The Diehards
Some people just won’t change. They will have to go through the treadmill of karma before it happens.
“Then why can’t you O Satguru” asked Mardana “make them change?”.
Guru Nanak replied that each mortal is accountable for his (her) deeds and has to go through the treadmill of karma, before reform can occur.
Mardana argued “Surely, Satguru has the power to wipe out the effects of karma?”
Guru Nanak replied, this is only possible if there is a genuine desire, a feeling of repentance in the person concerned. The individual has to make the first move, Satguru will go miles to meet him. Bhai Gurdas Ji, aptly observed:
ਚਰਨ ਸ਼ਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ॥
Charan sharan gur eyk paindaa jaaey chal satgur koat paindaa aagey hoey leyth hai.
Guru Ji will take a crore steps (towards you) for every one of yours (one to ten million).
But, there must be a genuine wish and effort on the part of the devotee to shed ego to seek help. Bhagat Kabir endorses this in the following panktis from Sri Guru Granth Sahib:
ਕਬੀਰ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਜਉ ਸਿਖਾ ਮਹਿ ਚੂਕ ॥
Kabeer saachaa satguru kyaa karai jau sikhaa meh chook. Kabeer, what can Satguru, the enlightener do, when the devotees are at fault.
ਅੰਧੇ ਏਕ ਨ ਲਾਗਈ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਂਸੁ ਬਜਾਈਐ ਫੂਕ ॥੧੫੮॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 1372}
Andhey eyk na laag-ee jeo baans bajaaeeyai phook.
The blind, in their vanity, gain nothing from Guru’s Teachings. It’s akin to blowing into one end of a bamboo, the wind, only, passes through the other.
(SGGS 1372)
If there is genuine will on our part to transform, divine blessings will follow.
27/11/22