Introduction
The Daily Planners comprising daily, weekly, monthly, including the Yearly planners have a very recent developmental history from around 1700. But imagine Kabir Ji (1440 – 1518) understood their needs and functionality much earlier, so he wrote a planner with defined objectives. In this bani in Gauri Raag, Kabir Ji has defined crystal clear objectives for each day of the week. So, in his weekly planner we don't see an empty space for each day of the week to add items, to the To Do List as needed. But what we see is a concrete actionable item for each day, which is exquisitely spelled out. These lines are from Page No. 344 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). Let us explore it for our own inspiration.
Objective
Kabir Ji starts his planner with its objective which he defines as:
ਬਾਰ ਬਾਰ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਉ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਗਮਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਪਾਵਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
“Baar bar har kae gunn gaavau. Gur gam bhedh su har kaa paavau ||1|| Rahaau ||”
Translation: Again and again (every moment, everyday) sing the glorious praises of God (through remembrance, meditation etc.). Meeting the Guru (Master) try to understand the mystery of the Creator from the Guru’s understanding. Pause.
By adding the Pause at the end of the paragraph it is being emphasized that it is the objective or central idea of life. Now let us see what his advice is for each week day.
Sunday
ਆਦਿਤ ਕਰੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਆਰੰਭ ॥ ਕਾਇਆ ਮੰਦਰ ਮਨਸਾ ਥੰਭ ॥ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਅਖੰਡ ਸੁਰਹੀ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਤਉ ਅਨਹਦ ਬੇਣੁ ਸਹਜ ਮਹਿ ਬਾਇ ॥੧॥
“Aadhit karai bhagat aara(n)bh. Kaiaa ma(n)dhar manasaa tha(n)bh. Ahinis akha(n)dd surahee jai. Tau anahadh ben sahaj meh bai. ||1||”
Translation: Defining the prerequisite (of singing praises) he says on Sunday begin the devotional worship of God. From the temple (of the human body) block the flow-stream of desires and hopes. (Benefit will be) the desires/hopes (for wealth, children, and fame) will subside. Then keep the attention day and night in that fragrant ambience of devotional worship. Then hear the non-stop celestial flute (A wind instrument Bansuri, or Been also known as Pungi. Note: the purpose of its creation was not to just play it or to charm snakes, but to make humans go into a meditative state) in tranquil peace and poise called “Sahaj.” ||1||
Note: The word sahaj is derived from the twin root words: saha, together, and ja, born. Thus, it means born together (with oneself), hence innate. So, Sahaj is a term which means "natural," "easy," “peace” or "spontaneous." It is often referred to a state of effortless being, inner balance, or simplicity. It is widely used in spiritual, cultural, and commercial contexts, representing absence of thoughts as well as a meditative practice. Sahaj is state which is above the three modes of Maya, hence it is also called Fourth Mode (Chauta Paad). Kabir says he has seen that desires (Mansa) steals the inner virtues in these words:
ਅੰਤਰ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮਨਸਾ ਹਰਹਿ ॥
“Antar antar mansaa haraeh.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 1163)
Translation: The desires within each human being steals the divine virtues within.
Monday
ਸੋਮਵਾਰਿ ਸਸਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਝਰੈ ॥ ਚਾਖਤ ਬੇਗਿ ਸਗਲ ਬਿਖ ਹਰੈ ॥ ਬਾਣੀ ਰੋਕਿਆ ਰਹੈ ਦੁਆਰ ॥ ਤਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਤਵਾਰੋ ਪੀਵਨਹਾਰ ॥੨॥
“Somavaar sas a(n)mrit jharai. Chaakhat beg sagal bikh harai. Baanee rokiaa rahai dhuaar. Tau mun matavaaro peevanahaar. ||2||”
Translation: On Monday, because of the remembrance through devotional worship the ambrosial nectar will trickle down from the left side called Moon or cooler side. Tasting the nectar, all the negative traits (as anger, lust, greed, attachment, pride etc.) depart instantly. Through the Bani (of the Guru) the restrained mind remains within, and drinking the nectar mind is in ecstasy. ||2||
Note: The negative tendencies are “bikh” which literally means poison, for it poisons within. Kabir Ji’s advice is:
ਬਿਖੈ ਬਾਚੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਚੁ ਸਮਝੁ ਮਨ ਬਉਰਾ ਰੇ ॥
“Bikhai baach har raach samajh mun bauraa rae. ||” (SGGS, Pg. No. 335)
Translation: O crazy mind! Understand this, and protect (save) yourself from negative tendencies and stay connected with God (through remembrance).
