# Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl, Fifth Mehl

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> Shri Guru Granth Sahib: Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl
> Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - Part 001
> You believed that this body was permanent, but it shall turn to dust.
> Why don't you chant the Name of the Lord, you shameless fool? ||1||
> Let devotional worship of the Lord enter into your heart, and abandon the intellectualism of your mind.
> O Servant Nanak, this is the way to live in the world. ||2||4||
> One Universal Creator God. Truth Is The Name. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying. Beyond Birth. Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace:
> Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl:
> You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue;
> you worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate.
> You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood,
> and recite your daily prayers three times a day.
> The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.
> You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.
> If you know God and the nature of karma,
> you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.
> Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.
> Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. ||1||
> The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.
> Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.
> The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Thus speaks Nanak, after deep deliberation.
> The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. ||2||
> The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.
> The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Soodra.
> The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.
> Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. ||3||
> The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities. He is the Divinity of the soul.
> Nanak is the slave of that one who knows the Secrets of the soul and the Supreme Lord God. He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. ||4||
> Shalok Sehskritee , Fifth Mehl:
> One Universal Creator God. Truth Is The Name. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying. Beyond Birth. Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace:
> Who is the mother, and who is the father? Who is the son, and what is the pleasure of marriage?
> Who is the brother, friend, companion and relative? Who is emotionally attached to the family?
> Who is restlessly attached to beauty? It leaves, as soon as we see it.
> Only the meditative remembrance of God remains with us. O Nanak, it brings the blessings of the Saints, the sons of the Imperishable Lord. ||1||
> Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - Part 002
> Cursed is loving attachment to one's mother and father; cursed is loving attachment to one's siblings and relatives.
> Cursed is attachment to the joys of family life with one's spouse and children.
> Cursed is attachment to household affairs.
> Only loving attachment to the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, is True. Nanak dwells there in peace. ||2||
> The body is false; its power is temporary.
> It grows old; its love for Maya increases greatly.
> The human is only a temporary guest in the home of the body, but he has high hopes.
> The Righteous Judge of Dharma is relentless; he counts each and every breath.
> The human body, so difficult to obtain, has fallen into the deep dark pit of emotional attachment. O Nanak, its only support is God, the Essence of Reality.
> O God, Lord of the World, Lord of the Universe, Master of the Universe, please be kind to me. ||3||
> This fragile body-fortress is made up of water, plastered with blood and wrapped in skin.
> It has nine gates, but no doors; it is supported by pillars of wind, the channels of the breath.
> The ignorant person does not meditate in remembrance on the Lord of the Universe; he thinks that this body is permanent.
> This precious body is saved and redeemed in the Sanctuary of the Holy, O Nanak,
> chanting the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, Har, Har, Haray. ||4||
> O Glorious, Eternal and Imperishable, Perfect and Abundantly Compassionate,
> Profound and Unfathomable, Lofty and Exalted, All-knowing and Infinite Lord God.
> O Lover of Your devoted servants, Your Feet are a Sanctuary of Peace.
> O Master of the masterless, Helper of the helpless, Nanak seeks Your Sanctuary. ||5||
> Seeing the deer, the hunter aims his weapons.
> But if one is protected by the Lord of the World, O Nanak, not a hair on his head will be touched. ||6||
> He may be surrounded on all four sides by servants and powerful warriors;
> he may dwell in a lofty place, difficult to approach, and never even think of death.
> But when the Order comes from the Primal Lord God, O Nanak, even an ant can take away his breath of life. ||7||
> To be imbued and attuned to the Word of the Shabad; to be kind and compassionate; to sing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises - these are the most worthwhile actions in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga.
> In this way, one's inner doubts and emotional attachments are dispelled.
> God is pervading and permeating all places.
> So obtain the Blessed Vision of His Darshan; He dwells upon the tongues of the Holy.
> O Nanak, meditate and chant the Name of the Beloved Lord, Har, Har, Har, Haray. ||8||
> Beauty fades away, islands fade away, the sun, moon, stars and sky fade away.
> The earth, mountains, forests and lands fade away.
> One's spouse, children, siblings and loved friends fade away.
> Gold and jewels and the incomparable beauty of Maya fade away.
> Only the Eternal, Unchanging Lord does not fade away.
> O Nanak, only the humble Saints are steady and stable forever. ||9||
> Do not delay in practicing righteousness; delay in committing sins.
