10 Reasons why it is important and helpful to remember the Creator is Nirankar: Introduction: Sant Kabir Ji's Shabad discusses the nature of form (p479) The One Creator's true teaching is a blessed gift. The lady gardener by breaking the fallen leaves, the fallen life, the fallen is as stone, searching this lifeless stone. The lady gardener is mistaken. The True Guru's awakening is given to you. Reflect on this. Fallen Brahm, Heavy Vishnu, Flower of Shiva, three gods visible, obvious, breaking, burning ­ what are those? Who creates form or kneads the stone given, or sets the heart in place? If shape is truth, even eating is a destruction. Cooked rice meals and porridge and spicy strong pastry ­ the pleasure­seekers take pleasure from it, this form of mouth dust. The female Gardener is mistaken, the world is mistaken, but not all are mistaken. Kabir says all are kept in the grace of the making taking God. Sant Kabir Ji makes a distinction between form and formless, as the female Gardener focuses on lifeless forms, she misses the Creator of the forms. Like stone idols which crumble and food which is destroyed by eating, we must focus our attention beyond the various forms of creation to become aware and awakened to the God who is the maker and taker of form. Let's think deeper about form and formlessness:

WHAT DOES THE CREATOR LOOK LIKE? Visualize in your mind what a formless Creator looks like. You can't! If we remember this lack of visual picture, then we realize: 1. A formless Creator is not a person. Doesn't have an origin or ethnicity. The Creator is relatable to everyone, beyond man­made boundaries. ਓਿਤ ਪਿਤ ਿਨਰਕਾਰ ਘਿਟ ਘਿਟ ਮਉਲੀਏ ॥ Oṯ poṯ nirankār gẖat gẖat maulīe. As woven threads,the Formless Lord connects heart to heart (Ang 518) How many times do focus our attention only on class or ethnicity or race of a person? The formless Creator does not live in these forms, but in the connections between our hearts ­ between the lines! 2. A formless Creator is not male or female. ਸਿਭ ਘਟ ਆਪ ਭਗਵ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਿਵਿਚ ਨਾਰੀ ਪਰਖ ਸਭ ਸਇ ॥ Sabẖ gẖat āpe bẖogvai piārā vicẖi nārī purakẖ sabẖu soe. In all hearts, one's sense of love, woman or man, is all the same. ਨਾਨਕ ਗਪਤ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਪਰਗਟ ਹਇ ॥੪॥੨॥ Nānak gupaṯu varaṯḏā piārā gurmukẖi pargatu hoe. ||4||2|| Nanak makes use of the hidden love made manifest through the Guru's guidance. The ideas of what divides men and women, what each can or should do, are made by our human ideas, not Divine constructs. The similarity is in our hearts where the Creator dwells. How easy is it to become lost in the drama of relationships, Mars vs. Venus. Or the forms that define us externally, our definitions of external attractiveness, shape, and desirable form for a female or male. All of this distraction from the heart where we connect to the formless Creator.

WHAT IS THE LOCATION OF THE CREATOR? Let's visualize again. Imagine yourself pointing to the location where the formless is. You can't pinpoint just one place! 3. The presence of the Formless Creator doesn't limit itself to one place like the Gurdwara. ਸਰ ਸਰੀਅਿਤ ਕਰਿਹ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ Sarai sarīaṯ karahi bīcẖār. People think of religious laws and regulations. ਿਬਨ ਬਝ ਕਸ ਪਾਵਿਹ ਪਾਰ ॥ Bin būjẖe kaise pāvahi pār. But without understanding God, how can they swim across? ਿਸਦਕ ਕਿਰ ਿਸਜਦਾ ਮਨ ਕਿਰ ਮਖਸਦ ॥ Siḏak kar sijḏā man kar makẖsūḏ. Make faith thy bowing and let the conquest of mind be thy aim of life. ਿਜਹ ਿਧਿਰ ਦਖਾ ਿਤਹ ਿਧਿਰ ਮਉਜਦ ॥੧॥ Jih ḏẖir ḏekẖā ṯih ḏẖir maujūḏ. ||1|| In whatever direction I see, I find God present in that direction. We examine our attitude toward the sacred spaces do we have the same respect for the Creator inside and outside? Do we act differently? Are we motivated differently? Are there other situations and places where it is "OK" to ignore the Creator's presence? If so, why? Are man­made boundaries operating? 4. A formless Creator is not a separated being with a shape and existence we search for outside of us. When we distance ourselves and think of ourselves as separate, it is like a form of Haumai instead of Hukamai. ਿਨ ਿਖਨ ਪਲ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਵੀਸਰ ਤ ਜਨ ਿਵਰਲ ਸਸਾਿਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Ji kẖin pal nām na vīsrai ṯe jan virle sansār. ||1|| rahāo. What forget not God's Name even for a moment and an instant; such persons are rare in this world. Pause. ਜਤੀ ਜਿਤ ਿਮਲਾਈਐ ਸਰਤੀ ਸਰਿਤ ਸਜਗ ॥ Joṯī joṯ milāīai surṯī suraṯ sanjog. When human light blends with the Supreme Light and the union of wisdom is effaced with the universal wisdom, ਿਹਸਾ ਹਉਮ ਗਤ ਗਏ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਹਸਾ ਸਗ ॥ Hinsā haumai gaṯ gae nāhī sahsā sog. then mortal's killing­instinct and egotism depart and scepticism and sorrow afflict him not. ਗਰਮਿਖ ਿਜਸ ਹਿਰ ਮਿਨ ਵਸ ਿਤਸ ਮਲ ਗਰ ਸਜਗ ॥੨॥ Gurmukẖ jis har man vasai ṯis mele gur sanjog. ||2|| The Guru­ward, within whose mind abides the Lord, him the Guru unites with Lord's union. Are we seeking answers and knocking on the door of some outside entity? Do we ask questions like "Why do bad things happen to good people?" or "Has God abandoned me when in need?" By doing this, do we think of separation of one person vs. God or are we thinking about connection to the Creator within?

HOW DO YOU TRADE WITH A FORMLESS CREATOR? Suppose you want to receive blessings ­ wealth, a good relationship, a good job. Imagine you will agree to a price for these blessings and arrange to sign a contract with the formless Creator to obtain these blessings. You can't! A person cannot bargain and transact with Nirankar! 5. A formless Creator does is not a shopkeeper to bargain with, he is not a person sitting across the table from us, listening to Ardas and handing out rewards. ਿਰਤ ਪਇਆ ਪਰਵਾਣਾ ਿਲਿਖਆ ਬਾਹਿੜ ਹਕਮ ਨ ਹਈ ॥ Kiraṯ paiā parvāṇā likẖiā bāhuṛ hukam na hoī. As is the written order of the Lord, so do we do the deeds, and none can turn back the order. ਜਸਾ ਿਲਿਖਆ ਤਸਾ ਪਿੜਆ ਮਿਟ ਨ ਸਕ ਕਈ ॥੨॥ Jaisā likẖiā ṯaisā paṛiā met na sakai koī. ||2|| As is the record, so does it come to pass, no one can erase it. ਜ ਕ ਦਰਗਹ ਬਹਤਾ ਬਲ ਨਾਉ ਪਵ ਬਾਜਾਰੀ ॥ Je ko ḏargėh bahuṯā bolai nāo pavai bājārī. He, who talks much before audience, is termed a joker. ਸਤਰਜ ਬਾਜੀ ਪਕ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਚੀ ਆਵ ਸਾਰੀ ॥੩॥ Saṯranj bājī pakai nāhī kacẖī āvai sārī. ||3|| He succeeds not in playing at chess and his chess­men reach not the goal. The responsibility is on us to engage the Creator within and accept Hukam, we can't just shrug and say the Creator didn't answer my ardas and become discouraged. Likewise we can't seek to cleverly bargain for different outcomes ­ our role is to accept Hukam even though we don't understand the rules at work and we must see the glass as always half­full.

