Calculated Relationship with the Guru or God

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In the spirituality of the Shabad, there is NO concept of counting (ਗਿਣਤੀ ਮਿਣਤੀ).

  • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਗਣਤ ਮਿਟਾਵੈ ॥: The spirituality of the Shabad (Enlightened State, Gurmukh Mindset…) enables the elimination of all counts (ਗਿਣਤੀ ਮਿਣਤੀ from within the mind). (sggs 942).

Example of a calculated relationship would be like ‘If you do this for me, then I will do this for you.’

For example, ‘O Guru or God! if you cure my sickness’; ‘if you improve my business’; ‘if you give me more wealth’; ‘if you help me win case in the court’; ‘if you help my children pass their exams’; ‘if you help me pass my driving test’ etc., ‘then I will perform Akhand Paath or Saadhaaran Paath or Sukhmani Sahib Paath or offer Rumaalaa, serve Langar, offer Parsaad, give donation’; and so on.

Or, ‘O Guru or God! ‘if I count certain rounds of beads (rosary) on you name, then you will have to do this and that for me’!

Isn’t this what most of us (if not all) witness routinely in Gurdwaras, specifically when Bhais (priest) perform Ardaas!

Usually, Bhai reads from a big list containing names of those who paid him or the Gurdawara, in return for favors from the Guru or God. In order to secure return-business, these Bhais (clergy or Pujaaree) will say anything to please their host!

Just think, for example, if someone does not know how to drive an automobile properly, then why the Guru or God wants to grant that person a driving license? So that he can go out and kill people on the road!!

What a joke! The self-serving Pujaaree-Vaad (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.), the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) and gullible and greedy people who follow them have made mockery of the Baabaa Nanak’s Gurmat or Sikhi.

This sort of nonsense is totally contrary to the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giaan, Upadesh or Way of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). But, unfortunately, the self-serving Pujaaree system has hijacked the Baabaa Nanak’s Sikhi and has totally tainted it.

  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਤੀ ਗਣਤ ਜਿ ਰਖੈ ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਗਇਆ ॥ ਨਿਤ ਝਹੀਆ ਪਾਏ ਝਗੂ ਸੁਟੇ ਝਖਦਾ ਝਖਦਾ ਝੜਿ ਪਇਆ ॥: One who enters into a calculated relationship with the Satigur loses all ‘Halat’ (external Mayaic world…) and ‘Palat’ (Inner spiritual world, Heart….). He grinds his teeth (ਕਚੀਚੀਆਂ ਵੱਟਦਾ ਹੈ) continually and foams at the mouth (like a rabid dog); screaming in anger (ਖਪਦਾ ਖਪਦਾ, at the end), he perishes (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ-death of his spiritual life). (sggs 307).

Baabaa Nanak warns us about calculations or counting in the very outset of the SGGS, which is invariably misinterpreted by the scheming Pujaaree-Vaad:

  • ਸੁਅਸਤਿ ਆਥਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਬਰਮਾਉ ॥ ਸਤਿ ਸੁਹਾਣੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ॥ ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਵਖਤੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਕਵਣ ਥਿਤਿ ਕਵਣੁ ਵਾਰੁ ॥ ਕਵਣਿ ਸਿ ਰੁਤੀ ਮਾਹੁ ਕਵਣੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਹੋਆ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਵੇਲ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਪੰਡਤੀ ਜਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਲੇਖੁ ਪੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ ਵਖਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਕਾਦੀਆ ਜਿ ਲਿਖਨਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ॥ ਥਿਤਿ ਵਾਰੁ ਨਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਰੁਤਿ ਮਾਹੁ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਕਿਵ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਾ ਕਿਵ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਕਿਉ ਵਰਨੀ ਕਿਵ ਜਾਣਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਣਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਆਖੈ ਇਕ ਦੂ ਇਕੁ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥ : (For my spirituality) the Shabad (ਬਾਣੀ) is the Refuse (ਸੁਅਸਤਿ) and Virtues the Shield (ਬਰਮਾਉ). This Beautiful (Refuse of Shabad and shield of Virtues) of the Creator creates the Eternal Bliss of Realization in my mind. (The Eternal Bliss of Realization in my mind is NOT subject to) a particular period, time, week and day. The coming into being of (Eternal Bliss of Realization in my mind) is NOT subject to a particular season or month. The coming into being of (Eternal Bliss of Realization in my mind) is NOT obtained through knowledge (of Pandit) contained in the Puraanas. The coming into being of (Eternal Bliss of Realization in my mind) is NOT obtained through knowledge (of Kazi) contained in the Kuran. The coming into being of (Eternal Bliss of Realization in my mind) is NOT at all obtained through season, month, week and day related Yogi acts. The creator (mind) of the state (of Eternal Bliss of Realization Within me) knows this. The state (of Eternal Bliss of Realization Within me) is beyond description, narration and praise. Nanak, the complete narrative of (the state of Eternal Bliss of Realization Within me) is such (beyond description, narration and praise) because everyone of my senses is Awakened. (sggs 4-5).
  • ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਆਗਾਸਾ ਆਗਾਸ ॥ ਓੜਕ ਓੜਕ ਭਾਲਿ ਥਕੇ ਵੇਦ ਕਹਨਿ ਇਕ ਵਾਤ ॥ ਸਹਸ ਅਠਾਰਹ ਕਹਨਿ ਕਤੇਬਾ ਅਸੁਲੂ ਇਕੁ ਧਾਤੁ ॥ ਲੇਖਾ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਲੇਖੈ ਹੋਇ ਵਿਣਾਸੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਵਡਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਆਪੁ ॥੨੨॥: (MY Enlightened consistence causes) my mind to vacillate between countless lowest of the lowest thoughts and highly Enlightened ones. (In this vacillation,) and my exhausting search (‘ਭਾਲਿ’) for the ultimate sanctuary (‘ਓੜਕ ਓੜਕ’), One Enlightened thing is of Worth (‘ਵੇਦ ਕਹਨਿ ਇਕ ਵਾਤ’). (The One Enlightened finding is that) the Conscience (‘ਧਾਤੁ’) is the Root (‘ਅਸੁਲੂ’) of all spirituality (‘ਸਹਸ ਅਠਾਰਹ ਕਹਨਿ ਕਤੇਬਾ’). (When my Conscience Becomes the root of my spirituality) the Accounting (of the vacillation) that occurred Within me is settled. Nanak, my Realization Within (‘ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਆਪੁ’ — Self knowing Self) brings acceptance (‘ਆਖੀਐ’) of the Primacy (of my Conscience). (sggs 5).

Baabaa Nanak further tells us about how religions and their Pujaaee (clergy) has concocted antagonistic adherents, religious codes, (Rahat), rituals, Shara or Shariat etc. However, Baabaa Nanak asserts that NONE of these can help anybody find liberation from the vices and Bikaar.

  • ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਹੈ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਜਾ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇ ਤ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਸਰੈ ਸਰੀਅਤਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਕੈਸੇ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਪਾਰੁ ॥: (Creator-Universal Energy) is pervasive in KUDRAT (Nature), it cannot be valued. Even if one tries to find the value, it could not be described. How can a person, who only continues reflecting on Shara or Shariat (i.e. Rahat, religious codes, rituals etc.), find liberation (from the vices and Bikaar without Realizing the Creator Within)? (sggs 84).

However, the Karamkaand (Rituals, formalities…) propagated by the  Pujaaree-Vaad fits the popular expression ‘blind leads blind‘.

