Epics of Bhai Gurdas!

[nonihal singh]

Epics of Bhai Gurdas

English Adaptation by Pritpal Singh Bindra

Epic One - Wreath of Knowledge

-:One:-

(I) Obeisance to Gurdev (Guru Nanak), (who) endowed He the Celestial True Name of Satnam. By detaching from the mundane ocean, (one) enjoys the essence of redemption.

(When) anxieties of life and death are gone, all doubts, alienation and ailments are eliminated. In doubt the world is drenched, and it is afflicted by the whirl of life and death.

Angel of death hovers over the head as the mischievous egocentric ravages his precious birth. By gaining the touch of Gurdev's feet, the Celestial Word emancipates.

Celebrate the Guru's sacred day with devotional love, and ascertain the realization of God's Creation of Naam, Celestial Ablution and Benefaction.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

-:Two:-

Pristinely, there was neither the body nor the existence, and unawareness could not perceive through darkness and obscurity. The amalgamation of the blood and the semen, created the body and thus studded in it the five elements. The air, water and fire were formulated, and, in the forth place, comradeship of the earth was provided. (In the fifth stage), developed the sky, and absorbed (Himself) as invisible in the sixth stage.

Five elements, with their twenty-five virtues, (both) the friends and the foes, merged to net the body. Initiating (Four Forms of) Living and (Four) Resolves, He perceived the transmigration, And initiated eight million and four hundred thousand beings.

-:Three:-

Prominent is human being among the eight million and four hundred thousands creatures;

(He) is bestowed with the eyes to vision

, voice to attune to the performance, to speak the propitious words, and ears to hear the affections, Hands to toil, and feet to go to the company of true congregationalists, By working through and earning righteously one shares the bounty. That Gurmukh (one who adopts the Guru's way), his birth is worth as he reads, comprehends and makes it known (to others).

The Guru's devotee satiates himself by entailing the nectar, humbly sought (through the touch of the Guru's feet). (One should) abandon not seeking at the Guru's feet as it is the only true and precise path. The Gurmukh emancipates himself and leads others too.

-:Four:-

The Universal Being expounded the concept, and unfolded the Universe.

He instituted the five elements, and with them created three regions.

Although invisible, He remained dynamic, and manifested the nature incarnate.

With His manifestation hundreds of thousands of other natures flourished.

In each bristle of His Being, subsisted there innumerable millions of realms.

And in each realm He personalized tens of incarnations.

He presented numerous Vedas and Vyasa (Rishis), and (bequeathed) myriads of (Semitic) Books, formulated through Mohammed and the compatriots.

Nature was One but colossal was its expansion.

-:Five:-

By establishing four ages, (God) named them Satjug (Golden-age of truth), Treta (Silver-age) and Doaper (Brass-age). In the fourth place (He) founded Kaljug (Iron-age of vice), and put them (all) under four sovereigns of varied castes. Brahmins (priestly class), Kashatriyas (Warriors), Vaishas (agriculture/commercial class) and Shudras (service or low class) reigned in turn. In Satjug, (Brahmin) was incarnated as Hans (Pars-ram) who claimed not to be Creator (Brahma) and raised not any misdemeanour.

(People in that Age) recognised one and only Creator and remained detached from infatuations and illusion, Subsisting on paltry dumplings of vegetation and corn, they practised austerities in the woods. Their ages

ranged through thousands of years and they did not build any palaces and temples. Some perished but some outlived thundering.

-:Six:-

In Treta, the Kashatriyas were incarnated magnanimously in the form of Sooraj Bansi (Sun Clan). The spread of infatuation, illusion and pride resulted in the curtailment of age to one tenth of its size. In Doaper, from the clan of Vaishas, Jadav (Krishana) was embodied, and the span of life further depreciated with the character dilution. In Rig Veda the characteristics of the Brahmans were contrived and they were assigned the task of virtuous contemplation, facing the East. Kashtriyas acquiesced Yajur Veda and, facing the South, became the benefactors of philanthropy. Sam Veda was acceded to by the Vaishas who paid their obeisance towards the West. And (they all) regenerated (themselves) by wearing blue clothes for Rig, yellow clothes for Yajur and white clothes for Sam Vedas.

In three epochs, three theologies were articulated.

