Who can Say the Guru is Dead?

In the life of a true Sikh (learner, student of the Guru Shabad), everyday is a Gurpurab if he lives his daily life by the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom (ਜੀਵਨ ਵਿਚ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ)!

However, Such Sikh (or Gurmukh) is very ‘rare’! Instead, what happens in reality is to the contrary – worthless rituals (Karamkaand) or rituals, empty Kirtans, elaborate Langars (of food), and so on!

• ਸੇਵਕ ਸਿਖ ਪੂਜਣ ਸਭਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਊਤਮ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਗਾਵਿਆ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਿਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ : (Those who call themselves Guru’s) Sevak and Sikhs come and perform Poojaa and sing the Bani. But God accepts the singing and listening of those people who who have acted upon the (Giyan-Wisdom) of the Satguru knowing it true. ||1|| (sggs 669).

First off, who is the Guru in Sikhi? The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) affirms: (1) Giyan-Wisdom or Bibek is the Guru, (2) it’s the Conscience (Surat-ਸੁਰਤ) or the mind (Soch-ਸੋਚ) that needs to become a Sikh (ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ, or a learner, or a student) of the Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru Shabad.

• ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥: The SHABAD is my GURU, and my consciousness (Surat) is the disciple (of this SHABAD GURU). (sggs 943).
• 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).

Bhai Gurdas Ji also tells us that the Guru’s form, photo, or picture (ਮੂਰਤ) is his Shabad (i.e., Giyan-Wisdom, ‘ਗੁਰ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਹੈ’ Vaar- 24: 25).

Guru is ‘Giyan’ (Wisdom) and ‘Abinaasee’

‘Giyan’ (ਗਿਆਨ) = Wisdom, Knowledge, Bibek, etc.
‘Abinaasee’ (ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ) = Imperishable, everlasting, immortal, undying, indestructible, etc.

The SGGS proclaims that the Satgur (True Knowledge – ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ…) is ‘Abinaasee’.

The SGGS further asserts that the Satgur abides in the mind of  everybody (‘ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ’), but needs to be Awakened by churning the Gurbani!

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਨਾ ਆਵੈ ਨਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੧੩॥: My Satguru (Sachaa Giyan or true Wisdom) is always there, everywhere, which neither comes nor goes. The Satguru is imperishable, and pervades within all. ||13|| (sggs 759).
• ਸਚੁ ਸਚਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਅਮਰੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰਿਆ ॥: Certainly, the true Satiguru is immortal for he holds on to Hari (i.e., Mool-abidance…) within his Heart. (sggs 310).
• ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਦ ਜੀਵੈ ਨਹੀ ਮਰਤਾ ॥: Brahm Giyanee ever lives and never dies (sggs 273).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਇ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨਹੀ ਮਰਨਾ ॥੪॥੬॥੯॥: Become the Gurmukh, and you shall never have to die again (spiritual death –  ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). ||4||6||9|| (sggs 872).

Hence, in Sikhi, the Guru is neither a body-frame, nor a picture, nor paper. Body will perish one day; a picture will perish one day, paper will also perish one day. But NOT the Giyan-Wisdom, which has no form, shape, or color!

Guru and Creator or Hukam are One

The Hukam (i.e. System-Rule-Law of Nature…) is without form, shape, and color.

Similarly, Giyan (Wisdom. Knowledge, Truth…) and Virtues (ਗੁਣ) are also without any form, shape, or color.

Accordingly, the Gurbani asserts that Rabb (Hukam, Universal Energy…) and the Knowledge (i.e., ‘Gur’ – Giyan, Brahm-Giyan, Wisdom…)  of Rabb are one and the same, so understand them to be same thing (‘ਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਣੁ’).

• ਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਣੁ ॥: O my mind, deem both the Guru and Creator as one, (sggs 864).
• ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦ ॥੪॥੧੧॥੨੪॥ : There is no difference between God and the Guru. ||4||11||24|| (sggs 1142).
• ਗੁਰ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਅਪਰੰਪਰ ਅਲਖ ਅਭੇਵ ॥੧੬॥ : The Guru is God, the Transcendent, Infinite, unseen and inscrutable. ||16|| (sggs 522).

