Many people in the world know about the shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib, which is located in the city of Amritsar (Punjab, India). On account of its golden coating done by the king Ranjit Singh, the English speaking world also knows it as Golden Temple . Also known as Darbar Sahib - pronounced Darbaar Saahib - this temple complex was supposed to be the place of purity, humility, simplicity, piety and the Gurmukhs. Currently, whether or not Sri Harmandir Sahib is occupied by such True Beings is altogether a different subject, which is beyond the scope of this Gurbani Reflection. But the history reports that the ninth Guru was refused entry into the complex by the greedy, corrupt and selfish Pujaaree-group; which was under the control of Harji, grandson of the troublemaker to the Gurus, Prithi Chand (elder son of the fourth Guru - Guru Ramdaas Sahib). Subsequently, it never got visited by the tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (son of the ninth Master - Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib).

The Gurbani, however, reveals to us that the "Harmandir" is within the human body. He explains that deep in the Heart, there resides the same Lord in the body-"Harmandir" of each and everyone of us, here and now.

It's not only strange, but also tragic and unfortunate that many Sikh writers, researchers, scholars (Pundits), Bhais, Raagees, Kathaakaars, etc., ignore this very valuable Truth of the Gurbani. Baabaa Nanak says:

• ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਸੋਈ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਥਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਤਾ ॥ ਮਾਨਸ ਦੇਹ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਭੁ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਖੋਜੀਐ ਘਰ ਮਾਹਿ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਤਾ ॥ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਇਕੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੨॥: Paurree || Har mandaru soee aakheeai jithahu hari jaataa. Maanas deh gur bachanee paaiaa sabh aatam raam pashaataa. Baahari mool na khojeeai ghar maahi bidhaataa. Manmukh hari mandar kee saar na jaananee tinee janam gavaataa. Sabh mahi ik varatadaa gur sabadee paaiaa jaaee ||12||: Paurree. That alone (i.e., within the body) is the "Harmandir" — God's Temple — in which the Lord is Realized. (The human body is "Harmandir" because) in the human body, by following the Gur-Bachan (Upadesh, Teaching, Utterance, Gurbani, Gur-Giaan...), God is Realized, and the Supreme Soul is seen pervading in all. So, don't look outside this body, because the Creator resides within (this body) Home. However, the Manmukhs (the self-willed, followers of falsehood or untruth, etc.) don't appreciate the Essence (of this body) "Harmandir". (By following their Manmukhtaa) They waste away their lives. (Although) the One (God) pervades in all, but He is Realized only through the Gur-Shabad (Gur-Giaan, Aatm-Giaan...) ||12|| (sggs 953).

ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਸੋਈ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਥਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਤਾ ॥: That alone (i.e., within the body) is the "Harmandir" — God's Temple — in which the Lord is Realized: As indicated above, the body is the living "Harmandir" made not by the human hands but by the Creator. Thus, each body in the world is the Lord's Temple, in which the Formless pervades and Realized.

• ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਆਖੀਐ ਕਾਇਆ ਕੋਟੁ ਗੜੁ ॥ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਲਾਲ ਜਵੇਹਰੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪੜੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਅਤਿ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਿੜੁ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਆਪਿ ਖੁਆਇਅਨੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹ ਨਿਤ ਕੜੁ ॥ ਸਭਨਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਪੂਰੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੧॥: Paurree. Har kaa mandar aakheeai kaaeiaa kott garh...: Paurree. The fortress of the body is called the Harmandir — Mansion of the Lord. If by becoming the Gurmukh (one who is hungry for the Naam-Giaan, etc.) chants the Naam, the Rubies and Gems (Divine Virtues, Aatm-Giaan...) are found within it. The body, the Harmandir, is very Beautiful, when the Name of the Lord (Aatm-Giaan...), is implanted deep within. The Manmukhs (the self-willed...) boil continuously in attachment to Maya and (thus) ruin themselves. The One Lord is the Master of all; (but) He is Realized only by perfect destiny. ||11|| (sggs 952).
• ਕਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਆਪਿ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਵਸੈ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ॥: Kaaeiaa har mandaru hari aapi savaare. Tisu vichi hari jeeou vasai muraare: The body is the Harmandir, the temple of the Lord; the Lord Himself adorns it. The Lord dwells within it. (sggs 1059).
• ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਸਾਜਿਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਾਲ ਜੀਉ ਹਰਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਏ ਰਾਮ ॥: Hari Mandaru hari jeeou saajiaa mere laal jeeou hari tisu mahi rahiaa samaaye raam: O my beloved! The Lord has fashioned (the body) as His temple — "Harmandir"; the Lord continually dwells (in this body). (sggs 542).
• ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਏਹੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਘੋਰੰਧਾਰ ॥ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਉ ਕਰਿ ਪੂਜਦੇ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਅੰਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥: Hari mandaru ehu jagatu hai gur binu ghor-andhaar: This whole world is "Harmandir" — the Temple of the Divine; there is only pitch darkness of ignorance without the Guru. But, the blind (mentally blind) and foolish Manmukhs worship the "second": duality (sggs 1346).
• ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਏਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਗਿਆਨਿ ਰਤਨਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥: Hari mandaru ehu sareeru hai Giaanu ratani pargatu hoi: This body is the "Harmandir" - the Lord's Temple - (but this secret) is revealed by the Jewel of Wisdom (Aatm-Giaan...). (sggs 1346).

