Firewalls in Gurbani
Covid-19 viral pandemic has affected all nations of the world and has caused severe material, financial and life damages.
Virus is a miniscule particle which can cause big damage to the system. The extent of damage depends upon strength of virus versus ability of system to fight it. In computer technology parlance we have programs like firewall softwares which protect the system against viruses.
Gurbani provides similar firewalls against contagion. Guru Arjan’s Dev tells us that ‘Shabad‘ is our protector and acts as a firewall against all viral attacks.
The Word of the Guru's Shabad is my Saving Grace.
It is a guardian posted on all four sides around me.
My mind is attached to the Lord's Name.
The Messenger of Death has run away in shame. ||1||The Perfect Lord, the Architect of Destiny, has shattered my bonds, and made my mind immaculately pure. ||Pause||
O Nanak, God is eternal and imperishable.
Service to Him shall never go unrewarded.
Your slaves are in bliss;
chanting and meditating, their desires are fulfilled. ||2||4||68||
Guru Arjan’s Dev assures that no entity can harm us if we come under sanctuary of Supreme Lord God and we will never become sorrowful. Guru ji says that if we stay attuned to cosmic wisdom and are in remembrance of Waheguru always, we will have 24 hours protection from all enemies. Guru ji writes:
ਤਾਤੀ ਵਾਉੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥
ਚਉੁਗਿਰਦ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਰਾਮ ਕਾਰ ਦੁਖੁ ਲਗੈ ਨ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਬਣਤ ਬਣਾਈ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਉੁਖਧੁ ਦੀਆ ਏਕਾ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥ ਰਹਾਉੁ ॥
ਰਾਖਿ ਲੀਏ ਤਿਨਿ ਰਖਨਹਾਰਿ ਸਭ ਬਿਆਧਿ ਮਿਟਾਈ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਭਈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਏ ਸਹਾਈ ॥ ਅੰਗ ੮੧੯The hot wind does not even touch one who is under the Protection of the Supreme Lord God.
On all four sides I am surrounded by the Lord's Circle of Protection; pain does not afflict me, O Siblings of Destiny. ||1||
I have met the Perfect True Guru, who has done this deed.
He has given me the medicine of the Lord's Name, and I enshrine love for the One Lord. ||1||Pause||
The Savior Lord has saved me, and eradicated all my sickness.
Says Nanak, God has showered me with His Mercy; He has become my help and support. ||2||15||79||
In case virus does enter our bodies, Guru ji assures that for his sewaks, Waheguru himself is physician and gives ‘Naam’ medicine curing of any ailment that one may contract. He explains:
He dispels the pains of countless incarnations, and lends support to the dry and shrivelled mind.
Beholding the Blessed Vision of His Darshan, one is enraptured, contemplating the Name of the Lord. ||1||
My physician is the Guru, the Lord of the Universe.
He places the medicine of the Naam into my mouth, and cuts away the noose of Death. ||1||Pause||
He is the all-powerful, Perfect Lord, the Architect of Destiny; He Himself is the Doer of deeds.
The Lord Himself saves His slave; Nanak takes the Support of the Naam. ||2||6||34||
Guru Amardas’ Shabad praying to Akal Purakh to save his beings in this pandemic in following Shabad. He says that we should pray to Almighty to grant us intellect to reflect on his ‘Shabad’.
The world is going up in flames - shower it with Your Mercy, and save it!
Save it, and deliver it, by whatever method it takes.
The True Guru has shown the way to peace, contemplating the True Word of the Shabad.
Nanak knows no other than the Lord, the Forgiving Lord. ||1||
There are many healing shards in SGGS reciting which one gets cured. Few of them are:
Worship and adore the Lord, Har, Har, Har, and you shall be free of disease.
This is the Lord's healing rod, which eradicates all disease. ||1||Pause||
Meditating on the Lord, through the Perfect Guru, he constantly enjoys pleasure.
I am devoted to the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; I have been united with my Lord. ||1||
Contemplating Him, peace is obtained, and separation is ended.
Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God, the All-powerful Creator, the Cause of causes. ||2||34||64||
The Beej Mantra, the Seed Mantra, is spiritual wisdom for everyone.
Anyone, from any class, may chant the Naam.
Whoever chants it, is emancipated.
And yet, rare are those who attain it, in the Company of the Holy.
By His Grace, He enshrines it within.
Even beasts, ghosts and the stone-hearted are saved.
The Naam is the panacea, the remedy to cure all ills.
Singing the Glory of God is the embodiment of bliss and emancipation.
It cannot be obtained by any religious rituals.
O Nanak, he alone obtains it, whose karma is so pre-ordained. ||5||
Gurbani provides support to our minds and helps in staying stable during these times. We should take help of our Guru and build firewall, ‘Naam’ aura around us which provides protection. I am taking good diet / vitamins and taking all advised precautions which along with protection of ‘Shabad Guru’ keeps my mind in good stead and without any worries or fears.
We will explore in subsequent articles concept of Naam and it’s different dimensions as explained in Gurbani.--
Maninder Sood
