Illusion of Chully – Superficial Purity

Understanding contrary to reality is called ‘Bharam-ਭਹਮ’ or ‘Bhulekha-ਭੁਲੇਖਾ’ — delusion, illusion, doubt, deception, confusion, misapprehension, wanderings of the deluded mind, and so on. Only that person gets trapped in ‘Bharam-ਭਹਮ’ who has no knowledge about some substance or some Natural Law. Bhai Gurdas calls it ‘Dhund-ਧੁੰਦ’

• ਮਾਧਵੇ ਕਿਆ ਕਹੀਐ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਐਸਾ ॥ ਜੈਸਾ ਮਾਨੀਐ ਹੋਇ ਨ ਤੈਸਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O Creator, what can we say of such elaborate phenomena; on account of our doubt, what we believe does not even exist in reality. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 657).

Decree of the Shabad Guru’s (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) decree is that a person trapped in ‘Bharam-ਭਹਮ’ can never be happy. Only that person is happy whose mind is free from delusions and superstitions.

• ਸੋ ਸੁਖੀਆ ਜਿਸੁ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਗਇਆ ॥ : Only that person is happy in life whose doubt (of the deluded mind) are dispelled. (sggs 1180).

It was under the plan of total intervention in every aspect of human life that Bipar/Brahman Pujaaree had made the ritual of external cleanliness a part of religion. The hypocrisy (Pakhand-ਪਖੰਡ) of ritualistic act of external cleanliness is condemned by Gurbani in no uncertain terms.

The Bipran way (empty and imaginary customs and ritual etc.), which leads people away from the truth, to which most of Sikhs are attached today, is pure illusion. Gurmat (teaching of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) is against those who are drowning in the ocean of empty and imaginary customs and rituals (Karamkaand) due to some illusion/delusion/superstition etc. Today, the Innovative and Revolutionary Sikhi of Guru Nanak is being threatened by many types of Bharam-ਭਹਮ’. In this post, we will consider illusion of (1) ‘Chully-ਚੁੱਲੀ’ and (2) washing feet.

Illusion of Chully-ਚੁੱਲੀ

The custom of taking/drinking a handful of water from the water in which the seekers who came to see the Guru used to enter after washing their feet can still be seen today. Literally, Chully (ਚੁੱਲੀ) is to take a handful of water for outer cleansing at the so called religious places (e.g. ritual cleansing of mouth etc). Specifically, at the so called ‘Sarovars’ or Tirath Asthaan (even at local Gurdawars), many can be seen taking ritual Chully of water from filthy ponds etc and put it in their mouth, throw on their eyes, sprinkled on top of their head, wash their feet and arms, and so on.

The Gurus, who came to cure the mind’s disease of Haumai (false ego-sense) that kept people separated from God, did not talk about washing the feet etc as a condition for making one a Sikh.

There are “worldly gurus” who engage in showy acts to make someone their Sikh or disciple. Giyan-Wisom received from such a crafty guru can only make one stuck more into the worldly mire (Bhav Sagar). With any showy act like “Chuly”, by “becoming a GuruSikh- ਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਲੇ ਬਣਨਾ” in the eyes of people, instead of getting rid of the dirt of vices/Bikaar, it actually increases the disease of egotism in the mind. To truly become a GuruSikh (ਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਲੇ ਬਣਨਾ) simply is to being born into the Spirituality on account of the the Guru;s Giyan-Wisdom (Shabad, Upadesh, teachings…).

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਜਨਮੇ ਗਵਨੁ ਮਿਟਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਨਹਤਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ : Being born into the Spirituality on account of the Satgur ends the cycle of spiritual death (‘Gavan’). (While traversing the human life towards Realization of the Creator) the mind is immersed in undivided focus and love of the Shabad. (sggs 940).

There is no indication in the enlightening Guru’s Shabads (SGGS) anywhere that a person washed the feet of the Guru before becoming a Sikh or before accepting the Guru as their disciple, or washed his/her own feet and drank it by taking a handful of water (Chully).

That said, the perfect Guru, having achieved complete victory over the army of vices/Bikaar, is detached from the idea of ​​engaging in any showy ritual to make anyone his Sikh.

However, hose who wish to become Gurmukh (Enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented mindset) and cross the ocean of superstitions and delusions, Shabad Guru (SGGS) is here to Guide.

