| (81) Question:- |
Show your acquaintance with Anand, i.e the song of joy composed by the 3rd Master? |
| Answer:- |
In the words of Macauliff, the Guru composed the song of joy when he came to know of the happy news of the birth of his grand Son. In fact, this composition in Raamkali Raag delineates, a very high state of mind which is attained by the repetition of Divine Name and leads us to the union with the Divine Soul. This is one of the recitations of morning & evening prayers of the Sikhs. This composition of 40 Pauries, is recited liturgically at the conclusion of all congregational services and at prayers offered at wedding and other ceremonies to seek God's grace and solace and to rejoice on happy occasions. Most of the time, the composition is recited in the abridged form which consists of the first five stanzas and the last stanza. Whereas the composition makes it clear that the state of blissfulness is attained by Naam Simran, it recounts the blessings of God who is the bestower of all gifts including the gift of Name. The Name saves us from five enemies and enables us to join the company of holy saints, get detached from illusory maaya and surrender to the Will of God. It is this path of non-ego and non-desire, which is treaded by Bhagats. (Divinely inspired persons) While describing the importance of grace of God, Guru states that it is His grace only which makes us to meditate His Name. The Guru also plays a very important role in leading us on the path of salvation. Blessed is the man who is devoted to the Guru and God. Blessed are his eyes which see God everywhere; blessed are his ears which hear the nectar sweet Name. The Guru also cautions us in this composition that we should concentrate on true Guru's words only (Sachi Baani), and rest all the learning is of no avail. One sees God in all his vastness if the highest value of truth abides in him. It is with the realization of God that the blissful stage is reached. In the last Pauri, the ecstasy is reflected as:
ਅਨਦੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀਹੋ ਸਗਲ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਪੂਰੇ ॥
ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਉਤਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਵਿਸੂਰੇ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 922)
Anad suno vadhbhaageeho sagal manorath poore.
Paarbraham prabh paaiaa utre sagal vasoore.
Listen to the celestical music,
O my very fortunate friends,
By hearing it all desires are fulfilled;
By such, I have realized God the Supreme Braham,
And all my sorrows have vanished
|
| (82) Question:- |
Quote certain verses from the compositions of the third Master which show us the path of righteous living or reveal certain truths. |
| Answer:- |
There are hundred of verses composed by the third Master which make us wiser as to appreciate the spiritual way of living and also enable us to lead a really meaningful and useful life. Following are some of the illustrations containing such spiritual worldly wisdom:-
ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ਨ ਭਾਵਈ ਵੇਦ ਕੂਕਿ ਸੁਣਾਵਹਿ।। (ਅੰਗ 1089)
Har jeeo ahankaar na bhaavee ved kook sunaaveh.
The Vedas proclaim aloud that the revered Lord like not pride.
ਹਉਮੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਵਿਰੋਧੁ ਹੈ....... (ਅੰਗ 560)
Houmal navai naal virodh hai........
Ego is at Variance with the Name of God.
ਜਿਸ ਹੀ ਕੀ ਸਿਰਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਕਾ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ।। (ਅੰਗ 27)
Jis hee kee sirkaar hai tis hee ka sabh koe.
Everything belongs to Him who has authority over all
ਪਰਾਈ ਅਮਾਣ ਕਿਉ ਰਖੀਐ ਦਿਤੀ ਹੀ ਸੁਖ ਹੋਇ।। (ਅੰਗ 1249)
Praaee amaan kio rakheeai ditee hee sukh hoe.
Why to keep another's thing.
By returning it one gets peace.
ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ।।(ਅੰਗ 441)
Man to jot saroop hai aapnaa mool pachhaan.
My soul, you are the embodiment of Divine Light.
So perceive your origin.
ਮਾਇਆਧਾਰੀ ਅਤਿ ਅੰਨਾ ਬੋਲਾ।। ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਸੁਣਈ ਬਹੁ ਰੋਲ ਘਚੋਲਾ।। (ਅੰਗ 313)
Maaiaa dhaaree at anaa bolaa. Sabad na sun-ee boh rol ghachola.
