There are countless fake stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ, ਮੰਨ-ਘੜੰਤ ਸਾਖੀ) manufactured by the self-serving Pujaaree clique — clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.) and the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) etc., who have attributed these fake stories to the Gurus and Bhagats.
Their aim is to keep unsuspecting and gullible people confused, doubt-ridden, ignorant, mentally slave, tied to useless Karamkaand (rituals) etc., from which Baabaa Nanak freed us.
For example, the greedy Pujaaree clique fabricated this fake story of bringing a dead cow back to life, and then attributed it to Bhagat Namdev Ji, and keep repeating it since!
To quote a popular expression: ‘If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it’.
The GURBANI in the SGGS calls for the use of the GURBANI to understand, explain, translate and interpret it.
- ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਤੀ ਜਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਤੇ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਪਾਵਨ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੮॥ : The Guru’s Bani (Gurbani’s enlightening Message) can only be comprehended through the Bani itself by those who have internalized the enlightening Message contained within the Guru Shabad (SGGS). They are of clean conduct and pure consciousness (free of vices/Bikaar) for they live by Naam (divine Wisdom / Virtues). ||8|| (sggs 1346).
There is a long Shabad of Bhagat Namdev Ji that spans over pages 1165-1166 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). While reading/listening to this entire Shabad from the self-serving Pujaaree groups, one may get the idea that Bhagat Namdev Ji really brought a dead cow back to life! The shabad starts:
- ਸੁਲਤਾਨੁ ਪੂਛੈ ਸੁਨੁ ਬੇ ਨਾਮਾ ॥ ਨਾਮਾ ਸੁਲਤਾਨੇ ਬਾਧਿਲਾ ॥ ਦੇਖਉ ਤੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ … : Sultaan Poochhai Sun Bae Naamaa … (sggs 1165).
In the Light of the Gurbani, let’s review a few pertinent points as follows.
Point (1):
First off, the Gurbani addresses the human mind. having said that, here the word ‘Sultan’ is symbolic of the rebel mind-king — Mamnmukh or unenlightened mind.
- ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰਹਿ ਮਨਹੁ ਤਜਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥ : (Who has become the Gurmukh) recognizes his own (True) Self; he dies in the Shabad, (and through the Shabad) he banishes Bikaars from his mind (sggs 430).
- ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨੁ ਮਹਾ ਬਡ ਦੁੰਦਰ ਤਹ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਵਾਸੀ ਰਾਜਾ ॥੨॥ : The great fighter anger is the chief (of the body-fort), and the mind is the rebel king there. ||2|| (sggs 1161).
The word ‘cow’ is the symbolic of divine Virtues.
- ਖਿਮਾ ਧੀਰਜੁ ਕਰਿ ਗਊ ਲਵੇਰੀ ਸਹਜੇ ਬਛਰਾ ਖੀਰੁ ਪੀਐ ॥ : O God, give me in charity divine Virtues of compassion and contentment, which will be like my milk yielding COW so that the calf (my mind), may peacefully drink this milk. (sggs 1329).
Essentially, Bhagat Ji is saying here that my the cow of divine Virtues has died from my Manmukh or unenlightened mind. Due to death of Virtues, my mind got chained with vices/Bikaar. Then my mind was filled with narrow mindedness, religious fanaticism and discriminations of Ram, Khuda, Qazi, Mulan etc.
Thus, even though Bhagat Namdev Ji does not talk about worldly ‘cow’, the Pujaaree groups still fabricated the fake story, attributed it to him, and keep repeating it in order to manipulate the Gurbani and the unsuspecting people for the sake of making money!
Point (2):
Gurbani of the SGGS proclaims that NO dead ever came back to life by saying ‘Bismil-ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ’
- ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਗਊ ਦੇਹੁ ਜੀਵਾਇ ॥ : Bismil Gaou Dehu Jeevai (sggs 1165).
Having said that, a mind dead of the cow of the divine Virtues does NOT and can NOT come alive just by saying ‘Bismil‘. To come alive or Awaken, the Manmukh mind has to internalize the Enlightening spiritual Message contained in the Guru Shabad.
