WHAT MAKES ONE IMMORTAL?

Throughout history humans have had the desire to dodge biological death, prolong physical existing for a potentially infinite or indeterminate length of time and thus live forever in this world. There are stories of many emperors who spent all their lives searching for that magic formula or elixir of life that would grant them Immortality, so that they could remain here forever and enjoy pleasures of their wealth, power etc.

The SGGS offers all of us the map by following which we all can dodge death and experience the true Immortality ("Amar Pada, Amaraa Pada"), here and now. In fact, to become Immortal (deathlessness) is not a privilege of a few selected ones - it's the birthright of each and every person on this earth; regardless of one's religion, race, color, and so on.

God is said to be Immortal. Since we all are part-and-parcel or the True Image of that Immortal Light, inherently we are also Immortal. But - because of the limitedness of the false ego-sense (Haume, conceit etc.) that arose in us - the majority of us (over 99.9 percent!) have forgotten this True Nature ("Joti-Svaroopa") of ours. According to the SGGS, we all can reclaim this forgotten Immortality. Time and again repeated throughout the SGGS, the following recommendations of the SGGS are self-explanatory.

1. Unbroken Abidance in the Lord's Immortal Naam (Name) Bestows Immortality:

• ਅਮਰੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੋ ਨਾਮ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥: Amar hovai jo naam ras paavai. Whoever obtains the Sublime Essence of the Naam becomes Immortal (sggs 101).
• ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਅਮਰੁ ਹੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਏ ॥: Naam padaarath amar hai hiradai mann vasaaye: (Through the Guru's Grace, one) enshrine the Naam in his heart and mind; this is Immortal (never ending, Real) Treasure (sggs 1011).
• ਨਿਰਮਲ ਜੋਤਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ॥ ਪੀਵਤ ਅਮਰ ਭਏ ਨਿਹਕਾਮ ॥: Niramal jot amrit har naam. Peevat amar bheya nihakaam: The Light of the Amrit Name of the Lord is immaculate and pure. Drinking it in, one becomes Immortal and free of desire (sggs 866)
• ਹਰਿ ਊਤਮੁ ਕਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੀਐ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਹੋਵੈ ॥: Har ootam kaam japeeai har naam har japeeai asathir hovai: Chanting the Name of the Lord is the most exalted occupation. By chanting the Name, one becomes Immortal (sggs 444).
• ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਮਰ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ਸੋਈ ॥: Har har naam amar pada paaiaa har naam samaavai soee: Through the Name of the Lord (obtained from the Guru), one obtains the Immortal status, and remains merged into the Lord's Name (sggs 447).
• ਇਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਨੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਅਮਰੁ ਸੋ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਉਸੁ ਪੁਰਖ ਕਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਦੇ ਬਿਨਾਸ ॥: Only a rare person obtains the taste of the Hari Naam. Drinking in this Amrit (Naam), one becomes Immortal. That person is never ruined (downfall, repeated suffering...). (sggs 287).
• ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਭੁਖ ਗਵਾਏ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਹੋਆ ਸਚੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ ॥ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਅਮਰਾ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦ ਵਜਾਏ ॥: Gur kaa sabad amrit hai sabh tarisnaa bhukh gavaaye...: The Gur-Shabad is Amrit (ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਜਲ ਹੈ). (By drinking it) it banishes all hunger and thirst (of Maya - ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ). (Through the Gur-Shabad) Drinking in the sublime essence of the Lord (the Lord's Name or Naam) brings contentment; the True Lord comes to dwell in the mind. Meditating on the True Lord, the status of Immortality (ਅਡੋਲ ਅਵਸਥਾ, ਆਤਮਕ ਦਰਜਾ...) is obtained, and within "ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦ" (the Unstruck Shabad...) vibrates and resounds. (sggs 850).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਜੀਵਦਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਅਮਰਾ ਪਦੁ ਹੋਈ ॥: Nanak jeevadaa purakh dhiaaeiaa amaraa pada hoee: O Nanak, meditating on the Lord of eternal life, the status of Immortality is obtained (sggs 1247).
• ਜੀਵਨ ਪਦਵੀ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਸਾਚੁ ਸੁਆਉ ॥: Jeevan padavee har kaa naaou. Mann tann nirmal saach suaaou: The Immortal status is the Name of the Lord. (Due to the Naam) the mind and body become pure, and the Eternal Lord (realizing Him) becomes the purpose of life (sggs 744).

