Columnists
The Month of Kattak
[October 15 - November 13]
Poems translated from Punjabi by GURMEET KAUR
1 Guru Nanak [Raag Tukhaari, GGS:1109]
In the month of Kattak - karmic
She harvests
The wealth of grace
If it pleases
The benevolent Master
Lamp of wisdom
Lit in poise
With the oil of
Spirit
Kindles
Loving devotion
Pours in
Radiance of union
Emanates
Light of bliss enlivens
Meritless
She would cycle in vain
Virtuous
She finds worthiness
In life and in its end
Blessed with Naam
She resides
In the coziness
Of her being
Hopeful and still
Says Nanak
Open thy doors
Meet me, O beloved
A watch of the day
Seems like eternity
In the month of Kattak - karmic.
2 Guru Arjan [Raag Maajh, GGS:135]
In the month of Kattak - karmic
Oneness
With the Divine
It's my own karam
Who else is to
Blame
Emptiness
Absence
Of devotion -
Afflictions
Abound
Separation
Of this lifetime
Lingers
Longer
Than aeons
Bitterness
Emit
The pleasures
Of Maya
That kept me away
No one
I beg can
Make it happen
Its pre-writ
Destiny
Fortunate
I shall be
If He will
Accept
Me
Prays Nanak
For the sanctuary
O liberator
Of bonds
Dispel
The pain of
Separation
Give me the company of thy Saints
Burn away
My anxiety
In the month of Kattak - karmic.
October 15, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: Inni Kaur (Fairfield, CT, U.S.A.), October 15, 2010, 11:26 AM.
The Union of the First Master ... The Longing of the Fifth Master ... Exquisite!
2: Mlle S. (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), October 15, 2010, 12:54 PM.
Gurmeet Kaur ... your poetry every month reminds me of the passing days and what awaits us at the true end of the season. Each month brings changes ... so beautiful, always moving in a slow, slow dance towards the divine lover. We cannot escape what is our destiny, so why do we try? If we submit to the Guru, we will be at peace.
3: Bikramjit Singh Garcha (Sandy Spring, U.S.A.), October 15, 2010, 3:49 PM.
Gurmeet catches the beauty of the originals verses and interprets them in lilting poetry of her own. I loved the photo also. Such a nice gift in the middle of a sunny day full of work and other messages that are so prosaic, I read this soothing poetry. Thanks.
4: Amardeep (U.S.A.), October 16, 2010, 12:53 PM.
Even if one has pangs of separation, without any hope of union, one is blessed indeed.
5: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), October 16, 2010, 6:58 PM.
Gurmeet j: What an exquisite rendering. This has inspired me to hear Prof. Darshan Singh's most erudite exposition on Barah Maah. While I write these lines, the ear plugs are right in while I listen the shabad. I commend the readers not to miss this opportunity. The Barah Maah is easily downloaded from the RajKarega site to give a deeper understanding.
6: Claudia Kaur (Sao Paulo, Brazil), October 16, 2010, 7:46 PM.
Gurmeet Kaur captured the ineffable light of bliss with rare subtlety and sensibility. She could have been one of bhagats. 'Farida mai jaani dukh mujh ko'. Akal Purakh is in the process of liberating Gurmeet Kaur from all shackles to allow her encounter with the source of all existence.
7: Divya (Baton Rouge, U.S.A.), October 17, 2010, 3:56 AM.
Thank you, my dear friend, for the beautiful translations. They brought peace to my heart.