-:Seven:-

The fourth enterprise was the Kal-age and this disbursed the Shudra mentality in the universe, Excessive hesitation grew against the actions promulgated by Rig, Yajur and Sam Vedas. Illusion enticed the universe, and the Kal-age deluded everyone.

The hate ascended and the humanity of the world was trapped in the fire of egoism.

None cared to serve, and the mentality of high and low abandoned the honour.

Injustice prevailed the kings, and their courtiers, holding knives, became butchers.

Righteousness of three epochs vanished, and in the fourth age they earned what they contributed. And whole humanity endeavoured in defiled actions.

-:Eight:-

After the deliberation of four Vedas, the Rishi Saints pronounced six Shastras.

Procuring initiation from Brahma, the world intoned to the way (Brahma's) progeny (Sanak, Sandan, Snatan and Kumar) dictated. Numerous lilted and contemplated but rarely some one, out of millions, attained salvation. And strange it might sounds; reading and rumination

did not unfold the mystery. In each epoch, there was only one clan, but why were they in multitude in the Kal-age? Three epochs had been locked away and their narration did not erase the delusion, The way four Vedas had expounded, the escorting Six Shastras resounded as well. And every one reverberated one's own doctrine.

-:Nine:-

With due contemplation ascetic Gautama explicated the sermons from Rig Veda;

As enlightened in Equity Shastra, all means had emanated from the Creator.

All was in the control of the Creator, and none other prevailed.

Both (in the beginning and at the end) the Creator abounded and proved Himself to be unique. None had realized the Supreme Being in the nature but was deluded in fallacy,

Concealing `I am Brahma,' (Gautama) related only the misconception of Creator.

Oh, Gurmukh listen, the Rig Veda specified that, without an iota of duality, He, Himself was (rampant). With Satguru, the True Lord, one got the understanding (whether Gautam was true or the Vedas).

-:Ten:-

Then Saint Jaiman Rishi spoke and pronounced anecdotes of Yajur Veda:

One was accorded with what one's deeds were and the Judgment was counted as per one's physical actions. Destiny, He created in the Universe, and in destiny one came and departed. One did not forsake the apprehension and, in spite of destiny, one remained in fallacy. Destiny was the treatment of the world, but illusion and Creator were misconceived as one (by people). Contemplating on Yajur Veda, (he) amalgamated the fallacy of the delusion with the Creator. The destiny predominated the world, and, bound in destiny, one came and departed. And sans Satguru the doubt was not eliminated.

-:Eleven:-

After deliberating over the Sam Veda, (Rishi) Vyasa expounded the principles of Vedanta.

Apart from exposition through prose and poetry, he himself made known as Brahma, the Creator. (He) got into the vision of no one, and in the ego of illusion disregarded all.

Manoeuvring own worship i

n the world, (he) did not perceive the mystery of devotional reverence. By contemplating Vedas (he) did not obtain the contentment, and sulked in the heat of passion. Retribution of ego was not eliminated, and (he) was inflicted with the punishment from the Angel of Death. Hearing his lamentations, (Rishi) Narad Muni preached, and made him (Vyas Rishi) to discern the benevolence of Bhagwat.

Without seeking (the Guru's) shelter none got deliverance.

-:Twelve:-

Went by the Epoch of Doaper and the Kal-age took the overhead command.

Athrva Veda was established and, O the Gurmukhs, (people) commenced its adoration facing the North. Kapil Rishi perceived and pronounced the Mantras of the Athrva Veda;

Drinking the nectarous knowledge, deliberated over distinction between truth and falsehood, One might try very hard, without knowledge emancipation was not attained,

The actions of the body were all false and iota of them was not retained,

Only through the knowledge contentment was manifested, and the fallacy of birth and death was eliminated. And the enlightened Gurmukh was honourably sanctified.

-:Thirteen:-

After idealising the Atharva Veda, the pious Ascetic Kanad glorified the Vaishekhak Shastra;

As one sowed, so one reaped, and it ripened not till the moment was precise,

In Command was all, and acquiescing to His Command one got cognate absorption,

Nothing happened itself, one should feel neither deft nor inept.

Pronounced Rishi Kanad (in his Shastra); the way one performed, one got remunerated.

