The Night is a Jungle

VIII

And now, we will take something for Basakh:¹

“How can Basakh bring contentment for him who is parted from his Love?”

The soul’s natural inclination is to return to God. If it could only withdraw from outer attractions, its automatic course would be straight towards God. Is it possible to withdraw? 

The Guru has put your house under control and made you the mistress.

Furthermore, 

Ten servants did my Lord give me.

Five gross and five subtle senses to come under control, through the Grace of the Guru. Until now the soul has been under the control of mind and senses, and has never seen its Beloved – how can it rejoice and be content? A loved one’s greatest desire is to be with his Beloved; how can one go through life separate from Him? How did we forget Him?

“When the separation from God came, the illusion engulfed everything.”

It seems as if the illusion left all other work to cling to us. Illusion’s other name is forgetfulness.

The whole world is sleeping in attachment and forgetfulness; tell me, when will this illusion go?

If the One Whom we have forgotten comes before us, would not the innate Love within us awaken? It is a heartrending story, for all the harvest is ready; you have got the physical form, after great struggle – but you are cut away from the Beloved and cannot enjoy the fruits of the harvest.

“Sons, family, wealth, none are with you; only the Immortal God.”

We have been joined to our family and relatives through God’s will and the pralabdh karmas, and we should accept the conditions joyfully. Only he who truly knows, willingly pays his way through life. Who knows how many difficulties are due to our unpaid debts?

How can I say who is my friend in this world? All love is a lie, and all seek their own happiness – enemies and friends.

Only God will remain with you in the end – He who is the True Companion of our soul. Whoever has turned his face towards Him will return to His lap. He who is in love with the world will return to the world. It might be love for this world or the hereafter, but he will go on circling around the physical, astral and causal planes.

“All this illusory meaningless work takes my whole time.”

It is good to work, and one should work whole-heartedly; and then forget it. To continue concerning oneself with countless petty matters will fritter away the attention. This only causes further enmeshing attachments, and wherever your thoughts are, there will you reside. Get connected to the Immortal Lord; all else is changeable and impermanent. If we have not yet been connected to Him, and are a True Seeker, we should pray: Oh Lord, my attention is attached to this perishable matter, how can I find contact with You who are immortal?

“Without the Naam of the Lord, the future is lost.”

Without a connection with the All-Sustainer, our life is wasted; nothing remains but preparation for the return to the field of action.

What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? 

St Matthew 16:26

A wise man is he who works with foresight, but unfortunately most people never give a thought to permanent things; that which is momentary becomes their god and their life.

“By forgetting God, you have wasted your life; without Him, you have no one.”

Protect this wealth you have been given with your very life.

By meeting the Saint, take and preserve the True Naam. 

It is a gift that will remain in both worlds – here and hereafter.

“Those who sit at the Beloved’s feet, even their company is pure.”

Those who live in the world, but have made their home a jungle – have become One with the Lord – even to overhear some word about them will bring happiness. Go and search until you find such a personality. Only through His guidance we realise God; it is a natural fact.

“Nanak entreats Thee, oh Lord, may we also meet Thee.”

True prayers are always accepted, for whatever comes deep from the heart is granted by the Lord.

In Gurbani, it says,

The Father Kirpal (Merciful) has given this order: Whatever the child asks for, will be given.

In the Koran it says, Whatever man wants, I will give him.

“Basakh will be wondrous, if only we can meet the Saint.”

The month of Basakh, the start of new life, can only be fulfilled if we meet the One Who has realised the Lord. But there are two kinds of meeting: one is outward, and one is through the heart becoming receptive. 

Through a True Darshan all sins are forgiven.

All one’s work can be accomplished by meeting the Saint.

“Those who meditate on the Naam, their work will be successful, those who have the Perfect Master will be glorified in God’s House; those at His feet will find permanent happiness, and will cross the ocean of life. No poisons can affect those who develop Love and devotion; all perishables vanished, all duality disappeared, when the Truth was received. Those who worship Him beyond Brahm become One in His bliss. That month is blessed in which the Lord showers His Mercy, Nanak desires only one boon: that through Thy Mercy I will get Thy darshan.”

After getting the human form, we should ask for but one thing: that we might have a glimpse of Him. This should be our ideal and our aim in life. Today is Basakhi, but do you understand what you are doing? Be the worshipper of the Living Light – become a slave to It. Do not attach yourself to anything else, for everything is changeable. He in whom that Light is manifested gives the Light to the whole world. Truth is One, and although Truth is above all, yet True Living is above Truth. Guru Arjan has laid out a wonderful program for us, and in conclusion He says that the month in which we realise the Lord will be truly blessed.

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Note: 1) The Master now takes another hymn, this time one by Guru Arjan.