Baavan Akhri

Quote
Se Kinehiya p. 331

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Chapter 69 SIGNIFICANCE OF SALOK GURDEV MATA GURDEV PITA

Whenever Baba Ji would recite a Sehaj path or give Santhiya (teach pronunciation of Gurbani) to a new learner, he would come across a specific instruction written at the end of the prayer of “Bawan Akhri” in Raag Gauri by the fifth Guru. He would ponder over the Gurbani and its meaning and why Guru Ji’s had found it necessary to write this instruction. This Gurbani comes on page -262, at the end of which is written a specific direction for the reader.

The divine Guru is my mother, The divine Guru father and The divine Guru is my Lord and supreme God gurdayv maataa gurdayv pitaa gurdayv su-aamee parmaysuraa. (Salok- page 262)

The above stanza of Gurbani appears twice, once at the start of “Bawan Akhri” and then at the end of this prayer. At the end of the Salok, the great Guru has clearly instructed, “Read this Salok at the beginning and at the end”. The motive of the great Guru regarding this Salok was not clear.

Baba Ji asked many scholars of Gurbani about its meaning. Some said that instruction was applicable only for the prayer of ‘’Bawan Akhri‘’ and it meant that at the beginning and the end of reading this prayer, the reader must recite the above Salok twice. Baba Ji used to reply, ‘’This Salok is written twice, first in the beginning and then at the end, so it is to be read twice, there is no doubt regarding that. Some would say, ”This sentence is not Gurbani, it is just a written statement.” Baba Ji would answer, ‘’There are so many Salok’s in Gurbani which appear twice in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, but none of them ends with this instruction to “ Read this Salok at the beginning and at the end.‘’

At last, when he was not satisfied, he prayed to the great Guru to give him counsel regarding the special instruction and its meaning. The tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji appeared in front of Baba Ji and uttered, ‘’Bhai Harnam Singh! Whenever a gursikh begins nitnem, either in the morning or in the evening, at the beginning and after completing their prayers, this Salok should be read. Before the start of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, or Sehaj Path, and after completing the recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, this Salok should also be read. This line is written only for the purpose to remind the Sikh to read the Salok twice. Any person who reads this Salok at the beginning and the end of their prayers will receive extra spiritual benefit.” Listening to the divine words of the Great Guru, Baba Ji was totally satisfied and overjoyed. From that day onward, all the devotees of Baba Ji read this Salok as per the order of the Great Guru.