Commentary on Shabad: "Hau Balhaaree Tin Kau Meri Jindurreeye..."

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Raag Bihaagraa - Guru Raam Daas Ji - Ang 539

ਬਿਹਾਗੜਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥
Written in Raag Bihaagra (feeling of extreme sadness and pain, which gives rise to the need to find peace and understanding) by the  4th Guru.

ਹਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ ਕਉ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul, I am a sacrifice unto those, who have the support of the Name of the Lord Master as their support for life.

ਗੁਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਬਿਖੁ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਤਾਰਣਹਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! The Great Sat-Guru, True Guru, has implanted the Name within them; He is the Saviour from the poison-like ocean of life.

ਜਿਨ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਤਿਨ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਜੈਕਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! They, who have single-mindedly remembered God, I acclaim the victory of those holy people.

ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਸਭਿ ਦੂਖ ਨਿਵਾਰਣਹਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ॥੧॥
Nanak says: O my soul! The saints obtained eternal peace by meditating over God, who destroys all distress.

ਸਾ ਰਸਨਾ ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! Blessed, blessed is the tongue which sings the praise of the Lord Master.

ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰਵਨ ਭਲੇ ਸੋਭਨੀਕ ਹਹਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸੁਣਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! Good and praiseworthy are the ears which hear the singing of Kirtan (divine praises).

ਸੋ ਸੀਸੁ ਭਲਾ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਾਵਨੁ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜੋ ਜਾਇ ਲਗੈ ਗੁਰ ਪੈਰੇ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! Good and pure is the head which goes and falls at the Guru's feet.

ਗੁਰ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜਿਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਚਿਤੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ ॥੨॥
O my soul! Nanak is a sacrifice unto the Guru who brings the Lord God's Name into one’s consciousness.

ਤੇ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਭਲੇ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ਹਹਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜੋ ਸਾਧੂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਦੇਖਹਿ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! Good and approaved are the eyes, which see the saintly True Guru.

ਤੇ ਹਸਤ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਹਹਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਲੇਖਹਿ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul!  Sacred and pure are those hands, which write down the Lord's praise and the Lord's Name.

ਤਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਕੇ ਪਗ ਨਿਤ ਪੂਜੀਅਹਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜੋ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਧਰਮ ਚਲੇਸਹਿ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! I ever adore the feet of that person who walks on to the way of righteousness.

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤਿਨ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨੇਸਹਿ ਰਾਮ ॥੩॥
O my soul! Nanak is a sacrifice unto those who hear of God and believe in God's Name.

ਧਰਤਿ ਪਾਤਾਲੁ ਆਕਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਸਭ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! The earth, under-world and sky all meditate on the Lord master's Name.

ਪਉਣੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਨਿਤ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਗਾਵੈ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! The wind, the water and the fire forever sing the praises of Lord God.

ਵਣੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਣੁ ਸਭੁ ਆਕਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ਰਾਮ ॥
O my soul! The woods, the grass blades and the whole visible world utter with their mouth the Lord Master's Name.

ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਿ ਪੈਨ੍ਹਾਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੁੜੀਏ ਜੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਲਾਵੈ ਰਾਮ ॥੪॥੪॥
Nanak says: Those people who fix their mind on the Lord’s devotional service in accordance to the Guru’s teachings are given the robe of honour in God's court.

 

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A Beginner's Guide to the Ardaas - A Contexual Translation (Part 3)

 

The second section of the Ardaas

The following section, typically recited in a congregational setting, captures the spirit and devotion that unite the Sikh nation. These words, passed down through generations in some form or another, draw strength and inspiration from the martyrs, saints, and rich history of the Sikh people.

Paragraph 1

Filled with awe and inspired by the Guru’s beloved Sikhs, we remember the unwavering faith of the Panj Pyaare (the Five Beloved), the bravery of Guru Gobind Singh's sons, the humility of the Chali Mukte (Forty Liberated Ones) who returned to the Guru recognising their mistake, and countless others who walked the path of devotion with unwavering faith – those who meditated, chanted God's name, shared generously, fed the less fortunate, and practiced compassion in defending the oppressed – we fill our hearts with their strength as we chant together: 'Vaheguru.'

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Let the thoughts of the extraordinary faith of Sikh men and women martyrs fill our soul with awe and strength. The brave souls who gave their heads but not their faith, whose bodies were chopped piece by piece but did not flinch, who had their scalps removed but refused to cut their hair braids of divine love, whose bones were crushed but didn’t let their courage be crushed, who were sawn alive but remained complete in the faith, who sacrificed their lives for saving others and protecting the sanctity and respect of Gurdwaras. Inspired by the memory of such blessed souls, we chant together: ‘Vaheguru.’

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Turning your thoughts to remember our rich spiritual heritage – the five takhats (thrones) that manifest the kingship & strength bestowed upon the Sikh nation, & the rich history of all historical gurdwaras, we chant together: ‘Vaheguru.’

