ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਪਾਸਾ ਢਾਲਹੁ ਬੀਰ

As we all learn more and more about the concepts of Sikhi, we should very much acknowledge that Gurbani is the most important thing to look at when it comes to knowledge and guidance. This is one shabad struck out to me due to its straightforward message of how to solve our complex issues.

This shabad is from Guru Arjan Dev Ji on Ang (not page!) ੧੧੮੫ (1185) in Raag Basant. It begins:

ਹੋਇ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਦੂਰ ਕਰਹੁ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ।।

Hoe (Do) Ekatr (Gather) Miloh (Meet) Mere (my) Bhaaee (Brothers) Dubidaa (Dilemma) Door (Eliminate) Karoh (Effort to do) Liv (Imbued with Waheguru) Laee (Do with Concentration)

You may have noticed that in our Introduction to SikhTeens blog post, we ended with this line. This is one of our main messages for SikhTeens. If we put this line together, it’s essentially saying: Oh my brothers and sisters, let’s gather together in Sadh Sangat, concentrate our mind to the one Waheguru, feel his awareness around us which will help set the foundation of eliminating our dilemmas. The dilemmas that Guru Ji talks about derived from us thinking “I think this, and you think that” which results in confusion and doubt or duality between you and me. Rather, even if we differ in opinion, our foundation of accepting and learning from Gurbani with a pure heart is our commonality which should be the foundation in our efforts to eliminate our dilemmas. A way to link this line with the teenage lives is to find that sangat of fellow Gursikhs that could help us reach, discuss and resolve dilemmas and eradicate doubts through research from the teachings of Gurbaani.

The next line:

ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੈ ਕੇ ਹੋਵਹੁ ਜੋੜੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੈਸਹੁ ਸਫਾ ਵਿਛਾਇ ।।੧।।

Har (Waheguru) Naamai (Naam) Kai (Bonded) Hovo (through) Jorree (Join) Gurmukh (Gurmukh) baisoh (Sit together) Safaa (Mat/Gameboard) Vishaaee (Spread Out)

Even though we differ in opinion, Naam is what binds us all together as one and we all have a burning desire and respect of naam which is the binding force among us, and because of that, we need to gather together and focus on Guru’s message and tackle the dilemma as if we are starting a game and spreading out a game board to discuss and strategize a solution to the dilemma. The gameboard that Guru Ji refers to is a metaphor to our game of life with challenges and dilemmas where we are the players dealing with those challenges. With these two lines, Guru Ji has elevated our focus away from our differences and he rather unites us with the commonalities among us for the deep respect and desire for Naam and the Guru’s words (Gurmukh). This is the foundation that brings us together so we can look at the big picture of the dilemma as if we are playing a game together to solve the challenge. Now with this foundation, we are united in the true spirit of solving the challenge through Guru’s message despite our differences in understanding.

The next line:

ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਪਾਸਾ ਢਾਲਹੁ ਬੀਰ ।।

Ein (This) Bidh (Way) Paasaa (Dice) Dtaloh (Throw) Beer (Brother)

In this line, just like how we would start a game by rolling a dice, Guru Ji says that these are the next steps to solve the dilemma. The gameboard is the game of life with challenges instilled with doubt that we must solve. The randomness of the dice depicts the diversity of outcomes in life.

In the Rehaao Line:

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਦਿਨ ਰਾਤੀਂ ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲ ਨਹ ਲਾਗੈ ਪੀਰ ।।੧।। ਰਹਾਉ ।|

Gurmukh (Gurmukh) Naam (Naam) Japoh (Recite) Din (Day) Raatee (Night) Ant (Near Death) Kaal (Moment) Neh (Won't) Laagai (Experience) Peer (Pain) Rehao (Pause)

This is the rehaao line which means we should be taking extra time to understand this line because it is the main message Guru Ji is trying to get at. The first part of this line is saying that we should be playing this game of life together and reciting the Naam while keeping his awareness day and night and at all times. Then, we ultimately come to you, Waheguru Ji, to give us the answers through your teachings. When we play the game with the spirit of Naam, even the anxiety and the pain that we suffer at the time of death would not feel painful. A way to link this to our lives is to recite, and be in awareness of Waheguru at all times, which is so powerful that it can free us from the most challenging anxiety experienced near death.

Guru Ji continues:

ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ ਚਉਪੜਿ ਸਾਜਹੁ ਸਤੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹਸਾਰੀ ||

Karam (Actions) Dharam (Faith) Tum (Your) Chauparr (Gameboard) Sajoh (Layed) Sat (Superior Characteristic) Karoh (Make) Tum (Your) Saaree (Roll)

This line emphasizes that we further align our thought process - We lay down the gameboard of life where the actions will occur. The actions to play this game should be guided by the superior principles of faith. We roll the dice with the pure characters based upon the virtues of Waheguru to play the game.