Man attached to Mammon is very much blind and deaf
He hears not the Name and makes a great uproar and tumult.
ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ...... (ਅੰਗ 67)
Gurbaani is jag meh chaanan.
Gurbaani is the Divine light in this world
ਸਚੁ ਪੁਰਾਣਾ ਨਾ ਥੀਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਮੈਲਾ ਹੋਇ।। (ਅੰਗ 1248)
Sach puraana na theeai Naam na maila hoe.
The true Lord doesn't become old, His Name does not get soiled
ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਮਾ ਪਿਉ ਆਪਿ ਹੈ..... (ਅੰਗ 653)
Sabhana ka Ma pio aap hai
He himself is the father and mother of all
ਜਾਤਿ ਕਾ ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖ ਗਵਾਰਾ।। (ਅੰਗ 1127)
Jaat ka garab na kar moorakh gawaara.
O Fool, be not proud of the caste.
|
| (83) Question:- |
Briefly describe the views of Bhatts as are contained in the Swayyas written by them regarding the third Guru. |
| Answer:- |
Swayyas of the Third Master (Eulogies) has been written by Bhatt Bhall and Bhat Keerat, Whereas Bhatt Bhall says about the Guru
ਭਲੇ ਅਮਰਦਾਸੁ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਪਮਾ ਤੋਹਿ ਬਨਿ ਆਵੈ।। (ਅੰਗ 1396)
Bhalle Amardas gun tere, teri upmaa tohe ban avail.
Sublime are your virtues, O Guru Amar Dass.
Your praise is well becoming and suitable only to you.
In the words of Bhatt Keerat:-
ਆਪਿ ਨਰਾਇਣੁ ਕਲਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਪਰਵਰਿਯਉ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 1395)
Aap naraain kala dhaar jag meh parvaryo.
Assuming Power, the Primal Being of Himself has entered.
Into the world in the form of true Guru.
ਗੁਰ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਕਾਰਣ ਕਰਣ ਜਿਵ ਤੂ ਰਖਹਿ ਤਿਵ ਰਹਉ।। (ਅੰਗ 1395)
Guru Amar Dass kaaran karan jiv toon rakheh tiv rano.
O Guru Amar Dass, sources of all the actions,
As you keep me, so do I live.
|
| (84) Question:- |
When and where did Guru Amar Dass Ji breathe his last? |
| Answer:- |
Guru Amar Dass Ji passed away on Bhado Sudi 15, 1631 BK/Ist September 1574 at Goindwal Sahib. |
| (85) Question:- |
Who was the successor of Guru Amar Dass Ji. When and where he was born? Who were his parents? |
| Answer:- |
The fourth Successor in the line of Guru Nanak was Guru Ram Dass Ji, whose original name was Jetha. The fourth Guru was born on 24th September, 1534 in Chuna Mandi in Lahore. (Now in Pakistan). His father was Hari Dass, a shopkeeper and his mother was Anoop Devi also known as Daya Kaur. Jetha was only seven years old when he lost both his parents and thereafter he was under the care of his grandmother who lived in village Baasarke, which was also the ancestral village of Guru Amar Dass Ji. |
| (86) Question:- |
How did Jetha come into contact with the third Master? |
| Answer:- |
When Jetha was staying with his grand-mother at village Basarke, he came to know of the family of the third Guru. He used to sell cooked beans for earning his bread. When Guru Amar Dass Ji went to Khadur, Jetha also traveled to Khadur. As Guru Amar Dass Ji shifted to Goindwal under the command of Guru Angad Dev Ji, Jetha also went to Goindwal to remain in contact with the Great Master. At Goindwal also, he started earning his bread by selling cooked beans. However, he spent most of his time in the service for the construction of the Baoli and also in the Community Kitchen. The third Guru and his wife recognized Jetha's upright character and steadfast service and decided to get their daughter, Bibi Bhani married to him.
