I am pleased to
share my new Poem on Guru Ajan whose 400th martyrdom anniversary is being
held on June 16. For those who cannot read Urduscript, I am providing
transliteration, and translation. Just a brief note: Guru Arjan, was a
prolific contributor and compiler of Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh
scripture). His "unique catholicity" is evidenced in the fact that, along
with the hymns of Sikh Gurus, he incorporated the compositions of as many
as 36 men of God", Hindu and Muslim scholars and saints, including others
of different castes and creeds, underlying the Sikh belief in the
universality of people and their faiths.
GURU ARJAN
The true Guru, Arjan, so unique was
your spirituality!
In your spiritual perspective, all
human beings were of one race,
And in your pursuit of Truth, the
Hindus and the Muslims were one and the same.
You proclaimed: Of all religions the
best religion is
To utter the Holy Name with adoration, and to
do good deeds.
You told: He who deemed himself lowliest of
the low
Shall be deemed the highest of all.
All religions bring us similar message,
And the holy Granth bears witness to such
writings!
You bestowed equal honour to the high and the
low (mystics),
And to Farid and Kabir (Muslim saints) are
sitting side by side with you.
Mian Mir (Muslim saint) was invited by you to
lay foundation stone (of Golden Temple),
Thereby setting a unique direction for all men
of faith.
Let the 'Pearls of Peace', your spiritual
composition, be a harbinger of peace for us all.
Let the highest site be the heart in which
Holy Name resides.
Sharing the one globe (peacefully) was your
message for us all!
You , our True Guru, occupy the highest place
among us all
Your martyrdom was to serve uplift of all
mankind!
ARJAN, THE TRUE GURU, YOUR SPIRITUALITY IS
UNIQUE INDEED!
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(Transliteration)
GURU ARJAN
Satduru Arjan tairi
rohaanyat thii bai missaal !
Roohaani fitrat mein teri saare insaan aik thai,
Haq shanaassi meim tairi, Hindu, Musaalman aik thai !
Tau ne farmaaya ke sabh dharmon se achha voh dharam,
Jiss se ho yaad-e-khuda aur naik hoon apnay karam !
Tau ne batlayaa ke insaan voh hai sabh se bar treen
Jo kehe ke main to hoon saare jahaan se kum treen !
Sare deen o dharam ka paigaam subh hai aik saa,
Hai Guru Granth ji zamann tairi tehreer ka !
Sharf bukhshaw tau ne uksaan soofi o faqeer ko,
Hum nasheen rutbaa dia Farid ko, Kabir ko !
Sang -e- bunyaadi rakhayaa tau ne Mian Meer se,
Rah -e- deen roshan kiya ik be missal tadbeer se !
Sukhmani, taira kalaam, amann ka paigaam ho,
Voh jagaah sabh se barri jis dil mein uss kaa naam ho
!
Saare insaanoon ki dharti aik hai taira piyaam,
Hai balundoon se baland ter Satguru taira muqaam !
Jam -e- shaadit pi liyaa insaaniyat taameer ko !
-------- Dr. Teja Singh