Beginnings
January, the first month of the New Year, symbolises endings as well as beginnings. This is the time to look to the future while recollecting past memories and experiences, and to renew ties with old friends and family members.
It was indeed very appropriate to name the month of January after the Greek God Janus, who happens to be a God with two faces, one facing the front and the other facing the back. Janus not only symbolises transition from one year to the other but is also personified as the God of doors and gates.
There is this strong belief that Janus will show us the way and His presence will open new doors of hope and survival. Interestingly, Janus presides over all beginnings and transitions, sacred as well as profane. This blurring of or rather removal of all distinctions and emergence of one pure feeling, irrespective of being abstract or concrete, sacred or profane, is very well represented in the sacred Bani of Guru Granth Sahib.
The Bani of Guru Granth Sahib is spiritual though secular at the same time. It is sacred by nature but also teaches us how to deal with the practical, mundane world. Sarang Ki Var, composition of Guru Ram Das, contemplates on the secular and spiritual aspects of life. In order to find an answer to the question, “What is the purpose of human life?”, Sarang Ki Var highlights the conflict between good and evil, between the love of the material world full of desires and the love of God. Which path to choose? How to escape the web of false desires?
The main cause of conflict is man’s ego and his ignorance that he can control his actions and life. Only with His grace can we remove all doubts and undue attachment to the world which is just a mirage. One can attain this stage and the grace of the Almighty with the constant recitation of Bani. The realisation that He is the only master and only His divine will prevails removes all doubts, ego and contradiction. The removal of dual state of mind liberates the person, bringing supreme bliss. Performance of rituals, physical tortures or baths at holy places are of no avail. To cleanse the mind one has to perform good deeds and meditate on His name. Through simran (remembrance), the mind of the seeker is liberated and worldly maya is no longer fascinating. Then the seeker’s mind is always occupied by the thought of God, and this contemplation helps him control his mind, ultimately leading to a state of sahaj, a blissful state of mind.
Guru Nanak in his composition Barahmah (Twelve Months), says that all 12 months, all seasons, the hours, the minutes and the seconds are blessed. Bhakts are enjoined upon to remain in this state of mind and consider each day of the year as auspicious, good and full of hope.
Kulbir Kaur teaches sociology at Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, Delhi University
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