IMPEDIMENTS TO DEVOTION OR BHAGTI

There is no happiness without Bhagti (Gur-Giaan, Gurmat...). (sggs 210).
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In nut shell, for a Sikh, Bhagti (also spelt Bhakti ) is to recieve the Gur-Giaan (Gurmat....).

Maya is all alluring. Her snaring-nets are mighty charming. She is all powerful of creating all types of illusion, deceptions, distractions, pitfalls, and impediments to snare seekers into Her nets. Obstacles created by this deceptive Maya (Cosmic Charmer) are innumerable, and come in various shapes and sizes. As a result, circumstances conducive to performing Transcendental Devotion (Bhagti or Bhakti) are very rare. On the contrary, unconducive circumstances, events, and environment to Bhagti are plenty. With the help of the Divine Guide of the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS), a few of the potential impediments are briefly discussed in the pages that lie ahead.

1. Among all Maya's allures, false ego-sense (Haumai) or spiritual blindness is the worst one. As the Gurbani says, although we all are trying to do Bhagati, but the problem is we are doing it in ignorance. This kind of Bhagti is useless. If a person is spiritually blind, he becomes an ideal candidate to be cheated by swindlers in the garb of so called saints, Baabaas, Raages, Yogis, Giaanees, Parchaarak, Gurus, Swamis, and so on. Therefore Bhagti and false ego-sense do not go together. To become egoless means to become free from bodily concept or doership, which in turn helps one to become free from material hankering and lamentation.

2. There are basically three categories of people. Belonging to the first category are the Gurmukh (Spiritual Beings...). In the second category are the Manmukh (self-willed, Maya worshipper, ego-beings...) who do not care about God unless they run into some problems such as financial, legal or bodily disease, etc. After the problem is gone, they forsake God again. They outwardly show as they are very religious, but in reality they are not. Majority of the people (over 99.9 percent) belong to the second category. The Gurbani warns us against Bhagti performed in the mode of Manmukhtaa (Paakhand or hypocrisy, egotism, etc.); for it will not bear fruits. 3. A true devotee is never recognized by his or her own family or community! To the contrary, upon seeing you practice Bhagti, immediate family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, and so on, generally start behaving contemptuously — rolling eyebrows, crossing eyes, laughing sarcastically, calling names, and so on. Thus, if anything, they become the source of distraction and hurdle to spiritual seekers. The Gurbani urges us not be concerned as to what family members and others would think if you started Bhagti. What the Gurbani says matters the most. If one is sincere in his Spiritual endeavor, nothing can impede his Spiritual Unfoldment. In this context, the best example can be given of Baabaa Nanak. Whenever people saw him engaged in glorifying the Divine, contemptuously they would call him names such as spirit, demon, etc. Did this sort of worldly nonsense cause him to give up Bhagti? No! Thus, Baabbaa Nanak's life teaches us very important lesson: One must give up shame or reserve (Lok Laaj) when it comes to Bhagti. Behavior of the Gurmukh is beyond the understanding of an ordinary human being of limited vision. If people can call Baabaa Nanak demon, then what to speak of us!

4. The Gurbani says that an aspirant should not be concerned about being slandered by "moodh" (fools). Because, according to the Gurbani, slandering or criticism is in fact beneficial to a devotee! In this connection, there is an instructive legend as follows.

Bhagat Kabeer had a sharp-tongued neighbor, who, in order to tarnish Kabeer's name in the community, always employed most of his time slandering the master. One day this slanderer died. People exultantly broke this news to Kabeer hoping this news of the death of his constant faultfinder must make him happy. On the contrary, upon hearing this, Kabeer became very sad! Kabeer's devotees could not understand this. They asked Kabeer as to why he was so sad instead of being happy now that the person who did nothing except tarnishing his name throughout his life is finally dead. Kabeer replied: "The reason I am feeling sad that now he is gone, who will wash my sins off by slandering me".

This is how the Gurbani expects us to feel about our slanderers. Therefore, like Kabeer, we must love people who tarnish us, for they do us a great favor! Unaware of the consequences, they wash our sins off and take upon themselves. It's pretty good deal!

5. It is easy to get distracted by fruitive activities, mental speculations, material logic, penances, austerities, absurd doctrines, frightening concepts of God, dogmas, and so on. However, Bhagti should not be adulterated by such notions, activities or physical torture. Also, Bhagti should be selfless. If Bhagti is performed with selfish motives such as some desire of material gains, then it is not a Bhagti anymore.

(6). Other principles of Bhagti that need to be followed include remaining free from illicit sex (lust), gambling, intoxicants, sense slavery, etc. Because, the Jeeva's (individual being's) material contamination or spiritual downfall begins with these heinous habits.