HOW MUCH CREATOR IS PRESENT? HOW MUCH IS IN SOMEONE ELSE? Imagine you take a ruler or a scale and try to measure the amount of formless Creator in the room. Now try to measure the amount in the person next to you. You can't! 6. The Formless Creator has no limits, something formless can't be contained, has no boundaries. We can't observe someone else and judge the presence of Creator is in them ­ in fact Guru Nanak tells us the Creator is in everyone. ਵਡਾ ਮਰਾ ਗਿਵਦ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਚਰ ਆਿਦ ਿਨਰਜਨ ਿਨਰਕਾਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ vadā merā govinḏ agam agocẖar āḏ niranjan nirankār jīo. My Lord of the Universe is great, unapproachable, unfathomable, primal, immaculate and formless. ਤਾ ਕੀ ਗਿਤ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਅਿਮਿਤ ਵਿਡਆਈ ਮਰਾ ਗਿਵਦ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ Ŧā kī gaṯ kahī na jāī amiṯ vadiāī merā govinḏ alakẖ apār jīo. His condition cannot be described; His Glorious Greatness is immeasurable. My Lord of the Universe is invisible and infinite. 7. So as each individual has their own connection and we cannot observe and measure the Creator in them, likewise no clergy or individual is needed to guide our access or judge us. ਘਟ ਅਤਿਰ ਪਾਰਬਹਮ ਪਰਮਸਰ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਅਤ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ Gẖat anṯar pārbarahm parmesar ṯā kā anṯ na pāiā. Within the heart is the Transcendent, Supreme Lord God, whose limits cannot be found. ਿਤਸ ਰਪ ਨ ਰਖ ਅਿਦਸਟ ਅਗਚਰ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਅਲਖ ਲਖਾਇਆ ॥ Ŧis rūp na rekẖ aḏisat agocẖar gurmukẖ alakẖ lakẖāiā. He has no form or shape; He is unseen and unknown. The Gurmukh sees the unseen Lord. No other person can read our minds and see into our hearts to guide us and measure our progress. We have to individually use the Guru's Bani + our brain to be Gurmukh.

HOW DO YOU PROVE THAT A FORMLESS CREATOR EXISTS Imagine where doubt forms in your mind. Are you looking for a miracle to solve for your doubt? Is there a mathematical proof you can find to prove the Creator exists? You can't! 8. The search for proof is like the Yogi's search for the moment time began ­ it's an absurd pursuit. It distracts from our focus on uniting with the Creator within. It is like hunting for ghosts. Asks the Siddhs: ਆਿਦ ਕਉ ਕਵਨ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਕਥੀਅਲ ਸਨ ਕਹਾ ਘਰ ਵਾਸ ॥ Āḏ kao kavan bīcẖār kathīale sunn kahā gẖar vāso. What can you tell us about the beginning? In what home did the absolute dwell then? Answers Guru Nanak: ਆਿਦ ਕਉ ਿਬਸਮਾਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਕਥੀਅਲ ਸਨ ਿਨਰਤਿਰ ਵਾਸ ਲੀਆ ॥ Āḏ kao bismāḏ bīcẖār kathīale sunn niranṯar vās līā. We can only express a sense of wonder about the beginning. The absolute abided endlessly deep within Himself then. A Formless Creator is far beyond our comprehension. Guru Nanak answers the questions of Yogis who focus on the physical world by redirecting them inward to focus on their own improvement and connection to the Formless Creator within, rather than physical forms of austerity or physical creation myths. How often are we thinking like the Yogis who are trying to find physical proof of the Creator or physical proof of religious piety?

NOW...try to think of other important things which ARE formless. you can! 9. Ideas and concepts are formless: truth. justice. equality. wisdom. Our values are given to us in the Guru's Bani. ਸ ਹਿਰ ਪਰਖ ਅਗਮ ਹ ਕਹ ਿਕਤ ਿਬਿਧ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ So har purakẖ agamm hai kaho kiṯ biḏẖ pāīai. He, the God Lord is beyond reach. Tell me, how can one attain to Him? ਿਤਸ ਰਪ ਨ ਰਖ ਅਿਦਸਟ ਕਹ ਜਨ ਿਕਉ ਿਧਆਈਐ ॥ Ŧis rūp na rekẖ aḏrist kaho jan kio ḏẖiāīai. He has neither form nor sign and is invisible. Tell me then, O saints, how is He to be remembered? ਿਨਰਕਾਰ ਿਨਰਜਨ ਹਿਰ ਅਗਮ ਿਕਆ ਕਿਹ ਗਣ ਗਾਈਐ ॥ Nirankār niranjan har agam kiā kahi guṇ gāīai. He is the Formless, mammon­free and Unapproachable Lord, What excellences of His should one narrate and sing? ਿਜਸ ਆਿਪ ਬਝਾਏ ਆਿਪ ਸ ਹਿਰ ਮਾਰਿਗ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ Jis āp bujẖāe āp so har mārag pāīai. Whom the Lord Himself, of Himself, instructs, He alone treads on God's path. ਗਿਰ ਪਰ ਵਖਾਿਲਆ ਗਰ ਸਵਾ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੪॥ Gur pūrai vekẖāliā gur sevā pāīai. ||4|| The Perfect Guru has shown the Lord to me and, through Guru's service, is He obtained. Something formless can only be known through qualities, like trying to understand a particle in quantum physics that can't be seen. Formless means we have to focus on the exercise of these qualities, and consistency of these qualities creates values ­ not on trying to see something invisible.

NOW try to hear or feel something formless. you can! 10. You can hear the sound of the Guru's shabad and let the meaning and guidance resonate within you. maybe even on a deeper level you hear the anhaad shabad. Our emotions, feelings are also formless: joy. pain, despair, bliss. ਅਨਹਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਿਨਰਮਲ ਸਬਦ ਵਜਾਏ ਗਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸਿਚ ਸਮਾਵਿਣਆ ॥੪॥ Anhaṯ baṇī nirmal sabaḏ vajāe gur sabḏī sacẖ samāvaṇiā. ||4|| The celestial strain resounds through the pure Name. Through the Guru's instruction the man is absorbed in the True One.

Can you believe in a Formless Creator now in an everyday moment? As Guru Arjan Dev Ji said, “Tera bana mitha lage.” Thy will is sweet to me.” We hear the Truth of the revelation in Gurbani, pointing us toward the Formless Creator, and even without form the Creator is revealed to us. And as we experience the Guru’s shabad, even a deeper spiritual Anand manifests.