Next:

ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਜੀਤਹੁ ਐਸੀ ਖੇਲ ਹਰਿ ਪਿਆਰੀ ।।੨।।

Kaam (Lust) Krodh (Anger) Lobh (Greed) Moh (Attachment) Jeetoh (Conquer) Aisee (This) Khel (Play) Har (Waheguru) Piaree (Love)

Now as we play the game, the real win is to overcome Kaam, Krodh, Lobh, and Moh, which is the real win of life. The play of winning over the vices is dear to Waheguru. Guru Ji beautifully relates our lives as a challenge and we have a mission to complete, which is to eradicate all vices. The dilemma is rooted by the five vices and once we overcome that root cause, it starts to solve the challenges. Therefore, whenever we face a challenge in our life, we should think about the root cause, which will always be a source of the five vices and eliminate it. We should try to eradicate that vice which will help us resolve that dilemma.

The next line:

ਉਠਿ (Wake) ਇਸਨਾਨੁ (Bathe) ਕਰਹੁ (Do with Effort) ਪਰਭਾਤੇ (Early Morning) ਸੋਏ (Sleep) ਹਰਿ (Waheguru) ਆਰਾਧੇ (Worship/Devotion)

To prepare to play the game of life to solve the challenges, we should wake up and immerse ourselves into the Naam early during Amrit Vela. Even during our sleep we should continue our devotion to Waheguru.

The next line:

ਬਿਖੜੇ ਦਾਉ ਲੰਘਾਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜ ਸੇਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਤ ॥੩॥

Bikharrae (Difficult) Daao (Move) Langhaave (Overcome) Mera (My) Satigur (True Guru) Sukh (Happy) Sehaj (Calm in Spirit) Saethee (With) Ghar (Waheguru within us) Jaathe (Goes)

With this preparation, actions, and play with the focus of conquering vices, Waheguru Ji will not only help us overcome the toughest challenges faced during the play, but also He will lead us to happiness, a peaceful state of mind, and eventually unite us back to the Waheguru within us.

The next line:

ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਖੇਲੈ ਆਪੇ ਦੇਖੈ ਹਰਿਆਪੇ ਰਚਨੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ||

Har (Waheguru) Aapai (Himself) Khele (Plays) Aapai (Himself) Dekhe (Watches) Har (Waheguru) Aapai (Himself) Rachan (Creation) Rachaaiaa (Created)

So, Waheguru is within us playing the game, so He himself is playing the game. He is also in every other player, so he himself is watching us play the game. Not only that, but he is also the person who created this game of life itself as His creation! Guru Ji beautifully wraps the shabad together in this line. Guru Ji is helping us realize the omnipotence of Waheguru Ji in our lives in this metaphor.

Guru Ji Continues:

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਖੇਲੈ ਸੋ ਜਿਣਿ ਬਾਜੀ ਘਰਿ ਆਇਆ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੯॥

Jan (All People) Nanak (Nanak) Gurmukh (Gurmukh) Jo (Those) Nar (person from group) Khele (Play) So (From) Jin (Those) Bhaajee (Result of game) Ghar (Waheguru within us) Aiaa (Arrived)

Guru Ji is distinguishing the folks from the rest who surrender to the Waheguru and his teachings as their guide which helped play the game the right way. These people are the real winners which have accomplished the ultimate achievement of uniting with waheguru when our game ends (when life ends).

Summary:

Taking this whole shabad into account, we should take the time to fully understand the words of the Guru and accurately implement it in our lives. We could just learn the translation and understand the shabad but it would be meaningless if we choose not to learn from this. Overall, what I have learned from this shabad (keep in mind this is my personal interpretation of this shabad) is that we should truly elevate ourselves into thinking that we all have the same light and oneness within us. When it comes to facing dilemmas, it’s not us against each other, it’s us against the problem. We all have the commonality of Naam and oneness within us and we should all elevate our thinking in this game of life. We should remember that the game of life is to eradicate all our vices. Remember that all our dilemmas and problems root from one of the vices ALWAYS and it’s our duty to eliminate that vice that is the source to our problem and it will naturally solve the dubidhaa (dilemma/conflict). We should always remember Waheguru in our minds always and whenever we face adversity and we’re stuck in a pickle, we should not worry because the Satigur will guide us.

Thank you for taking time to deeply understand this shabad. It shows that we are all in for improvement as teenagers.

-Tavleen Kaur, 17, TX

Just as a disclaimer, the link to relating this to teenage life is my own interpretation and there are many more ways of interpreting this shabad. I have gathered my resources from past camps, Bhai Sahibs, and my own family.