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

ਮਨੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੈ ਰਮਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਨਿਕਸਤ ਨਾਹਿਨ ਮੀਤ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਜਿਉ ਛਾਡਿਤ ਨਾਹਿਨ ਭੀਤਿ ॥੩੭॥

Man Maayaa Mai Ram Reho Nikasat Naahin Meet |

Naanak Moorat Chitr Jeon Cchadit Naahin Bheet | 37 |

In this illusionary world thy mind is involved, O friend,

Now to come out of it, it does not clearly intend.

O Naanak, it is like a portrayal in the beautiful fresco,

It does not definitely easily off the painted wall go.

Commentary: 

Guru Ji uses a metaphor of fresco to explain how our mind is attached to the world and how it will not come off easily. Only the grace of divine will be able to pull us off. For instance, when our mind gets into a habit be it good or bad, we must have a strength to come out of it. In the case of bad habits: drugs, and alcohol, and similar beverages are simply part of those pleasures which are instant and then they become our habit, that is why we cannot easily shun them away. As for good habits, we can say that if we to the extreme of everything (except devotion, love and kindness) just because we feel we must do for anyone, can sometimes lead to negativity if the same is not reciprocated towards us. May be this example can help us understand, although it may seem like gossip, but it was all over news on Italian channels – a girl was thrown out of her house by her parents, because she came out as homosexual, and people began to donate on some app to help her out, but she bought a Mercedes with those money. Donation is a good habit, but when the girl abused those people’s feelings, everyone felt cheated (from here begins cynicism and skepticism). Therefore, to come out of any attachment, we need a greater force or will that comes through divine grace and godly name. 

Now, many would ask why Guru Ji does keep insisting on Naam – name, or Bhajan – praise or singing of god’s name. The answer is simple that the more our mind gets in touch with the sound of god’s name, the less it will focus on our sense of ego, and thus making us humbler and pure and kind. Singing the hymns of Lord helps us to concentrate on the words, the sound and the meaning, and our mind detaches from the world’s worries, thus giving us a peaceful state.

In the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s words:

Ja Ko Ras Har Ras Hai Aayo

So An Ras Naahi Laptaayo

Whosoever tastes the nectar of divine love,

He/She won’t be able cling to any worldly nectar.

Jai Sri Hari

Satnaam Sri Waheguru

Please take care of yourself all of you. Enjoy this gift of God called life, do whatever you can, and at the same time remember the Divine is everywhere, in any other person, and in you. Guru Ji is not saying we shan’t enjoy life, we can enjoy life, but first remember the God, we should feel close to It (God/Goddess).