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ਮੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਆਧਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਲਾਗਿ ਰਹਾਉ ॥੮॥ :
Gurbani (i.e. the Enlightening spiritual Wisdom of the Guru Shabad)
is the foundation/mainstay/compass of my life;
Attuned to Gurbani, I remain spiritually alive. ||8|| (sggs 759).

Our world is increasingly interconnected. Gurbani.org strives to bring the Universal, egalitarian and timeless enlightening Wisdom of the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS).

Eko Guru – Shabad

Gurbani.org is Gurbani-centered: Gurbani-based explanations presented in English, using the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the principal source of Sikh belief and practice. Wherever the word ‘GURBANI’ is mentioned on this gurbani.org Website, it means Only the BANI (ਬਾਣੀ) enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), NO other books/texts/granths, hearsay, unreliable sources, mythical stories, concocted narratives or fake history written by enemies of Sikhi / Gurmat of Baba Nanak.

ਇਕਾ ਬਾਣੀ ਇਕੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਇਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ : Bani is the One, and (this One Bani) alone is the true Guru; therefore, Reflect only on this One Guru Shabad. (sggs 646).

As the Gurbani explains Gurbani, NO one else holds the ‘Key-ਕੁੰਜੀ’ to understand it! That said, the decision (ਫੈਸਲਾ) is considered to be the Guru’s only (‘ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੈ ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹਿਆ ॥’ The Guru Shabad has a clear edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ) in this context. NO compromise:

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਰ ਕਚੀ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ॥ : The Bani uttered by anybody other than the Satguru is ‘Kachee‘ (half baked; useless; lies, false, devoid of divine Wisdom etc.). (sggs 920).
ਕਬੀਰ ਜਉ ਤੁਹਿ ਸਾਧ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਕੀ ਪਾਕੇ ਸੇਤੀ ਖੇਲੁ ॥ ਕਾਚੀ ਸਰਸਉ ਪੇਲਿ ਕੈ ਨਾ ਖਲਿ ਭਈ ਨ ਤੇਲੁ ॥੨੪੦॥ : Kabeer, if you have a craving to play the game of divine love, then play it by following teachings of the Perfect Guru (Shabad-SGGS). Because neither oil nor mustard cake (cattle feed) is obtained by pressing the raw (Kachaa) mustard seeds in an oil mill – nothing is gained by following the imperfect or Kachaa Guru-Kachaa Giyan. ॥240॥ (sggs 1377).
ਗੁਰੁ ਕੁੰਜੀ ਪਾਹੂ ਨਿਵਲੁ ਮਨੁ ਕੋਠਾ ਤਨੁ ਛਤਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਤਾਕੁ ਨ ਉਘੜੈ ਅਵਰ ਨ ਕੁੰਜੀ ਹਥਿ ॥੧॥ : (One’s) mind is (like a) house, the body is (like its) roof, and the attachment of Maya is lock (on this house of the mind – like the chain locked on the animal legs). The Guru (Gur-Wisdom or ਗਿਆਨ) is the key (that open this lock – this is only key that can remove the spell of Maya from the mind…). O Nanak! Without the Guru (Gur-Wisdom or ਗਿਆਨ), the door of the mind cannot be opened. No one else holds the key in hand (to open this lock) ||1|| (sggs 1237).

Why do I write?

There is abundance of online information readily available on Sikh history, Sikh Rehat Maryada, religious dogmas, religious paraphernalia, religious robes, un-Gurmat rituals (Karamkaand), pilgrimage (Tirath Yatra), and so on. However, it is uncommon to see focus on the CORE Gurmat of Guru Nanak, which is Unique and Revolutionary and has nothing in common with the pre-1469 spirituality, beliefs and mindset – Sanatani traditions and ideology. Whether one heeds or not, the Gurbani alerts us:

ਦੁਨੀਆ ਹੁਸੀਆਰ ਬੇਦਾਰ ਜਾਗਤ ਮੁਸੀਅਤ ਹਉ ਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ : O people of the world! Be vigilant and Alert; O brother! you are being robbed even while you are awake! (sggs 972).
ਅਗੋ ਦੇ ਜੇ ਚੇਤੀਐ ਤਾਂ ਕਾਇਤੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ ॥ : If the mortal is conscious before hand (ਸਾਵਧਾਨ – wise, prudent or heedful etc.), then why he be punished later (i.e. then does not have to face consequences later). (sggs 417).

Gurdwaras are the best platform in terms of conveying the authentic and Enlightening Spiritual Message of Gurmat of Guru Nanak, and spreading it far and wide (‘ਸਾਝੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਹਾਨੈ’).

However, the way the current Gurdwaras or Sikh institutions are run worldwide, it’s apparent that they are not fulfilling that purpose! It is so because Gurdwaras are usually occupied by selfish, opportunistic, flattering, backward pulling people who do not understand basic principles of Gurmat, who are neither capable of doing anything themselves nor allowing anyone to do it, etc. They are in for money, not for spirituality or Gurmat (Wisdom of SGGS).