> Implant the Naam, the Name of the Lord, within yourself, and abandon greed.
> In the Sanctuary of the Saints, the sins are erased. The character of righteousness is received by that person,
> O Nanak, with whom the Lord is pleased and satisfied. ||10||
> The person of shallow understanding is dying in emotional attachment; he is engrossed in pursuits of pleasure with his wife.
> With youthful beauty and golden earrings,
> wondrous mansions, decorations and clothes - this is how Maya clings to him.
> O Eternal, Unchanging, Benevolent Lord God, O Sanctuary of the Saints, Nanak humbly bows to You. ||11||
> If there is birth, then there is death. If there is pleasure, then there is pain. If there is enjoyment, then there is disease.
> If there is high, then there is low. If there is small, then there is great.
> Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - Part 003
> If there is power, then there is pride. If there is egotistical pride, then there will be a fall.
> Engrossed in worldly ways, one is ruined.
> Meditating and vibrating on the Lord of the Universe in the Company of the Holy, you shall become steady and stable. Nanak vibrates and meditates on the Lord God. ||12||
> By the Grace of God, genuine understanding comes to the mind.
> The intellect blossoms forth, and one finds a place in the realm of celestial bliss.
> The senses are brought under control, and pride is abandoned.
> The heart is cooled and soothed, and the wisdom of the Saints is implanted within.
> Reincarnation is ended, and the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan is obtained.
> O Nanak, the musical instrument of the Word of the Shabad vibrates and resounds within. ||13||
> The Vedas preach and recount God's Glories; people hear them by various ways and means.
> The Merciful Lord, Har, Har, implants spiritual wisdom within.
> Nanak begs for the Gift of the Naam, the Name of the Lord. The Guru is the Great Giver, the Lord of the World. ||14||
> Do not worry so much about your mother, father and siblings. Do not worry so much about other people.
> Do not worry about your spouse, children and friends. You are obsessed with your involvements in Maya.
> The One Lord God is Kind and Compassionate, O Nanak. He is the Cherisher and Nurturer of all living beings. ||15||
> Wealth is temporary; conscious existence is temporary; hopes of all sorts are temporary.
> The bonds of love, attachment, egotism, doubt, Maya and the pollution of corruption are temporary.
> The mortal passes through the fire of the womb of reincarnation countless times. He does not remember the Lord in meditation; his understanding is polluted.
> O Lord of the Universe, when You grant Your Grace, even sinners are saved. Nanak dwells in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. ||16||
> You may drop down from the mountains, and fall into the nether regions of the underworld, or be burnt in the blazing fire,
> or swept away by the unfathomable waves of water; but the worst pain of all is household anxiety, which is the source of the cycle of death and rebirth.
> No matter what you do, you cannot break its bonds, O Nanak. Man's only Support, Anchor and Mainstay is the Word of the Shabad, and the Holy, Friendly Saints. ||17||
> Excruciating pain, countless killings, reincarnation, poverty and terrible misery
> are all destroyed by meditating in remembrance on the Lord's Name, O Nanak, just as fire reduces piles of wood to ashes. ||18||
> Meditating in remembrance on the Lord, the darkness is illuminated. Dwelling on His Glorious Praises, the ugly sins are destroyed.
> Enshrining the Lord deep within the heart, and with the immaculate karma of doing good deeds, one strikes fear into the demons.
> The cycle of coming and going in reincarnation is ended, absolute peace is obtained, and the Fruitful Vision of the Lord's Darshan.
> He is Potent to give Protection, He is the Lover of His Saints. O Nanak, the Lord God blesses all with bliss. ||19||
> Those who were left behind - the Lord brings them to the front. He fulfills the hopes of the hopeless.
> He makes the poor rich, and cures the illnesses of the ill.
> He blesses His devotees with devotion. They sing the Kirtan of the Praises of the Lord's Name.
> O Nanak, those who serve the Guru find the Supreme Lord God, the Great Giver||20||
> He gives Support to the unsupported. The Name of the Lord is the Wealth of the poor.
> The Lord of the Universe is the Master of the masterless; the Beautiful-haired Lord is the Power of the weak.
> The Lord is Merciful to all beings, Eternal and Unchanging, the Family of the meek and humble.
> The All-knowing, Perfect, Primal Lord God is the Lover of His devotees, the Embodiment of Mercy.
> Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - Part 004
> The Supreme Lord God, the Transcendent, Luminous Lord, dwells in each and every heart.
