Sikhi Teaches to Discard priestly Class

‘Pujaaree‘ (priest/clergy class) is a Soch (thinking), which encompasses NOT ONLY Brahmins, but the Pujaaree classes of every organized or man-made religion!

Amongst the classes strongly condemned by Baabaa Nanak and other Gurus is the priestly class (Pujaaree). In spite of that, the present day Gurdwaras/Sikh institutions are in the hands of the privileged priestly class, which is totally in contradiction of the Gurbani’s Message of liberation and enlightenment, freeing Sikhs from the hold of rituals, superstitions, Pujaaree (priests), pilgrimages and the rule of fear imposed by the priest class, religious and political leaders.

• ਮਾਇਆ ਡਰ ਡਰਪਤ ਹਾਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਅਰੈ ਜਾਵੈ ਤਹਾ ਜਉ ਮਾਇਆ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਕਹਾ ਠਹਰਾਈਐ ॥੫੪੪॥ : Weary of the dread and dragon-net of Maya (i.e. Maya’s onslaught…), if one goes to the Gurdwara, and if Maya penetrates there too, then where would one go to Rest or Escape! (Kabit Bhai Gurdas Ji, 544).

Having said that, Sikhi of Guru Nanak has NO PLACE for a Pujaaree or priestly class acting as an intermediary (‘Vicholaa’-middleman) between Sikhs and the Creator, because, for example:

• Pujaaree or priestly class extorts money out of simpletons and gullible people by spiritual blackmail thus robbing the people of the most satisfying Spiritual experience.
• It spreads demeaning superstition and empty ritualism (Karamkaand) for the purpose of mind control and extortion.
• It enslaves the mind (Surat-Conscience) of people with concocted fear, greed (false promises), counterfeit God(s), and Dharma. The self-serving priest class is expert and successful in this work because it has all sorts of means and Granth to its disposal to do it.
• It thereby distorts religious truths and dwarfs the vision of Spiritual Masters to serve its own sleazy ends.
• It becomes a potent instrument in the hands of political and social oppressors, and helps them in enslaving and exploiting the people.
• The Pujaaree group of each religion may have a peculiar robes or appearance, but their Soch (thinking) is the same — exploit people by controlling their mind; keeping them mentally blind or ignorant, fearful superstitious, doubt-ridden (ਵਹਮ-ਭਰਮ, confused), foolish, tangled in meaningless rituals, greedy, hating and killing ‘others’ etc.
• It distorts spiritual Message of the scriptures by misinterpreting scriptures to fit their selfish agenda etc.

Thus, the self-serving Pujaaree system has been defrauding people for long by plundering them and selling them the fake or counterfeit Dharma and God (ਨਕਲੀ), for the sake of bread!

No organized religions can claim to be free from such corruption. In fact older the religion greater the corruption.

History tells us that, from time to time, transformational personalities have emerged and challenge this corruption. Most notable were the ten Sikh Gurus and Bhagats

Since the self-serving Pujaaree clique can NOT be trusted, the SGGS commands rejecting, dismantling, and thus discarding it. Also, since the Message of Guru Nanak posed a challenge to privileged priestly classes and the rulers, continuous efforts have been made to counter it by distorting Sikhi in order to dilute its Unique and Revolutionary character.

• ਆਪਨ ਸੁਆਇ ਕਰਹਿ ਬਹੁ ਬਾਤਾ ਤਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਵਿਸਾਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੬॥ : One who talks excessively but to suit ones own interests; how can such a person be trusted? ||6|| (sggs 1326).

Since the Creator (Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature, Universal Energy etc.) is One, then the true Dharma must also be One! The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS talks about this one Dharma of Truth.

To the contrary, however, the man-made religions (Mazhab-ਮਜ਼ਹਬ) are many in the world.

The true Dharma is observed at the level of the mind. It’s so because the true Dharma is the Eternal function or True Nature (Jot Saroop) of all beings in relationship with the One  Creator.