In addition, Gurdwaras are staffed with the greedy and self-serving Pujaaree clique (clergy) — ignorant Bhais, Ragis, Granthis, Pathis, Dhadis, Parcharaks, Kathakars, so called Jathedars etc schooled and trained in Taksali, Deraa-Vaad, Sampardayi, Sanatanism, Nirmala or Benaras traditions — who present Gurmat of Guru Nanak as an appendage of the Sanatan philosophy. They want to take the Guru Nanak’s Sikhi or Gurmat back to pre-1469 beliefs and traditions.

As a result Gurdwaras have become places for un-Gurmat rituals (Karamkaand); performing social customs such as marriage ceremony, death ceremony, naming ceremony after birth; making pilgrimages; offering Daan when some trivial desires are fulfilled, divisive and polarizing politics, and so on. We have made the Shabad Guru (Giyan-Guru) a means of making money (business, ਚੜਾਵਾ, ਧੰਧਾ – ‘ਰੋਟੀਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ…’), ritual bowing (ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਾਂ), circumambulating (ਪਰਿਕਰਮਾ) around SGGS, telling concocted miraculous stories (ਕਰਾਮਾਤੀ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ), ritual singing of Kirtan in a concert-like manner, dressing up SGGS with designers Rumaalaas (ਰੁਮਾਲੇ), scaring Sikhs to keep them away from SGGS by saying that the Guru is present as a person (ਹਾਜਰ ਨਾਜਰ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਗੁਰਾ ਦੀ ਦੇਹ ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਡਰਾਉਣਾਂ), and so on.

That said, empty and imaginary beliefs and Un-Gurmat rituals become a package, carefully curated. What goes on in a typical Gurdwara setting during the religious service? We walk in, bow before the SGGS, make our offering, in many cases make an offering to the Ragi or the Kathakar, take Parsaad, sit down to listen to whatever is going on at that time, even if the speaker is dead wrong in whatever he is saying and some of us know it we stay silent, stand up for Ardaas, listen to the order (Hukamnama) of the day which most of us do not understand and most of the time Granthis do not explain it either for lack of time or knowledge, take Parsaad, eat Langar, chat and leave.

Ragi and the Kathakar collect money and leave as soon as they are done. No question asked! Gurbani is seldom discussed in its true perspective, let alone engaged with. In this uninspiring atmosphere, the keenness for reading, inquiry, Shabad Vichaar, understanding, and learning from Gurbani has all but vanished. With the exception of some enlightened Sikhs, the knowledge of Sikhs about SGGS is nearly zero.

This current one-way method of preaching or ‘Parchar‘ we Sikhs have adopted in Gurdwars is an ineffective preaching system of the traditionalists (ਪੁਰਾਤਨਵਾਦੀ, Bipran…)! This is not the one that was practiced by Guru Nanak. His preaching method was Two-Way communication method – (1) ‘ਕਿਛੁ ਸੁਣੀਐ (Kish Suniay) and (2) ‘ਕਿਛੁ ਕਹੀਐ’ (Kish Kahiay). The foundation of Knowledge of Teacher/student is based on listening and speaking (ਕਹਣ ਸੁਣਨ) – question-answer – which builds a well-rounded society.

Further, in addition to adulteration of Sikh history, misinterpretation of the Gurbani becomes pretty apparent when siting in a Gurudwara listening to Parcharaks / KathaaKaars / Kirtanias etc and watching the large screen displaying distorted English translations of the Gurbani.I have never seen or heard any Parcharaks / KathaaKaars / Kirtanias correcting such distorted English translations carrying glaring errors. These Parcharaks / KathaaKaars / Kirtanias cannot be excused of this omission because for the Sangat this half hour is the best opportunity to be connected to the core of Gurbani. This kind of distorted translation and interpretation would drive those in search of new thoughts away from Gurbani. As a rule, now I refrain myself from going to Gurdwaras because for me it is not a learning experience.

In earlier period of my life, like the majority of people I also blindly followed and imitated the crowds without thinking. Since started thinking, I feel more aware, free, independent and don’t imitate and follow the crowds in sheepish mentality. I have no faction or a party to please, or compromise with my integrity. Having started thinking and having developed passion for the authentic Message enshrined within the SGGS, my intent is towards learning and understanding the Gurbani through the Gurbani to the best of my ability and then write it down, and share in the hope to encourage further thinking and discussion, further learn and evolve. Gurbani counsels the length of human life is just one breath. That said, considering my old age, I have to admit that you never know when the invitation will come! So I think we should continue to share what we have understood when we are still breathing.

If you have different understanding or view, you should believe as you wish. It’s not necessary that you also believe what I believe. In the same way, it’s not necessary that I also believe what you believe!

Since inception of this website in 1990s, I decided to keep this website non-commercial – NOT to use it as a mundane business (‘ਰੋਟੀਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ’ – ਧੰਧਾ, ਦੁਕਾਨਦਾਰੀ) in the name of Sikhi/Gurbani/Gurus/God as plenty of other sites doing just that!

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