‘Covid-19 ‘ is a God creation to teach us to reflect deep inside us for the purpose of life in general.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji gives the following Alert to Human-beings:-

ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਤੂੰ ਆਇਆ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈਣਿ ॥(Sri Raag M. 5, GGS. 43-3).
Praanee Thoon Aaeiaa Laahaa Lain ||
O mortal, you came here to earn a profit.

ਲਗਾ ਕਿਤੁ ਕੁਫਕੜੇ ਸਭ ਮੁਕਦੀ ਚਲੀ ਰੈਣਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Lagaa Kith Kufakarrae Sabh Mukadhee Chalee Rain ||1|| Rehaao ||
What useless activities are you attached to? Your life-night is coming to its end. ||1||Pause||

ਕੁਦਮ ਕਰੇ ਪਸੁ ਪੰਖੀਆ ਦਿਸੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਾਲੁ ॥
Kudham Karae Pas Pankheeaa Dhisai Naahee Kaal ||
The animals and the birds frolic and play-they do not see death.

ਓਤੈ ਸਾਥਿ ਮਨੁਖੁ ਹੈ ਫਾਥਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਾਲਿ ॥
Outhai Saathh Manukh Hai Faathhaa Maaeiaa Jaal ||
Mankind is also with them, trapped in the net of Maya.

ਮੁਕਤੇ ਸੇਈ ਭਾਲੀਅਹਿ ਜਿ ਸਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥੨॥
Mukathae Saeee Bhaaleeahi J Sachaa Naam Samaal ||2||
Those who always remember the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are considered to be liberated. ||2||

ਜੋ ਘਰੁ ਛਡਿ ਗਵਾਵਣਾ ਸੋ ਲਗਾ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ॥
Jo Ghar Shhadd Gavaavanaa So Lagaa Man Maahi ||
That dwelling which you will have to abandon and vacate-you are attached to it in your mind.

ਜਿਥੈ ਜਾਇ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਰਤਣਾ ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਨਾਹਿ ॥
Jithhai Jaae Thudhh Varathanaa This Kee Chinthaa Naahi ||
And that place where you must go to dwell-you have no regard for it at all.

ਫਾਥੇ ਸੇਈ ਨਿਕਲੇ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਹਿ ॥੩॥
Faathhae Saeee Nikalae J Gur Kee Pairee Paahi ||3||
Those who fall at the Feet of the Guru are released from this bondage. ||3||

ਕੋਈ ਰਖਿ ਨ ਸਕਈ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋ ਨ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥
Koee Rakh N Sakee Dhoojaa Ko N Dhikhaae ||
No one else can save you-don’t look for anyone else.

ਚਾਰੇ ਕੁੰਡਾ ਭਾਲਿ ਕੈ ਆਇ ਪਇਆ ਸਰਣਾਇ ॥
Chaarae Kunddaa Bhaal Kai Aae Paeiaa Saranaae ||
I have searched in all four directions; I have come to find His Sanctuary.

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੈ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹਿ ਡੁਬਦਾ ਲਇਆ ਕਢਾਇ ॥੪॥੩॥੭੩॥
Naanak Sachai Paathisaahi Ddubadhaa Laeiaa Kadtaae ||4||3||73||
O Nanak, the True King has pulled me out and saved me from drowning! ||4||3||73||

I personally consider that Covid-19 is a wakeup call in Kal-Yug by God (Waheguru) to draw us closer to God and His Divine Virtues. It is a boon out of HIS Gurparsad (Divine Mercy). It is high time to turn to Sabd and reflect seriously – “Gurbani Eis Mein Channan”.

We are becoming increasingly aware of Covid-19 Alerts followed by Temporary Lockdowns and several Emergency measures and guidelines being propagated worldwide by the experts in the various fields of Medical Sciences, Community Medicine and Social Sciences to arrest the spread of the deadly virus. We should take all necessary precautions religiously to contain the Virus from spreading further as advised by the Medical and Social Experts put in place by different Governments.

There is, however, a Spiritual aspect that can help us to stay strong in difficult moments that one faces on hearing depressing news from all corners of the World. Some reflections in Gurbani bring calmness and solace.

