You may gold-fill or gold-plate facade of a building, it will survive and even make it look attractive. But, if you gold-fill or gold-plate a live human body, it will not survive. It will become a mummy! Obviously, here Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) would not be talking about gold-filling or gold-plating one's body. Furthermore, the SGGS would not be talking about importance of one's skin color or complexion. Because, as the SGGS points out, it really does not matter the body ultimately will be lost.

• ਕਬੀਰ ਜਗੁ ਬਾਧਿਓ ਜਿਹ ਜੇਵਰੀ ਤਿਹ ਮਤ ਬੰਧਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ॥ਜੈਹਹਿ ਆਟਾ ਲੋਨ ਜਿਉ ਸੋਨ ਸਮਾਨਿ ਸਰੀਰੁ ॥੧੧੭॥: Kabeer jag baadhio jih jevaree tih mat bandhahu Kabeer. Jaihahi aataa lon jiou son samaan sareer ||117||: Kabeer, do not bind yourself with that chain (of attachment to Maya), with which the world is bound. As the salt is lost in the flour, so willl your gold like body disappear ||117|| (sggs 1370).

Many claims (based on total hearsay, imagination or speculation) that when a person becomes Self-realized, his body literally changes to the color of the gold! It's unimaginable to think that the Infinite Wisdom of the SGGS here might be talking about superficiality such as the color of one's skin.

Then what is it the Gurbani (SGGS) might be talking about here when it refers to the "ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ: Kanchan Kaaiaa" or golden body? In this context, through the Gurbani, we will attempt to grasp the following:

1. What is "ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ: Kanchan Kaaiaa" or golden body?
2. We are all born with the golden body.
3. If we are born with the golden body, then how it became disfigured?
4. How can we all reclaim our gold like radiant status back?

Number (1) will become obvious once we grasp the understanding of the number (2), (3) and (4) first. Therefore, to best understand #1, let's first try understanding # 2, #3 and #4 through the Gurbani.

We Are All Born With the Golden Body.

Yes, from the spiritually standpoint, we all are ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ - Kanchan Kaaiaa. But on account of our mistaken identification (disfigurement) with the gross body, we have forgotten it. As infants, we all are born Kanchan Kaaiaa (Kanchan = gold; and Kaaiaa = body), precious as gold both in value (i.e., rare to obtain etc.) and purity. Now let's pause for a moment and think about the significance of the infant state. For one, a new born infant is the epitome of self-surrender and innocence. What does it mean? To be like an infant means to be free of the false ego-sense or Haume. To be free of Haume means to be free of its offspring like lust, anger, attachment, greed, pride and their numerous variations such as discontentment, selfishness, enviousness, stubborn-mindedness, corruption, possessiveness, slander, and so on. Freedom from Haume or Purity makes us lustrous as gold: Kanchan Kaaiaa.

• ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹੰਸੁ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਅੰਸੁ ॥: Kanchan kaaiaa niramal hans. Jis mahi Naam Niranjan Ans: The mortal's body is golden (Pure), and the soul-swan is immaculate (Pure), in which there is even tiny particle of the Immaculate Name (sggs 1256).
• ਪਹਿਲੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਬਾਲਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਅਚੇਤੁ ॥: Pahilai paharai rain kai vanajaariaa mitraa baalak budhi achetu: In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, your innocent mind has a childlike understanding (sggs 75).
• ਬਾਲ ਬੁਧਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਟੇਕ ॥: Baal budhi pooran sukhadaataa Naanak hari hari tek: Waheguru is the Giver of Perfect Peace to the people with Baal-Budhi (innocent-minded); O Nanak, God's Name is my support (sggs 714).

As indicated in the SGGS, the soul is the Image of God — Light of God (self-effulgent, ever fresh and young, full of Beauty and luster as gold) diffused in all which is believed to be the Essence of life and the Source of Bliss. Nothing in the body has the power to function without it. Once the soul-swan has departed and flown away, the body is medically declared dead. The soul is "Immaculate" (Pure or "Joti-Svaroopa") like the gold, encased in the body it animates. Spiritually, we all are born with "Kanchan Kaaiaa": "the infinite fortress of gold". When the soul gets superimposed with the egoism (Haume), functions of the body-mind-intellect apparatus also get tainted.