But unjustified it was that in the Golden Age of Satyug; one person's fault brought catastrophe for the whole world. One's default was calamitous for the whole town in the Age of Treta, and in the Age of Doaper, it denigrated the whole lineage.

And in the Kal-age, the way one performed, one was remunerated.

-:Fourteen:-

(Rishi) Pantjjali, the reincarnation of the thousand-headed python, enunciated the philosophy of the pious Nag Shastra. Citing A

tharva Veda he expounded, `Without Yoga the fallacy is not exonerated. `Without cleaning the dusty mirror, the face is not visible,

`Yoga is cleaning catalyst, and through it the door of inner soul grasps the intense love.

`And that way the eighteen supernatural-powers and nine treasures bow down to the feet of Gurmukh.' The essence of the Three Ages, (Rishi) Patanjli said, could be conceived in the Kal-age, (Through) Naam, Compassion and Ablution.

-:Fifteen:-

The `body' moved through Ages and, bound in passion, it came and departed;

It rotated and bartered constantly and only a knowledgeable Giani could esteem that.

Due to duality in the mind in Satyug, it rambled around in Treta-age.

And bound through the actions performed in Treta, it was reborn in Doaper.

Sunk in illusion, ego and pride it was re-conceived. It got no deliverance, even going through Three Ages. The body was assumed in the Kal-age and, then, again it became the victim of its deeds. The chance forfeited; the time was regained not.

-:Sixteen:-

Now listen to the mortification of the Kal-age in which the actions become inept.

No refuge is there, without the meditation upon the Lord God and affectionate love.

The clemency achieved in the last Epoch, is earned in this Age.

After gaining the human form if you miss the chance, then, no sanctuary remains there.

As beheld in Atharva Veda, listen to the beneficence of the Kal-age.

Devotional affection is acceptable (in this Age) whereas the (ritualistic) Home and Yajna were the benefits of previous births. Humility in the performance, acquires recognition by the Lord. In the Kal-age Naam is prominent.

-:Seventeen:-

The Epochs turn, then happens what? What way the overturning age behaves?

Hatred surrounds the world, and the vices and corruption sway the Universe.

Various castes abhor each other, and, like bamboo sticks, abrade themselves into cinders.

Vedas criticism is ensued, and in the realm of ignorance, the unders

tanding does not transpires. The Vedas, Holy Granths and Gurus, the means of swimming across the ocean, are abandoned. The understanding does not come, without the True Guru, the incarnated Guru. (That) Guru and the Supreme Soul are one, and are the true sovereigns of the temporal world, And act like the rising sun erasing the darkness.

-:Eighteen:-

The knowledge incarnates in the Kal-age, but it is not visioned.

None prohibits none, and everyone is adhering to ones own mind.

Some consciously meditate upon the slabs, and some revere the cemeteries and graves.

With the mantras, mysticism, swindling, and wrath, and some augment the altercation.

Overwhelmed egocentric is promoting strange ways of righteousness.

Some reflect upon the Sun and the Moon, and some the earth and the sky.

Some ponder over Water and Air, and some the Lord of Righteousness.

Religiously discordant are misguided with misconceptions.

-:Nineteen:-

Subduing the world, the hatred had initiated four Ashrams; the institutions of Brahmins, Kashatriyas, Vaishas and Shudras. The ascetics turned into ten sects, and the Yogis established twelve denominations. The Digambers (Jains), Jangams (a Shivite Sect), and Sarevans (Buddhists) indulged in contentions. With diverse measures, the Brahmins originated hostility among the Vedas and Puranas. To extend mutual animosity, the Six-philosophies spread thirty six deceptions, Denigrated the mantras, mysticism, alchemy and miracles, And transfigured one form into manifolds, and all the forms turned to display the frightfulness. In the Kal-age, the fallacy made one amnesiac.

-:Twenty:-

At the time when there were numerous religions, Mohammed and his four Caliphs (Abubakar, Ummar,Usman, and Ali) were manifested.

Fraternizing seventy two sects, they extended the animosities and adversaries.

(They) introduced the (Mohamadan Festival) of Eids, fasting at Rozas and Five Prayers of Nimaaz, and encased the world in such deeds. Muslim Clergy (Pirs, Paig

ambers, Auliyas, Gauses, and the Sematic Books) was effectuated with multifarious guises.

Demolishing the Idol-dwellings, the Muslim Mosques were erected.

