Birth is the Proof of Impending Death

The Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) reinforces the age old fact that from Nature (Kudrat) we come and to Nature we will return, meaning our birth is in Hukam and death is also in Hukam (i.e. Universal System-Rule-Law-Order of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ).

• ਕਹਾ ਤੇ ਆਵੈ ਕਹਾ ਇਹੁ ਜਾਵੈ ਕਹਾ ਇਹੁ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ : What Is the Origin of Life; Where does it go? What Is Its Ultimate Destination? (sggs 940).
• ਹੁਕਮੇ ਆਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜਾਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ : The origin of life is by way of the Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ); its ultimate destination is by the Way of Hukam; it is to be lived in Realization of the Hukam. (sggs 940).
• ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ : Everything is within Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam. (sggs 1).
• ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ : It is Hukam (i.e. System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਨਿਯਮ), which causes birth and death — birth and death occur according to Hukam (i.e. according to the biology of birth and death). (sggs 472).

That being said, what we call ‘life or Jeevan-ਜੀਵਨ’ is existence between birth and death. One may consider his/her birth pretty significant, but an insignificant occurrence in the larger scheme of the Universe.

Birth of an entity is the proof of it’s impending death

As sunrise is the proof of immanent sunset or as the morning is the proof of approaching night, similarly, birth of an entity is the proof of it’s impending death.

• ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਜਾਇਗਾ ਸਕਹੁ ਤ ਲੇਹੁ ਬਹੋਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਂਗੇ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਤੇ ਗਏ ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਲਾਖ ਕਰੋਰਿ ॥੨੭॥ : Kabeer, this body will perish one day, stop it if you have the power)! Remember, even the richest of the rich depart nude after time.. ||27|| (sggs 1365).
• ਆਇਆ ਮਰਣੁ ਧੁਰਾਹੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਈਐ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਹੋਈਐ ॥੧॥ : Whosoever is born will die according to the divine Hukam — System-Rule-Law of Nature but people cry (at the death of someone) only because of false ego-sense. As Gurmukh, remembering the Naam (divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam) the mind becomes unshakable and unaffected (when death comes it remains steadfast in moments of both joy and grief). ||1|| (sggs 369).
• ਮਿਰਤੁ ਹਸੈ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰੇ ਪਸੂਆ ਨਹੀ ਬੂਝੈ ॥ ਬਾਦ ਸਾਦ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਮਹਿ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਹੀ ਸੂਝੈ ॥੧॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਹੁ ਆਪਨਾ ਕਾਹੇ ਫਿਰਹੁ ਅਭਾਗੇ ॥ ਦੇਖਿ ਕਸੁੰਭਾ ਰੰਗੁਲਾ ਕਾਹੇ ਭੂਲਿ ਲਾਗੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Death hangs on his head but the animal natured person fails to acknowledge its presence. Having entrapped itself in conflicts, pleasures and pride he fails to consider the reality of dying. Instead of wandering miserably, internalize the enlightening Message contained in the Guru Shabad. Witnessing the fleeting worldly pleasures, like the beauty of a colorful safflower, why are you mistakenly attached to these? ||1||Pause|| (sggs 809).

In short, death is a part of life, inevitable — if there is birth, there is death!

• ਅਨਿਕ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਿ ਕਾਲੁ ਸੰਤਾਏ ॥ ਮਰਣੁ ਲਿਖਾਇ ਮੰਡਲ ਮਹਿ ਆਏ ॥ : The fear of physical death is debilitating in so many ways. Destined to die, (one) comes into the world. (sggs 685).
• ਰਾਣਾ ਰਾਉ ਨ ਕੋ ਰਹੈ ਰੰਗੁ ਨ ਤੁੰਗੁ ਫਕੀਰੁ ॥ ਵਾਰੀ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣੀ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਬੰਧੈ ਧੀਰ ॥ : All human beings – the ruled and the rulers, the poor and the wealthy, the temporal and the religious – are merely awaiting their turn. We are in all in que / line. None can step out of the que. (sggs 936).

