The Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) indicates life after death. In other words, death or destruction of one's physical body is not the end. I fact, in a way it's the beginning. The Gurbani talks of this world and the next: Lok Paralok (ਲੋਕ ਪਰਲੋਕ),Halat Palat (ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ), Aithai Outhai ( ਐਥੈ ਓਥੈ), Itt-Outt (ਇਤ ਉਤ), Pevakarrai Saahurarrai (ਪੇਵਕੜੈ ਸਾਹੁਰੜੈ ), Aagai Paashai (ਆਗੈ ਪਾਛੈ) , Eehaa Aagai (ਈਹਾ ਆਗੈ ), Ehu Ohu (ਏਹੁ ਓਹ), Eet Oot (ਈਤ ਊਤ), Ouravaar Paar (ਉਰਵਾਰੁ ਪਾਰ), Payeeai Saahurai (ਪੇਈਐ ਸਾਹੁਰੈ), Deen Duneeaa (ਦੀਨ ਦੁਨੀਆ ), Aaraa Paar (ਆਰਾ ਪਾਰ), and so on. The SGGS also explains as to how one can lose both — this world and the next — and how one can attain proper understanding (Sojhee) of them, thereby, embellish (Savaaranaa) them. The present is a product of the past. The Karma performed in the present provides the blueprint for the next world (future). Thus, the future is never a continuum of the past — it's remolded under the pressure of one's conduct here in this world.

• ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਆਇਆ ਕਿਰਤੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਾਈ ॥: Sanjogee aayaa kirt kamaaiaa karnee kaar karaaee: By the good fortune of good deeds done in the past, you have come, and now you perform actions to determine your future (sggs 75).
• ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਦੋਵੈ ਗਏ ਨਿਤ ਭੁਖਾ ਕੂਕੇ ਤਿਹਾਇਆ ॥: Halat palat dovai gaye nit bhukhaa kooke tihaaiaa: He (the Manmukh) loses both this world and the next; he cries out continually, in hunger and thirst (sggs 306).
• ਇਹ ਲੋਕ ਸੁਖੀਏ ਪਰਲੋਕ ਸੁਹੇਲੇ ॥: Ih lok sukheeeye paralok suhele: He (humble being committed to God's Name) is at peace in this world, and happy in the next (sggs 292).
• ਬਡਭਾਗੀ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਹਿ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਜੋ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ ਸੇ ਧਨਵੰਤ ਗਨੀ ਸੰਸਾਰ ॥ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਮੁਖਿ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੁਖੀ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਤੇ ਸੁਖੀ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਏਕੁ ਏਕੁ ਪਛਾਨੈ ॥ ਇਤ ਉਤ ਕੀ ਓਹੁ ਸੋਝੀ ਜਾਨੈ ॥: Badabhaagee te jan jag maahi ...: Very fortunate are those humble beings in this world, who ever sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. Those who dwell upon the Lord's Name, are the most wealthy and prosperous in the world. Those who speak of the Supreme Lord in thought, word and deed know that they are peaceful and happy, forever and ever. One who recognizes the (only) One Lord (in everything), understands this world and the next (sggs 281).
• ਕੋਈ ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਸੁਣੈ ਕੋਈ ਕਰੈ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਕੋ ਉਪਦੇਸੈ ਕੋ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਕਾਟੈ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਰਮਲਾ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਮਲੁ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹਲਤਿ ਪਲਤਿ ਮੁਖੁ ਊਜਲਾ ਨਹਪੋਹੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਾਇ ॥: Koee gaavai ko sunai koee karai beechaar...: whosoever sing (Glorious Praises of the Lord), whosoever listen (about the Lord or His Sifat-Salaah), and some contemplate (the Lord) ; some preach (others to praise the Lord), and himself implant the Lord's Name within; he is saved (from Bikaars, the negative propensities of the mind or sinful mistakes). His sinful mistakes are erased, and he becomes pure; the filth of his countless incarnations is washed away. In this world, his face remains radiant (because) he remains untouched by Maya. Also in the next world his face remains radiant (sggs 300).
  

First, the SGGS analyses our conditioning that causes the most of us lose all: both this world and the next. It's one's Manmukhtaa, Mayaic-consciousness, foolishness, self-centeredness, faulty Knowledge, incorrect perception, Naamlessness, hypocrisy, corrupt conduct or frog-philosophy. A frog who lives all his life in a well knows nothing about the existence of the land or world outside the well. The Frog always thinks in terms relative to the well. Because of his limited faculties, experience, logic, and the power of speculation, he has no capacity to think otherwise. Similarly, as indicated in the SGGS, the man with his corrupt mind and contaminated senses (Haume- or ego-mind: Kaam, Krodh, Lobh etc.) is unable to know this world or the next.

