THE GURU PART 6: CHARAN KAMAL

Transcription

1 THE GURU PART 6: CHARAN KAMAL The Lotus Feet of the Lord are the Support of my very breath of life. My God is all-powerful, unfathomable and utterly vast (sggs 535). After seeing everything transitory and perishable, I have linked my consciousness to the Lotus Feet of the Lord (sggs 785). Whose minds are attached to the Lord's lotus feet, those humble beings are satisfied and fulfilled. Within whose heart the priceless virtue does not abide, remain thirsty and unsatisfied (sggs 612). Meditating on His Lotus Feet deep within, one realizes the Lord in every heart (sggs 1122). With the Lord s lotus feet enshrined in his heart, Nanak has tied the Shabad, the Word of the True Guru, to the hem of his robe (sggs 680). None are equal to those humble beings who meditate on the Lord s Lotus Feet (sggs 1293). <><><><> Charan means feet, and Kamal means lotus. Thus, Charan-Kamal means lotus-feet. Spiritually speaking (Shabad-Vichaar), what does it mean? Many so called Gurus, saints, Baabaas, Pujaarees (priests), Giyanis, etc., enjoy to have their bodily feet touched, massaged, and washed by their equally or more ignorant followers or admirers. In the selfish desire of attaining material wealth or heavenly pleasures, many drink in the dust of their feet, dissolved in the wash water. Yet many apply the dust of their feet to their forehead. Why do mortals enjoy such falsehood? Because it inflates their false ego, which, in turn, inflames their evil passions or mental perversions. Being attached to the love of duality (Doojaa Bhaav), they value this sort of spiritual corruption and live by it! The Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS), roars: Charan Kamal siyu preeti reeti santan manni aavaye jeeyu. Duteeyaa bhaayu bipreeti aneeti daasaa nah bhaavaye jeeyu: To love the Lotus Feet of the Lord this way of life has come into the minds of His devotees. The love of duality, this evil practice, this bad habit, is not liked by the Lord s slaves (sggs 80). Jagat paas te lete daanu. Gobind bhagat kayu kare salaam. Looti lehi saakat pati khovahi. Saadh janaa pag mali mali dhovahi: They collect tribute from the world, but they bow in subservience to God s devotees. They plunder and dishonor the faithless cynics, but they massage and wash the feet of the Holy! (sggs 865). Kaayaa koorh vigaarh kahe naayeeyai. Naata so parvaan sach kamaayeeyai: Why bother to wash the body which is polluted by falsehood? He is only approved who bathes in the Truth (sggs 566). Mannu sampatu jitu sat sari naavan bhaavan paatee tripati kare: Wash your mind in the pool of Truth, and let it be the Lord's vessel; let this be your offering to please Him (sggs 728). Bhaandaa hashaa soyi jo tis bhaavsee...: That mind alone is pure, which is pleasing to Him. The filthiest mind does not become pure, simply by being washed. Through the Gurdwara (Shabad Giyan), one obtains understanding. By being washed through this Giyan, it becomes pure (sggs 730). According to the Shabad, taking the "Charan-Kamal" as physiological feet is ignorance; thus a naked show of the Saakat's (mammon worshipper) filthy mind. The Gurbani's "lotus-feet" of Guru-Lord are not physiological feet. They are spiritual, thus sublime and transcendental; therefore, realized only upon (1 of 6) [3/30/ :11:27 AM]

