The journey to self is not only arduous and lonely but full of questions and mysteries. There are times when you feel ecstatic about a revelation about your inner world or the world around you, but at other times, you may feel lost, confused, unclear, and even sceptical about your path or progress. It is quite challenging to understand our own existence–the reason for our being. At such times, one feels the need for a guide, a mentor, a Guru who can lead one onto the right path.
ਜਿਹ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਇਹੁ ਜਾਤ ਇਕੇਲਾ,
ਤਹ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਹੋਤ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥
Hindi: Jih mārag ih jat ikelā,
Teh har nām sang hot suhela.
English Meaning: The path on which the soul has to travel alone, that path becomes pleasant with obedience to the Naam of the Almighty.
The word “guru” literally means dispeller of darkness, or the one who moves us from darkness to light, or from ignorance to enlightenment.
ਜਿਹ ਪੈਡੈ ਮਹਾ ਅੰਧ ਗੁਬਾਰਾ,
ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਉਜੀਆਰਾ ॥
Hindi: Jih paidai mahā anḏẖ gubārā,
Har kā nām sang ujīārā.
English Meaning: The path on which there is absolute darkness, i.e. one who is ignorant of how to lead human life, Naam of the Almighty is light/guide for life.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been revered as the Guru ever since the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji announced, “Sab Sikhan ko hukum hai, Guru Maniyo Granth” (ਸਭ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਕੋ ਹੁਕਮ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਾਨਿਓ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ), meaning “All the Sikhs are instructed to follow the Granth Sahib as their Guru.”
Gurbani says that once we accept it as our Guru and take even one step towards knowing ourselves, then God will enlighten our path at every step, and we will feel His presence at every turn, at every pause, at every obstacle, and at every achievement. A Guru never abandons His followers. The Holy Granth reminds us to walk towards the Guru with complete surrender and trust. Even one step taken in faith brings countless blessings from the Divine. Walking towards the Guru can also be interpreted as walking inwards, and knowing our authentic true selves by attempting to find answers which can only be found inside us.
ਚਰਨ ਸ਼ਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ,
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ॥
Hindi: Charan sharan gur ek painda jaye chal,
Satgur kot painda aage hoye let hai.
English Meaning: A disciple who walks one step towards the Guru to take His refuge and goes to Him with devotion and humility, the Guru advances to receive him (the devotee) by taking a million steps.
I have always found all my answers in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, just the way the stars guide us at night. The Gurbani kirtan in the perfect, calming, rhythmic ragas, which are rendered in the soulful voices of the blessed ragis, is nothing short of a symphony of stars that illumines the infinite cerulean sky (our being).
Somehow, the Universe knows what I need to hear, what qualms have created a chaos in my mind, or what emotions are creating a turmoil and imbalance in my life, and so it plays the particular shabad (verse) that assuages my soul, clarifies my misconceptions, and steers my thoughts and energy in the right direction.
ਜਹ ਮਹਾ ਭਇਆਨ ਤਪਤਿ ਬਹੁ ਘਾਮ,
ਤਹ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਤੁਮ ਊਪਰਿ ਛਾਮ ॥
Hindi: Jah mahā bẖaiān ṯapaṯ baho gẖām.
Teh har ke nām kī ṯum ūpar cẖẖām.
English Meaning: When you are in extreme heat, i.e. in grave trouble, then the Naam of the Almighty is a shade over your head, i.e. saves you from drowning and provides solace.
©Vandana Bhasin
02.11.2025