• ਕੂਪੁ ਭਰਿਓ ਜੈਸੇ ਦਾਦਿਰਾ ਕਛੁ ਦੇਸੁ ਬਿਦੇਸੁ ਨ ਬੂਝ ॥ ਐਸੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਬਿਮੋਹਿਆ ਕਛੁ ਆਰਾ ਪਾਰੁ ਨ ਸੂਝ ॥੧॥: Koop bhario jaise daadiraa kashu des bides na boojh. Aise meraa man bikhiaa bimohiaa kashu aaraa paar na soojh ||1||: Ad a well is filled with frogs, (but those frogs in the well) knows nothing of its own country or other lands (outside the well); just so, my mind, infatuated with corruption (trapped in the well of Maya), understands nothing about this world or the next ||1|| (sggs 346).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਵਹੁ ਘੁਥਿਆ ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਜਾਇ ॥: Nanak naavahu ghuthiaa halat palat sabh jaai: O Nanak, those who forsake the Name, lose everything in this world and the next (sggs 648).
• ਧਾਤੁਰ ਬਾਜੀ ਪਲਚਿ ਰਹੇ ਨਾ ਉਰਵਾਰੁ ਨ ਪਾਰੁ ॥: Dhaatur baajee palach rehe naa ouravaar na paar: Engrossed in this transitory drama, (Manmukhs) are of no avail in either this world or the next (sggs 29).
• ਨਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਏਹੁ ਨ ਓਹੁ ਹੈ ਅਵਗੁਣਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਹਿ ॥: Naa tis ehu na ohu hai avagun fir pashutaahi: One will not have this world or the next; committing sinful mistakes, one comes to regret and repent in the end (sggs 934).
• ਕਾਮਣਿ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਖੋਟੀ ਅਵਗਣਿਆਰਿ ॥ ਨਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪੇਈਐ ਸਾਹੁਰੈ ਝੂਠਿ ਜਲੀ ਵੇਕਾਰਿ ॥: Kaaman kaam na aavayee khotee avaganiaar. Naa sukh payeeai saahurai jhooth jalee vekaar: The soul-bride (Jeevaatmaan) is of no use at all, if she is evil and without virtue. she burns in falsehood, and does not find peace in this world or the next; (sggs 56).
• ਪਾਖੰਡ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਭਰਮੇ ਲੋਭੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਜਗਿ ਬੁਰਿਆਰੇ ॥ ਹਲਤਿ ਪਲਤਿ ਦੁਖਦਾਈ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ਖੜਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਮਾਰੇ ॥: paakhand paakhand kar kar bharamae lobh paakhand jag buriaarae. halath palath dhukhadhaaee hovehi jamakaal kharraa sir maarae: Practicing hypocrisy (Dhaarmik Paakhand) and deception, people wander around in confusion. Greed and hypocrisy are evils in this world. In this world and the next, they are miserable; (because of Greed and hypocrisy) the Messenger of Death (fear of death) keeps killing (individuals) the spiritual or Aatamic death (sggs 981).

The SGGS also teaches us as to how one can attain proper understanding (Sojhee) and embellish (Savaaranaa) both this world and the next. Pointers given in the SGGS include affirming Guru (to love or to affirm the Guru is to follow the Guru's words: Gur-Shabad), Naam-Simran (meditation), keeping Holy Company (Sangat of the Gurmukhs, Saints, Mahaatamaans, etc.), awakening spiritual Wisdom within (Brahm Giaan), having clear understanding that One Lord is the only Support here and hereafter, eradicating ego (Haume), giving up Manmukhtaa and becoming the Gurmukh, and so on.

