SPEAKING OF OUR FASCINATION WITH THE DAZZLING CANOPY OF STARS AND THE SPLENDOR OF HEAVENS
We look up to the sky with awe and wonder, with marvel and anticipation as we read in our sacred texts that the One who created the unfathomable heavens resides there. This amazing Spiritual Being governs our Earth and the limitless and ever-expanding universe is manifested with all that this Immaculate Master has created and governs this mighty Kingdom from His Heavenly Abode somewhere among the stars and galaxies, and celestial corridors without end. We look towards the heavens and our hearts and spirits pay homage at this majestic cathedral studded with billions of stars. It was not until recently that we finally had a glimpse of its indescribable grandeur, thanks to the Hubble Telescope and Satellite images.
Our primordial fascination with star gazing and the heavenly splendor of the vast and unfathomable canopy above our earth has continued since the beginning of Life on Earth. Since then, new floodgates of cosmic wonder and amazement have opened. They give us cause for celebration, meditation, and virtual trailblazing through the deepest layers of the unfathomable universe that is providing a glimpse and new understanding of our cosmos.
Humanity has been fascinated about the world beyond our own since the beginning of Life. A lot of passages in Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Scriptures, reveal the glory of Nature and Creation and its Creator, and the time and place of the sun, moon, stars, and heavenly bodies:
“In the Realm of Truth, resides the Formless God… There are continents, worlds, solar systems in that realm. One who attempts to describe them, should know that these are limitless. There are creations after creation and universe after universes. They function according to the command of God.” - Japuji Sahib (English translation by Harbans Singh Doabia)
"His star are strung across the mighty cosmos and His Light and Presence illuminates the many layers and realms of Creation."
"Salutation to God who is the sun of suns, the moon of moons; the king of kings and king of kings of the angels; the darkest pitch darkness, the brightest of lights; manifested in the tiniest of seeds and the largest elements of nature and creation."- Jaap Sahib, Patshahi 10.
At another place the dazzling sun and mysterious moon are used to define the venerable glory of God’s Messengers:
"If a hundred moons were to sprout (rose all at once) and a thousand suns were to ride into the sky all at once, even then, in spite of this awesome effulgence of light, it still would be pitch dark without Light and Wisdom of a Divine Teacher."
In other words, the Venerable Teacher represents a dazzling Divine Light, and the light of heavenly bodies pales in comparison. Maybe our mind and imagination search the sky for something filled with celestial grandeur and incredibly mysterious? Our spirits and souls may remember some deeper connections that the sunrises, full-moons and the sky inspire within us.
The sun and moon are our closest and benevolent neighbors. Their nature and blessings have made life on earth possible and to flourish. They represent greatly varied, exciting and enigmatic experiences across the earthly landscapes. In the case of our Moon, we witness its changing cycles and beauty, and that enthralls us. In the case of our Sun, it is an untamed giant ball of fire that impacts our weather and sends light and warmth to our earth during its daily travels through our sky.
Our thoughts and sights are never too far from the sky. The Sun, Moon, and the billions of stars that make-up our sky-canopy overhead captivate us with their charm; and they direct our moods, fashions, and seasons. They tease us with their supernatural spectacles and surprises and immense power over our lives. They inspire us with breathtaking millions of images and govern our creative directions and human destiny.
