The Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) says that the value or the fruit of human life is realized when we practice the Lord's Bhagti (loving devotion) through the Guru's service. We can serve the Guru by allowing the Gurmat (the Guru's teachings or instruction) to be the foundation of our lives. The Gurbani contained the do's and don'ts of the Gurmat. So long one does not halt the external pursuits and seeks the Eternal Life (Gurmukh Lifestyle), his life remains fruitless. By becoming the Gurmukh (spiritual-, enlightened- or Self-realized being), one's life becomes fruitful. In addition to becoming the Gurmukh, a few other things the Gurmat repeats time and again include Naam-Simran (meditation or Japa); mind control; joining Saadh-Sangat (Holy Company); cultivating Humility, truthful living; contentment, compassion, selflessness, simplicity; giving up the notion of "mine mine" (Haume or ego); surrender to God; etc. Thus, with conscientious learning from the Gurmat one's vitues bear fruits and attains true undestanding of the outer world (Miri aspect) as well as the inner world (Piri aspect) and subtle sense of values.

• inhPlu iqn kw jIivAw ij Ksmu n jwxih Awpxw AvrI kau icqu lwie: Nihafal tin kaa jeeviaa ji khasam na jaanahi aapanaa avaree kaou chit laai: Fruitless is the life of those who do not know their Lord, and who center their consciousness on others (sggs 509).
• gur syvw q Bgiq kmweI ] qb ieh mwns dyhI pweI ] ies dyhI kau ismrih dyv ] so dyhI Bju hir kI syv ]1] Bjhu guoibMd BUil mq jwhu ] mwns jnm kw eyhI lwhu ]1] rhwau ] jb lgu jrw rogu nhI AwieAw ] jb lgu kwil gRsI nhI kwieAw ] jb lgu ibkl BeI nhI bwnI ] Bij lyih ry mn, swirgpwnI ]2] Ab n Bjis Bjis kb BweI ] AwvY AMqu n BijAw jweI ] jo ikCu krih soeI Ab swru ] iPir pCuqwhu n pwvhu pwru ]3] so syvku jo lwieAw syv ] iqn hI pwey inrMjn dyv ] gur imil qw ky Kul@y kpwt ] bhuir n AwvY jonI bwt ]4] iehI qyrw Aausru ieh qyrI bwr ] Gt BIqir qU dyKu ibcwir ] khq kbIru jIiq kY hwir ] bhu ibiD kihE pukwir pukwir: Gur sevaa te bhagati kamaaee....: Through the Guru’s service, the Lord’s Bhagti (loving devotion) is practiced. Then alone is obtained the fruit of this human body. Even the demigods long for this human body. So through this body, think of serving the Lord. Meditate on the Lord, and never forget Him. This is the blessed opportunity of this human birth ||1||Pause||. As long as the disease of old age has not come to the body, and as long as death has not come and seized the body, and as long as your voice has not lost its power, O mortal being, meditate on the Divine ||2|| If you do not meditate on Him now, when will you, O brother? When the end comes, you will not be able to meditate on Him. Whatever you have to do - now is the best time to do it. Otherwise, you will regret and repent afterwards, and you will not be carried across to the other side ||3||. He alone is a servant (of God), whom the Lord enjoins to His service. He alone attains the Immaculate Divine Lord. Meeting with the Guru, his doors (inner doors of understanding) are opened wide, and he does not have to journey again on the path of reincarnation. ||4|| This is your chance, and this is your time. Look deep into your own heart, and reflect on this. Says Kabeer, (it's up to you) you can either win or lose. In so many ways, I have proclaimed this (Truth) out loud and loud (unto you) ||5||1||9|| (sggs 1159).

• sPilE siqguru syivAw DMnu jnmu prvwxu: Safalio satigur seviaa dha(n)n janam paravaan: Service to the True Guru is fruitful and rewarding; blessed and acceptable is such a life (sggs 643).

• sPl jnmu hovY prvwxu ]guru pwrbRhmu inkit kir jwxu: Safal janam hovai paravaan. Gur paarabraham nikat kar jaan: The life becomes prosperous, fruitful and approved; know that the Guru, the Supreme Lord, is near me (sggs 193).