REFERENCES FROM SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI: Ang 479 ਆਸਾ ਸੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀਉ ਕ ਪਚਪਦ ੯ ਦਤਕ ੫ Āsā sarī Kabīr jīo ke pancẖpaḏe 9 ḏuṯuke 5 Asa Venerable Kabir. Panchpade 9 Dutuke 5. ੴ ਸਿਤਗਰ ਪਸਾਿਦ ॥ Ikoaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ. There is but one God. By true Guru's grace. He is attained. ਪਾਤੀ ਤਰ ਮਾਿਲਨੀ ਪਾਤੀ ਪਾਤੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ Pāṯī ṯorai mālini pāṯī pāṯī jīo. Thou tearest off the leaves, O lady­gardener but in every leaf there is life. ਿਜਸ ਪਾਹਨ ਕਉ ਪਾਤੀ ਤਰ ਸ ਪਾਹਨ ਿਨਰਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ Jis pāhan kao pāṯī ṯorai so pāhan nirjīo. ||1|| The stone (idol) for which thou pluckest the leaves that stone is life­less. ਭਲੀ ਮਾਲਨੀ ਹ ਏਉ ॥ Bẖūlī mālnī hai eo. In this thou art mistaken, O lady gardener. ਸਿਤਗਰ ਜਾਗਤਾ ਹ ਦਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Saṯgur jāgṯā hai ḏeo. ||1|| rahāo. The True Guru is the living Lord. Pause. ਬਹਮ ਪਾਤੀ ਿਬਸਨ ਡਾਰੀ ਫਲ ਸਕਰਦਉ ॥ Barahm pāṯī bisan dārī fūl sankarḏeo. Brahms is in the leaves, Vishnu in the boughs and God Shiva in the flowers. ਤੀਿਨ ਦਵ ਪਤਿਖ ਤਰਿਹ ਕਰਿਹ ਿਕਸ ਕੀ ਸਉ ॥੨॥ Ŧīn ḏev parṯakẖ ṯorėh karahi kis kī seo. ||2|| The three gods thou, obviously breakest, then whose service perfomest thou? ਪਾਖਾਨ ਗਿਢ ਕ ਮਰਿਤ ਕੀਨਹੀ ਦ ਕ ਛਾਤੀ ਪਾਉ ॥ Pākẖān gadẖ kai mūraṯ kīnĥī ḏe kai cẖẖāṯī pāo. The sculptor carves the stone and fashions it into an idol, by placing his feet on its breast. ਜ ਏਹ ਮਰਿਤ ਸਾਚੀ ਹ ਤਉ ਗੜਣਹਾਰ ਖਾਉ ॥੩॥ Je eh mūraṯ sācẖī hai ṯao gaṛĥaṇhāre kẖāo. ||3|| If this stone­god be true, then, is should eat up the sculptor. ਭਾਤ ਪਿਹਿਤ ਅਰ ਲਾਪਸੀ ਕਰਕਰਾ ਕਾਸਾਰ ॥ Bẖāṯ pahiṯ ar lāpsī karkarā kāsār. The rice, pulse, semi liquid sweets pancakes and pudding. ਭਗਨਹਾਰ ਭਿਗਆ ਇਸ ਮਰਿਤ ਕ ਮਖ ਛਾਰ ॥੪॥ Bẖoganhāre bẖogiā is mūraṯ ke mukẖ cẖẖār. ||4|| The enjoyer (the priest) enjoys these and ashes are in the mouth of this idol. ਮਾਿਲਿਨ ਭਲੀ ਜਗ ਭਲਾਨਾ ਹਮ ਭਲਾਨ ਨਾਿਹ ॥ Mālin bẖūlī jag bẖulānā ham bẖulāne nāhi. The lady gardener is mistaken, the world is mistaken, but I am mistaken not. ਕਹ ਕਬੀਰ ਹਮ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਖ ਿਕਪਾ ਕਿਰ ਹਿਰ ਰਾਇ ॥੫॥੧॥੧੪॥ Kaho Kabīr ham rām rākẖe kirpā kar har rāe. ||5||1||14|| Says Kabir showering His benediction, Lord God, the King, has preserved me.

Ang 518 ਪਉੜੀ ॥ Paoṛī. Pauri. ਤਧ ਿਧਆਇਿਨਹ ਬਦ ਕਤਬਾ ਸਣ ਖੜ ॥ Ŧuḏẖ ḏẖiāīniĥ beḏ kaṯebā saṇ kẖaṛe. Standing with Vedas and semitic scriptures at Thy door, the mortals contemplate on Thee. ਗਣਤੀ ਗਣੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਤਰ ਦਿਰ ਪੜ ॥ Gaṇṯī gaṇī na jāe ṯerai ḏar paṛe. Counting of those is not possible who lie prostrate at Thine door. ਬਹਮ ਤਧ ਿਧਆਇਿਨਹ ਇਦ ਇਦਾਸਣਾ ॥ Barahme ṯuḏẖ ḏẖiāīniĥ inḏar inḏrāsaṇā. The god of creation deliberates over Thee, as does the god of rain on his throne.

ਸਕਰ ਿਬਸਨ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਹਿਰ ਜਸ ਮਿਖ ਭਣਾ ॥ Sankar bisan avṯār har jas mukẖ bẖaṇā. T he god of death, god of nutrition and incarnations utter God's praise with their mouth. ਪੀਰ ਿਪਕਾਬਰ ਸਖ ਮਸਾਇਕ ਅਉਲੀਏ ॥ Pīr pikābar sekẖ masāik aulīe. The spiritual guides, prophets, religious instructors, seers and men of miracles, meditate on Thee. ਓਿਤ ਪਿਤ ਿਨਰਕਾਰ ਘਿਟ ਘਿਟ ਮਉਲੀਏ ॥ Oṯ poṯ nirankār gẖat gẖat maulīe. Like warp and woof, the Formless Lord is woven into all the hearts. ਕੜਹ ਕਰ ਿਵਣਾਸ ਧਰਮ ਤਗੀਐ ॥ Kūṛahu kare viṇās ḏẖarme ṯagīai. Through falsehood, the man is destroyed and through righteousness, he prospers. ਿਜਤ ਿਜਤ ਲਾਇਿਹ ਆਿਪ ਿਤਤ ਿਤਤ ਲਗੀਐ ॥੨॥ Jiṯ jiṯ lāihi āp ṯiṯ ṯiṯ lagīai. ||2|| Whithersoever the Lord Himself yokes the man, thither is he yoked. Ang 604­605 ਸਰਿਠ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਚਉਥਾ ॥ Soraṯẖ mėhlā 4 cẖauthā. Sorath 4th Guru. ਆਪ ਅਡਜ ਜਰਜ ਸਤਜ ਉਤਭਜ ਆਪ ਖਡ ਆਪ ਸਭ ਲਇ ॥ Āpe andaj jeraj seṯaj uṯbẖuj āpe kẖand āpe sabẖ loe. The Lord Himself is in the egg­born, foetus­born, sweat­born and the earth­born. He Himself is in the continents and Himself in all the worlds. ਆਪ ਸਤ ਆਪ ਬਹ ਮਣੀਆ ਕਿਰ ਸਕਤੀ ਜਗਤ ਪਰਇ ॥ Āpe sūṯ āpe baho maṇīā kar sakṯī jagaṯ paroe. He Himself is the thread and Himself the numerous beads; exercising His might He has strung the worlds. ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸਤਧਾਰ ਹ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਸਤ ਿਖਚ ਢਿਹ ਢਰੀ ਹਇ ॥੧॥ Āpe hī sūṯḏẖār hai piārā sūṯ kẖincẖe dẖėh dẖerī hoe. ||1|| The Beloved Himself is the Thread­holder (sustainer). When He withdraws the thread, the beings fall and are reduced to heaps of ashes. ਮਰ ਮਨ ਮ ਹਿਰ ਿਬਨ ਅਵਰ ਨ ਕਇ ॥ Mere man mai har bin avar na koe. O my soul, without God, there is not any other for me. ਸਿਤਗਰ ਿਵਿਚ ਨਾਮ ਿਨਧਾਨ ਹ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਕਿਰ ਦਇਆ ਅਿਮਤ ਮਿਖ ਚਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Saṯgur vicẖ nām niḏẖān hai piārā kar ḏaiā amriṯ mukẖ cẖoe. Rahāo. In the True Guru is the treasure of the sweet Name, and in his mercy, he trickles the Name­Nectar in my mouth. Pause. ਆਪ ਜਲ ਥਿਲ ਸਭਤ ਹ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਪਭ ਆਪ ਕਰ ਸ ਹਇ ॥ Āpe jal thal sabẖaṯ hai piārā parabẖ āpe kare so hoe. T he Beloved Himself is in all the oceans and dry­lands and what the Lord Himself does that alone happens. ਸਭਨਾ ਿਰਜਕ ਸਮਾਹਦਾ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਦਜਾ ਅਵਰ ਨ ਕਇ ॥ Sabẖnā rijak samāhaḏā piārā ḏūjā avar na koe. The Beloved brings sustenance to all and without Him there is not any other second. ਆਪ ਖਲ ਖਲਾਇਦਾ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਆਪ ਕਰ ਸ ਹਇ ॥੨॥ Āpe kẖel kẖelāiḏā piārā āpe kare so hoe. ||2|| The Beloved Himself plays and makes others play and what He Himself does that alone comes to pass. ਆਪ ਹੀ ਆਿਪ ਿਨਰਮਲਾ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਆਪ ਿਨਰਮਲ ਸਇ ॥ Āpe hī āp nirmalā piārā āpe nirmal soe. All by Himself the Lord is Pure and Pure is His repute. ਆਪ ਕੀਮਿਤ ਪਾਇਦਾ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਆਪ ਕਰ ਸ ਹਇ ॥ Āpe kīmaṯ pāiḏā piārā āpe kare so hoe. Himself the Beloved determines the worth of all and what He Himself does that alone happens. ਆਪ ਅਲਖ ਨ ਲਖੀਐ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਆਿਪ ਲਖਾਵ ਸਇ ॥੩॥ Āpe alakẖ na lakẖīai piārā āp lakẖāvai soe. ||3|| Himself the Beloved is unseen and cannot be seen and He Himself makes man see Him. ਆਪ ਗਿਹਰ ਗਭੀਰ ਹ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਿਤਸ ਜਵਡ ਅਵਰ ਨ ਕਇ ॥ Āpe gahir gambẖīr hai piārā ṯis jevad avar na koe. The Beloved Himself is deep and unfathomable and as great as He, there is none else.

