A conversation between Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji

REHATNAMA BHAI NAND LAL JI
  

A conversation between Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji on the Rehat of a Gursikh and three forms of Vaheguru

Image 1: Bhai Nand Lal Ji, also referred to as Goya, is one of the 52 poets in the Darbar of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 

Image 2: Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji

Speech of the Guru

O Gursikhs! Listen to the Rehat, my friends. Wake up early in the morning and focus your mind on Vaheguru. Recite the mantar Vaheguru. Take a shower and read JapJi and Jaap.1.

Come have darshan (glimpse) of the Guru. Come sit with the Guru and focus on the Guru and Shabad. When 9 hours have passed, listen to teachings of the Guru.2.

In the evening, listen to Rehraas. Listen to kirtan and katha in the praises of the Guru. One who follows the routine consistently, that Sikh will be liberated.3.

A Sikh who follows the routine of the Primal Five (Five Baniaan in the morning, Five Kakkars), that Sikh’s 21 generations will be liberated as well. That Sikh saves the 21 generations and becomes free. The Sikh does not enter the cycle of life and death.4.

Speech of Nand Lal

My Gurudev Ji, you have stated, ‘Come and have my darshan (glimpse of the Guru), please explain to me how do I do this?5. (Even after Guru Gobind Singh Ji has left this world physically)

Speech of the Guru

I have three forms; listen O’ Nand with full concentration. Nirgun (the Formless), Sargun (Physical Form) and Gurshabad (Guru Granth Sahib Ji). I shall explain to you.6.

Chaupaee

My first form, the Nirgun saroop (Formless) is free from trey gun (Rajo Tamo and Sato). The Vedas also say this repeatedly. The Formless One is pervading in each and every heart and is inseparable.7.

My second form is the Granth Sahib. Know the Granth Sahib to be the physical body of the Guru and the pages to be the limbs of the Guru. Each word in the Granth Sahib is like every part of hair on my body. I speak only the truth to you.8.

The Sikh who wishes to have Darshan of the Guru, come and have Darshan of Granth Sahib. In the early morning, after taking a shower, circumambulate three times around Granth Sahib.9.

Listen to the Shabad with full concentration. Listen to the knowledge of the Shabad and share this with others. The Sikh who wishes to speak to me, read the Granth Sahib and do veechar of the Shabad.10.

The Sikh who wishes to listen to my voice, listen to the words of Granth Sahib and contemplate. Believe the Granth Sahib to be my physical form. Do not doubt, there is no difference between Granth Sahib and myself.11.

My third form is my Sikh, who has love for Gurbani day and night. The Sikh who has faith and love for Gurshabad; who wakes up in the morning and has Darshan of the Guru; 12.

Who listens to the knowledge of Gurshabad and shares it with others; who reads Jap Ji and Jaap with full focus; who goes to the Gurdwara; who forsakes the desires of other women; 13.

Who serves another Sikh with love; who forsakes ego and self-pride; that Sikh who does all of these, RECOGNISE THAT SIKH TO BE MY FORM. 14.

Dohra

I am happy with those Gursikhs, who performs selfless service, the one who surrenders their body, mind and wealth and serves me.15.

The Gursikhs who serves me this way and always comes upon my calling, listen, O’Nand Lal! That Gursikh will surely go to Sachkhand.16.

Speech of Nand Lal

You have explained Your three forms, Nirgun (Formless), Sargun (The Physical Form), and Gurshabad (Granth Sahib). One cannot see the Nirgun form, and the Sargun are Your Sikhs as you described.17.

Chaupaee

Your Nirgun saroop is infinite, how can we have vision of this form? You are the Master of this world, and You are the All-Knower who resides in each and every heart.18.

Speech of the Guru

Listen O’ Sikh, Bhai Nand Lal! Listen to my sweet words. The Gurmukhs are my Physical Form (Sargun). Primarily, the Sikh should diligently do selfless service.19.

While doing sewa, the Gursikh should adhere to the Gurshabad. This way the Sikh will obtain blessings through the Shabad. The Sikh who follows the teachings of Gurshabad, will be able to gain understanding of the Infinite One. 20.

I have told you all these, O’ brother. The one who listens and reads this with full consciousness, they will be beyond any form of praise and will emerge back into the Light of Vaheguru. 21.

Year 1752 Bikrami (1695AD), Month of Maghar, 9^th day of first half moon, Friday, on the banks of Satluj River, these words were spoken to Bhai Nand Lal.22.

Dohra

Recite the Mantar Vaheguru, place your consciousness on Vaheguru. Believe this, O Gursikhs, and you shall attain liberation.23.

Image 3 and 4: Rehatnama Bhai Nand Lal Ji in Gurmukhi compiled by Piara Singh Padam

THE END