Furthermore, the Gurbani asserts that both ‘Guru’ and ‘Parmesar’ (Rabb) are not only the same thing but also within all (‘ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ’).

• ਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥: Rabb (Parmesar) and the Knowledge (i.e., ‘Gur’ – Giyan, Brahm-Giyan, Wisdom…) of Rabb is the same thing (i.e. One), pervading and permeating in all (sggs 53).
• ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਸਲਤੀ ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਨ ਸਮਰਥੁ ॥: ‘Hari’ (i.e. Mool, Naam, Universal Energy, Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature…) is my only counselor, who is all-powerful of breaking and constructing (i.e., creating and destroying…). (sggs 958).

‘Who can say the Guru is dead?’

The Guru’s physical body-frame made of five elements may have gone, but the Guru’s Wisdom is not absent because the heir — SGGS — apparently has already assumed the status of the Giyan-Guru! Hence, the SGGS asserts the Guru (Giyan or Wisdom…) never dies.

Ponder this statement, this proclamation, ‘ਸੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਕਹੈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਮੁਯਉ – WHO CAN SAY THAT THE GURU IS DEAD?’!

• ਮਿਲਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਗਦ ਅਮਰ ਗੁਰ ਗੁਰੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਪਹਿ ਗਯਉ ॥ ਹਰਿਬੰਸ ਜਗਤਿ ਜਸੁ ਸੰਚਰ੍ਯ੍ਯਉ ਸੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਕਹੈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਮੁਯਉ ॥੧॥: Gur Angad Sahib meeting Gur Nanak Sahib; Gur Amardas Sahib meeting Gur Angad Sahib, and Gur Raamdas Sahib meeting Guru Amardas Sahib, (they all) immersed in Hari. O Harbans! The Glory of the Guru (Wisdom or ਗਿਆਨ) is spreading all over the world; who can say that the Guru is dead? (i.e., the Guru – Wisdom or ਗਿਆਨ – lives forever). ||1|| (sggs 1409).

The SGGS further asserts that Sach (ਸੱਚ, Truth) never gets old, never dies!

• ਸਚੁ ਪੁਰਾਣਾ ਨਾ ਥੀਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਮੈਲਾ ਹੋਇ ॥: The Truth does not grow old; the Divine Naam is never soiled (defiled, etc.). (sggs 1248).

The Guru never dies because he lives in the mind as Wisdom/Bibek/Virtues

According to the the SGGS:
Giyan Guru (Wisdom) = Bibek Guru = Shabad Guru = Bani Guru…

The Gurmat (Wisdom, Giyan, Upadesh or Way of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) is for the mind (Surat-ਸੁਰਤ). Because, it’s the mind that needs to become a Sikh!

• ਮਤਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਤਨ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਮਾਣਿਕ ਜੇ ਇਕ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣੀ ॥: The Internalization of (this) one Priceless Message of my Guru (i.e. Shabad) makes my spirituality Shabad Based (i.e. Virtues-ਗੁਣ, Wisdom). (sggs 2).
• ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਵਰਤੈ ਚੁਣਿ ਕਢੇ ਲਧੋਵਾਰੇ ॥: The Satiguru (Knowledge of Truth – ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ, Wisdom…) prevails among His GurSikhs; when assayed, (Saakat – who are disconnected from Truth…) are sorted. (sggs 312).

As the Wisdom and Rabb are within, so are the Divine Virtues — Truth (ਸਤ), honesty (ਇਮਾਨਦਾਰੀ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ-Natural State of Being), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), humility, sweetness etc.

Clearly, the people who celebrate death anniversaries of the Gurus have their own minds dead to the Wisdom of the Gurbani. Or, they have become gurus themselves! For example, look at the self-serving Pujaaree groups, Deraavaad or Santvaad in Sikhi, and so on.

A Sikh who understands the Gurmat as is and applies it to his daily life, the SGGS claims that Sikh’s mind is never empty or devoid of his Guru (i.e., Wisdom or Bibek). The bright light of a candle never ceases to shine once another candle has been lit by its flame (of Giyan-Wisdom).