ਸਿਭ ਘਟ ਆਪ ਭਗਵ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਿਵਿਚ ਨਾਰੀ ਪਰਖ ਸਭ ਸਇ ॥ Sabẖ gẖat āpe bẖogvai piārā vicẖ nārī purakẖ sabẖ soe. In every, the Beloved Himself enjoys. He, the Lord is contained within all the men and women. ਨਾਨਕ ਗਪਤ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਪਰਗਟ ਹਇ ॥੪॥੨॥ Nānak gupaṯ varaṯḏā piārā gurmukẖ pargat hoe. ||4||2|| Nanak, the Beloved is unmanifestly pervading everywhere and it is through the Guru that he becomes manifest. Ang 84 ਸਲਕ ਮਃ ੧ ॥ Salok mėhlā 1. Slok, First Guru. ਕਦਰਿਤ ਕਿਰ ਕ ਵਿਸਆ ਸਇ ॥ Kuḏraṯ kar kai vasiā soe. Having created the universe that Lord abides there­in. ਵਖਤ ਵੀਚਾਰ ਸ ਬਦਾ ਹਇ ॥ vakẖaṯ vīcẖāre so banḏā hoe. He who thinks (avails) of the life time becomes the servant of God. ਕਦਰਿਤ ਹ ਕੀਮਿਤ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇ ॥ Kuḏraṯ hai kīmaṯ nahī pāe. The worth of Him who is in the universe, cannot be known. ਜਾ ਕੀਮਿਤ ਪਾਇ ਤ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ Jā kīmaṯ pāe ṯa kahī na jāe. Even if one were to know the value he cannot describe it then. ਸਰ ਸਰੀਅਿਤ ਕਰਿਹ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ Sarai sarīaṯ karahi bīcẖār. People think of religious laws and regulations. ਿਬਨ ਬਝ ਕਸ ਪਾਵਿਹ ਪਾਰ ॥ Bin būjẖe kaise pāvahi pār. But without understanding God, how can they swim across? ਿਸਦਕ ਕਿਰ ਿਸਜਦਾ ਮਨ ਕਿਰ ਮਖਸਦ ॥ Siḏak kar sijḏā man kar makẖsūḏ. Make faith thy bowing and let the conquest of mind be thy aim of life. ਿਜਹ ਿਧਿਰ ਦਖਾ ਿਤਹ ਿਧਿਰ ਮਉਜਦ ॥੧॥ Jih ḏẖir ḏekẖā ṯih ḏẖir maujūḏ. ||1|| In whatever direction I see, I find God present in that direction. Ang 21­22 ਿਸਰੀਰਾਗ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ Sirīrāg mėhlā 1. Sri Rag, First Guru. ਇਕ ਿਤਲ ਿਪਆਰਾ ਵੀਸਰ ਰਗ ਵਡਾ ਮਨ ਮਾਿਹ ॥ Ik ṯil piārā vīsrai rog vadā man māhi. To forget the Beloved, even for an instant, produces great affliction in the soul. ਿਕਉ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਿਤ ਪਾਈਐ ਜਾ ਹਿਰ ਨ ਵਸ ਮਨ ਮਾਿਹ ॥ Kio ḏargėh paṯ pāīai jā har na vasai man māhi. How can honour be acquired in god's Court, if He dwells not in mortal's mind? ਗਿਰ ਿਮਿਲਐ ਸਖ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਗਿਨ ਮਰ ਗਣ ਮਾਿਹ ॥੧॥ Gur miliai sukẖ pāīai agan marai guṇ māhi. ||1|| By meeting the Guru, peace is obtained and the fire of desire is quenched in (by singing) Lord's praises. ਮਨ ਰ ਅਿਹਿਨਿਸ ਹਿਰ ਗਣ ਸਾਿਰ ॥ Man re ahinis har guṇ sār. O my Soul! day and night deliberate over the excellences of God. ਿਜਨ ਿਖਨ ਪਲ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਵੀਸਰ ਤ ਜਨ ਿਵਰਲ ਸਸਾਿਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Jin kẖin pal nām na vīsrai ṯe jan virle sansār. ||1|| rahāo. What forget not God's Name even for a moment and an instant; such persons are rare in this world. Pause. ਜਤੀ ਜਿਤ ਿਮਲਾਈਐ ਸਰਤੀ ਸਰਿਤ ਸਜਗ ॥ Joṯī joṯ milāīai surṯī suraṯ sanjog. When human light blends with the Supreme Light and the union of wisdom is effaced with the universal wisdom, ਿਹਸਾ ਹਉਮ ਗਤ ਗਏ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਹਸਾ ਸਗ ॥ Hinsā haumai gaṯ gae nāhī sahsā sog. t hen mortal's killing­instinct and egotism depart and scepticism and sorrow afflict him not.

