Talaash………… is yours compromised.

Talaash in English means pursuit, an action of pursuing someone or something. An art teacher mentioned to his student “anyone in pursuit of art is responding to a desire to make visible that which is not, to offer the unknown self to others. The words impressed the student and he went out to experience Talaash what ordinary people were in pursuit.

Meeting and interacting with people his general observations seem to reflect; people in talaash pursue an agenda more to fulfil others dreams and goals than their own. Their activities seemed never ending like waves coming back and forth to the shore line but never wanting to settle and enjoy the shore (true life). The intelligent is in pursuit to plan and exercise ways finding resources to outdo the other in every aspect. People seem to be running in all directions for various pleasures, enjoyments and monetary gains. Even before one talaash is over another more elevated priority is already in pursuit.

One day tired, hungry and thirsty he sees a Gurudwara and decides to go have langar there. On his way out he stopped to say thank you to an elderly man who was serving him langar and whom people around called Veerji. Appreciating his manners Veerji asked his name and where he was from. The student shared his purpose of Talaash. Veerji smiled and said strangely we all are in Talaash of something or the other. Spend some time here I think you will gain much learning.

Veerji nik named the boy shishya, sat with him for a while talking about Guru Granth Saheb ji (Gurbani) the Holy Scripture for humanity. He explained how Gurbani asks us to inquire, assimilate it through reflections of shabad Vichar and accept the Divine Wisdom and live it in our daily life. He confidently stated when you once embrace love for the True One the (talaash) pursuit of worldly affairs comes to an end. He added the wisdom of Gurbani does not want us to become thoughtless but mindful, urging us to keep the mind like a sharp sword to cut through doubts, confusion ignorance and so on. It is common for people to spend their lives pursuing whatever they believe that makes them happy, wealthy, success, popular, excitement or whatever but they all are fleeting pleasures and one will always remain unsatisfied. Veerji arranged for shishya’s overnight stay and asked him to meet him by 4.00am (amrit vela) next day to learn more on what Gurbani has to say on pursuit (talaash).

The next morning after Gurbani Kirtan, Veerji sat with shishya. He shared many excerpts from Gurbani which in translation meant the following.

‘People are in Talaash of false pursuits but in the world hereafter, only account of your true actions is accepted.’

‘When lost, confused and deceived by doubt we suffer in pain and the Talaash we conduct outside, when much root cause to treat is within’.

Gurbani says ‘people spend entire life engaged in worldly pursuits accumulating money often suffering much pain beyond measure, consumed by the great enticer Maya.

‘The talaash of virtues are to be distinguished with honour and not false positions.’

In conclusion Veerji quoted “All evil pursuits’ burn away, when the Guru blesses with the Naam, the true object of life.

After taking Kada Parshad shishya takes blessings and leaves the Gurudwara. On way he thinks a casual body state arises out of ignorance and until one has knowledge one will never be able to realize….. that we are compromised.