Vanjara (Bani)

From SikhiWiki

Vanjara is poetry in the form of Gurbani in Guru Granth Sahib. It was composed by Guru Ram Das in Sri Raag. In this poetry, the Guru is giving advise and pointing the "Vanjara" (The Merchant or Trader), in the correct spiritual direction. He is calling him a friend and telling him how to find the Lord. The Guru says that the trader or merchant who remembers the God's name will always be blessed like Baba Makhan Shah Labana, who was a trader who was blessed by Guru Tegh Bahadur as he did Ardas before him to save his ship.

The trader who remembers the Lord at all times, the Guru says moves away from ego. The ones who remain attached to Maya and are egoistic are called "prostitute's son" (or bastards) as they do not recognise God as their father. Ego comes from wealth and it is common that traders are money minded. So Guru ji gives traders clear advise not to be attached emotionally to Maya or money because money will never go with you in the end - those attached to money will "depart crying". When you are young and in good health, recite the Lord's Naam because soon the youth and good health will leave and you will have no support.

Guru ji also says that God created everybody so no discrimination on basis of Vanjaras, Jatts, Dalits, etc. Guru ji also states that only through the Guru's teaching can one reach God. The best example of this is given by Baba Makhan Shah Labana. The following concepts are covered in this bani:

1. Egoistic are not loved by God.
2. Maya is not a long term companion.
3. No discrimination as God created everybody.
4. God always help their bhagats (Followers).
5. No Transmigration and Salvation can be obtained without good deeds.
6. True Guru is the source to reach God.
7. one should remember God's name at all times.

As Guru Nanak Dev ji also states in Vanjara we have our pre-ordained profit but due to excessive negative emotions and deeds like sexual desire, intoxication of wine, youth and beauty, the profit becomes a loss as these vices will not take you to Sachkhand. Guru Ram Das, the fourth Nanak is stating again and again to the Vanjara (Traders) to bind himself with the name of God and eliminate negativity from within. If he can't find the God directly then the Guru within him can lead him in the right direction. Guru Granth Sahib is with us and shows us the way towards the Lord; it shows us the way to live our life righteously. Read the whole Bani below and enjoy the deeper meaning:

Bani

ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ
सिरीरागु महला ४ वणजारा
Sirīrāg mehlā 4 vaṇjārā
Siree Raag, Fourth Mehl, Vanajaaraa ~ The Merchant:

ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ੴ सति नामु गुर प्रसादि ॥
Ik­oaʼnkār saṯ nām gur parsāḏ.
One Universal Creator God. Truth Is The Name. By Guru's Grace:

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਤਮੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਿਰਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ਜੀਉ ॥
हरि हरि उतमु नामु है जिनि सिरिआ सभु कोइ जीउ ॥
Har har uṯam nām hai jin siri­ā sabẖ ko­ė jī­o.
The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is Excellent and Sublime. He created everyone.

ਹਰਿ ਜੀਅ ਸਭੇ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲਦਾ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਮਈਆ ਸੋਇ ॥
हरि जीअ सभे प्रतिपालदा घटि घटि रमईआ सोइ ॥
Har jī­a sabẖė parṯipālḏā gẖat gẖat rama­ī­ā so­ė.
The Lord cherishes all beings. He permeates each and every heart.

ਸੋ ਹਰਿ ਸਦਾ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
सो हरि सदा धिआईऐ तिसु बिनु अवरु न कोइ ॥
So har saḏā ḏẖi­ā­ī­ai ṯis bin avar na ko­ė.
Meditate forever on that Lord. Without Him, there is no other at all.

ਜੋ ਮੋਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇਦੇ ਸੇ ਛੋਡਿ ਚਲੇ ਦੁਖੁ ਰੋਇ ॥
जो मोहि माइआ चितु लाइदे से छोडि चले दुखु रोइ ॥
Jo mohi mā­i­ā cẖiṯ lā­iḏė sė cẖẖod cẖalė ḏukẖ ro­ė.
Those who focus their consciousness on emotional attachment to Maya must leave; they depart crying out in despair.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਸਖਾਈ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥
जन नानक नामु धिआइआ हरि अंति सखाई होइ ॥१॥
Jan Nānak nām ḏẖi­ā­i­ā har anṯ sakẖā­ī ho­ė. ||1||
Servant Nanak meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, his only Companion in the end. ||1||

ਮੈ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
मै हरि बिनु अवरु न कोइ ॥
Mai har bin avar na ko­ė.
I have none other than You, O Lord.

ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਪਾਈਐ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਵਡਭਾਗਿ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
हरि गुर सरणाई पाईऐ वणजारिआ मित्रा वडभागि परापति होइ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Har gur sarṇā­ī pā­ī­ai vaṇjāri­ā miṯrā vadbẖāg parāpaṯ ho­ė. ||1|| rahā­o.
In the Guru's Sanctuary, the Lord is found, O my merchant friend; by great good fortune, He is obtained. ||1||Pause||

ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਭਾਈਆ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਉ ॥
संत जना विणु भाईआ हरि किनै न पाइआ नाउ ॥
Sanṯ janā viṇ bẖā­ī­ā har kinai na pā­i­ā nā­o.
Without the humble Saints, O Siblings of Destiny, no one has obtained the Lord's Name.

ਵਿਚਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵਦੇ ਜਿਉ ਵੇਸੁਆ ਪੁਤੁ ਨਿਨਾਉ ॥
विचि हउमै करम कमावदे जिउ वेसुआ पुतु निनाउ ॥
vicẖ ha­umai karam kamāvḏė ji­o vėsu­ā puṯ ninā­o.
Those who do their deeds in ego are like the prostitute's son, who has no name.

ਪਿਤਾ ਜਾਤਿ ਤਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਗੁਰੁ ਤੁਠਾ ਕਰੇ ਪਸਾਉ ॥
पिता जाति ता होईऐ गुरु तुठा करे पसाउ ॥
Piṯā jāṯ ṯā ho­ī­ai gur ṯuṯẖā karė pasā­o.
The father's status is obtained only if the Guru is pleased and bestows His Favor.

ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਲਗਾ ਭਾਉ ॥
वडभागी गुरु पाइआ हरि अहिनिसि लगा भाउ ॥
vadbẖāgī gur pā­i­ā har ahinis lagā bẖā­o.
By great good fortune, the Guru is found; embrace love for the Lord, day and night.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਉ ॥੨॥
जन नानकि ब्रहमु पछाणिआ हरि कीरति करम कमाउ ॥२॥
Jan Nānak barahm pacẖẖāṇi­ā har kīraṯ karam kamā­o. ||2||
Servant Nanak has realized God; he sings the Lord's Praises through the actions he does. ||2||

ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਗਾ ਚਾਉ ॥
मनि हरि हरि लगा चाउ ॥
Man har har lagā cẖā­o.
In my mind there is such a deep yearning for the Lord, Har, Har.

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਾਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
गुरि पूरै नामु द्रिड़ाइआ हरि मिलिआ हरि प्रभ नाउ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Gur pūrai nām driṛ­ā­i­ā har mili­ā har parabẖ nā­o. ||1|| rahā­o.
The Perfect Guru has implanted the Naam within me; I have found the Lord through the Lord God's Name. ||1||Pause||

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਜੋਬਨਿ ਸਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥
जब लगु जोबनि सासु है तब लगु नामु धिआइ ॥
Jab lag joban sās hai ṯab lag nām ḏẖi­ā­ė.
As long as there is youth and health, meditate on the Naam.

ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਹਰਿ ਚਲਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤੇ ਲਏ ਛਡਾਇ ॥
चलदिआ नालि हरि चलसी हरि अंते लए छडाइ ॥
Cẖalḏi­ā nāl har cẖalsī har anṯė la­ė cẖẖadā­ė.
Along the way, the Lord shall go along with you, and in the end, He shall save you.

ਹਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਵੁਠਾ ਆਇ ॥
हउ बलिहारी तिन कउ जिन हरि मनि वुठा आइ ॥
Ha­o balihārī ṯin ka­o jin har man vuṯẖā ā­ė.
I am a sacrifice to those, within whose minds the Lord has come to dwell.

ਜਿਨੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚੇਤਿਓ ਸੇ ਅੰਤਿ ਗਏ ਪਛੁਤਾਇ ॥
जिनी हरि हरि नामु न चेतिओ से अंति गए पछुताइ ॥
Jinī har har nām na cẖėṯi­o sė anṯ ga­ė pacẖẖuṯā­ė.
Those who have not remembered the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, shall leave with regret in the end.