To the contrary, all man-made, organized religions (Mazhab-ਮਜ਼ਹਬ), are observed at the level of the physical body (Karamkaand or rituals, dogmas, religious paraphernalia etc.).

Sikhs (students or learners – ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ…) are supposed to follow the One Dharma of ‘Sach’ (Truth) — Dharma of GIYAN (Wisdom, Virtues, Hukam…).

• ਬੋਲੀਐ ਸਚੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਨ ਬੋਲੀਐ ॥ : Speak the ‘Sach‘ Dharma (i.e. to speak Truth is Dharma), and do not speak falsehood (sggs 488).

In fact, in the SGGS, Giyan is called Dharma and the Guru. Hence, the SGGS asks us to build a fence of this Dharma around!

• ਕਬੀਰਾ ਜਹਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਤਹ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਹਾ ਝੂਠੁ ਤਹ ਪਾਪੁ ॥ : O Kabeer, where there is Giyan (Spiritual Wisdom) there is Dharma; where there is falsehood, there is sin. (sggs 1372).
• ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੈ ਸੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਬਿਬੇਕੋੁ ॥੪॥੫॥ : Says Kabeer, I have found that Guru, whose Name is ‘Bibek(u)’ (Wisdom, Discerning Intelligence…). ||4||5|| (sggs 793).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ : Guru is my Giyan (Knowledge or Wisdom…), the Guru is (ever) within my Heart; this is my meditation (Dhiaan, Reflection, contemplation …). (sggs 864).
• ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨਾਮ ਰਤਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ : The Jewel of Giyan (Wisdom) is obtained from the Guru (sggs 1044).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਹੈ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਹੈ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ : Satiguru is ‘GIYAN’ (i.e. WISDOM, ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ); and Satiguru (i.e. GIYAN or WISDOM) is the ‘Poojaa‘. (sggs 1069).

One of the things common among man-made religions is their respective clergy or Pujaare system — greedy, self-serving etc. who has turned the Spirituality in to a business transaction (ਧੰਧਾ)!

Accordingly, there is the Hindu Pujaaree (clergy) Muslim Pujaaree, Christian Pujaaree etc. Also, there is the Pujaaree Group (ਪੁਜਾਰੀ ਲਾਣਾ) in Sikhi as well!

The objective of the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy) is to:

• Put Pujaaree (clergy) itself in the epi-center of the corrupted and adulterated religious dogma and paraphernalia.
• Control the adherents of the spiritual seekers mostly through fake Sakhis (stories).
• Control spiritual seekers through narratives of fear and greed – promising rewards in the clergy-concocted afterlife.
• Make a living off the misled and confused followers largely though the performance of complex rituals (Karamkaand) and adherents.
• Become the upholders of the corrupted spirituality.
• Place themselves as agents of the concocted ‘gods’, hell and heaven, etc.
• Place themselves as ‘Vicholaa’ (middleman) between the misled and confused followers and their concocted ‘gods’.

For the betterment of the human society, all Guru Sahibaan and Bhagat hit hard and offer a stinging critique of the clergy-initiated corruption. The Bhagats of the SGGS are particularly strident in taking on the clergy (the Pundit, Brahmin, Bippar) in exposing their misdeeds.

The Guru Sahibaan and Bhagat knew that without breaking these corrupt Pujaaree systems, people cannot be steered away from the lifestyle of ‘Bhangaar‘ (vices/Bikaar etc.) that these Pujaaree groups or various religions promote.

However, what has taken place in reality is totally to the contrary — the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.) and the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) etc. in Sikhi has broken the Gurmat instead, and are brought the UNIQUE spirituality of Baabaa Nanak down to a self-serving business transaction (‘ਧੰਧਾ‘) and made it a Sikhi of dogmas, external symbols, religious paraphernalia, religious robes, anti-Gurmat rituals or Karamkaand etc.