- ਮਨੁ ਸਚਾ ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਾਚੇ ॥ : A mind that internalizes the Enlightening Spiritual Message of the Shabad becomes free of worldly attractions and their corrupting influences. (sggs 116).
Point (3):
The Gurbani condemns the display of miracles or occult powers.
Because, as the Gurbani indicates, all miracles (Karamaat-ਕਰਾਮਾਤ…) are illusion — the dictum of senses confined to time and space. Accordingly, only bogus among the so called Baabaa, Sant, Saadhoo, Yogi, etc., consciously display such powers for insignificant things like impressing upon people for making new disciples and followers, amassing money, gaining fame and honor, securing material welfare and comforts of life by misguiding others, gaining recognition, seeking people’s appreciation and attention, etc.
- ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਪੈਨਣੁ ਖਾਣੁ ਸਭੁ ਬਾਦਿ ਹੈ ਧਿਗੁ ਸਿਧੀ ਧਿਗੁ ਕਰਮਾਤਿ ॥ : Without the Naam, all dress and eating are worthless; (without the Naam) accursed are all Sidhee and Karaamaat (sggs 650).
Thus, as the Gurbani asserts, the spirituality is not meant to perform weird tricks or miracles. The only purpose of religion or Spirituality is to kill the false ego-sense (Haumai) and stay clear from the rule of the senses, and, ultimately, realize the Mool (Source, Jot Saroop or True Nature…), within. As we can see, the intention of the Gurbani is not to create sorcerers, magicians, Madaaree or Manmukh, but Gurmukhs.
- ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਏਹਾ ਸਿਧਿ ਏਹਾ ਕਰਮਾਤਿ ॥੨॥ : O Nanak! By becoming the Gurmukh, the Divine Naam (Truth, Wisdom, Virtues…) abides in the mind; this is Sidhi and Karaamaat. ||2|| (sggs 650).
In other words, before the Mool-abidance, the practice or development of occult powers is among the greatest obstacles on the Way to linking with one’s Mool within (Source, Jot saroop or True Nature…).
The reason being is that it further inflates false ego-sense (Haumai), and rebels against unconditional surrender of all falsehood to the Mool within. To make us aware of this grave danger, in the very outset of the SGGS, Guru Nanak teaches all Mayaic Ridhi Sidhi to be ‘Avaraa Saad’ (lower or inferior in comparison to the Higher Taste, thus, hindrance, misleading…).
- ਆਪਿ ਨਾਥੁ ਨਾਥੀ ਸਭ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਅਵਰਾ ਸਾਦ ॥ : (O Yogi!) The Divine is supreme (Universal Energy, System of Nature…) whose (Hukam) controls all; (these Mayaic) Ridhi Sidhi are all inferior tastes (sggs 6).
- ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ : Ridhi Sidhi (magical powers) are all worldly attachments; through them, Naam (Wisdom / Virtues) does not come to abide in the mind (sggs 593).
- ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥ : I know nothing of ‘Paakhand’ of Tantric spells and magical mantras (witchcraft, ਜਾਦੂ-ਟੂਣਾ…); I have enshrined Raam (-Naam: Wisdom, Truth…) within my Heart, my mind is pleased with That. (sggs 766).
- ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਪੈਨਣੁ ਖਾਣੁ ਸਭੁ ਬਾਦਿ ਹੈ ਧਿਗੁ ਸਿਧੀ ਧਿਗੁ ਕਰਮਾਤਿ ॥ : Without the Naam, all dress and eating are worthless; (without the Naam) accursed are all ‘Sidhee and Karaamaat’ (sggs 650).
Therefore, to display miracles (Karamaat) is to act only out of deeply deluded egocentric false convictions and self-serving ambitions for enjoyment of Maya.
But, the truth is that the mind of a person who has become enlightened or a Gurmukh (such as Bhagat Namdev Ji) is beyond Maya.
