Gurbani Aids Wisdom Using Examples of Animals, Birds…

To make the entire humanity of high and truthful conduct, the Gurmat (enlightening Message of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) has given us multifaceted teachings. The mention of animals, birds, vegetation etc in the Gurbani enshrined within SGGS is also to become aware of this benevolent and merciful gift of the Guru Sahib to the entire humanity.

To give us the valuable spiritual counsel to avoid getting entangled in the attachment of Maya and ruined (i.e. wasting life), the Gurbani (SGGS) has used many types of examples, metaphors, idioms, creatures, vegetation etc. For example:

ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਮੀਨ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੇ ਬੇਧੇ ॥ ਦੀਪਕ ਪਤੰਗ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੇ ਛੇਦੇ ॥ ਕਾਮ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੁੰਚਰ ਕਉ ਬਿਆਪੈ ॥ ਭੁਇਅੰਗਮ ਭ੍ਰਿੰਗ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਪੇ ॥੧॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਐਸੀ ਮੋਹਨੀ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਜੇਤੇ ਜੀਅ ਤੇਤੇ ਡਹਕਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਪੰਖੀ ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਤੇ ॥ ਸਾਕਰ ਮਾਖੀ ਅਧਿਕ ਸੰਤਾਪੇ ॥ ਤੁਰੇ ਉਸਟ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਹਿ ਭੇਲਾ ॥ … ਸੁਆਨ ਸਿਆਲ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥ ਬੰਤਰ ਚੀਤੇ ਅਰੁ ਸਿੰਘਾਤਾ ॥ ਮਾਂਜਾਰ ਗਾਡਰ ਅਰੁ ਲੂਬਰਾ ॥ ਬਿਰਖ ਮੂਲ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਹਿ ਪਰਾ ॥੪॥ : Fish living in water are attached to Maya in the form of their love for water. Moths are attached to Maya in the form of their love for the light of a lamp that burns them. Maya manifesting as lust afflicts the elephant, Snakes are bothered by Maya presenting itself as earth, and bumble bees are lured by Maya in the form of fragrance of flowers. ||1|| O brother, Maya is so captivating (worldly temptations), that it has deceived all beings in the world. ||1||Pause|| The birds and deer are imbued with the love of Maya. Maya in the form of sugar causes great hardship for a fly. Horses and the camels are trapped in Maya in the form of food and water. … Dogs and jackals are also imbued with Maya. Monkeys, leopards, and lions, are all indulged in Maya. Cats, sheep, and foxes, trees, and roots have all fallen victim to Maya in the form of food and water for their survival. ||4|| Even the gods (Devtas-ਦੇਵਤੇ) are drenched with the love for Maya, including all the creatures living in the ocean, heaven and the earth. Says Kabeer, whoever has a belly to fill, is under the spell of Maya. Released from Maya’s grips happens only when one internalize the Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru. ||5||5||13|| (sggs 1160).

It should be noted that in the foregoing Guru Shabad (and many more), even gods (Devtas-ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵਤੇ) etc are depicted standing at the same level as animals and birds. It is clear that Gurbani does not consider any separate and special entity of gods (Devtas-ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵਤੇ) at all. Gurbani affirmss they all are within the human body (ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸਾ…) representing three types of abilities that are present within the human body – to create (ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਯੋਗਤਾ), to nurture (ਪਾਲਣਾਂ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਯੋਗਤਾ), and to destroy (ਤਬਾਹੀ ਮਚਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਯੋਗਤਾ). That said, if a Sikh of SGGS has any kind of devotion towards any separate gods or goddess (Devi Devtas-ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵਤੇ), then he/she commits the crime of being a follower of the Bipran traditions, which have been critiqued, debunked, and rejected by Guru Nanak in no uncertain terms.