The earth was laden with the vices through the slaughter of guileless cows.

The infidels, atheists, Iranians, Romanians, Yogis and the followers of Darius became inimical to one and other. And the immorality spread its demeanour.

-:Twenty-one:-

In the world, Hindu's created four castes (Brahmins, Kashatriyas, Vaishas and Shudras), and the Muslims originated four religions (Shias, Sunnys, Rafjis and Imasafis).

Hiding under selfishness, jealousy, and ego, they pulled each other down.

The Hindus sought sanctuary in Ganga and Varanasi, and the Muslim sojourned Mecca.

Whereas the Muslims adhered to the circumcision, the Hindus adopted janeyu (the sacred thread) and the tilak (the holy dot). Articulating on Rama (Hindus) and Rahim (Muslims), both forgot the Path of One Naam. Disregarding the Vedas and the Books (Sematic), they were, like the Satan, drenched in the temporal greed. Setting the truth aside, the Brahmins and Maulanas were decimating each other. And were forgetting the cycle of birth and death.

-:Twenty-two:-

Four (contending) faiths descended in four ages, and God, Himself, became the Arbitrator (to remove the contention). Being the writer Himself, He, Himself wrote with His pen and on His tablet;`Without the Guru ignorance predominates, and the people squabble to the death'. Because the wickedness was administering the world day and night, the bullock of righteousness lamented, Being powerless, without compassion, it submerged into the nether region, And then, resting on one foot, felt distressed with the heavy weight of immoralities. Without the saint, none could protect but there seemed no saintly manifestation in the world. Thus the bullock, standing underneath for ever, cried for the righteousness.

-:Twenty-three:-

The benevolent Supreme Being heard the outcry, and personified Guru Na

nak into the world. Ablution of Guru's feet was initiated, and the Sikhs quaffed the nectar (to express their humility). In the Kal-age, the Absolute and Attributive Supreme Being amalgamated into one. The four denominations, resting on four varied substratum, blended into one.

Equating the king and the meagre, the world grasped to bow at the feet to exhibit humility;

And, thus, upturned the stratagem and commenced the obeisance with the head on the feet (of the pious one). Baba Nanak emancipated the world by presenting the incantation of Satnam, the True Name. And thus came Guru Nanak, the emancipator of the world.

-:Twenty-four:-

Initially Baba (Nanak) obtained the generosity of celestial portal, and then he strived for the performance. (For that) he nourished on sand and the (bitter) plants, and the Guru slumbered on the bed of pebbles. Revelling in severe penance, and with great fortune, (Baba) attained the favour of Har, the God. Baba was applauded in the Domain of Truth, bestowed celestial nine treasures and, then, accorded humble living. When Baba looked down diligently, he observed that all the universe was wrapped in the fire (of passion).

And without the Guru, all was in perplexity; outcries of the humanity were audible.

Baba disguised his appearance, initiated a detached style,

And descended to reform the earth.

-:Twenty-five:-

Baba commenced his pilgrimage and went round all of them in the East.

People whiled away (their lives) counting on their actions of the past existence, but, without Devotion, destiny was not blessed. Apparently Brahma, the God, never articulated `love', neither mentioned it in Four Vedas and the Simritis, Although, the whole world was searched; from Satyug to Doaper and Treta. And in the Kal-age ignorant was all over, and (the humanity) was lodged in many kinds of disguises. By disguising, the God was not attained, unless ego was abandoned without retaining the countenance. The Gurmukh could be high or low in status, but

the one with low profile was the real Gurmukh.

And thus his toil was accepted in the celestial dwelling.

-:Twenty-six:-

The chaste and virtuous ones, the ones with longevity, the believers, the saints, Nath Yogis and their disciples, Deities, gods, and Rishi Bhairo and his southern doorkeeper all conspired, The Group of nine divine-eulogists, fairies, mermaids, and priests, all played extensive mimicries.

The demons and their offspring, demi-gods, and hundreds of thousands grieved, internally, with duality. The disciples along with their teachers, all were drowned in the sea of conceit.

No pious person was visible, not even going to the sacred places, Among the Hindus, Turks. saints and prophets and many others. The blind was pushing the blind into the well.