Thus, despite the fact that the Gurbani repudiates exhibition of Karaamaat, the greedy and crafty Pujaaree groups still fabricated the fake story…!
Not only that, unfortunately, the Pujaaree system in Sikhi have been successful in reducing the Gurbani to a mere mundane business (‘ਰੋਟੀਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ’, ਧੰਧਾ, Golak…), rituals (Karamkaand), external appearance or Bhekh (religious robes), religious paraphernalia, etc.
In fact, the Gurbani teaches us that the best miracle would be to change one’s own mind (thinking, Soch) – to uproot it from Mayaic consciousness and root it back to its Source (Mool, Jot Saroop or True Nature, Truth…).
Point (4):
Further down in the Shabad, Bhagat Namdev Ji says:
- ਗਰੁੜ ਚੜ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਆਇਲਾ ॥੧੫॥ : Grurr charreh gobind aailaa. ||15|| (sggs 1166).
The available translations (Teekas of SGGS) literally translate ‘ਗਰੁੜ’ (Grurr) as a bird. They translate the verse something like this: God came riding the bird ‘ਗਰੁੜ’ (Grurr)! This is totally an anti-Gurmat nonsense!
This can NOT be the Omnipresent God of the Gurmat (Giyan-Wisdom, Upadesh, Sikhia, or Way of the SGGS…)! Because, the God of the Gurmat is not ‘there Yonder’ or ‘up there’ somewhere. Bhagat Kabir Ji proclaim:
- ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੪॥੩॥੧੧॥ : Kabeer’s Divine is that which is pervading all over (ਫੈਲਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ, ਤੇ ਸਭ ਦਾ ਸਾਂਝਾ – the same one in all beings and everywhere) ||4||3||11|| (sggs 1160).
The Gurbani’s Divine (One Universal Energy, Rabb, Hukam or the Law of Nature, …) is all pervasive, equally, HERE AND NOW!
Hence, the Gurmat never gets tired of reminding us that the man is not separate from the One Creator, and vice versa.
- ਤੂ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਵਸਹਿ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਾਉ ਨ ਬੁਝਹਿ ਗਵਾਰੀ ॥ : (O Lord!) You dwell, hidden, within the Heart day and night; but the fools do not understand how to Love You. (sggs 607).
The use of term ‘ਗਰੁੜ’ (Grurr) in this Shabad also hints that Bhagat Namdev Ji is not literally talking about reanimating a slaughtered cow.
If we search the Gurbani (‘ਸਬਦੁ ਖੋਜਿ’), we will find that the term ‘ਗਰੁੜ’ (Grurr) used in this Shabad by Bhagat Namdev Ji is also seen associated with the term ‘Shabad‘ (Naam, Wisdom, Sikhiaa, Upadesh…) in other verses of the Gurbani. For example:
- ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਨਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਹੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਧੂ ਘਸਿ ਗਰੁੜੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਲੀਠਾ ॥ : The Guru’s Shabad is the ‘Garurr’ (Mantar – antidote that neutralize the poison of vices/Bikaar…), O God, unite me with the Guru Shabad so that I may internalize his Shabad. (sggs 171).
- ਬਿਸੀਅਰ ਬਿਸੂ ਭਰੇ ਹੈ ਪੂਰਨ ਗੁਰੁ ਗਰੁੜ ਸਬਦੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵੈਗੋ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਭੁਇਅੰਗ ਤਿਸੁ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਝਾਰਿ ਝਾਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਵੈਗੋ ॥੨॥ : The snakes are filled with poisonous venom; the Guru’s Shabad is the ‘Garurr’ Mantar (antidote that neutralize the poison) – place it in your mouth. Maya-serpent (i.e. lures or temptations of the world…), does not affect that person who is rid of the poison by fixing attention on Naam (Wisdom / Virtues). ||2|| (sggs 1310).
- ਗਰੁੜੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਰੀ ॥੧॥ Grurru Sabadu… (sggs 1260).