ਫੀਲੁ ਰਬਾਬੀ ਬਲਦੁ ਪਖਾਵਜ ਕਊਆ ਤਾਲ ਬਜਾਵੈ ॥ ਪਹਿਰਿ ਚੋਲਨਾ ਗਦਹਾ ਨਾਚੈ ਭੈਸਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ ਕਕਰੀਆ ਬਰੇ ਪਕਾਏ ॥ ਕਿਨੈ ਬੂਝਨਹਾਰੈ ਖਾਏ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬੈਠਿ ਸਿੰਘੁ ਘਰਿ ਪਾਨ ਲਗਾਵੈ ਘੀਸ ਗਲਉਰੇ ਲਿਆਵੈ ॥ ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਮੁਸਰੀ ਮੰਗਲੁ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਕਛੂਆ ਸੰਖੁ ਬਜਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ ਬੰਸ ਕੋ ਪੂਤੁ ਬੀਆਹਨ ਚਲਿਆ ਸੁਇਨੇ ਮੰਡਪ ਛਾਏ ॥ ਰੂਪ ਕੰਨਿਆ ਸੁੰਦਰਿ ਬੇਧੀ ਸਸੈ ਸਿੰਘ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਏ ॥੩॥ ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਕੀਟੀ ਪਰਬਤੁ ਖਾਇਆ ॥ ਕਛੂਆ ਕਹੈ ਅੰਗਾਰ ਭਿ ਲੋਰਉ ਲੂਕੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਨਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੬॥ : (The mind’s animal nature) plays the guitar of the elephant-nature (egoism…); it plays drums of the ox-nature (indolence, ignorance…); it plays cymbals of the crow-nature (material cleverness…). (The mind’s animal nature) performs dance of the donkey-nature (lust…), and perform Bhagti of the buffalo-nature (uncontrolled conduct or intoxication with Maya…) ||1||. O God, (You have changed my mind so much that it has turned many of its faults into Virtues, as if) You have cooked tasty fried patties out of the fruits of “Akk” (a small Indian plant, which yields very bitter mango like fruit). But only a rare wise person gets to eat them (enjoy the blessings of abidance in Divine Naam). ||1||Pause|| My mind which was cruel like a lion has now become hospitable, and the mind-muskrat now prepares betel leaves (meaning, abandoning vices/Bikar, my mind now serve others). All the senses, reside in their respective places, my mind-mice now lives a life of Divine Virtues, and the same mind, which was previously a turtle (i.e., which used to hide from the company of the seekers of truth), is now teaching others. ||2|| (O God, by Your grace, my mind has experienced exalted spiritual state, as if) the son of the sterile mother has set out to marry, and as if for its welcome canopies of gold have been put up. (The mind has now internalized Divine Wisdom, as if it has) married a very beautiful bride free of any vices/Bikaar, and now (the mind which was timid) like a rabbit, is living a life of Virtues (like a fearless Lion). ||3|| Says Kabir, listen O seekers of truth, (my mind has now become so humble, as if) an ant has eaten a mountain! Now my turtle (like mind, which previously wanted to hide from the company of seekers of truth) is looking for some warmth of holy congregation, and the evil seeking mind is now reciting Naam. ||4||6|| (sggs 477).
ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੈਲ ਬਿਰਾਨੇ ਹੁਈਹੈ ॥ ਫਾਟੇ ਨਾਕਨ ਟੂਟੇ ਕਾਧਨ ਕੋਦਉ ਕੋ ਭੁਸੁ ਖਈਹੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O human being, life without God’s Naam (without abidance in Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), your situation would be like a ox under the control of another. With nostrils torn off by the chain, shoulders broken by the yoke, you would have only straw to eat –– Just as a bull with a pierced nose (ਨੱਥ ਨਾਲ) goes wherever it is driven, similarly, if a human leaves the path of the Divine Naam ( Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), then the life of such humans is also becomes pierced (like the bull’s nose-‘ਫਾਟੇ ਨਾਕਨ’) due to his slavery of vices/Bikaar, just like that bull. Due to being absorbed in attachment and Maya, even his family becomes a burden to him. Carrying all this worldly burden one’s shoulders break (‘ਟੂਟੇ ਕਾਧਨ’). That is, due to carrying the burden of the vices/Bikaar/Maya, one remains spiritually lazy, tired, and broken (uneasy, unhappy). Just as an ox cannot be satisfied by eating chaff/straw, similarly the mind of a human being cannot be satisfied by the hunger of craving. A person who is devoid of the Divin life (of Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam) is like eating chaff/straw (‘ਕੋਦਉ ਕੋ ਭੁਸੁ ਖਈਹੈ’), whatever he is eating. ||1||Pause||
ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਸ੍ਰੋਤ ॥ ਜੀਵਨ ਰੂਪ ਬਿਸਾਰਿ ਜੀਵਹਿ ਤਿਹ ਕਤ ਜੀਵਨ ਹੋਤ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਖਾਤ ਪੀਤ ਅਨੇਕ ਬਿੰਜਨ ਜੈਸੇ ਭਾਰ ਬਾਹਕ ਖੋਤ ॥ ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਮਹਾ ਸ੍ਰਮੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜੈਸੇ ਬਿਰਖ ਜੰਤੀ ਜੋਤ ॥੧॥ ਤਜਿ ਗੋੁਪਾਲ ਜਿ ਆਨ ਲਾਗੇ ਸੇ ਬਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰੀ ਰੋਤ ॥ ਕਰ ਜੋਰਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਨੁ ਮਾਗੈ ਹਰਿ ਰਖਉ ਕੰਠਿ ਪਰੋਤ ॥੨॥੫॥੧੩॥ : It is disgraceful for the human being who are blessed with the ears – and other organs of the body – not to listen to and live without the Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). What is the life of those people who live (spend life) oblivious of the Creator?). ||Pause|| Forgetting to live by Divine Naam, those who remain confined to eating, drinking are like donkeys carrying loads. They engage themselves to toil for material gains round the clock like an ox yoked to a grinding machine. ||1|| Forgetting the Creator, those who are engaged in other ideas, they suffer in numerous ways. Nanak, I beg for the gift of the Divine Naam, I will always remember it in my mind — I always remain on the path of Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). ||2||5||13|| (sggs 1121).
ਹਰੀ ਅੰਗੂਰੀ ਗਦਹਾ ਚਰੈ ॥ ਨਿਤ ਉਠਿ ਹਾਸੈ ਹੀਗੈ ਮਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਮਾਤਾ ਭੈਸਾ ਅੰਮੁਹਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਕੁਦਿ ਕੁਦਿ ਚਰੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਪਾਇ ॥੨॥ : The donkey (i.e., the foolish mind) grazes upon the green grass (of vices/Bikaar or Maya); arising each day, (the mind) laughs and brays (like a donkey), and (finally) dies (in this ‘hee-haw’ or a donkey-lifestyle). ||1|| The intoxicated bull (of the deluded and Bikaaree mind) wanders around wildly. It romps (in false ego-sense) and eats (the crop of vices/Bikaar, Maya …) and then is ruined completely (live a hellish existence or low life…). ||2|| (sggs 326).
ਮਾਰਵਾੜਿ ਜੈਸੇ ਨੀਰੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਬੇਲਿ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਕਰਹਲਾ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕੁਰੰਕ ਨਿਸਿ ਨਾਦੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਤਿਉ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਰਾਮਈਆ ॥੧॥ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਰੂੜੋ ਰੂਪੁ ਰੂੜੋ ਅਤਿ ਰੰਗ ਰੂੜੋ ਮੇਰੋ ਰਾਮਈਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਧਰਣੀ ਕਉ ਇੰਦ੍ਰੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਕੁਸਮ ਬਾਸੁ ਜੈਸੇ ਭਵਰਲਾ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕੋਕਿਲ ਕਉ ਅੰਬੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਤਿਉ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਰਾਮਈਆ ॥੨॥ ਚਕਵੀ ਕਉ ਜੈਸੇ ਸੂਰੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਮਾਨ ਸਰੋਵਰ ਹੰਸੁਲਾ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਤਰੁਣੀ ਕਉ ਕੰਤੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਤਿਉ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਰਾਮਈਆ ॥੩॥ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਕਉ ਜੈਸੇ ਖੀਰੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਮੁਖ ਜੈਸੇ ਜਲਧਰਾ ॥ ਮਛੁਲੀ ਕਉ ਜੈਸੇ ਨੀਰੁ ਬਾਲਹਾ ਤਿਉ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਰਾਮਈਆ ॥੪॥ : Just as water is deer (precious) in a desert like Marwarr, the green fodder is dear to the camel. As the tune of the hunter’s bell at night is enticing to the deer, similarly God is dear to my mind. ||1|| O my Omnipresent God, lovable is Your Naam, lovable is Your form, and lovable is Your color. ||1||Pause|| Just as rain is dear to the earth, the flower’s fragrance is dear to the bumble bee, and the mango is dear to the cuckoo, similarly all pervading God is dear to my mind. ||2|| As the sun is dear to the chakvi (shelduck), and the lake Maan Sarovar is dear to the swan, and the husband is dear to a young bride, so is God to my mind. ||3|| As milk is dear to the baby, and the raindrop is dear to the mouth of the rainbird, and as water is dear to the fish, so is God to my mind. ||4|| (sggs 693).
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਪੂਤੁ ਪਿਛੈਰੀ ਮਾਈ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਚੇਲੇ ਕੀ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਏਕੁ ਅਚੰਭਉ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਦੇਖਤ ਸਿੰਘੁ ਚਰਾਵਤ ਗਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜਲ ਕੀ ਮਛੁਲੀ ਤਰਵਰਿ ਬਿਆਈ ॥ ਦੇਖਤ ਕੁਤਰਾ ਲੈ ਗਈ ਬਿਲਾਈ ॥੨॥ ਤਲੈ ਰੇ ਬੈਸਾ ਊਪਰਿ ਸੂਲਾ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਪੇਡਿ ਲਗੇ ਫਲ ਫੂਲਾ ॥੩॥ ਘੋਰੈ ਚਰਿ ਭੈਸ ਚਰਾਵਨ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਬੈਲੁ ਗੋਨਿ ਘਰਿ ਆਈ ॥੪॥ ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੁ ਇਸ ਪਦ ਬੂਝੈ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਰਮਤ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੂਝੈ ॥੫॥੯॥੨੨॥ : Initially, the mind was Intact (‘Poot’-mind) — Total or Holistic Consciousness (‘Saabat Soorat’). But later, due to the lure of senses, mind becomes illusioned, divided, and the ‘puppet’ of Maya (‘Maaee-ਮਾਈ’ = mother — mind adopts Durmat, wicked or Mayaic consciousness its mother). Maya essentially is the corruption of one’s conditioned consciousness (Haumai or false ego-sense). ||1|| The mind in its True Nature is fearless, untainted or Jot Saroop. But due to its forgetfulness of its own mighty divine status (Jot Saroop), it’s engaged in gratifying the defiled senses instead (ਮਨੋ-ਕਾਮਨਾਵਾਂ, ). This is like ‘the lion herding the cows’! ||1|| Rahaaou || Water is the support of the fish. It cannot survive without it. The Fish of the mind whose support was the water of Naam (‘Raam Udak’, Hukam, Shabad, Wisdom…) has settled on the tree of Bikaar (i.e, lust anger, greed, etc…). ||2|| The picture of the inverted tree painted in words and unveiled here serves as a beautiful allegory of the Jeeva’s separation from Truth. Tree with its roots above and the branches below signifies branches of Bikaar have become Jeeva’s base or roots instead of Truth. Obviously, such tree is going to bear similar fruits of Bikaar. ||3|| Man’s desires and fears are the ‘buffalo’. His deluded mind soaked with desires and fears is the ‘horse’. Manmat (‘buffalo’ – ਮਨਮਤ, self-will, fears, baser desires …) ride on the negative and defiled mind (‘horse’, or the body of defiled senses…), making the mind wander wildly in egoity in all directions. ||4|| Here Bhagat Kabeer Jee says that whosoever comprehends the purport of this hymn, and by dwelling in the Naam, he attains holistic understanding or awareness of life and the physical body. Freeing himself from bondage, he realizes his Jot Saroop, within. ||5||9||22|| (sggs 481).