-:Twenty-seven:-

And then, Nanak, the True Guru manifested, the mistiness was erased, the world was enlightened; As with the Sun arising, stars hide and the darkness runs away,

And the way antelopes cannot help running away fast on hearing the lion's roar.

The place, where Baba (Nanak) strode, became the pious seat of worship.

All the places of Yogic posture, secluded (in cocoon) at Matta became to be associated with (Guru) Nanak. Every dwelling became a Dharamsal (the place of righteousness) with abounding eulogies; Baisakhi festival seemed prevalent for ever.

Liberating the four directions, Baba ferried truth to all the nine continents of the earth.

The pious one became apparent in the Kal-age.

-:Twenty-eight-

At whatever the distance they were, Baba foresighted all the nine continents.

Then he proceeded to the Sumer (Hills) and, there, came across a band of Sidhs (the Yogic ascetics), And observed there eighty-four Sidhs of Gorakh in mental entanglement.

`Boy! Which faculty has brought you here?' the Sidhs asked.

(The Guru replied), `It was just the devotional love and contemplation on the Supreme Being.' The Sidh asked, `Oh Young Boy! Listen to us and let us know y

our name.'

Baba said, `(Gorakh) Nath Ji, Name is Nanak and with His Name I've ascended.'

Humility gets (one) to the high domains.

-:Twenty-nine:-

Then again the Sidhs asked, `How is the temporal humanity transpiring?'

All the Sidhs questioned, `Has (Guru) Nanak incarnated in the Kal-age to ferry them across?' Baba said, `Nath Ji! The truth is the moonlight whereas the falsehood is gloomy.

`Deceit is rampant like darkness in the moonless nights, and I am out in the world seeking (the truth). `Universe is eclipsed with the immoralities, and the righteous bullock, trodden under the earth, is imploring. `But the Sidhas are hiding in the valleys, who can liberate the world? `Yogis, devoid of knowledge, are just whiling away all day long smearing their bodies with ashes. `Without the True Guru, universe is drowning.'

-:Thirty:-

`O' my holy ones! People in Kal-age are demeaning like dogs and they are living on other's carrion. `Kings are revelling in denigrations; the fence itself is defacing its sustenance.

`The subject, lacking in knowledge, is blinded; they are versed-in duplicity and cheating.

`Gurus (the teachers) are dancing to the tunes of their disciples, `Servants are settled indoors and the gurus go to them (to teach). `The qazis (the justices), riddled with corruption and taking bribes, are abandoning rightfulness. `Whatever its source may be, the wife and her spouse's love is developing into a monetary affair. `The wickedness is spreading through out the world.'

-:Thirty-one:-

The Sidhs thought in their minds, `How philosophical is this Boy.

`Such a Yogi, in the Kal-age, could enlighten our faith.' Pondering over thus, Nath Ji handed over his jug, and (Guru Nanak) departed to fetch water. At the water place, Baba observed rubies and diamonds lying there instead; Impervious Satguru had ecclesiastic approach which no one could apprehend. Guru (Ji) returned (empty handed and told), `Nath Ji, there

is no water there in that tank.' And through a Hymn, the congregation of the Sidh was won over and the unique faith was expounded. In the Kal-age (Guru) Nanak advanced simple Naam (of Almighty).

-:Thirty-two:-

Then Baba, the Saviour, in blue attire, proceeded to Mecca,

With walking-stick in his hand, the Book (Quran) under his arm, and holding an earthen jug and prayer-mat. He went and postured in the mosque where Hadji had come on pilgrimage. When Baba went to sleep, he spread his feet facing the Sacred Niche.

Jeevan, the priest, hit him with his leg (and murmured), `Who the infidel is that, sleeping in a defiant bearing? `You, the sinner, why are you lying down with your legs pointing towards God,' (Reprimanding thus) dragging the legs around, he altered the direction, but Mecca revolved too, And all there, in wonderment, fell down in reverence.

-:Thirty-three:-

Qazi and Mullahs in unison queried about his religious affinity.

`Great play is performed, and none can fathom His Creation,' (Guru Nanak expounded).

With open Book they asked him, `Great is who, Hindu or Musilman?'

Baba told, `Hadji! Without good deeds both lament, `and get not acceptance in the celestial court, `The way the raw colour of safflower remains not after washing.