• rqn jnmu sPlu guir kIAw drsn kau bilhrIAY: Ratan janam safal gur keeaa darasan ko balihareeai: The Guru has made the jewel of this human life prosperous and fruitful. I am a sacrifice to the Blessed Vision of His Darshan (sggs 213 ).

• sBu sPilE jnmu iqnw dw gurmuiK ijnw mnu ijix pwsw FwilAw: Sabh safaliou janam tinaa daa Gurmukh jinaa manu jin paasaa dhaaliaa: Fruitful are the lives of those who, as Gurmukh, have conquered their minds-they have won the game of life (sggs 78).

• gurmuiK Plu pwvhu hir nwmu iDAwvhu jnm jnm ky dUK invwry: Gurmukh fal paavahu har naam dhiaavahu janam janam ke dookh nivaare: By becoming the Gurmukh, obtain the fruit of the Lord, and meditate on the Lord's Name; the pains of countless lifetimes will be erased (sggs 767).

The Gurmat urges us to chant the Lord's Name (Naam) always, and talk only about God (Truth). According to the Gurbani, those who are content within can alone perform the true service. The implication is that if we are not fully content within, then our service will be in greed, selfishness and corruption. Those who are content do not engage in sinful activities. Instead, they do good deeds and live truthfully and righteously in Dharma. They thus burn away the bonds of the bewitching Maya (illusion, darkness of ignorance etc.), and live simple and pious life. If one serves the Guru with arrogance, mental speculations, material logic, and clever cunningness, then he will neither understand the Naam (Shabad) nor God. Therefore, one must serve Him with the feeling of utmost sincerety, humbleness and Love. Such service to the Guru is fruitful and rewarding — it bestows the precious Gem of Self-realiazation.

• nwmu hmwrY gur kI syv: Naam hamaarai Gur kee sev: God's Name (Naam Japnaa) for me is the Guru's Service (sggs 1145).
• so bUJY ijsu Awip buJwey ]siqgur syvw nwmu idRV@wey: So boojhai jis aap bujhaae. Satigur sevaa naam drirhaae: He alone understands, whom the Lord Himself causes to understand. Through the True Guru’s service, the Name is implanted within the mortal (sggs 1175).
• hir kI thl kmwvxI jpIAY pRBu kw nwmu: Har ki tahal kamaavanee japeeyai prabh kaa Naam: Serve God, chant His Name (sggs 300).

• jnmu pdwrQu sPlu hY jy scw sbdu kiQ: Janam padaarath safal hai je sachaa sabad kath: The precious gift of this human life becomes fruitful when one chants the True Word of the Shabad (sggs 44).

• nwmu lYin is sohih iqn suK Pl hovih mwnih sy ijix jwih jIau: Naam lain s sohahi tin sukh fal hovahi maanahi sae jin jaahi jeeou: Those who chant the Naam, the Lord's Name, look beautiful; they obtain the fruit of peace. Those who believe in the Name win the game of life (sggs 438).

• jnmu q iehu skXQu ijqu nwmu hir irdY invwsY: Janam ta ihu sakayath jit naam har ridai nivaasai: Life is fruitful, when God's Name abides in the heart (sggs 1393).

• sBu jnmu iqnw kw sPlu hY ijn hir ky nwm kI min lwgI BuKw: Sabh janam tinaa kaa safal hai jin har ke naam kee man laagee bhukhaa: Fruitful is the entire life of those, who hunger for the Name of the Lord in their minds (sggs 588).

• siqguru syiv ijin nwmu pCwqw sPl jnmu jig AwieAw: Satigur sev jin naam pashaataa safal janam jag aaiaa: Serving the True Guru, one realizes the Naam, the Name of the Lord; fruitful is his life and his coming into the world (sggs 602).

• so jpu qpu syvw cwkrI jo KsmY BwvY: So jap tap sevaa chaakree jo khasmai bhaavai: That is chanting and meditation, work and selfless service, which is pleasing to God (sggs 1247).

