509

1They do not obtain the Lord's Name, and they waste away their lives in vain; O Nanak, the Messenger of Death punishes and dishonors them. ||2||

2Pauree:

3He created Himself - at that time, there was no other.

4He consulted Himself for advice, and what He did came to pass.

5At that time, there were no Akaashic Ethers, no nether regions, nor the three worlds.

6At that time, only the Formless Lord Himself existed - there was no creation.

7As it pleased Him, so did He act; without Him, there was no other. ||1||

8Shalok, Third Mehla:

9My Master is eternal. He is seen by practicing the Word of the Shabad.

10He never perishes; He does not come or go in reincarnation.

11So serve Him, forever and ever; He is contained in all.

12Why serve another who is born, and then dies?

13Fruitless is the life of those who do not know their Lord and Master, and who center their consciousness on others.

14O Nanak, it cannot be known, how much punishment the Creator shall inflict on them. ||1||

15Third Mehla:

16Meditate on the True Name; the True Lord is pervading everywhere.

17O Nanak, by understanding the Hukam of the Lord's Command, one becomes acceptable, and then obtains the fruit of Truth.

18He wanders around babbling and speaking, but he does not understand the Lord's Command at all. He is blind, the falsest of the false. ||2||

19Pauree:

20Creating union and separation, He laid the foundations of the Universe.

21By His Command, the Lord of Light fashioned the Universe, and infused His Divine Light into it.

22From the Lord of Light, all light originates. The True Guru proclaims the Word of the Shabad.

23Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, under the influence of the three dispositions, were put to their tasks.

24He created the root of Maya, and the peace obtained in the fourth state of consciousness. ||2||

25Shalok, Third Mehla:

26That alone is chanting, and that alone is deep meditation, which is pleasing to the True Guru.

27Pleasing the True Guru, glorious greatness is obtained.

28O Nanak, renouncing self-conceit, one merges into the Guru. ||1||

29Third Mehla:

30How rare are those who receive the Guru's Teachings.

31O Nanak, he alone receives it, whom the Lord Himself blesses with glorious greatness. ||2||

32Pauree:

33Emotional attachment to Maya is spiritual darkness; it is very difficult and such a heavy load.

34Loaded with so very many stones of sin, how can the boat cross over?

35Those who are attuned to the Lord's devotional worship night and day are carried across.

36Under the Instruction of the Guru's Shabad, one sheds egotism and corruption, and the mind becomes immaculate.

37Meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har; the Lord, Har, Har, is our Saving Grace. ||3||

38Shalok:

39O Kabeer, the gate of liberation is narrow, less than one-tenth of a mustard seed.

40The mind has become as big as an elephant; how can it pass through this gate?

41If one meets such a True Guru, by His Pleasure, He shows His Mercy.

42Then, the gate of liberation becomes wide open, and the soul easily passes through. ||1||

43Third Mehla:

44O Nanak, the gate of liberation is very narrow; only the very tiny can pass through.

45Through egotism, the mind has become bloated. How can it pass through?

46Meeting the True Guru, egotism departs, and one is filled with the Divine Light.