Central Gurdwara Resource Centre Newsletter July 1997

 
   
 
   
     
   

Sohila          part 4 of 4

   
     
       
   

We have reached the final instalment of the Sohila, the song of praise, the hymn which is recited at the end of every day by Sikhs all over the world.

Raag Gauri Poorbee Mahala 5.

Karon baynantee sunho mayray meeta sant taihal kee baylaa
I beg you listen to me, my friends,
now is the time to serve the holy ones.

Eehaan khaat chalho har laahaa aagai basan suhaylaa
Divine profits earned here,
bring comfort in the hereafter.

Aodh ghatai dinas rainaaray.
Our life grows shorter by the day.

Man gur mil kaaj savaaray. Rahao
My mind, meet with the Guru and fulfill yourself.

Eh sansaar bikaar sansay maih tare-o braham gi-anee
This world is sunk in doubts and vices,
but the enlightened can swim across.

Jisaih jaga-e pee-aavai eho ras akath kathaa tin jaanee
The one who is woken, the one who is given a sip of elixir,
knows the story that cannot be told.

Jaa kao aa-ay so-ee bihaajh-ho har gur tay manaih basayraa
Make that transaction for which you came into this world,
through the Guru, deposit the Divine in your mind.

Nij ghar maihal paavho sukh saihajay bahur na ho-e-go phayraa
So easily you will find the joy that dwells within your own self,
and no more will you enter the circle of life and death.

Antarjaamee purkh bidhaatay sardha man ke pooray
Knower of all hearts, our Creator,
Fulfiller of our Desires,

Nanak daas ehai sukh maangai mo kao kar santan kee dhooray
Your slave Nanak asks for this happiness,
make me the dust of the feet of the holy ones


Translation from The Name of my Beloved -Nikki-Guninder Kaur

     
       
       
     
 

This shabad gives us inspiration and advice on how to reach our goal of realising God.

We are told that now is the time to act if we are to meet our Guru (God). Everything we do will affect our future both in this world and the next. Meeting with the Guru our lives become fulfilled - so we should not delay. (1)

The world is full of doubts, but the Divine Light can permeate through us and enlighten us, when we take Amrit (the Divine Nectar, which is the Naam). (2)

We came into this world with one purpose and that is to remember our Creator. We live in the Creation, this wonderful world that is a gift from God, yet we do not remember the Giver. Just as a son thanks his father for a wonderful gift on his birthday, but the next day he forgets to thank his father and asks for more new gifts. We are the children of God who have been given this body and this world to play in, yet we forget God. But for us to re-unite with God we have been given this one chance. If we remember and Love God, we will find joy within ourselves and the troubles of this world will go far from us.(3)

Our Creator, Almighty Waheguru, who is deep within each and every one of us is the only one who can fulfil our desires. Our worldly desires and pleasures are but a temporary fix. If we desire a new car, we feel fulfilled when we get the latest model, but for how long will we be satisfied? Is there not another hunger inside us which is craving for something deeper? Guru Ji is asking for such happiness, to be totally absorbed in Waheguru, so that our heart, mind, body and soul can be fulfilled with the love of Waheguru. Guru Ji, calls himself the slave of Waheguru, is willing to give up everything(Haumai-Ego) for such happiness and fulfilment. And asks to become dust, which falls under the feet of the holy. Just as a lover says that they will do everything for their partner, we must make Waheguru our partner and be prepared to do anything for Waheguru.(4)

I hope this short series on Sohila has made you think more about the Sikh teachings and I encourage you all to read this short prayer every evening with love and devotion to our Creator.

Bhupinder Singh

 
   
 
       
   

 


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