Neither science, nor religion, nor prayers (Ardaas), nor Yoga or meditation can help us outrun or postpone death. A person who has become the Gurmukh lives his or her life meaningfully and always ready to embrace death at any time.

• ਚਿੰਤਾ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਜੋ ਅਨਹੋਨੀ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥੫੧॥ ਜੋ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਸੋ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਹੈ ਪਰੋ ਆਜੁ ਕੈ ਕਾਲਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਇ ਲੇ ਛਾਡਿ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੫੨॥ : One should worry only if some impossible thing happens. Nanak, this is the only way in the world that none is going to stay here for ever. ||51|| Whatever is created, will perish sooner or later. Nanak, shun all worldly entanglements and live by divine Virtues. ||52|| (sggs 1429).
• ਸਭਨਾ ਮਰਣਾ ਆਇਆ ਵੇਛੋੜਾ ਸਭਨਾਹ ॥ : All those who have been separated from the Creator (non-realized state of the mind) die spiritual death. (sggs 595).

The Gurbani calls the human body ‘Jajaree-ਜਜਰੀ’ (meaning perishable, frail, weak, ਨਾਸਵੰਤ, etc.). The time eats it away, slowly and steadily, bit by bit! Ultimately it dissolves into the very elements from which it had come!

• ਇਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਜਜਰੀ ਹੈ ਇਸ ਨੋ ਜਰੁ ਪਹੁਚੈ ਆਏ ॥ : This body is perishable; old age overtakes it (sggs 584).
• ਨ ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨਵਾ ਨਰਾ ॥ ਨ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕਾ ਧਰਾ ॥ ਅਸਤਿ ਏਕ ਦਿਗਰਿ ਕੁਈ ॥ ਏਕ ਤੁਈ ਏਕ ਤੁਈ ॥੨॥ : No (imaginary) demigods live forever. Neither the demons (i.e. bad or corrupt people) nor human beings live forever. No Sidhas or seekers (Yogis etc.) remained here on earth. (These are all perishable, then) who else is everlasting? (O Rabb: Universal Energy, Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature…) You alone are forever. (sggs 143).
• ਧੁਰਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਰਵਾਣਾ ਫਿਰੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਜਾਇ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪਾਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥ : The Divine Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ)  cannot (ever) be averted/avoided/changed; (so, for this, now) the Guru is going with the Divine Hukam. (sggs 923).

In a nutshell, sooner or later, an interview with death is certain!

• ਕੋ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਭਰੀਐ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੫॥ : No one remains here (as per the divine Hukam) after the life span is fully lived. ||5|| (sggs 465).
• ਮਲਕਲ ਮਉਤ ਜਾਂ ਆਵਸੀ ਸਭ ਦਰਵਾਜੇ ਭੰਨਿ ॥ : Crushing death comes breaking open all doors (destroying all bodily senses or faculties etc.). (sggs 1383).

That being said, the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS teaches us to prepare ourselves for the physical death. Because our birth is the proof of our impending physical death.

• ਮਿਰਤੁ ਦੂਖ ਸੂਖ ਲਿਖਿ ਪਾਏ ॥ ਤਿਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਬਧਹਿ ਘਟਹਿ ਨ ਘਟਾਏ ॥ ਸੋਈ ਹੋਇ ਜਿ ਕਰਤੇ ਭਾਵੈ ਕਹਿ ਕੈ ਆਪੁ ਵਞਾਵਣਾ ॥੧੩॥ :  One experiences death, pains and pleasures according to the Creator’s Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature – ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). These cannot be manipulated – cannot be reduced or increased a bit by one’s own fancies. only that happens what is the Will (i.e. Hukam) of the Creator; therefore to claim anyone can manipulate the Hukam is to deceive oneself. (sggs 1084).

