Choosing the Right Path
Choosing the Right Path
By: Mahant Jay Jaggessur, May 26th, 2018
Many times people miss the obvious. What may seem to be the reality to the outer senses may just be an image or mirage of what is or what is not. True that on the physical plane, our only means to discern things is our five senses. However, if we realise that we are living in an illusion of time and space, we will try to transcend the physical plane to comprehend our real Self and its connection to the Universal Consciousness.
Even when we think of the future, we are somewhere influenced by the past. In mystical reality, past, present and future are all the same. Take relationships as an example. Many people have come and gone in our life, many more are to come. That does not mean that those relationships we developed with those people are finished. Mystically speaking we are all connected to one another. Events happen to make us meet people at a certain specific point in time. The connection was already there, but the physical meeting did not happen yet. Even after we depart from this planet, our connection to those souls remain. The Guru-disciple relationship is a great example of that.
We talk of ‘thinking out of the box’. But do we really do so? Or do we just think in ways that would appeal to us or that would be convenient for us? Satguru Kabir Saheb has taught us how the reality is different from what we see and sense. In the following bhajan he asks us to reflect on what we should really do to attain our goal. The bhajan invites the seeker to reflect deeply on his spiritual path.
“Avadhoo, Aissa Gyaan Vichaaram”
Reflect on this parable, O Learned One.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
Reflect deeply so you can solve this riddle of your existence. Here Satguru Kabir Saheb is actually inviting the seeker to think out of the box, not just apply his common knowledge, but understand the purpose of his life from a spiritual angle.
“Bere Charhe So Agadhar Doobe, Niraadhaar Vaipaaram”
He who gets on the boat surely gets drowned;
He who does not get on the boat crosses to the other shore safely.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
Paradoxically, Satguru Kabir Saheb is saying here that once you have been equipped with what you need to get to your destination, you do not need any support. The point here is that your Guru instils you with the required knowledge which allows you to reach your goal.
“Ubat Chale So Nagari Pahunche, Baat Chale Te Loote”
He who takes the winding and rough road reaches safely,
But he who takes the straight and smooth road loses everything.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
In other words, it is so easy to fall into the temptations of the world. People think that the enjoyment they can have from worldly pleasures is the end-all of their happiness but those people who dare to take the difficult path, abstain from worldly pleasures are the ones who will reach their final destination safely.
“Ek Jevri Sab Laptaane, Ke Baandhe Ke Chhoote”
Everyone is entangled with the same rope,
But who gets caught and who is able to free himself?
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
We are all linked together in one and the same chain. But our objective is to elevate ourselves from that chain which is keeping us away from our source. Those who are able to find their way are able to free themselves; others are stuck in the cycle of births and re-births.
“Mandir Baithe Chahundis Bheege, Baahar Rahe Te Sookhe”
He who sits inside the temple gets drenched and he who remains outside stays dry.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
The concept of God being within a person is being illustrated here. Mandir here means the deep seat of the heart, where a disciple goes to be able to connect with the Supreme. But those who are interested in the joys of the outer world remain untouched by the flow of God’s current.
“Sar Maare Te Sadaa Sukhaare, An Maare Te Dookhe”
He who is shot by the arrow in his head is healthy;
He who is not struck by the arrow suffers all the time.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
When the Satguru strikes the disciple with the spiritual knowledge, which is the key to the door to salvation, he becomes well. Whereas the one who is not exposed to the Satguru’s spiritual knowledge will remain unwell, meaning not in a position to do what he has to do to move forward.
“Bin Nainan Ke Sab Jag Dekhe, Lochan Anchte Andhaa”
Without eyes the devotee can see the whole world,
But he who has his eyes wide open, cannot see anything.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
First of all, the gist of the vision or sight here is discrimination. Discriminating between what is good and what is bad. It is not the physical eyes which enable us to differentiate. And secondly, the concept of vision without eyes is that of the third eye or spiritual eye. Satguru Kabir Saheb is emphasising on the fact that by using your spiritual eye, you can see all that you need to see and know.
“Kahen Kabeer Kacchu Samajh Pari Hai, Yeh Jag Dekhe Andhaa”
Kabir says : ‘Did you comprehend this riddle?
O Ignorant One! The whole world is blind’.
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
Satguru kabir Saheb is saying that only when we have the right guidance, the grace of our Satguru can we be sure to be on the right track. Otherwise, people are blind, although they have eyes.
