"KARANEE" AND "AMAL"

Karanee (krxI—Awcrn, conduct, practice, actions etc. of individuals) are like the
paper, and the mind is like the ink-pot (msvwxI—dvwq); (inspired by latent tendencies
or sMskwr) anything good and bad one is doing are recorded upon it (on the paper of
Karanee—krxI), giving rise to both (good and bad Sanskaar—sMskwr). (This way) As
individuals past actions (ikrqu—one's nature developed by latent tendencies—sMskwr) drive
them, so are mortals driven. O Lord! There is no end to Your Glorious Virtues (sggs 990).
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Karnee (krxI) can literally be translated as conduct, practice (Gwl, imhnq, kmweI), Kartoot (krqUq), Aacharn (Awcrn), Aachaar (Awcwr), behavior, performance, action or deed (ikRXw, krm, kMm), practice (to act upon: kwrj dI ikirAw), something worth doing (krn Xog) and so on. Among other things, for example, Karanee (krnI) also indicates "through ears or kMnI" etc.

There is an another term that is essentially similar in essence: Amal (Aml or Amlu). It can literally be translated as deeds (krm, Awcwr), to act upon, application, pure conduct (i.e., clean, sinless or stainless), abidance, intoxication (nSw), and so on. During his journey of the Middle-East (Mecca etc.), it's said that once Qazis, Maulvis, pilgrims got together and began discussing religion with Baabaa Nanak. They specifically inquired as to who is great, the Hindu or the Muslim? Baabaa Nanak simply stated, "Without Amal (good deeds etc.) both will have to weep and wail. Only by being a Hindu or a Muslim one can not get accepted in the court of the Lord. As the color of safflower is impermanent and is washed away in water, likewise colors of religiosity are also temporary" (Bhai Gurdaas Jee, Vaar 1).

In the SGGS, the terms Karanee and Amal generally appear to indicate good deeds or actions (performed in an enlightened consciousness without the intervention of Haume or ego), good conduct or good practice (Gwl, imhnq, kwr, kmweI). It's with this spirit these terms are viewed in this Gurbani Reflection as well. Depending upon the quality of our actions, the Law of Karma distributes their results as joy and sorrow. The irony is that in spite of the desire for joy and dislike for misery, there is apparently not much eagerness to align oneself to the true Karanee and Amal ("scu krxI", "SuB AmlW", good deeds etc.), while it is easier to fall into bad Karanee and bad Amal or bad ways of life and bad deeds ("JUTy Aml, dUiq Aml, mMdy Aml" etc.). For example some in their selfishness don't care for the well being and feelings of others. Apparently, such bad conduct cannot be called good "Karanee" and good "Amal". Conversely, some in God-consciousness constantly do good to others (Bhalaa), without expecting anything in return. Such conduct obviously qualified as a good "Karanee" and a good "Amal".

Evidently, the aim of "religiosity" is to awaken spirituality within. In other words, the religious teachings are like the quiver, the bow and the arrow. The real target is spirituality. When this target is missed, religions are reduced to nothing but "Adammbar" (ostentatious displays, etc.), resulting in becoming the vehicles for protecting individual interests (outside forces, etc.), giving rise to problems. However, when the aim is spirituality, Peace and the spirit of Oneness automatically prevail. Thus if one wanders away from the aim, everything fall apart.

Apparently, without the good Karanee and good Amal, we are in a great trouble! To save ourselves from troubles, the SGGS advises us to purify our Karanee and Amal by following the Guru's Word with intense love and concentration. The SGGS also indicates the Guru's Karanee (gur krxI prDwnu) to be Pardhaan (supreme, exalted, sRySt, auqm, muKI, sRomxNI ect.). In this context, the SGGS says:

In addition to doing the Guru's Karanee, other good Karanee or actions indicated in the SGGS include Saadh-Sangat (Holy Company), meditation (Naam-Simran, Jap etc.) eradicating the false ego-sense (Haume), Sevaa (selfless service), praising the Lord, truthfulness, letting the Lord abide in the mind, becoming the Gurmukh (Spiritual Being, Self-realized etc.), and so on. Once we do the Gurmat (to follow the Guru's Teaching), all other virtues such as good Karanee and Amal follow.

The SGGS urges us to to "blend" with God ("merge" or "obtain" God etc.). This essentially means to develop godly Attributes such as love, compassion, truthfulness, humility, Understanding, Wisdom, and so on, followed by actually living them in daily life — good (Shubh) Karanee and Amal. Mere talking or discussing about Karanee and Amal are empty and leads only to "Adammbar" (ostentatious, etc.) life. Good Karanee and Amal (performed in an enlightened consciousness without the intervention of Haume or ego) gives one the power to smile at death; neutralizes the law of Karma and determines one's future. Evidently, before death overpowers us, we have great things to accomplish by leading the life with good Karanee and Amal, only then will the life become meaningful, full of Bliss (Anand) and Joy.

Apparently, the message of the Gurmat seems to be that instead of wasting and rusting away without doing good for the society, it's better to wear oneself away in the pursuit of good Karanee and Amal. The Beauty of an individual and of society lies in it. In other words, instead of merely telling or advising others, the SGGS seems to emphasize living the life of good "Karanee" and "Amal" for oneself!

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

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Updated on Friday, August 22, 2008 10:19 AM (PST)

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