7. Who is best fit to be worshipped? Though known by many names, there is only one entity qualified to be worshipped and served with devotion — Ik Oankaar and His Word. Worship of demigods or swindlers in the garb of phony saints, Baabaas, Raagees, Bhaais, Parchaarak, Swamis, Giaanees, Yogis, Gurus, etc., is a shear ignorance. Further, for Bhagti to evolve, one has to acquire humility, and also learn accepting the Hukam (Bhaanaa...). In the absence of these two qualities, egoism will never leave the mind. 8. The Gurbani reminds us that God can not be seen with our material senses. Because of this fact, people readily accept anyone who says "I will show you God", or who says "I am God". Instead of searching the Truth ourselves, we accept such cheaters who come along claiming to be God. So many of these "Thug" or swindlers in the garb of saints, Raagees, Bhaais, Giaanees, Yogis, Baabaas, Swamis, Parchaaraks, Gurus, etc., are pullulating nowadays both in India and in the West. If one is not alert, he can be easily distracted, cheated, and snared into their net.

As long as people give them money, these cheaters will tell people exactly what they like to hear. You give them money, in exchange, they will give you some secret Mantra. As long as they are paid, they care less if you keep going on engaging in sense gratification and all kinds of nonsense which is rejected by the scriptures. If these cheaters are so interested in giving a helping hand to suffering people, why don't they give the Mantra free and openly to everybody?

We must remember one thing: If we want something as sublime as God and want it cheaply, we put ourselves in a position to be cheated!! Baabaa Nanak came across many such cheaters during his spiritual journey on this earth. The Gurbani addresses such cheats as follows:

9. Many talk about contradictions in the scriptures. It is easy to become confused and distracted by such so called apparently contradictory statements in the Gurbani (or any other scriptures for that matter). One should not make much of them because, in reality, there is no contradiction! All contradictions only exist in our deluded mind.

The scriptural statements reveal different meanings to different people. It is because we all are at different stage of spiritual development — Saatav (stage of goodness), Raajas (stage of passion), Taamas (stage of ignorance). Within these three stages or modes, there are thousands of sub-stages. Now, perhaps, we can appreciate how likely it is to become confused about the so called apparently contradictory statements in the scriptures!

For example, some verses may say it is possible to realize God through our own efforts, some verses may say it is not possible to realize God through individual efforts, while some other verses may say it is possible through God's grace only. As mentioned before, all verses are true; the different meanings come from the different modes of spiritual development.

An important point the Gurbani wants us to remember is that God's Grace is always present within each and every one of us. It neither decreases nor increases. As God is impartial, so is His Grace. This may lead to a question: Then why is it that some rare Souls are fortunate enough to realize God, while the rest of us (about 99.9% ) live in a state of mental delusion?

A beautiful example provided in the Gurbani is that of a Bhaandaa (vessel or utensil). Suppose it is raining out there, and you want to collect rainwater in a vessel. If the vessel is left inverted or if it is leaking, would you be able to collect water in it? Off course not. Similarly, if our individual vessel (i.e., mind) is inverted (i.e., filthy or unfit), then we can not experience the rain of Lord's Grace, which is ever present within.

If I am hungry, I have to eat food for myself. I cannot ask some one else to eat the food for me. If I want to get married, I cannot substitute some one else to take "Phere" for me, I have to do it myself. In the same way, If I want to realize Divinity, I cannot ask some one else to do Bhagti for me. I have to do it myself. If one becomes conscious of God (Naam or Shabad-Surti), he is certain to awaken the Divine Grace within. Later on, one will realize that everything is either induced or assisted by the Divine! Spiritual Enlightenment requires self-efforts. The reason our efforts do not seem to work is that we are not devoid of baser desires (material or celestial) and fear. Our Bhagti is adulterated by selfish actions, body-consciousness, and nonsense beliefs and rituals. We lack faith and conviction. Rather, we try to please our inflated ego. Our spiritual endeavors lack utmost sincerity and earnestness. Our self-efforts are not rightfully placed. As a result, we start doubting scriptures and the Gurmukhs. The best self-effort is defined as follows: 10. Empty rituals make people atheist. Such unmeaning acts result only in increasing the fire of ego. Accordingly, rituals and related ceremonies or beliefs are rejected by the Gurbani as God-consciousness can not be realized by them. However, in spiritual blindness we practice these rituals and beliefs because we think the Supreme Lord is just as foolish and ignorant as we are. We are reminded in the Gurbani that God is not a toy or a plaything. Also, the Gurbani roars that without the True Name, wearing religious robes, applying ceremonial marks or hanging objects to this perishable material body are like decorations on a dead body. Without the Truth, there is nothing in this world that can render us pure. 11. Nowadays, in the holy shrines such as Takhats as well Gurdwaaraas, the page to page reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib called Akhand Paath is sold to the devotees in a businesslike manner. Out of shear greed and selfishness, some people (shameless, Manmukh or Mammon worshippers) have turned the Holy Takhats and other Gurdwaaraas of the world into dens of Mammon worshipping. This type of practice has nothing to do with Bhagti as recommended in the Gurbani. Therefore, such Mammon worshippers are branded as thieves in the Gurbani. Many times people hire Paathees (professional Gurbani readers) to perform Akhand Paath in their homes. It is invariably seen that, while the Paath is in progress, the host family and their friends generally assemble in the adjacent room to engage in gossip, slandering those who are not present there, shooting all kinds of nonsense, exotic dancing, listening to cheap music, and so on. Then, at the end of the Paath, the host family generally has a big list containing material demands from God/Guru. The hired priest then reads the list during the Ardaas (prayer). In order to secure the return-business, these shameless priests or Bhais will say or read anything to please their host!