  • ਝੂਠਾ ਮੰਗਣੁ ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਮਾਗੈ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਮਰਤੇ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ॥ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਜੋ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਸੇਵੈ ਸੋ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਕਹਣਾ ॥੧॥: One who asks for a false gift (perishable things – ਨਾਸਵੰਤ ਪਦਾਰਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ), will not take even an instant to die (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ – death of his spiritual life). But one who continually serves the Transcendent, meeting the Guru, he is said to have become simple or free of wiles (ਅਡੋਲ, free of Maya’s cravings, free of desires, etc.). ||1|| (sggs 109).
  • ਮਾਇਆ ਮਨਹੁ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਮਾਂਗੈ ਦੰਮਾ ਦੰਮ ॥ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਹੀ ਕਰੰਮ ॥੧॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਚਲਈ ਕਿਆ ਲਪਟਾਵਹਿ ਅੰਧ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਰਣ ਧਿਆਇ ਤੂ ਤੂਟਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਬੰਧ ॥੨॥: O Nanak! That person whose mind does not forget Maya, and who (instead of Naam: Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) asks for (more and more) Maya each and every breath, who does not remember Prabh, (know that) he is unfortunate. ||1|| O blind (ignorant Jeeva)! Maya will not go along with you, so why do you cling to it? Contemplate the Gur-Wisdom, and the bonds of Maya will be cut asunder. ||2|| (sggs 1093).

Guru Arjan Sahib says:

  • ਨਾਨਕ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮੁ ॥੪॥੪॥: In the Nanak’s (Inner) Home, there is only Giaan or Wisdom (i.e., Naam). ||4||4|| (sggs 1136).

The following Shabad depicts Baabaa Nanak’s incalculable relationship with the Divine and his Ardaas (prayer):

  • ਤੂ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦਾਤਾ ਦਾਨਿ ਮਤਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਹਮ ਥਾਰੇ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਮੈ ਕਿਆ ਮਾਗਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਥਿਰੁ ਨ ਰਹਾਈ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਬਨਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਗੁਪਤੋ ਵਰਤੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਦੇਖਿ ਨਿਹਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਮਰਤ ਪਇਆਲ ਅਕਾਸੁ ਦਿਖਾਇਓ ਗੁਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਅਜੋਨੀ ਹੈ ਭੀ ਹੋਨੀ ਘਟ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਦੇਖੁ ਮੁਰਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਕਉ ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਬਪੁੜੋ ਇਨਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਵਿਸਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਾਕਤ ਬਾਜੀ ਹਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੰਧਨ ਤੋੜਿ ਨਿਰਾਰੇ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਗਰਭ ਮਝਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੮॥: O Prabh (present within: Mool, Jot Saroop…)! You are the perfect giver (of DAAN), we are beggars (of Naam at your door). What can I ask you? Nothing lasts forever. O Hari! Give me (only) Naam so that I may love Naam. ||1|| … (sggs 597).

Furthermore, the Gurbani stresses that ‘everything’, including the Creator (Rabb, Saahib, Sajjan, Gobind, Hari, Raam, Prabh, Mool etc.) is within all of us. Therefore,  who seeks outside is deluded or doubt-ridden.

  • ਭੂਲੀ ਭੂਲੀ ਮੈ ਫਿਰੀ ਪਾਧਰੁ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਜਾਇ ਸਿਆਣਿਆ ਦੁਖੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਉਤ ਹੀ ਠਾਇ ॥: Confused and deluded (for a long time – ਬਹੁਤ ਚਿਰ ਤੋਂ ਖੁੰਝੀ ਹੋਈ), I wander around, but no one shows me the straight Way (right or clear Path – ਪੱਧਰਾ ਰਾਹ). I keep wandering and asking the clever people, if there is there anyone who can rid me of my suffering. When the Satiguru (Sach Daa Giaan, Knowledge of Truth, etc.) abides within the mind, then the “Sahib” or Mool is (also) seen at the same place (that is, within…) (sggs 1087).
  • ਸਚਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਸੋਈ ॥: The True Saahib (Rabb) dwells within the mind; the mind that realizes this blends into (Rabb). (sggs 420).
  • ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਟੋਲੈ ਸੋ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਹੀ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਿਨੀ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੋ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥: (The Divine Virtues, Wisdom, Spiritual tranquility, Naam, Shabad, Amrit, Prabh, ਆਤਮਕ ਸੁਖ…) all that is within the Heart-Home; not outside. Who searches outside is deluded by doubts. By ‘Gur Parasaadee’ (i.e., by the Grace of the Gur-Giaan, the Divine Wisdom of the Gurbani …), those who have Realized within are Happy (tranquil) inwardly and outwardly. ||1|| (sggs 102).