> Nanak begs for this blessing from the Merciful Lord, that he may never forget Him, never forget Him. ||21||
> I have no power; I do not serve You, and I do not love You, O Supreme Sublime Lord God.
> By Your Grace, Nanak meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Merciful Lord, Har, Har. ||22||
> The Lord feeds and sustains all living beings; He blesses them gifts of restful peace and fine clothes.
> He created the jewel of human life, with all its cleverness and intelligence.
> By His Grace, mortals abide in peace and bliss.
> O Nanak, meditating in remembrance on the Lord, Har, Har, Haray,
> the mortal is released from attachment to the world. ||23||
> The kings of the earth are eating up the blessings of the good karma of their past lives.
> Those cruel-minded rulers who oppress the people, O Nanak, shall suffer in pain for a very long time. ||24||
> Those who meditate in remembrance on the Lord in their hearts, look upon even pain as God's Grace.
> The healthy person is very sick, if he does not remember the Lord, the Embodiment of Mercy. ||25||
> To sing the Kirtan of God's Praises is the righteous duty incurred by taking birth in this human body.
> The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is Ambrosial Nectar, O Nanak. The Saints drink it in, and never have enough of it. ||26||
> The Saints are tolerant and good-natured; friends and enemies are the same to them.
> O Nanak, it is all the same to them, whether someone offers them all sorts of foods, or slanders them, or draws weapons to kill them. ||27||
> They pay no attention to dishonor or disrespect.
> They are not bothered by gossip; the miseries of the world do not touch them.
> Those who join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, and chant the Name of the Lord of the Universe - O Nanak, those mortals abide in peace. ||28||
> The Holy people are an invincible army of spiritual warriors; their bodies are protected by the armor of humility.
> Their weapons are the Glorious Praises of the Lord which they chant; their Shelter and Shield is the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
> The horses, chariots and elephants they ride are their way to realize God's Path.
> They walk fearlessly through the armies of their enemies; they attack them with the Kirtan of God's Praises.
> They conquer the entire world, O Nanak, and overpower the five thieves. ||29||
> Misled by evil-mindedness, mortals are engrossed in the mirage of the illusory world, like the passing shade of a tree.
> Emotional attachment to family is false, so Nanak meditates in remembrance on the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam. ||30||
> I do not possess the treasure of the wisdom of the Vedas, nor do I possess the merits of the Praises of the Naam.
> I do not have a beautiful voice to sing jewelled melodies; I am not clever, wise or shrewd.
> By destiny and hard work, the wealth of Maya is obtained. O Nanak, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, even fools become religious scholars. ||31||
> The mala around my neck is the chanting of the Lord's Name. The Love of the Lord is my silent chanting.
> Chanting this most Sublime Word brings salvation and joy to the eyes. ||32||
> That mortal who lacks the Guru's Mantra - cursed and contaminated is his life.
> That blockhead is just a dog, a pig, a jackass, a crow, a snake. ||33||
> Whoever contemplates the Lord's Lotus Feet, and enshrines His Name within the heart,
> Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - Part 005
> and sings the Kirtan of His Praises in the Saadh Sangat, O Nanak, shall never see the Messenger of Death. ||34||
> Wealth and beauty are not so difficult to obtain. Paradise and royal power are not so difficult to obtain.
> Foods and delicacies are not so difficult to obtain. Elegant clothes are not so difficuilt to obtain.
> Children, friends, siblings and relatives are not so difficult to obtain. The pleasures of woman are not so difficult to obtain.
> Knowledge and wisdom are not so difficult to obtain. Cleverness and trickery are not so difficult to obtain.
> Only the Naam, the Name of the Lord, is difficult to obtain. O Nanak, it is only obtained by God's Grace, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. ||35||
> Wherever I look, I see the Lord, whether in this world, in paradise, or the nether regions of the underworld.
> The Lord of the Universe is All-pervading everywhere. O Nanak, no blame or stain sticks to Him. ||36||
> Poison is transformed into nectar, and enemies into friends and companions.
> Pain is changed into pleasure, and the fearful become fearless.
> Those who have no home or place find their place of rest in the Naam, O Nanak, when the Guru, the Lord, becomes Merciful. ||37||
> He blesses all with humility; He has blessed me with humility as well. He purifies all, and He has purified me as well.
