Gurbani Defines Ghost – Bhoot Pret

The majority of us talk about ghosts and goblin or Bhoot Pret (ਭੂਤ-ਪ੍ਰੇਤ) and Jamm Doot (ਜੱਮ ਦੂਤ) as heard from manufactured stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ), or as seen in movies and t.v. serials, or Pakhand etc. However we seldom talk about the Bhoot Pret and Jaam Doot the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) talks about!

The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS does not believe in the existence of any Bhoot Pret as heard from manufactured stories, or as seen in movies and t.v. serials, etc. In fact, the SGGS does not believe in the existence of any power other than the One Rabb (Universal Energy).

  • ਸਰਬੰ ਸਾਚਾ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਜਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥: There is only the One eternal Divine; there is no other at all. (sggs 660).

If there is ‘NO OTHER’ or no second, then how can there be ghosts and goblin or Bhoot Pret and Jamm Doot etc.?

Who is the real ghost, goblin or Bhoot Pret and Jamm Doot the Gurbani talks about?

Bhoot-Pret defined

As the Gurbani asserts, we must find answer from within the Gurbani (‘ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਤੀ’). Otherwise the answer will be wrong. So, let’s ask the SGGS!

In a nutshell, a man with a corrupted mind or consciousness is a PRET or ghost. On the other hand, a man with a reformed or Heightened Consciousness is DEVTAA or god-like.

In other words, ‘PRET‘ or ghost is a man’s ‘ਵਿਰਤੀ-Viratee’ (nature, inclinations, conduct etc.).

Hence, according to the SGGS, a man with deformed ‘Viratee‘ himself/herself becomes the ghost (Bhoot Pret), or animal, or stone-hearted etc., while still living in the human body!

  • ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਤੀ ਪੇਈਐ ਜਾਣੁ ਵਿਰਤੀ ਸੰਨਿ ॥: O Nanak! The ‘Viratee‘ that sleeps (i.e. in the sleep of Maya or ignorance) within, know that ‘Viratee‘ gets plundered. (sggs 23).

Thus, The Gurbani asserts that any person attached to Maya or without Wisdom, Virtues, Truth (Sach), etc. is a ghost (Bhoot Pret).

Hence, minds inflicted with Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.) are ugly or ‘Karoop‘ — ghosts (Bhoot Pret), here and now!

  • ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਪਰੇਤੁ ਹੈ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਏਹ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਸਿਰਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਏਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਉਪਰਿ ਜਮ ਕਾ ਡੰਡੁ ਕਰਾਰਾ ॥ : When attached to Maya (worldly objects and their corrupting influence), consciously we become polluted with lust, greed, anger, pride etc. (i.e. vices/Bikaar). This is the real ‘Pret‘ in life (goblin, ghost, ਪ੍ਰੇਤ, ਭੂਤ…). This is the real chain of Jum in our life (here and now, not after death).(sggs 513).
  • ਕਲਿ ਮਹਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਤਾ ਸਤਜੁਗਿ ਪਰਮ ਹੰਸ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥: Those who have not realized Raam (Mool, Prabh, Source, ਮੂਲ…) are ‘Pret-ਪ੍ਰੇਤ’ in ‘Kali‘ (mental state of imagination, strife, hunger for Maya…). Those who are established in ‘Satjugi‘ (the mental state of Truth) are the supreme souls who have become aware of the spiritual life. (sggs 1131).
  • ਕਲੀ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿੰਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਉਤਾਰੁ ॥ ਪੁਤੁ ਜਿਨੂਰਾ ਧੀਅ ਜਿੰਨੂਰੀ ਜੋਰੂ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਦਾ ਸਿਕਦਾਰੁ ॥੧॥: Nanak, in ‘Kali‘ (a an unenlightened mental state, devoid of divine Virtues/Wisdom …), demons have taken birth. (Without Wisdom/Virtues) the son is a demon and the daughter is a demon, and the wife (i.e. their mother) is the chief of the demons! ||1|| (sggs 556).
  • ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਭੂਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਸੂਕਰ ਮ੍ਰਿਗਾਚ ॥: Many millions (of people who are full of Bikaar and devoid of Virtues, Wisdom…) are Pret, ghosts, swine and tigers. (sggs 276).

Accordingly, the Gurbani asserts that the day a person’s Virtues (ਗੁਣ), Wisdom or humanity (ਇਨਸਾਨੀਅਤ) dies, on that day the person becomes ghosts and goblin or Bhoot Pret. After that, a person is of no use to the society, his own family, or anybody else.

  • ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਨਿ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਸਸੀ ਤਿਤੁ ਵੇਲੈ ਕਹਸਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤੁ ॥: On that day when ‘Dehee‘ (Aaatmaan or Aatmak-Gun or Virtues, true human nature…) perishes, at that time (that person) is called a ghost. (sggs 134).
  • ਕਰਤੂਤਿ ਪਸੂ ਕੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਾਤਿ ॥ ਲੋਕ ਪਚਾਰਾ ਕਰੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮਲੁ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਛਪਸਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਕਛੁ ਕਰੈ ਛਪਾਇਆ ॥: Although; human in name or creed, but actions are that of animalistic nature. But day and night he exhibits or shows off to people (that he is a human – ਬੰਦਾ)! Outside (on his body) he wears religious dress but in his mind is the filth of Maya. However he cannot conceal the filth of his mind with (outwardly wearing religious robes, cunningness, pleasing people etc.). (sggs 267).

In other words, the man is the biggest ‘Bhoot‘ there is (i.e. Pret, ghost, goblin)!

The implication is that if a person is attached to Maya and has no interest in acquiring Virtues such as, Truth (ਸਤ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), etc.) then clearly he is disconnected from Bhagti, Naam, Shabd, Hukam, Virtues, Wisdom…

  • ਕੁਟੰਬ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਣੰ ਮਾਇਆ ਅਨੇਕ ਉਦਮਹ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਾਵ ਹੀਣੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਸਰਤ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਤਤਹ ॥੧॥: (People) make efforts for his family and puts in many endeavors for the sake of Maya. O Nanak! (But) they remain devoid of the Hari Bhagti (Giaan-Wisdom, Virtues…); and  (those who) forget Prabh (Mool, Jot Saroop…) are like ghost. ||1|| (sggs 706).
  • ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾ ਘਰ ਸਾਧ ਨ ਸੇਵੀਅਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਤੇ ਘਰ ਮਰਹਟ ਸਾਰਖੇ ਭੂਤ ਬਸਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧੯੨॥: O Kabeer! Hearts, in which the ‘Saadh’ (Gur-Shabad – Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) is not served; those Hearts are like the cremation ground and demons dwell within them. (sggs 1374).

However, since we don’t want to be responsible for our own mind’s corruptionand reform it, we easily create ghosts (Bhoot Pret) and Jamm Doot in the sky so that we can pass on our corruption to some other entity in thin air!

There is also a concocted concept of Jum (also spelt Yam, Jamm etc.) Doot. This pre-1469 concept of Jum Doot is ‘soldiers of death’ in the afterlife. The Gurbani also debunks this laughable MYTH and fear related to ‘Jamm’:

  • ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਿਰਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਏਹੁ ਜਮੁ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੇ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਬੰਦਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਕਢਦਾ ਸਾਹਾ ਹੇ ॥ : It is the Omnipresent Creator that is in total and complete authority on matters of Creation. What can these pitiful Jamm do? Human beings are subject to the Hukam of the Creator and we live in accordance with His Hukam; death and things concerning death are in accordance with His Hukam. (sggs 1054).

Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is the spirituality of LIFE AFTER DEATH. However the Unique spirituality of the SGGS is of HERE and NOW.

Gurbani’s Wisdom is for living people, not for animals or stones or dead people

Medicine is for alive people, not for the dead people. Therefore, first off, it’s essential to recognize that the Wisdom of the Gurbani is for the minds of the living people, not for animals, stones, or dead people.

It’s the people’s mind that has been shut up, confused, and confinedas a chick in an eggshell of doubt, Karamkaand, ignorance, demerits, Bikaar, and so on.

Hence, the Gurbani addresses the human mind for it is the human mind that needs to change its bad habits or bad thinking and actions, here and now, not after death. The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS does not believe in the nonsense of after-death liberation (Mukti):

  • ਬੇਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਭਗਤਹੁ ਮਰਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਿਨਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੫॥: Says Baynee – Listen O devotees, nobody has ever attained liberation after death. ||5|| (sggs 93).

