Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru ji ki Fatih!

Once, the “Vanjara” roamed the streets and villages of South Asia, their melodic songs filling the air as they traded women’s cosmetics. Carrying vibrant wares and heart-wrenching tunes, these travelers are no longer part of our daily lives, but their legacy lingers. Their songs, rich with emotion and longing, have become a genre of folk poetry that continues to resonate.

In Sikhi, the Vanjara symbolizes something far more significant than material trade. They reflect the journey of every being—born into this world as a trader, destined to seek union with IkOankar, the Eternal One. Our trade is not in goods but in Nam—the sacred act of identifying with and contemplating the Eternal. Our guide in this sacred pursuit is the Guru, the embodiment of Wisdom, who connects us to the Eternal and lights our way.

A Divine Invitation

Guru Ramdas Sahib’s stirring words in the sixth stanza of the Vanjara composition capture the essence of this journey: Meditate upon Hari, the 1-Light, the IkOankar, with each breath, with each morsel. Love for Hari has developed in the minds of those Wisdom-centered beings for whom the Nam of Hari has become the way of life.

These words are not merely a call to action—they are an invitation to transform. They remind us that connection with the Eternal One, the IkOankar, is not confined to moments of crisis or the twilight of life. It is here, now, with every breath and morsel we consume.

Imagine this: just as hunger compels us to nourish our bodies, could we cultivate an inner longing to nourish our spirit? Could remembrance of the One become as instinctive and involuntary as breathing? The Wisdom-Guru assures us it can. When we practice this remembrance, something extraordinary happens—our connection with the Eternal becomes unbroken. It transforms, fills, and sustains us in ways no material wealth ever could.

Becoming Radiant Traders

The Wisdom-Guru calls out to us, the roving traders of this world: O trader friend! Those in whose fortunes it has been written from the court of IkOankar enter the company of the virtuous beings, embrace the Wisdom, and become Wisdom-oriented.

This is not a message of resignation to fate but a profound encouragement. We are told that we can cultivate devotion, humility, and love. When we do, the Wisdom-Guru plants Nam within us, illuminating our being from within. This is the actual trade that transcends the fleeting and connects us to the Infinite.

Those who engage in this sacred trade shine brightly in the court of IkOankar, which encompasses all creation. Their radiance comes not from external accolades but from a deep, abiding sense of connection with the Eternal. They are beings of remembrance and service, guided by devotion and humility.

The Journey Awaits

We are all traders on this journey, wandering through life, seeking meaning. Too often, we trade in distractions, attachments, and fleeting pleasures, unaware of the wealth waiting within us. Yet the Wisdom-Guru shows us another way—a path filled with hope, love, and possibility.

To trade in Nam is to trade in eternity. It begins with small, intentional acts: remembering the Eternal with every breath, honoring the Eternal with every bite, and cultivating a relationship with the Wisdom-Guru that guides us. Over time, this practice transforms us. It aligns our thoughts, words, and actions with the rhythm of the Eternal.

This is not merely a command; it is a heartfelt invitation. The Wisdom-Guru sees the potential within each of us and calls us to step into it. Will we accept? Will we dare to leave behind the mundane world and embark on the sacred trade of Nam?

We pause.

May we remember, with each breath we take,
May we trade in love, that we might awake.
May devotion guide and connection bind,
Illuminated by the Wisdom-Guru, in heart and mind.

Radiant traders, in IkOankar’s embrace,
Finding the Eternal in each moment, each space.
The journey beckons, its call so deep—
Will we awaken or choose to sleep?

May the Wisdom-Guru be with us!