Persian Shabad Gurbani - Guru Nanak Dev Ji - Yek Arz Goftam - Arsh Khaira / Ustad Khairuddin Paiwand

Dr. Arsh Khaira (PhD)
Ustad Khairuddin Paiwand (XinJiang, China)

Brief Analysis by Dr. Arsh Khaira

You need to understand Baba Nanak Ji's condition when he is speaking these words. The dialect is Afghan Dari (Farsi) so it is likely he was on a journey through Afghanistan, perhaps upon his return from his 4th Udasi which was a pilgrimage to Mecca Sharif (Hajj). In this revelation Baba Nanak Sahib unleashes a barrage of accusations towards HIMSELF. He reveals that he feels he is nearing death, which points towards the timeline that this is upon his return from Hajj, and that the Angel of Death (Azraeel) has grabbed him by the hair on his head. He reveals he feels that at his last breath there will be no one close to him to take his hand or to recite his Takbir (Allah Hu Akbar - and final prayers).

Baba Nanak Sahib then continues to berate HIMSELF, even comparing his name NANAK, to the word "na-nek." Lord be merciful unto us for ever considering this comparison, but here Guru Sahib does it to himself. He then calls himself hopeless, unblessed, full of bad thoughts, and a prisoner of himself.

He closes by saying he is the dust of the feet of the Lords servants.

Herein we see the level of Guru Sahib where he has reached such a high position of honour in the Abode of God, and yet he continues to chastise himself for everything he feels he has done wrong. God forgive us for ever thinking such things about the esteemed Guru Nanak Sahib, yet here the Guru tasks himself to rebuke and criticize his own person.

Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Persian Scripture from Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Raag Tilang, Ang / Page 721)
Translation by Dr. Arsh Khaira

Yek arz goftam pesh tu dar goosh ko Kardigar
I place this one request before you, give me your ears oh Creator

Haque Kabir Karim tu, be-aib Parwardigar
You are the greatest truth, without comparison my Lord

Donya makam-e-fani tehkik dil dani
The world is a temporary place, you know this well in your heart

Mam sar-muye azraeel garift dil hech na dani
Azraeel (the Angel of Death) has grabbed me by the hair on my head, in my heart I do not know any better

Jan, pisar, pidar, biradarhan, kas neest dastigir
Wife, sons, father, brothers, no one will be there to take the hand

Akhir be-aftam kas na darad chon shavad takbir
Finally, when I fall, no one will be there to recite the Takbir (Allah Hu Akbar)

Shab roz gashtam dar hawa, kardam bad-khyal
Night and day, I wandered aimlessly in the weather, I thought only bad thoughts

Gahe nah-neki kar kardam, mom een choneen ahval
I did only bad things, this is my condition

Badbakht, hamchoon bakhil, qafal, benazar, bebak
I am unfortunate, miserable, a prisoner, unable to see the truth and too bold

Nanak begoyad jan Tura, Tere chakar-han pao khak
Nanak says in the love of the Lord, I am the dust of the feet of your servants



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