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Without Nam Life is Pointless

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ॥

Monday
,
10
April
2017

Without Nam Life is Pointless

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ॥

Monday
,
10
April
2017
Sabad of the Week
Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Ramdas
Rag Jaitsari
⟵ Back to articles

Without Nam Life is Pointless

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ॥

Monday
,
10
April
2017

In the poignant rag of Jaitsari, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad unfolds as a heartfelt expression of dependence and an intense yearning for the divine presence.

In the poignant rag of Jaitsari, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad unfolds as a heartfelt expression of dependence and an intense yearning for the divine presence. Jaitsari is an ancient rag that weaves a musical tapestry that mirrors the emotional depth of the verses, conveying the overwhelming sense of not being able to live without the Divine.


The Sabad commences with a vivid image—the touch of the Guru's hand on the devotee's forehead, a profound moment when the jewel-like Nam of the All-Pervasive comes to reside in the heart. This transformative act, facilitated by the Guru's gift of Nam, is described as a remedy for the deepest pains and debts accrued over many lifetimes. 


The subsequent verse centers on the recitation of Charmer-Divine's Nam by the mind, emphasizing its role as the source of all wealth. Guru Ramdas Sahib underscores the importance of this divine connection, stating that life is rendered pointless without Nam. This reflection contemplates the significance of spiritual wealth and the emptiness that prevails in the absence of divine remembrance.


The Sabad then contrasts the fate of those without the Guru, describing them as self-centered and foolish, trapped in illusion and leading lives devoid of purpose. In stark contrast, those who serve at the feet of the Goodness-Guru find purpose, becoming the Master's own and experiencing the fruitfulness of life.


The concluding verses express a profound plea for divine grace, seeking to be the votary of the votaries of the Divine. Guru Ramdas Sahib acknowledges the human condition as one marked by blindness and lack of wisdom, seeking the Guru's guidance to walk the path of harmony.

When Guru’s hand was placed on my forehead,
All-Pervasive’s jewel-like Nam¹ came to reside in my heart.
Through Guru’s gift of Nam, many lifetimes
of evilest pain and debt were removed.  1.

My mind recites Charmer-Divine’s Nam, the source of all wealth.
Perfect Guru instilled All-Pervasive’s Nam—without Nam, life is pointless.  Reflect.

Without Guru, the self-centered are foolish,
Every day, remain trapped in illusion.
Never serving at the feet of Goodness,
Entire lives become worthless.  2.

Those serving at the feet-base of Goodness-Guru
become Master’s own, and lives become fruitful.
O Master of the Universe, All-Pervasive, grace me
to be the votary of the votary of Your votaries.  3.

We are blind, wisdomless, unwise… How can we walk the Path?
O Guru, grant us the blind ones,
Your hem so commoner Nanak
may walk in harmony.  4.

1. Divine Identification

     Guru Ramdas Sahib in Rag Jaitsari  | Guru Granth Sahib 696
ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਚਉਪਦੇ
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ॥
ਮੇਰੈ ਹੀਅਰੈ ਰਤਨੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਬਸਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਹਾਥੁ ਧਰਿਓ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਾਥਾ ॥
ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਦੁਖ ਉਤਰੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੀਓ ਰਿਨੁ ਲਾਥਾ ॥੧॥

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਭਜੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਭਿ ਅਰਥਾ ॥
ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੂੜ ਭਏ ਹੈ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਮੋਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਨਿਤ ਫਾਥਾ॥
ਤਿਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਨ ਸੇਵੇ ਕਬਹੂ ਤਿਨ ਸਭੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਕਾਥਾ ॥੨॥

ਜਿਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਸਾਧ ਪਗ ਸੇਵੇ ਤਿਨ ਸਫਲਿਓ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਨਾਥਾ॥
ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕੀਜੈ ਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਸਨ ਕੋ ਹਰਿ ਦਇਆ ਧਾਰਿ ਜਗੰਨਾਥਾ ॥੩॥

ਹਮ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਗਿਆਨਹੀਨ ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਿਉ ਚਾਲਹ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੰਥਾ ॥
ਹਮ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਕਉ ਗੁਰ ਅੰਚਲੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਲਹ ਮਿਲੰਥਾ ॥੪॥੧॥

About Sabad of the Week

We are finite; our understanding is finite. Our understanding was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

Revised:

This Content has been made available for educational purposes only. SikhRI does not make any representation concerning the completeness of the Content. This Content is not intended to substitute research or a deeper understanding of the topic. SikhRI encourages readers to read multiple authors to gain a complete understanding of the topic.

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Written By

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

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Creative Director

Inni Kaur is Creative Director at the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI). She has served SikhRI in several capacities since 2010, including Chair of the Board, and most recently as CEO. 

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