In Search of Naam - Part 1
In Search of Naam - Part 2
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In search of Naam ~ 3
Gurparsad is the catalyst in the process of enshrinement of Naam in our minds. During my readings of SGGS and reflections of various Shabads, I came across this term - Gurparsad many times. It seemed to me that Blessings of Guru are the most important element in our spiritual journey.
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਏ ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਵਣਿਆ ॥ ਅੰਗ ੧੨੪, ਮਹਲਾ ੩
Without the Shabad, the Naam is not obtained. By Guru's Grace, it is implanted within the mind. ||2||
My curious mind sought answers and finally Shabad Guru quenched my thirst for building initial understanding. Here is what I have been able to decipher about the steps of getting Gurparsad.
Prayer ( ਅਰਦਾਸ ) A sincere prayer to Akal Purakh for getting Guru’s blessings is the starting point ;
ਜੀਅ ਕੀ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਕਰਿ ॥
ਛੋਡਿ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਸਗਲ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਰਪਿ ਧਰਿ ॥ ਅੰਗ ੫੧੯When your soul is feeling sad, offer your prayers to the Guru.
Renounce all your cleverness, and dedicate your mind and body to Him.
Complete surrender to Guru makes the first step complete. I understood here that what I was seeking was also seeking me.
ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ
ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ ॥A disciple who walks one step towards Guru to take his refuge and goes to him with devotion and humility, Guru advances to receive him (devotee) by taking million steps. (Ang 111)
2. Efforts ( ਉੁਦਮ ) Making efforts in terms of doing Simran, Nitnem, Sehaj Paath, Sewa, Sadh Sangat etc are crucial for Naam enshrinement.
ਉੁਦਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਪਣਾ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਧਨੁ ਖਾਟਿ ॥
Make the effort and chant the Lord's Name. O very fortunate ones earn this wealth. (Ang 48)
3. Respectful obedience and loving devotion ( ਭਉੁ , ਭਾਉੁ ) Being in respectful obedience, discipline and having loving devotion to Satguru and Waheguru are very important elements of this process.
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨ੍ ਮਨਿ ਭਉੁ ਤਿਨਾ੍ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਉੁ ॥
O Nanak, those whose minds are filled with the Fear of God, have the love of God in their minds as well. ||2|| (Ang 465)
4. Patience and Poise ( ਸਹਜ ) A sincere prayer along with required efforts will get us started . This has to followed up with respectful obedience and loving devotion of Guru’s instruction along with loving devotion for Guru. We have to then have patience and wait with poise for results to come.
ਜਿਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਸਹਜੇ ਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥Those who serve You find peace.
They are intuitively absorbed into the Lord's Name. ||3|| (Ang 12)
5. Loving immersion ( ਲਿਵ ) Being immersed in love of Akal Purakh and his creation and taking actions consistent with this worldview is cornerstone for Naam attainment. This will result in blessings of Guru.
ਤਿਨ ਕਉੁ ਮਹਲੁ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਸਚਿ ਰਹੇ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਨਦਰੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਵਿਣੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਪਾਇਆ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥Those who remain lovingly absorbed in the True One see the Mansion of His Presence close at hand. ||3||
By His Grace, we meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Without His Mercy, it cannot be obtained. (Ang 35)
6. Complete faith ( ਭਰੋਸਾ ) Doing complete surrender to Shabad Guru and having full faith in him is most essential in success of this process.
ਜੋ ਮਾਗਉੁ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਪਾਵਉੁ ਅਪਨੇ ਖਸਮ ਭਰੋਸਾ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਭੇਟਿਓ ਮਿਟਿਓ ਸਗਲ ਅੰਦੇਸਾ ॥Whatever I ask for, I receive; I have total faith in my Master.
Says Nanak, I have met with the Perfect Guru, and all my fears have been dispelled. (Ang 619)
It is also important to understand the concept of terms like serving Guru - Guru ki Sewa and Guru Ki Tehal . Our guru is Shabad and therefore, his service translates to reading , reflecting and adhering to teachings of SGGS.
The equation of getting Gurparsad seems to be:
Prayer + Efforts + Respectful obedience + Loving devotion + Patience + Poise + Loving immersion + Faith = Guru’s Blessings
ਅਰਦਾਸ + ਉੁਦਮ + ਭਉੁ + ਭਾਉੁ + ਸਹਜ + ਲਿਵ + ਭਰੋਸਾ = ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
The sign of someone getting Guru’s Blessings is fountain of bliss emerging in the being and removal of all anxieties, fears and worries. This is foundation of Naam enshrinement in mind and beginning of the process of enlightenment.
ਮਿਲਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਭੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਗਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੀਆ ਏਕਸੁ ਸਿਉੁ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥Meeting the True Guru, all my sufferings have ended, and the Peace of the Lord has come to dwell within my mind.
The Divine Light illuminates my inner being, and I am lovingly absorbed in the One. (Ang 46)
I will close this article with the request to Sikhnet Sangat for sharing their insights on the subject so that we are able to build a common understanding.
You will enjoy reading this assurance of Guru Arjan Dev;
ਗੁਰਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੂਕੇ ਕਾਸਟ ਹਰਿਆ ॥
By Guru's Grace, the supreme status is obtained, and the dry wood blossoms forth again in lush greenery. ||1||Pause|| (Ang 10)