2 being thoroughly awakened to the consciousness of the indwelling Reality. They are none other than the Naam Consciousness, Shabad Consciousness, or God Consciousness. In other words, the "lotus-feet" are the Shabad-Giyan (Spiritual Wisdom), remembrance of the Lord's Naam or Gurmantra. The washing of lotus feet is nothing but to live in unbroken remembrance of the Waheguru's Name (Shabad-Surti), and drinking the wash water is constantly drinking in this Ambrosial Nectar of the Naam. Naam japat Hari charan nivaas: Chanting Naam, God s Lotus Feet dwell within (sggs 1150). Charan kamal sang laagee preet. Bisar gayee sabh durmat reet. Mann tann antar Hari Hari mant. Nanak bhagtan kai ghari sadaa anand: I am in love with the Lotus Feet of the Lord. I am rid of all evil-minded ways. The Mantra of the Lord s Name is deep within my mind and body. O Nanak, eternal bliss fills the inner home of the Lord s devotees (sggs 803). Hari ke charan kamal mann dhiyaayu. Kaadhi kuthaar pit baat hantaa ayukhadg Hari ko naayu: Meditate on the Lord's lotus feet within your mind. His Name is the medicine; it is like an axe, which destroys the diseases caused by anger and egotism (sggs 714). Bandhan torh charan kamal drirhaaye ek Shabad liv laaye: Shattering the bonds, enshrine the Lord s lotus feet within, and lovingly attunes to the One Shabad (sggs 915). Simari simari simari Naam jeevaa tann mann hoyi nihaalaa. Charan kamal tere dhoyi dhoyi peevaa mere stagur deen diyaalaa: By constant Naam Simran, I live; my mind and body are enraptured. I wash Your Lotus Feet, and drink in this water, O my True Guru, O Merciful to the meek (sggs 749). In the Eastern scriptures, the inner awareness, the inner heart, or the inner mind is depicted as the lotus flower (Kamal). The Lord or the Satguru's feet are also portrayed as such. To put it otherwise, the terminology such as heart-lotus or lotus-feet is none other than the Divine Light (Naam or Shabad) within everyone. We are that Light (Jot Savroop); which is the substratum of all beings. In order to feel the subtlety within, we are asked by the scriptures to visualize the lotus flower centered right within the center of the heart, the place of the all pervasive-consciousness as the inner-dweller. Thus, the heart-lotus or lotus-feet is the seat of Divine Essence or the Divine Essence itself. For example, the Shabad declares that: Charan kamal thaakur urdhaar: Enshrine God's Lotus Feet within your heart (sggs 190). Charan kamal Gur ridai basaaiyaa: I have enshrined the Guru's Lotus Feet within my heart (sggs 202). Charan kamal bhagtaa mann vuthe: God's Lotus Feet dwell in the minds of His devotees (sggs 109). Nanak Hari charnee man raataa: Nanak s mind is imbued with the Lotus Feet of the Lord (sggs 154). Sahas pad bimal nan...hari charan kamal makrand lobhit mano andino mohi aahee piyaasaa: Thousands are Your lotus feet, and yet You have no feet...my soul is enticed by the honey-sweet lotus feet of the Lord; night and day, I thirst for them (sggs 663). As revealed by the Gurbani, deep within the heart dwells the lotus-feet; and deep within the lotus of the heart dwells the Self, God. In other words, the lotus-feet or heart-lotus is the seat of the Pure Consciousness. This is the center of all centers, the support (Adhaar) of life. Just as the waves rise from the ocean, subsist in the ocean and then merge back into the ocean; similarly, the thoughts (mind) rise from this Substratum, on which they exist and where they are dissolved. (2 of 6) [3/30/ :11:27 AM]