ਮਾਨਸ ਦੇਹ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਭੁ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥: (The human body is "Harmandir" because) in the human body, by following the Gur-Bachan (Upadesh, Teaching, Utterance, Gurbani, Gur-Giaan...), God is Realized, and the Supreme Soul is seen pervading in all: Present in the the human body is the Jewel of the Divine Name (Naam, Shabad, Aatm Giaan, Gur-Giann, Knowledge, Wisdom, Eternal Bliss, True Amrit...); but in dormant condition, awaiting to be awakened and Realized by the seeker. By constantly Reflecting on the Gur-Shabad (Shabad-Vichaar), one's separate identity banishes and then he abides in his Joti-Svaroopa (Mool, Source...) within.

• ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਖੋਜੇ ਤਾ ਨਾਉ ਪਾਏ ॥: Tanu manu khoje taa naaou paae: Search your body and mind, and find the Name (sggs 110).
• ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਆਤਮ ਮਹਿ ਸੋਧੈ ॥: Raam Naam aatam mahi sodhai: (True one) searches for the Lord's Name within his own soul (sggs 274).
• ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਮੁਗਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥: Hari mandar mahi naam nidhaan hai naa boojahi mugadh gavaar: The treasure of the Divine Name is within the body "Harmandir"; but the idiotic fools do not realize this (sggs 1346).
• ਮਨ ਤਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਤ ॥: Mann tann antari hari hari mant: The Mantra of God's Name is deep Within my mind and body (sggs 802).
• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਖੂਹਟਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਭਰਿਆ ਸਬਦੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਪੀਐ ਪਨਿਹਾਰੀ ॥: Antari khooahataa amriti bhariaa sabade kaadhi peeai panihaaree: Deep Within this body is the well overflowing with the Amrit; the Water-carrier (Naam Japist or Spiritual Being) draws and drinks it in the Shabad (sggs 571).
• ਬਾਹਰਿ ਢੂਢਤ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਘਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਘਟ ਮਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥: Baahari dhoondat bahut dukh paavahi ghari amrit ghat mahee jeeu: By searching around on the outside, you will only suffer great pain; Amrit (Nectar) is found Within the Home of your own Being (sggs 598).
• ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰ ਮਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਵਸੈ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਸੋਇ ॥: Hari mandar mahi hari vasai sarab nirantari soi: The Divine abides within the body "Harmandir"; He is pervading in all (sggs 1346).

ਬਾਹਰਿ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਖੋਜੀਐ ਘਰ ਮਾਹਿ ਬਿਧਾਤਾ ॥: So, don't look outside this body, because the Creator resides within (this body) Home. H: Everything is within the body, declares the Gurbani. There is nothing "there yonder" which is not in our bosom. The Absolute Truth is not an object of perception so that it may be shown by one to another. It must be Realized by the seeker within the body by him. Therefore, those who search the Sublime thing such as God in other places and in other things are called by the Gurbani "deluded by doubts".

