Yah Tan Durlabh Tumne Paaya - Soami Ji Maharaj - RSSB Shabad

These shabads are hymns or spiritual poems written by saints and mystics from different spiritual traditions of the Indian subcontinent. The shabads convey a deep message of truth and are sung with heartfelt devotion. They express the intense longing of the soul for union with the Lord. These songs of devotion are prayers that inspire the true seeker to turn inwards to contact the ultimate Truth – the inner divine music that reverberates within every being. English Translation: You faltered through a million lives   before you found this rare human form. Do not waste it this time –   devote every moment to remembering God. When you decide on a life of devotion,   obtain the path of Shabd from a Master   and devote yourself to him. If he is not a Master of the path of Shabd,   you can be sure he is teaching under false pretences. A true Guru is a lover of Shabd –   he practises Shabd, nothing but Shabd. I am speaking of the Shabd at the top of Gagan. I am speaking of the Shabd in the city of Sunn. I am speaking of the Shabd on the road to Bhanwar Gupha. I am speaking of the Shabd that comes from Agam Lok. I have explained at length the way to recognize a Master –   I have left no ambiguity. The Master who practices Shabd is a true Master;   make yourself the dust of his feet. Apply no other test; look for no merits or demerits,   no marks or signs. Obtain the secret of Shabd from him   and put your heart and soul   into the practice of that Shabd. Have some compassion for your soul   and save it from the cycle of births and deaths. Otherwise you will suffer terrible agony   and constantly burn in the fire pit of hell. Worldly comforts are short-lived, brother,   but the pain will last forever. I say this time and again to let you know   that I feel your pain in my heart. Why worship any other? Devote yourself to him; have his darshan,   serve at his feet. Guru bhakti is all-inclusive   just as all rivers flow into the sea. Devotion to all gods and goddesses such as Ishwar,   Shiva, Sooraj, Shesh, Gauri, and Ganesh,   to the three planes of existence, and even   the fourth, to Brahm, Parbrahm, and Satnam –   all is included in devotion to the Master;   of this have absolutely no doubt or misapprehension. That is why I repeatedly bring home this point   and always sing of Guru bhakti. Be a gurmukh and obey your Guru’s commands,   for a Guru’s devotees swim across the ocean in no time. How far can I go in singing the praises of the Guru? I find no one like the Guru. All faiths and religions glorify the Guru. People who turn their back on the Guru   find no resting place. A life of luxury, of worldly power and authority,   rests on wealth and the favour of your boss. See how you serve your superiors   to acquire this wealth, power, and prestige! You comply with their orders so slavishly   that you forego food and sleep to please them. But what do you do with the money thus earned? You throw it around to gain social standing. I have already made clear the state of this world –   after its short-lived allurements, nothing remains. But it is sad that you have turned your back on Guru seva,   the one service that is truly rewarding. Not for days, weeks, months, not even for years,   has your heart pined for the Guru’s darshan. Can you tell me how you will save yourself? You are bound for life in hell,   with pain inflicted from every direction. You have not cultivated love for the Guru;   so tell me: who will help you out of your misery? If you do not believe all this, brother,   counsel your mind thus:   To use your wealth in the service of the Master   is to use it to your best advantage. The Master does not hunger for your wealth –   he possesses the treasure of bhakti and Nam. But he will spend it on your behalf   to help the hungry and needy. If you please him in this way,   you earn his grace for nothing. But to please the Master is a difficult task –   it takes the grace of Sat Purush himself. Admirable, among all disciples, is the one   who has earned the pleasure of the Master. For if the Master is pleased, the Creator is pleased,   and Kal can no longer manipulate   the cards of karma. Rishis such as Shukdev, Narad and Vyas   all acknowledge the supremacy of the Master. So do what you can to please the Master;   trying to please others is of little advantage. This shabad is published by Radha Soami Satsang Beas. You may visit our official website at: www.rssb.org