Guru Har Rai and Bani
We already know a little about Guru Har Rai ji, he helped animals, he grew fruit trees, he opened hospitals and grew herbs for healing. We know that he loved nature and taught us to have gentle hearts. Let's get to know the Guru more.
Sit up straight. Let's close our eyes and sing together:
Ik Ongkar SatiNam Karta Purkh Nirbao Nirvai Akal Moorat Ajooni Saibhang GurPrasaad Jap Aad Sach Jugaad Sach Hai Bhi Sach Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach
How do you feel now? Did you understand what we just sang? What is the meaning of the Mool Mantra that we just sang? If you didn't understand everything, that's ok. We always keep learning and understanding more about the Guru's teachings, but it's ok that we don't understand everything.
One time someone asked Guru Har Rai a question about this. They asked, “Guru ji, may I ask a question?” Of course the Guru lovingly allowed the question, "We always sing so much Gurbani. Sometimes we don't understand what we are singing. Is there any use in singing these holy words when we don't know what they mean?”
Guru ji didn't answer at that moment, he just smiled and waited till he could teach by showing. Rather than just preaching to us, Guru ji always teaches us through experience.
Do you know what he did?
He waited a few days until everyone was riding somewhere together on their horses. Guru ji had them all stop and asked, “Do you see that pot over there?” “Yes, my Guru, that broken pot on the ground? Yes I see it!" “Go bring a piece of the pot.” One of the Sikhs brought a piece of the clay pot over. The pot used to have butter in it, ghee actually. It had been laying in the sun and the ghee had melted into the sides of the pot. The shiny ghee left a streak down the inside of the piece.
Guru ji explained, “This is what happens when we sing Gurbani.” The Sikhs wondered what he meant by that. He continued, “Even when we don't understand Gurbani... when we sing it with devotion... it still sticks to our hearts, just as the ghee stuck to this pot." They began to understand why he had them bring the greasy piece of pot over, "Someday the sunlight of knowledge will come to our minds and then, just like this ghee, it will melt... and the Gurbani in our hearts will turn to wisdom."
Guru ji showed them the great benefit of Gurbani, "Even if we don't understand it, Gurbani is the seed of our liberation.”
What an amazing message from the Guru! See how the Guru teaches us in such simple ways!
Dhan Siri Guru Har Rai Sahib ji. May we see you in our minds eye, may we feel you in our hearts heart! Time to merge with the Guru! Open your voice and let's sing again!
Ik Ongkar SatiNam Karta Purkh Nirbao Nirvai Akal Moorat Ajooni Saibhang GurPrasaad Jap Aad Sach Jugaad Sach Hai Bhi Sach Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach
Merge with the Guru and create paradise on earth! Sing for all the plants! Sing for all the animals! Sing for all beings! Sing for peace and healing! Sing for the sake of love!
This story was originally published on March 14th 2012.