That being said, using the examples of animals, birds, insects, plants etc, the Gurbani (SGGS) bestows enlightening spiritual Giyan-Wisdom on the entire humanity. Here are few more examples:

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲੇ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਭਵਹਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭਾਲਿ ॥: The Treasure (Naam) is deep within, O camel-like mind, but you wander around outside in doubt, searching for it (sggs 235).
ਕਊਆ ਕਹਾ ਕਪੂਰ ਚਰਾਏ ॥ ਕਹ ਬਿਸੀਅਰ ਕਉ ਦੂਧੁ ਪੀਆਏ ॥੨॥: Offering camphor (ਕਪੂਰ, a fragrant grass) to a crow is of no avail (because his habit of eating filth will not go away – ਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਗੰਦ/ਵਿਸਟਾ ਖਾਣ ਦੀ ਆਦਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ). (Similarly) feeding a snake on milk is of no avail (because he will not stop biting – his poison will only grow)? ||2|| (sggs 481).
ਸੁਣਿ ਮਨ ਅੰਧੇ ਕੁਤੇ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਬੂਝੀਐ ਸਚਿਆਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Listen, O my spiritually blind (UN-Enlightened), greedy ( dog like) and false mind (untruthful)! A ‘Sachiaar‘ stands out without him even saying a word. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 662).
ਸੁਆਨ ਪੂਛ ਜਿਉ ਭਇਓ ਨ ਸੂਧਉ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਜਤਨੁ ਮੈ ਕੀਨਉ ॥: (My greedy mind that disregards Naam: Wisdom/Virtues…) does not straighten out like a dog’s tail; (similarly this greedy mind will not straighten out) despite my innumerable efforts (i.e. remains unrepentant towards temporal indulgence). (sggs 633).
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੂਕਰ ਹਰਕਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਾਕਤ ਲੋਭੀ ਬੰਧੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੬॥ : Without remembrance (Wisdom, Virtues..), one is like a mad dog. The greedy, Saakat (one separated from the Truth) falls into entanglements ||6|| (sggs 239).
ਕੁਤੇ ਚੰਦਨੁ ਲਾਈਐ ਭੀ ਸੋ ਕੁਤੀ ਧਾਤੁ ॥ ਬੋਲਾ ਜੇ ਸਮਝਾਈਐ ਪੜੀਅਹਿ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਪਾਠ ॥ ਅੰਧਾ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਰਖੀਐ ਦੀਵੇ ਬਲਹਿ ਪਚਾਸ ॥ ਚਉਣੇ ਸੁਇਨਾ ਪਾਈਐ ਚੁਣਿ ਚੁਣਿ ਖਾਵੈ ਘਾਸੁ ॥ : Perfume a dog (with sandalwood paste etc.) all you want but the dog will remain a dog. Tutor someone born deaf on the essence of the scriptures but nothing will enter their mind for they are deaf. Light as many lamps and torches as you desire but the blind will still remain in darkness. Deposit mountains of gold in front of cattle but they will unhesitatingly run to consume the grass. (sggs 143).
ਸਚੁ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਚੇਤਿ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਮਰਹਿ ਹਰਣਾ ਕਾਲਿਆ ॥੧॥: Nanak says. O black deer – O mind! Understand the True (Naam: Wisdom, Virtues…), otherwise you will end up spiritually dead. ||1|| (sggs 439).
ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਜਲੀ ਬਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਮਨੁ ਕੁੰਚਰੁ ਮਯ ਮੰਤੁ ॥: O Kabeer! The body is (like) a banana forest, and the mind is (like) an intoxicated elephant ( wandering in it). (sggs 1376).
ਕੂਪੁ ਭਰਿਓ ਜੈਸੇ ਦਾਦਿਰਾ ਕਛੁ ਦੇਸੁ ਬਿਦੇਸੁ ਨ ਬੂਝ ॥ ਐਸੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਬਿਮੋਹਿਆ ਕਛੁ ਆਰਾ ਪਾਰੁ ਨ ਸੂਝ ॥੧॥: As a well is filled with frogs, (but those frogs in the well) know nothing of the world (outside the well); just so, my mind, infatuated with the poison (of Maya), understands nothing from one side to the other. ||1|| (sggs 346).
ਜਲ ਕੈ ਮਜਨਿ ਜੇ ਗਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਮੇਂਡੁਕ ਨਾਵਹਿ ॥ ਜੈਸੇ ਮੇਂਡੁਕ ਤੈਸੇ ਓਇ ਨਰ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੋਨੀ ਆਵਹਿ ॥੨॥: If salvation can be obtained by bathing in water, then what about the frog, which is always bathing (always remains in water)? As is the frog, so is that mortal; (without the Naam, Giyan, Wisdom…) he is reincarnated (at the level of mind), over and over again ||2|| (sggs 484).
ਮਰਕਟ ਮੁਸਟੀ ਅਨਾਜ ਕੀ ਮਨ ਬਉਰਾ ਰੇ ਲੀਨੀ ਹਾਥੁ ਪਸਾਰਿ ॥ ਛੂਟਨ ਕੋ ਸਹਸਾ ਪਰਿਆ ਮਨ ਬਉਰਾ ਰੇ ਨਾਚਿਓ ਘਰ ਘਰ ਬਾਰਿ ॥੨॥: O crazy mind! The monkey stretches out its hand (into the narrow-necked pot), and takes a handful of grains; now unable to escape (since its hand is full of grains, it cannot take its hand out of the narrow-necked pot and escape. That is, because of the greed, the monkey will not let go of the grabbed grains – ਦਾਣਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਭਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਮੁੱਠ). O crazy mind! (because of its greed, now the monkey) is made to dance door to door ||2|| (sggs 336).

Let there be no doubt – the spiritual Giyan-Wisdom of Gurmat is for humans, NOT for animals, birds, vegetation etc.

The Giyan-Wisdom of the Gurbani is meant for humans to realize through the process of knowing, understanding, accepting, believing, habitualizing, inculcating, and finally BECOMING the Gurbani. Because, infatuated with vices/Bikaar, it is the human mind that behaves like animals (ਪਸੂ ਵਿਰਤੀ-animal nature) – functions primarily on instincts, not much reasoning or discernment (Bibek Budh).!!!

ਕਰਤੂਤਿ ਪਸੂ ਕੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਾਤਿ ॥ ਲੋਕ ਪਚਾਰਾ ਕਰੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮਲੁ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਛਪਸਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਕਛੁ ਕਰੈ ਛਪਾਇਆ ॥: Although; human in name or creed, but actions are that of animalistic nature. But day and night he exhibits or shows off to people (that he is a human – ਬੰਦਾ)! Outside (on his body) he wears religious dress but in his mind is the filth of Maya. However he cannot conceal the filth of his mind with (outwardly wearing religious robes, cunningness, pleasing people etc.). (sggs 267).
ਕਲਰ ਕੇਰੀ ਛਪੜੀ ਕਊਆ ਮਲਿ ਮਲਿ ਨਾਇ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਅਵਗੁਣੀ ਚਿੰਜੁ ਭਰੀ ਗੰਧੀ ਆਇ ॥ ਸਰਵਰੁ ਹੰਸਿ ਨ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਕਾਗ ਕੁਪੰਖੀ ਸੰਗਿ ॥ ਸਾਕਤ ਸਿਉ ਐਸੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਹੈ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਰੰਗਿ ॥: The crow (Bikaaree or Mayaic mind…) rubs and washed itself in the pool of the saline land (pool of Bikaar : lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride etc.). (As a result) the mind and body remains polluted with demerits (Bikaar, delimited consciousness…), just as a crow’s beak always remains filled with filth. Associating with the crow-minded (i.e., Saakat: those separated from their Mool, Mayadhaaree, Manmukh …), the soul-swan (i.e. mind) did not respect the Pool of the Gur-Giyan or spiritual Wisdom). Such is the love with the Saakat. O Enlightened one! Understand (the true Way of life) through the Divine love. (sggs 1411).
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰੂ ਨ ਚੇਤਨੀ ਮਨਿ ਆਪਣੈ ਸੁਚੇਤ ॥ ਛੁਟੇ ਤਿਲ ਬੂਆੜ ਜਿਉ ਸੁੰਞੇ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਖੇਤ ॥ ਖੇਤੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਛੁਟਿਆ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਉ ਨਾਹ ॥ ਫਲੀਅਹਿ ਫੁਲੀਅਹਿ ਬਪੁੜੇ ਭੀ ਤਨ ਵਿਚਿ ਸੁਆਹ ॥੩॥ : Nanak, those who do not remember the Guru (Giyan-Wisdom) and who think of themselves to be very clever; they are unwanted like the sesame plants without seed, which remain abandoned in the farm by the farmer (for everybody and anybody to own/take them). Nanak, thus left alone, they look miserable like those who instead of one master have hundreds of masters; the fake sesame plants without seed seem to be flowering and flourishing but are filled with nothing but ashes (similarly those, who do not follow the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom, are spiritually dead, and in spite of being materially prosperous they are enslaved by numerous masters). ||3|| (sggs 463).

There are many more Shabads in the SGGS mentioning animals and birds, plants or vegetation etc. However, We should remember that neither animals, nor birds, nor plants, nor vegetation go to the Gurdwaras. Humans do.

Therefore, it will be a “Biparan” thinking (ਬਿਪਰਨ ਮੱਤ) to form the idea from such Guru Shabads that animals, birds, plats or vegetation can contemplate on the Divine Naam (abidance in Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam). NO. They can’t – according to the Gurmat (teaching of the SGGS), they have no knowledge of the Creator, nor can they contemplate on the Divine Naam.

ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਭਾਗਹੀਨ ਮਤਿ ਫੀਕੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਨਤ ਆਵੈ ਮਨਿ ਰੋਹੈ ॥ ਕਊਆ ਕਾਗ ਕਉ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੈ ਵਿਸਟਾ ਖਾਇ ਮੁਖਿ ਗੋਹੈ ॥੩॥ : Those unfortunate persons, misguided by bad advice, are of shallow intellect; upon hearing Naam (Giyan-Wisdom, Virtues…) they feel enraged in their minds. Just as a crow gets satisfied eating filth instead of good food, similarly these evil people, forsaking Amrit of Naam, are satiated by indulging in vices. ||3|| (sggs 493).
ਸਿੰਮਲ ਰੁਖੁ ਸਰਾਇਰਾ ਅਤਿ ਦੀਰਘ ਅਤਿ ਮੁਚੁ ॥ ਓਇ ਜਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਆਸ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਨਿਰਾਸੇ ਕਿਤੁ ॥ ਫਲ ਫਿਕੇ ਫੁਲ ਬਕਬਕੇ ਕੰਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਹਿ ਪਤ ॥ ਮਿਠਤੁ ਨੀਵੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਗੁਣ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਤਤੁ ॥ : The Simmal tree is straight, very tall and thick. But the birds that come and sit on it with the hope of eating its fruits, depart disappointed. Because, its fruits are inedible and tasteless, its flowers are nauseating, and its leaves are useless. (Similarly without Virtues such as sweetness and humility, all the show of greatness is of no use) Nanak, the Virtues of sweetness and humility are the essence of all Virtues. (sggs 470).

The understanding of the existence of Creator (as the Cosmic Hukam) has come only to man. Therefore, only the human body has been told the time to realize the Creator within, Here and Now.

ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ : How then can I become God-Realized being within (‘Sachiaaraa‘)? How can I remove the obstacle of my non-realized state within? O Nanak! (The way to realize Creator within is to) remain within the confines of His Hukam (the Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…), as (Creator and His Hukam) is contained with us. ||1|| (sggs 1).
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੯॥ : Says Nanak – one who has recognized the Hukam, that person has understood the mystery of ‘Prabh Saahib‘ (i.e. Universal Energy…). ॥5॥9॥ (sggs 885).
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਭਏ ਕੀਟ ਪਤੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਜ ਮੀਨ ਕੁਰੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਪੰਖੀ ਸਰਪ ਹੋਇਓ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਹੈਵਰ ਬ੍ਰਿਖ ਜੋਇਓ ॥੧॥ ਮਿਲੁ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਇਹ ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜਰੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸੈਲ ਗਿਰਿ ਕਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਰਭ ਹਿਰਿ ਖਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸਾਖ ਕਰਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਜੋਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਾਇਆ ॥੨॥ : Many births (multitude or different evolutionary stages of life) are created to exist as worm and Insects. Many birth are created to exist as elephants; fish and deer. Many births are created to exist as birds and snakes. Many births are Created to exist as domesticated horses. ||1|| (O mind), Realize the Creator Within, this is your opportunity to Realize. It took a very long time for the human body to evolve through many evolutionary stages of life (i.e. don’t live life any longer sans this Realization). ||1||Pause|| Multitudes are created to exist within rocks and mountains. Many births resulted in abortion (defective mutations resulting in death of the species). Many births are created to exist as plant life or vegetation. Life goes about within the entirety of life forms (that exist). ||2|| (sggs 176).

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Thus, along with humans, countless other species of animals, birds, insects etc have become the splendor of creation. According to the SGGS, the Universal Creator of this Creation is Infinite and Fathomless and cannot be limited to a finite number such as 8.4 millions life forms as claimed by the Biparan/Brahman-Vaad. Since the Universal Creator is LIMITLESS, the Gurbani asserts life forms to be COUNTLESS as well (‘ਅਨਿਕ ਜੋਨਿ-Anik Jon’, ‘ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ-Kayee Kot‘ – multitudes, innumerable, which cannot be counted).

Along with Guru Nanak, all the religious or social reformers who have been leaders in the world have come to teach only humans the path of righteousness.