3 Antar kamal pargaasiyaa amrit bhariyaa aghaayi: The lotus blossoms deep within the heart, and filled with Ambrosial Nectar, one is satisfied (sggs 22). Hari Nanak bedhe charan kamal kishu aan na meethaa: The Lotus Feet of the Lord have pierced Nanak s mind, and now, nothing else seems sweet to him (sggs 454). In order to find or experience the "lotus feet", the scriptures teach us to "look within". Since the lotus feet are Infinite Consciousness or Consciousness itself, to "look within" simply means to focus the attention on this Infinite Consciousness; which is the cause of causes, and the source of the Nectar or Bliss. In order to realize these "lotus feet", one needs to link his individual consciousness to the Cosmic Awareness through the unbroken practice of the Shabad (Naam or Gurmantra). Charan kamal jan kaa aadharo. Aath pahar Ramnaam vaapaaro: God's Lotus Feet are the Support of His humble servants. Day and night, they deal in the Name (sggs 107). Charan kamal hirdai mahi jaap: Within your heart, meditate on the Lord's Lotus Feet (sggs 197). Charan kamal araadh hirdai ek siyu liv laayu: Worship in adoration the lotus feet of the Lord in your heart, and center your consciousness lovingly on Him alone (sggs 501). Bhavar tumaaraa ih mann hovayu Hari charnaa hohu kayulaa: Let this mind of yours be the bumble bee, and let the Lord s feet be the lotus flower (sggs 496). As revealed by the Gurbani, the Guru-Lord's lotus feet are ever situated within everybody's heart-lotus. However, due to our veil of ignorance (expanded false ego), we are unable to turn our mind within and realize them. But, those who have roasted the seed of ignorance in the fire of Shabad-Giyan, always see them in their inner consciousness in their waking state, in their dream state, in their deep sleep state; they are simultaneously connected to them. Thus, the Lord or Satguru is not apart from His disciple, and the disciple is not apart from Him. Therefore, physical proximity is of no consequences; unbroken (Akhand) mental communion through the Naam alone matters. In other words, the mind must be connected to the Infinite Consciousness, or one must hold on only to the Self. Then the devotee is guided from within, the Source of all Wisdom and the Knowledge. Charan kamal rid antar dhaare. Pargatee joti mile Ram piyaare: One who enshrines His Lotus Feet within the heart, meets the Beloved Lord; the Divine Light is revealed to him (sggs 375). Charan kamal ur antar dhaarayu: Enshrine God s lotus feet deep within the nucleus of self (sggs 1004). Charan kamal aatam aadhaar: God s Lotus Feet are the Support of the soul (sggs 81). Gur poore ke charan man vuthe: Feet (Shabad-Giyan) of the Perfect Guru dwell in my mind (sggs 758). After reading the foregoing verses, one may ask as to how a lotus and feet can grow deep within the heart or the mind! Or, how the feet of Guru-God can exist in one's mind or heart? Here, as stated earlier, neither the heart is physical, nor the lotus, and nor the feet. They are spiritual; without any feature or form. Thus, the lotus-feet mentioned in the scriptures represent the subtle center and not the physical center. Sareer sarovar bheetre aashai kamal anoop. Paramjot purkhotamo jakai rekh na roop: Within the pool of the body, there is an incomparably beautiful lotus flower. Within it, is the formless Supreme Light, the Supreme Soul (sggs 857). The confusion or mistake arises from our limited language and perverted understanding. The Absolute Truth godly souls and scriptures try to explain using this limited human language is unlimited and (3 of 6) [3/30/ :11:27 AM]

4 infinite. When a truth that has not been personally experienced is expounded by a true Giani or scriptures, one can not grasp it directly. However, with the help of illustrations, it becomes relatively easier to grasp. Consequently, once the symbolism of such illustrations is grasped, then one comes to understand its real significance. We can look at it from an another perspective. The worldly truth is based on relativity, however, the Absolute Truth is eternal and self-existence. Majority of us can only appreciate relative knowledge. Why? Because, due to our material-consciousness, we have confounded the Self with the physical body. As a result, we think we are the physical senses, mind, intellect, heart, and so on; which gives rise to relativity. Accordingly, as most of us can only grasp the relative knowledge, some place as lotus-feet or heart-lotus is mentioned by the scriptures as the place of All-pervading Consciousness. Hence, this type of instruction using physical illustrations, examples or narratives are meant for most of us who can only appreciate the relative knowledge. However, being infinite as well as both transcendental and immanent everywhere, there is no particular place for God. Therefore, in reality the lotus-feet is not a physical place. Mahaa gambheer patr paataalaa Nanak sarab juyiyaa: This lotus is very deep; its leaves are the nether regions, and it is connected to the whole universe (sggs 503). Prabh charan kamal apaar: God s Lotus Feet are Infinite (sggs 837). Names and forms exists in the Infinite Consciousness, not other way around. Since the names and forms are nothing but relative knowledge, they hide the Reality. For example, if we see an ornament the gold becomes hidden; if we see the beads the string becomes hidden; if wee see the waves the ocean becomes hidden; and if see a pot the clay becomes hidden! In reality, the substratum of the ornament is nothing but gold, and that of the pot is clay, and so on. In other words, the ornament can never leave the gold, or the pot can never leave the clay. Similarly, we are the Consciousness, not the one who is conscious. To realize this Truth, the relativity or the names and forms (duality or Doojaa Bhaav) must be transcended. Charan kamal prabh raakhe cheet: I have enshrined the lotus feet of God within my consciousness (sggs 1001). Hari charan kamal dhanam Nanak kul samooh udhaaranah: Meditating on the Lotus Feet of the Lord, O Nanak, all one s generations are saved (sggs 1360). Unfortunately, the swindlers portraying as holy men or Giani abuse this relative knowledge and make ignorant people worship their physical feet. Further, they use it for gaining name, fame, money, material comforts, and making new followers to build their empires. In the process, they fool the like mind greedy, selfish or spiritually ignorant people. Being shameless, they feel no remorse for their spiritually blind actions. Mann piyaariyaa jee mitraa Hari bin jhooth pasaare. Mann piyaariyaa jee mitraa Bikhu saagar sansaare. Charan Kamal kar bohith karte sahasaa dookh na biyaapai: O dear beloved mind, my friend, without the Lord, all outward show is false. O dear beloved mind, my friend, the world is an ocean of poison. Let the Lord s Lotus Feet be your Boat, so that pain and skepticism will not touch you (sggs 79). Charan kamal rid maahi samaaye tah bharam andheraa naahee: That heart, within which Your lotus feet are enshrined, suffers no darkness of ignorance or doubt (sggs 499). How can we realize the true lotus-feet within? By chanting the Lord's Name, says the Gurbani. In the company of the Naam-immersed souls, one comes to understand the Shabad (Naam), and then become intuitively absorbed in the Truth. Upon awakening of the Lord's feet or the Sat Guru within, one's (4 of 6) [3/30/ :11:27 AM]

