Today we are celebrating the first ever prakash of Guru Granth Sahib.
My painting depicts the Darbar (court) of Guru Granth Sahib ji, inside the Harimandir Sahib complex. After Guru Arjun Dev ji completed the scripture, it was installed in Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple.
Guru Granth Sahib ji contains the writings of the Saints of medieval India, as well as the writings of several of the Gurus in the sikh tradition. Its central thrust is Truth and it contains practical spirituality – to meet with the Truth and then to perform responsible actions in a manner whereby you lose yourself in that process.
Naturally, in the hymns of Guru Granth Sahib ji, we see a blend of devotion to the Truth, responsible actions and meditation, and criticism of irresponsible actions, including the self-deceptive habits we all have. Each hymn of Guru Granth Sahib ji leads the reader towards these fundamentals of life, these higher values associated with truthful living.
Even though Guru Granth Sahib ji had been a source of teaching for the sikhs since its first prakash, the official status of “Guru” was given to this scripture by Guru Gobind Singh ji before he passed away.
Regardless of whether I paint the Gods, the Gurus or the Guardians, I always listen to the hymns from Guru Granth Sahib ji, alongside it. Many artworks I have produced are a direct consequence of doing so, where the inspiration came from my meditations on these hymns.
In my daily life as well, my north star is the practical spirituality that is described in Guru Granth Sahib ji. I am always scrutinizing my behaviour, my habits and my thoughts, and testing them on the standard set within the hymns.
My goal in life is to be the servant of Truth, and to lose myself deeply in its devotion, with each breath.
Hopefully my art inspires you to serve the Truth, as well as becoming Kings and Queens of your respective domains.
Shri Krishan ji is that Light within us, through which we experience the world.
This is the Light that not only illuminates the world but also reveals to us who we are. Whatever thoughts we think, whatever feelings we feel, it is through the Light that we even know what they are!
Today we are celebrating the arrival of his physical form, whom we see as the character in the epic of Mahabharat.
Shri Krishan ji – Banke Loi
Shri Krishan ji – The Light Within
Even though I have painted a physical form, the Light has no visible shape or form but we call it Light because within it, we see everything, including ourselves.
This Light which paints all that we can know of, cannot itself be painted. My words and paintings merely point towards it.
In Guru Granth Sahib, we see the veneration of the Light itself, as well as the physical form. This is why the tradition of Sikh Art is incomplete without the painting of both this Light and its physical form.
Whenever I paint, I always have some hymns from Guru Granth Sahib that I meditate on while painting. I want to share 4 of these with you.
You will see elements of these expressed in the paintings above. See if you can identify these elements!
I hope you enjoy the paintings and I hope you enjoy listening to the shabads below.
Guru Nanak Dev ji reveals who Shri Krishan ji Maharaj is, the Light within – ਏਕ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ੍ਨੰ ਤ ਸਰਬ ਦੇਵਾ ਦੇਵ ਦੇਵਾ ਤ ਆਤਮਹ ॥ The One Krishan ji is the Light within all the great beings, and the Light within us.
ਆਤਮੰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਸ੍ਵਦੇਵਸ੍ਯ ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਜਾਨਸਿ ਭੇਵ ॥ The Light within is Shri Krishan ji, if anyone recognizes this secret within themselves.
ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਦਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਸੋਈ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ॥੪॥ Guru Nanak Dev ji says I am the servant of that Pure Light.
Listen to Guru Angad Dev ji’s version of this shabad –
Dwarika City which was built by Shri Krishan ji Maharaj was invaded by Mohammad Shah in 1241, who destroyed the temples there.
This was 29 years prior to Sant Nam Dev ji’s birth. This was a time of foreign invasions of India.
At this time, Sant Nam Dev ji visits Dwarika and has a conversation with Shri Krishan ji, upon arriving –
ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਂਉ ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਂਉ ॥ ਨੀਕੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਗਾਰੀ ਆਲੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ I am a sacrifice to You. Absolute devotion to You is small, whereas Your Identity is vast.
ਕੁਜਾ ਆਮਦ ਕੁਜਾ ਰਫਤੀ ਕੁਜਾ ਮੇ ਰਵੀ ॥ ਦ੍ਵਾਰਿਕਾ ਨਗਰੀ ਰਾਸਿ ਬੁਗੋਈ ॥੧॥ Where did You come from? Where are You going now? Where will You go? In Dwarika city, Krishna, You speak the Truth.
ਖੂਬੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਪਗਰੀ ਮੀਠੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਬੋਲ ॥ ਦ੍ਵਾਰਿਕਾ ਨਗਰੀ ਕਾਹੇ ਕੇ ਮਗੋਲ ॥੨॥ Krishna, Your turban is beautiful and Your speech is so sweet, why have You arrived in the city of Dwarka as a Mughal?