Therefore, simply put, according to the Wisdom of the SGGS, it’s the man’s untruthful or unvirtuous nature (Virtee-ਵਿਰਤੀ), habits, or actions – animal-nature (‘ਪਸੂ’ ਵਿਰਤੀ), or Pret- nature (‘ਪਰੇਤ’ ਵਿਰਤੀ), or ignorance (foolish ‘ਮੁਗਧ’) – talked about here in the Gur-Shabad 

  • ਗਾਵਤੇ ਉਧਰਹਿ ਸੁਣਤੇ ਉਧਰਹਿ ਬਿਨਸਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥ ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤ ਮੁਗਧ ਕਉ ਤਾਰੇ ਪਾਹਨ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰੈ ॥: They who live by the divine Wisdom or Virtues are revived (i.e., they get rid of their bad thinking, consequently) and all their Paap are destroyed. Thus (living by the Wisdom or Virtues) men of animal-nature, Pret– nature, and stone-nature are saved (from Bhav Saagar). (sggs 802).
  • ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤ ਮੁਗਧ ਭਏ ਸ੍ਰੋਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਮੁਖਿ ਗਾਇਆ ॥੧॥: Pasoo Pret Mugdh… (sggs 614).

Hence, one disconnected from the Truth (ਸੱਚ), or separated from Naam, or broken away from his Mool is the ghost or goblin. Baabaa Nanak stresses that this ghost within our body ruins us.

  • ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਸੀਲੁ ਨ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਪਿੰਜਰ ਮਹਿ ਕਾਸਟੁ ਭਇਆ ॥: You do not practice truth, abstinence, self-discipline or humility; the ghost within your skeleton has become (like a) dry wood. (sggs 906).

In a nutshell, man’s duality (Doojaa-Bhaav) is his worst ghost. Like darkness and light, in nature both duality and non-duality coexists. But the Mayaic or Haumai-mind sees or transacts with duality only.

  • ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਭੂਤ ਸਭਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਾਏ ॥: All goblins and demons are attached to duality (wanderings in the love of Maya, ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਦੀ ਭਟਕਣਾ). (sggs 841).
  • ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਮੰਦਰ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੪॥: (If forgetting ‘Gobind’ while alive) who thinks of to the end (i.e. to the brink of spiritual death, mental blindness, ਸਿਰੇ-ਅੰਤ ਦੀ ਹੱਦ ਤਕ), who thinks of only mansions and dies so thinking (ਵਿਲਕਦਾ ਹੋਇਆ then it indicates the state of his mind or Virtee-ਵਿਰਤੀ) repeatedly living as a Pret (or ghost in daily life, here and now, NOT after physical body is dead). ||4|| (sggs 526).

Those attached to duality are also called Manmukhs in the Gurbani. Therefore, a Manmukh (a Saakat or a Mayadhaaree) = a ghost or goblin.

But a Gurmukh (who is opposite of the Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree), lives in non-duality, for he is established in the Divine Wisdom of the SGGS. In other words, he has become Jeevanmukta (living liberated). He has realized his non-dual Jot Sroop.

In other words, the darkness or ‘Dhundh-ਧੁੰਧ’ of ignorance is ghost in itself.

  • ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਪਿੰਜਰ ਮਹਿ ਦੂਖ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥ ਨਰਕਿ ਪਚਹਿ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਧੇਰੇ ॥: (Those who live as) ghost in the body-cage, suffer all sorts of afflictions. Those who (thus live) in the darkness of spiritual wisdom, putrefy in hellish (existence). (sggs 1029).

the SGGS wants us to live a Gurmukh Lifestyle, NOT like a ghost or an animal! However, living blind to the Wisdom, one tends to believe false things to be true.

  • ਝੂਠੁ ਬਾਤ ਸਾ ਸਚੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਤੀ ॥: That which is false (we) deem it to be true. (sggs 185).

Hence, the Gurbani asserts that so long the Divine Virtues — Truth (ਸਤ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), compassion (ਦਯਾ), Dharma (ਧਰਮ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), etc. — are within the mind, the mortal will be happy, peaceful, blissful

  • ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਢਹਿ ਢੇਰੀ ਤਨੁ ਖੇਹ ॥੧॥: Without the Divine Virtues, the body is of no avail; (in the end) it will crumble into a pile of dust. ||1|| (sggs 20).

Transforming  animal or Pret nature into Devtaa

How one can transform his animal or Pret nature?

  • ਪਰੇਤਹੁ ਕੀਤੋਨੁ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਸਭੇ ਸਿਖ ਉਬਾਰਿਅਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥: That Creator (by giving the gift of Naam) has made man a ‘DEVATAA‘ from a ‘Pret‘ (ghost, phantom…). ‘Prabh‘ (i.e. abidance in Mool, Hukam, Naam…) liberates all Sikhs (seekers or learners). (sggs 323).