• syv kIqI sMqoKIeØI ijn@I sco scu iDAwieAw: Seva keetee santokheeyee jinee sacho sach kamaayaa: Only those do the real service, who being contented, meditate on God, the truest of the true (sggs 467).
• nwnk syvku soeI AwKIAY jo isru Dry auqwir ] siqgur kw Bwxw mMin ley, sbdu rKY aurDwir: Nanak sevak soyee aakheeyai jo sir dhare utaar. Satgur kaa bhaanaa mann laye Shabad rakhai urdhaar: O Nanak, he alone is called a selfless servant, who cuts off his ego-sense and offers it to God. He accepts the Will of the True Guru, and enshrines the Shabad within his heart (sggs 1247).
• siqguru syvin Awpxw gur sbdI vIcwir....: Satigur sevan aapnaa gur shabadee veechaar...: Those who serve their True Guru, who contemplate the Word of the Gur-Shabad, who honor and obey the Will of the True Guru, who keep God’s Name enshrined within their hearts, are honored, here and hereafter; they are dedicated to the business of God’s Name (sggs 1415).

The Gurmat stresses on controling (conquering, annihilating, killing etc.) the mind. If the mind can be refined and directed towards the right path, there will be only Bliss (Anand) in the life, there can be no sorrows. For this we need spiritual knowledge (Aatm-Giaan), which is boxed in the Gurbani as the fragrance is boxed in the flower. Aatm-Giaan follows sincere Bhagti. The heart and mind filled with sincere love and compassion (Daiaa) is the true sign of Bhagti.

• miq sq Bwie Bgiq goibMdw: Mati sat bhaai bhagati gobi(n)daa: Wisdom, truth and love all come from devotion to the Lord of the Universe (sggs 1331).
• jnmu pdwrQu sPlu hoie mn mih lwiehu Bwau: Janam padaarath safal hoi mann mahi laaihu bhaaou: This priceless human life will be made fruitful; embrace love for the Lord in your mind (sggs 963).
• Bugiq igAwnu dieAw BMfwrix Git Git vwjih nwd: Bhugati giaan daiaa bha(n)daaran ghatt ghatt vaajahi naad: Let spiritual wisdom be your food, and compassion your steward. Listen to the Sound-current of the Naad that beats in every heart (sggs 6).
• krqw mMin vswieAw ]jnmY kw Plu pwieAw: Karataa ma(n)n vasaaiaa. Janamai kaa fal paaiaa: I have enshrined the Creator within my mind; I have obtained the fruits of life's rewards (sggs 132).
  

The means of Bhagti in individuals — chanting of Mantras or prayers, singing of Kirtan or the Lord's Praises, engaging in worship, wearing peculiar robes etc. — may be indicative of one's religious/spiritual practices or routines, but cannot guarantee that the individual practices a true Bhagti. The characteristic of the true devotion is genuineness, steadfastness, and sincerity of the devotees unflinchingly devoted to God at all times and all costs, even when their life is at stake. As indicated in the Gurbani, the child Prahlaada's devotion is unmatched and enthralling and establishes that one who is completely devoted to God is never let down by Him. His strong faith and devotion did not waver even when his very life was at risk. He did not succumb to external pressure, and he stood firm holding on to the God's Name when all others were forced to hail his father who repeatedly ordered life threatening ordeals to harm Prahlaada (his own son). Ignorance and fear keeps Bhagti away from the common people.

• sBu jnmu sPilau kIAw krqY hir rwm nwim vKwxIAw: Sabh janam safaliou keeaa karatai har raam naam vakhaaneeaa: The Creator has made my life totally fruitful; I chant the Name of the Lord (sggs 576).