• ਦੇਹ ਕੰਚਨ ਜੀਨੁ ਸੁਵਿਨਾ ਰਾਮ ॥ਜੜਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਤੰਨਾ ਰਾਮ ॥: Deh kanchan jeen suvinaa Raam. Jarh Har Har naam ratanna Raam: That body-horse is like gold (Pure, precious, radiant etc.), which is saddled (adorned) with the Jewel of the Name of the Lord (sggs 576).
• ਕਾਇਆ ਕੰਚਨ ਕੋਟੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਵਿਆ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥: Kaaiaa kanchan kot apaaraa. Jis vich raviaa shabad appaar: That body is the infinite fortress of gold; which is permeated by the Infinite Shabad (sggs 1059).
• ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੇ ਆਰਾਧੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਗਨੀ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਜੀਵਿਆ ॥: Har har Naam jape araadhe vich agnee Har Jap jeeviaa: Chanting God's Name and meditating on it within the fire of the womb, your life is sustained by dwelling on the Divine Name (sggs 76).

To be in the gold-like Pure state is to be saturated with the Unconditioned, Immaculate, Intact, Complete, Total, Undivided, Unadulterated, Unalloyed, Unbroken, Timeless, Uncontaminated, Immutable or Pure Consciousness (Saabat Soorat) where there is no time, space and causation or past and future (Doojaa Bhaav or duality). Such a state arises when there is no attachment to the mind (egoism). As an infant, that's the state we all where born with — Pure, radiating like the gold.

• ਨਾਪਾਕ ਪਾਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹਦੀਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ ॥: Nanak paak kari hudoori hudeesaa saabat soorat dastaar siraa: Purify what is impure, and let the Lord's Presence be your religious tradition. Let your Intact Consciousness ("Saabat Soorat") be the turban on your head (sggs 1084).
• ਨਦਰਿ ਤਿਨਾ ਕਉ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿ ਸਾਬਤੁ ਲਾਏ ਰਾਸਿ ॥: Nadar tinaa kau Nankaa ji saabat laaeae raas: God casts His Glance of Grace, O Nanak, upon those who have preserved their Spiritual Wealth (Pure Consciousness) Intact (sggs 1238).

If We Are Born With the Golden Body, Then How It Became Disfigured?

Simply put, it's the rise of the false ego-sense or Haume on the Infinite Pool of the Pure Awareness ("Joti-Svaroopa") that disfigures the golden state of the body and soul. When the soul gets superimposed with the Haume or egoism, the body also losses its golden functioning.

• ਦੇਹ ਕੰਚਨ ਵੇ ਵੰਨੀਆ ਇਨਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਵਿਗੁਤੀਆ ॥: Deh kanchan ve vanneeaa in houmai maar viguteeaa: This golden body (Pure, Beutiful, precious etc.) has been disfigured and ruined by egotism (sggs 776).

Even though as a child each one of us is born with such precious Purity of the body and soul like the gold (i.e., "Saabat Soorat" or "Joti-Svaroopa"), etc., however, due to the social mold and the environment one is thrown into, he ends up with the conditioned mental make-up. Then, from this conditioned body-mind-intellect personality (Haume or ego-being) arises the ego-being. In the process, we get separated from the Pure Consciousness (golden state) originally one is born with. In other words while growing up, we get programmed and trained to identify with the feeling of "mine, mine!". In this mode, side by side, false ego-sense (Haume) gets developed as we grow from infancy to adolescence. It then gets firmly-rooted after we marry and entangle in the achievement of various worldly desires. The moment physical ego becomes stronger in us, we become locked up, walled or cribbed in the prison of desires and fears. Consequently, the worldly consciousness (Haume) looks real to us. As a result, one becomes entangled in emotional attachment to his wife, children, relatives, friends, parents, and so on. Anger and greed follows the lust.  Such conditioning results in false self-identifications with the time-bound consciousness (Haume), resulting in contamination of the state of Pure Being (gold-like state).