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਿਖ ਕਾ ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਸਵਾਰੈ ॥: Satgur sikh kaa halat palat savaarai: The Satguru arranges this world and the next for His Sikh (sggs 286).
• ਹਲਤਿ ਪਲਤਿ ਮੁਖੁ ਊਜਲਾ ਨਹ ਪੋਹੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਾਇ ॥: Halat palat mukh oojalaa nah pohai tis maai: In this world and the next, their (those who implant the Name within) aces shall be radiant; they shall not be touched by Maya (sggs 300).
• ਓਨਾ ਹਲਤਿ ਪਲਤਿ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਸਚੀ ਪੈਨਾਏ ॥: Onaa halat palat mukh oujale oui har daragah sachee painaaye: Their (Sikhs of the Guru) faces are radiant in this world and the next; in the Court of the Lord, they are robed with honor (sggs 302).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਤੀ ਗਣਤ ਜਿ ਰਖੈ ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਗਇਆ ॥ ਨਿਤ ਝਹੀਆ ਪਾਏ ਝਗੂ ਸੁਟੇ ਝਖਦਾ ਝਖਦਾ ਝੜਿ ਪਇਆ ॥: Satigur setee ganat ji rakhai halat palat sabh tis kaa gaiaa: One who enters into a calculated relationship with the True Guru loses everything, this world and the next. (Since nothing is in his control - ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪੇਸ਼ ਤਾਂ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਹ) He grinds his teeth (ਕਚੀਚੀਆਂ ਵੱਟਦਾ ਹੈ) continually and foams at the mouth (like a rabid dog); screaming in anger (ਖਪਦਾ ਖਪਦਾ, at the end), he perishes (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ-death of his spiritual life) (sggs 307).
• ਜਿਨਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੋਪਿਆ ਆਪਣਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਠਉਰ ਨ ਠਾਉ ॥ ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਦੋਵੈ ਗਏ ਦਰਗਹ ਨਾਹੀ ਥਾਉ ॥: Jin gur gopiaa aapanaa tis thour na thaaou. Halat palat dovai gaye daragah naahee thaaou: Those who hide or disown (or do not affirm) their Guru will have no place of rest. They lose both this world and the next; they have no place in the Court of the Lord (sggs 314).
• ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਦੁਇ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਵਾਰਿ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰਿ ॥: Halat palat dui lehu savaar. Raam naam antar our dhaar: Embellish both this world and the next; enshrine the Lord's Name deep within your heart (sggs 293).
• ਹਲਤਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਲਤਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਿਤ ਸੁਖੁ ਸਿਮਰਨੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਕਾ ਸਦਾ ਲੀਜੈ ॥: Halat sukh palat sukh nit sukh simarano naam gobind kaa sadaa leejai: Peace in this world, peace in the next world and peace forever, remembering Him in meditation. (So) chant forever the Name of the Lord (sggs 683).
• ਪੇਵਕੜੈ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਸੁਹੇਲੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਾਹੁਰੜੈ ਖਰੀ ਸੋਹੰਦੀ ॥: Pevakarrai har jap suhelee vich saahurarrai kharee sohandee: She (Jeeva) who meditates is happy in this world of her father's home, and in the next world of her Husband Lord, and she will be very beautiful (sggs 78).
• Naanak eehaa sukh aagai mukh oojal sang santan kai paaeeai: O Nanak, in the Society of the Saints, you will obtain peace in this world, and in the next world, your face will be radiant and bright (sggs 700).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਈਹਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਆਗੈ ਮੁਖ ਊਜਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੈ ਪਾਈਐ ॥: Eehaa sukh aagai mukh oojal jan kaa sang vaddabhaagee paaeeai: One finds peace in this world, and one's face is radiant in the next world, by associating with the humble Saints, through great good fortune (sggs 610).
• ਉਪਜਿਆ ਤਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਸਾਹੁਰੈ ਪੇਈਐ ਇਕੁ ਹਰਿ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥: Oupajiaa tatu giaan saahurai paeeeai ik har bal raam jeeou: (the one who ever meditates God) The essence of spiritual Wisdom wells up within him; (then he realizes) the One Lord pervades in this world, and the next. (I am) a sacrifice to the Lord (sggs 778).
• ਸੁਰਤੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਰਲਾਈਐ ਏਤੁ ॥ ਤਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਤੁਲਹਾ ਲੰਘਹਿ ਜੇਤੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਭਾਹਿ ਤਿਸੈ ਤੂ ਰਖੁ ॥ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਦੀਵਾ ਬਲੈ ਅਥਕੁ ॥੧॥ ਐਸਾ ਦੀਵਾ ਨੀਰਿ ਤਰਾਇ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਦੀਵੈ ਸਭ ਸੋਝੀ ਪਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਹਛੀ ਮਿਟੀ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਮਾਨੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਕਰਣੀ ਤੇ ਕਰਿ ਚਕਹੁ ਢਾਲਿ ॥ ਐਥੈ ਓਥੈ ਨਿਬਹੀ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੨॥ ਆਪੇ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਜਾ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਇ: surathee surath ralaaeeai eaeth ....: et...: Focus your consciousness on the Lord. Make your body a raft, to cross over (dreadful world-ocen). Deep within is the fire (Divine Light); keep it in check. Thus, day and night, that lamp will burn unceasingly within you. ||1|| Float such a lamp upon the water; this lamp will bring total understanding. ||1||Pause||. This understanding is good clay; a lamp made of such clay is acceptable to the Lord. So shape this lamp on the wheel of good actions. In this world and in the next, this lamp will be with you. ||2|| With His Grace, as the Gurmukh, a rare one may understand Him (sggs 878).
• ਸਿਵ ਕੀ ਪੁਰੀ ਬਸੈ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਤਹ ਤੁਮ੍‍ ਮਿਲਿ ਕੈ ਕਰਹੁ ਬਿਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਈਤ ਊਤ ਕੀ ਸੋਝੀ ਪਰੈ ॥ ਕਉਨੁ ਕਰਮ ਮੇਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਮਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਨਿਜ ਪਦ ਊਪਰਿ ਲਾਗੋ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੋਰਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥੧॥ਰਹਾਉ॥ ਮੂਲ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਬੰਧਿਆ ਬੰਧੁ ॥: Siv kee puree basai budhi saar...: O Yogi, the people of sublime understanding dwell in the Realm of Pure Divine Consciousness, "Siv Kee Puree", within. By reaching there, you also reflect on the Divine Name. Thus, you will understand this world and the next. Deeds done in attachment are of no avail. Those who dwell in the Divine City within do not do such deeds. I focus my meditation on my inner Self, deep within. The Divine Name is my Spiritual Wisdom. I have secured my worldly mind at the Divine Door (so that Maya cannot sway me) within (sggs 1159).
• ਦੀਨ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਤੇਰੀ ਟੇਕ ॥: Deen duneeaa teree tek: In this world and the next, I have Your Support (sggs 1147).
• ਏਕੋ ਏਕੁ ਏਕੁ ਪਛਾਨੈ ॥ ਇਤ ਉਤ ਕੀ ਓਹੁ ਸੋਝੀ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਸੰਗਿ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨਹਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਜਾਨਿਆ॥: Eko ek ek pashaanai...: One who recognizes the One and only Lord as One, understands this world and the next. One whose mind accepts the Company of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, O Nanak, knows the Immaculate Lord (sggs 281).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵਣੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਲੈ ਜਲਾਇ ॥: Manmukh karam kamaavane haumai jalai jalaai: By engaging in Manmukh activities (materiallistic, self-centered, ਮਨਮੁਖਤਾ ਵਾਲੇ ਕਰਮ, etc.), (one) only burns in Haumai (egotism) (sggs 68).
• ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਖੋਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲਾਧਾ ॥: Manmukh khoiaa gurnukhi laadhaa: Manmukh (one in matrial consciousness) loses; Gurmukh (Self-realized person) gains (sggs 939).

Over the years, the author received e-mails from some individuals suggesting that the SGGS has no reference to Karma, Maya, reincarnation etc.! Are we reading the same SGGS! Apparently, to justify one's own life dictated by Bikaars (Kaam, Krodh, Lobh etc.) or falsehood, some suggest that the SGGS does not talk about Karma, Maya, reincarnation, and so on. When an ostrich finds himself in an imminent danger, he foolishly sticks his head in the sand, hoping that sticking his head in sand will save his life! But it will not. Similarly, many of us stick our conditioned mind in the sand of "Bikaars", and hope that this act will save us!

• ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਜਾਪਿ ਮਨ ਸੁਖਾ ॥ ਈਹਾ ਊਹਾ ਤੇਰੋ ਊਜਲ ਮੁਖਾ ॥੨॥: Gur ka shabad jaapi man sukhaa. Eehaa oohaa tero oojal mukhaa ||2||: By uttering the Guru-Shabad God's Word), mind becomes peacefu (blissful, etc.). Here and hereafter, your face will be radiant (i.e., ਤੂੰ ਸੁਰਖ਼ਰੂ ਹੋਵੇਂਗਾ) ||2|| (sggs 889).

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

Updated on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:28 PM (PST)

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