ਚੰਦੀ ਹਜਾਰ ਆਲਮ ਏਕਲ ਖਾਨਾਂ ॥ ਹਮ ਚਿਨੀ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹ ਸਾਂਵਲੇ ਬਰਨਾਂ ॥੩॥ ਅਸਪਤਿ ਗਜਪਤਿ ਨਰਹ ਨਰਿੰਦ ॥ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੇ ਸ੍ਵਾਮੀ ਮੀਰ ਮੁਕੰਦ ॥੪॥੨॥੩॥ You are the Master of all worlds, permeating each one. You are my King, o dark-skinned Krishna. You are Lord of the Horses, Surya (Dispeller of Darkness), You are the Lord of the Elephants, Indra (Consciousness), You are the Lord of Men, Brahma (Expanding Awareness). You are my Master, the King of All Beings and their Liberator.
Listen to this shabad –
Guru Nanak Dev ji sings the praises of Shri Krishan ji and describes his beautiful eyes and his youthful appearance – ਤੇਰੇ ਬੰਕੇ ਲੋਇਣ ਦੰਤ ਰੀਸਾਲਾ ॥ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਨਕ ਜਿਨ ਲੰਮੜੇ ਵਾਲਾ ॥ Your eyes are beautiful, your teeth are beautiful, beautiful is your nose and long hair.
ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਸੁਇਨੇ ਕੀ ਢਾਲਾ ॥ ਸੋਵੰਨ ਢਾਲਾ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਮਾਲਾ ਜਪਹੁ ਤੁਸੀ ਸਹੇਲੀਹੋ ॥ Golden body, decorated with Vajyanti garland, chant Krishna’s name, o sisters fair.
ਜਮ ਦੁਆਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਹੁ ਖੜੀਆ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਮਹੇਲੀਹੋ ॥ You will not have to stand at the door of death, if you listen to this teaching with care.
ਹੰਸ ਹੰਸਾ ਬਗ ਬਗਾ ਲਹੈ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਜਾਲਾ ॥ Listening, the hypocrites are transformed into Saintly Swans; their mind’s entanglements tear.
ਬੰਕੇ ਲੋਇਣ ਦੰਤ ਰੀਸਾਲਾ ॥੭॥ ਤੇਰੀ ਚਾਲ ਸੁਹਾਵੀ ਮਧੁਰਾੜੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥ Your eyes are beautiful, beautiful are your teeth. Your gait is graceful, sweet is the way you speak.
ਕੁਹਕਨਿ ਕੋਕਿਲਾ ਤਰਲ ਜੁਆਣੀ ॥ Your speech is like the song of the Kokila songbird, and your rising youth is at its peak.
ਤਰਲਾ ਜੁਆਣੀ ਆਪਿ ਭਾਣੀ ਇਛ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਪੂਰੀਏ ॥ Youth appealed to you, so you took this form, seeing which may the heart be content.
ਸਾਰੰਗ ਜਿਉ ਪਗੁ ਧਰੈ ਠਿਮਿ ਠਿਮਿ ਆਪਿ ਆਪੁ ਸੰਧੂਰਏ ॥ Like the elephant, you walk slowly, enjoying yourself, mincing, step by step.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰੰਗ ਰਾਤੀ ਫਿਰੈ ਮਾਤੀ ਉਦਕੁ ਗੰਗਾ ਵਾਣੀ ॥ Lakshmi walks in your love, intoxicated, your speech is like the river Ganga, pure.
ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਦਾਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਚਾਲ ਸੁਹਾਵੀ ਮਧੁਰਾੜੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥੮॥੨॥ Says Nanak, I am the servant of Hari, Your walk is graceful and your speech has a special allure.
Listen to this shabad –
Sant Nam Dev ji expresses joy and praises the birth of Shri Krishan ji – ਧਨਿ ਧੰਨਿ ਓ ਰਾਮ ਬੇਨੁ ਬਾਜੈ ॥ ਮਧੁਰ ਮਧੁਰ ਧੁਨਿ ਅਨਹਤ ਗਾਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ Blessed, blessed is that Flute which the Lord plays. The sweet, sweet unstruck sound current sings forth.
ਧਨਿ ਧਨਿ ਮੇਘਾ ਰੋਮਾਵਲੀ ॥ ਧਨਿ ਧਨਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਓਢੈ ਕਾਂਬਲੀ ॥੧॥ Blessed, blessed is the wool of the sheep; blessed, blessed is the wool blanket worn by Shri Krishna.
ਧਨਿ ਧਨਿ ਤੂ ਮਾਤਾ ਦੇਵਕੀ ॥ ਜਿਹ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਰਮਈਆ ਕਵਲਾਪਤੀ ॥੨॥ Blessed, blessed are you, O mother Devaki, into your home the Akal Purakh, the Husband of Mata Lakshmi, was born.
