Sargun Nirgun – Visible and Invisible

The Gurmat (Wisdom, Giaan, Upadesh, Sikhiaa, or Way of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) tells us that – on account of diversified activities or Virtues of the Dynamic Factor or Creator (Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature) – people call it by many names.

  • ਕਿਰਤਮ ਨਾਮ ਕਥੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਜਿਹਬਾ ॥ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਾ ਪੂਰਬਲਾ ॥: (O Creator!) All names uttered by the tongue are all Your descriptive names (which your children have created or made-up describing Your diversified activities or Virtues in Kudrat). Your first or primary Virtue is ‘Sat-ਸਤਿ’ — permanently in existence. (sggs 1083).

In addition, tyrant dictators used force to make people call Rabb by a particular name! In this context, Baabaa Nanak says:

  • ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖ ਕਉ ਅਲਹੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੇਖਾਂ ਆਈ ਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਦੇਵਲ ਦੇਵਤਿਆ ਕਰੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਐਸੀ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਚਾਲੀ ॥੫॥: (Due to foreign slavery i.e. Islam), the force of the rod has become the command to call Rabb ‘Allah’. Instead of Brahman, Sheikh Muslims have become religious leaders. Temples and demigods are taxed (this is what happens in slavery!). (sggs 1191).

Call by whatever name you like (e.g., Creator, Rabb, Universal Energy, god, Truth, Allah, Kudrat, Hukam, Akaal, Gobind, Hari, Raam etc.), the Gurbani says ‘From Nirgun appears Sargun’.

  • ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਤੇ ਸਰਗੁਨ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਾਰੰ ॥: From Nirgun appears Sargun. (sggs 250).
  • ਨਿਰਗੁਣੁ ਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਆਪੇ ਸੋਈ ॥: (Rabb) Himself is Nirgun and Sargun. (sggs 128).
  • ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕੋ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਦੂਜਾ ਕਹ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਾਰ ॥੧॥: O Nanak! One (Universal Energy) is wide-spreaded (ਫੈਲਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ), where can there be another seen? (sggs 292).
  • ਆਪੇ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਆਪੇ ਪਰਗਟੀਐ ॥: (Rabb, Universal Energy…) Itself is hidden (Nirgun, invisible, unseen, unmanifest) and Itself is revealed (Sargun, visible, seen, manifest). (sggs 966).

Hence, there is nothing in the Universe – Sargun (visible or seen) or Nirgun (invisible or unseen) – which Baabaa Nanak does not call Rabb!

Furthermore, the SGGS asserts that Rabb is the subject of understanding (ਸਮਝਣ), NOT the subject of blind-worship or Poojaa, or blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ਼, ਅੰਨੀ ਸ਼ਰਧਾ — foolishness)!

Hence, two names — Sargun and Nirgun — are given to the same One Universal Energy, which is the subject of understanding, NOT the subject of blind Poojaa or blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸਵਾਸ).

  • ਸਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਥਾਪੈ ਨਾਉ ॥: Sargun and Nirgun are two given names. (sggs 387).

Both — Sargun (visible) and Nirgun (invisible System-Rule-Law of Nature) — functions together. One cannot work without the other.

  • ਨਿਰਗੁਨੁ ਆਪਿ ਸਰਗੁਨੁ ਭੀ ਓਹੀ ॥ ਕਲਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਮੋਹੀ ॥: He Himself is Nirgun and Sargun. This Universal Energy has fascinated the entire universe by manifesting its power. (sggs 287).

They are only different by figures of speech. For example, both the ocean and the waves are water. Although both the ocean and its waves are made of the same water, but for the sake of discussion one is called the ocean and the other is called the wave. Similarly, although both the gold and gold-bracelet are one and the same gold, but for the sake of discussion one is called the gold and the other is called the bracelet. Similarly, sun and rays are the same thing; Baajeegar (ਬਾਜੀਗਰ-acrobat) and Baajee (ਬਾਜੀ-acrobatic feat, etc.) are the same thing; Bandaa (human being) and Rabb are the same thing…

  • ਜਲ ਤੇ ਤਰੰਗ ਤਰੰਗ ਤੇ ਹੈ ਜਲੁ ਕਹਨ ਸੁਨਨ ਕਉ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੧॥: From the water, the waves rise up; and from the waves, the water. They are only different by figures of speech. ||1|| ||1|| (sggs 1252).
  • ਤੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਤੋਹੀ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਕੈਸਾ ॥ ਕਨਕ ਕਟਿਕ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗ ਜੈਸਾ ॥੧॥: You are me, and I am You—what is the difference between us? We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves ||1|| (sggs 93).
  • ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥ : This is what Nanak says: O my mind, you are the ‘Jot Saroop’ or embodiment of Light (God)! Recognize your Mool (ORIGIN, Source…) ||5|| (sggs 441).

Similarly, Kaadar and Kudrat are two names, but essentially are ONE! Brahm and Brahmand are two names, but essebtially are ONE!

  • ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਾਦਰ ਕਰਣ ਕਰੀਮਾ ॥ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਮੁਹਬਤਿ ਅਥਾਹ ਰਹੀਮਾ ॥ ਹਕੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਚੁ ਖੁਦਾਇਆ ਬੁਝਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੰਦਿ ਖਲਾਸ ਤਰਾ ॥੧੫॥੩॥੧੨॥: (Understand) the Kudrat of Kaadar (Creator…) and the Merciful Rabb’s created world. Love and praise of the infinitely deep merciful Rabb. O Nanak! Understanding the eternal Rabb and the eternal Hukam enables one to be free from bondage (of Maya) and get across the world-ocean. (sggs 1084).

Thus, the aggregated System of the Universal Energy = Sargun (seen) + Nirgun (unseen or formless).

  • ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਸਿਆ ॥ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: (O Divine – the Universal Energy, Hukam, Law or System of Nature…!), I’m thankful to You who abides in ‘Kudrat’ (Nature…). Your limits cannot be comprehended. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 469).
  • ਜੋਗੀ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਕਰੈ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਚਰੈ ॥ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਕਾ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੪॥੩॥੧੧॥: The Yogi (forgetting the Divine) repeats Gorakh, Gorakh. The Hindu utters the Name of Raam (i.e., Hindu thinks his God is only in the idol of Raam). (Similarly) the Muslim considers only the Khudaa (as their God, somewhere up there in 7th sky). (However) Kabeer’s Divine is that which is pervading all over (ਫੈਲਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ, ਤੇ ਸਭ ਦਾ ਸਾਂਝਾ – the same One in all beings and everywhere) ||4||3||11|| (sggs 1160).

Hence, according to Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS:
Understanding or knowing Kaadar (Rabb…) is = understanding or knowing Kudrat!

To look at it from an another angle, as the wood is nothing but fire and as the milk is nothing but butter, similarly this Kudrat — the whole aspect: ਸਮੁੱਚਾ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ — is ‘ONE’ (Kaadar, Gobind etc.) the Gurbani talks about (‘ਸਗਲ ਬਨਸਪਤਿ ਮਹਿ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੁ ਸਗਲ ਦੂਧ ਮਹਿ ਘੀਆ ॥’, sggs 617).

And we all are part of this ‘ONE’ — the whole aspect: ਸਮੁੱਚਾ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ (‘ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ’, sggs 485).

  • ਅਨਿਕ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ਏਕ ਤੇ ਭਏ ॥: Many scatters (of the world – ਜਗਤ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਖਿਲਾਰੇ) have come from the One Rabb. (sggs 289).

Thus, SGGS embodies the central theme of Giaan or Wisdom of the Oneness of existence — seeing nothing as apart from one’s own self.

  • ਅਨਿਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ॥: Nanak, the One ‘Ekankaar’ (God) has manifested in the creation in the so many ways. (sggs 296).
  • ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿੰਨਿ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੋ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਪਇਓ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭਸੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਏਹ ਵਸਤੁ ਤਜੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਰਖੁ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਤਮ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਸਾਰੋ ॥੧॥ : (Plate or container of) the human Conscious or mind that has internalized three realizations; (1) the Creator, (2) contentment and (3) thoughtful reflection (into spiritual Life); is the one that realizes spiritual life through the realization of the Amrit Naam (Wisdom/Virtues…) that is the basis of All of spirituality. The mind which consumes or adopts and internalizes Naam is the one that attains its spiritual Goal. This Thing (i.e. spirituality of realization) requires that the divine Naam (Wisdom/Virtues…) be never discarded, therefore be kept permanently inculcated within. Nanak, life within a vices-filled world is traversed by submitting to the Creator who pervades the entire Cosmos. ॥1॥ (sggs 1429).

This CREATIVE ENERGY is forever NEW (‘ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥’, sggs 660).

This ontological insight is the realization of the Knowledge of one’s essential Nature as Pure Consciousness (Jot Saroop).

How this One, All-pervading Brahm is realized with the Grace of the Gur-Giaan or Wisdom:

  • ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੭॥: Brahm is realized within through the Grace of the Gur-Giaan (i.e., Wisdom). (sggs 425).

Sargun

Sargun aspect (Brahmand, Kudrat, Khalkat…) includes all that which we can see with our physical eyes – jungles, mountains, ocean, rivers, land, space, humans, animals, etc. For example, the Gurbani repeatedly tells we all humans are ‘Ansh‘ of That One, Universal Energy (Rabb).

  • ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ਅੰਸੁ ॥ ਜਸ ਕਾਗਦ ਪਰ ਮਿਟੈ ਨ ਮੰਸੁ ॥੪॥੨॥੫॥ : Kabeer says, now I understand that this (soul / mind) is part and parcel or an offspring of the Omnipresent God (i.e. of the same Essence, Qualities as God). Both God and soul are linked together just as ink from the paper cannot be removed. ||4||2||5|| (sggs 871).
  • ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ॥: Gobind (Universal Energy) is All (i.e., in everything and everywhere), Gobind is All (i.e., in everything and everywhere); without Gobind, there is nothing at all. (sggs 485).
  • ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਹਰੀਆ ਸਰਗੁਨ ਧਰੀਆ ਅਨਿਕ ਕੋਠਰੀਆ ਭਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਭਿਨ ਕਰੀਆ ॥ ਵਿਚਿ ਮਨ ਕੋਟਵਰੀਆ ॥ : The formless Creator (Nirgun) manifested into form (Sargun) within bodies (humans)
    by exhibiting infinite diversity (Bhin Bhin Bhin). (Within every body-ਕੋਠਰੀਆ) the mind is made the Kotwal (police officer, executioner etc.). (sggs 746).
  • ਮੇਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਇਕੁ ਖੇਲੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ॥ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਕਿਸ ਹੀ ਜੇਹਾ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ : The creation of my Lord is such. None is like the other. (sggs 1056).

