In realizing you are the Self, who will you do salutations towards then? : Vichar Sagar
The passage below continues on our previous translation on the first page of the Vichar Sagar.
The context that is provided between the translated lines has been learnt from a traditional scholar who teaches this text within the Nirmala tradition.
Vichar Sagar verse 3-7:
[The uncertain pupil says:]
ਜਾ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੁ ਸਰਵੱਗ ਕੋ ਹਿਯ ਧਾਰਤ ਮੁਨਿ ਧਿਆਨ ॥ That Compassionate All-knowing Being, who the ascetic's keep contemplatively held within their heart
ਤਾ ਕੋ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਧਿ ਤੇਂ ਮੋਮੇ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਭਾਨ ॥3॥ This is being falsely associated with myself; seeing That as myself is the real illusion.
[Teachers response:]
ਹ੍ਵੈ ਜਿਹਿ ਜਾਨੇ ਬਿਨ ਜਗਤ ਮਨਹੁ ਜੇਵਰੀ ਸਾਂਪ ॥ Without understanding That Being, one perceives the world incorrectly, like viewing incorrectly a rope as a snake.
ਨਸ਼ੈ ਭੁਜਗ ਜਗ ਜਿਹਿ ਲਹੇ ਸੋਹੰ ਆਪੈ ਆਪ ॥4॥ When this false perception of viewing the world, incorrectly like the snake, is corrected, you will realize You Are It.
ਬੋਧ ਚਾਹਿ ਜਾਕੋ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਜਤ ਰਾਮ ਨਿਸ਼ਕਾਮ ॥ Oh virtuous (good actioned) pupil, if you want to experience this wisdom then devotionally serve the Omnipresent without any other desires.
ਸੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਹੈ ਆਤਮਾ ਕਾਕੂ ਕਰੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਮ ॥5॥ In realizing you are the Self, who will you do salutations towards then?
[The uncertain pupil asks: Why did you call this composition the Vichar Sagar?]
[Nischal Das' response:]
ਭਰਿਓ ਵੇਦ ਸਿਧਾਂਤ ਜਲ ਜਾ ਮੈਂ ਅਤਿ ਗੰਭੀਰ ॥ I have poured into this composition the water-like wisdom of the Vedas; and the Vedas are deep like an ocean.
ਅਸ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਸਾਗਰ ਕਹੂੰ ਪੇਖਿ ਮੁਦਿਤ ਹ੍ਵੈ ਧੀਰ ॥6॥ For this reason I've called this composition the Vichar Sagar (the Ocean of Inquiry); the viewing of which pleases determined students.
[The uncertain pupil asks: If this wisdom is already present in the Vedas why are you writing it again here?]
[Nischal Das' response:]
ਸੂਤ੍ਰ ਭਾਸ਼੍ਯ ਵਾਰਤਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੁਰਵਾਨਿ ॥ The Brahma Sutras, Śhankara's Bhāṣya, Sureśvara's Vārtikas, and many more like these are written in Sanskrit.
ਮੈਂ ਤਥਾਪਿ ਭਾਖਾ ਕਰੂੰ ਲਖਿ ਮਤਿ ਮੰਦ ਅਜਾਨਿ ॥7॥ But for the sake of the uneducated and unintelligent seekers, I have written this scripture in the vernacular so they might understand.
- Page 1, Vichar Sagar