• ਕਬੀਰ ਗੂੰਗਾ ਹੂਆ ਬਾਵਰਾ ਬਹਰਾ ਹੂਆ ਕਾਨ ॥ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਤੇ ਪਿੰਗੁਲ ਭਇਆ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਾਨ ॥ 193॥ ਕਬੀਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਬਾਹਿਆ ਬਾਨੁ ਜੁ ਏਕੁ ॥ ਲਾਗਤ ਹੀ ਭੁਇ ਗਿਰਿ ਪਰਿਆ ਪਰਾ ਕਰੇਜੇ ਛੇਕੁ ॥੧੯੪॥ : Kabeer, the Satigur has pierced my mind with the Arrow of his (Shabad: Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom) rendering it dumb (i.e. do not utter bad word now), mad (i.e. remain linked with the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom now), deaf (i.e. do not hear slander now), and crippled (i.e. do not walk on the path of transgression…). ||193|| Kabeer, the Soorma Satigur has shout an Arrow (of the Wisdom) at me. As soon as it struck (my mind), I fell to the ground (become humble, egoless…) and a hole was made in the Heart (i.e. my mind got pierced with the Guru’s Wisdom). ||194|| (sggs 1374).

Using this worldly example of Chully, Guru Nanak in the Gurbani expounds the Bibek or Wisdom (Aatam-Giyan) to the seekers of Truth.

First off, keeping the external body clean is a good practice in personal hygiene — a common sense. The Gurbani does not advocate not to keep the body clean.

However, on account of an utter ignorance of the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giyan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS), many have turned the external cleanliness into a religious ritual (Karamkaand) — equating the outer neatness and cleanliness with the mental Purity (Purity of thoughts) or Divine Life!

The Way of the SGGS or Sikhi assertively rejects such deluded thinking that external cleansing will make you pure.

• ਤਨਿ ਫਿਟੈ ਫੇੜ ਕਰੇਨਿ ॥ ਮਨਿ ਜੂਠੈ ਚੁਲੀ ਭਰੇਨਿ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ॥ ਸੁਚਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਤਾ ਸਚੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੨॥ : (Pujaaree) commit evil deeds with their polluted bodies (corrupt mind, thinking…). With filthy mind, they keep doing ‘Chully’. O Nanak! remember (think, meditate) the Truth. If you are pure (within), then you will obtain Truth ||2|| (sggs 472).

Although one can wash the external body (Ishnaan), or rinse the inside of his mouth, etc., with Chully of water; however, Guru Nanak says water cannot wash the conscience or the mind (the mind’s vices/Bikaar: lust, anger, greed…).

• ਪਾਣੀ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਧੋਪਈ ਮੁਖਿ ਪੀਤੈ ਤਿਖ ਜਾਇ ॥ : You may drink water to quench your thirst, (but) the water cannot wash your consciousness (mind’s Bikaar, crookedness etc.). (sggs 1240).
• ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੈਲਾ ਤਨਿ ਧੋਤੈ ਮਨੁ ਹਛਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ : When the mind is filthy, everything is filthy; by washing the body, the mind is not cleaned (sggs 558).

For example, mouth rinsing (including washing of feet, arms, etc.) is one of the actions carried out for performing Wudu (partial ablution) by Muslims. Off course, the idea was to make intention (Niyyah) in the heart (i.e., to purify the heart, or mind…); for it is an action of the pure heart or mind and not of the tongue that matters!

Also, there is a ritual called  ‘Panj Ishsanaanaa’ or ‘Panj Ishnan’ pretty common in Sikhs (‘five washings’ – washing of two hands, two feet, and the face before entering a Gurdwara building, or before reciting Paath, etc.). Again, there is nothing wrong with cleaning hands, feet, mouth, etc. The Gurbani does not advocate not to keep the body clean.

However, to equate the outer neatness and cleanliness with Inner Purity or Divine Life is rejected by the Gurbani. Because, it is nothing but trickery of the mind ridden with Pakhand, foolishness, illusion, doubt (ਭਰਮ), deception, falsehood, utter ignorance of the Way of the SGGS or the Gurbani’s Wisdom.

• ਵਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਖਾਲਿ ਪਖਾਲੇ ਕਾਇਆ ਆਪੇ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਲਗੀ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਮਲਿ ਮਲਿ ਧੋਵੈ ॥ ਅੰਧਾ ਭੂਲਿ ਪਇਆ ਜਮ ਜਾਲੇ ॥ ਵਸਤੁ ਪਰਾਈ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਖੁ ਘਾਲੇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ : (The man who daily) washes his clothes and his body (and only by keeping the clothes and body clean) thinks himself as he has becomes an ascetic, (but he is) unaware of the inner filth staining (his mind), (while he) tries and tries to wash off the outer (dirt of the body), (that foolish, mentally) blind man is lost (from the straight Way of life) and he is trapped in the trap of Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.). He suffers in egotism (Haumai) because he thinks (this fleeting body) and other objects are his own. O Nanak! (When) by becoming the Gurmukh (man’s) false ego-sense (Haumai) is dispelled, then he remembers the divine Naam (Wisdom), (sggs 139).
• ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਕਪਟੁ ਹੈ ਬਾਹਰੁ ਧੋਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਪਟੁ ਕਮਾਵਦੇ ਕੂੜੁ ਪਰਗਟੀ ਆਇਆ ॥ : Those whose hearts are filled with the filth of deception, wash themselves on the outside. They practice falsehood and deception (in daily life), and their falsehood becomes apparent. (sggs 1243).

Such trickery of the Mayaic mind is out-rightly rejected by Guru Nanak in the outset of the SGGS.

• ਭਰੀਐ ਹਥੁ ਪੈਰੁ ਤਨੁ ਦੇਹ ॥ ਪਾਣੀ ਧੋਤੈ ਉਤਰਸੁ ਖੇਹ ॥ ਮੂਤ ਪਲੀਤੀ ਕਪੜੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਦੇ ਸਾਬੂਣੁ ਲਈਐ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਇ ॥ ਭਰੀਐ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਪੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈ ਰੰਗਿ ॥ : Water cleanses my stained physical self (external body). Soap cleanses my stained garments. (Beyond the stained physical self or the garments) my intellect is stained by vices. The cleansing of which (i.e. intellect) is by imbuing in Naam (Wisdom / Virtues). (sggs 4).

The Gurbani is ‘Brahm Beechaar‘ (‘ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰ’). There is no place for Karamkaand (rituals) in Brahm-Vichaar (Reflections on the Creator).

• 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).

Those who think otherwise apparently take the Gur-Shabad to be just a song or ‘ਗੀਤੁ’ — who either don’t understand the Gurbani, or don’t want to understand it, or don’t consider SGGS as their Guru (Giyan-Guru…).

Furthermore, apparently, such people blindly follow the manufactured stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ) or Karamkaand (rituals) propagated by the illiterate and greedy Pujaaree-groups or the Pujaaree system, which has assertively been rejected in the Gurbani by all the Gurus and the Bhagats centuries ago…).

The aim or goal of the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS is to mend our deluded mind (thinking – Soch…), nature, habits etc. and bring about a change in the society.

Consider the following Shabad of Guru Nanak:

• ਨਾਨਕ ਚੁਲੀਆ ਸੁਚੀਆ ਜੇ ਭਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਸੁਰਤੇ ਚੁਲੀ ਗਿਆਨ ਕੀ ਜੋਗੀ ਕਾ ਜਤੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਚੁਲੀ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਕੀ ਗਿਰਹੀ ਕਾ ਸਤੁ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ ਰਾਜੇ ਚੁਲੀ ਨਿਆਵ ਕੀ ਪੜਿਆ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਪਾਣੀ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਧੋਪਈ ਮੁਖਿ ਪੀਤੈ ਤਿਖ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਿਤਾ ਜਗਤ ਕਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਾਣੀ ਸਭੁ ਖਾਇ ॥੨॥ : O Nanak! (Chully of mere water can NOT bring purity in spiritual life, however). If a human being knows (true Chully), then these are the True Chully. True  Chully for a scholar is of ‘Giyan’ or Wisdom (i.e, the scholar’s erudition is pure if there is Wisdom within him). Chully for For a Brahmin (Pujaaree, religious leader…) is of contentment and Cully for the householder is of high conduct and service. The Chully for a king is of Justice and thee Chully for an educated or learned person is of focus on Truth. The mind cannot cleansed with water, you drink it to quench thirst. (But instead of purification with the Chully of water, the illusion of Sootak or impurity should be created because) water produces the whole world and water destroys it all. (sggs 1240).

In essence, Guru Nanak in the foregoing Shabad is reminding us of our real duties (responsibilities, ਅਸਲੀ ਫਰਜ਼…):

1. The Pujaaree and Religious leaders should not be impatient or intolerable, they should be content.
2. Let the householder spend a portion of earnings for the upliftment of the society.
3. It is the king’s duty to protect his subjects and to rule honestly.
4. It is the duty of an educated person to make people aware through his knowledge. Always raise the voice of truth, etc.

Here is an another eye-opening Shabad of Guru Nanak in which he imparts Wisdom to the corrupt priest-class (Pujaaree) and ruling-class.

