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

ਬਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਬੰਧਨ ਛੁਟੇ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਮਰੈ ਹਾਥ ਮੈ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਹੋਤ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੫੪॥

Bal Hoaa Bandhan Cchute Sabh Kicch Hot Upaaye |

Naanak Sabh Kicch Tumrai Haath Mai Tumhi Hot Sahaae | 54 |

All energy within is regained; cut was the strangling cord,

And the ray of hope-rescue returned with the grace of Lord.

O Naanak, truly everything is in the Lord’s sacred hands,

It always helps us, without questions by our side stands.

Commentary: 

Guru Ji in this verse explains the will power is gained and hope has come again in our heart thanks to God, who never leaves us, but it depends on our true devotion to recall him with love. The Almighty will help us through our difficult times by giving us strength and concentration. Sometimes, the strangling cords are attachments, which can cause havoc in our lives. But when we are free from attachments, we are able to accomplish things in much grand scale (obviously without a iota of ego or arrogance). Both bhakti and meditation help us to cut off our attachments, in a way, that we do not force our intentions upon any other being. 

In this verse, Guru Ji also is including the most important hint about meditation and devotion: when we start meditating our mind will try to distort our dedication through million kinds of thoughts and distract us, so much so that we will feel helpless, but if we continue with devotion and love, God’s grace will come our way, giving us all the will power to pursue the path of the self-discovery or the eternal truth – the Divine.

Jai Shri Hari and Satnaam Sri Waheguru

P.S.

Happy belated Diwaali to all. May you all be happy and great in your life.