• ਧੰਧਾ ਕਰਤਿਆ ਨਿਹਫਲੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਮਨਿ ਨ ਵਸਾਇਆ ॥ : Involved in worldly affairs (Mayaic or Manmukh lifestyle), wastes his life in vain and does not enshrine the Bliss giving Divine in the mind (sggs 644).

Falsehood (Jhooth, untruth – Maya) cannot propagate Truth (Sach).

The Pujaaree group in Sikhi has reduced the Gurmat (the UNIQUE Way of life based on the GIYAN of the SGGS) to a mundane and organized religion of mere Karamkaand (rituals), Golak, ritual reading (ਪਾਠ), pilgrimage (Teerath Yaatraa), ritual bathing, religious robes, etc.

They have totally bypassed the GIYAN of the SGGS, just as the crafty Hindu Pujaaree Group bypassed the GIYAN of Veda and misled people on to the path of untruth. Similarly, people in organized religions are also being led astray by their Pujaare structures.

• ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾਗਦ ਕੀ ਓਬਰੀ ਮਸੁ ਕੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਪਾਟ ॥ ਪਾਹਨ ਬੋਰੀ ਪਿਰਥਮੀ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਪਾੜੀ ਬਾਟ ॥੧੩੭॥ : Kabeer, the religious books (of Pandits/ Pujaaree) are like a prison made of paper, and the rituals (Karamkaand) written in ink are like the doors of that prison. The stone idols have spiritually drowned the people of this world (in the ocean of worldliness), and Pandits (i.e. the clergy/Pujaaree) are plundering people (i.e. robbing people by engaging them in useless rituals and idolatry Poojaa and though donation-Daan etc.). ||137|| (sggs 1371).
• ਨ ਪਾਥਰੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਨਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਫੋਕਟ ਕਰਮ ਨਿਹਫਲ ਹੈ ਸੇਵ ॥੨॥ : This stone (idol) neither speaks nor can give anything, The Act of worshipping the stone (Idol) is Worthless and Fruitless. ॥2॥(sggs 1160).
• ਏਕੈ ਪਾਥਰ ਕੀਜੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਦੂਜੈ ਪਾਥਰ ਧਰੀਐ ਪਾਉ ॥ ਜੇ ਓਹੁ ਦੇਉ ਤ ਓਹੁ ਭੀ ਦੇਵਾ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਹਮ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ॥੪॥੧॥ : Some Stones Are Worshipped and Some Stepped On. If Some Are Gods, then the Others Must Be Gods as well. ॥4॥1॥ (sggs 525).

Let’s consider a few examples to take a look at the conduct of the Pujaaree groups in Sikhi.

They encourage people to go on pilgrimage (Teerath Yaatraa). However, they have totally vanished the Teerath of Aaatam within that the SGGS talks about — the Teerath of the Divine within, the Teerath of the Naam (GIYAN-Wisdom, Virtues…) within, the Teerath the Shabad-Vichaar within, and so on.

• ਤੀਰਥੁ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ॥ : To Reflect on the Shabad (Shabad-Vichaar…) is the Teerath (because of this) Spiritual Wisdom arises within (sggs 687).

Like any other Pujaaree group, the self serving Sikh Pujaaree — Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc. — wants people to pay them dearly so they can perform Akhand Paaths etc., on their behalf. The fact is that this sort of reading (Akhand Paath, Nitnem...) is totally contrary to the Gurmat (Wisdom, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS). The Gurbani is not meant to be merely robotically read, listened, or memorized. After reading, listening, or memorizing it is meant to be Understood through diligently churning the Gurbani (Shabad-Vichaar) and then applied to the daily life (i.e., live it-ਅਮਲ). Otherwise, such exercise is empty (ਖਾਲੀ) akin to ‘ladles‘ (ਕੜਛੀਆ)!

• ਪੜਿਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਬੁਝਿਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਖਟੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੈ ਭੇਖਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਵਣਾ ॥ : Not by just reading (scriptures), but it is through spiritual Wisdom one Understands this fact (that God is infinite). No one can merge in the eternal God by merely adopting the garbs mentioned in the six Shastras (the Hindu holy books). The eternal God is unfathomable, but revealed through the Guru’s Shabad, He (i.e. Creation, Hukam) looks beautiful. (sggs 148).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥ : Without understanding, people become beast (-nature) and demon ||6|| (sggs 224).

On account of stubbornness, this Pujaaree group emphasizes on externally looking religious or Mahatmaa! This is totally contrary to the teaching of the SGGS.

Baabaa Nanak clearly states outer garments mean nothing when inside (i.e. mind) is empty of GIYAN – Knowledge.

Again, listen to what the SGGS has to say in this context:

• ਭੇਖੁ ਭਵਨੀ ਹਠੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਚੁ ਗਹਿ ਰਹੇ ॥੧॥ : I know nothing about religious robes, pilgrimages or stubbornness; O Nanak, I only hold tight to the Truth ||1|| (sggs 843).

All organizations – including all organized religions (Mazhab-ਮਜ਼ਹਬ) – are political in nature.

Just as corrupt politicians do, the self-serving Pjaaree-Vaad promotes hooliganism (ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਗੁੰਡਾ ਗਰਦੀ, ਠੱਗੀ). They (Deraa-Vaad Baabaa or sant and their gun-toting goons, etc.) roam around with loaded guns! In fact, we can see this hooliganism playing out in the society.

Listen to what the SGGS has to say in this context:

• ਛੁਰੀ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਵੈ ਹਥਿ ਦਾਨਾ ॥੨॥ : (The Pujaaree) pulls out knife, and demands donations. ||2|| (sggs 201).
• ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੋਹੇ ਲੋਭਿ ਸਬਾਏ ॥ : All Pandits are deluded by greed (sggs 370).
• ਪੰਡਿਤ ਭੂਲੇ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਾਗੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੈ ਵਾਪਾਰਿ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਭੁਖ ਹੈ ਮੂਰਖ ਭੁਖਿਆ ਮੁਏ ਗਵਾਰ ॥ : Pandit bhoole… (sggs 647).
• ਮਾਣਸ ਖਾਣੇ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਵਾਜ ॥ ਛੁਰੀ ਵਗਾਇਨਿ ਤਿਨ ਗਲਿ ਤਾਗ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਘਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਪੂਰਹਿ ਨਾਦ ॥ ਉਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਭਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਓਈ ਸਾਦ ॥ ਕੂੜੀ ਰਾਸਿ ਕੂੜਾ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ॥ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਆਹਾਰੁ ॥ ਸਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਕਾ ਡੇਰਾ ਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੂੜੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥ : Those who devour humanity by plundering it (i.e. those who violate or usurp someone’s right or take away something that rightfully belongs to others – ਪਰਾਇਆ ਹਕ ਖਾਣ ਵਾਲੇ) perform Namaz (Muslim prayer). There is the sacred thread around the necks of those who wield the knife of such robbery (corruption, bribe, etc.). To whose house the Brahmin (clergy or Pujaaree) blow the conch to sanctify their doings, they also have the same taste (i.e. they are also corrupt). The capital of falsehood is the only thing they have. They only trade in falsehood. They mislead people by speaking falsehood and make living through falsehood (deception). The sense of shame and Dharma is not even close to them, it is far away from them. Nanak, in this way, there is falsehood all around in the name of religion. (sggs 471).