- ਚਹੁ ਦਿਸ ਫੂਲਿ ਰਹੀ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਬਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਮੂਖਿ ਗਰੁੜਾਰੀ ॥: Chahu dis phooli rahee … (sggs 1209).
Thus, the Gurbani liberates us from outer domination. However, opposing the Wisdom of the Gurbani, the self-serving Pujaaree system wants to keep our minds shut and enslaved!
Point (5):
The Shabad of the SGGS is the Package of Brahm Giyan (Divine Wisdom, Truth, Naam, Hukam, Sikhiaa, Oupadesh-ਉਪਦੇਸ…)!
The Gurbani teaches us a practical Way of living. It’s the mirror for the mind – it addresses the human mind and Awakens it. As medicine is for the alive people not for dead, similarly the Wisdom of the Gurbani is for the minds of the living people, not for animals, stones, or dead people.
It’s the mind that has been shut closed and enslaved by the self-serving Pujaaree clique, as a chick in an eggshell (of doubt, Karamkaand, ignorance, vices/Bikaar or demerits, religious paraphernalia, and so on).
- 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).
In a nutshell, the Enlightening spiritual Message embedded in the Guru Shabad can restore one’s dead intellect (ਮਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਅਕਲ / ਮੱਤ..) with Brahm Giyan (Wisdom)!
Simply put, when the Sultan (rebel mind-king) realizes foolishness, Bhagat Namdev Ji asked:
- ਨਾਮਾ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਬਾਦਿਸਾਹ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਤੀਆ ਮੁਝੈ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥੨੩॥ ਇਸ ਪਤੀਆ ਕਾ ਇਹੈ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥ ਸਾਚਿ ਸੀਲਿ ਚਾਲਹੁ ਸੁਲਿਤਾਨ ॥੨੪॥: Naam Dev said O mind, listen and make this promise to me. ||23|| The measure of this promise is that, you O mind, should walk on the path of truth and humility (i.e. divine Virtues). ||24|| (sggs 1166).
Ending note
The SGGS teaches us every event in the universe happens according to Unchangeable ‘Hukam‘ (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…). Nothing ever happens in violation of this Hukam. Nature (Kudrat) does not break its own laws.
However, the following verse is always MISQOTED and ERRARANIOUSLY interpreted to justify all miracle or Karaamaati stories (Sakhi-ਸਾਖੀ, ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ) manufactured by the self serving Pujaaree clique:
- ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਜੀਵਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥ : Mirtak Kaou Jeevaalanhaar. (sggs 282).
This verse has been literally MIS-interpreted as: ‘HE infuses life back into dead’.
Such ERRARANIOUS interpretation goes against the basic principles of the Unique spirituality of Guru Nanak. Raising a person from dead is a miracle event because it violates the laws of Nature (Hukam), hence critiqued, rejected and debunked in SGGS.
Such ERRARANIOUS interpretations have no spiritual value, no guidance or UPADESH how to be good human being (i.e., SACHIAARAA), no Message in changing SIKH PSYCHE or the society. Clearly, the reason Sikh scholars MIS-interpreted Gurbani so literally is that either these scholars had little understanding of the basic principles of Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak, or they had some anti-Nanak or anti-Gurmat agenda.
According to the Gurbani, the real ‘ਮਿਰਤਕ-Mirtak‘ or dead is a person who is SPIRITUALLY DEAD:
- ਅਤਿ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਕੁਲੀਨ ਚਤੁਰ ਮੁਖਿ ਙਿਆਨੀ ਧਨਵੰਤ ॥ ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਹੀਅਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਹ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਭਗਵੰਤ ॥੧॥ : A person may be very handsome, of high birth, clever, talking wise, and wealthy. (But) O Nanak! That person is called a walking corpse (spiritually dead-Aatmik Maut) if he has no Love within for Bhagvant (divine Virtues, Wisdom, Truth – spiritual Awakening…) ||1|| (sggs 253).
- ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥: (Those beings) who have not served the ‘Satiguru‘ (through the Shabad-Vichaar), no Wisdom has Awakened within them, (they may appear as alive but they) are as dead in the world (spiritually dead-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). (sggs 88).