In nutshell, according to the SGGS, by bathing the mind in the pool of the Divine Wisdom of the SGGS:

  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਚਰਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪਰਸਿਆ ਸੇ ਪਸੁ ਪਰੇਤ ਸੁਰਿ ਨਰ ਭਇਅ ॥੨॥੬॥: (the mind of) Whoever realizes the Giaan (the Divine Wisdom…) of the Satiguru, (that mind) is transformed from an animal (-nature) and a ghost (-nature) into an angelic being. ||2||6|| (sggs 1399).
  • ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਉਧਾਰੇ ਇਕ ਖਣੇ ॥: In an instant, (Naam: Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) emancipates persons, who are ignorant, beasts-nature and goblin-nature. (sggs 963).
  • ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਸਿਉ ਲਾਗੋ ਹੇਤੁ ॥ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਬਿਨਸਿਓ ਮਹਾ ਪਰੇਤੁ ॥: Whosoever imbibes affection for the Giaan (the Divine Wisdom…), the great demon (of one’s demon-nature) is destroyed in an instant. (1149).
  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਪਾਇਐ ਪੂਰਾ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤਹੁ ਦੇਵ ਕਰੈ ॥੨॥: With the Satigur (True Wisdom, ਸੱਚ ਦਾ ਗਿਆਨ), the perfect cleansing bath (of the mind) is obtained (which kills) the animal-state and ghost-state (of the mind) and transforms it into Devtaa (divine, Wise, Virtuous, Truthful…). ||2|| (sggs 1329).

Hence, anybody in this world who is devoid of Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), Virtues (ਗੁਣ), Truth (ਸਚ), etc., is called in the Gurbani Bhoot (Pret, ghost, goblin, Betaalaa, demon, etc.).

Also, anybody in this world who is under the adverse impact of Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.) and Maya, and thus live a Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree lifestyle are called in the Gurbani Bhoot (Pret, ghost, goblin, Betaalaa etc.).

  • ਸਚਿ ਕਾਲੁ ਕੂੜੁ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਕਲਿ ਕਾਲਖ ਬੇਤਾਲ ॥: There is a famine of Truth; falsehood prevails, and the blackness of the Kali (i.e., dark or wicked thinking of the mind) has turned people into demons (sggs 468).
  • ਮਨਮੁਖ ਅੰਧੇ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥: The (mentally) blind Manmukh wander around like demons (sggs 117).
  • ਨਾਵਹੁ ਭੁਲਾ ਜਗੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਬੇਤਾਲਿਆ ॥: Having forgotten the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…), the world is roaming around like a demon (sggs 149).
  • ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥: Without understanding, people become beast (-nature) and demon ||6|| (sggs 224).
  • ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਣੀ ਹੋਈ ਖੇਹ ॥: Without Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…, the human body) is worse than a beast, a demon. (sggs 890).
  • ਪੰਚਮੀ ਪੰਚ ਭੂਤ ਬੇਤਾਲਾ ॥: Panchamee (the fifth day of the lunar): The mortals of five elements (devoid of the divine life) are but demons. (sggs 839).

In nutshell, there is no ghost-Pret or Devtaa because of the physical body (ਸਰੀਰ ਕਰਕੇ). A person becomes a Devtaa by improving or mending his/her ‘Soch‘ or thinking (with the divine Virtues, Wisdom). Also, a person becomes ghost-Pret by becoming corrupt.

In nutshell:
Mortal + Truth or Divine Virtues (ਗੁਣ) = Divine, god-like, ਦੇਵਤਾ…
Mortal – (minus) Truth or Divine Virtues (ਗੁਣ) = ghost, goblin, Satan, Demon, Pasoo, ਰਾਖਛਸ, ਬੇਤਾਲਾ…

  • ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਉਹਾੜੀ ਸਦ ਵਾਰ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਮਾਣਸ ਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਵਾਰ ॥: Hundred times a day, I am a sacrifice unto my ‘Gur’ (i.e., Wisdom or Giaan-Guru), who without any delay made ‘DEVTAE’ (i.e., noble men of Divine Virtues) out of ‘Maanaas’ (i.e. those with defective minds – devoid of Virtues). (sggs 462).
  • ਬਿਨੁ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਫਿਰੈ ਸੈਤਾਨਿਆ ॥੯॥ : (A human being) devoid of he Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom is nothing but a Satan roaming around. ॥9॥ (sggs 708).