2. Death Of False Ego-Sense (Haume) Leads One to Deathlessness or Immortality:

• ਅਮਰਾ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਗਿਆਨ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥: Amaraa pada paaiaa aap gavaaiaa viralaa giaan veechaaree: (Those who) eradicate their self-conceit (false self, ego etc.) attain the Immortal status; (but) how rare is that person, who contemplates spiritual wisdom (given by the Guru) (sggs 688).
• ਵਿਚਹੁ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਕੈ ਰਹਨਿ ਸਚਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥: Vichahu aap gavaai kai rahan sach liv laai: (Those who serve their True Guru) eradicate self-conceit from within and remain lovingly absorbed in the Truth (sggs 88).
• ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਆਪੁ ਨਿਵਾਰਣਿਆ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਏ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਏ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥: Hau vaaree jeeou vaaree aap nivaaraniaa. Aap gavaaye taa har paaye har siou sahaj samaavaniaa: I am a sacrifice to those who eliminate self-conceit. The Lord is found by eradicating the self-conceit; (meeting the Lord) one remains immersed in Sahaj--Natural State of Being (sggs 118).
• ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਗਿ ਸਭੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਬਿਆਪਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਖੁ ਭਾਰੀ ॥: Houmai rog sabh jagat biaapiaa tin kaou janam maran dukh bhaaree: The entire world is afflicted by the disease of egotism. They suffer the terrible pains of birth and death (sggs 735).
• ਹੇ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਮੂਲੰ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੰ ਪਾਪਾਤਮਾ ॥ ਮਿਤ੍ਰੰ ਤਜੰਤਿ ਸਤ੍ਰੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੰਤਿ ਅਨਿਕ ਮਾਯਾ ॥ ...: Hay janam maran moolam ahankaaram paapaatamaa...: O sinner ego, you are the root of birth and death. By spreading out countless illusions of Maya, you make forsake friends, and make hold tight to enemies (sggs 1358).

Thus, the root of man's mortality is indicated to be his false ego-sense, which makes him blind to his spiritual nature (Immortality). Therefore, according to the Teachings of the SGGS, detecting false ego-sense, recognizing it's emptiness, guarding against it, and defeating it by eradicating it brings one Immortality.

• ਅਹੰਮੇਵ ਸਿਉ ਮਸਲਤਿ ਛੋਡੀ ॥ਗੁਰਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਇਹੁ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਹੋਡੀ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਨੀਘਰੁ ਘਰੁ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਪਾਏ ॥ਹਮ ਗੁਰਿ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੀਏ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥੬॥: Ahammev siou masalat shodee. Gur kahiaa ihu moorakh hodee. Eihu neeghar ghar kahee na paaye. Ham gur raakh leeye liv laaye ||6||: I have forsaken the advice of my ego. The Guru has told me that in ego a person becomes foolish, obstinate or stubborn. This ego is homeless; it will never find a home. Attuning me to God, the Guru has saved me ||6|| (sggs 1347).

3. Meeting the Satguru Brings Immortality:

• ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਥੀਆ ॥: Kahu Nanak jis satgur bhetiaa so jan nihachal theeaa: Says Nanak, one who meets the Satguru, becomes Immortal (sggs 407).

Just going through the motion of meeting the Satguru will not bestow Immortality. "Meeting the Guru" or that the "Guru is gracious" does not mean that a seeker can receive wisdom without any effort on his part. Though liberation from bondage is the birthright of every human being but, according to the SGGS, the desire to pursue the spiritual path is intense only in very few individuals. Therefore, the seeker must be eager not only to meet the Guru but also follow the Word (Shabad, Bani, Teaching etc.) of the Satguru. That will bring Immortality.

• ਜਿਉ ਅੰਬਰੀਕਿ ਅਮਰਾ ਪਦ ਪਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੁਖ ਬਚਨ ਧਿਆਵੈਗੋ ॥: Jiou ambareek amaraa pada paaye satgur mukh bachan dhiaavaigo: Just as Ambreek was blessed with the status of immortality, meditating on the Word of the Satguru (sggs 1311).
• ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥ਸਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ॥ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਅਮਰ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ਤਾ ਦਰਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਵੈ ॥: Sachai sabad sach kamaavai ..: Through the True Shabad (of the Guru), one practices Truth. He sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord, through the True Bani (of the Guru). (Instead of chasing Maya outside) He dwells in the home of his own heart deep within, and obtains the Immortal status. Then, he is blessed with honor in the Court of the Eternal Lord (sggs 1342).