• ਸਾਬਤੁ ਰਖਹਿ ਤ ਰਾਮ ਭਜੁ ਨਾਹਿ ਤ ਬਿਨਠੀ ਬਾਤ ॥: Saabat rakhahi taa raam bhaj naahi taa binathee baat: If you wish to keep your Consciousness Intact, then meditate on God; otherwise, It will break (sggs 1376).
• ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਤੇ ਭੁਲਿਆਂ ਵਿਆਪਨਿ ਸਭੇ ਰੋਗ ॥ ਵੇਮੁਖ ਹੋਏ ਰਾਮ ਤੇ ਲਗਨਿ ਜਨਮ ਵਿਜੋਗ ॥: Paramesar te bhulliaan viaapan sabhe rog. Vemukh hoi Raam te lagan janam vijog: Forgetting the Transcendent Lord, all sorts of illnesses (of this material world) are contracted. Those who turn their backs on the Lord (in this life) will be separated from Him for many lives (sggs 135).
• ਜਉ ਲਉ ਪੋਟ ਉਠਾਈ ਚਲਿਅਉ ਤਉ ਲਉ ਡਾਨ ਭਰੇ ॥ਪੋਟ ਡਾਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਭਏ ॥: Jayu layu pota....: As long as I walked along, carrying the burden (ego), I continued to suffer. But when I unburden myself, then I realize the Perfect Guru-God within; O Nanak, then I became fearless (sggs 214).
• ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਡੂਬੇ ਖਪਿ ਖਪਿ ਮੁਏ ਗਵਾਰਾ ॥: Meree meree kari kari doobe khapi khapi muye gavaaraa: Continually claiming, "mine, mine", the mortals are drowned; the fools waste away and die (sggs 380).

How Can We All Reclaim our Gold Like Radiant Status Back?

"Why do I need to reclaim it back?", one may ask. Because, as the Guru's Word indicates, God is revealed only within the golden body. So if one has the earnest desire to know God, he has to first reclaim his golden status back. Very simple!

The SGGS indicates we can reclaim the golden body back by eradicating the culprit that disfigured and ruined it in first place: Haume or false ego-sense. Perhaps now we can appreciate as to why the SGGS time and again indicates Haume to be the "greatest disease" and urges us to eradicate Haume. By abandoning this "burden" of false self-identifications with the time-bound consciousness, we can retrace our steps back to the Original gold-like state which we all were born with — Baal-Budhi, the state of no Haume or ego. How we can accomplish this is explained by the following verses (and many more throughout the SGGS).