ਸੁਣਿ ਮਨ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਮਿਲੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਹੈ ਏਹ ॥ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਜੋਬਨਿ ਸਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਦੇਹ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਢਹਿ ਢੇਰੀ ਤਨੁ ਖੇਹ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਲੈ ਲਾਹਾ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਲਾਹੀਐ ਹਉਮੈ ਨਿਵਰੀ ਭਾਹਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Listen, O my mind, my dear friend; the time to Realize the Creator is HERE AND NOW. (Realize the Creator) while there is life and breath in me. Without the Divine Virtues, the body is of no avail; (in the end) it will crumble into a pile of dust. ||1|| O my mind earn the spiritual profit of the Divine Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), before departing from this world. By becoming the Gurmukh (Enlightened/ Guru-Shabad-Oriented mindset), live by the Divine Naam so that the fire/vice of false ego-sense is extinguished. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 20).

As said earlier, the examples of animals and birds etc are only to make us understand the truth (Reality). We should not get confused by the literal meanings. Out of all the infinite lives, only one and only this human birth is the time when we can realize our Original Nature as “Jot Saroop“.

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਦਾਸ ਸਿਉ ਸਾਕਤ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਗੁ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਬਿਖਈ ਓਸੁ ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਮਨ ਅਸਵਾਰ ਜੈਸੇ ਤੁਰੀ ਸੀਗਾਰੀ ॥ ਗਾਡਰ ਲੇ ਕਾਮਧੇਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਪੂਜੀ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕਾਪੁਰਖੁ ਪੁਚਾਰੈ ਨਾਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਬੈਲ ਕਉ ਨੇਤ੍ਰਾ ਪਾਇ ਦੁਹਾਵੈ ॥ ਗਊ ਚਰਿ ਸਿੰਘ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ ਸਉਦੇ ਕਉ ਧਾਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਪੂੰਜੀ ॥੩॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਚੀਤ ॥ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਹਰਿ ਸਾ ਮੀਤ ॥੪॥੯੧॥੧੬੦॥ : A Saakat (Unenlightened mind or thought process) does not associate with a spiritually Enlightened person. (Because) the ‘Saakat‘ is caught in the clutches of sensuousness, while the spirituality Enlightened person is imbued with the love of ‘God‘. ||1||Pause|| There association would be like an untrained person riding a decorated mare, or an impotent man trying to seduce a woman. ||1|| There association would be like a person trying milk a bull by putting a cord around its legs, or a person trying to chase a lion while riding a cow. ||2|| There association would be like worshipping a sheep mistaking it for ‘Kamdhenu‘, or a person going to market to buy merchandise without any money. ||3|| Nanak, realize God’s Naam in the mind. Remember the Creator who is like a Best Friend. ||4||91||160|| (sggs 198).
ਅਧਮ ਚੰਡਾਲੀ ਭਈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣੀ ਸੂਦੀ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟਾਈ ਰੇ ॥ ਪਾਤਾਲੀ ਆਕਾਸੀ ਸਖਨੀ ਲਹਬਰ ਬੂਝੀ ਖਾਈ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਘਰ ਕੀ ਬਿਲਾਈ ਅਵਰ ਸਿਖਾਈ ਮੂਸਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਡਰਾਈ ਰੇ ॥ ਅਜ ਕੈ ਵਸਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਕੀਨੋ ਕੇਹਰਿ ਕੂਕਰ ਤਿਨਹਿ ਲਗਾਈ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : The state of mind which was lowly or evil (i.e. like a cat, the wandering mind that hunts for what belongs to others etc., with the Gur-Giyan-Wisdom) becomes pure – state of the mind transformed from very low to sublime, Wise, under control…). My craving mind that had previously remained hungry despite consuming the wealth of the world from the underworld to the sky, has now extinguished its fire of desire. ||1|| Like a cat of the house which hunts on the mice (i.e. my mind used to be looking for things to grab), but has now learnt otherwise and is frightened on seeing the mice (i.e. does not eye what belongs to others). The Guru (Giyan-Wisdom) has placed the lion (mind) under control of the goat (dissolved ego and made humble); the mind which was greedy like a dog has got used to eating grass (i.e. my mind is now satisfied with essential provisions). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 381).

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Let there be no doubt – the spiritual Giyan-Wisdom of Gurmat is for humans, NOT for animals, birds, vegetation etc.

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