Tagore was once asked to write a Universal Anthem. His reply was that Guru Nanak had sung this Anthem-Lord's Praise 500 years ago which we know as Arti; worship with lighted lamps. Guru Nanak had sung it in the Temple of Jaganath at Puri, Orissa.

Guru ji's Anthem is not specific to a state or a country, but for the whole Universe. It speaks of the whole cosmos; where sun and the moon are like lamps, the galaxy of stars are the pearls, the whole vegetation is like the flowers and wind is like the royal fan spreading beauty and sweetness. Every thing in nature is harmoniously moving around in the cosmic plate singing the enchanting symphony of Lord's praise.

In this hymn Guru Ji shows us a Vision of the otherwise Formless Lord in all the living beings; in their bodies, in their eyes, in their noses, in there feet etc. as all belong to One Supreme Lord. Guru Ji prays that may I never be deprived of the Wondrous Vision of the Lord.

Any person who sings this Anthem lifts his spirits to such heights that he gets a clear Vision of the Wondrous God and His Grand Harmonious Design working in Nature.

Sikhs sing this Universal Anthem daily as part of their daily prayer (Nitname). As a result Guru Ji has blessed them with a Universal outlook which is not blurred by man made barriers. They recognizes the right to freedom and equality of all mankind. They regard all National Anthems as a sub-set of Guru Nanak's Universal Anthem and respects them all. They should not get into discussions based on narrow divisive considerations.

Another idea is floating around which is not in line with Sikh principles.This is to attach the name of Bharat as the last name.

Guru Gobind Singh threw away the caste system by making people partake Khande di Pahul ( Amrit) from a common pot and attaching the common Title of Singh for the males and Kaur for the ladies. With this title he was called Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, thus making him a Universal Person. Their is no need for him to have 'Bharat' as the last name. Title of Singh itself means he does not recognize caste system. Khalsa remains a Singh whether in India, Canada or America.

Sikhs should never give up their God given gift of Universal Look as well as Universal Outlook.

RAAG DHANAASAREE, FIRST MEHL:

gagan mein thal rave chand deepak bane tarika mandal janak moti.
Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.

Dhoop malianlo, pavan chavro kare, sagal banirae phoolant joti.
The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. || 1 ||

Kaisee Arti hoi, Bhav khandna teri Arti.
What a beautiful Aartee, lamp-lit worship service this is! O Destroyer of Fear, this is Your Ceremony of Light.

Anhata sabad vajant bheri. Rahao.
The Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad is the vibration of the temple drums. || 1 || Pause ||

Sehs tav nain non nain hai Tohe kao, sehs moorat nana ek Tohi.
You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one.

Sehs pad bimal non ek pad, ghand bin, sehs tav ghand iv chalt mohi.
You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. || 2 ||

Sabh me jot jot hai soi,
Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.

tis de chaanan sabh mei chaanan hoi
By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.

Gur sakhi jot pargat hoi.
Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth.

jo tis bhave so arti hoi
That which is pleasing to Him is the lamp-lit worship service. || 3 ||

Hari charan kamal makrand lobhit mano an dino mohe ahi piasa.
My mind is enticed by the honey-sweet Lotus Feet of the Lord. Day and night, I thirst for them.

kirpa jal de Nanak sarang kao hoi jate tere nam vasa
Bestow the Water of Your Mercy upon Nanak, the thirsty song-bird, so that he may come to dwell in Your Name. || 4 || 3 ||