Tuesday
ਮੰਗਲਵਾਰੇ ਲੇ ਮਾਹੀਤਿ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਚੋਰ ਕੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਰੀਤਿ ॥ ਘਰ ਛੋਡੇਂ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਤਰੁ ਖਰਾ ਰਿਸੈ ਹੈ ਰਾਇ ॥੩॥
“Ma(n)galavaare le maaheet. Pa(n)ch chor kee jaanai reet. Ghar chhodde(n) baahar jin jai. Naatar kharaa risai hai rai. ||3||”
Translation: On Tuesday, construct a fortress with moat around to protect the mind from the onslaught of the five thieves (described above as negative traits). Those who venture out wandering (lured by the five thieves) will feel the terrible wrath of the King (Divine sitting within the self). ||3||
Note: The process of protecting the mind is through constant introspection. Introspect when a thought germinates, grows, gains momentum, becomes actionable and gets into the execution stage. The idea is to stop the unsolicited thought in the mind at the earliest before a chain of thoughts are created. The unsolicited thoughts are basically for desires. When mind is free of thoughts it is in “Sahaj” state. Kabir Ji has shared about that mental state as:
ਸਹਜ ਕੀ ਅਕਥ ਕਥਾ ਹੈ ਨਿਰਾਰੀ ॥
“Sahaj kee akath kathaa hai niraaree. ||” (SGGS, Pg. No. 333)
Translation: The description of the mental state of intuitive poise is indescribable and sublime.
Wednesday
ਬੁਧਵਾਰਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਕਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸ ॥ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਕਮਲ ਮਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਬਾਸ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਦੋਊ ਏਕ ਸਮ ਧਰੈ ॥ ਉਰਧ ਪੰਕ ਲੈ ਸੂਧਾ ਕਰੈ ॥੪॥
“Budhavaar budh karai pragaas. Hiradhai kamal meh har kaa baas. Gur mil dhouoo ek sam dharai. Oradh pa(n)k lai soodhaa karai. ||4||”
Translation: On Wednesday (as a result of devotional worship), one’s understanding becomes enlightened. Then God will be experienced in the lotus of the heart. Through the Guru’s teachings the lotus heart (pure, untainted by desires, thoughts) becomes One with God (thus the Oneness is experienced within). (As a result) The inverted lotus blossoms and is turned upright. (This not a physical blossoming but a subtle blossoming as one feels the divine connection within.) ||4||
Note: The benefit of enlightened understanding according to Kabir Ji is:
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਐਸੀ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਮਾਨੀ ॥ ਚੂਕਿ ਗਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਆਵਨ ਜਾਨੀ ॥੩॥
“Gur parasaadh aaisee budh samaanee. || Chook giee phir aavan jaanee. ||3|| (SGGS, Pg. No. 337)
Translation: By Guru's Grace, such an understanding is infused into me; that my comings and goings in reincarnation have ended. ||3||
Thursday
ਬ੍ਰਿਹਸਪਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਦੇਇ ਬਹਾਇ ॥ ਤੀਨਿ ਦੇਵ ਏਕ ਸੰਗਿ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਤੀਨਿ ਨਦੀ ਤਹ ਤ੍ਰਿਕੁਟੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਕਸਮਲ ਧੋਵਹਿ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੫॥
“Birahasapat bikhiaa dhei bahai. Teen dev ek sa(n)g laai. Teen nadhee teh tirakuTee maeh. Ahinis kasamal dhoveh naaeh. ||5||”
Translation: On Thursday (as a result of devotional worship) wash off all your materialistic (Maya’s) attachments. Forsaking the trinity (characteristics of material world i.e., Rajo, Sato and Tamo) attach yourself to the One God alone (through Naam). Arriving at the confluence of the trinity (Ida, Pingla and Sukhmana) there is “Trikutiee”, become free from the material attachment. (In this manner) the wash off all the sins of material attachment. ||5||
Note: Thus, get in state of Sahaj, also called fourth, above the three - Rajo, Sato and Tamo. That experience is shared by Kabir Ji in these words:
ਬਿਖੈ ਰੋਗ ਭੈ ਬੰਧਨ ਭਾਗੇ ਮਨ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਜਾਨਾਨਾ ॥੧॥
“Bikhai rog bhai ba(n)dhan bhaage mun nij ghar sukh jaanaanaa. ||1||(SGGS, Pg. No. 339)
Translation: The negative tendencies and fear of bondage have departed; my mind has come within to know peace (Sahaj) in its own true home. ||1||
Friday
ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਹਾਰੈ ਸੁ ਇਹ ਬ੍ਰਤਿ ਚੜੈ ॥ ਅਨਦਿਨ ਆਪਿ ਆਪ ਸਿਉ ਲੜੈ ॥ ਸੁਰਖੀ ਪਾਂਚਉ ਰਾਖੈ ਸਬੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਦੂਜੀ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਨ ਪੈਸੈ ਕਬੈ ॥੬॥
“Sukirat sahaarai su ieh brat chaRai. Anadhin aap aap siau laRai. Surakhee paa(n)chau raakhai sabai. Tau dhoojee dhirasaT na paisai kabai ||6||”