• ਕਾਇਆ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਤਾਂ ਥੀਐ ਜਾਂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਲਏ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥: Kaaiaa kanchan taan theeai jaan Satgur laye milaaye: The body becomes like gold (Pure, precious, Holy etc.), when the Satguru unites one (with God through His Teaching or Updes) (sggs 584).
• ਸਦਾ ਰਹੇ ਕੰਚਨ ਸੀ ਕਾਯਾ ਕਾਲ ਨ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਬਯਾਪੈ ॥: Sadaa rahe kanchan si kaaiaa kaal na kabahoon biaapai: (by meditating on God) the body always remains radiant like gold and become Immortal (Sri Guru Gobind Singh, 1346).
• ਕਾਇਆ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ॥: Kaaiaa kanchan sabad veechaaraa: Contemplating the Shabad, the body becomes golden (sggs 1064).
• ਕੰਚਨ ਦੇਹੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਭਤਾਰੋ ॥: Kanchan dehee sabad bhataaro: The body becomes golden, with the Shabad as its spouse (sggs1058).
• ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਨਿਰਮਲੀ ਜੋ ਸਚਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਚਿ ਲਾਗੀ ॥: Kanchan kaaiaa niramalee jo sach naam sach laagee: That body is golden and immaculate (Pure), which is attached to the True Name of the True Lord (sggs 590).
• ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਹੇ ॥: Kanchan kaaiaa Gurmukh boojhai jis antar naam nivaasee hey: Who has become the Gurmukh, who realizes God, his body is like gold (Pure); the Naam, the Name of the Lord, dwells deep within (sggs 1048)
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਰਚੈ ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਈਆ ॥: Gurmukh parachai kanchan kaaiaa nirabhaou jotee jot mileeaa: Who has become the Gurmukh is permeated (with Naam), his body is golden (Pure), and his light merges into the Light of the Fearless Lord (sggs 833).
• ਮਾਣਸ ਜਨਮੁ ਵਡ ਪੁੰਨੇ ਪਾਇਆ ਦੇਹ ਸੁ ਕੰਚਨ ਚੰਗੜੀਆ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰੰਗੁ ਚਲੂਲਾ ਪਾਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਵ ਰੰਗੜੀਆ ॥: Maanas janam vadd punne paaeiaa deh su kanchan changarreeaa...: Human life is obtained only by the supreme merits; this body becomes radiant and golden when, by becoming the Gurmukh, one colors his body with the deep new color of the Lord's Name (sggs 575).
• ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਸਬਦਿ ਜਲਾਏ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਰਾਇਣੁ ਕਹੈ ਕਹਾਏ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਵਾਟ ਮਹਲੁ ਘਰੁ ਪਾਏ ॥੩॥ ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਜੋਤਿ ਅਨੂਪੁ ॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਦੇਵਾ ਸਗਲ ਸਰੂਪੁ ॥: Aaasaa manasaa sabad jalaaye...: One who burns away hope and desire through the Shabad, chants the Lord's Name, and inspires others to chant it as well. Through the Guru, he finds the Path to the Mansion of the Lord's Presence within. ||3|| His body becomes golden, by the Lord's Incomparable Light. He beholds the divine Beauty in all the three worlds (sggs 414).
• ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਕੋਟ ਗੜ ਵਿਚਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਧਾ ॥: Kanchan kaaiaa kot garh vich har har sidhaa: Within the fortress of the golden body, the Lord is revealed (sggs 449).
• ਕੰਚਨ ਕੋਟੁ ਬਹੁ ਮਾਣਕਿ ਭਰਿਆ ਜਾਗੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਤਤਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਈਆ ॥: Kanchan kot bahu maanak bhariaa jaage giaan tati liv leeaa: The gold like fortress of the body is filled jewels (of Virtues divine qualities); when it is awakened by spiritual wisdom, one enshrines love for the essence of Reality (sggs 833).
• ਅਠੀ ਪਹਰੀ ਅਠ ਖੰਡ ਨਾਵਾ ਖੰਡੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਏਕੁ ਭਾਲਹਿ ਗੁਣੀ ਗਹੀਰੁ ॥ ਕਰਮਵੰਤੀ ਸਾਲਾਹਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ॥ ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਰਿ ਸਬਾਹ ਕੈ ਸੁਰਤਿਆ ਉਪਜੈ ਚਾਉ ॥ ਤਿਨਾ ਦਰੀਆਵਾ ਸਿਉ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਮੁਖਿ ਸਚਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਓਥੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਵੰਡੀਐ ਕਰਮੀ ਹੋਇ ਪਸਾਉ ॥ ਕੰਚਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਸੀਐ ਵੰਨੀ ਚੜੈ ਚੜਾਉ ॥ ਜੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਨਦਰਿ ਸਰਾਫ ਕੀ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਪਾਈ ਤਾਉ ॥ ਸਤੀ ਪਹਰੀ ਸਤੁ ਭਲਾ ਬਹੀਐ ਪੜਿਆ ਪਾਸਿ ॥ ਓਥੈ ਪਾਪੁ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੀਐ ਕੂੜੈ ਘਟੈ ਰਾਸਿ ॥ ਓਥੈ ਖੋਟੇ ਸਟੀਅਹਿ ਖਰੇ ਕੀਚਹਿ ਸਾਬਾਸਿ ॥ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਫਾਦਲੁ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਖਸਮੈ ਪਾਸਿ ॥1॥: Athee paharee ath khand naavaa khand sareer...: (consider eight watches of the day and night as eight Khand or places, and this human body the ninth Khand) During the eight watches of the day and night (twenty-four hours), (O’ mortal !) transcend eight things [five deadly sins: lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride) and three qualities (of the material nature or Maya: Taamas, Raajas, and Saatav)], and transcend the body-consciousness (the ninth Khand). Within the body are the Naou Nidhi (nine treasures) of the Name of the Lord - seek it there and become the ocean of Virtues. O Nanak, making the Guru their spiritual Guide, the blessed ones praise the Lord. In the fourth watch (early morning hours or Amrit Vela), a longing arises in those of higher consciousness (exalted understanding). They become attuned or friend with those (Gurmukhs within whom is flowing the stream of Name) who have the True Name in their minds and on their lips. The Amorist (of the Name) is distributed there, and fortunate ones receive this gift. (As the gold is assayed by treating it with the process of heat, similarly, by applying the Name: Simian) the body is assayed, and take on the color of spirituality. If the Jeweler (God) casts His Glance of Grace, they are not need further heat treatment (trial, assaying, or Ghaalanaa). Throughout the other seven watches (besides the Amrit Vela) of the day, it is good to practice Truth, and sit with the spiritually wise (Gurmukhs). There, vice and virtue are discerned (judged or discriminated), and the capital of falsehood is decreased. (Because) there, the falsehood (counterfeit) is cast aside, and the Truth is cheered. Says Nanak, (there one also gets this understanding that) pain and pleasure are in the power of God, therefore it's vain to talk (or complain) about (pain etc.) ||1|| (sggs 146).

