Book I / IV

Hari Ras

Now we come to another term, Hari Ras or Divine intoxication. Whoever communes with the Word, Shabd or Naam feels an exhilarating effect, too sweet and too absorbing for words. Far from being inebriating and stupefying it raises one into a state of super-consciousness and universal awareness. The knowledge of the Word makes everything else known. Once a soul tastes of this sweet elixir, it cannot possibly leave it off, but wants to remain forever in touch with It.

Nanak feels in him the intoxication of Naam, all the time. 

Christ calls It the Water of Life. The Muslim Saints have described It as Aab-i-Hayat and the Hindus as Amrit or the Water of Immortality. It has in It an enlivening effect for It makes the soul live through eternity. It is because of Its life giving property that Saints talk of It as Maha Ras or the highest type of Ras (intoxicating drink). While other drinks produce morbid sensitivity and cloud the reason and intellect, the nectar of Naam brings one into touch with Reality, whereby one comes to know the correct values of life: 

There is no real charm on the plane of the senses; leave it aside, and drink ye the sweet elixir of life; without tasting this nectar one forfeits his human birth and is never really happy.

Guru Arjan, Bilawal M5

Oh Nanak! There is great sweetness in Naam, ye get to the Truth through a competent Master. 

Guru Angad, Gauri M2

Oh Lord! Grant me the sweet elixir of Naam. 

Guru Arjan, Suhi M5