Gurbani provides us very good perspectives in understanding and dealing with ongoing Pandemic conditions.
First and foremost, IkOnkar ੴ teaches us that the world is created, preserved and destroyed by One cosmic energy - referred to as Waheguru in SGGS.
Guru Sahib tells us that Waheguru is all pervading - present Every where and in Everyone. In Sargun form, Waheguru is present in all living beings, vegetation, nature (hills , rivers etc.). In Nirgun form, Waheguru is the energy which drives our five senses and also all activities of nature - flow of rivers, circulation of air, growth of vegetation etc. Following four Shabads highlight the all encompassing nature of Waheguru :
- ਜਾਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਜਾਤਾ ਅਕਲ ਕਲਾ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਆ ॥ "Your Light is in Your creatures, and Your creatures are in Your Light; Your almighty power is pervading everywhere."
- ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥ "The Creation is in the Creator, and the Creator is in the Creation, totally pervading and permeating all places."
- ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ॥ "God is everything, God is everything. Without God, there is nothing at all."
- ਸਰਬ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਸਦਾ ਅਲੇਪਾ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇਓ ॥ "The Lord is pervading everywhere, permeating all, and yet, He is unattached from all."
On reflection of above Shabads , we can infer that Pandemic is also part of larger play and Waheguru ji is rearranging the world order. Waheguru seems to be giving us following three messages ;
1. Realise the real purpose of life - connecting with Waheguru is the real objective of human life.
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
This human body has been given to you.
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.
2. Realise the Oneness of the world and create more interdependent place to live joyfully with everyone. Waheguru is giving us very clear message of giving up exploitation and selfish ways of living and take up more compassionate and love full means.
3. Realise that nothing is permanent in this world. No amount of structures and arrangements in the world order will stay forever. Everything is subject to cosmic will. Live in present - Here and Now.
Our daily Nitnem Baani - Jaap Sahib explains the nature and qualities of Waheguru which can help us in understanding and dealing with current situation. Following three stanzas are very useful in building our comprehension and action plan.
Stanza 20
ਨਮੋ ਸਰਬ ਖਾਪੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਸਰਬ ਥਾਪੇ ॥
ਨਮੋ ਸਰਬ ਕਾਲੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਸਰਬ ਪਾਲੇ ॥
You are the creator and destroyer of everyone and everything.
You are the preserver and cause of death of everyone and everything.
I bow to you.
Stanza 23
ਨਮੋ ਕਾਲ ਕਾਲੇ ॥ ਨਮਸਤੱਸਤੁ ਦਯਾਲੇ ॥
ਨਮਸਤੰ ਅਬਰਨੇ ॥ ਨਮਸਤੰ ਅਮਰਨੇ ॥
You are very kind and the destroyer of death.
You are yourself deathless and eternal.
I bow to you.
Stanzas 55/56
ਨਮੋ ਰੋਗ ਹਰਤਾ ਨਮੋ ਰਾਗ ਰੂਪੇ ॥
ਨਮੋ ਰੋਗ ਰੋਗੇ ਨਮਸਤੰ ਇਸਨਾਨੰ ॥
You are magnanimous and healer of all ailments.
You are curer of all diseases and we can tap to your healing power.
I bow to you.
Guru Sahib in same Baani concludes that Waheguru destroys all fears, worries, sadness and hard times; and that He is merciful and always resides within us.
I am finding following activities very useful
- Connecting with Waheguru ji early morning through Simran and Nitnem Baanis.
- Reflection on Jaap Sahib and joyfully reading it few times daily is helping in understanding and empowering the mind.
- Mindfully being in Chardikala always and replacing emotions of fear with faith using daily Hukamnama and uplifting Gurbani Shabads.
I will encourage Sikhnet sangat to use these times as an opportunity to further strengthen faith in Kartapurakh and make efforts in making a more equitable and compassionate world.
May you come in sanctuary of Waheguru and stay blessed.
- Maninder Sood. 2nd May 2021, Gurgaon
