Why waste time?

(Ang 74)

ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਿਣ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਿਰਆ ਿਮਤ੍ਰਾ ਹੁਕਿਮ ਪਇਆ ਗਰਭਾਿਸ ॥
pehilai pehurai rain kai vunujaariaa mithraa hukam paeiaa gurubhaas
In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, you were cast into the womb, by the Lord’s Command.

There are four similar Shabads in Guru Granth Sahib but also very different about the four stages of a Human’s life this is the first one by Guru Nanak Dev Jee on Page 74, please take time out to read the Shabads in full.

ਦੂਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਿਰਆ ਿਮਤ੍ਰਾ ਭਿਰ ਜੋਬਿਨ ਮੈ ਮਿਤ ॥
dhoojai pehurai rain kai vunujaariaa mithraa bhar joban mai math
In the second watch of the night, O my merchant friend, you are intoxicated with the wine of youth and beauty.
(Ang 75)

This is the second Shabad; this is also by Guru Nanak Dev Jee, this Shabad is on page 75, Daas will use the whole of this Shabad later in the article.

ਤੀਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਿਰਆ ਿਮਤ੍ਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਲਗਾ ਆਿਲ ਜੰਜਾਿਲ ॥
theejai pehurai rain kai vunujaariaa mithraa mun lugaa aal junjaal
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your mind is entangled in worldly and household affairs.
(Ang 76)

This is the third Shabad this is on page 76; this is by Guru Raamdaas Jee.

ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਨੇੜੈ ਆਇਆ ਸੋਇ ॥
cha-uthai pahrai rain kai vanjaari-aa mitraa din nayrhai aa-i-aa so-ay.
In the fourth watch of the night, O my merchant friend, that day is drawing near.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ਤੂੰ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੇਲੀ ਹੋਇ ॥
gurmukh naam samaal tooN vanjaari-aa mitraa tayraa dargeh baylee ho-ay.
As Gurmukh, remember the Naam, O my merchant friend. It shall be your Friend in the Court of the Lord.
(Ang 77)

This is the fourth Shabad by Guru Arjan Dev Jee written on page 77. Please be aware these four Shabads are totally different Shabads and not just one Shabad.

This is the second Shabad in full by Guru Nanak Dev Jee from page 75 of Guru Sahib.

(Ang 75)

ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਬਾਲਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਅਚੇਤੁ ॥
pahilai pahrai rain kai vanjaari-aa mitraa baalak buDh achayt.
In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your innocent mind has a child-like understanding.

ਖੀਰੁ ਪੀਐ ਖੇਲਾਈਐ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਸੁਤ ਹੇਤੁ ॥
kheer pee-ai khaylaa-ee-ai vanjaari-aa mitraa maat pitaa sut hayt.
You drink milk, and you are fondled so gently, O my merchant friend, the mother and father love their child.

ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਸੁਤ ਨੇਹੁ ਘਨੇਰਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਸਬਾਈ ॥
maat pitaa sut nayhu ghanayraa maa-i-aa moh sabaa-ee.
The mother and father love their child so much, but in Maya, all are caught in emotional attachment.

ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਆਇਆ ਕਿਰਤੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਾਈ ॥
sanjogee aa-i-aa kirat kamaa-i-aa karnee kaar karaa-ee.
By the good fortune of good deeds done in the past, you have come, and now you perform actions to determine your future.

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ਬੂਡੀ ਦੂਜੈ ਹੇਤਿ ॥
raam naam bin mukat na ho-ee boodee doojai hayt.
Without the Lord's Name, liberation is not obtained, and you are drowned in the love of duality.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਛੂਟਹਿਗਾ ਹਰਿ ਚੇਤਿ ॥੧॥
kaho naanak paraanee pahilai pahrai chhootahigaa har chayt. ||1||
Says Nanak, in the first watch of the night, O mortal, you shall be saved by remembering the Lord. ||1||

ਦੂਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਭਰਿ ਜੋਬਨਿ ਮੈ ਮਤਿ ॥
doojai pahrai rain kai vanjaari-aa mitraa bhar joban mai mat.
In the second watch of the night, O my merchant friend, you are intoxicated with the wine of youth and beauty.

ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਕਾਮਿ ਵਿਆਪਿਆ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚਿਤਿ ॥
ahinis kaam vi-aapi-aa vanjaari-aa mitraa anDhulay naam na chit.
Day and night, you are engrossed in sexual desire, O my merchant friend, and your consciousness is blind to the Naam.

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਹੋਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਰਸ ਕਸ ਮੀਠੇ ॥
raam naam ghat antar naahee hor jaanai ras kas meethay.
The Lord's Name is not within your heart, but all sorts of other tastes seem sweet to you.

ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਨਮਿ ਮਰਹੁਗੇ ਝੂਠੇ ॥
gi-aan Dhi-aan gun sanjam naahee janam marhugay jhoothay.
You have no wisdom at all, no meditation, no virtue or self-discipline; in falsehood, you are caught in the cycle of birth and death.

ਤੀਰਥ ਵਰਤ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਰਮੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਪੂਜਾ ॥
tirath varat such sanjam naahee karam Dharam nahee poojaa.
Pilgrimages, fasts, purification and self-discipline are of no use, nor are rituals, religious ceremonies or empty worship.

ਨਾਨਕ ਭਾਇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨਿਸਤਾਰਾ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਵਿਆਪੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੨॥
naanak bhaa-ay bhagat nistaaraa dubiDhaa vi-aapai doojaa. ||2||
O Nanak, emancipation comes only by loving devotional worship; through duality, people are engrossed in duality. ||2||

ਤੀਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਸਰਿ ਹੰਸ ਉਲਥੜੇ ਆਇ ॥
teejai pahrai rain kai vanjaari-aa mitraa sar hans ultharhay aa-ay.
In the third watch of the night, O my merchant friend, the swans, the white hairs, come and land upon the pool of the head.

ਜੋਬਨੁ ਘਟੈ ਜਰੂਆ ਜਿਣੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਆਵ ਘਟੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਜਾਇ ॥
joban ghatai jaroo-aa jinai vanjaari-aa mitraa aav ghatai din jaa-ay.
Youth wears itself out, and old age triumphs, O my merchant friend; as time passes, your days diminish.

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਸੀ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਜਾ ਜਮਿ ਪਕੜਿ ਚਲਾਇਆ ॥
ant kaal pachhutaasee anDhulay jaa jam pakarh chalaa-i-aa.
At the last moment, you repent-you are so blind!-when the Messenger of Death seizes you and carries you away.

ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਭਇਆ ਪਰਾਇਆ ॥
sabh kichh apunaa kar kar raakhi-aa khin meh bha-i-aa paraa-i-aa.
You kept all your things for yourself, but in an instant, they are all lost.

ਬੁਧਿ ਵਿਸਰਜੀ ਗਈ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਕਰਿ ਅਵਗਣ ਪਛੁਤਾਇ ॥
buDh visarjee ga-ee si-aanap kar avgan pachhutaa-ay.
Your intellect left you, your wisdom departed, and now you repent for the evil deeds you committed.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਤੀਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚੇਤਹੁ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥੩॥
kaho naanak paraanee teejai pahrai parabh chaytahu liv laa-ay. ||3||
Says Nanak, O mortal, in the third watch of the night, let your consciousness be lovingly focused on God. ||3||

ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਭਇਆ ਤਨੁ ਖੀਣੁ ॥
cha-uthai pahrai rain kai vanjaari-aa mitraa biraDh bha-i-aa tan kheen.
In the fourth watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your body grows old and weak.

ਅਖੀ ਅੰਧੁ ਨ ਦੀਸਈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਕੰਨੀ ਸੁਣੈ ਨ ਵੈਣ ॥
akhee anDh na dees-ee vanjaari-aa mitraa kannee sunai na vain.
Your eyes go blind, and cannot see, O my merchant friend, and your ears do not hear any words.

ਅਖੀ ਅੰਧੁ ਜੀਭ ਰਸੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਰਹੇ ਪਰਾਕਉ ਤਾਣਾ ॥
akhee anDh jeebh ras naahee rahay paraaka-o taanaa.
Your eyes go blind, and your tongue is unable to taste; you live only with the help of others.

ਗੁਣ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣਾ ॥
gun antar naahee ki-o sukh paavai manmukh aavan jaanaa.
With no virtue within, how can you find peace? The self-willed manmukh comes and goes in reincarnation.

ਖੜੁ ਪਕੀ ਕੁੜਿ ਭਜੈ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਆਇ ਚਲੈ ਕਿਆ ਮਾਣੁ ॥
kharh pakee kurh bhajai binsai aa-ay chalai ki-aa maan.
When the crop of life has matured, it bends, breaks and perishes; why take pride in that which comes and goes?

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੪॥
kaho naanak paraanee cha-uthai pahrai gurmukh sabad pachhaan. ||4||
Says Nanak, O mortal, in the fourth watch of the night, the Gurmukh recognizes the Word of the Shabad. ||4||

ਓੜਕੁ ਆਇਆ ਤਿਨ ਸਾਹਿਆ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਜਰੁ ਜਰਵਾਣਾ ਕੰਨਿ ॥
orhak aa-i-aa tin saahi-aa vanjaari-aa mitraa jar jarvaanaa kann.
Your breath comes to its end, O my merchant friend, and your shoulders are weighed down by the tyrant of old age.