Bhagat Nam Dev Ji says that the Divine (Rabb, Universal Energy…) is so situated within everybody as one’s own reflection in a mirror or in water! This is the Gurmat’s Rabb — the Rabb of every true Sikh of the SGGS!

  • ਐਸੋ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਇ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥ ਜੈਸੇ ਦਰਪਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਬਦਨ ਪਰਵਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ … ਪਾਨੀ ਮਾਹਿ ਦੇਖੁ ਮੁਖੁ ਜੈਸਾ ॥ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੋ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬੀਠਲੁ ਐਸਾ ॥੨॥੧॥: Raam is situated within everybody as clearly as one’s face reflected in a mirror.||1||Pause|| … As one sees (his reflected) face in (clear) water, so is the Naam Dev’s Rabb (whom he sees within his clear mind). ||2||1|| (sggs 1318).
  • ਸਭੈ ਘਟ ਰਾਮੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮਾ ਬੋਲੈ ॥: Sbhai ghat Raam bolai… (sggs 988).

Baabaa Nanak makes it crystal clear in the following Shabad that Rabb is not separate from man, BUT man himself is the form of Rabb!

  • ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹੈ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤੋਹੀ ॥ ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥੨॥ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੁ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥: (Being pervasive everywhere and in all beings) Thousands of eyes of all of us are Rabb’s eyes — Rabb has no separate eyes. Thousands of forms of all of us are Rabb’s forms — (being Formless) Rabb has no separate form. Thousands of feet of all of us are Rabb’s feet — Rabb has no separate feet. Thousands of noses of all of us are Rabb’s noses — Rabb has no separate nose. I am amazed by this wonder. ||2|| The light flowing in everyone is from the same Supreme Light (i.e. the One Creator). The Light that aluminates all is from the same (One Creator). But the knowledge of this ‘Joti’ comes only with the Teachings of the Guru (through the Guru’s Wisdom it is understood that Rabb is present within all beings as ‘Joti’ and that we are jot-Saroop.). The Aarti (i.e. meaningful Poojaa of this all-pervading ‘Joti‘) is that whatever is happening in Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature, Universal Energy) is pleasing to beings. ||3|| (sggs 663).

Hence, the Gurbani says love Kaadar through Kudrat:

  • ਕਰਤੇ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਮੁਸਤਾਕੁ ॥: O Kartaar (Rabb, Universal Energy…)! Only by seeing Your Kudrat (System-Rule-Law of Nature…) I am in love with you (longing for…). (sggs 724).
  • ਮਨ ਤੁਆਨਾ ਤੂ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਆਇਆ ॥: (O Khuda, Rabb, god…!) You are omnipotent/powerful, I have come (into the world) through Your Kudrat (System-Rule-Law of Nature……). (sggs 1291).

Nirgun

Nirgun aspect is that which we cannot see with our physical eyes. This includes all the invisible or Formless forces of the Nature. The Fundamental Forces are gravitational force, electro-magnetic force, nuclear forces etc. Included in it are the laws of motion, heat, air etc.

Hence the Gurbani has also repeatedly used the term ‘Nirankaar (ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ), which literally means ‘Formless’ without form-shape-color — without ‘Roopu-ਰੂਪੁ’, ‘Raekh-ਰੇਖ’, and ‘Rangu-ਰੰਗੁ’.

In fact, all the basic Fundamental Forces described above are without form-shape-color, which are invisible to our physical eyes.

This One Formless Principle also dwells within all beings (‘ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ਅੰਸੁ’). In other words, the Universal Energy that functions in the Brahmand also functions within the mind as Virtues, Wisdom, Truth…

  • ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਰੇਖ ਨ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਿੰਨ ॥: The Creator has no form, no shape, no color and is free from the three qualities of Maya (i.e. Rajo, Tamo, Sato). (sggs 283).
  • ਕਾਯਉ ਦੇਵਾ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਦੇਵਲ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਜੰਗਮ ਜਾਤੀ ॥ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ ਨਈਬੇਦਾ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਪੂਜਉ ਪਾਤੀ ॥੧॥ ਕਾਇਆ ਬਹੁ ਖੰਡ ਖੋਜਤੇ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਆਇਬੋ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਜਾਇਬੋ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡੇ ਸੋਈ ਪਿੰਡੇ ਜੋ ਖੋਜੈ ਸੋ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ ਪੀਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਣਵੈ ਪਰਮ ਤਤੁ ਹੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਹੋਇ ਲਖਾਵੈ ॥੨॥੩॥: The body is the temple and God dwells in it; the body is the place of pilgrimage, of which I am a pilgrim (searching for God Within my body). Searching God within the body is like burning incense, lighting of lamps and offering delicious food on leaf plates in Poojaa. ||1|| When I searched my body within, I found the new Treasure (of Naam) which I was searching outside. (Since I have realized within my ownself) the Glory of Raam (now I can say that) nothing comes, and nothing goes (i.e. I don’t go through repeated scuffing in my daily life). ||1||Pause|| (Hukam: Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature-ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) which is applicable to the entire Universe, the same (Hukam) is applicable to human beings as well. A person who tries searching Within and understands this point, he can understand God residing within.
  • Peepaa prays – If Satguru is met (Wisdom of Truth: ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ), then the Greatest Reality (Real Source, Creator, ਅਸਲੀਅਤ, ਤੱਤ, ਸੱਚ) is revealed (Within). ||2||3|| (sggs 695).
  • ਸਗਲੀ ਥੀਤਿ ਪਾਸਿ ਡਾਰਿ ਰਾਖੀ ॥ ਅਸਟਮ ਥੀਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਜਨਮਾ ਸੀ ॥੧॥ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੂਲੇ ਨਰ ਕਰਤ ਕਚਰਾਇਣ ॥ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਤੇ ਰਹਤ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਪੰਜੀਰੁ ਖਵਾਇਓ ਚੋਰ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਮਰੈ ਰੇ ਸਾਕਤ ਢੋਰ ॥੨॥ ਸਗਲ ਪਰਾਧ ਦੇਹਿ ਲੋਰੋਨੀ ॥ ਸੋ ਮੁਖੁ ਜਲਉ ਜਿਤੁ ਕਹਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਜੋਨੀ ॥੩॥ ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਰਹਿਓ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੪॥੧॥: (O Pandit) setting aside all other lunar days, you say God was born (as Krishna) on the eighth lunar day. ||1|| (O pundit) Led astray by doubt, you practice falsehood and are talking about such false flimsy beliefs, because God is beyond birth and death. ||1||Pause||  (O Pandit, you) prepare sweet treats and you pretend to feed to Krishna. O ignorant foolish Saakat (one separated from Truth), God neither takes birth, nor He dies. ||2|| You sing lullabies to the idol of Krishna and pretend that you are putting God to sleep: (O pundit) this is the source of all sins vices, transgression, mistakes etc.). May that mouth burn, which says that God incarnates. ||3|| God neither takes birth nor he dies; He neither comes from anywhere nor He goes anywhere. Nanak’s God is pervading everywhere. ||4||1|| (sggs 1136).

Two names given to the same ONE (ੴ – ਇਕੋ or ਏਕੋ)

Just as a coin has two sides, but that does not mean there are two coins. Coin is just one, but it has two sides. Similarly, Nirgun and Sargun are two sides or aspects of the same One Formless Universal Energy — none of the Creation is without Its Presence. That Universal Energy is Kudrat (Nature), and Kudrat is in the Universal Energy (‘ਓਤਿ ਪੋਤਿ’ – two names given to the same ONE ENERGY (ੴ – ਇਕੋ or ਏਕੋ).

  • ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਏਕੋ ਹੈ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਏਕੋ ਹੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : My God is One. O brother, God is ONLY One and ONLY one for all. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 350).
  • ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਸਰ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥: The cause of what happens (i.e. effect) is the One (Prabhu, Hukam, Universal Energy…), not any one else. (sggs 276).
  • ਬ੍ਰਹਮੋ ਪਸਾਰਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟੀ ਆਇਆ ॥: This expanse is of the One Brahm (One Universal Energy, Hukam…); One Brahm is spread through it everywhere. (Contemplating the Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad), all I see is the One Brahm everywhere I look. (sggs 982).

To say it otherwise, One seed has expanded as the entire tree, including roots, stem, branches, leaves, flower or fruits, etc.!

  • ਬਟਕ ਬੀਜ ਮਹਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਜਾ ਕੋ ਤੀਨਿ ਲੋਕ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥੩॥: (The Universal Energy) whose expanse is in the three worlds (i.e., the entire universe), is contained in the seed of Banyan tree (and the seed, in Banyan tree). (sggs 340).
  • ਫਰੀਦਾ ਖਾਲਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਲਕ ਵਸੈ ਰਬ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਮੰਦਾ ਕਿਸ ਨੋ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਾਂ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੋਈ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੭੫॥ : Fareed, the Creator (Universal Energy…) is in His Creation, and the Creation is in the Creator (i..e the Creator is Realized within His Creation). What of Creation can I deem bad when there is none without Him within. ॥75॥ (sggs 1381).
  • ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਸਚੈ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਸਚੇ ਕਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਾਸੁ ॥: This world is the house of Rabb; and Rabb dwells within it. (sggs 463).

Hence – according to the Gurbani – both Sargun and Nirgun aspects are of the same, One Rabb (One Universal Energy).

God separate from man is a blunder…

In many societies Kudrat (Nature), the provider of all things, has always been revered as ‘Mother Nature’! Somewhere along the way, this valuable teaching which kept man and Nature (Kudrat) in harmony got disturbed. Influence of cultures and religions (that manufactured a god separate from man), industrialization, urbanization, greed, selfishness, wars, barbarian invaders etc.