ਧੁਰਿ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੩॥
धुरि मसतकि हरि प्रभि लिखिआ जन नानक नामु धिआइ ॥३॥
Ḏẖur masṯak har parabẖ likẖi­ā jan Nānak nām ḏẖi­ā­ė. ||3||
Those who have such pre-ordained destiny written upon their foreheads, O servant Nanak, meditate on the Naam. ||3||

ਮਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਗਾਇ ॥
मन हरि हरि प्रीति लगाइ ॥
Man har har parīṯ lagā­ė.
O my mind, embrace love for the Lord, Har, Har.

ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਪਾਰਿ ਲਘਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
वडभागी गुरु पाइआ गुर सबदी पारि लघाइ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
vadbẖāgī gur pā­i­ā gur sabḏī pār lagẖā­ė. ||1|| rahā­o.
By great good fortune, the Guru is found; through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, we are carried across to the other side. ||1||Pause||

ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਦੇਵੈ ਲੇਇ ॥
हरि आपे आपु उपाइदा हरि आपे देवै लेइ ॥
Har āpė āp upā­iḏā har āpė ḏėvai lė­ė.
The Lord Himself creates, He Himself gives and takes away.

ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਇਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਮਤਿ ਦੇਇ ॥
हरि आपे भरमि भुलाइदा हरि आपे ही मति देइ ॥
Har āpė bẖaram bẖulā­iḏā har āpė hī maṯ ḏė­ė.
The Lord Himself leads us astray in doubt; the Lord Himself imparts understanding.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਾ ਮਨਿ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਸੇ ਵਿਰਲੇ ਕੇਈ ਕੇਇ ॥
गुरमुखा मनि परगासु है से विरले केई केइ ॥
Gurmukẖā man pargās hai sė virlė kė­ī kė­ė.
The minds of the Gurmukhs are illuminated and enlightened; they are so very rare.

ਹਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮਤੇ ॥
हउ बलिहारी तिन कउ जिन हरि पाइआ गुरमते ॥
Ha­o balihārī ṯin ka­o jin har pā­i­ā gurmaṯė.
I am a sacrifice to those who find the Lord, through the Guru's Teachings.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਵੁਠੜਾ ਹੇ ॥੪॥
जन नानकि कमलु परगासिआ मनि हरि हरि वुठड़ा हे ॥४॥
Jan Nānak kamal pargāsi­ā man har har vuṯẖ­ṛā hė. ||4||
Servant Nanak's heart-lotus has blossomed forth, and the Lord, Har, Har, has come to dwell in the mind. ||4||

ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਨੁ ਕਰੇ ॥
मनि हरि हरि जपनु करे ॥
Man har har japan karė.
O mind, chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.

ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਭਜਿ ਪਉ ਜਿੰਦੂ ਸਭ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਦੁਖ ਪਰਹਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
हरि गुर सरणाई भजि पउ जिंदू सभ किलविख दुख परहरे ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Har gur sarṇā­ī bẖaj pa­o jinḏū sabẖ kilvikẖ ḏukẖ parharė. ||1|| rahā­o.
Hurry to the Sanctuary of the Lord, the Guru, O my soul; all your sins shall be taken away. ||1||Pause||

ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਮਈਆ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਕਿਉ ਪਾਈਐ ਕਿਤੁ ਭਤਿ ॥
घटि घटि रमईआ मनि वसै किउ पाईऐ कितु भति ॥
Gẖat gẖat rama­ī­ā man vasai ki­o pā­ī­ai kiṯ bẖaṯ.
The All-pervading Lord dwells within each and every person's heart-how can He be obtained?

ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਆਇ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ॥
गुरु पूरा सतिगुरु भेटीऐ हरि आइ वसै मनि चिति ॥
Gur pūrā saṯgur bẖėtī­ai har ā­ė vasai man cẖiṯ.
By meeting the Perfect Guru, the True Guru, the Lord comes to dwell within the conscious mind.

ਮੈ ਧਰ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੈ ਤੇ ਗਤਿ ਮਤਿ ॥
मै धर नामु अधारु है हरि नामै ते गति मति ॥
Mai ḏẖar nām aḏẖār hai har nāmai ṯė gaṯ maṯ.
The Naam is my Support and Sustenance. From the Lord's Name, I obtain salvation and understanding.

ਮੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਿਸਾਹੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੇ ਹੀ ਜਤਿ ਪਤਿ ॥
मै हरि हरि नामु विसाहु है हरि नामे ही जति पति ॥
Mai har har nām visāhu hai har nāmė hī jaṯ paṯ.
My faith is in the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. The Lord's Name is my status and honor.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਤੜਾ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਤਿ ॥੫॥
जन नानक नामु धिआइआ रंगि रतड़ा हरि रंगि रति ॥५॥
Jan Nānak nām ḏẖi­ā­i­ā rang raṯ­ṛā har rang raṯ. ||5||
Servant Nanak meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord; He is dyed in the deep crimson color of the Lord's Love. ||5||

ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਵਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਤਿ ॥
हरि धिआवहु हरि प्रभु सति ॥
Har ḏẖi­āvahu har parabẖ saṯ.
Meditate on the Lord, the True Lord God.

ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਸਭ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਤੇ ਉਤਪਤਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
गुर बचनी हरि प्रभु जाणिआ सभ हरि प्रभु ते उतपति ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Gur bacẖnī har parabẖ jāṇi­ā sabẖ har parabẖ ṯė uṯpaṯ. ||1|| rahā­o.
Through the Guru's Word, you shall come to know the Lord God. From the Lord God, everything was created. ||1||Pause||

ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਸੇ ਆਇ ਮਿਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਾਸਿ ॥
जिन कउ पूरबि लिखिआ से आइ मिले गुर पासि ॥
Jin ka­o pūrab likẖi­ā sė ā­ė milė gur pās.
Those who have such pre-ordained destiny, come to the Guru and meet Him.

ਸੇਵਕ ਭਾਇ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਿ ॥
सेवक भाइ वणजारिआ मित्रा गुरु हरि हरि नामु प्रगासि ॥
Sėvak bẖā­ė vaṇjāri­ā miṯrā gur har har nām pargās.
They love to serve, O my merchant friend, and through the Guru, they are illuminated by the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.

ਧਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਵਣਜੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੀਆ ਜਿਨ ਵਖਰੁ ਲਦਿਅੜਾ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਸਿ ॥
धनु धनु वणजु वापारीआ जिन वखरु लदिअड़ा हरि रासि ॥
Ḏẖan ḏẖan vaṇaj vapārī­ā jin vakẖar laḏi­aṛā har rās.
Blessed, blessed is the trade of those traders who have loaded the merchandise of the Wealth of the Lord.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਾ ਦਰਿ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਸੇ ਆਇ ਮਿਲੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਸਿ ॥
गुरमुखा दरि मुख उजले से आइ मिले हरि पासि ॥
Gurmukẖā ḏar mukẖ ujlė sė ā­ė milė har pās.
The faces of the Gurmukhs are radiant in the Court of the Lord; they come to the Lord and merge with Him.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰੁ ਤਿਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਿਨਾ ਆਪਿ ਤੁਠਾ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਿ ॥੬॥
जन नानक गुरु तिन पाइआ जिना आपि तुठा गुणतासि ॥६॥
Jan Nānak gur ṯin pā­i­ā jinā āp ṯuṯẖā guṇṯās. ||6||
O servant Nanak, they alone find the Guru, with whom the Lord, the Treasure of Excellence, is pleased. ||6||

ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਵਹੁ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ॥
हरि धिआवहु सासि गिरासि ॥
Har ḏẖi­āvahu sās girās.
Meditate on the Lord, with every breath and morsel of food.

ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਲਗੀ ਤਿਨਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਿਨਾ ਰਹਰਾਸਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥੧॥
मनि प्रीति लगी तिना गुरमुखा हरि नामु जिना रहरासि ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥१॥
Man parīṯ lagī ṯinā gurmukẖā har nām jinā rahrās. ||1|| rahā­o. ||1||
The Gurmukhs embrace the Love of the Lord in their minds; they are continually occupied with the Lord's Name. ||1||Pause||1||

References

• Article By Mr. Paapi
• Gurbani Reference - Sri-Granth