List of their self-serving conduct goes on and on:

• Distortions and imaginary hagiographies created in the 18th and 19th centuries present Guru Nanak as some kind of miracle worker, and Guru Gobind Singh a worshipper of Goddesses etc.
• Pujaaree will do anything to preserve a lifestyle of FREELOADERS (ਵੇਲੜ ਲਾਣਾਂ – who live on exploiting people for free stuff …).
• They promote body-worship (ਦੇਹੀ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ-Poojaa) instead of Giyan-Wisdom of the SGGS.
• They don’t disseminate the Gurbani in its true perspective.
• They want to make sure people don’t get true understanding or Giyan-Wisdom of the SGGS.
• They distort or misinterpret the Gurbani’s Truth to fit their own sordid ends, and to Regurgitate what already existed before the Gurus and Bhagats.
• Their Parchaar of the Gurmat is adulterated (ਖੋਟਾ, counterfeit, defective, etc.).
• Instead of promoting Gur-Giyan, they promote their own Maryada, Pramparaa (traditions), dogmas and complex and antagonistic adherents as it fit their business (ਧੰਧਾ, Golak).
• They tell fake or concocted stories (ਮੰਨ-ਘੜੰਤ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ).
• They promote empty rituals that have no place in Gurmat.
• Instead of uniting people, Pujaaree-Vaad divides them.
• They promote blind superstitions for controlling and swindling simpletons.
• They become an instrument in the hands of debased leaders and corrupt politicians to oppress and exploit masses, robbing people of real Spiritual Unfoldment, etc.
• They promote worshiping SGGS as an idol, which is totally contrary to the Gurmat.
• For the sake of pleasing hosts and securing return business, they perform Mayaic Ardaas (prayers, ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀਆਂ ਅਰਦਾਸਾਂ), which are totally contrary to the Gurmat.
• They practice and promote Jaat Paat – caste system in Gurdwaras and society.
• They promote hooliganism, corruption, falsehood, fraud in Gurdwaras and society.

Clearly, the Pujaaree-Vaad wants to make sure that the GIYAN-Wisdom of the SGGS does not get close to the people! Why?

Because, if it does, it will perform spiritual surgery on people’s doubt-ridden minds and free them from the falsehood of the Pujaaree system. In other words, the Pujaaree system wants people to remain tied to useless rituals (Karamkaand).

For example, the SGGS tells us that merely being in the physical presence of the SGGS is NOT enough — nothing can be achieved by merely bowing the head (Mathaa Tekanaa -ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਾਂ) if the mind remains bent on falsehood, malice, crookedness, fraud, etc. Here is the Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ):

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਜੇਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ : Everybody in this the world physically see the Satgur. Nothing going to happen just by seeing (the Satgur); one can not be ‘Mukt‘ (liberated, unentangled, unhindered etc.) until and unless the Message within the Shabad is Reflected upon. (sggs 594).

For example, look at the crowd at Harmandir Sahib (a.k.a. golden temple) — people go through a door, merely bow down, and out through the other door. This is not the ‘Darshan‘ the SGGS talks about. The ‘Darshan‘ the SGGS talks about is the ‘Darshan‘ of the GIYAN-Wisdom through Inner eyes of the Vichaar. It’s the mind that has to do this ‘Darshan‘. But the Pujaaree system has led people on to the path of ‘Bharam‘ (doubt, deception, error, confusion, misapprehension, etc.). The problem is they have hidden the GIYAN-Wisdom of the SGGS (Gurmat) in the designer’s Rumala and Chandoa, Golak, gold…!

• ਭਰਮੇ ਭੂਲਾ ਸਭਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਗਹੈ ॥ : Deluded by doubt (he) visits all Teerath (external shrines of pilgrimage). (sggs 1142).

Understandably, the SGGS boldly discards the greedy and crafty Pujaaree-System, and speaks against their ‘kartoot‘ (conduct).