• ਗੁਰ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਬਲੀਆ ਜੀਉ ॥: (Let) the lamp of the Gur-Wisdom burn steadily in the mind. (sggs 173).

Clearly, if a Sikh does not apply the Gur-Wisdom and Virtues to his daily life (the Gurmukh Lifestyle), then he is not a Sikh! Isn’t it?

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਮਤਿ ਆਵੈ ਸੋ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥ ਇਹ ਬਾਣੀ ਜੋ ਜੀਅਹੁ ਜਾਣੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: One who Internalizes the Enlightening Message of the Satgur’s Shabad, remains absorbed in it (i.e. Wisdom / Virtues). Divine Naam (Wisdom / Virtues) always remains enshrined in a person’s mind who understands and follows the Gurbani (SGGS) from the core of his being. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 797).

Therefore, the Guru’s respect (ਸਤਕਾਰ) to understand and then live by the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom. 

• ਤੁਧਨੋ ਨਿਵਣੁ ਮੰਨਣੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ : To accept/live by Your Naam (Wisdom/Virtues) is the true bowing or obeisance unto You. (sggs 878).

Hence, if the Pujaaree system and their followers still believe the Satiguru is dead and go on celebrating anniversaries, it means the Wisdom, Bibek, or Virtues of the Guru are also dead in their mind! Isn’t it?

When the SGGS proclaims that no Sikh’s mind is devoid of the Satigur, it’s a good fortune, an honor and a privilege. Also, it’s a responsibility and duty to live the Guru’s Wisdom (Giyan) as it is. Falsehood cannot propagate the Truth.

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਖਾਲੀ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ ਮੇਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥: None is devoid of the Satigur; (Satgur – Knowledge of Truth – ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ, Wisdom…) unites with my Mool within. (sggs 850).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਉਤ ਹੀ ਠਾਇ ॥: When the Satiguru (Sach Daa Giyan, Knowledge of Truth, etc.) abides within the mind, then the ‘Sahib’ or Mool is (also) seen at the same place (that is, within…) (sggs 1087).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ ॥: My Guru is always with me, near at hand (sggs 394).

Baabaa Nanak says:

• ਕਹਾ ਤੇ ਆਵੈ ਕਹਾ ਇਹੁ ਜਾਵੈ ਕਹਾ ਇਹੁ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ : What Is the Origin of Life; Where does it go? What Is Its Ultimate Destination? (sggs 940).
• ਹੁਕਮੇ ਆਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜਾਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ : The origin of life is by way of the Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ); its ultimate destination is by the Way of Hukam; it is to be lived in Realization of the Hukam. (sggs 940).

And what is that Hukam for life (the System-Rule-Law-Order of Nature)? Guru Arjan Ji explains this process beautifully in the following Shabad that inquires: What or who is it that dies – it defines physical death as the Return of Elements to their Source; it tells us what happens to life after death (life itself returns to its Source-‘ਜੋਤੀ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਲਿ ਜਾਇਆ’).

