Vidhya Series Part 10 - The nature of the Saints - Translation from Saarkutavali Granth

In this series, we will be sharing sections from various Granths which inspire us in our study of Santhia and Sikhi Jeevan. This passage from Sarkutavali Granth (written by Pandit Hardayal Ji) explores the question, what is the nature of a Saint?

ਸੈਯਾ॥ ਸੰਤ ਕਰੈ ਨਹਿ ਵੈਰ ਕਹੂੰ; ਸਭ ਕੇ ਹਿਤ ਮੈਂ ਵਰਤੈ ਅਤਿ ਹੀ ॥

Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਸੰਤ(Saint) ਕਰੈ(does) ਨਹਿ(no) ਵੈਰ(enmity) ਕਹੂੰ(with anyone) ਸਭ(everybody) ਕੇ ਹਿਤ(welfare) ਵਰਤੈ(conducts/behaves) ਹੀ(only) 

Arth (meaning): The Saints (shaant-chit mahatma= the great beings who have quietened their mind from all distractions and vices) have no enmity with anyone, (all their actions) are solely for the welfare of all mankind.

The Gurmukhs do not live a self-centered life, their sole mission becomes the betterment of others. Even if it means sacrificing their life, they are prepared, as we see in the lives of the Guru Sahibaan and the great Shaheeds of our Panth. Guru Sahib says:

ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੁ ਨਿਤ ਚਿਤਵਤੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ॥੨॥ - ਬਿਲਾਵਲ ਮ: ੫, ਅੰਗ ੮੧੫

The Gurmukhs continuously think of the betterment of others, and they harbour no ill intentions towards anyone. - Bilaval M:5, Ang 815

ਤਾਂ ਤਨ ਕੋ ਜਬ ਦਾਹਤ ਕੋ; ਵਹਿ ਤੱਦਪਿ ਦੇਤ ਸੁਖਾਮਿਤ ਹੀ॥

Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਤਾਂ(those Saints) ਤਨ(body) ਜਬ(when) ਦਾਹਤ(burn/give pain) ਵਹਿ(they) ਤੱਦਪਿ(even then) ਦੇਤ(give) ਸੁਖਾਮਿਤ(bountiful peace) ਹੀ(only) 

Arth (meaning): Even if someone gives pain to the Saints, trying to burn them with their words of slander, the Saint will still give back only bountiful peace to such a slanderer (i.e. the Saints will never curse their slanderers, rather they will only ask Vaheguru to bless them).

ਜੈਸੇ ਕੁਠਾਰ ਕਟੈ ਤਰੁ ਚੰਦਨ; ਗੰਧ ਤਿਸੈ ਮੁਖ ਦੇਵਤ ਹੀ ॥

Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਜੈਸੇ(just like) ਕੁਠਾਰ(an axe) ਕਟੈ(cuts) ਤਰੁ(tree) ਚੰਦਨ(sandalwood) ਗੰਧ(fragrance) ਮੁਖ(face i.e. blade of the axe) ਦੇਵਤ(gives) ਹੀ(only) 

Arth (meaning): Kavi Ji now gives an analogy to illustrate the above statement: Even though the axe cuts into the sandalwood tree, the sandalwood tree still leaves its beautiful fragrance on the blade of the axe.

The slanderer is like the axe and the sandalwood tree is like the Saint, the Saint will still bless the slanderer with the fragrance of Gursikhi and Bhagti, and only desire their betterment.

ਹੇਤੁ ਇਹੀ ਸਰਬਾਤਮ ਹੇਰਤ; ਤਾਂ ਪਦ ਕੰਜ ਨਮੋ ਨਿਤ ਹੀ ॥੩॥

Padh Arth (word by word meaning): ਹੇਤੁ(reason) ਇਹੀ(only this) ਸਰਬਾਤਮ(aatma in all) ਹੇਰਤ(they see) ਤਾਂ(for this reason) ਪਦ(feet) ਕੰਜ(lotus) ਨਮੋ(salutation) ਨਿਤ ਹੀ(everyday)

Arth (meaning): What is the reason for this? Because the Saints see their ‘Aatma’ (the self, the Joth of Vaheguru which is our true essence) in all, hence they have no enmity with anyone. For this reason Kavi Hardayal Ji says he bows down daily to the lotus feet of the Saints.

When you only see the light of Vaheguru in all, then who is friend or foe? Such became the Avastha of the Mahapursh such as Bhai Kanaiyah Ji. Bhai Sahib Ji saw the form of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in all, whether he was serving water to the Singhs or the Mughals on the battlefield.