`Living in jealousy on the tales of Ram (Hindu) and Rahim (Muslim),

`The world is heading towards Satan's way.'

-:Thirty-four:-

With his sandals assigned there, (Guru Nanak)'s reverence motivated Mecca.

Going world over, no place was found with Baba's name not there.

Baba began to be adored in the dwellings of Hindus and Muslims alike.

Hiding it, it was hidden not; the rising sun illuminated the universe,

Roaring lion, in spite being in a desolate place, made antelopes to fly away,

The ascending moon could not be shrouded, in spite of a fool placing a lid before it,

All the earth, from sun-rise to sun-set, submitted to Baba,

And spread God's quintessence in the wo

rld.

-:Thirty-five:-

(From Mecca) Baba advanced to Baghdad, and installed his quarters outside there.

Baba himself was celestial, and along with him he had Mardana, the rebeck player.

At the time of call for Nimaz, (Baba commenced to hymn the True Name of Satnam) and the whole atmosphere became imperturbable,And the desolation dominating the town, made the priest wonder.

In amazement, he looked around and found there an exalted mendicant.

He inquired of what sect the mendicant was and where had he come from?

(Mardana replied), `(He is) Nanak who has manifested in Kal-age. Refuting the hermits, (he) recognises the only One (Supreme Being). `And all in the Heaven and four directions of the earth have savoured this.'

-:Thirty-six:-

The priest disputed but internally conceded to the divine power of the mendicant;

How, in Baghdad, had he displayed his magnificent phenomenon?

(Guru Nanak then) orated, `Numerous are earths and skies, and the end seemed there not.' Repeated the priest, `Let us behold what you have perceived?'

And (Baba Nanak) took the priest's son, with eyes shut, into heavens above,

In a twinkle, (Guru) illustrated his (boy's) mind with hundreds of thousands nether and upper regions. And re-emerged with goblet full of Parshad (the consecrated sacred food) from the (divine) cauldron. The perceptible spirituality remained not obscured.

-:Thirty-seven:-

He won over the inhabitants of Baghdad and then conquered the hearts of the citizens of Mecca and Madina. He dismantled the Six Philosophies of the eighty four groups of the Sidhs. He over powered thousands of upper and nether regions, and, as well as, the world. The gods, demi-gods, satan, demons, and the scribers of righteousness, all bowed on his feet. Inder (the god of gods) and all his fairies, eulogised his praises.

The bliss prevailed in the world as Nanak, the liberator manifested,

And all, the Hindus and Muslims, paid their obeisance.

-:Thirty-eight:-

r>Then Baba came to Kartarpur and forsook the ascetic guise.

Adopting the householder's attire, and settling (humbly) on a string bed, he bestowed deliverance. Crowning Guru Angad (with Guruship), he reversed the (river) Ganga's flow;

Because the sons, with their defiant and impious minds, had disregarded their potential nurture. With Bani (the Celestial Word), he enlightened, wiping out the darkness of ignorance. Knowledgeable discourses always followed the music from inner soul.

The prayers at dusk and meditation at ambrosial hours dominated.

And saved his pious ones from the ponderous hymns of Atharva Veda.

-:Thirty-nine:-

Hearing about the (Hindu) festival of Shivratri, Baba came to (the town of) Achal Vatala.

All the people, instead (of festival) thronged to have the vision of Baba,

And started to shower him with money, and the nine boons and twelve accomplishments augmented. The phenomenon wrapped Yogis with dreadful malice and jealousy.

The (other) eulogists came and earned by singing but the Yogis hid away their money-bags: In the consciousness of their money, they disremembered their devotional chants.

But Baba, the all knowing, recovered the money-bag, And, seeing this phenomenon, the Yogis became spiteful.

-:Forty:-

In anguish and anger, all the Yogis hurried to the Guru.

Queried Yogi Bhander Nath, `Why have you put solution of salt and mustard in milk,

`Which has spoiled milk and left it not fit for churning to get butter,

`Renouncing the garb of ascetic, why are you promoting the householdership?'

Replied Guru Nanak, `Bhander Nath! Your intelligence has been sluttish'

`You never cleansed the pot and resulted in the decay of the flowers.

`Abdicating householdership and becoming ascetic, you again go to their houses to beg (for subsistence). `But remember, without His bounty nothing is achieved.'

[Simran9]

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