• ਪਵਨੈ ਮਹਿ ਪਵਨੁ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਜੋਤੀ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਰਲਿ ਜਾਇਆ ॥ ਮਾਟੀ ਮਾਟੀ ਹੋਈ ਏਕ ॥ ਰੋਵਨਹਾਰੇ ਕੀ ਕਵਨ ਟੇਕ ॥੧॥ ਕਉਨੁ ਮੂਆ ਰੇ ਕਉਨੁ ਮੂਆ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ਇਹੁ ਤਉ ਚਲਤੁ ਭਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਅਗਲੀ ਕਿਛੁ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਰੋਵਨਹਾਰੁ ਭਿ ਊਠਿ ਸਿਧਾਈ ॥ ਭਰਮ ਮੋਹ ਕੇ ਬਾਂਧੇ ਬੰਧ ॥ ਸੁਪਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਭਖਲਾਏ ਅੰਧ ॥੨॥ ਇਹੁ ਤਉ ਰਚਨੁ ਰਚਿਆ ਕਰਤਾਰਿ ॥ ਆਵਤ ਜਾਵਤ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਅਪਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਹ ਕੋ ਮੂਆ ਨ ਮਰਣੈ ਜੋਗੁ ॥ ਨਹ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਹੋਗੁ ॥੩॥ ਜੋ ਇਹੁ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਸੋ ਇਹੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਜਾਨਣਹਾਰੇ ਕਉ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ ॥ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੧੦॥: After physically death, air (breath) returns to merge with air (atmosphere). The light (life/conscience) returns to merge with its Primary Source (Parmaatam). The dust (physical body) gets consumed into the dust (earth). What support is there for the one who is grieving? ||1|| Who is it that has died; who is it that has really died? O Enlightened beings get-together and reflect over it; (upon reflecting you will know that) this is the order and nature of life and death (by the way of Hukam). ||1||Pause|| No one knows what happens next. The one who is lamenting will also depart. Mortal beings are bound by the bonds of doubt and attachment. Mentally blinded (by doubts and attachment, the mortals) babble about death as like in a dream! This world is the creation of the Creator (Hukam). Coming (birth) and going (death) is controlled by the infinite Hukam. No one dies as no one is capable of dying. The Eternal One does not die; it is undying (Imperishable). ||3|| That which you think you know (as told by the self serving Pujaaree), it’s nothing like that. I am awestruck by the one who understands this Reality. Says Nanak, the Guru has dispelled my doubts that no one dies, and no one comes and goes (i.e. energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be transformed or transferred from one form to another). ||4||10|| (sggs 885).

Hence, as explained by the SGGS, death of the physical body-frame is just a transformation  – all five elements just merge back into their respective sources, and the cycle continues. So, the Gurbani asks:

• ਪਾਂਚ ਤਤ ਕੋ ਤਨੁ ਰਚਿਓ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਚਤੁਰ ਸੁਜਾਨ ॥ ਜਿਹ ਤੇ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਲੀਨ ਤਾਹਿ ਮੈ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੧੧॥: O clever and wise person, know that (the physical body) is composed/constructed of the five basic elements (air, water, fire, ether and earth). O Nanak, be sure that the elements of which (this body) is made will merge back into the same elements from which it has Originated. ||11|| (sggs 1427).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਾਗਤਾ ਹੈ ਦੇਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: The Satiguru (ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ – true Wisdom) is the living divinity (ਜੀਉਂਦਾ-ਜਾਗਦਾ ਦੇਉ). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 479).
• ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਦ ਜੀਵੈ ਨਹੀ ਮਰਤਾ ॥: Brahm Giyanee ever lives and never dies (sggs 273).
• ਪਉਣੈ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਕਾ ਮੇਲੁ ॥ ਚੰਚਲ ਚਪਲ ਬੁਧਿ ਕਾ ਖੇਲੁ ॥ ਨਉ ਦਰਵਾਜੇ ਦਸਵਾ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਬੁਝੁ ਰੇ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਏਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਕਥਤਾ ਬਕਤਾ ਸੁਨਤਾ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ॥ ਦੇਹੀ ਮਾਟੀ ਬੋਲੈ ਪਉਣੁ ॥ ਬੁਝੁ ਰੇ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਮੂਆ ਹੈ ਕਉਣੁ ॥ ਮੂਈ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਬਾਦੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਨ ਮੂਆ ਜੋ ਦੇਖਣਹਾਰੁ ॥੨॥ ਜੈ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਤਟਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਜਾਹੀ ॥ ਰਤਨ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਘਟ ਹੀ ਮਾਹੀ ॥ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਬਾਦੁ ਵਖਾਣੈ ॥ ਭਤਿਰਿ ਹੋਦੀ ਵਸਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ॥੩॥ ਹਉ ਨ ਮੂਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮੁਈ ਬਲਾਇ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਨ ਮੂਆ ਜੋ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ॥ ਮਰਤਾ ਜਾਤਾ ਨਦਰਿ ਨ ਆਇਆ ॥੪॥੪॥ : (O wise man! From the Guru’s teachings) Understand that when water, air and fire (elements) unite then this body is created. Then the play of mercurial restless intellect starts within the body. All the nine doors of the body (such as nose, eyes, ears etc.) are involved in this rat-race), it’s only the mind through which the knowledge of the spiritual life can be obtained. O wise man! reflect upon this and understand. ||1|| The human being who (according to the Guru’s teachings) keeps on examining his spiritual life, becomes a human being with spiritual Wisdom. (He understands) that (the One Universal Energy alone pervades all beings) is the speaker and listener. ||1||Pause|| The body is made of earth (various elements) and it is the air (breath) that keeps it alive. O wise one, then tell me who died because the body and the air it breathed are still here? It is consciousness that died along with disputes caused by egotistical pride, but the One (Creator / Hukam) who takes care of all does not die. ||2|| For the sake of this (jewel of Naam…), you journey to the banks of so locations of pilgrimage); but this Jewel (of Naam) is within you. Pandit reads (Vedas…) and stirs up arguments and controversies, but he does not understand the secret that Naam dwells within. ||3|| I understand that (when my body dies) it is not that I have died, but it is my demon (vices or Bikaar, ignorance, falsehood…) which has died. The Omnipresent Creator (the One Universal Energy, Hukam, Natural elements…) never dies. Nanak, the Guru has revealed to me the All-pervading God. Now none seems to me to die or to take birth. ||4||4|| (sggs 152).

