Without Knowledge and Naam

As the opposite of darkness is light, the opposite of ignorance is Knowledge.

As the Gurbani indicates, spiritual Knowledge (Wisdom, Giaan, Shabad-Vichaar, etc.) and Naam (Simran, meditation on the Name, contemplation on the Shabad, etc.) are interconnected. The Gurbani says that whosoever in the world is without these, consider that person as just dead.

Although that person may be medically alive, but spiritually he is as dead (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤੇ ਮਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ).

  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥: (Those beings) who have not served the ‘Satiguru‘ (through the Shabad-Vichaar), no Wisdom has Awakened within them, (they may appear as alive but they) are as dead in the world (spiritually dead-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). (sggs 88).
  • ਇਹੁ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਮੜਾ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਵਸਿਆ ॥: If ‘Raam Naam’ (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) does not dwell (within), then this body is as dead (spiritually dead-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ) and it is mere a pile of dirt (ਮੜਾ). The whole world is as dead without the Naam. (sggs 1191).

Further, the Gurbani calls such people just “burden on the earth”!

  • ਵਿਸਰਿਆ ਜਿਨ੍‍ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇ ਭੁਇ ਭਾਰੁ ਥੀਏ ॥: Visariaa jinh naamu te bhui bhaaru theeae: Those who forget the Name of the Lord are a burden on the earth (sggs 488).

Both the Knowledge and Naam complement each other and illumine the body (with Wisdom, etc.).

  • ਤਤੁ ਤੇਲੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਕੀਆ ਬਾਤੀ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਦੇਹ ਉਜ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਰਾ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਲਾਇ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਜਗਾਇਆ ਬੂਝੈ ਬੂਝਨਹਾਰਾ ॥੨॥: Whoever understands the secret of real Aaratee) makes the knowledge about the Essence of Reality the oil, the Divine Name (Naam) the wick and the body the illuminated lamp (of the Naam). He has illumined this Lamp by linking himself with the Lord. (Only a rare person) of Knowledge (Wisdom, Giaan, ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ, etc.) understands this (secret). ||2|| (sggs 1350).

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