• ਹਕੁ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੂਅਰ ਉਸੁ ਗਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਹਾਮਾ ਤਾ ਭਰੇ ਜਾ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ਨ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਗਲੀ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਈਐ ਛੁਟੈ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਇ ॥ ਮਾਰਣ ਪਾਹਿ ਹਰਾਮ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਇ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗਲੀ ਕੂੜੀਈ ਕੂੜੋ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥੨॥ : To violate or usurp someone’s right or taking away something that rightfully belongs to others is like eating pork for a Muslim and beef for a Hindu. The ‘Guru Pir‘ (Spiritual Guide) would standby only if the follower does not make unlawful living. Mere talk does not lead to heaven; liberation (from vices/Bikaar) lies in God realization. If you add spice to unlawfully earned food, it does not become Halal (lawful). Nanak, false talking begets only falsehood. ||2|| (sggs 141).

Thus, in nutshell, washing, Ishanaan (bathing), Chully etc., as recommended in the Gurbani is of the mind, for the mind, and by the mind!

• ਹਰਿ ਜਲੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਮਨੁ ਇਸਨਾਨੀ ਮਜਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ : Hari (Naam: Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) is the immaculate Water; the mind that has bathed (in this immaculate Water of Hari Naam, such Ishnan) bath  is pleasing to the Satiguru. (sggs 505).

Only such washing, Ishanaan (bathing), Chully etc. can bring the inner purity (Divine Life, Gurmukh Lifestyle – ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਿਚ ਸੁੱਚ …)! Therefore, the Gurbani has painstakingly explained the need to understand the difference between one’s external or gross body (‘ਬਿਦੇਹੀ’-Bidehee; Pindaa-ਪਿੰਡਾ…), and the Inner body (i.e., mind, ‘ਦੇਹੀ ਗੁਪਤ’-Gupat Dehee or Kaaiaa, subtle body…). The external body has a temporary existence.

• ਦੇਹੀ ਗੁਪਤ ਬਿਦੇਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ॥ : Dehee (ਦੇਹੀ – subtle body within) is hidden; Bidehee (ਬਿਦੇਹੀ – gross, external body) is seen (sggs 900).

Upon dying in Shabad, it Awakens to Wisdom transcending Maya or duality, Bikaar, worries, disaster, calamity, violence, distress, tumult, etc.

• ਸਹਸੈ ਜੀਉ ਮਲੀਣੁ ਹੈ ਕਿਤੁ ਸੰਜਮਿ ਧੋਤਾ ਜਾਏ ॥ ਮੰਨੁ ਧੋਵਹੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਾਗਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਰਹਹੁ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥ : So long the mind is in the grip of ਸਹਿਮ (doubt, worry, skepticism, etc., born of from our love for Maya), it is rendered filthy. By no ਸੰਜਮਿ (Jugati – external tact, skill, device, knack, etc.) this filth of the mind can be cleansed. Attach yourself to the Shabad (Gur-Giyan…), continue to fix your consciousness on Hari (-Naam: Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…), and (like this) wash your mind (sggs 919).

Then he knows what the true ‘Chully’ is, which brings about purity of the mind (thinking), Aatmak, or Gurmukh Lifestyle, Wisdom (Amrit-Giyan) and Virtues (ਗੁਣ) — Truth (ਸਤ), honesty (ਇਮਾਨਦਾਰੀ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ-Natural State of Being), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), humility (ਮਨ ਨਿਮਾਣਾ, ਬੁਧਿ ਗਰੀਬੀ), sweat speech (ਮਿਠ ਬੋਲੜਾ) …

• 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).
• ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਭਾਗਹੀਨ ਮਤਿ ਫੀਕੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਨਤ ਆਵੈ ਮਨਿ ਰੋਹੈ ॥ ਕਊਆ ਕਾਗ ਕਉ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੈ ਵਿਸਟਾ ਖਾਇ ਮੁਖਿ ਗੋਹੈ ॥੩॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਤਿਵਾਦੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਨਾਤੈ ਕਊਆ ਹੰਸੁ ਹੋਹੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਧਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਵਡੇ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਮਲੁ ਧੋਹੈ ॥੪॥੨॥ : 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|| The Satiguru (True Wisdom-ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ), who always speaks truth, is like the pool of Giyan-Amrit, bathing in which, a crow like mind becomes immaculate like a swan (i.e. Enlightened, Virtuous). Nanak, extremely blessed and very fortunate are those who, through the Guru’s teachings (Giyan-Wisdom), wash away the filth of their Hearts with Naam realized through the Gurmat (Upadesh or Message of the Guru’s Shabad). ||4||2|| (sggs 493).

