Ang-901 — Chapter 14
Some pass their lives with their mothers, fathers and children.
Some pass their lives in power, estates and trade.
The Saints pass their lives with the support of the Lord's Name. ||1||
The world is the creation of the True Lord.
He alone is the Master of all. ||1||Pause||
Some pass their lives in arguments and debates about scriptures.
Some pass their lives tasting flavors.
Some pass their lives attached to women.
The Saints are absorbed only in the Name of the Lord. ||2||
Some pass their lives gambling.
Some pass their lives getting drunk.
Some pass their lives stealing the property of others.
The humble servants of the Lord pass their lives meditating on the Naam. ||3||
Some pass their lives in Yoga, strict meditation, worship and adoration.
Some, in sickness, sorrow and doubt.
Some pass their lives practicing control of the breath.
The Saints pass their lives singing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises. ||4||
Some pass their lives walking day and night.
Some pass their lives on the fields of battle.
Some pass their lives teaching children.
The Saints pass their lives singing the Lord's Praise. ||5||
Some pass their lives as actors, acting and dancing.
Some pass their lives taking the lives of others.
Some pass their lives ruling by intimidation.
The Saints pass their lives chanting the Lord's Praises. ||6||
Some pass their lives counseling and giving advice.
Some pass their lives forced to serve others.
Some pass their lives exploring life's mysteries.
The Saints pass their lives drinking in the sublime essence of the Lord. ||7||
As the Lord attaches us, so we are attached.
No one is foolish, and no one is wise.
Nanak is a sacrifice, a sacrifice to those who are blessed
By His Grace to receive His Name. ||8||3||
Raamkalee, Fifth Mehl:
Even in a forest fire, some trees remain green.
The infant is released from the pain of the mother's womb.
Meditating in remembrance on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, fear is dispelled.
Just so, the Sovereign Lord protects and saves the Saints. ||1||
Such is the Merciful Lord, my Protector.
Wherever I look, I see You cherishing and nurturing. ||1||Pause||
As thirst is quenched by drinking water;
as the bride blossoms forth when her husband comes home;
as wealth is the support of the greedy person
- just so, the humble servant of the Lord loves the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. ||2||
As the farmer protects his fields;
as the mother and father show compassion to their child;
as the lover merges on seeing the beloved;
just so does the Lord hug His humble servant close in His Embrace. ||3||
As the blind man is in ecstasy, when he can see again;
and the mute, when he is able to speak and sing songs;
and the cripple, being able to climb over the mountain
- just so, the Name of the Lord saves all. ||4||
As cold is dispelled by fire,
sins are driven out in the Society of the Saints.
As cloth is cleaned by soap,
just so, by chanting the Naam, all doubts and fears are dispelled. ||5||
As the chakvi bird longs for the sun,
as the rainbird thirsts for the rain drop,
as the deer's ears are attuned to the sound of the bell,
the Lord's Name is pleasing to the mind of the Lord's humble servant. ||6||
✦ Connected Across Traditions
The Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Hadith (An-Nawawi 13)
“None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
Leviticus 19:18
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mahabharata 5.1517
“One should never do to another what one regards as injurious to oneself.”
Divine Compassion & Mercy
Quran 1:1
“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
Psalm 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Luke 6:36
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Snp 1.8
“As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child, even so should one cultivate a limitless heart with regard to all beings.”
Humility & Surrender
Bhagavad Gita 18:66
“Abandon all varieties of dharma and simply surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.”
Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Tao Te Ching 22
“If you want to become whole, let yourself be partial. If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.”
Quran 2:45
“Seek help through patience and prayer. It is indeed exacting, but not for those who are humble.”