Guru Arjan Dev composed several shabads in which he spoke of his son Hargobind, speaking of joy at his birth and praise and thanksgiving when Waheguru saved the child from fever. Guru ji also composed several shabads that speak of a son pining for his father. Yearning to be reunited with his father, and finding him. One must also read these shabads at another level: that of devotee who is grateful for spiritual renewal, a new life; and one who yearns to be joined, spiritually realized in the light of the Sat.
In this shabad, the opening metaphor comes with the birth of a child. The metaphor develops from images of a woman's pregnancy, to her joy at the delivery of a child who seeing light begins to make a connection with the father. Taken literally, however, the allusions to pregnancy and birth make no sense as you read on. Taken poetically, the child (you and I) are born into the sunlight, into the Pargatia.
Though very simple in its composition, the shabad is remarkable in how Guru Arjan Dev works verse by verse to develop an overarching metaphor of birth and growth, saying that finding the light of the Sat should be as much a natural process as pregnancy and delivery. This is your sanjog, he sings, your destiny, your birthright. Therefore, finding the sat should be a natural thing and not marked by struggle and anxiety. It should be as joyous as the birth of a child. The idea of spiritually bursting forth and reaching out is repeated in the image of a vine that roots itself, and that spills over into a life of dharma. Not cloaked in mystery and in pursuit of a hidden goal, but found in light. This Guru Arjan Dev says is a gift from Guru Nanak, who wants to lead us, carefree and joyous, from worry ecstasy and bliss.
Because nothing is secret or hidden about sanjog, about our rightful destiny in this shabad, a note on the raga is needed here. The raga is raag Aasaa. This raga is typically played just before daybreak when the pink and sliver and pale golden rays of the sun begin to creep over the landscape coating every surface of creation with light. Eventually these rays will penetrate everywhere. The same idea can be found in the shabad, as the sun filters gradually throughout nature at dawn, so does the jyote infuse itself gradually and naturally in the consciousness of every devotee. Just as the sun reaches out to everyone, the message of spiritual life is not meant for a few. Played in the wee hours, the raag Aasaa is a raga of hope because a new day is born, a new life springs forth, and there is no reason to dwell in despair.
The next post gives the translation of Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa. I follow each stanza with vocabulary keys to show, where possible, both the literal translation and the possible poetic translation. Sometimes I indicate where I think a better intended meaning should be taken. Therefore, the translation key may not always match the words used by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa.
In this shabad, the opening metaphor comes with the birth of a child. The metaphor develops from images of a woman's pregnancy, to her joy at the delivery of a child who seeing light begins to make a connection with the father. Taken literally, however, the allusions to pregnancy and birth make no sense as you read on. Taken poetically, the child (you and I) are born into the sunlight, into the Pargatia.
Though very simple in its composition, the shabad is remarkable in how Guru Arjan Dev works verse by verse to develop an overarching metaphor of birth and growth, saying that finding the light of the Sat should be as much a natural process as pregnancy and delivery. This is your sanjog, he sings, your destiny, your birthright. Therefore, finding the sat should be a natural thing and not marked by struggle and anxiety. It should be as joyous as the birth of a child. The idea of spiritually bursting forth and reaching out is repeated in the image of a vine that roots itself, and that spills over into a life of dharma. Not cloaked in mystery and in pursuit of a hidden goal, but found in light. This Guru Arjan Dev says is a gift from Guru Nanak, who wants to lead us, carefree and joyous, from worry ecstasy and bliss.
Because nothing is secret or hidden about sanjog, about our rightful destiny in this shabad, a note on the raga is needed here. The raga is raag Aasaa. This raga is typically played just before daybreak when the pink and sliver and pale golden rays of the sun begin to creep over the landscape coating every surface of creation with light. Eventually these rays will penetrate everywhere. The same idea can be found in the shabad, as the sun filters gradually throughout nature at dawn, so does the jyote infuse itself gradually and naturally in the consciousness of every devotee. Just as the sun reaches out to everyone, the message of spiritual life is not meant for a few. Played in the wee hours, the raag Aasaa is a raga of hope because a new day is born, a new life springs forth, and there is no reason to dwell in despair.
The next post gives the translation of Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa. I follow each stanza with vocabulary keys to show, where possible, both the literal translation and the possible poetic translation. Sometimes I indicate where I think a better intended meaning should be taken. Therefore, the translation key may not always match the words used by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa.