> The Creator of all is the Creator of me as well. O Nanak, no blame or stain sticks to Him. ||38||
> The moon-god is not cool and calm, nor is the white sandalwood tree.
> The winter season is not cool; O Nanak, only the Holy friends, the Saints, are cool and calm. ||39||
> Through the Mantra of the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, one meditates on the All-pervading Lord.
> Those who have the wisdom to look alike upon pleasure and pain, live the immaculate lifestyle, free of vengeance.
> They are kind to all beings; they have overpowered the five thieves.
> They take the Kirtan of the Lord's Praise as their food; they remain untouched by Maya, like the lotus in the water.
> They share the Teachings with friend and enemy alike; they love the devotional worship of God.
> They do not listen to slander; renouncing self-conceit, they become the dust of all.
> Whoever has these six qualities, O Nanak, is called a Holy friend. ||40||
> The goat enjoys eating fruits and roots, but if it lives near a tiger, it is always anxious.
> This is the condition of the world, O Nanak; it is afflicted by pleasure and pain. ||41||
> Fraud, false accusations, millions of diseases, sins and the filthy residues of evil mistakes;
> doubt, emotional attachment, pride, dishonor and intoxication with Maya
> - these lead mortals to death and rebirth, wandering lost in hell. In spite of all sorts of efforts, salvation is not found.
> Chanting and meditating on the Name of the Lord in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, mortals become immaculate and pure.
> They continually dwell upon the Glorious Praises of God. ||42||
> In the Sanctuary of the Kind-hearted Lord, our Transcendent Lord and Master, we are carried across.
> God is the Perfect, All-powerful Cause of causes; He is the Giver of gifts.
> He gives hope to the hopeless. He is the Source of all riches.
> Nanak meditates in remembrance on the Treasure of Virtue; we are all beggars, begging at His Door. ||43||
> The most difficult place becomes easy, and the worst pain turns into pleasure.
> Evil words, differences and doubts are obliterated, and even faithless cynics and malicious gossips become good people.
> They become steady and stable, whether happy or sad; their fears are taken away, and they are fearless.
> Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - Part 006
> The dreadful woods become a well-populated city; such are the merits of the righteous life of Dharma, given by God's Grace.
> Chanting the Lord's Name in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, the Lotus Feet of the Merciful Lord are found. ||44||
> O emotional attachment, you are the invincible warrior of the battlefield of life; you totally crush and destroy even the most powerful.
> You entice and fascinate even the heavenly heralds, celestial singers, gods, mortals, beasts and birds.
> Nanak bows in humble surrender to the Lord; he seeks the Sanctuary of the Lord of the Universe. ||45||
> O sexual desire, you lead the mortals to hell; you make them wander in reincarnation through countless species.
> You cheat the consciousness, and pervade the three worlds. You destroy meditation, penance and virtue.
> But you give only shallow pleasure, while you make the mortals weak and unsteady; you pervade the high and the low.
> Your fear is dispelled in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, through the Protection and Support of the Lord. ||46||
> O anger, you are the root of conflict; compassion never rises up in you.
> You take the corrupt, sinful beings in your power, and make them dance like monkeys.
> Associating with you, mortals are debased and punished by the Messenger of Death in so many ways.
> O Destroyer of the pains of the poor, O Merciful God, Nanak prays for You to protect all begins from such anger. ||47||
> O greed, you cling to even the great, assaulting them with countless waves.
> You cause them to run around wildly in all directions, wobbling and wavering unsteadily.
> You have no respect for friends, ideals, relations, mother or father.
> You make them do what they should not do. You make them eat what they should not eat. You make them accomplish what they should not accomplish.
> Save me, save me - I have come to Your Sanctuary, O my Lord and Master; Nanak prays to the Lord. ||48||
> O egotism, you are the root of birth and death and the cycle of reincarnation; you are the very soul of sin.
> You forsake friends, and hold tight to enemies. You spread out countless illusions of Maya.
> You cause the living beings to come and go until they are exhausted. You lead them to experience pain and pleasure.
> You lead them to wander lost in the terrible wilderness of doubt; you lead them to contract the most horrible, incurable diseases.
> The only Physician is the Supreme Lord, the Transcendent Lord God. Nanak worships and adores the Lord, Har, Har, Haray. ||49||
> O Lord of the Universe, Master of the Breath of life, Treasure of Mercy, Guru of the World.
> O Destroyer of the fever of the world, Embodiment of Compassion, please take away all my pain.