What is "Kanchan Kaaiaa": Golden Body?

Now let's sum it up as to what the "Kanchan Kaaiaa" is as indicated by the Gurbani. Essentially, it's the state of:

• Pure Consciousness, Intact Consciousness, Unconditioned Consciousness ("Joti-Svaroopa"), precious as gold, radiant as gold, etc.
• Gurmukhtaa
• Perfection (Pooraa)
• The mind at Perfect Rest or Peace, beyond the bounds of time, space and causation
• The mind being linked to the Real Source or Real Center within
• The mind permanently established in correct vision or outlook etc.
• Perfect spiritual Fitness
• Sahaj, Sunn, Bismaad, Immortal Bliss (Anand)
• Naam-consciousness
• Shabad-Surti
• Unbroken Awareness
• Linking of one's individual light to the Cosmic Light
• Baal-Budhi
• No Haume or ego
• Infinite Wisdom, Grace and Joy
• Inner Transformation
• Realization of God or Truth
• Unbroken Communion with the Divine
• Purity in thoughts, speech and actions etc.
• Becoming One with the Satguru (His Teaching, Upadesa or Word)....

In nutshell, when one's body becomes radiant like gold, not only lips but his entire body smiles — radiating luminous rays of Grace, Wisdom, Peace and Joy. He shares unconditioned love and compassion with anyone and everyone. The innocence of a child awakens within (free of ego or Haume, worry and anxiety etc.). The world becomes Bismaad (a wonder). Indeed, to be in the Presence of such a Being situated in the elevated state of spiritual realization (Pure Awareness) is to experience the best that the life has to offer. The very presence of such an enlightened being — his calmness, his serenity, his overflowing Bliss (Anand) and compassion, and his enlightened vibes — pulsate others towards a new life.

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org

Updated on Thursday, March 19, 2009 3:32 PM (PST)

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