Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru ji ki Fatih!

Nestled between folios 296 to 300 of the Guru Granth Sahib lies the profound revelation, Gauri Thiti, composed by Guru Arjan Sahib. This composition comprises seventeen pauris (stanzas) accompanied by saloks (couplets), serving as a reservoir of wisdom akin to capturing the vast ocean within the confines of a small vessel. While the saloks encapsulate deep thoughts concisely, the pauris expand on these insights, offering detailed elucidations.

Gauri Thiti is intricately linked with the fifteen lunar calendar days and immediately follows Sukhmani Sahib. Despite its brevity, it shares the same simplicity and profundity as Sukhmani Sahib, earning its place as a recitation following it. One needs to delve into its cultural context to grasp the essence of the Gauri Thiti composition. Rooted in the moon-based calendars and practices of astrologers and fortune tellers, it dictates specific actions on particular days. This age-old practice still exerts its influence globally, shaping the strategies of lenders, spiritualists, and politicians alike. It perpetuates a calculated game, guiding their actions based on specific temporal and geographical considerations.

In the eighth Pauri, Guru Arjan Sahib says:

Teaching through the eighth lunar day: Eight siddhis, nine nidhis.
All substances, complete intellect.
Lotus (heart) blooming, bliss forever.
Unsullied way of life, unfettered mantra.
All religious practices, sacred baths.
Highest among all, exceptional knowledge.
All this is received if praises of Hari, 1-Light, in the company of the complete Guru.
Nanak: Having recited the Nam, dyed in the color of Hari, one swims across.

Guru Arjan Sahib outlines various elements through a comprehensive list, ranging from supernatural powers obtained through ascetic discipline to religious practices and principles. This exhaustive enumeration reflects the multifaceted pursuits we often engage in daily life. We find ourselves amidst a labyrinth of worldly entanglements, similar to a dense forest where each tree represents a different facet of our desires and pursuits. In this intricate maze, tangled vines of life's complexities trap us as we engage in various rituals and practices, often leaving us feeling lost and unfulfilled.

Guru Arjan Sahib emphasizes that true fulfillment and abundance come through unwavering devotion to Nam, divine remembrance of 1-Light, and eternal Wisdom. By embracing this path and aligning ourselves with IkOankar, the One, the Eternal, we infuse our lives with profound meaning, making each moment fruitful and purposeful.

We pause.
We reflect.

Embracing the virtues of IkOankar dispels the fear of death, leading to a blossoming of the mind and continuous bliss. We ascend beyond mortal fears and worldly desires by consistently devoting ourselves, aligning with IkOankar, concentrating solely on IkOankar, and internalizing these virtues through constant remembrance.

True fulfillment does not lie in accumulating material substances or pursuing transient pleasures. Through this profound connection with IkOankar and eternal Wisdom, we transcend the limitations of our earthly existence and discover a sense of solace and contentment in the timeless embrace of divine grace. Instead of seeking fulfillment in mantras of particular saints, yogis, or schools of thought, why not focus only on the Eternal One? Why not experience different lotus blooming, radiance, and bliss? Why not color ourselves in the hue of devotion?

May we make each moment fruitful and purposeful.
May Wisdom-Guru guide us!