ਇਕ ਰਤੀ ਗੁਣ ਨ ਸਮਾਣਿਆ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਅਵਗਣ ਖੜਸਨਿ ਬੰਨਿ ॥
ik ratee gun na samaani-aa vanjaari-aa mitraa avgan kharhsan bann.
Not one iota of virtue came into you, O my merchant friend; bound and gagged by evil, you are driven along.

ਗੁਣ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਜਾਵੈ ਚੋਟ ਨ ਖਾਵੈ ਨਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ॥
gun sanjam jaavai chot na khaavai naa tis jaman marnaa.
One who departs with virtue and self-discipline is not struck down, and is not consigned to the cycle of birth and death.

ਕਾਲੁ ਜਾਲੁ ਜਮੁ ਜੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਾਕੈ ਭਾਇ ਭਗਤਿ ਭੈ ਤਰਣਾ ॥
kaal jaal jam johi na saakai bhaa-ay bhagat bhai tarnaa.
The Messenger of Death and his trap cannot touch him; through loving devotional worship, he crosses over the ocean of fear.

ਪਤਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਜਾਵੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ਸਗਲੇ ਦੂਖ ਮਿਟਾਵੈ ॥
pat saytee jaavai sahj samaavai saglay dookh mitaavai.
He departs with honor, and merges in intuitive peace and poise; all his pains depart.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਛੂਟੈ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇ ਪਤਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੫॥੨॥
kaho naanak paraanee gurmukh chhootai saachay tay pat paavai. ||5||2||
Says Nanak, when the mortal becomes Gurmukh, he is saved and honored by the True Lord. ||5||2||

In the first watch of the night Guru Sahib explains how we are innocent as children and loved by our parents who get caught up in emotional attachment, Guru Sahib is saying praise the Lord Vahiguroo with every breath and one will be liberated.

In the second watch of the night Guru Sahib explains how one is engrossed in sexual desire and one wastes away ones Youth without praising the Lord.

In the third watch of the night Guru Sahib says we have lost our Youth, we have grown old, we have white hair our body is shaking, we have only committed bad deeds and now we suffer in pain as we have lost the whole of our life without remembering the Lord.

In the fourth watch of the night Guru Sahib says now we have remembered Naam; sorry this is too late, we cannot concentrate, we cannot sit or focus, we have wasted our life in evil deeds, now it is too late. Guru Sahib goes on to explain one can only be saved through loving devotion, self discipline and virtue through out the whole of ones life, the Messenger of Death cannot touch this Gurmukh, one departs with honor and is also honored by the great Lord.

Guru Sahib wants Youth in Kal Jug, as this is the true test for one to conquer ones mind by giving up ones minds desires, and guiding the mind through the name of the great Lord.

(Ang 137)

ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਿਆਰਿ ਲਗਾ ਥਣ ਦੁਧਿ ॥
pahilai pi-aar lagaa than duDh.
First, the baby loves mother's milk;

ਦੂਜੈ ਮਾਇ ਬਾਪ ਕੀ ਸੁਧਿ ॥
doojai maa-ay baap kee suDh.
second, he learns of his mother and father;

ਤੀਜੈ ਭਯਾ ਭਾਭੀ ਬੇਬ ॥
teejai bha-yaa bhaabhee bayb.
third, his brothers, sisters-in-law and sisters;

ਚਉਥੈ ਪਿਆਰਿ ਉਪੰਨੀ ਖੇਡ ॥
cha-uthai pi-aar upannee khayd.
fourth, the love of play awakens.

ਪੰਜਵੈ ਖਾਣ ਪੀਅਣ ਕੀ ਧਾਤੁ ॥
punjvai khaan pee-an kee Dhaat.
Fifth, he runs after food and drink;

ਛਿਵੈ ਕਾਮੁ ਨ ਪੁਛੈ ਜਾਤਿ ॥
chhivai kaam na puchhai jaat.
sixth, in his sexual desire, he does not respect social customs.

ਸਤਵੈ ਸੰਜਿ ਕੀਆ ਘਰ ਵਾਸੁ ॥
satvai sanj kee-aa ghar vaas.
Seventh, he gathers wealth and dwells in his house;

ਅਠਵੈ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਹੋਆ ਤਨ ਨਾਸੁ ॥
athvai kroDh ho-aa tan naas.
eighth, he becomes angry, and his body is consumed.

ਨਾਵੈ ਧਉਲੇ ਉਭੇ ਸਾਹ ॥
naavai Dha-ulay ubhay saah.
Ninth, he turns grey, and his breathing becomes labored;

ਦਸਵੈ ਦਧਾ ਹੋਆ ਸੁਆਹ ॥
dasvai daDhaa ho-aa su-aah.
tenth, he is cremated, and turns to ashes.