• sPl jnmu hir pwieAw nwnk pRiB kInw rwm: Safal janam har paaiaa Nanak prabh keenaa raam: Realizing the Lord, my life has become fruitful; O Nanak, the Lord has fulfilled me (sggs 845).
• suPlu jnmu nwnk qb hUAw jau pRB js mih pwigE: Safal janam Nanak tab hooaa jaou prabh jas mahi paagio: My life becomes fruitful, O Nanak, only when I am absorbed in the Praises of God (sggs 1008).
• jIvnw sPl jIvn suin hir jip jip sd jIvnw: Jeevanaa safal jeevan sun har jap jap sad jeevanaa: Fruitful is the life of one who hears about the Lord, and chants and meditates on Him; heattains eternal life (sggs 1019).
• Awpu n cInY bwjI hwrI: They (disguisers or Bhekhdhaarees) do not understand themselves, and they lose the game of life (sggs 230).
• hir kI syvw qy mnhu icMidAw Plu pweIAY dUjI syvw jnmu ibrQw jwie jI: Har kee saevaa thae manahu chi(n)dhiaa fal paaeeai dhoojee saevaa janam birathhaa jaae jee: Serving the Lord, you will obtain the fruits of your heart's desires; serving another, your life will pass away in vain (sggs 490).
• swkq jwie invih gur AwgY min Koty kUiV kUiVAwry: Saakat jaai nivahi gur aagai man khote koor kooiaare: The faithless cynics go and bow before the Guru, but their minds are corrupt and utterly false (sggs 312).

The following question may rise in one's bosom: "If I don't have a living Guru, then how am I to remove my doubts or confusion (Bharams, Dubidhaa etc.)? Although, the Knowledge about God (Brahm-Giaan) is available from the SGGS, nonetheless the Gurbani also strongly recommends seeking and keeping constant Satsang or Saadh-Sangat (Spiritual or Holy Company). The Gurbani compares the nature of the Spiritual Association with that of the sandalwood and Paaras (touchstone) — whatever comes into their contact is uplifted. Because in such Holy Company, a lowly conditioned Jeeva (unit consciousness) is purified, thus uplifted and transformed into Divine Consciousness! In the presence of such Holy Company, one finds the energy, integrity, understanding, and persistence to liberate himself from the domain of the false ego regime (Haume). However, the Gurbani has specified a strict criteria as to what a real Saadh-Sangat is (Sat sangati kaisee jaaneeyai. Jithai eko naam vakhaaneeyai, sggs 71). The Association of real Gurmukhs can sweep our "filthy" minds clean and help us become established in Pure Awareness and attentiveness. But they are very rare. Also, they are not easily decipherable from the imitation because they have risen above any worldly labels or dogmas. Their ways are unique and distinct ("Bhagataa kee chaal niraalee", sggs 981). Their greatness get camouflaged by their simplicity and humility. Such True and Wise ones ravel constantly in the Universal Consciousness, radiating selfless love, compassion, service (Nishakaam Sevaa), sacrifice, and deep peace to all. To recognize a true Saadh-Sangat, one needs the basic understanding of spirituality (power of discrimination or Viveka-Budhi, intuition etc.). In this regard, the Wisdom of the Gurbani can guide us. The stubborn doors of our minds ("Bajjar Kapaat") are closed and filthy, but the Holy Presence can purify and open them wide, leading to a change in our faulty vision, behavior and attitudes. In the Sang (Association) of a Saadh (Holy), faith — an important element of Bhagti (devotion) — is developed and strengthened. Thus, the real Holy ones have no interest in either making followers or asking anyone to change his religion. Instead, they want people to change themselves within for good by undoing (i.e., unlearning) all the negativity and the defilement (inner "filth" or corruption) collected in our lives, knowingly or unknowingly. They do not compete with religions: they just retell the Truth for their own time, place and circumstances. People call them by different names, and give them all sorts of titles and labels, but real ones care less. God's true devotees are always present on this earth ("Har jug jug bhagat upaaiaa, sggs 451."). But, our "Sang" in the past and present has been insincere or superficial (a road block to full Enlightenment). Because, we expect others to change, but not ourselves! It is very rare one indeed who wants to walk on a "two-edged sword"! The Gurbani says that there is no difference between the Lord and His humble servants.

• nwnk swD kY sMig sPl jnµm: Nanak saadh kai sa(n)g safal janamm: Nanak, in the Company of the Holy, one's life becomes fruitful (sggs 272).

