17.5. The End - Death: In Light of Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Continued From:

http://tdsinghharjidamarg.blogspot.in/2016/12/174-end-death-in-light-of-dhan-shri.html

Mortals need to understand that ‘Death’ is pre-ordained. Dhan Shri Guru Raam Das Ji describes it in following words:

ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖੇ ਡੇਹ ਸਿ ਆਏ ਮਾਇਆ ॥[1]

पूरबि लिखे डेह सि आए माइआ ॥

(The days of one's life are pre-ordained; they will come to their end, O mother.)

ਆਇਆ ਮਰਣੁ ਧੁਰਾਹੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਈਐ ॥[2]

आइआ मरणु धुराहु हउमै रोईऐ ॥

(Death is ordained from the very beginning, and yet ego makes us cry.)

ਧੁਰਿ ਮਰਣੁ ਲਿਖਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੋਹਾਇਆ ਜਨ ਉਬਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਨਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥[3]

धुरि मरणु लिखाइआ गुरमुखि सोहाइआ जन उबरे हरि हरि धिआनि जीउ ॥३॥

(Death is pre-ordained; the Gurmukhs look beauteous, and the humble beings are saved, meditating on the Lord, Har, Har.)

Guruji is suggesting whatever has beginning will come to an end. But a person is limited by ‘Ego’ and thus does not understand that. But ‘Gurmukh – An individual who listens to Guru’ does understand that. And Guruji says such individuals are saved.

Further Dhan Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Dhan Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji tell us that ‘God – The One’ has created ‘Death’ in following words:

ਸਭਿ ਕਾਲੈ ਵਸਿ ਆਪਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕੀਆ ॥[4]

सभि कालै वसि आपि प्रभि कीआ ॥

(God Himself has made them all subject to death.)

ਤੁਝ ਹੀ ਕੀਆ ਜੰਮਣ ਮਰਣਾ ॥[5]

तुझ ही कीआ जमण मरणा ॥

(You have created birth and death.)

‘The One’ has created ‘Death’. HE has ensured that all are subjected to end. HE issues the command of mortal’s ‘Death’ as said by Dhan Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Dhan Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in following words:

ਕਉਤਕੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਇਹੁ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ ॥[6]

कउतकु कालु इहु हुकमि पठाइआ ॥

(You issue Your Command for this amazing thing, death.)

ਮਿਰਤੁ ਦੂਖ ਸੂਖ ਲਿਖਿ ਪਾਏ ॥[7]

मिरतु दूख सूख लिखि पाए ॥

(Death, pain and pleasure are ordained by the Lord.)

ਪਰਵਾਣਾ ਆਇਆ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕੋਈ ॥[8]

परवाणा आइआ हुकमि पठाइआ फेरि न सकै कोई ॥

(The call of death is sent out by the Lord's Command; no one can challenge it.)

It is commonly said while consoling the family of deceased person ‘Man Proposes God Disposes’. That is it is coming and going is ‘Will of God’. And ‘Gurbaani’ confirms it. We also have heard it (‘Death’ is ‘Will of God’) many times, even read it but still the pain of ‘separation’ hurt us. It is human to shed tears and that is perhaps our right. Nature has blessed us with ‘tears’. But Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji has something more to offer. As per ‘Gurbaani’ we should try not to ‘cry’ over ‘Death’ but pray for strength and balance of mind to bear the pain. As such separation is caused by ‘HIS Command’. If a tear has to be shed it should be shed in ‘Pain of Separation of HIM’, only then then ‘it’s’ true worth is realized. So next we will seek answer to question what false practices are, how they affect the end of a mortal in the light of Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

TO BE CONTINUED!

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[1] Raag Aasaa Ghar 8 Ke Kafi Mehla 4 – Ang 369 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[2] Raag Aasaa Ghar 8 Ke Kafi Mehla 4 – Ang 369 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[3] Aassa Mehla 4 – Ang 447 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[4] Maroo Shole Mehla 5 – Ang 1076 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[5] Maroo Mehla 1 – Ang 1022 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[6] Maroo Sohle Mehla 5 – Ang 1081 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[7] Maroo Mehla 5 – Ang 1086 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

[8] Dhanasri Mehla 1 – Ang 688 Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji