Superstitions – Shagun Apshagun…

Superstitions weaken or dull the mind (ਮੰਨ ਨੂੰ ਕਮਜੋਰ ਕਰਨਾਂ). Combined with empty and imaginary rituals (Karamkaand), it becomes deadly poison which devastate the brain to an extent that in course of time it will be almost impossible to receive Gurmat Wisdom or live up to it.

However, the unique and new spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat (Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) demands a diametrically opposite ‘Soch‘ (thinking, ਵਿਚਾਰਧਾਰਾ…) that strengthens the mind and protect it from degradation caused by superstitions (Bharam-ਭਰਮ), Shagun, Apshagun, good or bad omens, blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ), and so on.

Pujaaree’s planned trap of superstitions

Due to not understanding the working of the Divine Hukam, one gets lost in superstitions, Bharam-ਭਰਮ, doubts, delusions, illusions, confusions etc. In the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), ‘Hukam’ means the Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature with which the Kudrat functions (ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). Put simply, it is the Divine Law of consequences – we humans are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices.

Falling into this confusion between superstition (Bharam-ਭਰਮ) of Shagun and Apshagun (good bad omens), one then follows the fortune tellers, Tantrics, ghost busters, black magicians, witches, or sorcerers etc.

Superstition (Bharam-ਭਰਮ) of one kind or another exist in all cultures of the world. However, no other religious-guru in the world has laid such mental traps to rob his disciples/followers as the Brahmin/Bipar/Pujaaree has laid in India. In a cunning, well planned manner, Brahmin/Pujaaree made the illusion of good and bad omens a part of religion and part of social customs.

From birth, the idea or superstition (Bharam-ਭਰਮ) of ​​good and bad times, days, months etc times begins. All days like weddings, engagements, start of new business/job etc are caught in the trap of good and bad omens. While going somewhere if someone sneezes, call you from behind, a girl carrying a pot of water meets in front, a black cat crosses the path, a donkey braying, and many other types of bad omens are seen standing in the way.

Furthermore, many kinds of superstitions have been spread through the voices of animals. For example, the croaking of a crow, the hoot of an owl, the howling of a dog, etc are considered bad omens. Similarly, the twitching of left eye of a woman is considered auspicious and the right eye is considered inauspicious, while the right eye of a man is considered auspicious and the left is considered inauspicious.

• ਸਉਣ ਸਗੁਨ ਵੀਚਾਰਣੇ ਨਉ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਬਾਰਹ ਰਾਸ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ । ਕਾਮਣ ਟੂਣੇ ਅਉਸੀਆ ਕਣਸੋਈ ਪਾਸਾਰ ਪਸਾਰਾ । ਗਦਹੁ ਕੁਤੇ ਬਿਲੀਆ ਇਲ ਮਲਾਲੀ ਗਿਦੜ ਛਾਰਾ । ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨਿ ਛਿਕ ਪਦ ਹਿਡਕੀ ਵਰਤਾਰਾ । ਥਿਤਿ ਵਾਰ ਭਦ੍ਰਾ ਭਰਮ ਦਿਸਾਸੂਲ ਸਹਸਾ ਸੈਸਾਰਾ । ਵਲ ਛਲ ਕਰਿ ਵਿਸਵਾਸ ਲਖ ਬਹੁ ਚੁਖੀ ਕਿਉ ਰਵੈ ਭਤਾਰਾ । ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖ ਫਲ ਪਾਰ ਉਤਾਰਾ ॥੮॥ : (As the astrological text of) Saunik, considers omens, the nine planets, the twelve signs of the zodiac, incantations, magic divination by lines and by the voice is all futile. Cries of donkeys, dogs, cats, kites, blackbirds and jackals cannot control our lives. It is superstitious to draw good or bad omens from meeting a widow, a bare headed man, water, fire, sneezing, breaking wind, hiccups; Lunar and week days, lucky-unlucky moments and going or not going in a particular direction. If a women behaves like a prostitute and does every thing to please everybody, how can she be loved by her husband. By rejecting all superstitions, the Gurmukh (Enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented) enjoys spiritual bliss and gets across the ocean of worldly quagmire (Bhav Sagar). ॥8॥ (Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 5, Pauri 8).
• ਸਜਾ ਖਬਾ ਸਉਣੁ ਨ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਇਆ । ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੋ ਵੇਖਿ ਨ ਪੈਰੁ ਹਟਾਇਆ । ਭਾਖ ਸੁਭਾਖ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ਨ ਛਿਕ ਮਨਾਇਆ । ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵ ਨ ਸੇਵ ਨ ਪੂਜ ਕਰਾਇਆ । ਭੰਭਲ ਭੂਸੇ ਖਾਇ ਨ ਮਨ ਭਰਮਾਇਆ । ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਸਚਾ ਖੇਤੁ ਬੀਜ ਫਲਾਇਆ ॥੮॥ : The Enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented Gursikhs) never take to their heart the omen on the right or the left. They do not retrace their steps while seeing a man or woman. They do not pay attention to the crises of animals or sneezing. Goddess and gods are neither served nor worshiped by them. By not entangling in deceits, they do not allow their minds to wander in delusion. Gursikhs sow the seed of truth in the field of life and thus make it fruitful.॥8॥ (Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 20, Pauri 8).

In India Solar and Lunar eclipses or ‘Grahan’ (‘ਗ੍ਰਹਣ’) generally are considered to be inauspicious, SUTAK or SOOTAK (impure) according to the mythology propagated by Brahmins/Pandits Pujaaree (clergy) and older Snatani texts.

In the Brahminical religious traditions, there is also a superstition of “Sootak”  meaning physical impurity, defilement etc. Many rules, beliefs of superstitions associated with Sootak exist in Indian society. For example:

• Sootak (Impurity) is the period of abstention observed by the Hindus after birth/death of a family member. Whenever a child is born in the family, the family gets a thread for a certain days. During this period or time, no member of the family can participate in any religious work nor visit the temple. They have to abstain from worship. Apart from this, a woman who gives birth to a child is not allowed to enter the kitchen or do any household work for she is (allegedly) considered Impure during this Sootak period. Also, the newborn is not brought outside of the home. After the delivery, the mother does not mix with people and remains confined to the house until she is purified (allegedly). Family members call a priest for the spiritual Pooja (worship, Havan etc.).
• Known as ‘Patak‘ in the Hindu ‘Puranas‘, Sootak period also applied if a member of the family dies. It is the period of renouncing daily life activities for a certain period after the death of a family member. It is observed by all the family members and relatives of the dead individual. Also, one is not supposed to touch those who are observing the Sutak of death.
• Sootak period is also observed as inauspicious time before the Solar and Lunar Eclipses. Sootak (Impurity) period is observed for few hours before Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse.
• The length of Sootak period varies depending on one’s caste (Jaat Paat) etc.

The list goes on and on. Due to the illusion of superstitions, the income of the Brahmin increased significantly. Therefore, he made this superstition also a part of religion, and wrote books about it (e.g. Jotish/astrological Shastr by Sounik etc).

Gurmat refutes superstitions – ਭਰਮ

Gurmat has refuted these meaningless superstitions (Bharam-ਭਰਮ) in no uncertain terms. 

• ਸੂਖ ਸਹਜ ਆਨਦੁ ਘਣਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਉ ॥ ਗਰਹ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਅਪਣਾ ਨਾਉ ॥੧॥ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਦ ਸਦ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਉ ॥ ਗੁਰੂ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਹਉ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਿਲਿ ਸਚੁ ਸੁਆਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਗੁਨ ਅਪਸਗੁਨ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਲਗਹਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਚੀਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਜਮੁ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਜੇਤੇ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸਨਾ ਜੋ ਜਪੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਪੂਰਨ ਕਾਮੁ ॥੩॥ ਭੈ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਮੋਹ ਗਏ ਕੋ ਦਿਸੈ ਨ ਬੀਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਖੇ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਥੀਆ ॥੪॥੧੮॥੧੨੦॥ : I inculcate and internalize Divine Virtues, which keeps me in a state of spiritual poise (mind’s equanimity), peace and immense bliss. The “Satiguru” (true Giyan-Wisdom) imparts awareness of God’s Naam which drives away the evil influence (ਗ੍ਰਹਿਆਂ ਦੀ – concocted by the Pujaaree). ||1|| I dedicate myself forever to my “Gur” (Giyan-Wisdom). I am dedicated to my Guru, meeting whom I have obtained the true purpose of my life – internalize God’s Naam. ||1||Pause|| Good omens and bad omens affect those who do not keep (the Gur: Giyan-Wisdom) in the mind. The Messenger of Death does not approach those who are pleasing to God. ||2|| (Prescribed deeds such as) Punn, charity, Japa, and Tapa – Naam is the best of all. One who internalize God’s Naam, his purpose of human life is accomplished. ||3|| (By internalize God’s Naam) all their fears, Bharam, and worldly attachments are destroyed and to them no one seems a stranger. Nanak, those who keeps God (i.e. keeps God’s Naam in mind) do not suffer again. ||4||18||120|| (sggs 400-401).
• ਜਬ ਆਪਨ ਆਪੁ ਆਪਿ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਸਗਨ ਅਪਸਗਨ ਕਹਾ ਬੀਚਾਰੈ ॥ : When nothing else had been created apart from the Creator, the creator was engrossed in His own form, then who was there to think about good and bad omens? (That is, good and bad omens are the web of superstitions concocted by man himself). (sggs 291).
• ਸੋਈ ਸਾਸਤੁ ਸਉਣੁ ਸੋਇ ਜਿਤੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਚਰਣ ਕਮਲ ਗੁਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਦੀਆ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਨਿਥਾਵੇ ਥਾਉ ॥ : Guru alone is the Sounik Shastr (of Jotish, which which removes the Bhram of good and bad omen), which inspires one to realize God’s Naam. The Guru has given me the Wealth of Divine Giyan-Wisdom and non-realized person like me has now become God realized. (sggs 48).
• ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਉਣ ॥ ਸੂਖ ਸਹਜ ਆਨੰਦ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਭਉਣ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : God’s Naam for us is the best Sainik Shastra (of Jotish) for determining auspicious and inauspicious omen. (the mind/heart in which Divine Naam resides, in that) mind/heart there is always spiritual poise, peace, and bliss. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1137).
• ਛਨਿਛਰਵਾਰਿ ਸਉਣ ਸਾਸਤ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਰਮੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਅੰਧਾ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਜਮ ਦਰਿ ਬਾਧਾ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਏ ॥ ਸਚੁ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਚਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥੮॥ : For Saturday Guru Shabad reminds us that there is no need to engage with texts (such as astrological text written by Sonak) that do not help us realize the Creator, instead leads the world to wander in false ego-sense and doubt. The mentally blind Manmukh are attached to the love of duality. Such person endures mental torture due to the fear of Jum all his/her life. By the Guru’s grace (i.e. grace of Gur-Giyan), one who always does righteous deeds and remains attuned to the Creator enjoys Bliss. ||8|| (sggs 841).

‘Sikh‘ literally means a learner (ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ) of the Gurmat. A learner of the true ‘Sikhi’ is never bound by superstitions, ideology, rituals (Karamkaand), religious paraphernalia etc. A Sikh of the Shabad Guru is not ‘sheep follow sheep‘ type of person, because he/she is not blind-minded.

However, there are so many anti-Gurmat rituals and superstitions being carried out in the Sikhi of the Pujaaree-Vaad these days! These Un-Gurmat practices are encouraged, supported, instigated, and propagated by the people who run Gurdwara corporations throughout the world. Collaborators include the Pujaaree system, sadh babas of Deras etc. For example, in hope to get some happiness, many observe certain hours of a day, certain days, or certain months (Sangraand, Massiya, Punniya etc.) as more auspicious.

The Pujaaree groups sell people a counterfeit god (ਨਕਲੀ ਰੱਬ) who will answer all our prayers, make our fantasies come true, cater to all our wants and free us from fear and distress. To propitiate this fake god, many perform calculated Paaths (reading of the SGGS) or hire professional readers to read it for them, offer Langar (free kitchen, food), and so on.

Before going any further, it’s worth pointing here that all this nonsense Karamkaand has been rejected in the Gurmat.

However, the Pujaaree-Vaad does not want people to become Awake and Aware. Because, this is how the Pujaaree loots masses and maintains a lavish and freeloading lifestyle by enslaving our greedy and fearful minds! Clearly, the Pujaaree’s Sikhi has nothing to do with the ‘Soch‘ (thinking, ਵਿਚਾਰਧਾਰਾ…) of Baabaa Nanak or the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS! The Pujaaree-Vaad (priest class, ਪੁਜਾਰੀ ਲਾਣਾਂ) is crafty by nature. In addition, they are mostly illiterate, corrupt, selfish, greedy, etc. They will support, encourage, and start any scheme that will generate money and help maintain their luxury lifestyle of freeloading!

The majority of us are ignorant of the Wisdom of the Gurbani. Furthermore, the majority of us are hypocrite (ਪਖੰਡੀ, ਭੇਖੀ… ), imitate others, etc. Also, the majority of us are also fearful, selfish and greedy. Consequently, with the exception of the ‘rare’ ones (i.e., Gurmukhs), the rest of us are easy pray for the Pujaaree groups! The Gurbani’s edict is:

• ਪੜਿਐ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀਆ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥: The filth is not removed by reading. Go ahead, and ask the Wise ones ||1||. (sggs 39).

After reading/listening, next important step is obtaining true understanding of what has bean read/listened through the sincere Shabad-Vichaar. In other words, the Gurbani needs to be churned and churned…

• ਪੜਿਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਬੁਝਿਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਖਟੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੈ ਭੇਖਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਵਣਾ ॥ : Not by just reading (scriptures), but it is through spiritual Wisdom one Understands this fact (that God is infinite). No one can merge in the eternal God by merely adopting the garbs mentioned in the six Shastras (the Hindu holy books). The eternal God is unfathomable, but revealed through the Guru’s Shabad, He (i.e. Creation, Hukam) looks beautiful. (sggs 148).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥: Without understanding, people become beast (-nature) and demon ||6|| (sggs 224).
• ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਕਛੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਪਸੁ ਜਿਉ ਉਦਰੁ ਭਰਉ ॥: Listening to the Gurmat (Shabad-Giaan, Teaching of the Gurbani, etc.), (if) no Spiritual Wisdom (understanding of the Spiritual Life…) wells up within; (then it would be) like a beast (routinely) filling its belly (sggs 685).

The next step after obtaining true understanding of what has bean read/listened is remembering it. After that, the next step is implementation in daily life (practiced, applied, “ਅਮਲ”…) – living daily life by that Wisdom or Virtues.

• ਜਹ ਕਰਣੀ ਤਹ ਪੂਰੀ ਮਤਿ ॥ ਕਰਣੀ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਘਟੇ ਘਟਿ ॥੩॥: When one’s ‘Karnee’/actions/conduct is perfect (i.e. free of cunningness/ingenuity – in conformance with the Divine Hukam/Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues) then this would indicate one’s intellect is also perfect. Sans of perfect ‘Karanee’/actions/conduct would indicate deficient intellect (i.e. one cannot have perfect ‘Karnee‘ with deficient intellect/understanding…). ||3|| (sggs 25).

In other words, reading/listening is a mean to an end, NOT an end in itself! Accordingly, the Gurbani commands us to read/listen with full attention, understanding, and implementation in daily life (Amal, practice).

• ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਸੁਣਿ ਸਭਨਾ ਨੋ ਕਰਿ ਦਾਨੁ ॥: Listen to the Hari Naam (Wisdom…) paying attention (ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਣ), and (then) share it (i.e., Naam -Wisdom…) all (sggs 135).

Simply put, the Gurbani wants us to becomeillusion-free, doubt-free, fearless, wise or Gurmukh by Awakening our intellect to the Gurmat (Giyan-Wisdom of the SGGS).

• ਸਭੇ ਰੁਤੀ ਚੰਗੀਆ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਚੇ ਸਿਉ ਨੇਹੁ ॥: All the seasons are good, in which love for Rabb Hukam is embraced, are good. (sggs 1015).
• ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਣਿ ਸਭ ਸੁਹਾਵਣੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜਿਤੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਉ ॥੫॥: O dear! All my days and nights are blessed when I understand the Naam. ||5|| (432).
• ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਮੁਗਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥: Only idiots and fools observe the lunar days and the week days (i.e., good and bad, omens). (sggs 843).
• ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਸਭਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਏ ॥: All the lunar days and the week days look beauteous if one contemplates the Shabad (Naam, Upadesh, Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…). (sggs 842).
• ਮਾਹ ਦਿਵਸ ਮੂਰਤ ਭਲੇ ਜਿਸ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ॥: The months days and moments are auspicious when (we) become good (i.e., abide in Naam, Wisdom, Virtues, Truth, Hukam etc.). (sggs 136).
• ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਚਿ ਰਾਤੇ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਸਭਿ ਭਰਮਹਿ ਕਾਚੇ ॥੭॥: The lunar days or the week days become beneficial only when (the mind) becomes imbued in Truth. Those who do not live by the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Hukam, Truth etc.), all of them keep on wandering (doubt-ridden…) due to ignorance or falsehood. ||7|| (sggs 842).
• ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਸਭਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਏ ॥: All the lunar days and the week days look beauteous if one contemplates the Shabad (i.e. remember Upadesh, Naam, Wisdom, Virtues, Truth, Hukam…). (sggs 842).

Ending

In short, the Gurmat considers all months or days the same (ਇਕ ਸਾਰ). It is one’s deluded intellect that acts superstitiously, and promotes it in human society. In fact, so called Kali Yuga is nothing what such selfish or corrupt mentality. Baabaa Nanak says:

• ਸੋਈ ਚੰਦੁ ਚੜਹਿ ਸੇ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਦਿਨੀਅਰੁ ਤਪਤ ਰਹੈ ॥ ਸਾ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੋ ਪਉਣੁ ਝੁਲਾਰੇ ਜੁਗ ਜੀਅ ਖੇਲੇ ਥਾਵ ਕੈਸੇ ॥੧॥ ਜੀਵਨ ਤਲਬ ਨਿਵਾਰਿ ॥ ਹੋਵੈ ਪਰਵਾਣਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਧਿਙਾਣਾ ਕਲਿ ਲਖਣ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਿਤੈ ਦੇਸਿ ਨ ਆਇਆ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਤੀਰਥ ਪਾਸਿ ਨ ਬੈਠਾ ॥ ਦਾਤਾ ਦਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਤਹ ਨਾਹੀ ਮਹਲ ਉਸਾਰਿ ਨ ਬੈਠਾ ॥੨॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਸਤੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੋ ਛੀਜੈ ਤਪ ਘਰਿ ਤਪੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ਲਏ ਬਦਨਾਵੀ ਕਲਿ ਕੇ ਲਖਣ ਏਈ ॥੩॥ : (O Pujaaree, you say bad things are happening because of the effects of Kal Yuga then how come) The same moon and the same stars have been rising, the same sun has been providing the heat (throughout the ages). The earth is the same, and the same wind blows; it is the Yug (state of the mind at a given period of time) which affects the behavior of the living beings and not the places. ||1|| (O Pujaaree) renounce selfishness from your life (‘Talab‘ of life- selfishness, sense slavery, ਖ਼ੁਦ-ਗ਼ਰਜ਼ੀ…). Swayed by selfishness people oppress the powerless and to them this oppression is acceptable; deem this oppression as the sign of Kali Yuga (i.e. the so called Kali Yuga is the corrupt state of the mind which plays in the minds of people and nowhere else). ||1||Pause|| (Kali Yuga) has not been heard to have come to any country, or to be sitting at any sacred shrine. It is neither seen where a generous person gives to charities, nor seen seated in the mansion he has built. ||2|| If someone practices Truth, he is looked down by others; if one claims to practice Tapa (i.e. penance), if one claims to practice Tapa (i.e. penance), his senses are out of control. If someone remembers Naam (i.e. live a life of Wisdom/Virtues, Truth…) then he is defamed; these are the signs of Kali Yuga (i.e. man’s corrupt state of the mind). ||3|| (sggs 902).