4. Working in God Consciousness Brings Immortality:

• ਜਾ ਕੈ ਕਾਮਿ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਤੂੰ ਅਮਰੁ ॥: Jaa kai kaam hovahi toon amar: Working for Him (acting in God Consciousness), you will become Immortal (sggs 238).

5. Saadh-Sangat (Holy Company) Bestows Immortality:

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਚੈ ਮਨਿ ਮੁੰਦ੍ਰਾ ਪਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਤਨਿ ਭਸਮ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਈਆ ॥ ਅਮਰ ਪਿੰਡ ਭਏ ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗਿ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੋਊ ਮਿਟਿ ਗਈਆ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹੀਆ ॥ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਮਧਸੂਦਨ ਮਾਧਉ ਮੈ ਖਿਨੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਪਖਈਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Satgur parachai mani mundraa paaee...: With whom thw Satguru becomes pleased, (the Satguru's this pleasing becomes) the wearing of the ear-rings (of Yogis) in his mind; he has applied the Guru's Shabad to his heart, this like applying the ash (Yogis apply ash to their bodies) to his body. (like this) He has become Immortal, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy (of the Guru). His both birth and death have come to an end. ||1|| O my mind (pray) to the Lord, (so that) I may remain united with the Saadh Sangat (Holy Company of the Guru), and each and every instant I may wash the Holy Feet ||1||Pause|| (sggs 835).
• ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਤ ਸਭਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਂਜੀਐ ਭਾਈ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥ ਮਿਟੈ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਅਗਿਆਨਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਕਮਲ ਹੋਵੈ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥: Mil sant sabhaa mann manjeeyai bhaayee hari kai naam nivaas ..: O brother! Joining the Sant Sabhaa (Holy Company, Satsang, etc.), cleanse your mind, and (thus the mind gets to) dwells in God's Name. O brother! (As aresult) The darkness of ignorance (of the True Nature, Originality, ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਲੋਂ ਬੇ-ਸਮਝੀ ਦਾ ਹਨੇਰਾ, etc.) is dispelled, and the lotus (of the heart) blossoms forth.  (sggs 639).
• ਰਾਮ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵ ॥ ਅਮਿਉ ਅਮਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਹੈ ਮੀਠਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥: Raam mo kaou har jan mel mani bhaavai. Amiou amiou har ras hai meethaa mil sant janaa mukh paavai: O Lord, my mind longs to meet with the humble servants of the Lord. The sweet, subtle essence of the Lord (Naam Rasa) is Immortalizing. Meeting the Saints, I want to drink it in (sggs 881).

6. Abandonment of Other (Maya's) Tastes Brings Immortality:

• ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਉ ॥ ਆਨ ਸਾਦ ਬਿਸਾਰਿ ਹੋਛੇ ਅਮਰੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੀਉ ॥: Mere mann Naam Amrit peeou. Aan saad bisaar hoshe amar jug jug jeeou: O my mind, drink in the Naam-Amrit. (With the help of Naam-Amrit) abandon other (Mayaic) bland, insipid tastes; live forever: an Immortal and Eternal life (sggs 1007).
  
• ਅਨ ਰਸ ਮਹਿ ਭੋਲਾਇਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਮੈ ਦੁਖ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨ ਭੇਟਿਓ ਜਿ ਸਚੀ ਬੂਝ ਬੁਝਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਏ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਾਵਲੇ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਚਖਿ ਸਾਦੁ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਅਨ ਰਸਿ ਲਾਗਾ ਤੂੰ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇ ॥: Ann rasi mahi bholaaiaa...: (The man) wanders around, engrossed in other pleasures (Mayaic), but without the Naam, he suffers in pain. He does not meet the True Guru who imparts true understanding. ||1|| O my insane mind, drink in the Naam-Rasa, and savor its taste. Attached to other pleasures, you wander around, and waste away your life uselessly (sggs 430).
• ਕੰਚਨ ਨਾਰੀ ਮਹਿ ਜੀਉ ਲੁਭਤੁ ਹੈ ਮੋਹੁ ਮੀਠਾ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਘਰ ਮੰਦਰ ਘੋੜੇ ਖੁਸੀ ਮਨੁ ਅਨ ਰਸਿ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਕਿਉ ਛੂਟਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ ਇਹ ਨੀਚ ਕਰਮ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਣਵੰਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਬਖਸਿ ਅਵਗਣ ਸਭਿ ਮੇਰੇ ॥: Kanchan naaree mahi jeeou lubhat hai ...: My soul is lured by the attachment to gold and women; this attachment to Maya taste so sweet to me! My mind is attached to the pleasures of houses, palaces and horses, and it is engrossed in other (ਹੋਰ ਪਦਾਰਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਰਸ) enjoyments. (As a result) the Lord does not even enter my thoughts; how can I be freed (from this Moha or attachment)? ||1|| O my Lord, these are my lowly actions, O my Lord. O Lord, But You are the Treasure of Virtues, and You are Merciful, please bless me with Your Grace and forgive me for all my mistakes (sggs 167).
• ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵਤ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਰਾਤਾ ॥ ਆਨ ਰਸਾ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਤਾ ॥: Hari arsu peevat sada hee raataa. Aan rasaa khin mahi lahi jaataa: (One who) drinks the Lord's Sublime Essence (Naam-Amrit: ਨਾਮ-ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ), ever remains imbued with it (ਸਦਾ ਨਾਮ-ਰੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਰੰਗਿਆ). (While) other (Mayaic-ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦੇ ਪਦਾਰਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਰਸ) tastes wear off in an instant. (sggs 377).