Nature or Kudrat is all-powerful (potent, able, capable…). If humans conflict with the System-Rule-Law of Nature, Kudrat will always win! However, in any cooperation between humans and Kurat (Nature), humans always win!!

Furthermore, Kudrat can and always self-corrects – able to fragment (‘ਭੰਨਣ’, destroy…) and de-fragment (‘ਘੜਣ’, create…)!

  • ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਹੈ ਓਪਤਿ ਸਭ ਪਰਲੈ ॥: (Creator is) capable of breaking, making, creating and annihilating (cataclysm etc.) all. (sggs 1102).
  • ਹਰਨ ਭਰਨ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਫੋਰੁ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਹੋਰੁ ॥: (Creator) can create or destroy the universe in the blink of an eye, nobody knows His resolve (plot, secret etc.). (sggs 284).

Also, the visible or gross (‘Asathool-ਸਥੂਲ‘ – material, visible Jagat or world…) is within the Invisible (‘ਸੂਖਮ’, subtle…)!

  • ਸੂਖਮ ਮਹਿ ਜਾਨੈ ਅਸਥੂਲੁ ॥: (A Pandit who understands the Essence) sees the visible (‘Asathool-ਅਸਥੂਲ’-material, gross world or Jagat…) within the Invisible (‘Sookham-ਸੂਖਮ’– subtle…). (sggs 274).
  • ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰ ਸੁਖ ਸਾਗਰ ਮਾਹੀ ॥: The Bhav Saagar is within the Sukh Saagar. (sggs 323).
  • ਜੈਸਾ ਸਾ ਤੈਸਾ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਕਾਰਜ ਮਹਿ ਆਪਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਸੋਧਤ ਸੋਧਤ ਸੋਧਤ ਸੀਝਿਆ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਤਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਬੂਝਿਆ ॥ ਜਬ ਦੇਖਉ ਤਬ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੂਲੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਸੂਖਮੁ ਸੋਈ ਅਸਥੂਲੁ ॥੫॥: (Rabb appears to a ‘Sevak‘ or devotee) as Rabb actually is, (i.e. Rabb appears to a ‘Sevak‘ or devotee) as pervasive in Its created world. By daily Reflection (on this Truth, that ‘Sevak‘ or devotee) achieves success – in seeing Rabb everywhere and in everyone. By the Guru’s Grace (i.e. by the Grace of the Giaan or Wisdom, he) comes to understand the whole reality. When I look, there I see It at the Mool (root, Source…) of everything and everywhere. O Nanak! This visible world (gross or manifest) is also the same Rabb and the all pervading light (subtle or unmanifest) is also that Rabb. ||5|| (sggs 281).

That’s how the SGGS, and a true Wise person sees it (i.e. a Gurmukh Mindset, Enlightened)!

Last, but not least, this Universal Energy is Unblemished, Impartial, All-powerful, All -pervading etc. It’s Vastness or Greatness cannot be fully written or recorded (described, glorified…) – ever fresh and ever new Giaan or Wisdom (‘ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ’). Not only that, the Kudrat has no iota of greediness for any such written account or glorification, etc. (‘ਵਡਾ ਦਾਤਾ ਤਿਲੁ ਨ ਤਮਾਇ’).

It’s Also called Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature…). The Universe and all its parts come from the One Hukam. Therefore, the Universal Hukam has all the potentialities and Power.

  • ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ : Everyone is subject to the Creator’s Hukam (System-Rule-Law-Order of Nature), none is outside of His Hukam. Nanak, If one Realizes His Hukam Within, then one does not behave egotistically — upon Realizing the Hukam within, false perception that I exist outside of His Hukam ceases to be. ॥2॥ (sggs 1).
  • ਜਿਸੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੋਈ ਬਿਧਿ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥੧॥ ਝੂਠੁ ਨ ਬੋਲਿ ਪਾਡੇ ਸਚੁ ਕਹੀਐ ॥: He alone knows the ‘Bidhi-ਬਿਧਿ’ (method, technique, ਜੁਗਤ, ਢੰਗ, ਤਰੀਕਾ) who blends with the Gur-Wisdom (Giaan-ਗਿਆਨ). With Gurmat (Guru‘s Giaan, Wisdom…), one understands Hukam (one recognizes that System-Rule-Law of Nature goes on as it goes on, no one can change it). ||1|| O Pandit (i.e. Pujaaree, religious scholar etc.)! Do not tell lies, speak the Truth. (sggs 904).

Further, in the Gurbani, Rabb is also called Naam (Naam-Roop or Wisdom, Virtues, Bibek, Truth…), Hukam etc. It’s present within all humans. However, whether one wants to Awaken this potentiality within (Wisdom, Virtues, Bibek, Truth…) or not is up to each one of us. Nobody else can do it for us, or it cannot be made to an order!

  • ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਗਲੇ ਜੰਤ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ॥: All living beings exist in accordance with Divine Hukam (i.e. System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਨਿਯਮ). The Universe exists in accordance with Divine Hukam (i.e. System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਨਿਯਮ). (sggs 284).