These sort of efforts or practices are totally waste of useful time and energy. The Manmukh or mammon worshippers such as the priests (Granthis, Bhais), Raagees (professional singers), Paathees, Giaanees (Wise) etc., are making a good business out of this common ignorance. Why these swindlers are so successful in robbing people? The answer is very simple: If we want something as sublime as God and want it cheaply, we put ourselves in a position to be cheated!

The Gurbani's message is that there is no purpose in merely rolling the beads nor the tongue readingthe Gurbani or singing without the True Love Bhagti, concentration, conviction, selflessness, etc. The purpose of reading or listening to the Gurbani is to develop Divine Understanding (Aatam-Giaan, Bibek-Budhi...) , and then act upon it. If that does not happen, then, the Gurbani thunders there is no difference between a human being engaged in reading or listening to the Gurbani and a beast engaged in filling its belly.

12. Higher Spiritual Realization can not be attained through our deceitful nature, material cleverness, cunningness, hiding one's own shortcomings and flattering others. In fact such conditioned nature and fulfilling of one's undigested desires (Vaasnaas) go hand in hand. Accordingly, the Gurbani time and again reminds us to abandon such conduct. If we don't, then the true Bhagti will not manifest in us. 13. Self-imposed limitations of place or time for doing Bhagti will also block spiritual progress of an aspirant. In Sanskrit, the word Bhagti or Bhajte comes from the root word of Bhaj, meaning "to serve". Therefore, the process of Bhagti must include three items or three B's: Bhagta or Bhakta (servitor), Bhagti (service), and Bhagavaan (the served). Accordingly, Bhagti should be performed keeping in mind the Omnipresence of the Lord. A sincere seeker, for that reason, will not limit his Bhagti to a particular place or time. They constantly see the All-pervading Spirit in everything and every where, all the time. The limitation of time and place belongs only to hypocrites (Manmukhs) who have very limited vision.

14.  In general, Kirtan is sung in greed and heard to gratify ears – ਕੰਨ ਰਸ – (with “rare” exceptions) at religious places, religious ceremonies, homes, radios, televisions, tape-players, CD-players, Internet, and so on. As per the Gurbani, is it the purpose or definition of Kirtan? Not according to the Gurbani!

Kirtan is defined in the Gurbani as Viaakhiaa of the Gurbani, of the One… (Viaakhiaa – ਵਿਆਖਿਆ: ਬਖ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨੁ, commentary, explanation, interpretation, definition, annotation, elucidation…)

Thus, singing of selfless Kirtan is the definition of a true spiritual aspirant (Sikh). Singing of Kirtan for making money as we see at organized religious places does not constitute selfless Kirtan. That is a mundane business. The Gurbani warns such Raagees and their listeners as both will be ruined in the end.

Singing or listening Kirtan for the sake of pleasing the taste of ears or other senses is worthless; because it only inflates the false ego-sense. If we keep singing and listening Kirtan in this fashion, the mind is bound to become more excited, discontented and restless (impure). The realm of Truth (Sach Khand) is beyond all mental activities. The Gurbani warns us as follows: Thus, for the Kirtan to register, it must be internal. By internal means, one must Understand, Comprehend and Realize the Truth, and than live by it. When one begins to hear the Sound of this internal Kirtan (Shabad-Surti) and enjoys it, he becomes liberated. The Gurbani affirms that the mystery of the Shabad is grasped only through it's true Understanding.

15. As time and again expressed in the Gurbani, the other impediments on the path to realizing one's True Nature (Mool-Source, Origin, etc.) within is to think: "When God showers His mercy on me then I will start devotion"; or "when my time is ripe then I will engage in devotion"; or "if and when it is in my fate then I will engage in Bhagti." The truth is, if one waits like this, only death will come! Without surrendering the corrupt "Antahakaran" — internal equipment consisting of deluded mind, corrupt intellect and psychological ego — Bhagti is said to be impossible. Surrender simply means to dwell in only Pure Consciousness of "Hari Naam".

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

Updated on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 2:43 PM (PST)

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