19/2/01

“Mai mai man ko man na tyagio”

WHEN HIS LOVE DAWNED ON ME

Raag Maru, p1008 Adi Granth Sahib Ji (9th Master)

O Mother, I have abandoned not the pride of my mind,
I have wasted my life in the intoxication of wealth, 
I have never devoted myself to the worship of God. Refrain
When over the head hangs the mace of death,
Out of slumberous stupor you will wake up, my soul.
Of what avail repentance and regret,
I cannot escape the doom of death.
When on my heart dawned the love of His feet.
Over my plight I began to grieve.
Nanak : when I abandoned myself to the Songs of the Lord, 
My life found spiritual consummation.

Translated by Bhai Tarlochan Singh Ji Delhi

Subnote - Sahib Siri Guru Teg Bahadhur Ji reflects on the theme of the stifled cry of the penitent soul. It is the expression of a heart overwhelmed by shame, humbled and broken by guilt, and yet saved from despair through the penitential faith in the mercy and grace of God. There is no evasion of responsibility here, on the grounds of change of circumstance or an instinctive urge; no blaming of ignorance, necessity or evil agency. There is an unreserved confession of guilt. In this penetential state he thinks of death. The understanding of death awakens his moral and spiritual consciousness. There is a healing of inward distress and anguish when the Light of Gods Love shines on the disillusioned soul. 

The hymn begins in the depth of distress and ends in the heights of confident hope. Faith has triumphed over despondency. The fear of death begins a magic awakening from the deep soul of apathy and ignorance. The thought of being suddenly torn from earthly ties hurts us. Penitence in Sikhi implies the dispossession of sinful desires.

 

Jagjit Singh