Those who live by the Hukam or Naam are awarded with Joy or Bliss in life. Those who defy it suffer the consequences and live unhappily. In other words, we all are responsible for our own thinking and the resulting Karma or actions.

However, for the sake of Golak (money, bread, business, ਧੰਧਾ, ਰੋਟੀਆਂ…), the self-serving Sikh Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.) and the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas(ਵੇਹਲੜ) etc. want people to remain tied to some fake or imaginary god separate from people, somewhere ‘up there’. That’s NOT the Baabaa Nanak’s Rabb! In other words, the Pujaaree’s Sikhi has nothing to do with the Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak or the SGGS!

Clearly, for the sake of Golak, the aim of the Pujaaree system and the Deraa-Vaad is to keep Sikhs confused, doubt-ridden, ignorant, mentally slave, blockheaded, and tied to useless Karamkaand and superstitions from which Baabaa Nanak freed us.

The Gurmat‘s Rabb is Here and Now! Therefore the Gurbani tells us there is NO NEED TO FIND RABB, BUT TO UNDERSTAND RABB!

  • ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ਦਿਸੈ ਜਾਹਰਾ ॥੪॥੩॥੧੦੫॥: The Rabb of Nanak is before the eyes, everywhere (visible, ਜਿਹੜਾ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਦਿਸ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ). ||4||3||105|| (sggs 397).

Fittingly, Bhagat Ravidas Ji reminds Rabb is not anybody’s paternal property, or father of any particular person (‘ਆਪਨ ਬਾਪੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਸੀ ਕੋ’)! With sincere love, anybody can understand the Way of the SGGS.

In essence, Rabb – without form-shape-color (without ‘Roopu-ਰੂਪੁ’, ‘Raekh-ਰੇਖ’, and ‘Rangu-ਰੰਗੁ’) – is within our brain as:

  • Virtues (ਗੁਣ) – Truth, honesty, contentment, mercy, patience, Sahaj, etc.
  • Wisdom, Bibek (ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ) – ‘ਮਤਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਤਨ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਮਾਣਿਕ’.
  • System, Rule or Law of Nature (Hukam, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) – we reap what we saw! This Sytem-Rule-Law of Nature is present within and also throughout the entire Universe.

In short, people who think of Rabb sitting in brick buildings or consider specific buildings as thrones of Akaal should read and digest this Shabad of Bhagat Kabeer Jee. In this Shabad, Bhagat Kabeer Jee has blown up the falsehood and special places of Rabb fabricated by the self-serving Pujaaee groups or the Pujaaree systems of all organized and institutionalized religions (Majhab-ਮਜਹਬ).

  • 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).

Clearly SGGS asserts that separate God – separate from man – is a blunder created by the ignorant man and self-serving Pujaaree (clergy)!

  • ਭ੍ਰਮ ਛੂਟੇ ਤੇ ਏਕੰਕਾਰ ॥੩॥: When all doubts are gotten rid of, then what remains is the ONE (Creative, Universal Energy or Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature). (sggs 736).

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22 comments

  1. Thank you Harpreet JI for your reply.

    he is beyond his creation so him (God) pervading everywhere is cannot be true

    If this is your belief, then your belief ‘Mubaarak‘ to you.

    However, in my opinion, this goes totally against the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS. Consider the Gurbani’s Edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ):
    – ਬ੍ਰਹਮੋ ਪਸਾਰਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟੀ ਆਇਆ ॥ (sggs 992).
    – ਫਰੀਦਾ ਖਾਲਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਲਕ ਵਸੈ ਰਬ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ (sggs 1381).
    – ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਸਚੈ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਸਚੇ ਕਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਾਸੁ ॥ (sggs 463).
    – ਕਰਤੇ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਮੁਸਤਾਕੁ ॥ (sggs 724)
    – ਮਨ ਤੁਆਨਾ ਤੂ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਆਇਆ ॥ (sggs 1291).
    – ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਹੈ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ॥ (sggs 485).
    – ਅਨਿਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ (sggs 296).
    – ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਸਿਆ ॥ (sggs 469).
    – ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕੋ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਦੂਜਾ ਕਹ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਾਰ ॥੧॥ (sggs 292).

  2. God can if he so chooses, come down to earth in a human flesh

    If this is your belief, then your belief ‘Mubaarak‘ to you.

    However, in my opinion, this goes totally against the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS. Consider the Gurbani’s Edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ):
    – ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਰੇਖ ਨ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਿੰਨ ॥ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਬੁਝਾਏ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ॥੧॥ (sggs 283).
    – ਆਪ ਹੀ ਧਾਰਨ ਧਾਰੇ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਹੈ ਦੇਖਾਰੇ ਬਰਨੁ ਚਿਹਨੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੁਖ ਨ ਮਸਾਰੇ ॥ (sggs 1386).
    – ਨਾਰਿ ਨ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨ ਪੰਖਣੂ ਸਾਚਉ ਚਤੁਰੁ ਸਰੂਪੁ ॥ (sggs 1010).

    Lord Krishna is an example of God having come to earth in a human form, or as Lord Rama.

    Again, if this is your belief, then your belief ‘Mubaarak‘ to you.