A selfish person will not even hesitate to deceive his Guru!

• ਇਕਿ ਅਪਣੈ ਸੁਆਇ ਆਇ ਬਹਹਿ ਗੁਰ ਆਗੈ ਜਿਉ ਬਗੁਲ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਈਐ ॥: Some come for their own self-interest, and sit before the Guru; they pretend to be in Samadhi, like the crane! ||3|| (sggs 881).

Hence, only when the Gurbani is fully assimilated will all be well with our minds’ thinking! That is, reading-listening-or-memorizing the Gurbani can only be beneficial if we take the next steps: reflect on it (Shabad-Vichaar), understand it (ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ), remember it, and then live it (‘ਕਰਣੀ’-Karanee: ਅਮਲ, application, practice, implementation, etc.). We are reminded that the Gurbani is not just a song (‘ਗੀਤੁ’), it is ‘Brahm Beechaar‘ or Brahm-Giaan (Wisdom)!

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਚਨ ਕਮਾਵਣੇ ਸਚਾ ਏਹੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥: The True Vichaar is to practice the Satgur’s Bachan (Shabad-Upadesh, Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad…). (sggs 52).
• ਲੋਗੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਇਹੁ ਗੀਤੁ ਹੈ ਇਹੁ ਤਉ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥: People think that the (Gur-Shabad) is (an ordinary) song, but it is a ‘Brahm Beechaar’. (sggs 335).

A way of life/tradition that makes us unfaithful to the Innovative, New, Unique and Revolutionary Guru’s Way of Sikhi. Let us wake up and together break the Bipran way of life (the love of someone else…), and return to true love/affection of the Gurmat of Guru Nanak.

• ਤੁਟੜੀਆ ਸਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਜੋ ਲਾਈ ਬਿਅੰਨ ਸਿਉ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੀ ਰੀਤਿ ਸਾਂਈ ਸੇਤੀ ਰਤਿਆ ॥੨॥ : The love/affection that is developed with anyone other than God, will break. Nanak, the true way/practice is to be imbued with God. ||2|| (sggs 706).

Some Related posts:

• Pujaaree’s Sikhi vs. Guru Nanak’s Unique Sikhi
• Gurbani is not Meant to Repeat Pre-1469 Belief System
• Unique Gurmat Bhagti
• Gurbani Defines Naam
• The Egg of Doubt Must Burst
• Sootak Redefined
• Gurbani Rejects Eclipse Rituals
• Deceased Ancestors and Anti-Gurmat Rituals
• Religious Rituals – Karamkaand
• Stubborn Mindedness – Ritual Bathing
• Brahmins in Sikh Masks
• Gurbani Debunks Superstitions of Casteism
• Haraamkhor Conduct
• Acting without Being or Becoming
• Stuck Half-Way
• Mind Must Bathe in the Pool of Wisdom/Virtues
• It’s the Mind that Needs to Become a Sikh
• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – Kiv Sachiaaraa Hoeeai?
• Sikhi: a New ‘Way’ of Life
• Crowds follow the path of Falsehood, Pakhand…
• Sheepish Attitude – People See, People do
• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – Kiv Sachiaaraa Hoeeai?
• Gurdwara is Supposed to be a Gateway to Insight
• Missing Component from Sikhi Parchar
• Fear exists only in Mind – Thoughts
• Pujaaree System Wants People Remain Ignorant, Fearful, Ritualistic…
• SGGS Teaches to Discard the Clergy – Pujaaree System