ਗਰਮਿਖ ਿਜਸ ਹਿਰ ਮਿਨ ਵਸ ਿਤਸ ਮਲ ਗਰ ਸਜਗ ॥੨॥ Gurmukẖ jis har man vasai ṯis mele gur sanjog. ||2|| The Guru­ward, within whose mind abides the Lord, him the Guru unites with Lord's union. ਕਾਇਆ ਕਾਮਿਣ ਜ ਕਰੀ ਭਗ ਭਗਣਹਾਰ ॥ Kāiā kāmaṇ je karī bẖoge bẖogaṇhār. If I surrender my body like a bride to the Master, the Enjoyer will enjoy me. ਿਤਸ ਿਸਉ ਨਹ ਨ ਕੀਜਈ ਜ ਦੀਸ ਚਲਣਹਾਰ ॥ Ŧis sio nehu na kījī jo ḏīsai cẖalaṇhār. Make not love with him, who appears to be but a passing­show. ਗਰਮਿਖ ਰਵਿਹ ਸਹਾਗਣੀ ਸ ਪਭ ਸਜ ਭਤਾਰ ॥੩॥ Gurmukẖ ravėh sohāgaṇī so parabẖ sej bẖaṯār. ||3|| That Lord Consort, on His couch, enjoys the virtuous and chaste brides.2 ਚਾਰ ਅਗਿਨ ਿਨਵਾਿਰ ਮਰ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਹਿਰ ਜਲ ਪਾਇ ॥ Cẖāre agan nivār mar gurmukẖ har jal pāe. By obtaining the water of God's Name, through the Guru, quench the four fires (of cruelty, wordly­love, anger and greed) and remain dead in life. ਅਤਿਰ ਕਮਲ ਪਗਾਿਸਆ ਅਿਮਤ ਭਿਰਆ ਅਘਾਇ ॥ Anṯar kamal pargāsiā amriṯ bẖariā agẖāe. Thus the heart­lotus blossom be filled with Nectar and thou shalt be satiated. ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਗਰ ਮੀਤ ਕਿਰ ਸਚ ਪਾਵਿਹ ਦਰਗਹ ਜਾਇ ॥੪॥੨੦॥ Nānak saṯgur mīṯ kar sacẖ pāvahi ḏargėh jāe. ||4||20|| Nanak make the True Guru thy friend, then going to His Court thou shalt obtain the True One. Ang 359 ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ Āsā mėhlā 1. Asa 1st Guru. ਕੀਤਾ ਹਵ ਕਰ ਕਰਾਇਆ ਿਤਸ ਿਕਆ ਕਹੀਐ ਭਾਈ ॥ Kīṯā hovai kare karāiā ṯis kiā kahīai bẖāī. The created one does, what he is caused to do. what can we say unto him, O brother? ਜ ਿਕਛ ਕਰਣਾ ਸ ਕਿਰ ਰਿਹਆ ਕੀਤ ਿਕਆ ਚਤਰਾਈ ॥੧॥ Jo kicẖẖ karṇā so kar rahiā kīṯe kiā cẖaṯurāī. ||1|| Whatever the Lord is to do, that he is doing. The wisdom of the created, avails nothing. ਤਰਾ ਹਕਮ ਭਲਾ ਤਧ ਭਾਵ ॥ Ŧerā hukam bẖalā ṯuḏẖ bẖāvai. Thy will is sweet to me, O God, This is pleasing to thee. ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਿਮਲ ਵਡਾਈ ਸਾਚ ਨਾਿਮ ਸਮਾਵ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Nānak ṯā kao milai vadāī sācẖe nām samāvai. ||1|| rahāo. Nanak, he alone receives honour, who is absorbed in the true Name. Pause. ਿਕਰਤ ਪਇਆ ਪਰਵਾਣਾ ਿਲਿਖਆ ਬਾਹਿੜ ਹਕਮ ਨ ਹਈ ॥ Kiraṯ paiā parvāṇā likẖiā bāhuṛ hukam na hoī. As is the written order of the Lord, so do we do the deeds, and none can turn back the order. ਜਸਾ ਿਲਿਖਆ ਤਸਾ ਪਿੜਆ ਮਿਟ ਨ ਸਕ ਕਈ ॥੨॥ Jaisā likẖiā ṯaisā paṛiā met na sakai koī. ||2|| As is the record, so does it come to pass, no one can erase it. ਜ ਕ ਦਰਗਹ ਬਹਤਾ ਬਲ ਨਾਉ ਪਵ ਬਾਜਾਰੀ ॥ Je ko ḏargėh bahuṯā bolai nāo pavai bājārī. He, who talks much before audience, is termed a joker. ਸਤਰਜ ਬਾਜੀ ਪਕ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਚੀ ਆਵ ਸਾਰੀ ॥੩॥ Saṯranj bājī pakai nāhī kacẖī āvai sārī. ||3|| He succeeds not in playing at chess and his chess­men reach not the goal. ਨਾ ਕ ਪਿੜਆ ਪਿਡਤ ਬੀਨਾ ਨਾ ਕ ਮਰਖ ਮਦਾ ॥ Nā ko paṛiā pandiṯ bīnā nā ko mūrakẖ manḏā. By himself no one is literate, learned or evil person. ਬਦੀ ਅਦਿਰ ਿਸਫਿਤ ਕਰਾਏ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਕਹੀਐ ਬਦਾ ॥੪॥੨॥੩੬॥ Banḏī anḏar sifaṯ karāe ṯā kao kahīai banḏā. ||4||2||36|| When he eulogises the Lord with slave's mentality, then alone can he be called a man. Ang 448

