ‘Karta Purakh’. We may have to learn more to get some clue about it.
With Love and Respect for all
Amarpal.