7. By Becoming the Gurmukh (the Spiritual Being free of Haume or ego) One Becomes Immortal:

• ਸੁਖ ਦੁਖ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਅਮਰੁ ਅਤੀਤਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਿਜ ਘਰੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥: Sukh dukh hee te amar ateetaa Gurmukh nij ghar paaidaa: By becoming the Gurmukh, become Immortal, and remain untouched by pleasure and pain. He obtains the Eternal Home of his own Inner Being within (sggs 1037).
• ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਚੀਨੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਹੇ ॥: Har jeeo milai taa Gurmukh boojhai cheenai sabad abinaasee hay: By becoming the Gurmukh, when one meets with the Dear Lord, he then understands and remembers the Shabad of the Immortal Lord (sggs 1048).
• ਅਮਰੁ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ਹੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਾਲਿ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਨ ਚਲਈ ਨ ਹੁਜਤਿ ਕਰਣੀ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਸਰਣਾਇ ਪਵੈ ਮੰਨਿ ਲਏ ਰਜਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਮ ਡੰਡੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਜਾਇ ॥: Amar veparavaah hai ...: (The Lord is ) Immortal, , cleverness and arguments will not work against Him. So abandon your self-conceit, take to His Sanctuary, and accept His Will. (Those who) become the Gurmukh (eliminate self-conceit from within), are not punished by the Messenger of Death--fear of death (sggs 1251).

8. Intuitive Understanding Brings Immortality

• ਜਿਹ ਮਰਨੈ ਸਭੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਤਰਾਸਿਆ ॥ ਸੋ ਮਰਨਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਅਬ ਕੈਸੇ ਮਰਉ ਮਰਨਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥ਮਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਤੇ ਜਿਨ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਮਰਨੋ ਮਰਨੁ ਕਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਮਰੈ ਅਮਰੁ ਹੋਇ ਸੋਈ ॥੨॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨਿ ਭਇਆ ਅਨੰਦਾ ॥ ਗਇਆ ਭਰਮੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦਾ ॥੩॥੨0॥: Jih maranai sabhu jagatu taraasiaa... (sggs327).

9. Constant abidance in God Bestows Immortality

• ਅਮਰੁ ਹੋਇ ਸਦ ਆਕੁਲ ਰਹੈ ॥: Amar hoi sada aakul rahai: Whoever constantly abides in the Lord, becomes Immortal (sggs 1351).
• ਜਿਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਬਸੈ ਸੁ ਹੋਤ ਨਿਹਾਲੁ ॥ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਨ ਆਵਤ ਕਾਲੁ ॥ ਅਮਰ ਭਏ ਅਮਰਾ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥: Jis mani basai su hot nihaal. Taa kai nikat na aavat kaal. Amar bhaye amaraa pada paaiaa. Saadhsang Nanak har dhiaaiaa: The one, within whose mind God abides, is blissfully happy. Death (fear of death) does not draw near him. O Nanak, meditating on the Lord in the Holy Company one becomes Immortal, and obtains the Immortal status (sggs 1068).
• ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਜਨ ਅਮਰ ਪਦਵੀ ਪਾਵਹ ॥: Binavant Nanak mil sang saajan amar padavee paavh: Prays Nanak, meeting with our True Friend (God), attain the Immortal status (sggs 846).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾਮ ਪਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ ਐਸਾ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਨਿਤ ॥ ਅਮਰਾ ਪੁਰ ਬਾਸਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਗਇਆ ਬਹੋਰੈ ਬਿਤ ॥੧੬੩॥: Kabeer kaam pare har simareeai aisaa simarahu nit. Amaraa pur baasaa karahu har gaiaa bahorai bit ||163||: Says Kabeer, you remember the Lord in meditation, only when the need arises. But, as you remember Him in need, you should remember Him all the time. (This way) You will dwell in the city (the state) of Immortality, and the Lord will restore the wealth (of Divine Virtues) you lost ||163|| (sggs 1373)

