Guru Hargobind's Final Teaching

When Guru Hargobind notified the Sikh congregation in Kiratpur that they would soon be departing from the world the Sikhs asked the Guru for a final instruction related to the actions of a Sikh. As recorded in Gurbilas Patshahi Chhevi [1720 CE], written at the direction of Shahid Bhai Mani Singh, along with the Great Poet Santokh Singh's Suraj Prakash [1843 CE], Guru Hargobind recited a passage written by their father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in the Raag Maru, on ang 1018 of Adi Guru Granth Sahib:

[what type of awareness should illuminate one's heart?]

ਚਾਦਨਾ ਚਾਦਨੁ ਆਂਗਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀਉ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਚਾਦਨਾ ॥੧॥

In the courtyard of one's heart, the illuminating moonlight is being aware the All-Pervasive [Hari-Jio] illuminates within you.

[if that is the internal awareness, where shall the external focus be directed to?]

ਆਰਾਧਨਾ ਅਰਾਧਨੁ ਨੀਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਰਾਧਨਾ ॥੨॥

Devotional focus - that devotional focus is superb which worships the Name of Hari [the All-Pervasive].

[what actions shall we forsake?]

ਤਿਆਗਨਾ ਤਿਆਗਨੁ ਨੀਕਾ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਤਿਆਗਨਾ ॥੩॥

Renounce - that renunciation is superb which forsakes desire, anger and greed.

[if we renounce those aspects, what shall we ask for then instead?]

ਮਾਗਨਾ ਮਾਗਨੁ ਨੀਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਾਗਨਾ ॥੪॥

Begging - the most useful begging is to beg to the Guru to gift out Hari's Praise.

[how shall we spend our waking time?]

ਜਾਗਨਾ ਜਾਗਨੁ ਨੀਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਮਹਿ ਜਾਗਨਾ ॥੫॥

Being awake - the best way to stay awake is to be immersed in the singing praise of Hari.

[what should we be attached to?]

ਲਾਗਨਾ ਲਾਗਨੁ ਨੀਕਾ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣੀ ਮਨੁ ਲਾਗਨਾ ॥੬॥

Attachment - that attachment which is superb is to attach one's mind to the lotus-like feet of the Guru.

[how can we achieve all of these practices?]

ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਪਰਾਪਤੇ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਭਾਗਨਾ ॥੭॥

This way of living is only achieved by those who have such great fortune written on their forehead [in their destiny].

[are these the only things that are superb?]

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਨੀਕਾ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਸਰਨਾਗਨਾ ॥੮॥੧॥੪॥

Guru Nanak says, all things are superb for those who come into the sanctuary of the Divine.

- Adi Guru Granth Sahib: 1018

To hear this from the Suraj Podcast listen to Episode 84 - Guru Hargobind's Final Instruction

References:

Gurbilas Patshahi Chhevi [1720 CE], Chapter 21, Page 858

Gurpratap Suraj Prakash [1843 CE], Chapter 57 of Raas 8.

Photo: Claimed contemporary painting of Guru Hargobind held by the Sodhi family in Kartarpur.