If we don’t prepare ourselves by taking the Wisdom of the SGGS and living by it, then there will be plenty of fear, anxiety and distress about death! We cannot learn that skill at the last moment.

However, on account of mind’s illusion, mortals think they are important and death will come to others, but not to them!

Recently I read these beautiful lines inscribed on someone’s tombstone:

میں اہم تھا۔ = Mai Aham Thaa = I was important,
یہی وہم تھا = Yehi Veham Thaa = This was (my) illusion!

The Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) time and again reminds us: Anything that appears will soon disappear. Ultimately we leave this world alone as alone we are born!

Use whatever euphemism you want to use for death, it cannot be avoided. In all directions, wherever we go, we will find it waiting — waiting from the moment one is born. Simply put, anything created or born must finish one day.

• ਜਨਮੰ ਤ ਮਰਣੰ ਹਰਖੰ ਤ ਸੋਗੰ ਭੋਗੰ ਤ ਰੋਗੰ ॥ : (Where) there is birth (there) there is also death, (where) there is happiness then there is also sorrow, (where) there are pleasures (of Mayaic or material things) then there are also diseases arising from them. (sggs 1354).

At the most, the body-frame may live through the three stages — childhood, youth, and old age (ਬੁਢੇਪਾ). After the third stage — old age (‘Jaru-ਜਰੁ’, senility) — there is the death of the body-frame!

• ਬਾਲ ਜੁਆਨੀ ਅਰੁ ਬਿਰਧਿ ਫੁਨਿ ਤੀਨਿ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਜਾਨਿ ॥ : Childhood, youth and old age – know these as the three stages of life (sggs 1428).
• ਜਨਨੀ ਜਾਨਤ ਸੁਤੁ ਬਡਾ ਹੋਤੁ ਹੈ ਇਤਨਾ ਕੁ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਜਿ ਦਿਨ ਦਿਨ ਅਵਧ ਘਟਤੁ ਹੈ ॥ : The mother thinks that her son is growing up; (but) she does not understand that, day by day, his life is diminishing (sggs 91).

The Gurbani equates human life with passing shadow and night. Someone could could live a few days, few months, few years. some may live up to 100 years or more. Regardless, everybody’s life-night must end, sooner or later.

• ਰਾਤਿ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਧਨੁ ਸੰਚੀਐ ਭਲਕੇ ਚਲਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ : (The mortal) accumulates wealth for a night of his life, but in the morning, (he) must depart. (sggs 787).

One can color his or her hair to hide old age (ਬੁਢੇਪਾ), or get plastic surgery done to hide the signs of old age, but death ‘suddenly pounces’ just as a hawk suddenly pounces on an unsuspecting bird engaged in play!

• ਕੇਲ ਕਰੇਦੇ ਹੰਝ ਨੋ ਅਚਿੰਤੇ ਬਾਜ ਪਏ ॥ : While a Hans (swan, goose…) is engaged in play, a hawk suddenly pounces on it. (sggs 1383).
• ਮਰਣਿ ਨ ਮੂਰਤੁ ਪੁਛਿਆ ਪੁਛੀ ਥਿਤਿ ਨ ਵਾਰੁ ॥ : Death does not ask us the time nor the day before striking us down. (sggs 1244).

The Gurbani also compares this human body with a clay-built pitcher. In a cracked clay-built pitcher, water will slowly and steadily leak out. Similarly, this pitcher of the human body — which also got cracked as soon as it took the first breath — will perish as well!

• ਛਿਨੁ ਛਿਨੁ ਅਉਧ ਬਿਹਾਤੁ ਹੈ ਫੂਟੈ ਘਟ ਜਿਉ ਪਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Each and every moment, your life is passing away, like water from a cracked pitcher. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 726).
• ਪਵਨਿ ਅਫਾਰ ਤੋਰ ਚਾਮਰੋ ਅਤਿ ਜਜਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਰੇ ਮਾਟੁਲੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : (O man!) Your skin is puffed up by air, and your body-pitcher has grown old (frail, etc.). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1246).