> O Merciful Lord, Potent to give Sanctuary, Master of the meek and humble, please be kind to me.
> Whether his body is healthy or sick, let Nanak meditate in remembrance on You, Lord. ||50||
> I have come to the Sanctuary of the Lord's Lotus Feet, where I sing the Kirtan of His Praises.
> In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, Nanak is carried across the utterly terrifying, difficult world-ocean. ||51||
> The Supreme Lord God has procted my head and forehead; the Transcendent Lord has protected my hands and body.
> God, my Lord and Master, has saved my soul; the Lord of the Universe has saved my wealth and feet.
> The Merciful Guru has protected everything, and destroyed my fear and suffering.
> God is the Lover of His devotees, the Master of the masterless. Nanak has entered the Sanctuary of the Imperishable Primal Lord God. ||52||
> His Power supports the sky, and locks fire within wood.
> His Power supports the moon, the sun and the stars, and infuses light and breath into the body.
> Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - Part 007
> His Power provides nourishment in the womb of the mother, and does not let disease strike.
> His Power holds back the ocean, O Nanak, and does not allow the waves of water to destroy the land. ||53||
> The Lord of the World is Supremely Beautiful; His Meditation is the Life of all.
> In the Society of the Saints, O Nanak, He is found on the path of devotional worship of the Lord. ||54||
> The mosquito pierces the stone, the ant crosses the swamp,
> the cripple crosses the ocean, and the blind sees in the darkness,
> meditating on the Lord of the Universe in the Saadh Sangat. Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of the Lord, Har, Har, Haray. ||55||
> Like a Brahmin without a sacred mark on his forehead, or a king without the power of command,
> or a warrior without weapons, so is the devotee of God without Dharmic Faith. ||56||
> God has no conch-shell, no religious mark, no paraphernalia; he does not have blue skin.
> His Form is Wondrous and Amazing. He is beyond incarnation.
> The Vedas say that He is not this, and not that.
> The Lord of the Universe is Lofty and High, Great and Infinite.
> The Imperishable Lord abides in the hearts of the Holy. He is understood, O Nanak, by those who are very fortunate. ||57||
> Living in the world, it is like a wild jungle. One's relatives are like dogs, jackals and donkeys.
> In this difficult place, the mind is intoxicated with the wine of emotional attachment; the five unconquered thieves lurk there.
> The mortals wander lost in love and emotional attachment, fear and doubt; they are caught in the sharp, strong noose of egotism.
> The ocean of fire is terrifying and impassable. The distant shore is so far away; it cannot be reached.
> Vibrate and meditate on the Lord of the World, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; O Nanak, by His Grace, we are saved at the Lotus Feet of the Lord. ||58||
> When the Lord of the Universe grants His Grace, all illnesses are cured.
> Nanak chants His Glorious Praises in the Saadh Sangat, in the Sanctuary of the Perfect Transcendent Lord God. ||59||
> The mortal is beautiful and speaks sweet words, but in the farm of his heart, he harbors cruel vengeance.
> He pretends to bow in worship, but he is false. Beware of him, O friendly Saints. ||60||
> The thoughtless fool does not know that each day, his breaths are being used up.
> His most beautiful body is wearing away; old age, the daughter of death, has seized it.
> He is engrossed in family play; placing his hopes in transitory things, he indulges in corrupt pleasures.
> Wandering lost in countless incarnations, he is exhausted. Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of the Embodiment of Mercy. ||61||
> O tongue, you love to enjoy the sweet delicacies.
> You are dead to the Truth, and involved in great disputes. Instead, repeat the holy words:
> Gobind, Daamodar, Maadhav. ||62||
> Those who are proud, and intoxicated with the pleasures of sex,
> and asserting their power over others,
> never contemplate the Lord's Lotus Feet. Their lives are cursed, and as worthless as straw.
> You are as tiny and insignificant as an ant, but you shall become great, by the Wealth of the Lord's Meditation.
> Nanak bows in humble worship, countless times, over and over again. ||63||
> The blade of grass becomes a mountain, and the barren land becomes green.
> The drowning one swims across, and the empty is filled to overflowing.
> Millions of suns illuminate the darkness,
> prays Nanak, when the Guru, the Lord, becomes Merciful. ||64||
> 
> Next: Fifth Mehl, Gaat'haa
>
> — *Section 36 - Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl, Fifth Mehl*