• ਅਲਹੁ ਏਕੁ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਬਸਤੁ ਹੈ ਅਵਰੁ ਮੁਲਖੁ ਕਿਸੁ ਕੇਰਾ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਦੁਹ ਮਹਿ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਹੇਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਵਉ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਈ ॥ ਤੂ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਹਰਾਮਤਿ ਸਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਦਖਨ ਦੇਸਿ ਹਰੀ ਕਾ ਬਾਸਾ ਪਛਿਮਿ ਅਲਹ ਮੁਕਾਮਾ ॥ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਖੋਜਿ ਦਿਲੈ ਦਿਲਿ ਖੋਜਹੁ ਏਹੀ ਠਉਰ ਮੁਕਾਮਾ ॥੨॥ : If (as per Muslim belief) Allah lives only in mosque, then to whom does the rest of the world belong? And Hindus believe that God resides in an idol; there is no truth (ਅਸਲੀਅਤ) in these claims (of both Hindus and Muslims – both have NOT realized God). ||1|| O God, the Allah and the Ram, I remain spiritually alive by remembering You as ONE. O God! Please bestow Your mercy on me. ||1||Pause|| (Hindus believe their) God’s abode is in the south direction (in Jagannath Puri which is in south India), and (Muslims believe their) God or Allah’s abode is in the west – in Mecca. (But O man!) Search God Within your Heart and ONLY in your Heart; because this is the ONLY place where God lives ||2|| (sggs 1349).
• ਕਹੁ ਰੇ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਬਾਮਨ ਕਬ ਕੇ ਹੋਏ ॥ ਬਾਮਨ ਕਹਿ ਕਹਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਮਤ ਖੋਏ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜੌ ਤੂੰ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣੀ ਜਾਇਆ ॥ ਤਉ ਆਨ ਬਾਟ ਕਾਹੇ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ॥੨॥ : In the womb, no lineage and caste is known. (One) Brahm is the Source of all ||1|| (Kabeer Sahib questions) since when have you been a Brahmin? Don’t waste your life by continually claiming to be a Brahmin. ||1||Pause|| If you are indeed a Brahmin, born of a Brahmin mother, then why didn’t you come by some other way? ||2|| (sggs 324).
• ਹਿੰਦੂ ਅੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਤੁਰਕੂ ਕਾਣਾ ॥ ਦੁਹਾਂ ਤੇ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਪੂਜੈ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਮਸੀਤਿ ॥ ਨਾਮੇ ਸੋਈ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਜਹ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਨ ਮਸੀਤਿ ॥੪॥੩॥੭॥ : The Hindu is blind (mentally blind, UN-Enlightened), who has made-up phony stories and claims God is limited only to the temple…) and the Muslim is one-eyed (i.e., who has some intelligence – but claims Allah is limited only to the mosque, etc.). The Giani (the knower of Truth…) is wiser than both of them. The Hindu Seeks Him through the Worship at the Dehora and the Musalman in the Maseet. Namdev Realizes One Who Is Realized Neither in The Dehora Na Maseet (i.e. Naam Dev Says, I serve that Divine who is neither limited to the temple nor the mosque). ||4||3||7|| (sggs 875).
• ਕਾਦੀ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਮਲੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਆ ਘਾਇ ॥ ਜੋਗੀ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਅੰਧੁ ॥ ਤੀਨੇ ਓਜਾੜੇ ਕਾ ਬੰਧੁ ॥੨॥ : The clergy of the Muslim faith was corrupt, the Brahmin was murderous and the Yogi Un-Enlightened. These three (clergy) had become the root cause for the spiritual wreckage and desolation that mankind had come to endure. (sggs 662).

Guru Nanak debunked the priests (Pujaaree) and Qazis etc. for misleading the masses and fleecing the gullible.

The SGGS Guides people to walk the Way of Dharma, while the corrupt Pujaaree-Vaad misguides people, cripple their minds, divides them etc.

