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The Unstruck Melody:
The Way Of The Sikh -
Letter & Spirit # 49

YUKTANAND SINGH

 

 

 





Translated from ‘Gurmukh Sikhia’ by Bhai Vir Singh

Part XXVIII-C … Conclusion



We had started this series with translations of the audio-recording excerpts taken from the second half of Bhai Sahib's book, 'Gurmukh Sikhia'. But later, midway, after downloading the book in its text form, I decided to also include the portions that were not in those recordings.

In conclusion of the series, here are the notes from the book, dated March 15 to 18, 1957
:

 

These days Bhai Sahib had become quite feeble. He did not talk much. The doctors wanted him to rest as much as possible.

He would come out of his room in the evening and sit in the drawing room. He would take some tea or milk as we surrounded him, sitting close to him.

His face was blooming, elated as always. Sometimes he would crack a joke, and exchange words, but for a very short time. Every few moments he would be reciting a different line from gurbani.

Sometimes, in praise of Guru Nanak, he would say, "The Lord himself wielded his power and entered the world" [GGS:1395.6].

At other times he would utter, "Keep me with you forever, O Lord" [GGS:828.16]

Or, "O Lord, please forgive your slave now, in this life, so that he may not have to return again to this terrifying world-ocean" [GGS:1104.11].

Here are some of his words as noted from those final days:

The world is a dream. Only naam is real.

Waheguru's simran bears all the rewards.

Do not be like the Singh Sabha fellows who refuse to believe in the presence of 'Anhad Shabad' (the unstruck melody). It is a fruit of simran, but it is not heard in the ears.

"You then subdue the five demons and slay death, the torturer. They, whom you have pre-ordained such karam, are engaged in the Lord’s naam. Says Nanak, they find peace; the unstruck melodies are heard in their home" [GGS:917.13].

When the five vices are brought under control, one then attains the state where the unstruck melody can be heard.

But on the Radha Swami path, even the evildoers can start hearing the 'anhad' after a couple days. That is not the same as the 'anhad' of gurmat.

There are many treasures in Waheguru's court, and the 'anhad' is one of these treasures. But our goal is to meet Him. We want to forge friendship with Him, and pay scant attention to what or who is present in His court.

Waheguru has everything. Our aim, on the other hand, is to give up everything and seek only to meet with Waheguru.

Simran is the path to meet Waheguru. Someone who is mindful of Waheguru is with Waheguru. Such a being obtains everything.

We must not be anxious to hear the 'anhad'.  If Waheguru desires so, then it is okay to hear it. If He does not, then, that is also perfectly acceptable.

You must continue to study gurbani. It will guide you. I did not write anything new. I have only interpreted the Guru Sahiban's intent. If I was  correct, it was His mercy. If I was wrong, then may Waheguru forgive me.

The matter is very simple: We must keep Waheguru in our attention.

"Do not let me forget you, O great giver - please bless me with your naam. May I sing your glorious praises day and night - O Nanak, this is my heart-felt desire" [GGS:762.3].

"You are eternal truth, the home of excellence, forever, the primal Supreme Being. WaheGuru, WaheGuru, WaheGuru, Wah-e Jee-o" [GGS:1402.14].

*   *   *   *   *

At about 4.15 in the evening, on June 10, 1957, Bhai Sahib left for the lap of SatGuru.

This is how this beautiful, delicate and sweet soul …

"decorated as a gurmukh,
A most fortunate being,
The gurmukh kept serving …
Perfectly … all the way
" [From 'Raana Surat Singh,' by Bhai Vir Singh].


March 3, 2015

Conversation about this article

1: Inni Kaur (Fairfield, Connecticut, USA), March 03, 2015, 11:55 AM.

Thank you for sharing this. It means the world to me. He was Bhai Vir Singh when I approached his books. Gradually he became Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh. And now, he is my Pita ji.

2: Harsaran Singh (Indonesia), March 04, 2015, 11:21 AM.

Bhai Vir Singh ji spent many of his summers in the lush meadows of Gulmarg in Kashmir where one of his close friends, my grandfather, S. Bhagat Singh hosted him. Many of his compositions, including 'Avantipur de Khundder' are said to have been done during these summer breaks. Bhai Sahib is now an integral part of Sikh history and lore and we have to ensure that our younger generations reads his books, all of which have now been translated into many languages.

3: Baldev Singh  (Bradford, United Kingdom), March 04, 2015, 7:29 PM.

We should all strive to the role model that Bhai Vir Singh ji was by always exalting Guru Nanak at every opportunity because the world needs gurmat more than ever.

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The Way Of The Sikh -
Letter & Spirit # 49"









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