Bharam-Jaal: illusion

Now, isn’t the celebration of death anniversaries of the Gurus contrary to the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giyan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS…)?

Let’s face it — today’s Sikhi is Pujaareevaad. A bitter truth:

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

However, starting with the so called ‘Takhats‘, Gurdwaras, Pujaaree groups, Deraavaad, etc., elaborately celebrate death anniversaries of the Gurus! To fill their Golak by misguiding simpletons, they organize elaborate Nagar Kirtans, propagate pilgrimage or Yaatraa, and so on — a Bharam -Jaal (doubts, Dubidhaa, Mayaic consciousness, Karamkaand or rituals, etc.).

In order to misguide simpletons and keep them confused, they constantly invent new stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ), new rituals, new religious paraphernalia, and so on — everything the SGGS urges us not to do! Thus, whatever the self-serving Pujaaree system  propagates in the name of the Gurus, or the Gurbani, or the Gurmat is apparently contrary to the Wisdom of the SGGS.

Apparently, the Pujaaree groups have taken the Sikhi and the Gurmat back to the Brahminical Pujaaree system from which we were freed by the Gurus and the Bhagats. Isn’t it obvious they are doing all this just for the sake of ‘Golak’ — money, business, bread, ਰੋਟੀਆਂ, ਧੰਧਾ, ਦੁਕਾਨਦਾਰੀ, etc.?

• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਲੋਭੁ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਹਲਕਾਏ ॥: Within (Pujaaree) is greed, and they wander around like mad dogs. (sggs 372).

Ending Note

In a nutshell, let everyone be assured that Guru is here in the
world, and the Guru through the Gurbani in SGGS is always ready to Guide its Sikhs (learners, students). But the learners must internalize the Enlightening Spiritual Message of the Guru Shabad, practice the Divine Virtues in daily life and keep away from vices/Bikaar. In this way we will have Peace and Bliss while living on this earth.

Some Related posts:

• Gur Charan Kamal, Gur Charan Dhoorh and Gur Moorat
• True Guru in Sikhi!
• The Satgur’s Sword of Wisdom
• Dying in Shabad
• Become the Gurbani
• Calculated Relationship with Guru or God
• We Try Purchasing Satguru Instead of Selling Our Mind
• Step onto my Path with Your Head in Hand
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Sikhi: a Way of Life
• It’s the Mind that Needs to Become a Sikh
• Seven Days of a Sikh
• Guru Sikhiaa Deekhiaa
• Sikhi of the Clergy – Pujaaree
• Gursikhs Solve the Riddle
• Hukam is the Core of Sikhi
• Target of a Sikh in Life Per the Gurbani
• SGGS Teaches to Discard the Clergy – Pujaaree System,