Guru Nanak Sahib recognises the ILLS of the World and prescribes Naam as a remedy:-

ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਰੋਗੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਰੂ ਮੈਲੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਸਚ ਬਿਨਾ ॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 1, GGS. 687-15).
Sansaar Rogee Naam Dhaaroo Mail Laagai Sach Binaa ||
The world is sick, and the Naam is the medicine to cure it; without the True Lord, filth sticks to it.

ਗੁਰ ਵਾਕੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਸਦਾ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਨਿਤ ਸਾਚੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਮਜਨਾ ॥੧॥
Gur Vaak Niramal Sadhaa Chaanan Nith Saach Theerathh Majanaa ||1||
The Guru’s Word is immaculate and pure; it radiates a steady Light. Constantly bathe in such a true shrine of pilgrimage. ||1||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji identifies the cause our ILLS is due to our turning away from God (Waheguru):-

ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਤੇ ਭੁਲਿਆਂ ਵਿਆਪਨਿ ਸਭੇ ਰੋਗ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 5. GGS. 135-5)
Paramaesar Thae Bhuliaaan Viaapan Sabhae Rog ||
Forgetting the Transcendent Lord, all sorts of illnesses are contracted.

The following tuks from the Gurbani of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji refers to his ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ‘Pukar’, ‘Bhakhian’ and Advice for us is handy to deal with the stress and tension created by the prevailing fear of Covid-19 by the application of medicine of Naam:-

1. ਪੁਕਾਰਿ / ਬਖਾਨਿ (Loud Proclamation)

A. ਅਜਹੂ ਸਮਝਿ ਕਛੁ ਬਿਗਰਿਓ ਨਾਹਿਨਿ ਭਜਿ ਲੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੁਰਾਰਿ ॥ (Raag Sorith M. 9, GGS. 633).
ajehoo samajh kashh bigariou naahin bhaj lae naam muraar ||
Understand this today – it is not yet too late! Chant and vibrate the Name of the Lord.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਜ ਮਤੁ ਸਾਧਨ ਕਉ ਭਾਖਿਓ ਤੋਹਿ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ॥੨॥੮॥
kahu naanak nij math saadhhan ko bhaakhiou thohi pukaar ||2||8||
Says Nanak, this is the subtle wisdom of the Holy Saints, which I proclaim out loud to you. ||2||8||

B. ਜਿਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸਿਆ ਸੋ ਸੁਨੁ ਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ (Raag Tilang M. 9, GGS. 727).
jih bidhh gur oupadhaesiaa so sun rae bhaaee ||
The way the Guru instructs thee, hearken thou to that, O brother.

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਹਤ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਕੈ ਗਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਨਾਈ ॥੩॥੩॥
naanak kehath pukaar kai gahu prabh saranaaee ||3||3||
Nanak loudly proclaims “Grasp thou the protection of thy Lord”.

C. ਬਿਖਿਆ ਬਿਖੁ ਜਿਉ ਬਿਸਾਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੌ ਜਸੁ ਹੀਏ ਧਾਰਿ ॥ (Raag Jaijaarvantee M. 9, GGS. 1352).
bikhiaa bikh jio bisaar prabh ka jas heeeae dhhaar ||
Forget the poisonous sins of corruption, and enshrine the Praises of God in your heart.

ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਕਹਿ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਅਉਸਰੁ ਬਿਹਾਤੁ ਹੈ ॥੨॥੨॥
naanak jan kehi pukaar aousar bihaath hai ||2||2||
Servant Nanak proclaims that this opportunity is slipping away. ||2||2||

D. ਘਟ ਘਟ ਮੈ ਹਰਿ ਜੂ ਬਸੈ ਸੰਤਨ ਕਹਿਓ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ॥ (Sloak M. (, GGS. 1427).
ghatt ghatt mai har joo basai santhan kehiou pukaar ||
The Dear Lord abides in each and every heart; the Saints proclaim this as true.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਹ ਭਜੁ ਮਨਾ ਭਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਉਤਰਹਿ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੧੨॥
kahu naanak thih bhaj manaa bho nidhh outharehi paar ||12|
Says Nanak, meditate and vibrate upon Him, and you shall cross over the terrifying world-ocean. ||12||

E. ਝੂਠੈ ਮਾਨੁ ਕਹਾ ਕਰੈ ਜਗੁ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਜਿਉ ਜਾਨੁ ॥ (Sloak M. 9, GGS 1428).
jhoothai maan kehaa karai jag supanae jio jaan ||
Why do you take such false pride in yourself? You must know that the world is just a dream.