ਗਏ ਸਿਗੀਤ ਪੁਕਾਰੀ ਧਾਹ ॥
ga-ay sigeet pukaaree Dhaah.
His companions send him off, crying out and lamenting.

ਉਡਿਆ ਹੰਸੁ ਦਸਾਏ ਰਾਹ ॥
udi-aa hans dasaa-ay raah.
The swan of the soul takes flight, and asks which way to go.

ਆਇਆ ਗਇਆ ਮੁਇਆ ਨਾਉ ॥
aa-i-aa ga-i-aa mu-i-aa naa-o.
He came and he went, and now, even his name has died.

ਪਿਛੈ ਪਤਲਿ ਸਦਿਹੁ ਕਾਵ ॥
pichhai patal sadihu kaav.
After he left, food was offered on leaves, and the birds were called to come and eat.

ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਧੁ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
naanak manmukh anDh pi-aar.
O Nanak, the self-willed manmukhs love the darkness.

ਬਾਝੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਡੁਬਾ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥੨॥
baajh guroo dubaa sansaar. ||2||
Without the Guru, the world is drowning. ||2||

This Shabad cannot be made any clearer by Guru Sahib how we are wasting our life in vain. It is such a beautiful Shabad, it makes you cry!

(Ang 156)

ਰੈਣਿ ਗਵਾਈ ਸੋਇ ਕੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਖਾਇ ॥
rain gavaa-ee so-ay kai divas gavaa-i-aa khaa-ay.
The nights are wasted sleeping, and the days are wasted eating.

ਹੀਰੇ ਜੈਸਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਉਡੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥
heeray jaisaa janam hai ka-udee badlay jaa-ay. ||1||
Human life is such a precious jewel, but it is being lost in exchange for a mere shell. ||1||

ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਕਾ ॥
naam na jaani-aa raam kaa.
You do not know the Name of the Lord.

ਮੂੜੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਛੁਤਾਹਿ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
moorhay fir paachhai pachhutaahi ray. ||1|| rahaa-o.
You fool - you shall regret and repent in the end! ||1||Pause||

Daas has nothing to say, as the translation of Gurbaanee is clear within itself, again why are we wasting time? As we have the treasure of the Universe inside us waiting to be entered.

(Ang 1159)

ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਮਾਈ ॥
gur sayvaa tay bhagat kamaa-ee.
Serving the Guru, devotional worship is practiced.

ਤਬ ਇਹ ਮਾਨਸ ਦੇਹੀ ਪਾਈ ॥
tab ih maanas dayhee paa-ee.
Then, this human body is obtained.

ਇਸ ਦੇਹੀ ਕਉ ਸਿਮਰਹਿ ਦੇਵ ॥
is dayhee ka-o simrahi dayv.
Even the gods long for this human body.

ਸੋ ਦੇਹੀ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵ ॥੧॥
so dayhee bhaj har kee sayv. ||1||
So vibrate that human body, and think of serving the Lord. ||1||

ਭਜਹੁ ਗਬਿੰਦ ਭੂਲਿ ਮਤ ਜਾਹੁ ॥
bhajahu gobind bhool mat jaahu.
Vibrate, and meditate on the Lord of the Universe, and never forget Him.

ਮਾਨਸ ਜਨਮ ਕਾ ਏਹੀ ਲਾਹੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
maanas janam kaa ayhee laahu. ||1|| rahaa-o.
This is the blessed opportunity of this human incarnation. ||1||Pause||

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਜਰਾ ਰੋਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ॥
jab lag jaraa rog nahee aa-i-aa.
As long as the disease of old age has not come to the body,

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਕਾਲਿ ਗ੍ਰਸੀ ਨਹੀ ਕਾਇਆ ॥
jab lag kaal garsee nahee kaa-i-aa.
and as long as death has not come and seized the body,

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਬਿਕਲ ਭਈ ਨਹੀ ਬਾਨੀ ॥
jab lag bikal bha-ee nahee baanee.
and as long as your voice has not lost its power,

ਭਜਿ ਲੇਹਿ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਨੀ ॥੨॥
bhaj layhi ray man saarigpaanee. ||2||
O mortal being, vibrate and meditate on the Lord of the World. ||2||

ਅਬ ਨ ਭਜਸਿ ਭਜਸਿ ਕਬ ਭਾਈ ॥
ab na bhajas bhajas kab bhaa-ee.
If you do not vibrate and meditate on Him now, when will you, O Sibling of Destiny?

ਆਵੈ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਭਜਿਆ ਜਾਈ ॥