ਧਨਿ ਧਨਿ ਬਨ ਖੰਡ ਬਿੰਦ੍ਰਾਬਨਾ ॥ ਜਹ ਖੇਲੈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਾਰਾਇਨਾ ॥੩॥ Blessed, blessed are the forests of Vrindavan, where Shri Narayana played.
ਬੇਨੁ ਬਜਾਵੈ ਗੋਧਨੁ ਚਰੈ ॥ ਨਾਮੇ ਕਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਆਨਦ ਕਰੈ ॥੪॥੧॥ He plays the flute, and herds the cows, Nam Dev’s Master plays happily.
ਮੇਰੋ ਬਾਪੁ ਮਾਧਉ ਤੂ ਧਨੁ ਕੇਸੌ ਸਾਂਵਲੀਓ ਬੀਠੁਲਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ O my Father, Husband of my Mother, Lakshmi, blessed are You, long-haired, dark-skinned, Vishnu.
ਕਰ ਧਰੇ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਤੇ ਆਏ ਗਜ ਹਸਤੀ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਉਧਾਰੀਅਲੇ ॥ You hold the Sudarshan Quoit in Your hand; You came down from Vaikunth (where You reside), and saved the life of the Elephant (who was attacked, and was trapped in the tight jaws of a crocodile).
ਦੁਹਸਾਸਨ ਕੀ ਸਭਾ ਦ੍ਰੋਪਤੀ ਅੰਬਰ ਲੇਤ ਉਬਾਰੀਅਲੇ ॥੧॥ In the court of Duhshasan, You saved the honor of Dropadi, when her clothes were being removed.
ਗੋਤਮ ਨਾਰਿ ਅਹਲਿਆ ਤਾਰੀ ਪਾਵਨ ਕੇਤਕ ਤਾਰੀਅਲੇ ॥ You saved Ahliyaa (who was turned to stone), the wife of Gautam; how many have You purified and carried across?
ਐਸਾ ਅਧਮੁ ਅਜਾਤਿ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਤਉ ਸਰਨਾਗਤਿ ਆਈਅਲੇ ॥੨॥੨॥ Such a lowly outcaste as Nam Dev has come seeking Your Sanctuary.
Guru Hari Rai ji, also known as Guru Harrai or Guru Har Rai, is the seventh Guru in the lineage of Guru Nanak Dev ji.
Guru Hari Rai ji is the liberator of all, humans and animals alike. In this painting, Bhagat has depicted Guru ji as a blissful sovereign being, whose presence uplifts all beings.
Guru Hari Rai ji – Blissful Sovereign
A revolutionary step, that Guru ji took, has been largely been ignored by the sikh tradition.
Hundreds of years ago, today, the sikh community celebrated Diwali with Guru Hari Gobind ji, after he returned from the Gwalior Fort.
Guru Hari Gobind ji, commonly known as Guru Hargobind, is the sixth Guru in the lineage of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Guru ji was granted Gurgaddi at the young age of 11, after his father, Guru Arjun Dev ji, was unjustly executed by the Mughal ruler Jahangir.
After his father’s martyrdom, Guru ji emphasized a need for self-defense within the sikh community. However this shift soured the relationship with Jahangir further. Feeling insecure or threatened or simply suspicious, he had Guru ji imprisoned in the Gwalior Fort.
Many years later, upon Guru ji’s release, along with the 52 imprisoned kings who held the tassels of his robe, he arrived at Amritsar. The sikhs rejoiced. They had been celebrating Diwali for the victory of God over Ego, of Shri Ram over Ahankar. Today they had an additional reason for celebration, having been reunited with Guru ji after many years
Guru Hari Gobind ji – Defender of Saints
Guru Hari Gobind ji is the vanquisher of armies, and a benevolent warrior. In this painting, Bhagat has depicted Guru ji with an aura of Bir Ras, the Essence of Warriors…
“The Name of Shri Hari ji is the Mool Mantra (the basis of wisdom) and the source of all Tastes (of Pure Consciousness); those who chant the Name of Hari ji find Complete Wisdom.”
– Guru Nanak Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 1040)
Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji starts off with praise of Waheguru in the form of the Mool Mantra. In the Mool Mantra, Guru Nanak Dev ji expresses the essence of spirituality that is at the heart of not just the Sikh religion but of Indian spiritual traditions as a whole.
The central thrust of Guru ji’s teachings is to orient oneself towards the Truth. This message shines through the Mool Mantra.
The Mool Mantra is available for your home, in two designs –
Mool Mantra – Golden Temple in Moonlight
Mool Mantra – Soul Swans
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