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਛਤ ॥ Āsā mėhlā 4 cẖẖanṯ. Aasaa, Fourth Mehl, Chhant: ਵਡਾ ਮਰਾ ਗਿਵਦ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਚਰ ਆਿਦ ਿਨਰਜਨ ਿਨਰਕਾਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ vadā merā govinḏ agam agocẖar āḏ niranjan nirankār jīo. My Lord of the Universe is great, unapproachable, unfathomable, primal, immaculate and formless. ਤਾ ਕੀ ਗਿਤ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਅਿਮਿਤ ਵਿਡਆਈ ਮਰਾ ਗਿਵਦ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ Ŧā kī gaṯ kahī na jāī amiṯ vadiāī merā govinḏ alakẖ apār jīo. His condition cannot be described; His Glorious Greatness is immeasurable. My Lord of the Universe is invisible and infinite. ਗਿਵਦ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ਅਪਰਪਰ ਆਪ ਆਪਣਾ ਜਾਣ ॥ Govinḏ alakẖ apār aprampar āp āpṇā jāṇai. The Lord of the Universe is invisible, infinite and unlimited. He Himself knows Himself. ਿਕਆ ਇਹ ਜਤ ਿਵਚਾਰ ਕਹੀਅਿਹ ਜ ਤਧ ਆਿਖ ਵਖਾਣ ॥ Kiā ih janṯ vicẖāre kahīahi jo ṯuḏẖ ākẖ vakẖāṇai. What should these poor creatures say? How can they speak of and describe You? ਿਜਸ ਨ ਨਦਿਰ ਕਰਿਹ ਤ ਅਪਣੀ ਸ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਕਰ ਵੀਚਾਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ Jis no naḏar karahi ṯūʼn apṇī so gurmukẖ kare vīcẖār jīo. That Gurmukh who is blessed by Your Glance of Grace contemplates You. ਵਡਾ ਮਰਾ ਗਿਵਦ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਚਰ ਆਿਦ ਿਨਰਜਨ ਿਨਰਕਾਰ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ vadā merā govinḏ agam agocẖar āḏ niranjan nirankār jīo. ||1|| My Lord of the Universe is great, unapproachable, unfathomable, primal, immaculate and formless. ||1|| ਤ ਆਿਦ ਪਰਖ ਅਪਰਪਰ ਕਰਤਾ ਤਰਾ ਪਾਰ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥ Ŧūʼn āḏ purakẖ aprampar karṯā ṯerā pār na pāiā jāe jīo. You, O Lord, O Primal Being, are the Limitless Creator; Your limits cannot be found. ਤ ਘਟ ਘਟ ਅਤਿਰ ਸਰਬ ਿਨਰਤਿਰ ਸਭ ਮਿਹ ਰਿਹਆ ਸਮਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥ Ŧūʼn gẖat gẖat anṯar sarab niranṯar sabẖ mėh rahiā samāe jīo. You are pervading and permeating each and every heart, everywhere, You are contained in all. ਘਟ ਅਤਿਰ ਪਾਰਬਹਮ ਪਰਮਸਰ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਅਤ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ Gẖat anṯar pārbarahm parmesar ṯā kā anṯ na pāiā. Within the heart is the Transcendent, Supreme Lord God, whose limits cannot be found. ਿਤਸ ਰਪ ਨ ਰਖ ਅਿਦਸਟ ਅਗਚਰ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਅਲਖ ਲਖਾਇਆ ॥ Ŧis rūp na rekẖ aḏisat agocẖar gurmukẖ alakẖ lakẖāiā. He has no form or shape; He is unseen and unknown. The Gurmukh sees the unseen Lord. ਸਦਾ ਅਨਿਦ ਰਹ ਿਦਨ ਰਾਤੀ ਸਹਜ ਨਾਿਮ ਸਮਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥ Saḏā anand rahai ḏin rāṯī sėhje nām samāe jīo. He remains in continual ecstasy, day and night, and is spontaneously absorbed into the Naam. ਤ ਆਿਦ ਪਰਖ ਅਪਰਪਰ ਕਰਤਾ ਤਰਾ ਪਾਰ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ Ŧūʼn āḏ purakẖ aprampar karṯā ṯerā pār na pāiā jāe jīo. ||2|| Y ou, O Lord, O Primal Being, are the Limitless Creator; Your limits cannot be found. ||2|| ਤ ਸਿਤ ਪਰਮਸਰ ਸਦਾ ਅਿਬਨਾਸੀ ਹਿਰ ਹਿਰ ਗਣੀ ਿਨਧਾਨ ਜੀਉ ॥ Ŧūʼn saṯ parmesar saḏā abẖināsī har har guṇī niḏẖān jīo. You are the True, Transcendent Lord, forever imperishable. The Lord, Har, Har, is the treasure of virtue. ਹਿਰ ਹਿਰ ਪਭ ਏਕ ਅਵਰ ਨ ਕਈ ਤ ਆਪ ਪਰਖ ਸਜਾਨ ਜੀਉ ॥ Har har parabẖ eko avar na koī ṯūʼn āpe purakẖ sujān jīo. The Lord God, Har, Har, is the One and only; there is no other at all. You Yourself are the all­knowing Lord. ਪਰਖ ਸਜਾਨ ਤ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਤਧ ਜਵਡ ਅਵਰ ਨ ਕਈ ॥ Purakẖ sujān ṯūʼn parḏẖān ṯuḏẖ jevad avar na koī. You are the all­knowing Lord, the most exalted and auspicious; there is no other as great as You. ਤਰਾ ਸਬਦ ਸਭ ਤਹ ਵਰਤਿਹ ਤ ਆਪ ਕਰਿਹ ਸ ਹਈ ॥ Ŧerā sabaḏ sabẖ ṯūʼnhai varṯėh ṯūʼn āpe karahi so hoī. The Word of Your Shabad is pervading in all; whatever You do, comes to pass. ਹਿਰ ਸਭ ਮਿਹ ਰਿਵਆ ਏਕ ਸਈ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਲਿਖਆ ਹਿਰ ਨਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥ Har sabẖ mėh raviā eko soī gurmukẖ lakẖiā har nām jīo. The One Lord God is permeating all; the Gurmukh comes to understand the Lord's Name. ਤ ਸਿਤ ਪਰਮਸਰ ਸਦਾ ਅਿਬਨਾਸੀ ਹਿਰ ਹਿਰ ਗਣੀ ਿਨਧਾਨ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥ Ŧūʼn saṯ parmesar saḏā abẖināsī har har guṇī niḏẖān jīo. ||3|| You are the True, Transcendent Lord, forever imperishable. The Lord, Har, Har, is the treasure of virtue. ||3|| ਸਭ ਤਹ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭ ਤਰੀ ਵਿਡਆਈ ਿਜਉ ਭਾਵ ਿਤਵ ਚਲਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥ Sabẖ ṯūʼnhai karṯā sabẖ ṯerī vadiāī jio bẖāvai ṯivai cẖalāe jīo. You are the Creator of all, and all greatness is Yours. As it pleases Your Will, so do we act.