Paragraph 4

First the shared prayer of all faithful Sikhs collectively is, that may ‘Vaheguru, Vaheguru, Vaheguru…’ resonate in the consciousness of all Sikhs, bringing inner-peace. May the honour of the Sikh Faithful (Khalsa) be protected wherever they go, and grant them with victory in feeding the hungry and protecting the helpless. Praying for the success of this pathway of divinity and truth, the holy sword of justice forever providing help, and for its universal recognition, we chant: ‘Vaheguru.’

Paragraph 5

Kindly grant to the Sikhs: the gift of faith, the gift of divine love represented in keeping unshorn hair, the gift of commitment represented in following the ordained code of living, the gift of wisdom represented in the ability to discern, the gift of acknowledging the Divine represented in the ability to have trust, the gift of seeking help in the Divine represented in confidence in the Divine, and the biggest gift of all – divine union through connecting with the Sound of the Divine.  Kindly bless them with the opportunity to take a dip in the Holy Tank of Amritsar. May the spiritual routines, flags of Truth & Justice, and buildings of learning continue forever. May righteousness always prevail. Seeking these blessings, we chant: ‘Vaheguru.’

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May all Sikhs have humble hearts, soaring wisdom, and honour protected by You, O Vaheguru!

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May the Sikh Faithful (Khalsa) be granted free access & custodianship of the birthplace of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, Sri Nankana Sahib, and all other Gurdwaras without hindrance from geographical or political constraints.

The closing section of the Ardaas

hey  ne-maaNiyaa  dey  maan.  ne-taaNiyaa dey  taaN.  ne-oh’tiyaa  dee  oh’t,  sachey  pitaa vaa’eh-guroo…
O Eternal Father Vaheguru Ji, Honour of the honourless, Power of the powerless, Shelter of the shelterless….

Note: At this point add your personalised words and speak to Vaheguru Ji and state the reason for the prayer.

naa’nak  naam,  charr’dee-kal’aa. 
tey’rey  bhaa’Ney,  sar’bat  daa  bhal’aa.
By focusing on Naam, the Sound of God, as guided by Guru Nanak, we find lasting optimism and positive spirit. May your blessings shower peace upon all.

vaa'eh-guroo  jee  ka khaal’saa.
vaa'eh-guroo  jee  kee  fateh.
The Pure/purity belongs to Vaheguru, and all achievements belong to Vaheguru!

 

A Beginner's Guide to the Ardaas - A Contexual Translation (Part 2)

The first section of the Ardaas

 ik o’ann-kaar, siree vaahe’guroo jee kee fateh.
The Ultimate One is the source of all, through its Sound expands/creates; all victory is credit to Vaheguru.

 siree bhagau’tee jee sahaa’ey.
May the Power of Vaheguru be of help.

vaar siree bhagau’tee jee kee, paat’shaahee das’veeⁿ.
 The poem on the Divine Power of Vaheguru by the Tenth Guru.

pritham  bhagautee  simar  kai,
gur  naanak  leyee  dhiyaa’e.
I first call upon the Power of Vaheguru Ji and meditate on Guru Nanak Ji (in whom Vaheguru Ji revealed Their Power).

fir  ann’gad  gur,  tey  amar  daas,
raam  daa’sai  ho’eeⁿ  sahaa’eh.
May (the same Power that passed through) Guru Angad Ji, Guru Amar Daas Ji, and Guru Ram Das Ji help me everywhere.

ar’jan  har’gobind  noo,  sim’rau  siree  har  raa’e.
I then meditate upon (the same Power that passed through) Guru Arjan Ji, Guru Hargobind Ji and Guru Har Rai Ji.

siree  har  krishan  dhiyaaee’yai,
jis  diTh’ai  sabh  dukh  jaa’e.
I meditate upon (the same Power that was revealed in) Guru Har Krishan Ji, whose holy vision makes all pains and sufferings go away.

tey’g  bahaadar  simree’yai, 
ghar  nau  nidh  aa’vai  dhaa’e.
Then, I then meditate upon (the Power of Vaheguru Ji revealed through) Guru Teg Bahadar Ji, which causes spiritual treasures to fill my inner-being.

sabh  thaa’eeⁿ  ho’e  sahaa’e.
May (the Power of Vaheguru Ji revealed through) all the Gurus help me everywhere.

Note: These lines were written by the Tenth Guru.  Following them are words of devotion recited by Sikhs since the Tenth Guru's time.  Together, they form the first section of the present-day Ardaas text.

das'vey  paat’shaah, 
siree  guroo  gobind singh  saa’hib  jee,
sabh  thaa’eeⁿ  ho’e  sahaa’e.
May (the same Power that passed through) the Tenth Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, help me everywhere.

dasaan  paat’shaahee-aan  dee  jyot,
siree  guroo  grann’th  saa’hib  jee,
dey  paaTh  dee’daar  da  dhiyaan  dhar  key,
bo’lo  jee  vaa’eh-guroo.
Turning my thoughts to the same Power that worked in the Ten Gurus and now in the holy words contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, connecting with that Power we chant: ‘Vaheguru.’

Note: In a personal Ardaas, simply recite the opening section and then proceed to the closing section.