ਪਉੜੀ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪ੍ਰਹਿਲਾਦਿ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਨਕਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬਸਿਸਟਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਈ ॥
ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਕਿਨੈ ਪਾਇਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਆਪਿ ਲਹਾਈ ॥13॥
This Shabad refers to three revered Bhagats from ancient times: Sri Prahlaad Ji, Raja Janak Ji, and Rishi Vishisht Ji. According to Indian tradition, these figures are respected as great Bhagats. Gurmat recognizes these Bhagats but also mentions that these Bhagats attained their high spiritual state through the ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ (Gurmukh).
The term ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ (Gurmukh) has multiple meanings in Gurbani. Here are some key meanings:
Mukhi Guru: the chief Guru, meaning Waheguru Himself.
Satguru: the Guru form of Waheguru, specifically Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. As it is said, “ਗੁਰਮਖਿ ਕਲਿ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਆ”.
A person whose face (mukh) is turned towards the Guru: a true Gursikh.
“Gurmukh” also means ‘through the Guru’ or ‘by the grace of the Guru.’
When used as “Gurmukh Naam,” it refers to the Gurmat Naam, the Naam or Gurmantra given by the house of Guru Nanak Dev Ji; in such cases, it should be understood as a compound word.
In this Shabad, Gurmukh is meant in sense #4, so a slight pause should be observed after this word:
ਪਉੜੀ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ, ਪ੍ਰਹਿਲਾਦਿ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ, ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ, ਜਨਕਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ, ਬਸਿਸਟਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਈ ॥
ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ, ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਕਿਨੈ ਪਾਇਆ, ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥
The meaning of the Shabad is: Through the Guru, Prahlaad attained salvation by chanting Hari. Through the Guru, Raja Janak focused his mind on Hari Naam. Through the Guru, Rishi Vishisht taught Hari’s lesson to Sri Ram Chandra. In conclusion, Guru Sahib states, O brother, no one has attained Hari Naam without the Guru.
From beginning to end, there is only one Guru. This same Guru, who worked behind the scenes through various Rishis and Avatars, appeared openly in Kalyuga and identified Himself as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, and Sri Guru Amardaas Ji.