|
| (87) Question:- |
Give information regarding the marriage and issues of Guru Ram Dass Ji. |
| Answer:- |
As mentioned above, Jetha was married to Bibi Bhani on 1st February, 1554. The couple continued to stay at Goindwal to remain near to the Guru for rendering service as before. They had three sons, Prithi Chand (born In 1554) Mahadev (born in 1560), and Arjun Dev (born in 1563). |
| (88) Question:- |
Why and when Jetha was made successor to the spiritual throne by the third Master? |
| Answer:- |
It was not because of Guru's relationship with Bhai Jetha that led the Guru to make him his successor, but the fact that Bhai Jetha had distinguished himself by his understanding of the tenets of Sikh faith and endeared himself by his dedicated service to the cause of the Great Master. It is recorded that once Guru Amar Dass Ji sent him to Lahore to satisfy Emperor Akbar in respect of certain objections as were raised by Brahmins regarding running a free kitchen by Guru Amar Dass Ji, contrary to the traditional, religious, and social distinction of four castes. Bhai Jetha convinced Akbar that as all persons were created by one God, they were equal in the eyes of God. Thus, Guru Amar Dass Ji found Jetha as a worthy successor, and as such Gurgaddi was bestowed upon him. A composition named 'Sad' by Baba Sunder Dass Ji, great grand-son of Guru Amar Dass Ji, as appearing on page 923-924 of Guru Granth Sahib confirms that all the Sikhs, sons, relations, and companions fell at the feet of Ram Dass Ji acknowledging him thereby as the fourth Master. |
| (89) Question:- |
Briefly describe how many Gurus Bibi Bhani Ji was related? |
| Answer:- |
Bibi Bhani Ji is a unique lady in the annals of Sikh Religion. She was the daughter of a Guru, Guru Amar Dass Ji wife of a Guru, Guru Ram Dass Ji, and the mother of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Not only this, her grandson and great grandson were also 6th and 9th Guru. on the spiritual throne of Guru Nanak. |
| (90) Question:- |
What was the original name of the city of Amritsar? What role was played by Guru Ram Doss in founding of this city? |
| Answer:- |
The town of Amritsar was first called Guru ka Chakk (Guru's village). It was established in Samat 1631 by Guru Ram Dass Ji under the instructions of the third Master. At a later stage, the city came to be known as Ramdaspur after the name of its founder. The place of the residence of Guru Ram Dass Ji, now called Gurdwara Guru ke Mehal was, later on, a dwelling place of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Hargobind Ji also. Guru Ram Dass Ji had started the construction of a Sarover, which was originally called Ram Dass Sarover, and, later on, it was after the name of this pool of nectar that the city came to be called Amritsar. The spiritual importance of this pool finds a mention in the hymns of Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Sorath as per the following verses:-
ਸੰਤਹੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਰੋਵਰੁ ਨੀਕਾ ॥
ਜੋ ਨਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਕੁਲੁ ਤਰਾਵੈ ਉਧਾਰੁ ਹੋਆ ਹੈ ਜੀ ਕਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥(ਅੰਗ 623)
Santoh Raamdass Sarovar Neeka.
Jo Naavai So Kul Taraavai Udhaar Hoaa Hai Jee Kaa.
O Saints, exalted is the tank of Ram Dass
Who-so-ever bathes therein, his lineage is saved,
And his own soul is blessed too, 1. Pause (Page 623)
ਰਾਮਦਾਸਿ ਸਰੋਵਰ ਨਾਤੇ ॥ ਸਭ ਲਾਥੇ ਪਾਪ ਕਮਾਤੇ ॥2॥ (ਅੰਗ 624)
Ram Dass Sarovar Naate. Sabh Laathe Paap Kamaate.
By taking a bath in the tank of Ram Dass,
All the sins committed by the man are washed off.
ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਰੋਵਰਿ ਨਾਤੇ ॥ ਸਭਿ ਉਤਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਕਮਾਤੇ ॥(ਅੰਗ 625)
Ramdass Sarovar Naate. Sabh Utre Paap Kamaatee.
A dip in the nectar tank of Ram Dass.
All the sins committed are washed away.
|
