Salok Mahalla Novan – Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Ninth Naanak

ਬਾਲ ਜੁਆਨੀ ਅਰੁ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਫੁਨਿ ਤੀਨਿ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਜਾਨਿ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੩੫॥

Baal Juaani Ar Birdh Phun Teen Avasthaa Jaan |

Kaho Naanak Har Bhajan Bin Birthaa Sabh Hi Maan | 35 |

Foolish childhood, greedy youth and then aching old age,

Look carefully at your life’s each stage.

Says Naanak, without the graceful prayer of Lord’s name,

Worthless all these stages you should believe and claim.

Commentary: 

Guru Ji reminds us that these stages of childhood, youth and old age have a different impact on us. In childhood we are fool, running and playing, unaware of the world, unless we are immersed in the pool of divine love like Dhruv Ji and Prahlaad Ji; in youth we want to attain everything in the world: cars, beautiful wife or handsome husband, or a great house; in old-age, we spend a lot of time in complaining about world and whining about aches and diseases that trouble us: arthritis, cancers, et cetera. Guru Ji says, if we spend at least two hours a day in devotion, our mind will achieve the power to go through all these life’s stages or phases wisely and peacefully, otherwise it is worthless to live. A true life, a gift of God to us, cannot be wasted in such selfish purposes and futile worries, but dedicated to devotion and welfare of the world.

If from the early age we are educated with divine wisdom, we will surely have a kind and content life, whether we have fame or not, whether we have great house or not. Moreover, marriage’s purpose is not just based on physical intimacy, but to help each other to evolve and to realize one’s true self by encouraging each other kindly to step towards devotion. And the same devotion can give us courage to go through the most difficult times, personal or global. 

P.S.

Jai Sri Hari and Satnaam Sri Waheguru to all. 

Sorry for being absent the platform of os.me family. I hope you are all well. May the divine grace upon you all. I’ve been away because I had to change house twice in a month, and there was no internet access. And I am graduating this year. Enough of me, I wish you all healthy life and may Swami Ji’s blessings and God’s grace decorate your paths with flowers of love, compassion and all blissful things.