In a nutshell, the purpose and aim of the Gurmat Wisdom is to make people think, so they can bring about a revolution in their individual character and vision by integrating his mind and educating his intellect. To that end, the SGGS roars the following declaration: Abandon the crafty Pujaaree-System. Here is the SGGS’s bold challenge to all Sikhs:

• ਹਮਰਾ ਝਗਰਾ ਰਹਾ ਨ ਕੋਊ ॥ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਛਾਡੇ ਦੋਊ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : (Bhagat Kabeer Ji says) I have no conflict in my mind whatsoever — no struggle within me anymore. (I have achieved this state because) I have discarded all the claims of the clergy (Pujaaree). |1|| Pause || (sggs 1158).
• ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿ ਦੀਆ ॥ ਛਾਡਿ ਚਲੇ ਹਮ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਲੀਆ ॥੩॥ : ALL that the Pandit and Mullah Clergy have prescribed or presented to us, I have DISCARDED (while walking on the Path of Spirituality). I DISCARD IT ALL and have ACCEPTED NOTHING at all. ||3|| (sggs 1159).

Please note the Guru Sahib does not hate either Pandit or Mullah. Guru Sahib has made it clear in the last line — Guru Sahib simply did not accept but Pandit or Mullah had written.

This kind of an overhaul of our belief system and psyche is necessary to allow the Message of the Gurbani (SGGS) to find space within our minds.

• ਰਿਦੈ ਇਖਲਾਸੁ ਨਿਰਖਿ ਲੇ ਮੀਰਾ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਖੋਜਿ ਖੋਜਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਕਬੀਰਾ ॥੪॥੭॥ : (The Outcome of discarding of the clergy is that) I am able to fill my cleansed mind with pure love for my beloved Creator and fill it with love of the Creator; enabling me to know and search my ownself Within the self and bring about Realization of the Creator Within. ॥4॥7॥ (sggs 1159).
• ਵਰਤ ਨ ਰਹਉ ਨ ਮਹ ਰਮਦਾਨਾ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਜੋ ਰਖੈ ਨਿਦਾਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਏਕੁ ਗੁਸਾਈ ਅਲਹੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੁਹਾਂ ਨੇਬੇਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਉ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਸੇਵੀ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੨॥ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਉ ਨ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਉ ॥ ਏਕ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਲੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਉ ॥੩॥ ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਕੀਆ ਵਖਾਨਾ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਖੁਦਿ ਖਸਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੫॥੩॥ : I do not practice the fasts (of Hindus), nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan (the Roza of Muslims). I serve only the One, who protects all till the end of life. ||1|| My God is only One, Who is called Gosain (by the Hindus) and Allah (by the Muslims). I have separated myself from (religious practices) of them both, the Hindus and the Muslims (I don’t follow whatever they have written: their explanations, commentaries, customs, injunctions, etc.). ||1|| Pause || I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu shrines. I serve no other than the Only One Formless. ||2|| I do not perform Hindu worship, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers. I have understood in my mind and pay my obeisance to the One, the Formless. ||3||  We are not Hindus, nor are we Muslims (i.e. for the guidance of spiritual life, we do not depend on them). My body and breath of life belong to (whom Muslims call) Allah and to (whom Hindus call) Raam. ||4|| O Kabeer! This is what I say: That the one-self can realize God through Guru – Pir (Spiritual Teacher). ||5||3|| (sggs 1136).
• ਜਾਲਉ ਐਸੀ ਰੀਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਮੈ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਵੀਸਰੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਈ ਭਲੀ ਪਰੀਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸੇਤੀ ਪਤਿ ਰਹੈ ॥੨॥ : Burn down (root out) those customs (rituals, routine of life, traditions, system etc.) that may lead to forget the divine beloved. Nanak, only that Love (virtuous Way of life) is good through which Connection with God is maintained within. ||2|| (sggs 590).