ਤਧ ਆਪ ਭਾਵ ਿਤਵ ਚਲਾਵਿਹ ਸਭ ਤਰ ਸਬਿਦ ਸਮਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥ Ŧuḏẖ āpe bẖāvai ṯivai cẖalāvėh sabẖ ṯerai sabaḏ samāe jīo. As it pleases Your Will, so do we act. All are merged into Your Shabad. ਸਭ ਸਬਿਦ ਸਮਾਵ ਜ ਤਧ ਭਾਵ ਤਰ ਸਬਿਦ ਵਿਡਆਈ ॥ Sabẖ sabaḏ samāvai jāʼn ṯuḏẖ bẖāvai ṯerai sabaḏ vadiāī. When it pleases Your Will, we obtain greatness through Your Shabad. ਗਰਮਿਖ ਬਿਧ ਪਾਈਐ ਆਪ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਸਬਦ ਰਿਹਆ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ Gurmukẖ buḏẖ pāīai āp gavāīai sabḏe rahiā samāī. The Gurmukh obtains wisdom, and eliminates his self­conceit, and remains absorbed in the Shabad. ਤਰਾ ਸਬਦ ਅਗਚਰ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਿਮ ਸਮਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥ Ŧerā sabaḏ agocẖar gurmukẖ pāīai Nānak nām samāe jīo. The Gurmukh obtains Your incomprehensible Shabad; O Nanak, he remains merged in the Naam. ਸਭ ਤਹ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭ ਤਰੀ ਵਿਡਆਈ ਿਜਉ ਭਾਵ ਿਤਵ ਚਲਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੭॥੧੪॥ Sabẖ ṯūʼnhai karṯā sabẖ ṯerī vadiāī jio bẖāvai ṯivai cẖalāe jīo. ||4||7||14|| You are the Creator of all, and all greatness is Yours. As it pleases Your Will, so do we act. ||4||7||14|| Ang 940 ਆਿਦ ਕਉ ਕਵਨ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਕਥੀਅਲ ਸਨ ਕਹਾ ਘਰ ਵਾਸ ॥ Āḏ kao kavan bīcẖār kathīale sunn kahā gẖar vāso. What can you tell us about the beginning? In what home did the absolute dwell then? ਿਗਆਨ ਕੀ ਮਦਾ ਕਵਨ ਕਥੀਅਲ ਘਿਟ ਘਿਟ ਕਵਨ ਿਨਵਾਸ ॥ Giān kī muḏrā kavan kathīale gẖat gẖat kavan nivāso. What are the ear­rings of spiritual wisdom? Who dwells in each and every heart? ਕਾਲ ਕਾ ਠੀਗਾ ਿਕਉ ਜਲਾਈਅਲ ਿਕਉ ਿਨਰਭਉ ਘਿਰ ਜਾਈਐ ॥ Kāl kā ṯẖīgā kio jalāīale kio nirbẖao gẖar jāīai. How can one avoid the attack of death? How can one enter the home of fearlessness? ਸਹਜ ਸਤਖ ਕਾ ਆਸਣ ਜਾਣ ਿਕਉ ਛਦ ਬਰਾਈਐ ॥ Sahj sanṯokẖ kā āsaṇ jāṇai kio cẖẖeḏe bairāīai. How can one know the posture of intuition and contentment, and overcome one's adversaries? ਗਰ ਕ ਸਬਿਦ ਹਉਮ ਿਬਖ ਮਾਰ ਤਾ ਿਨਜ ਘਿਰ ਹਵ ਵਾਸ ॥ Gur kai sabaḏ haumai bikẖ mārai ṯā nij gẖar hovai vāso. Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, egotism and corruption are conquered, and then one comes to dwell in the home of the self within. ਿਜਿਨ ਰਿਚ ਰਿਚਆ ਿਤਸ ਸਬਿਦ ਪਛਾਣ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਦਾਸ ॥੨੧॥ Jin racẖ racẖiā ṯis sabaḏ pacẖẖāṇai Nānak ṯā kā ḏāso. ||21|| One who realizes the Shabad of the One who created the creation ­ Nanak is his slave. ||21|| ਕਹਾ ਤ ਆਵ ਕਹਾ ਇਹ ਜਾਵ ਕਹਾ ਇਹ ਰਹ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ Kahā ṯe āvai kahā ih jāvai kahā ih rahai samāī. Where did we come from? Where are we going? Where will we be absorbed? ਏਸ ਸਬਦ ਕਉ ਜ ਅਰਥਾਵ ਿਤਸ ਗਰ ਿਤਲ ਨ ਤਮਾਈ ॥ Ės sabaḏ kao jo arthāvai ṯis gur ṯil na ṯamāī. One who reveals the meaning of this Shabad is the Guru, who has no greed at all. ਿਕਉ ਤਤ ਅਿਵਗਤ ਪਾਵ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਲਗ ਿਪਆਰ ॥ Kio ṯaṯai avigaṯai pāvai gurmukẖ lagai piāro. How can one find the essence of the unmanifest reality? How does one become Gurmukh, and enshrine love for the Lord? ਆਪ ਸਰਤਾ ਆਪ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ Āpe surṯā āpe karṯā kaho Nānak bīcẖāro. He Himself is consciousness, He Himself is the Creator; share with us, Nanak, your wisdom. ਹਕਮ ਆਵ ਹਕਮ ਜਾਵ ਹਕਮ ਰਹ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ Hukme āvai hukme jāvai hukme rahai samāī. By His Command we come, and by His Command we go; by His Command, we merge in absorption. ਪਰ ਗਰ ਤ ਸਾਚ ਕਮਾਵ ਗਿਤ ਿਮਿਤ ਸਬਦ ਪਾਈ ॥੨੨॥ Pūre gur ṯe sācẖ kamāvai gaṯ miṯ sabḏe pāī. ||22|| Through the Perfect Guru, live the Truth; through the Word of the Shabad, the state of dignity is attained. ||22|| ਆਿਦ ਕਉ ਿਬਸਮਾਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਕਥੀਅਲ ਸਨ ਿਨਰਤਿਰ ਵਾਸ ਲੀਆ ॥ Āḏ kao bismāḏ bīcẖār kathīale sunn niranṯar vās līā. We can only express a sense of wonder about the beginning. The absolute abided endlessly deep within Himself then. ਅਕਲਪਤ ਮਦਾ ਗਰ ਿਗਆਨ ਬੀਚਾਰੀਅਲ ਘਿਟ ਘਿਟ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ॥ Akalpaṯ muḏrā gur giān bīcẖārīale gẖat gẖat sācẖā sarab jīā.

Consider freedom from desire to be the ear­rings of the Guru's spiritual wisdom. The True Lord, the Soul of all, dwells within each and every heart. ਗਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਅਿਵਗਿਤ ਸਮਾਈਐ ਤਤ ਿਨਰਜਨ ਸਹਿਜ ਲਹ ॥ Gur bacẖnī avigaṯ samāīai ṯaṯ niranjan sahj lahai. Through the Guru's Word, one merges in the absolute, and intuitively receives the immaculate essence. ਨਾਨਕ ਦਜੀ ਕਾਰ ਨ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਵ ਿਸਖ ਸ ਖਿਜ ਲਹ ॥ Nānak ḏūjī kār na karṇī sevai sikẖ so kẖoj lahai. O Nanak, that Sikh who seeks and finds the Way does not serve any other. ਹਕਮ ਿਬਸਮਾਦ ਹਕਿਮ ਪਛਾਣ ਜੀਅ ਜਗਿਤ ਸਚ ਜਾਣ ਸਈ ॥ Hukam bismāḏ hukam pacẖẖāṇai jīa jugaṯ sacẖ jāṇai soī. Wonderful and amazing is His Command; He alone realizes His Command and knows the true way of life of His creatures. ਆਪ ਮਿਟ ਿਨਰਾਲਮ ਹਵ ਅਤਿਰ ਸਾਚ ਜਗੀ ਕਹੀਐ ਸਈ ॥੨੩॥ Āp met nirālam hovai anṯar sācẖ jogī kahīai soī. ||23|| One who eradicates his self­conceit becomes free of desire; he alone is a Yogi, who enshrines the True Lord deep within. ||23|| Ang 644 ਪਉੜੀ ॥ Paoṛī. Pauri. ਸ ਹਿਰ ਪਰਖ ਅਗਮ ਹ ਕਹ ਿਕਤ ਿਬਿਧ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ So har purakẖ agamm hai kaho kiṯ biḏẖ pāīai. He, the God Lord is beyond reach. Tell me, how can one attain to Him? ਿਤਸ ਰਪ ਨ ਰਖ ਅਿਦਸਟ ਕਹ ਜਨ ਿਕਉ ਿਧਆਈਐ ॥ Ŧis rūp na rekẖ aḏrist kaho jan kio ḏẖiāīai. He has neither form nor sign and is invisible. Tell me then, O saints, how is He to be remembered? ਿਨਰਕਾਰ ਿਨਰਜਨ ਹਿਰ ਅਗਮ ਿਕਆ ਕਿਹ ਗਣ ਗਾਈਐ ॥ Nirankār niranjan har agam kiā kahi guṇ gāīai. He is the Formless, mammon­free and Unapproachable Lord, What excellences of His should one narrate and sing? ਿਜਸ ਆਿਪ ਬਝਾਏ ਆਿਪ ਸ ਹਿਰ ਮਾਰਿਗ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ Jis āp bujẖāe āp so har mārag pāīai. Whom the Lord Himself, of Himself, instructs, He alone treads on God's path. ਗਿਰ ਪਰ ਵਖਾਿਲਆ ਗਰ ਸਵਾ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੪॥ Gur pūrai vekẖāliā gur sevā pāīai. ||4|| The Perfect Guru has shown the Lord to me and, through Guru's service, is He obtained. Ang 115 ਿਬਨ ਗਰ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ Bin gur nām na pāiā jāe. Without the Guru, the Name cannot be obtained. ਿਸਧ ਸਾਿਧਕ ਰਹ ਿਬਲਲਾਇ ॥ Siḏẖ sāḏẖik rahe billāe. The perfect persons and strivers miss it and bewail. ਿਬਨ ਗਰ ਸਵ ਸਖ ਨ ਹਵੀ ਪਰ ਭਾਿਗ ਗਰ ਪਾਵਿਣਆ ॥੩॥ Bin gur seve sukẖ na hovī pūrai bẖāg gur pāvṇiā. ||3|| Without serving the Guru, peace is not procured. Through perfect good fortune the Guru is obtained. ਇਹ ਮਨ ਆਰਸੀ ਕਈ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਵਖ ॥ Ih man ārsī koī gurmukẖ vekẖai. This mind is a mirror. Hardly any saint beholds himself there­in. ਮਰਚਾ ਨ ਲਾਗ ਜਾ ਹਉਮ ਸਖ ॥ Morcẖā na lāgai jā haumai sokẖai. Rust attaches not to it if man burns his self­conceit. ਅਨਹਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਿਨਰਮਲ ਸਬਦ ਵਜਾਏ ਗਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸਿਚ ਸਮਾਵਿਣਆ ॥੪॥ Anhaṯ baṇī nirmal sabaḏ vajāe gur sabḏī sacẖ samāvaṇiā. ||4|| The celestial strain resounds through the pure Name. Through the Guru's instruction the man is absorbed in the True One. ਿਬਨ ਸਿਤਗਰ ਿਕਹ ਨ ਦਿਖਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ Bin saṯgur kihu na ḏekẖiā jāe. Sans the Sat Guru, God cannot in any way be seen. ਗਿਰ ਿਕਰਪਾ ਕਿਰ ਆਪ ਿਦਤਾ ਿਦਖਾਇ ॥ Gur kirpā kar āp ḏiṯā ḏikẖāe. Showing his benediction, the Guru himself has shown me the Lord. ਆਪ ਆਿਪ ਆਿਪ ਿਮਿਲ ਰਿਹਆ ਸਹਜ ਸਹਿਜ ਸਮਾਵਿਣਆ ॥੫॥ Āpe āp āp mil rahiā sėhje sahj samāvaṇiā. ||5||