Translation: On Friday (many fast, but if wish to fast then) keep a watch on your devotional worship. (Reason) As your devotional worship progresses, Maya will try to derail it through enticements, ego or fame and recognition. Therefore day and night, you must fight against your own self resisting all types of temptations to enjoy and good times. Thus restrain your five sense organs. Only then shall you not be casting an evil design/motive over others. ||6||
Note: Kabir is sharing what is achieved when his mind was leashed in, and stopped wandering as:
ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਲੇ ਜਉ ਉਨਮਨਿ ਰਹੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਤੀਨਿ ਲੋਕ ਕੀ ਬਾਤੈ ਕਹੈ ॥੩੩॥
Eih mun lae jau unaman rahai. || Tau teen lok kee baatai kahai. ||33||(SGGS, Pg. No. 342)
Translation: When this mind is controlled and channeled, it blossoms and experiences enlightenment, then it can describe the (invisible) God in the three worlds (meaning in entirelity, i.e. on the surface, above in sky and below underground). ||33||
Saturday
ਥਾਵਰ ਥਿਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਦੀ ਵਟੀ ਘਟ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਇ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਭਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ॥ ਤਬ ਹੂਆ ਸਗਲ ਕਰਮ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੭॥
“Thaavar thir kar raakhai soi. Jot dhee vaTee ghaT meh joai. Baahar bheetar bhiaa pragaas. Tabb hooaa sagal karam kaa naas. ||7||”
Translation: On Saturday, keep your mind steady and calm through remembrance, from the temptation induced by five thieves. Then experience the wick of God’s Light within your heart. So focused you should be that any sudden event (good or bad) should not divert the attention, then you will be enlightened inwardly and outwardly. Only then all your karmas (from the past and present lives) be annihilated. ||7||
Note: When the enlightenment is experienced within and outwardly, the mind becomes spiritually inclined:
ਹਿਰਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਗਿਆਨ ਗੁਰ ਗੰਮਿਤ ਗਗਨ ਮੰਡਲ ਮਹਿ ਧਿਆਨਾਨਾਂ ॥
“Hiradhae pragaas giaan gur ga(n)mit gagan ma(n)ddal meh dhiaanaanaa(n). ||
(SGGS, Pg. No. 339)
Translation: Meeting the Guru my heart is illuminated by spiritual wisdom; my attention and focus in the Sky of the Tenth Gate (above the nine gates which keep the attention in the material world).
Conclusion
ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਘਟ ਮਹਿ ਦੂਜੀ ਆਨ ॥ ਤਉ ਲਉ ਮਹਲਿ ਨ ਲਾਭੈ ਜਾਨ ॥ ਰਮਤ ਰਾਮ ਸਿਉ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਤਬ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਅੰਗ ॥੮॥੧॥
“Jabb lag ghaT meh dhoojee aan. Tau lau mahal na laabhai jaan. Ramat raam siau laago ra(n)g. Kaaeh kabir tab nirmal ang. ||8||1||”
Translation: Understand this clearly that as long as you place your hopes in others, you shall not find the Mansion of the God’s Presence. When you embrace love for the God alone, says Kabir, then, you shall become pure in your every fiber (of the body). ||8||1||
Summary
Objective – Experience of Oneness through Devotional Worship.
Hinderance – Five sense organs (connected to mind) which constantly take attention outwards.
Results of hinderance – Mind gets in the Sato (goodness/clarity), Rajo (passion/activity), and Tamo (inertia/ignorance) mode. These inseparable qualities interact to create the world's experiences and bind the mind to material life, requiring its liberation.
Practice – Constant introspection to monitor if mind ventures out chasing after hopes and desires.
Success – Experience of Oneness and liberation.
Kabir’s Poetic Sense – Kabir has used the first letter of the day of the week, to espouse the To-Do item for that day starting with the same letter. See under and note the rhyming:
| Day of the week | Name of day | Activity |
| Sunday | Aadhit | Aara(n)bh |
| Monday | Somavaar | Sas |
| Tuesday | Ma(n)galavaare | Maaheet |
| Wednesday | Budhavaar | Budh |
| Thursday | Birahasapat | Bikhiaa |
| Friday | Sukirat | Sahaarai |
| Saturday | Thaavar | Thir |
References:
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Singh, Prof. Sahib. Darpan – Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Volume 2. Raj Publishers.
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Singh, Dr. Vir. Santhiya – Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Volume 5. Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi.
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Singh, Simranjeet. Exposition on the Kabir’s Bani: Raag Gauri Vaar Kabir Jeo Kae 7.