• ਸਰੀਰਹੁ ਭਾਲਣਿ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਜਾਏ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਲਹੈ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਵੇਗਾਰਿ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਏ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਅੰਧੇ ਸੂਝੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਘਿਰਿ ਆਇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਥੁ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੪॥: Sareerahu bhaalan ko baahar jaaye. Naamu n lahai bahutu vegaar dukhu paaye. Manmukh andhe soojhai naahee phiri ghiri aai gurmukhi vathu paavaniaa ||4||: Those who search (for Light, Giaan...) outside the body will not receive the Naam; consequently, they will suffer the terrible pains of slavery (of Maya, sense, etc.). The blind (mentally blind) Manmukhs (self-willed, the false, etc.) do not understand; but, (after becoming wearied of searching outside), when they return once again to their own (Inner) Home, they find (Naam) within by becoming the Gurmukhs (Realizing the Gur-Giaan,Truth, etc.) ||4|| (sggs 124).
• ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਵੇਖੁ ਤੂ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਸਬਦੇ ਖੋਜੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੋ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਪੈ ਰੰਗੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਸਚੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਸਚਾ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਟੀ ਸਾਚੀ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Gur parasaadee vekh tooahri mandaru terai naali ....: By the Grace of the Gur-Giaan, see that the Temple of the Lord — "Harmandir" — is within you. Find this "Harmandir" (within the body) through the Shabad; (therefore) hold up the Naam (Shabad-Giaan, Gur-Giaan...). ||1|| O my mind! By becoming attuned to the Shabad, get dyed with the color (of Bhagti, Naam, Bliss...). True is that Bhagti, and True is that "Harmandir" (body); True is the Glory that becomes apparent. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1346).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਖੋਜੈ ਹੋਰ ਸਭ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਈ ॥: Gurmukh hovai su kaaiaa khojai hor sabh bharami bhulaaee: One who becomes the Gurmukh (Spiritual Being...) searches within his body; all others just wander around in confusion (sggs 754).
• ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਟੋਲੈ ਸੋ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਹੀ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਿਨੀ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੋ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥: Sabh kishu ghar mahi baahari naahee. Baahari tolai so bharami bhulaahee. Gur Parasaadee jinee antari paaiaa so antari baahari suhelaa jeeou ||1||: Everything is within the Home (of the self, Heart, Antahakaran, ਅੰਤਹ ਕਰਨ ਰੂਪੀ ਘਰ ਅੰਦਰ, ਹਿਰਦੇ ਘਰ ਵਿਚ...); there is nothing outside of It. Who searches outside is deluded by doubts. By "Gur Parasaadee" (i.e., by the Gur-Grace: Grace of the Gur-Giaan...), who has Realized (Truth...) within is Happy inwardly and outwardly (i.e., totally Happy, Easy, Comfortable, Peaceful, Blissful, Joyful, ਸੌਖਾ, ਸੁਖੀ, ਆਤਮਕ ਸੁਖ...) ||1|| (sggs 102).
• ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰੁ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਮਾਣਕ ਲਾਲ ॥ ਮੋਤੀ ਹੀਰਾ ਨਿਰਮਲਾ ਕੰਚਨ ਕੋਟ ਰੀਸਾਲ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਪਉੜੀ ਗੜਿ ਕਿਉ ਚੜਉ ਗੁਰ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥੨॥: Prabh hari mandar sohnaa tis mahi maanak laal. Motee heeraa nirmalaa kanchal koti reesaal. Bin payurhee garhi kiyu charhayu gur hari dhyan nihaal ||2||: The Lord's Temple ("Harmandir") is Bbeautiful. Within it, there are Gems, Rubies, Pearls and shinging Diamonds (of Naam, Giaan, Wisdom...), surrounded by the fortress of gold (human body...). (But, one) cannot climb up to (this Fortress - make the body fruitful, ਸਰੀਰ ਸਫਲਾ ਕਰਨਾ) without a ladder (of the Naam). By meditating on the Guru's Feet (Naam, Shabad-Vichaar, Gur-Giaan...), it can be beheld. ||2|| (sggs 17).

ਮਨਮੁਖ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਤਾ ॥: However, the Manmukhs (the self-willed, followers of falsehood or untruth, etc.) don't appreciate the Essence (of this body) "Harmandir": Opposite of the Gurmukh is the Manmukh. Attached to the love of duality (Maya, delusion, two-ness, etc.), he has no spiritual understanding (Aatm-Giaan). Without the Spiritual Wisdom, as Manmukhs, we end up searching the Truth too far away from us — in the gross objects of the world. But it's all within, explains the Gurbani!

• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਮੂਲੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ਮਾਣਸਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥2॥ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਸਾਜਿਆ ਰਖਿਆ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਸਵਾਰਿ ॥: Manmukh mool na jaananee maanasi hari mandaru n hoi. Hari mandaru hari jeeu saajia rakhiaa hukami savaari: The Manmukhs do not know their Mool (Origin, Source, Root...); (on account of this ignorance, they) do not believe that the "Harmandir" is within the human (body). ||2|| The Lord has created this (human body) "Harmandir"; He adorns it by His Hukam (sggs 1346).
• ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਬੂਝੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭਾਲਣਿ ਜਾਈ ॥: Manmukh mugadh boojhai naahee baahar bhaalan jaaee: The foolish Manmukh does not understand; he goes out searching for the Divine externally (sggs 754).
• ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਅੰਧੁ ਅੰਧਾਰਾ ॥: Manmukh agiaanee andh andhaaraa: The Manmukhs (because of emotional attachment: Moh) remain immersed in utter darkness of ignorance (of their spiritual life: ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ) (sggs 1067).
• ਵਿਣੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਜਿ ਹੋਰ ਥੈ ਧਨੁ ਖੋਜਦੇ ਸੇ ਮੂੜ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥ ਸੇ ਉਝੜਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਭਵਾਈਅਹਿ ਜਿਉ ਝਾੜ ਮਿਰਗੁ ਭਾਲੇ ॥੧੫॥: Vin kaaiaa ji hor thai dhanu khojade se moorr betaale ...: Those who search for this Treasure (Naam) outside of the body, in other places, are foolish demons (in the human body). They wander around in the wilderness of doubt, like the deer who (not knowing that the musk is ever present in his own body) searches for the musk in the bushes ||15|| (sggs 309).

ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਇਕੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੨॥: (Although) the One (God) pervades in all, but He is Realized only through the Gur-Shabad (Gur-Giaan, Aatm-Giaan...) ||12||: After defining the "Harmandir" and revealing it's whereabouts, Baabaa Nanak now explains to us as to how to Realize it. For oneself to experience the "Harmandir" within the body, the Gurbani emphasizes on Naam-Kamaaee (Shbad-Vichaar, Gur-Giaan...). By constantly reflecting on the Naam (Shabad...) the mind acquires the strength to return to its Mool (Source, Joti-Svaroopa) within. 

• ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਹਾਟੁ ਹੈ ਰਖਿਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਵਾਰਿ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਉਦਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲੈਨਿ ਸਵਾਰਿ ॥: This body "Harmandir" is the Lord's Shop; He embellishes it with the Word of His Shabad. In this shop is the merchandise of the One Divine Name; by becoming a Gurmukh, adorn yourself with it (sggs 1346).

To recapitulate, man's inner psyche is the temple or "Harmandir" where the Ultimate Reality resides as Joti-Svaroopa (Mool, Source...). Baabaa Nanak says: "Preetam basat rid mahi khor". As explained in the Gurbani, however, the reason most of us (over 99.9 percent - the Manmukhs) neither see our own body nor the body of other living beings as "Harmandir" is because of our material eyes suffe from the cataract of Maya; which can only perceive the layer of matter, covering the Joti-Svaroopa within. On the other hand, those who are Spiritually developed (the Gurmukhs) can easily recognize the Divine Presence within the body temple.

• ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਬਸਤ ਰਿਦ ਮਹਿ ਖੋਰ ॥: Preetam basat rid mahi khor: My Beloved lives in the cave of my Heart (sggs 1121).
• ਜਿਨੀ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਤਮੁ ਸੋਈ ॥: Jinee aatam cheeniaa parmaatam soee: Those who understand their own Soul, are themselves the Supreme Soul (sgg 421).
• ਆਤਮ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਸਿ ਗੁਰ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥: Aatam mahi Raam Raam mahi aatam cheenas Gur beechaaraa: God is in the Soul, and the Soul is in God. This is realized through Reflecting (on the Teachings, Giaan...) of the Guru (1153).

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

Updated on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 10:37 AM (PST)

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