    But, in my opinion, this also goes totally against the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS. Consider the Gurbani’s Edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ):
    – ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮਚੰਦ ਜਿਸੁ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਰੇਖਿਆ ॥ ਬਨਵਾਲੀ ਚਕ੍ਰਪਾਣਿ ਦਰਸਿ ਅਨੂਪਿਆ ॥ (sggs 1082).
    – ਨਾ ਇਹੁ ਮਾਨਸੁ ਨਾ ਇਹੁ ਦੇਉ ॥ (sggs 871).
    – ਅਵਰੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਕਿਉ ਸੇਵੀਐ ਜੰਮੈ ਤੈ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ (sggs 509).

    Further suggested reading: Raam of the Gurmat

    Also brother, this is third reminder to you: As per our ‘Comments Policy’, to keep your comment (to the point this (2) short — no longer than couple of short paragraphs.

    Bhul Chuck Maaf!

  3. Reply to Harpreet Ji, she quoted “I still believe God is only Nirgun not Sargun – he is beyond his creation so him (God) pervading everywhere is cannot be true he is beyond his creation he can show his blessings or not but him being inside of something is not true”

    God required matter to form the universe, there existed only God himself alone, nothing else existed apart from him, so is it not obvious and logical that whatever He needed to create our universe did not just spring out of Nothing, so logically and obviously he created all the matter he needed out of Himself, out of his Almighty Infinite Energy, (Shakti) so if we then consider where all the matter in the universe came from, it came from Him, in other words He therefore prevails in every single Atom that exists in Universe, so He exists in both Forms, He is Nirgun and Sargun, I see him in every thing I see around me, in plants, in insects, in every kind of life and in rocks, in mountains, seas, rivers, you name it he is in everything, in you, in me, even in our so called enemy, this is the reason I stopped making enemies, for they too are part of God Himself, how can then you hate another person, you would hate yourself and God, so Love is the only thing you can give and in return you will get love.

    God can if he so chooses, come down to earth in a human flesh, it is his left hand play, I do not limit or draw lines what God can and what He can’t do, if you can limit God’s abilities, then you are thinking of a wrong God, God has no limits if he chooses he can come in an ant, he can come in an elephant and so on, that is how He knows how a perfect healthy human being feels and so like wise he knows how an ant feels because at some stage he even came down to earth as an ant, or as all living beings, further more we know earth was full of Dinosaurs, and may be he changed his mind and wiped them out, He probably knew if they were not wiped out then human race may not exists, we would have been eaten before we could even be born.

    Lord Krishna is an example of God having come to earth in a human form, or as Lord Rama.

  4. Thank you brother Manjeet Singh Ji for your reply. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!
    Humble request, please keep your comment (1) to the point thus (2) short. Unnecessarily long comments written like an articles get truncated.
    We value your comments. So please keep them to the point. Thanks.

  5. About 20 years ago, I had been searching for an answer as to where did God (Waheguru Ji) got or obtained his material to construct our gigantic universe from, where did God got material to form the Earth, Moon, the Sun, the millions of trillions of stars, I asked all who knew me whom I thought might explain to me where God got all the raw material to form the universe, I asked all kinds of people, professionals, and from all walks of life and from all religions, all of them gave me just one simple answer, they all told me the same thing that God is Almighty and powerful and that he only needs to usher a word like let there be an Earth, and Earth comes into being, but this answer was not quenching my thirst, I was not satisfied with this abra ka dabra answer where God appears to wave a magic wand and things appear as he desires. This would be an appropriate answer to a child, but I wanted a more convincing answer.

    So after waiting nearly 3 years, suddenly I had the answer in my mind, and the answer was quite simple and I was surprised why I could not think of it before, so here is how I found my answer, by applying logical reasoning.

    So let us suppose that Universe had not yet come into existence, and God alone existed, quite obviously something had to be present who could then create something from something, as a logical and scientific person, I do not believe that anything can be created from Nothing, so this is why I asked the question where did God get his materials to construct the universe and earth in it. So since there were no outlets selling sand and cement and bricks (Material) to God since only God alone existed, Nothing else existed therefore it became quite obvious that everything God needed to create our universe and all the materials he needed must have therefore only come out of Himself. So this was my conclusion and my answer where God got his material from to form the universe from, so now I know that God got that material out of Himself, since only He alone existed, ……..but immediately this raised another question…..But How did God get this material out of Himself……i.e. what kind of “Thing” is God who can produce material from within Himself, so this question I was able to answer within a few seconds and not had to wait another 3 years, so I remember learning in my school in chemistry or physics classes, “that matter is composed of Energy” so this gave me a clue that therefore God must be some supernatural Energy, that has always prevailed as Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, hence why we cannot see God and Energy is spread everywhere as unseen sea of invisible energy, from which God who had a command over his own Energy, just as we have a command over our own body, so I concluded that God is a Divine Energy, Energy itself is mighty and powerful force, when commanded by a Super Conscious being, that being (God) can transform some of his mighty Energy into matter, God can therefore command (by his word or just by his thought) for his energy to transform into tiny particles, which are then given properties where each particle has been given instructions what it is suppose to do, and it will just do that,, take for instance a magnetic material it will have been given instructions to only attract to ferrous metals and not to any non-ferrous materials, so a Magnet itself is composed of billions of atoms, each of these atom itself is composed of many tiny sub-atomic particles, where they clump together by a God given instruction or property for all matters to possessing a force of gravity, (an attractive force) so all such tiny particles formed atoms, and atoms in turn attracted each other to clump into larger lumps and so a single giant ball of matter was formed, and as we all know that when a body of mass (matter) reaches a huge size, say a trillion times bigger than our Sun, it packs so much mass and gravitational force that tiny particles in the center can no longer sustain the intense pressure and eventually the matter superheats and explodes throwing lumps of burning hot molten matter all over in the space and as we know our universe came into being through a process of massive explosion spewing matter and gasses into the space with such enormous force that as the matter disintegrated into chunks of fragments it formed sub stars and suns and planets etc.

    Eventually matter cooled down and earth as formed and life was planted by our creator as per his grand design, when I had been searching for this answer I had not studied any religions I had no idea that Snatan Dharma could have helped me in my quest as it is mentioned in Bhagwat Gita that God is ultimate source of all Energies and so it is also written in Guru Granth Shaib by Guru Nanak that God is Energy and Energy is God.

    Indeed God is Divine Energy, the divinity of God is his Supreme Concious or his soul (Paramatma) and his might is his Energy just a like a coin which has two sides a coin cannot exist with just one side hence God is one but has two essential things one being his Conscious that controls his might (Energy)

    Imagine if you as a soul you have conscious but if your conscious was unable to control your body muscles you would be considered as paralysed, so your concious alone cannot create anything it needs the power to do things and that power comes from your muscles over whom you have the conscious command, same way God has Supreme Conscious and has power over his Energy, through which he created matter all out of himslef.

  6. I was looking for a deeper meaning of sargun and nirgun. I found it in this article. I am so thankful that I found this beautiful wonderful article. Very well explained. Thank you so much.

  7. He is Everything and beyond our comprehension etc that our tiny human mind can comprehend

  8. Wahu Wahu Banee Nirankaar Hae…

    Here is the full verse: ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਜੇਵਡੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ (sggs 515).

    Look at this verse in its entirety, it becomes pretty clear that:
    This Bani is of the Nirankaar — the One without Aakaar or Form (without “Roopu-ਰੂਪੁ”, “Raekh-ਰੇਖ”, and “Rangu-ਰੰਗੁ”). There is none so great as That Nirankaar!
    In other words, It provides us with the Giaan (Wisdom, Knowledge) of the Nirankaar.

    We know that the Giaan (Wisdom, Knowledge) in itself is formless — without “Roopu-ਰੂਪੁ”, “Raekh-ਰੇਖ”, and “Rangu-ਰੰਗੁ”.
    So are the Divine Virtues.

    The Bani wants us to live a daily life based on this Divine Giaan (Wisdom, Knowledge) and Divine Virtues of the Nirankaar.

  9. Thank you for your website. I think by studying and sharing gurbani and different points of view, we all reach a greater understanding. Coming to understand ourselves and each other and therefore God much better. It is true that gurbani is ever fresh… never stepping in the same stream twice… as we read the same ang at different points in our lives… we are different and so understand it differently. And having discourse, let’s us all see through others eyes. So thanks!

  10. God is life, which is inside of you! your true identity ( the self ) is that life waiting to be realized!

  11. *Without A True Guru, Salvation, attainment of the Dehi, the astral body of the true light, is not possible!

  12. Nice comment! Nirankar simply means the Spirit, life of all. Ekomkar or Onkar is when The spirit takes the form by first creating give elements and then centering the true self (Naam) in the center of an organism(organic synthesis of 5 elements), as soul, the life. Waheguru is Life in a true sense! Take a step outside and look at the trees, all green (Hari) transcending through all nature(Ram), the Word making the whole of existence rhyme with it. The Great God is everywhere! Waheguru is true light within our soul, few enlightened souls get to witness to true light (har charan, charn kamal) within and witness the existence beyond 5 senses of the body and 5 senses of the mind!
    Without A True Guru, Salvation, attainment of the Dehi, the astral body of true light!
    Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh

  13. I still believe God is only Nirgun not Sargun – he is beyond his creation so him (God) pervading everywhere is cannot be true he is beyond his creation he can show his blessings or not but him being inside of something is not true

  14. I have tried to understand the meaning of the word NIRANKAAR which I find is very crucial for the understanding of whole of Gurbanee,
    It appears that it would be wrong to take the meaning of the word NIRANKAAR as FORMLESS.
    On the contrary the word NIRANKAAR is the reference for specific Form of The CREATOR
    as envisaged in Gurbanee. This should be further clear from a Quote in Gurbanee as
    Wahu Wahu Banee Nirankaar Hae…. Now the point of consideration ..Is Banee FORMLESS.
    There is no doubt that FORM of The Creator in Gurbanee is entirely different from Wordly Forms but it does not mean the CREATOR is FORMLESS.
    I may point out that from Gurbanee it can be clearly understood that the FORM of the Creator is that of WAVES. In this context it would be important to understand the meanings of the words EKANKAAR and ONKAAR to get the true meaning of NIRANKAAR.
    Prakash.S.Bagga

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