All by Himself the Lord Himself, is pervading everywhere. By Divine knowledge man is easily absorbed in Him. Ang 268 ਅਸਟਪਦੀ ॥ Asatpaḏī. Ashtapadee: ਦਸ ਬਸਤ ਲ ਪਾਛ ਪਾਵ ॥ Ḏas basṯū le pācẖẖai pāvai. He obtains ten things, and puts them behind him; ਏਕ ਬਸਤ ਕਾਰਿਨ ਿਬਖਿਟ ਗਵਾਵ ॥ Ėk basaṯ kāran bikẖot gavāvai. for the sake of one thing withheld, he forfeits his faith. ਏਕ ਭੀ ਨ ਦਇ ਦਸ ਭੀ ਿਹਿਰ ਲਇ ॥ Ėk bẖī na ḏee ḏas bẖī hir lee. But what if that one thing were not given, and the ten were taken away? ਤਉ ਮੜਾ ਕਹ ਕਹਾ ਕਰਇ ॥ Ŧao mūṛā kaho kahā karei. Then, what could the fool say or do? ਿਜਸ ਠਾਕਰ ਿਸਉ ਨਾਹੀ ਚਾਰਾ ॥ Jis ṯẖākur sio nāhī cẖārā. Our Lord and Master cannot be moved by force. ਤਾ ਕਉ ਕੀਜ ਸਦ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਾ ॥ Ŧā kao kījai saḏ namaskārā. Unto Him, bow forever in adoration. ਜਾ ਕ ਮਿਨ ਲਾਗਾ ਪਭ ਮੀਠਾ ॥ Jā kai man lāgā parabẖ mīṯẖā. That one, unto whose mind God seems sweet ­ ਸਰਬ ਸਖ ਤਾਹ ਮਿਨ ਵਠਾ ॥ Sarab sūkẖ ṯāhū man vūṯẖā. all pleasures come to abide in his mind. ਿਜਸ ਜਨ ਅਪਨਾ ਹਕਮ ਮਨਾਇਆ ॥ Jis jan apnā hukam manāiā. One who abides by the Lord's Will, ਸਰਬ ਥਕ ਨਾਨਕ ਿਤਿਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ Sarab thok Nānak ṯin pāiā. ||1|| O Nanak, obtains all things. ||1|| ਅਗਨਤ ਸਾਹ ਅਪਨੀ ਦ ਰਾਿਸ ॥ Agnaṯ sāhu apnī ḏe rās. God the Banker gives endless capital to the mortal, ਖਾਤ ਪੀਤ ਬਰਤ ਅਨਦ ਉਲਾਿਸ ॥ Kẖāṯ pīṯ barṯai anaḏ ulās. who eats, drinks and expends it with pleasure and joy. ਅਪਨੀ ਅਮਾਨ ਕਛ ਬਹਿਰ ਸਾਹ ਲਇ ॥ Apunī amān kacẖẖ bahur sāhu lee. If some of this capital is later taken back by the Banker, ਅਿਗਆਨੀ ਮਿਨ ਰਸ ਕਰਇ ॥ Agiānī man ros karei. the ignorant person shows his anger. ਅਪਨੀ ਪਰਤੀਿਤ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਖਵ ॥ Apnī parṯīṯ āp hī kẖovai. He himself destroys his own credibility, ਬਹਿਰ ਉਸ ਕਾ ਿਬਸਾਸ ਨ ਹਵ ॥ Bahur us kā bisvās na hovai. and he shall not again be trusted. ਿਜਸ ਕੀ ਬਸਤ ਿਤਸ ਆਗ ਰਾਖ ॥ Jis kī basaṯ ṯis āgai rākẖai. When one offers to the Lord, that which belongs to the Lord, ਪਭ ਕੀ ਆਿਗਆ ਮਾਨ ਮਾਥ ॥ Parabẖ kī āgiā mānai māthai. and willingly abides by the Will of God's Order,

ਉਸ ਤ ਚਉਗਨ ਕਰ ਿਨਹਾਲ ॥ Us ṯe cẖaugun karai nihāl. the Lord will make him happy four times over. ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਿਹਬ ਸਦਾ ਦਇਆਲ ॥੨॥ Nānak sāhib saḏā ḏaiāl. ||2|| O Nanak, our Lord and Master is merciful forever. ||2|| ਅਿਨਕ ਭਾਿਤ ਮਾਇਆ ਕ ਹਤ ॥ Anik bẖāṯ māiā ke heṯ. The many forms of attachment to Maya, ਸਰਪਰ ਹਵਤ ਜਾਨ ਅਨਤ ॥ Sarpar hovaṯ jān aneṯ. shall surely pass away ­ know that they are transitory. ਿਬਰਖ ਕੀ ਛਾਇਆ ਿਸਉ ਰਗ ਲਾਵ ॥ Birakẖ kī cẖẖāiā sio rang lāvai. People fall in love with the shade of the tree, ਓਹ ਿਬਨਸ ਉਹ ਮਿਨ ਪਛਤਾਵ ॥ Oh binsai uho man pacẖẖuṯāvai. and when it passes away, they feel regret in their minds. ਜ ਦੀਸ ਸ ਚਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥ Jo ḏīsai so cẖālanhār. Whatever is seen, shall pass away; ਲਪਿਟ ਰਿਹਓ ਤਹ ਅਧ ਅਧਾਰ ॥ Lapat rahio ṯah anḏẖ anḏẖār. and yet, the blindest of the blind cling to it. ਬਟਾਊ ਿਸਉ ਜ ਲਾਵ ਨਹ ॥ Batāū sio jo lāvai neh. One who gives her love to a passing traveler ­ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਹਾਿਥ ਨ ਆਵ ਕਹ ॥ Ŧā kao hāth na āvai keh. nothing shall come into her hands in this way. ਮਨ ਹਿਰ ਕ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਪੀਿਤ ਸਖਦਾਈ ॥ Man har ke nām kī parīṯ sukẖḏāī. O mind, the love of the Name of the Lord bestows peace. ਕਿਰ ਿਕਰਪਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਿਪ ਲਏ ਲਾਈ ॥੩॥ Kar kirpā Nānak āp lae lāī. ||3|| O Nanak, the Lord, in His Mercy, unites us with Himself. ||3||