5 intellect is purified and he becomes the Gurmukh (spiritual being). As a result, egotism, possessiveness, evil-mindedness, obstacles, wickedness, pain and suffering of repeated birth and death depart. Nirbighan bhagti bhaju Hari Hari naayu. Rasik rasik Hari ke gun gaayu: Chanting God's Naam is unobstructed devotional worship. Sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord with loving affection and energy (sggs 1150). Saadh sangam Ram Naam ramnam sarni Nanak Hari Hari dyaal charnam: Chanting God's Name in the Saadh Sangat, O Nanak, the Lotus Feet of the Merciful Lord are found (sggs 1358). Simari simari simari sukh paayaa. Charan kamal Gur ridai vasaayaa: Meditating, meditating, meditating in remembrance of Naam, I have found peace. I have thus enshrined the Lotus Feet of the Guru within my heart (sggs 202). Charan kamal Gur ke mann voothe. Dookh darad bhram binse jhoothe: The Lotus Feet of the Guru abide within my mind. I am rid of pain, suffering, doubt and fraud (sggs 1340). In summary, the lotus-feet, Naam, Shabad, or Gurmantra are synonymous. As such, the Gurbani as well as all other ancient scriptures of India enjoin taking the Name of the Lord all the time. But, how should we take His Name? First, the Name should not be taken in vain, that is, it should not be used artificially and superficially without the heart-felt love and dvotion. Secondly, to chant His Name with love and feeling, one must call upon God and surrender his body and mind unto Him unconditionally. After such surrender, the Lord's Name remains with the devotee forever! Gahu paarbrahm saran hirdai kamal charan avar aas kashu patal na keejai: In your heart, hold fast to the Sanctuary of the lotus feet (i.e., Naam) of the Supreme Lord; do not place your hopes in any other support (sggs 678). Jaako prem suyaayu hai charan chitav mann maahi. Nanak birhi brahm ke aan na kathu jaahi: Whoever enjoys the taste of the Lord s Love, remembers His Lotus Feet in his mind. O Nanak, the lovers of God do not go anywhere else (sggs 1364). Charan kamal thaakur urdhaar. Dulabh deh Nanak nistaar: Enshrine the Lord's Lotus Feet within your heart. Thus this human life, so difficult to obtain, will be redeemed (sggs 190). After knowing what the true Charna Kamal are, now let's try to find out as to why there is so much emphasis on them in the Gurbani (and many other scriptures). The reason for such emphasis is that the sincere love of Lord's transcendental lotus feet Naam, Shabad, or Gurmantra forms the Bhagti or devotion. Clouds of Bhagti formed in the spiritual sky of the Waheguru's Charna Kamal brings outpouring of true Bliss (Ananad) and inundates the lake of mind. Thus, the Bhagti is nothing but loosening of one's mind in the Lord's lotus feet. Immortality (Amrit), and everlasting Bliss are the fruits of such devotion directed towards the Real Source. This is true Knowledge and liberation (disappearance of ignorance or ego)! Hari kee bhagti karahu mann meet. Nirmal hoyi timaaro cheet. Charan kamal rakho mann maahi. Janam janam ke kilbikh jaahi: Worship the Lord with heart-felt devotion, my friend; your consciousness will become pure. Enshrine the Lord's Lotus Feet in your mind; the sinful residues of countless lifetimes will depart (sggs 288). --T. Singh Back to Top (5 of 6) [3/30/ :11:27 AM]

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