That which is Real never ends, and that which ends is unreal (i.e., false, impermanent, ‘ਸੋ ਕਾਚੋ ਕਾਚਾ’). Thus, the Gurbani’s edict is what comes and goes is not Real.

Anything that is time-bound cannot be Eternal (ਸਦੀਵੀ, forever, permanent…), hence unreal. To be Real means to be free of beginning, middle and end. Whatever comes and goes is bound and limited by beginning, middle and end, therefore unreal.

• ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਸੋ ਚਾਲਨਹਾਰੁ ॥ : Whatever is seen (entire material world) is perishable (sggs 268).
• ਫਰੀਦਾ ਅਖੀ ਦੇਖਿ ਪਤੀਣੀਆਂ ਸੁਣਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਰੀਣੇ ਕੰਨ ॥ ਸਾਖ ਪਕੰਦੀ ਆਈਆ ਹੋਰ ਕਰੇਂਦੀ ਵੰਨ ॥੧੧॥ : Farid, seeing the worldly spectacles, eyesight flees and hearing depletes. The body becomes aged and pale. (sggs 1378).

Then what is Eternal (ਸਦੀਵੀ-Sadeevee, forever, permanent…)?

The Gurbani time and again reminds us — since the body is not forever and ever — its seeing (‘Deedaar‘ or ‘Darshan‘) cannot be forever either, ONLY the Shabad (Wisdom or Giyan, Naam, Upadesh, Hukam) is forever (ਸਦੀਵੀ-Sadeevee)!

Accordingly, a real Sikh (a true learner) wants to Realize the Gur-Shabad through Shabad-Vichaar (churning the Gurbani). Thus, known as a Gurmukh in the Gurbani, the whole life of such an Awakened Being becomes a celebration itself! He understands the human life’s target and the purpose. There is no fear of old age or death to him.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੀਵੈ ਮਰੈ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਰਜਾ ਨ ਛੀਜੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥ : (Who ) becomes the Gurmukh, (his) life and death is of avail (ਸਫਲ, ਕਬੂਲ). (His) life does not waste away; (because he) realizes the Shabad. (sggs 125).
• ਸਦ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਭਲੋ ਕਹਾਂਹੀ ॥ ਮੂਏ ਬਿਨੁ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਨਾਹੀ ॥੧॥ ਅਬ ਕਿਆ ਕਥੀਐ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਨਿਜ ਨਿਰਖਤ ਗਤ ਬਿਉਹਾਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : People desire eternal life and call it beautiful. But without death (of false ego-sense) there can be no eternal life. When that ‘Eternal Life’ is understood then there is no need to explain it. Because it becomes evident that worldly things are fleeting but the life received after erasing the false ego-sense is eternal. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 655).

The Gurbani teaches us that the Truth (the Creator) never gets old or invalid — does not age, remains the same in past, present and future. However, as asserted by the Gurbani the Truth cannot be Realized until one is pure in mind.

• ਸਚੁ ਪੁਰਾਣਾ ਹੋਵੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਸੀਤਾ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਪਾਟੈ ॥ : The Creator (‘ਸਚੁ’) does not grow old; a person never get separated once united with Creator. (sggs 956).
• ਸਚੁ ਤਾ ਪਰੁ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਜਾ ਰਿਦੈ ਸਚਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ : The Creator is Realized then when the mind has BECOME true (sincere, genuine). (sggs 468).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਬਧਾ ਘਰੁ ਤਹਾਂ ਜਿਥੈ ਮਿਰਤੁ ਨ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਰਾ ॥੪॥੬॥੭੬॥ : Nanak, this is how the house (state of the mind) is built where there is neither death nor birth nor old age (i.e. the state of the mind free of repeated suffering. ||4||6||76|| (sggs 44).