Clearly, since ‘everything’ – including God – is Within, one’s prayer then must be personal, directed Within as well, not outside to a third-party.

In addition, Baabaa Nanak says that we do not even need to speak to the Guru or God. Because, even without speaking, the Guru or God knows what’s cooking in our heads (‘ਵਿਣੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਭੁ ਸੋਇ’). For God or Satgur is Within.

  • ਵਿਣੁ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਕਿਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਕੀਚੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਏਕੋ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਰੇ ਪਰਗਾਸ ॥੫੮॥ : (Since God is Within, God) knows everything without saying; therefore to whom else should we offer our prayers (besides Him)? Nanak, God is the only One who pervades each and everyone’s Conscience, and He spiritually Enlightens everyone through the spirituality / Message of the Guru’s Shabad. ||58|| (sggs 1420).
  • ਬਹੁਤਾ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਝਖਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਭੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: (Without Wisdom) to prattle much is all the vain. (Because) without our saying, everything is known to the Rabb. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 661).
  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਨਾ ਆਵੈ ਨਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੧੩॥: My Satguru (Sachaa Giaan or true Wisdom) is always there, everywhere, which neither comes nor goes. The Satguru is imperishable, and pervades within all. ||13|| (sggs 759).

Hence, in short, its foolishness to play number game (calculations, counting…) with the Guru or God. Because the Gurbani tells us the Guru or God to be beyond mundane calculations — ‘ਅਗਣਤ-Incalculable’. This is the Gurbani’s (SGGS) edict:

  • ਗਣਤੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਰਮੀਤਾ ॥: The Divine cannot be obtained by counting; the mortal wanders in doubt — Maya, duality etc. (sggs 510).
  • ਸਾਹਾ ਗਣਹਿ ਨ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਸਾਹੇ ਊਪਰਿ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੋਈ ਬਿਧਿ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥੧॥: (O Pujaaree!) you do not understand that (Rabb, Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature) has made all the days uniform (ਇਕਸਾਰ) — no day is good or bad). Hence it is foolish to calculate auspicious day for a specific task. Rabb or System-Rule-Law of Nature is above these thoughts (or calculations). He alone knows the ‘Bidhi-ਬਿਧਿ’ (method, technique, ਜੁਗਤ, ਢੰਗ, ਤਰੀਕਾ) who blends with the Gur-Wisdom (Giaan-ਗਿਆਨ). With Gurmat (Guru‘s Giaan, Wisdom…), one understands Hukam (one recognizes that System-Rule-Law of Nature goes on as it goes on, no one can change it). (sggs 904).

There is no counting or calculations for the one who has Internalized the Message of the Shabad (Enlightened State of Mind: Gurmukh Mindset); because he knows he is not separate from the Divine. He thus relieves himself of all egoistic or mental calculations through the constant abidance in his Jot Saroop Within.

  • ਗਣਤ ਗਣੈ ਸੋ ਜਲੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥ ਸਹਸਾ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਚੁਕੈ ਵਿਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁ ਗਣਤ ਚੁਕਾਏ ਸਚੇ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਇਦਾ ॥੯॥ : One who keeps on (worldly or Mayaic) counting all the time, is always burning (restless etc.) in the world (in the hidden fire of Maya, Trishna). Doubt (anxiety, fear…) of that person does not end at all. The spirituality of Shabad enables the elimination of counts (ਗਿਣਤੀ ਮਿਣਤੀ); and creates Realization of the Creator Within. (sggs 1062).