Japji – the four Khands or spiritual realms – Sdni Jessi Kaur (Vichaar – January 2016)

Japji – the four Khands or spiritual realms – Sdni Jessi Kaur

– Vichaar January 2016

VIhaar january 16 Collage

Summary

Sdn. Jessi Kaur will complete the discussions on Japji Sahib by talking about the Khands (or spiritual realms) in pauris 34-38, and the final salok.

“We will continue our discussion on the four realms of consciousness in Jap Ji Sahib. It has been an amazing journey over the last four years . Together we have attempted to delve into the   depths of our premier baani. This will be our concluding session. So do join and share your insights .”

 

Video of Session

1 Comment

  1. Kirpal Singh on February 5, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    Jassi Ji has done a good job in explaining the gist of Jap Ji Sahib as per her understanding. Please accept my congratulations.

    Regarding Khands, these are four spiritual steps (Dharam-, Gian-, Saram-, Karam-Khands) to gather spiritual strength to clear the way to put Waheguru in driving seat of our life in order to reach “Sach Khand” (Gobind Milan) – an ultimate goal of a Sikh.

    The four steps (like four Lavaan) help us erase our Houmai/Ego to achieve the necessary transformation to achieve a state of “ANAND” on merging with Waheguru:-
    ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ (Raag Raamkali, M. 3, GGS. 917-2).
    I am in ecstasy, O my mother, for I have found my True Guru.

    The four khands prepare us to be ready for Divine Union on giving up of our self-hood:-

    1.ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਿਲਿਓ ਸੁਖ ਬਾਲੇ ਭੋਲੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥(Raag Kaanhaa, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 1307-7).
    I have met God through innocent faith, and He has blessed me with peace. ||1||Pause||

    2.ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਤਾ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਉਰੁ ਕੈਸੀ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥ Raag Tilang ,Guru Nanak Dev, GGS. 722-130.
    Give up your selfhood, and so obtain your Husband Lord; what other clever tricks are of any use?

    3. ਆਪੁ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ॥(Raag Gauri, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 288-13).
    Give up your selfishness and conceit, and seek the Sanctuary of the Divine Guru.

    4.ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥੮॥੪॥ (Raag Gauri, Guru Amar Das, GGS. 231-7).
    O Nanak, subduing egotism, one is absorbed into God. ||8||4||

    5.ਹਉ ਆਪਹੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਨ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਮੈ ਕਹਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਹੁਕਮਾਉ ਜੀਉ ॥ (Raag Suhi, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 763-5).
    By myself, I do not even know how to speak; I speak all that the Lord commands.

    All powerful One God according to Gurbani suffers from a weekness i.e, for the company of His Devotees who see Waheguru in the driving seat in their lives:-

    ਭਗਤ ਤੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵਦੇ ਦਰਿ ਸੋਹਨਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਗਾਵਦੇ ॥ (Raag Asa, Guru Nanak, GGS.468-3).
    Your devotees are pleasing to Your Mind, Lord. They look beautiful at Your door, singing Your Praises.
    ……
    ਇਕਿ ਮੂਲੁ ਨ ਬੁਝਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਅਣਹੋਦਾ ਆਪੁ ਗਣਾਇਦੇ ॥
    Eik Mool N Bujhanih Aapanaa Anehodhaa Aap Ganaaeidhae ||

    Guru Arjav Dev, the Editor of Granth Sahib provides a tried RECIPE to get closer to One God (Waheguru) as well:-

    ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਘਿਣਾਵਣੇ ॥ (Raamkali Ki Vaar, Guru Arjan Dev, GGS. 962-9).
    No one can bring You under control, by despising the world.

    ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਬੇਦ ਪੜਾਵਣੇ ॥
    No one can bring You under control, by studying the Vedas.

    ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਈਐ ॥
    No one can bring You under control, by bathing at the holy places.

    ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਧਾਈਐ ॥
    No one can bring You under control, by wandering all over the world.

    ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਕਿਤੈ ਸਿਆਣਪੈ ॥
    No one can bring You under control, by any clever tricks.

    ਨਾ ਤੂ ਆਵਹਿ ਵਸਿ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਦਾਨੁ ਦੇ ॥
    No one can bring You under control, by giving huge donations to charities.

    ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਤੇਰੈ ਵਸਿ ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰਾ ॥
    Everyone is under Your power, O inaccessible, unfathomable Lord.

    ਤੂ ਭਗਤਾ ਕੈ ਵਸਿ ਭਗਤਾ ਤਾਣੁ ਤੇਰਾ ॥੧੦॥
    You are under the control of Your devotees; You are the strength of Your devotees. ||10||

    -Bhagat Kabir goes a step further, when he is so pure that God seeks for him. The desired purity is gained on total surrender by becoming a Bhagat/Gurmukh:-

    ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਭਇਆ ਜੈਸਾ ਗੰਗਾ ਨੀਰੁ ॥॥(Salok Bhagat Kabir,GGS.1367-8)
    Kabeer, my mind has become immaculate, like the waters of the Ganges on losing my selfhood (Houmai/Ego)..

    ਪਾਛੈ ਲਾਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਫਿਰੈ ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਬੀਰ ॥੫੫Paashhai Laago Har Firai Kehath Kabeer Kabeer ||55||
    The Lord follows after me, calling, “Kabeer! Kabeer!”||55||

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