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8
ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : APRIL-JUNE 2005 / 537 NS
THE ART OF SEEKING GOD’S GRACE
THROUGH SELF-ANNIHILATION
BHAGWANT SINGH *
The splendour of the Master’s word – and our Guru – is so
spectacular that one is left wondering at the efficacy of his commands.
The wonder that Guru Granth Sahib bestowed on us in the form of
this perpetual faultless wisdom and guidance cannot be described in
totality. Yet, the mastery of Guru Gobind Singh in handing us all
over to his successor in the form of Word Guru, Guru Granth Sahib,
explains the love that the perennial Word of God offers to all mankind.
We are fortunate that we have been rid of the slavery of man to man.
On the contrary, the slavery of the word Guru leads us to liberationin-life.
Just as the Guru himself says Sahib mera neet nawan - my Lord
shows Himself in new light all the time – I am delighted to analyse,
experience and relish the beauty of every shabad in Guru Granth Sahib,
when I come across it while doing my spiritual reading at home or
listening to Amritvela Kirtan from Harmandir Sahib everyday or
delivering Gurmat lectures in the Gurdwara.
The pen-picture of a disciple begging at the feet of the Master,
conveyed in the shabad of Guru Arjun transmitted by the raagis this
morning left an indelible impression on my mind. Not only that. I
was struck by the instantaneous divine response of the Lord in the
shabad itself. Let us experience this :
My Lord, I come to you, to seek Your refuge. And I come with
absolute faith and, in fact, I have come only through Your Grace.
Now, howsoever it pleases you, my Lord, protect me, because
this path has been shown to me by my Guru. The deluding maya
hoodwinks me. This maya is like passing wind, when I hear about
* Tapovan, Amravati - 444 602 (Maharashtra)