ਇਨ ਮੈ ਕਛੁ ਤੇਰੋ ਨਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਹਿਓ ਬਖਾਨਿ ॥੪੧॥
ein mai kashh thaero nehee naanak kehiou bakhaan ||41||
None of this is yours; Nanak proclaims this truth. ||41||

2. Advice

A. ਬਾਲ ਜੁਆਨੀ ਅਰੁ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਫੁਨਿ ਤੀਨਿ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਜਾਨਿ ॥ (Sloak M. 9, GGS. 1428).
baal juaanee ar biradhh fun theen avasathhaa jaan ||
Childhood, youth and old age – know these as the three stages of life.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੩੫॥
kahu naanak har bhajan bin birathhaa sabh hee maan ||35||
Says Nanak, without meditating on the Lord, everything is useless; you must appreciate this. ||35||

B. ਜਿਹ ਘਟਿ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਸੋ ਨਰੁ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਜਾਨੁ ॥
jih ghatt simaran raam ko so nar mukathaa jaan ||
That person, who meditates in remembrance on the Lord in his heart, is liberated – know this well.

ਤਿਹਿ ਨਰ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚੀ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੪੩॥
thihi nar har anthar nehee naanak saachee maan ||43||
There is no difference between that person and the Lord: O Nanak, accept this as the Truth. ||43||

C. ਜੋ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਸੋ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਹੈ ਪਰੋ ਆਜੁ ਕੈ ਕਾਲਿ ॥
jo oupajiou so binas hai paro aaj kai kaal ||
Whatever has been created shall be destroyed; everyone shall perish, today or tomorrow.

ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਇ ਲੇ ਛਾਡਿ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੫੨॥
naanak har gun gaae lae shhaadd sagal janjaal ||52||
O Nanak, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and give up all other entanglements. ||52||

D. ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਰ ਮੈ ਗਹਿਓ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਸਮ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥(Sloak M. 9, GGS. 1429).
raam naam our mai gehiou jaa kai sam nehee koe ||
I have enshrined the Lord’s Name within my heart; there is nothing equal to it.

ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਸੰਕਟ ਮਿਟੈ ਦਰਸੁ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ ਹੋਇ ॥੫੭॥੧॥
jih simarath sankatt mittai dharas thuhaaro hoe ||57||1||
Meditating in remembrance on it, my troubles are taken away; I have received the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. ||57||1||

All the Gurus were great swimmers of the ‘Sansar Sagar’. They were followed by many Gursikhs, Gurmukhs or famous icons and scholars who enjoyed their respective dips in the Gurbani and left their impressions, footprints as a result of their ‘Anubhav’ and reach. The later were just like pebble collectors on the side of the vast ocean of the Gurbani.

Gurus guidance is there to lead many more by dipping into the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the light-house, “Gurbani eis jag mehi chaanan.”

There is a lot more left to be found and discovered in the Gurbani. There is every need to encourage those who are blessed to venture into the realm of the Gurbani irrespective of their background (Anyway they shall be unstoppable!). Who knows what more splendid they might dig out for the benefit of not only the Sikh Community but for the rest of the HUMANITY?

Guru Nanak Sahib guides us on the basis of his own tried trust and faith in Naam:-

ਤੇਰਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੈ ਏਹਾ ਆਸ ਏਹੋ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (,Sri Raag M. 1, GGS. 24-15).
Thaeraa Eaek Naam Thaarae Sansaar || Mai Eaehaa Aas Eaeho Aadhhaar ||1|| Rehaao ||
Your Name alone, Lord, saves the world. This is my hope; this is my support. ||1||Pause||

The Sikh Sangat is urged to consider establishing ‘Ghar ghar ander dharamsal’ (there are already signs even when the Gurduaras around the World have closed their virtual door) to embark and explore – Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar’ in their homes (ਕੋਈ ਰਖਿ ਨ ਸਕਈ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋ ਨ ਦਿਖਾਇ).

With Waheguru’s blessings.

Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand