Sahej Katha: Stories of Serenity and Spirituality

ਇਸੁ ਸੁਖ ਤੇ ਸਿਵ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਡਰਾਨਾ ॥ ਸੋ ਸੁਖੁ ਹਮਹੁ ਸਾਚੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੨॥ People beg for pleasure, but pain comes instead. I would rather not beg for that pleasure. ||1|| People are involved in corruption, yet they still hope for pleasure. How will they find their home in the Sovereign Lord King? ||1||Pause|| Even Shiva and Brahma are afraid of this pleasure, But I have judged that pleasure to be true. ||2||

With each deed, we come nearer or further from God. If we want to come near to God, then what should we do? Listen to this Akath Katha

ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖਾ ਕਾ ਦਾਤਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਸਰਨੀ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ सरब सुखा का दाता सतिगुरु ता की सरनी पाईऐ ॥ Guru Ji is the giver of every happiness, peace and comfort.

ਤਿਆਗਿ ਸਗਲ ਸਿਆਨਪਾ ਭਜੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ तिआगि सगल सिआनपा भजु पारब्रहम निरंकारु ॥ Renounce all your cleverness and remember the Supreme, Formless Lord God.

ਸਭੇ ਸੁਖ ਭਏ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੁਠੇ ॥ सभे सुख भए प्रभ तुठे ॥ All happiness comes, when God is pleased

ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਾ ਜਾਪਿ ॥ अपने मन में गुरु के दिए गुरमन्त्र का जप करो। I chant the Lord's Name within my mind.

We need to find out the root cause of our suffering; Sangat asked Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji this question, and Guru answered in this Shabad.

"ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਸਰਣਿ ਸਗਲ ਭੈ ਲਾਥੇ ਦੁਖ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥" Phonetic Transliteration: "Prabh ki saran sagal bhai laathe, dukh binse sukh paa-i-aa." English Translation: "In the sanctuary of God, all fears are dispelled, sorrows vanish, and true peace is attained." Detailed Meaning: This verse is by Guru Arjan Dev in Raag Sorath on Ang 615 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This verse beautifully illustrates the trans...

"ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਤ ਗਾਵੀਐ ਰੇ ॥" Phonetic Transliteration: "Mere man Ram Naam nit gaavee-ai re." English Translation: "O my mind, sing the Name of the Lord continuously." This verse is by Guru Ram Das in Raag Kaydaaraa on Ang 1118 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This verse is a gentle yet powerful reminder to the mind, urging it to engage in the constant practice of remembering and singing God’s Name. L...

"ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਮਨੁ ਬੇਧਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਰਹਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥" Phonetic Transliteration: "Har sio preet antar man bedhiaa, har bin rehan na jaai." English Translation: "With love for the Lord, the inner mind is pierced; without the Lord, one cannot live." This Script is of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, from Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 607 ; expresses the profound connection between the soul and the Divine. It emphasi...

"ਦਇਆ ਮਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਾਨਪਤਿ ਮੋਰੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਅਨਾਥ ਸਰਣਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੋਰੀ ॥" "Ḏa-i-ā ma-i-ā kar praanpat mo-re, mohi anaath saran prabh to-ri." This is from Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang: 208. This verse is a heartfelt plea from a devotee to the Divine, expressing humility, dependence, and faith in God’s grace. Let’s analyze its deeper meaning: ਦਇਆ ਮਇਆ ਕਰਿ (Da-i-ā Ma-i-ā Kar): ਦਇਆ (Daya): Mercy or kindness. ਮਇਆ (Ma▫i▫...

"ਤੁਧੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਏ ਮਹਾ ਅਨੰਦਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਵਿਸਰਹਿ ਸੋ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਏ ॥" "Tuḏẖ cẖiṯ āe mahā anandā jisu visrehi so mar jāe." This line from Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang: 749, carries profound spiritual significance, emphasizing the joy of divine remembrance and the desolation caused by its absence. Let’s unpack its deeper meaning: ਤੁਧੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਏ ਮਹਾ ਅਨੰਦਾ (Tuḏẖ Cẖiṯ Āe Mahā Anandā): ਤੁਧੁ (Tuḏẖ): Refers to the Divine (Go...

"ਰੈਣਿ ਸੁਹਾਵੜੀ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥" "Raiṇ suhāvaṛī dinas suhelā." This line from Guru Granth Sahib Ji , Ang 107, filled with profound spiritual insight, signifies a state of divine bliss and contentment. It reflects the transformation that occurs when one connects deeply with the Divine. Let’s delve into its deeper meaning: ਰੈਣਿ ਸੁਹਾਵੜੀ (Raiṇ Suhāvaṛī): ਰੈਣਿ (Raiṇ): The night, often symbolic of rest, re...

Sant Daya Singh Ji’s wisdom resonates with the universal spiritual idea of achieving balance and equanimity. These teachings are not about rejecting pleasure or pain but about experiencing them without attachment or aversion. This state of neutrality leads to liberation (ਮੋਖ) and eternal joy.

"ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰਉ ਕਰਾਵਹੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਪੇਖਤ ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗਿ ॥" "Udamu karao karāvahu ṭhākur pekhat sādhū saṅg ॥" This Shabad from Guru Granth Sahib Ji, A ng 405 , reflects the harmonious interplay between human effort and divine grace in spiritual practice. ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰਉ ਕਰਾਵਹੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ (Udamu Karao Karāvahu Ṭhākur): This phrase signifies the active role of the devotee in making efforts while acknowledging that these efforts a...

"ਪੋਖਿ ਤੁਖਾਰੁ ਨ ਵਿਆਪਈ ਕੰਠਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੁ ॥" "पोखि तुखारु न विआपई कंठि मिलिआ हरि नाहु ॥" "Pokh tukhār na viāpī kaṇṭh miliā har nāhu." This line is from Guru Granth Sahib Ji , the central scripture of Sikhism. It reflects the idea of divine connection and spiritual warmth that transcends worldly hardships. Let’s explore the meaning in detail: ਪੋਖਿ ਤੁਖਾਰੁ (Pokh Tukhār): This refers to the chilling co...

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਤ ਗਾਵੀਐ ਰੇ ॥ मेरे मन राम नाम नित गावीऐ रे ॥ O my mind, sing continually the Name of the Lord.

Gurmukhi "ਪਾਨੀ ਪਖਾ ਪੀਸਉ ਸੰਤ ਆਗੈ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਜਸੁ ਗਾਈ ॥" Hindi "पानी पंखा पीसऊ संत आगे, गुण गोविंद जस गाई ॥" English "Paanee pakhaa peesau sant aagai, gun Govind jas gaaee ॥" This line expresses the act of serving saints by offering them water, waving the fan, and grinding grains. While performing these humble services, the speaker sings the praises and virtues of Govind (God). It highlights the impo...

"ਜਿਉ ਮੀਨਾ ਬਿਨੁ ਪਾਣੀਐ ਤਿਉ ਸਾਕਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਪਿਆਸ ॥" "जिउ मीना बिनु पाणीऐ तिउ साकतु मरै पिआस ॥" "Jio meena binu paaneeai, tyo saakat marai piaas." Punjabi (Gurmukhi): ਜਿਵੇਂ ਮੱਛੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ ਸਕਦੀ, ਓਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਕਤ (ਭਗਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਵਿਹੂਣ) ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪਿਆਸ ਨਾਲ ਮਰਦਾ ਹੈ। Hindi Translation: जैसे मछली पानी के बिना नहीं रह सकती, वैसे ही भक्ति से वंचित व्यक्ति (साकत) प्यास से तड़पता हुआ मर जाता है। English Translation:...