LIFE LIGHT DAY - Diwali Kee Raat (Night)
by Jasbir Singh, Architect
Every Year on Diwali Day, we often hear:
Tareh jaat snaat amber bhalian.
Phullan dee bagatt cun chun chalian.
Teerath jati Jaat naein nihalian.
Har chaundharee jhaat vasai uchaleon.
GURMUKH sukh faldaat SHABAD samalian.
Bhai Gurdass Ji di Vaar
We make it mean that Guru is asking to light Diyas on this Diwali night. There is no mention of 'Patakas'-crackers but we have added them liberally. We never READ Lines Correctly lest MESSAGE UNDERSTOOD. Presently almost everyone has Guru Granth Sahib Shabads with English/ Gurmukhi/ Hindi translation in their mobile phones. Please utilize to understand the meaning or message.
When I heard this Vaar today by Bhai Gurdas, my hunch said that Gurbani has Great Wisdom and there is a deep advice & message in these lines. I thought to explore and understand. Below is the True the message.
The lamps of the night of Divali eventually burn out.
The stars of the night sky stop sparkling when dawn comes.
The beauty of the orchard disappears as the flowers are picked.
The gaiety of the place of pilgrimage dies when the crowds leave.
Life- even as bestowed by God- is temporary; settled and then destructed.
Yet, the Gurmukh is blessed with the fruit of permanent joy through his
Immersion in the Shabad.
The meaning therefore is:
A Gurmukh seeks bliss from the Shabad. The joy that comes from the Shabad is not temporary as the lamps that burn on Divali night, the star-lit night skies, and the beautiful sights of the blooming orchard, the joyous atmosphere of the places of pilgrimages or of human life itself.
There is no Sikh spiritual activity that resolves around the Diva (lamp) other than for physical light. Gurbanee discounts any and all Diva related rituals. In fact Gurbanee discards physical diva-related ritual and instead gives inner spiritual context to the lamp. Ramkali Raag Ang 878
Shape your lamp on the wheel of good actions.
In this world and in the next, this lamp shall be with you.
Within the heart, this lamp is permanently lit.
It is not extinguished by water or wind.
Such a lamp will carry you across the water.
Wind does not shake it, or put it out. Its light reveals the Divine Throne.
The Khatrees, Brahmins, Soodras and Vaishyas cannot find its value,
even by thousands of calculations.
If any of them lights such a lamp, O Nanak, he is emancipated.
Gurbanee accords similar treatment to another practice involving the Diva namely the aartee.
Physical aartee as a ritual is discouraged and Gurbanee provides inner spiritual context to aartee in the shabad Gagan Mei Thaal Rav Chand Deepak Baney (Dhanasree First Guru).
Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps.
The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.
The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan.
All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord.
What a beautiful Aartee, lamp-lit worship service this is!
O Destroyer of Fear, this is Your Ceremony of Light.
On this day, (today) In the spirit of Light dispels Darkness.
We don't have to light candles, diyas or use strings of electric bulb light to celebrate this day!
This is a thing of past. Our places are already lighted.
Let us Declare NOW as A LIFE Light Day
Let us dispel our own Ignorance=darkness and be FREE.
(Bandi Chorr of wrong doings) Do good and take away evil actions.
Do not do crackers: Many lives are lost making crackers,
several children loose eyes and get face burns every year.
Money wasted. Pollution Created.
SPEND for LIFE - Feed more HUNGARY on THIS DAY
GIFT EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL to Poor CHILDREN.
SAVE ENERGY TO LIGHT - Where THERE IS NO POWER.
Sikhi is a simplified-practical-perfect-way of life.
Guru Granth teaches delightful living.
(Good+Happy) Good for today better for tomorrow.
Follow it.
Relevant References:
sabad deepak vartai tihu lo-ay. jo chaakhai so nirmal ho-ay.
The Word of the Shabad is a lamp, illuminating the three worlds.
One who tastes it, becomes immaculate. ~ SGGS Ang 664
ਅੰਧਕਾਰੁ ਮਿਟਿਓ ਤਿਹ ਤਨ ਤੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਾ॥
The darkness of ignorance is dispelled from the body, where the lamp of wisdom is lit through the Guru’s Word.
– Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, ~ 208
ਚੰਦੋ ਦੀਪਾਇਆ ਦਾਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਦੁਖ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਉਠਿ ਗਇਆ॥
The darkness of suffering is taken away, where the (moon of) wisdom glows through the kindness of the Divine.
- Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, ~ SGGS Ang 765
dookh aňdheraa ghar te mitio. gur giaan driṛaaio deep balio.
The lamp of wisdom is lit and the darkness of suffering departs from the home (mind) where the Guru implants spiritual wisdom.
- Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, ~ SGGS Ang 241
ਊਤਮੁ ਦੀਅਰਾ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਬਾਤੀ ॥
Ūṯam ḏī▫arā nirmal bāṯī.
Sublime is the lamp, and pure is the wick. ~ SGGS Ang 695
ਤਤੁ ਤੇਲੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਕੀਆ ਬਾਤੀ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਦੇਹ ਉਜ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਰਾ ॥
Ŧaṯ ṯel nām kī▫ā bāṯī ḏīpak ḏeh uj▫yārā.
With the oil of knowledge about the essence of reality, and the wick of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, this lamp illuminates my body. ~ Kabir ji SGGS Ang 1350
ਦੀਪਕੁ ਬਾਂਧਿ ਧਰਿਓ ਬਿਨੁ ਤੇਲ ॥
Ḏīpak bāʼnḏẖ ḏẖari▫o bin ṯel.
God has placed His lamp deep within you, which burns without any oil. ~ Kabir ji SGGS Ang 971
ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਰਿ ਦੀਪਕੋ ਇਹ ਸਤ ਕੀ ਸੇਜ ਬਿਛਾਇ ਰੀ ॥
Gur kā sabaḏ kar ḏīpko ih saṯ kī sej bicẖẖā▫e rī.
Make the Word of the Guru's Shabad your lamp, and let your bed be Truth. ~ SGGS Ang 400 M5
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਦੀਜੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨੁ ਦੀਪਾਇਆ ॥੬॥
Amriṯ nām kirpā kar ḏījai gur gi▫ān raṯan ḏīpā▫i▫ā. ||6||
Please be merciful and bless me with Your Ambrosial Naam, and the jewel, the lamp of the Guru's spiritual wisdom. ||6||
~ SGGS Ang 1039