The Pujaaree system is very old. Hence very crafty, corrupt, cruel, divisive and destructive by nature. The fact is: Falsehood cannot propagate Truth. Hence Bhagat Kabeer Sahib teaches the clergy (Pujaaree) of all organized religions:

• ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਰਾਮ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਉ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੋਊ ਸਮਝਾਵਉ ॥ : Says Kabeer! (I) teach both Hindus and Muslims — live by the Divine Virtues (sggs 478).
• ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਲੇ ਅਸਵਾਰਾ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਤੇ ਰਹਹਿ ਨਿਰਾਰਾ ॥੩॥੩੧॥ : Says Kabeer! Those are the best riders (who ride the horse of their mind), who remain aloof ( apart, free…) from the Vedas and Kateb (i.e., Koran, Bible, etc.). ||3||31|| (sggs 329).

However, the Pujaaree-Vaad does not like to listen, understand and apply the Truth of the SGGS. Because the Truth or GIYAN of the Guru’s Shabad just burns them!

• ਜੇ ਕੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਸਚੁ ਕੂੜਾ ਜਲਿ ਜਾਵਈ ॥ : If someone speaks the Truth, the false (one) is burnt (irritated). (sggs 646).

Hence, until this corrupt and stagnant Pujaaree system is totally dismantled and discarded as commanded in the SGGS with steady resolve and courage, there can never be peace and goodness in the society and the world!

The Wisdom of the SGGS makes us Wise (ਗਿਆਨਵਾਨ) and frees us from the slavery of the Pujaaree-Vaad.

In the following Shabad, the 5th Mahal exposes the Pujaaree’s rabid-dog nature, greed, corruption, foolishness, mind ridden with doubt, consciousness ridden with Maya, uselessness of his religious paraphernalia, thinking (Soch) that is poisonous to the society, Karamkaand, etc.

• ਦਾਨੁ ਦੇਇ ਕਰਿ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਨਾ ॥ ਲੈਤ ਦੇਤ ਉਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਮੂਕਰਿ ਪਰਨਾ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਹੈ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣ ਜਾਣਾ ॥ ਤਿਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਤੂੰਹੀ ਹੈ ਪਛੁਤਾਣਾ ॥੧॥ ਐਸੇ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣ ਡੂਬੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਨਿਰਾਪਰਾਧ ਚਿਤਵਹਿ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਲੋਭੁ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਹਲਕਾਏ ॥ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਸਿਰਿ ਭਾਰੁ ਉਠਾਏ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੂਠਾ ਚੇਤੈ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਭਰਮੇ ਭੂਲਾ ਬਹੁਤੀ ਰਾਹੀ ॥੨॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਕਰਹਿ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਉਤਰੀ ਘੇਰੇ ॥ ਅਵਰ ਉਪਦੇਸੈ ਆਪਿ ਨ ਬੂਝੈ ॥ ਐਸਾ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਸੀਝੈ ॥੩॥ ਮੂਰਖ ਬਾਮਣ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥ ਦੇਖਤ ਸੁਨਤ ਤੇਰੈ ਹੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇ ਹੋਵੀ ਭਾਗੁ ॥ ਮਾਨੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣੀ ਲਾਗੁ ॥੪॥੮॥ : daan daei kari poojaa karanaa ….: (sggs 372).

The SGGS reasons or argues (ਤਰਕ) with the Pujaaree systems of other religions (ਦੂਸਰੀਆ ਮੱਤਾਂ) and questions their crafty conduct, Karamkaand, falsehood, etc. If Gurmat (the Way of life based on the pure GIYAN-Wisdom of the SGGS is adulterated by the Pujaaree system in Sikhi and thus follows the same fakery of other religions, then others will also raise their finger and question (ਤਰਕ) Sikhs as well!

Some Related Posts:

• Gurbani is not Meant to Regurgitate Pre-1469 Beliefs
• Sikhi of the Clergy – Pujaaree
• Pujaaree System Wants People Remain Ignorant, Fearful, Ritualistic…
• Sikhi: a Way of Life
• Rituals – Karamkaand
• Gurbani can only be Comprehended Through Gurbani Itself