25 comments

  1. Thank You sister, Gurvinder Kaur, Ji for your kind reply. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog Ji.

    ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲ ਜੋ ਲਛਮੀ ਸਿਮਰੈ….. ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜੋਨ ਵਲਵਲ ਅਉਤਰੈ।

    Please keep in mind the Rahaou verse of the Shabad fro which you have quoted the above verse. Deciphering the meaning of the Rahaou (ਰਹਾਉ) verse first. This is because the Rahaou verse contains both the gist and the context for the entire Shabad. This means that all the spiritual messages of the remaining verses must be interpreted by applying this context. You may find the full Shabad with its interpretation in this post.

    A mortal’s mind lacking Bhagti (Wisdom, Virtues, Naam, or the Gurmukh Lifestyle…) remains mentally deformed and perplexed to the end of life (‘ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ’ – time of human life to the end etc.). The translations of this Shabad as contained in widely available Teekas are literal and done using the Vedic and Yogic paradigms. Also, generally Ragis, preachers, Baabaas etc. are heard to interpret this Shabad purely in terms of Brahmanical and Yogic ideology and theology. They insist that it is the Gurbani’s position that a person’s next ‘Joon‘ (ਜੂਨ) of life is based on that person’s thinking at the time of leaving the body. Not only that, then they go on telling fake Sakhis (stories) to justify their misinterpretation of the Gurbani. The Gurbani, in fact, rejects Pujaaree’s all this afterlife concoctions.

  2. “Dui kudrat sajiye kar aasan ditho chao” is also written in SGGS. “ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲ ਜੋ ਲਛਮੀ ਸਿਮਰੈ….. ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜੋਨ ਵਲਵਲ ਅਉਤਰੈ। “???

  3. 100 percent aligned with guru Nanak Sikhi . 1 onkar , 2 onkar nahi .

    Bhoot pret means deras business will continue . When you are sick of Bhoot mentality , you go and find nearest baba / dera and not to medical practitioners. This means Baba / dera business will flourish .

  4. only Waheguruji knows and why should it matter? we should read baani and love him. Gurbaani vichaar is is not single faceted its been evolving and will keep evolving the vichaar with many more generations to come.. however those reading with love will be able to get the most out of it..Satgur sera Neet navaa

  5. Thank you Najot Ji for taking the time to comment. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

    Please consider the following verses (see the main post for English translation):
    ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਪਰੇਤੁ ਹੈ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥ (sggs 513).
    ਕਲਿ ਮਹਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਤਾ ਸਤਜੁਗਿ ਪਰਮ ਹੰਸ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ (sggs 1131).

  6. Nice article but i want to know to ghosts exist..acc to guru granth sahib despitw of maya refered as ghost

  7. Thank you P. Singh Ji for your reply. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

    Pujaaree rules your mind by (1) creating fear in your doubt-ridden mind (2) and by making you greedy.

    Understandably, the Gurbani rejects the Pujaaree system:
    • ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿ ਦੀਆ ॥ ਛਾਡਿ ਚਲੇ ਹਮ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਲੀਆ ॥੩॥ (sggs 1159).
    • ਹਿੰਦੂ ਅੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਤੁਰਕੂ ਕਾਣਾ ॥ ਦੁਹਾਂ ਤੇ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥ (sggs 875).

  8. Read your article on ghosts. First all faiths indicate existence of ghosts. Islam as one example declares Jinns. Now for Sikhism to come up theory there is no ghosts makes it extraordinary. Clearly Guru Nanak encountered sadhus, witches using magical powers. Those negative magical powers are by the use of spirits.
    I agree that one who does not pray parties and does not care is like a ghost himself.
    Today we have pictures of Buckingham palace picture of headless ghost captured by security cameras. We have Amityville New York where media aim to debunk captured camera of ghost boy peeping. We have psychic detectives solving murder cases which baffled Police. They indicated they are in touch with ghost of body killed and they describe in detail which makes any scientist scratch their head.
    The list goes on and on.
    Yes ghosts exist during the early times of man before during and after Sikhism.
    Your article really does not stick to the point. It wanders off.
    Beauty of Gurbani is that it declares existence but requests one not to indulge in ghosts matters. If it did not declare and said it is state of mind only. Then what i have written makes it superior to Gurbani and makes it false.
    I have not included bible quran hindu texts buddhist texts quotes proving the existence of ghosts. Gurbani goes on step further stating yes there are ghosts, demons spirits and one who does no simran no prayers is just like a ghost!
    This is a fact.

