GIAN PRABODH

GIAN PRABODH (Guide to Enlightenment), included in Guru Gobind Singh`s Dasam Granth, is a long poem in Braj employing sixteen different metres. It comprises two independent pans, the first, i.e. the introductory one (stanzas 1 to 125), beginning with laudation of the Almighty who is depicted as Supreme, beyond comprehension, nondual, infinite, invisible, unattached, desirelcss and fearless. The Supreme Being is the Creator and Succourer of the universe, and the Embodiment of Supreme Bliss. He is beyond Time and beyond retribution for karma. All pilgrimages, practices of yoga, renunciation of the world, are meaningless if He is not remembered.

The second part consists of 211 stanzas (1263-36), each a quatrain with the exception of two couplets (250 and 253). The theme of this part is the practical philosophy of the world. The expositions are professed in the form of highly metaphysical dialogues, between Jivatman and Paramatman, and the nature of dtman and fourfold worldly dharma i.e. politics {raj dharma), charity (dan dharma), household life (bhog dharma) and liberation (moksa dharma) have been defined. How this fourfold religion of man is to be lived is illustrated from the legends of the Mahdbhdrata and from the tales of the successors of Yudhishlhira and his brothers, namely Priksit, Janmejya and his son, Ajai Singh, born of a concubine.

References :

1. Loehlin, C.H.. The Granth of Guru Gobind Singh find the Khalsa Brotherhood. Lucknow, 1971
2. Ashta, Dliaram Pal, The Poetry of the Dasam Granth. Delhi, 1959
3. Jaggi, Ratan Singh, Dasam Granth Pnrichaya. Delhi, 1990