10. By Becoming Drenched in the Bani One Becomes Immortal

• ਸੁਣਿ ਵਡਭਾਗੀਆ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਿਖੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਸਮਾਣੀ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਅਕਥ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਾਣੀ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ॥ ਅਮਰੁ ਥੀਆ ਫਿਰਿ ਨ ਮੂਆ ਕਲਿ ਕਲੇਸਾ ਦੁਖ ਹਰੇ ॥: Sun vadabhaageeaa har amrit bani raam...: Listen, O most fortunate ones, to the Amrit Bani of Lord. He alone (fortunate one), whose Karma is so pre-ordained, has it enter into his heart (i.e, he lives the Bani). He alone knows the Unspoken Speech (of the Lord), unto whom God has shown His Mercy. He becomes Immortal, and will not die again; his troubles, disputes and pains are dispelled (sggs 545).

11. Compassion (Love, Tolerance, Forgiveness, Mercy etc.) for Others Brings Immortality:

• ਖਸਮਹਿ ਜਾਣਿ ਖਿਮਾ ਕਰਿ ਰਹੈ॥ਤਉ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਖਿਅਉ ਅਖੈ ਪਦੁ ਲਹੈ ॥: Khasamahi jaan khimaa kar rahai. Taou hoi nikhiaou akhai pada lahai: Know the Lord, and become situated in Him: The Source of compassion. Then, by becoming one with Him, attain the Eternal state: Immortality (sggs 340).

The material scientists have Hubbell telescope way up there in the space to explore the external world. The Spiritual Masters were the Spiritual Scientists who explored the man's inner world, and map the path to Immortality as clearly depicted above. It's also clear from the SGGS that one's external trickery will not help in experiencing Immortality.

According to the SGGS, Immortality is the ultimate objective of life, which is neither prolonging of the physical life nor something to be experienced or attained after biological death. It is the Spiritual Vision (the Gurmukh Lifestyle), the state of being a living liberated (Jeevanmukti) while still alive: free from the pangs or throes of time. To become a living liberated, one has to die to oneself (eradication of the false self or Haume) while still living in the body. Simply put: Dying to the ego (Haume) is real death, which makes one Immortal. It's the state of Self Realization (Aatam Giaan, Turiyaa Avasthaa, Chauthaa Pada, annihilation of the Haume-mind, Bliss or Anand etc.) — complete union of the unit consciousness with the Supreme Spirit, the Universal Consciousness.

In nutshell, Immortality is to move from Asat (untruth, falsehood unreality, temporary, darkness, ignorance, Haume- or ego-consciousness, Bikaars, etc.) to Sata (Truth, Reality, Eternal, Permanent, Knowledge, Light, Wisdom; constant abidance in the Immortal Naam, Virtues, and God Consciousness, etc.). It's moving from the state of Mrit (meaning death) to the state of Amrit (meaning no-death, i.e. Immortality). Thus, the path to Immortality appears to be a constant turning within, turning the Light of the Consciousness into the dark corners and recesses of the Haume-mind. In other words, it seems that if one can perceive Light within the body while yet alive (Jeevanmukti), one is on the path to Immortality. Otherwise there is the need to work diligently each day to remove negativity or Bikaars of the mind — lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, enviousness, stubborn mindedness, and so on.

To say it otherwise, Immortality is dodging the memories of the past and worries and fears of the future by bringing them into the Eternity of the present moment. It's just being the "Joti-Svaroopa", an Eternal Immortal Principle, which is indicated to be Changeless except it Unfolds more, and it lives in NOW — the state where nothing ever happened (past) and nothing will happen (future).

It's difficult to walk on sharp rocks with barefoot. But it becomes easier to walk on them with shoes. This world (Sansaar) is likened to sharp rocks: the place of repeated suffering. The above recommendations of the SGGS makes it easier to walk through the life's journey in this world, leading to the state of Immortality — awakening, rise or entering of Divinity in our consciousness. The man's sense of being an identity apart from God is called Maya (Ma—not and Yaa—this). When this mistaken identity or the sense of an existence separate from God is removed, there arises the state of Immortality.

— T. Singh
www.gurbani.org