  9. This is your personal opinion, NOT the Gurbani’s understanding.

    Thank you Davinder Singh Ji for reading this post and responding to it. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

  10. Gurfateh ji, thank you for your excellent effort and articles, however, I would disagree with your full interpretation that there are no such beings. The One consciousness exists as duality, and duality has both darkness and light as its nature. My own personal experience over 40 years has demonstrated numerous cases of energies that exist in different states that those we are aware off.

    Several of these cases have impacted fully fledged amritdharis, and I am aware of at least one case right now. the real tragedy is that none of these individuals were able to get any support or help from gurdwaras, but had to resort to Deras and Muslim seers. Denying the existence of something one can not understand, does not mean it does not exist.
    Bhul Chuk Maaf

  11. Thank you Veer Ji for taking the time to read the post and reply.

    of course. the Gurbani speaks at the level of the mind (Soch…). It’s the Soch (thinking) that translate into speech, actions or conduct/behavior.

    In the verse you quoted, my understanding of the word ‘ਭੂਤ’ ‘and’
    ‘ਪਵਾਨ’ is as follows:
    ‘ਭੂਤ’ = past;
    ‘ਪਵਾਨ’ = present.

  12. Guru Fetah and thank you for putting together a very thoughtful and insightful post. I read the the entire post very carefully to find answer to the question that I thought you set out to address: “Who are the real ghosts-Pret or goblin the Gurbani talks about?”

    Without going over the entire post the answer seems to reside with the following Rahaoo pankti that you quoted: “ਕਰਤ ਬੁਰਾਈ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਤੇ ਛਪਾਈ ਸਾਖੀ ਭੂਤ ਪਵਾਨ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Hiding from others, the mortal practices “Buraaee” (wickedness…), but (this wickedness) clings to him like a ghost. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1202).”

    As you state if we do “Buraaee” then the Gurbani alerts us that we are LIKE ghosts. Similarly as you stated throughout the post, if we are attached to material pleasures (maya) , we are LIKE pret…if we are manmukh, we are LIKE Bhoot-Pret etc.

  13. Great Analysis.There must be group of wise people who write this. I bow my head to their wisdom.
    Thank you.

  14. Thank you Amarjit Singh Ji for taking the time to share your thoughts. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

    Either you fully believe in the SGGS or not! The SGGS, for example, says:
    • ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਪਰੇਤੁ ਹੈ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥: Attachment to Maya, lust, anger, and egotism is the goblin (ghost, ਪ੍ਰੇਤ, ਭੂਤ…). (sggs 513).

    As indicated in the following verse of the SGGS, Maya is anything that makes us (1) forget our Mool (“Hari Visrai“); (2) gives rise to emotional attachment (“Moh Upjai”); and (3) creates duality (“Bhaau Doojaa“).
    • ਏਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਮੋਹੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਭਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ਲਾਇਆ ॥: Eh Maya… (sggs 921).

  15. It’s very interesting……our discussion here is on a certain aspect of our references to bhoot pret etc……. n I can understand where u are coming from……how do I explain this …..the actual physical real life experiences with beings of another plane…..b4 I walked on this Sikhi path…. I have personally witnessed possessions by other others who do not have the Sikhi faith in them……in my 57 years of life in this earthly world……have witnessed supernatural phenomenons……to say it does not exist ……I cannot accept…..for based on my personal experiences n beliefs……if u truly have Sikhi in you n Baani has been part n Parcel of your every moment in your life……
    Nothing can touch you……..but the moment there is an ounce of lack of faith…….u opens the gateway for supernatural experiences…. I consider myself as a very practical person n do not jump up n down with everything others say or claim……seeing/experiencing is believing…….

  16. According to Gurbani whole life (jivan) is amrit vela . Naam japna means always keeping in mind the qualities of God everytime even in the morning ,during the duty time /business hours eg. if a teacher is sincerely teaching the students than he/she is “naam jap reha hai” same is case if a bussinessman is not cheating the client than ” naam jap reha hai” but a pujari/Granthi is not guiding the sangat about gurbani and simply using “Guru ki golak” than” naam nahi jaap reha hai”
    waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh”

  17. A person once asked Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj that he was seeing ghosts and being possessed by them. Maharaj asked that person whether he woke up at amrit vela to do his simran and nitnem. He replied he never did nam japna or nitnem and maharaj then gave the bachan that he was in actual fact a ghost because, just like a ghost, devoid of spirituality and no connection with the divine, that person was living according to his mind and was living in material consciousness, not God-consciousness.

  18. Waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh.

    Good baani, hopefully I learn something from it.

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