Now let’s try interpreting ‘ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਜੀਵਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥’ in the light of the Gurbani:
- ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਜੀਵਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥ : A spiritually dead person becomes Awakened through (understanding, internalizing godly Virtues / Wisdom, living in harmony with Hukam…). (sggs 283).
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Thank you bhai Sahib Jio for sharing Vichaar!
Let’s consider the two verses you have quoted. The First verse you quoted:
ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਜੀਵਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥ (sggs 279).
In this verse, the word “ਮਿਰਤਕ”-Mirtak is very significant. It indicates spiritual death or death of one’s spiritual life. To put it in simple Punjabi, it indicates: ਆਤਮਕ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ ਵਲੋਂ ਮੁਰਦਾ ਜੀਵ!
The second verse you quoted:
ਸੰਤ ਕੈ ਦੂਖਨਿ ਆਰਜਾ ਘਟੈ ॥ (sggs 279).
The words “ਆਰਜਾ ਘਟੈ” (Aarjaa Ghatai) in this verse simple indicates wasting of life in nonsense pursuits like opposing one’s Mool, Hukam, Shabad, Naam, Gur-Upadesh…
To put it in simple Punjabi, it indicates: ਉਮਰ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਹੀ ਗੁਜਾਰ ਦੇਣਾਂ!
The Gurbani’s Ultimate Message is (ਮੁੱਕਦੀ ਗੱਲ):
ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ (472).
ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (sggs 412).
ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਮਰਣਾ ॥੨॥ (sggs 564).
ਹੁਕਮਿ ਮਰੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਹੀ ਜੀਵੈ ॥ (sggs 962).
ਿਮਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਜੀਵਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥ ਭਖੂ ੇ ਕਉ ਦੇਵਤ ਅਧਾਰ
When Baba Atal Rai( Son of Guru Hargobind Singh Ji) said to Mohani(Dead boy) that get up & give his turn ( in children play) then the dead boy Mohani gets up & becomes live. Guru Hargobind Singh ji gets annoyed on this & said to Baba Atal Rai to leave his Body(become dead in place of Mohani). The second Example is of Guru Amardass ji who gives about 7 Years of his life to Guru Ramdass ji(as time to leave this earth of Guru Ramdass comes then Guru Amardass ji gives about 7 Years of his life .)
ਸੰਤ ਕੈ ਦਖੂ ਿਨ ਆਰਜਾ ਘਟੈ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਕੈ ਦਖੂ ਿਨ ਜਮ ਤੇ ਨਹੀ ਛਟੁ ੈ ॥ if ਆਰਜਾ (life) becomes shorten(less) then why cannot it becomes longer ?
Thank you Bhai Sahib Jeeo!
• ਮਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਆਤਮ ਦੇਵ ਦੀ ਖੜਗਿ ਜੋਰਿ ਪਰਾਕੁਇ ਜੀਅ ਦੈ ॥ (sggs 966).
• ਮਤੀ ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵਰ ਜੇਸਟ ॥ (sggs 371).
True to say, miracles are illusions and these could well be classified as reflection of MAYA. As MAYA cannot influence inner mind of GURMUKHS so are the characteristics of miracles. Those who believe in MAYIC power, they are further away from the reality of human existence. Such involvement would certainly lead people into vicious circle, and it would be very difficult to free oneself. Believe in Gur-Shabad and with God’s grace one could be freed from worldly attachments.
Thank you Bhai Sahib jeeo!
In nutshell, it’s all about filling the defective intellect (ਬੁੱਧ/ਅਕਲ/ਮੱਤ..) with Aatam-Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom)!
ਮਾਤਾ ਮਤਿ ਪਿਤਾ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ॥ (sggs 151).
Good clarification regarding the hidden meanings of the most misinterprated sabad given in
gurbaanee. This needs further clarification of the complete sabad in context of filling the bowl with “MILK” for presenting before the arrogant king of his time.