However men and women who live virtuously in harmony with the divine Hukam have never feared death having conducted as ‘Sachiaaraa‘ every waking day. For them, death is a final word on a life well-lived — a Blissful release or deliverance!

• ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਰਨੇ ਤੇ ਜਗੁ ਡਰੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨਿ ਆਨੰਦੁ ॥ ਮਰਨੇ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦੁ ॥੨੨॥: Kabir, the world is afraid of death (breaking from Haumai/vices/Bikaar etc.), but it fills my mind with spiritual Bliss. Because, it is only when we die (eradicate Haumai/vices/Bikaar etc.) that we realize God within, the embodiment of Supreme spiritual Bliss. ||22|| (sggs 1365).
• ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਸਦਾ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥ ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲਿ ਤੇਰਾ ਬੇਲੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਦਾ ਨਿਬਹੈ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O my mind, always remember ‘Hari’ (-Naam: Wisdom, Virtues, Hukam…). Ultimately that alone would be your best friend; always standing by you. ||Pause|| (sggs 601).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੈ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਕਾ ਦਰੁ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੩॥: One who dies in the Shabad, that person annihilates his/her mind and realizes Liberation (from Maya attachment, worldly attractions and their corrupting influences…). ||3|| (sggs 117).
• ਮਰਣੁ ਨ ਮੰਦਾ ਲੋਕਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜੇ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਐਸਾ ਕੋਇ ॥ : Death would not be vilified by the masses thus if only they knew how to die.(sggs 579).

Are one’s number of breaths (ਸਾਹ) pre-ordained – no more, no less?

This is absolute falsehood (Jhooth-ਝੂਠ) propagated by the anti-Gurmat Pujaaree clique trained by the anti-Nanak groups such as Udhasi and Banaras trained Nirmala (Bipar) to hide truths of Sikh history which suggests most Sikh Gurus died mysteriously when they were relative young and healthy – hinting homicide or raising suspicion of murder by the anti-Gurus and anti-Sikhi elements. If you brainwash simpletons by repeating this false narrative of pre-ordained, ‘fixed breath counts (ਸਾਹ)’, then they will not question anyone’s death.

The Giyan of the Gurbani (SSGS) does not agree with this false theory of pre-ordained, ‘fixed breath counts (ਸਾਹ)’. If that was true, then:

• Why do you go to court and law-enforcement if someone murder your family member? You should instead happily accept the self-serving Pujaaree’s theory of ‘fixed breath counts (ਸਾਹ)’!
• Why do you go to hospital to get well and live a healthy and long life?
• Why do you focus on regular exercise to live a healthy and long life?
• Why do you focus on a healthy eating or diet program to live a healthy and long life?
• Why do you join Yoga etc to live a healthy and long life?
• Why do you quit drugs, drinking, smoking etc to live a healthy and long life? You should keep doing it because your breath counts are pre-ordained!
• Why do you maintain healthy weight per recommendations of your doctor to live a healthy and long life?
• Why do you go for regular health checkups to live a healthy and long life?
• Why do you focus on stress management to live a healthy and long life?
• Why do you focus on getting enough rest/sleep to live a healthy and long life?

In short, this false and illogical theory of pre-ordained number of breaths (ਸਾਹ) propagated by the self-serving Pujaaree is not only nonsensical but also does not conform to the Sidhant of the Gurmat.

Some Related Posts:

• Pujaaree’s Sikhi vs. Guru Nanak’s Unique Sikhi
• Length of Life is One Breath!
• Gurmat Concept of Death
• Death is not to be Feared
• Gurbani Says First Accept Death!
• Dying in Shabad
• Death of Haumai Brings Sukha
• Passing Shadow
• Two Types of Living and Dying
• Step onto my Path with Your Head in Hand
• Hukam is the Core of Sikhi
• Where does Soul go after Physical Death?