Karhalay
Karhalay or Karhaley is a type of the "Chhand". It also denotes a type of folk music the camel riders sing while traveling. The Gurbani has repeatedly compared our wandering minds with the wanderings of the camels as well. It is on Page 234, Line 3 to Page 235, Line 7 by Guru Ram Dass. KARHAIE is the title under which two compositions, each of ten verses, by GURU Ram Das appear in the Guru GRANTH Sahib in Raga Gaun Purabi. The title has been picked from the text of the hymns wherein the term karhale (plural form) or karhald (singular form) has been used in each verse. Karhal/karhald is a Sindhi word meaning a camel. In these hymns, the term applies to the human man (mind) which keeps wandering restlessly like the camel roaming from one place to another.
The comparison can be further expanded: the mind is stubborn like a camel and wanders away from home to alien realms. Turning away from Reality, the mind engrosses itself in ego and maya. Thus reads the first verse:
- O camel like mind of mine, Wandering into realms alien, How shall thou ever meet thy God!
What has made thc mind morbid is haumai or ego. This can be overcome by listening to tlhe Guru`s word. The camel like self is adjured to seek the company of holy persons, to heed the counsel of the Guru and to be always mindful of God. Thus will one receive the Divine favour and attain liberation. The two short compositions expound, in a simple metaphor, the Sikh way of spiritual realization. The ultimate aim is to obtain proximity to God and the way to achieve this is to bring round the wandering man (mind) and to wash away the "dirt" of haumai. This is possible through the guidance of the Guru; mere observance of forms of piety is of no avail.
ਰਾਗ ਗਉੜੀ ਪੂਰਬੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਕਰਹਲੇ
Raag Gauree Poorbee, Fourth Mehl, Karhalay:
ੴ ਸਤਿਗਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
ਕਰਹਲੇ ਮਨ ਪਰਦੇਸੀਆ ਕਿਉ ਮਿਲੀਝ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਇ ॥
O my wandering mind, you are like a camel - how will you meet the Lord, your Mother?
ਗਰ ਭਾਗਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਪਾਇਆ ਗਲਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਆਇ ॥੧॥
When I found the Guru, by the destiny of perfect good fortune, my Beloved came and embraced me. ||1||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਸਤਿਗਰ ਪਰਖ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
O camel-like mind, meditate on the True Guru, the Primal Being. ||1||Pause||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੀਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਧਿਆਇ ॥
O camel-like mind, contemplate the Lord, and meditate on the Lord's Name.
ਜਿਥੈ ਲੇਖਾ ਮੰਗੀਝ ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਲਝ ਛਡਾਇ ॥੨॥
When you are called to answer for your account, the Lord Himself shall release you. ||2||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਅਤਿ ਨਿਰਮਲਾ ਮਲ ਲਾਗੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਆਇ ॥
O camel-like mind, you were once very pure; the filth of egotism has now attached itself to you.
ਪਰਤਖਿ ਪਿਰ ਘਰਿ ਨਾਲਿ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਵਿਛੜਿ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਇ ॥੩॥
Your Beloved Husband is now manifest before you in your own home, but you are separated from Him, and you suffer such pain! ||3||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰੀਤਮਾ ਹਰਿ ਰਿਦੈ ਭਾਲਿ ਭਾਲਾਇ ॥
O my beloved camel-like mind, search for the Lord within your own heart.
ਉਪਾਇ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਲਭਈ ਗਰ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਹਰਿ ਦੇਖਾਇ ॥੪॥
He cannot be found by any device; the Guru will show you the Lord within your heart. ||4||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰੀਤਮਾ ਦਿਨ ਰੈਣਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
O my beloved camel-like mind, day and night, lovingly attune yourself to the Lord.
ਘਰ ਜਾਇ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਰੰਗ ਮਹਲੀ ਗਰ ਮੇਲੇ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲਾਇ ॥੫॥
Return to your own home, and find the palace of love; meet the Guru, and meet the Lord. ||5||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਤੂੰ ਮੀਤ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਲੋਭ ਤਜਾਇ ॥
O camel-like mind, you are my friend; abandon hypocrisy and greed.
ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਲੋਭੀ ਮਾਰੀਝ ਜਮ ਡੰਡ ਦੇਇ ਸਜਾਇ ॥੬॥
The hypocritical and the greedy are struck down; the Messenger of Death punishes them with his club. ||6||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਰਾਨ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਲ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਭਰਮ ਗਵਾਇ ॥
O camel-like mind, you are my breath of life; rid yourself of the pollution of hypocrisy and doubt.
ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮਰਿਤ ਸਰ ਗਰਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਗਤੀ ਮਲ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਇ ॥੭॥
The Perfect Guru is the Ambrosial Pool of the Lord's Nectar; join the Holy Congregation, and wash away this pollution. ||7||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਇਕ ਗਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖ ਸਣਾਇ ॥
O my dear beloved camel-like mind, listen only to the Teachings of the Guru.
ਇਹ ਮੋਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਅੰਤਿ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਜਾਇ ॥੮॥
This emotional attachment to Maya is so pervasive. Ultimately, nothing shall go along with anyone. ||8||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਜਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਖਰਚ ਲੀਆ ਪਤਿ ਪਾਇ ॥
O camel-like mind, my good friend, take the supplies of the Lord's Name, and obtain honor.
ਹਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਪੈਨਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਆਪਿ ਲਇਆ ਗਲਿ ਲਾਇ ॥੯॥
In the Court of the Lord, you shall be robed with honor, and the Lord Himself shall embrace you. ||9||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਗਰਿ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਰਮਖਿ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
O camel-like mind, one who surrenders to the Guru becomes Gurmukh, and works for the Lord.
ਗਰ ਆਗੈ ਕਰਿ ਜੋਦੜੀ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲਾਇ ॥੧੦॥੧॥
Offer your prayers to the Guru; O servant Nanak, He shall unite you with the Lord. ||10||1||
ਗਉੜੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥
Gauree, Fourth Mehl:
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੀਆ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ਦੇਖ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥
O contemplative camel-like mind, contemplate and look carefully.
ਬਨ ਫਿਰਿ ਥਕੇ ਬਨ ਵਾਸੀਆ ਪਿਰ ਗਰਮਤਿ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਿਹਾਲਿ ॥੧॥
The forest-dwellers have grown weary of wandering in the forests; following the Guru's Teachings, see your Husband Lord within your heart. ||1||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਗਰ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
O camel-like mind, dwell upon the Guru and the Lord of the Universe. ||1||Pause||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੀਆ ਮਨਮਖ ਫਾਥਿਆ ਮਹਾ ਜਾਲਿ ॥
O camel-like contemplative mind, the self-willed manmukhs are caught in the great net.
ਗਰਮਖਿ ਪਰਾਣੀ ਮਕਤ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥੨॥
The mortal who becomes Gurmukh is liberated, dwelling upon the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. ||2||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਤਿਗਰ ਭਾਲਿ ॥
O my dear beloved camel-like mind, seek the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, and the True Guru.
ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਲਗਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਈਝ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਚਲੈ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੩॥
Joining the Sat Sangat, meditate on the Lord, and the Lord, Har, Har, shall go along with you. ||3||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਵਡਭਾਗੀਆ ਹਰਿ ਝਕ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲਿ ॥
O very fortunate camel-like mind, with one Glance of Grace from the Lord, you shall be enraptured.
ਆਪਿ ਛਡਾਝ ਛਟੀਝ ਸਤਿਗਰ ਚਰਣ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥੪॥
If the Lord Himself saves you, then you shall be saved. Dwell upon the Feet of the True Guru. ||4||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਦੇਹੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥
O my dear beloved camel-like mind, dwell upon the Divine Light within the body.
ਗਰਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਖਾਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਦਾਤਿ ਕਰੀ ਦਇਆਲਿ ॥੫॥
The Guru has shown me the nine treasures of the Naam. The Merciful Lord has bestowed this gift. ||5||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਤੂੰ ਚੰਚਲਾ ਚਤਰਾਈ ਛਡਿ ਵਿਕਰਾਲਿ ॥
O camel-like mind, you are so fickle; give up your cleverness and corruption.
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਸਮਾਲਿ ਤੂੰ ਹਰਿ ਮਕਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲਿ ॥੬॥
Dwell upon the Name of the Lord, Har, Har; at the very last moment, the Lord shall liberate you. ||6||
ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਵਡਭਾਗੀਆ ਤੂੰ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥
O camel-like mind, you are so very fortunate; dwell upon the jewel of spiritual wisdom.
ਗਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਖੜਗ ਹਥਿ ਧਾਰਿਆ ਜਮ ਮਾਰਿਅੜਾ ਜਮਕਾਲਿ ॥੭॥
You hold in your hands the sword of the Guru's spiritual wisdom; with this destroyer of death, kill the Messenger of Death. ||7||
ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲੇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭਵਹਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭਾਲਿ ॥
The treasure is deep within, O camel-like mind, but you wander around outside in doubt, searching for it.
ਗਰ ਪਰਖ ਪੂਰਾ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਸਜਣ ਲਧੜਾ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੮॥
Meeting the Perfect Guru, the Primal Being, you shall discover that the Lord, your Best Friend, is with you. ||8||
ਰੰਗਿ ਰਤੜੇ ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲੇ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗ ਸਦਾ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥
You are engrossed in pleasures, O camel-like mind; dwell upon the Lord's lasting love instead!
ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਗਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਬਦ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥੯॥
The color of the Lord's Love never fades away; serve the Guru, and dwell upon the Word of the Shabad. ||9||
ਹਮ ਪੰਖੀ ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲੇ ਹਰਿ ਤਰਵਰ ਪਰਖ ਅਕਾਲਿ ॥
We are birds, O camel-like mind; the Lord, the Immortal Primal Being, is the tree.
ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਗਰਮਖਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥੧੦॥੨॥
The Gurmukhs are very fortunate - they find it. O servant Nanak, dwell upon the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||10||2||
1. Snbadarlh Sri Guru Cranth Sahib. AMRITSAR, 1961
2. Sahib SINGH, Sri Guru Grnnth Sahib Darpan. Jalandhar, n.d.