• sPl jnmu hoAw imil swDU eykMkwru iDAwey rwm: Safal janam hoaa mil saadhoo eka(n)kaar dhiaaye raam: Life becomes fruitful, meeting with the Holy Saints, and meditating on the One God, the Creator of the Universe (sggs 782).

• sPl jnmu iqs kw jg BIqir swDsMig nwau jwpy: Safal janam tis kaa jag bheetar saadhasa(n)g naaou jaape: How fruitful is the life of that being in this world, who chants the Name in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy (sggs 750).
• auqm slok swD ky bcn ]AmulIk lwl eyih rqn ]sunq kmwvq hoq auDwr ]Awip qrY lokh insqwr ]sPl jIvnu sPlu qw kw sMgu: Outam salok saadh ke bachan. Safal jeevan safal taa kaa sa(n)g...: The most sublime hymns are the Words of the Holy. These are priceless rubies and gems. One who listens and acts on them is saved. He himself swims across (the ocean of Karma or worldliness), and saves others as well. His life is prosperous, and his company is fruitful (sggs 295).
  
• mhw pivqR swD kw sMgu: Mahaa pavitr saadh kaa sa(n)g: The Saadh Sangat is so very pure and sacred (sggs 392).
• swDsMgiq nwnku BieE mukqw drsnu pyKq BorI: Saadhasa(n)gat Nanak bhaiou mukataa darasan pekhat bhoree: In the Saadh Sangat, the Holy Company, Nanak has been liberated, gazing upon the Divine Vision, even for an instant (sggs 1216).
• swD kY sMig qjY sBu Awpu: Saadh kai sa(n)g tajai sabh aap: In the Company of the Holy, one renounces all selfishness (sggs 271).
  
• sPl jnmu iesu jg mih AwieAw ]jwsu rsn hir hir jsu BnIAY ]Awie bsih swDU kY sMgy ]Anidnu nwmu iDAwvih rMgy: Safal janam is jagg mahi aaiaa. Jaas rasan har har jas bhaneeai. Aai basahi saadhoo kai sa(n)ge. Anadin naam dhiaavahi ra(n)ge: Fruitful is the coming into the world, and the life of one whose tongues celebrate the Praises of the Lord's Name. They come and dwell with the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy (sggs 1174).
• sPl sPl BeI sPl jwqRw ]Awvx jwx rhy imly swDw: Safal safal bhaee safal jaatraa. Aavan jaan rahe mile saadhaa: My Yatra, my life pilgrimage, has become fruitful, fruitful, fruitful. My comings and goings have ended, since I met the Holy Saint (sggs 687).
  
• Nanak sikh de man preetam saadhasa(n)g bhram jaale: Nanak gives this advice: O beloved mind, in the Saadh-sangat, burn away your doubts (sggs 79).
• swDsMgiq aupjY ibsÍws: Saadhasa(n)gat oupajai bisvaas: In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, faith wells up (sggs 343).
• nwnk swD pRB Bydu n BweI: Nanak saadh prabh bhed na bhaaee: O Nanak, there is no difference between the Holy people and God (sggs 272).
• gurmuiK swD syeI pRB Bwey kir ikrpw Awip imlwvY: Gurmukh saadhh seyee prabh bhaae kar kirapaa aap milaavai: The Gurmukhs are the Holy, pleasing to God; in His mercy, He blends them with Himself (sggs 881).
  

This earth is the best place to know and experience God, and the lives of the Gurus and Bhagatsas prove this. Their devotion was unflinching. Therefore, every moment of human life is an auspicious time; an opportunity to overcome all sorrowful memories and take a step towards a fruitful life.

• sw vylw so mUrqu sw GVI so muhqu sPlu hY myrI ijMduVIey ijqu hir myrw iciq AwvY rwm: Saa velaa so moorat saa gharree so muhat safal hai meree ji(n)durreeeae jit har meraa chit aavai raam: That time, that moment, that instant, that second is so fruitful, O my soul, when my Lord comes into my mind (sggs 540).

— T. Singh