Illusion of literally washing feet

Gurmat does NOT have even a remote connection with the rituals of external purity as practiced by Bipar/Brahman. However, a significant number of Sikhs have considered the priestly/Bipran ritual of being attached to the illusion of external cleanliness as Gurmat.

The Gurmat (teaching of SGGS) does not consider a body or any part of the body covered with dirt or mud as impure. Also, the Gurmat does NOT consider any part of the body to be purified by sprinkling water on it.

Gurmat has considered only those feet as pure which lead towards the path of union with God. They can be cleaned of dirt and dust by washing them with water, but they cannot be called pure or holy. Just as the Guru did not consider a person who bathes daily to be pure, he/she is pure only in whose mind the Creator is Realized.

• ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਰਨ ਬਸੇ ਰਿਦ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਸੁਭ ਲਖਣ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕੀਨੇ ॥ : The one in whose mind/heart is enshrined the Guru’s Divine Giyan-Wisdom, God blessed that person with sublime qualities for spiritual success in life. (sggs 618).
• ਚਰਣ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਚਲਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਰਗਿ ॥੩॥ : Pure are those feet that walk in the Path of God. ||3|| (sggs 191).
• ਜਿਉ ਜੋਰੂ ਸਿਰਨਾਵਣੀ ਆਵੈ ਵਾਰੋ ਵਾਰ ॥ ਜੂਠੇ ਜੂਠਾ ਮੁਖਿ ਵਸੈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਹੋਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਸੂਚੇ ਏਹਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਹਨਿ ਜਿ ਪਿੰਡਾ ਧੋਇ ॥ ਸੂਚੇ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਨ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ : Those who are false, fraud, crafty, hypocritical and there is always falsehood in their mouth; considered woman impure because she goes through her periods month after month. Such crafty people who (considered a woman impure, but) considered themselves pure by just washing their body from outside, they should not be considered pure (i.e. they should be considered false, fraud and hypocrites). Nanak, only they are truly pure within whose minds God is realized — their mind and conduct become pure and unbiased, and do not discriminate). (sggs 472).

Who is clean or pure?

The meaning of the word ‘Sucham-ਸੁੱਚਮ’ (purity etc.) and ‘Jooth-ਜੂਠ’ accepted by the group of Sikh Pujaaree, Parcharaks, Bhais, Granthis, scholars (ਵਿੱਦਵਾਨ), Jathedars etc, or the kind ‘Sucham-ਸੁੱਚਮ’ and ‘Jooth-ਜੂਠ’ that the Dera-Vaad is preaching, have no place in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS).

Only the purity of the mind/heart is accepted in the Guru’s house or in the Darbar-ਦਰਬਾਰ of the Creator.

• ਤਨੁ ਸੂਚਾ ਸੋ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਭੈ ਸਚਿ ਰਾਤੀ ਦੇਹੁਰੀ ਜਿਹਵਾ ਸਚੁ ਸੁਆਉ ॥ ਸਚੀ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲੀਐ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ਤਾਉ ॥੨॥ : That body is said to be pure, in which dwells the God’s Naam. One whose body is imbued with loving fear (reverence-ਅਦਬ) of God and whose purpose in life is to live by God’s Naam, is blessed by God’s grace. That person does not have to go through the repeated suffering in life. (sggs 19).
• ਪਵਿਤੁ ਹੋਏ ਸੇ ਜਨਾ ਜਿਨੀ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਹੋਏ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਿਨੀ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥ : The life of those ‘Jan’ (Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat…) who contemplate the divine Naam.  Yes, those who contemplated on the divine Naam by becoming the Gurmukh  have become pure. ||2||(sggs 919).
• ਸੋ ਸੂਚਾ ਜਿ ਕਰੋਧੁ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ॥ ਸਬਦੇ ਬੂਝੈ ਆਪੁ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥ : One who eradicates his anger is pure. He/she understands the Guru Shabad and embellishes his/her life. (sggs 1059).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਧਿਆਵਹਿ ਸਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਸੇਈ ਸੂਚੇ ਹੋਹੀ ॥ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਮੈਲੇ ਹਛੇ ਹੋਹੀ ॥੩॥ : By becoming the Gurmukh (enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented), those who remember God, receive the Amrit of Naam and become pure. O mortals, always remember God’s Naam with adoration and by doing so, even the sinners become virtuous. ||3|| (sggs 1254).
• ਸਚਾ ਚਉਕਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਕੀ ਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਸਚੁ ਆਧਾਰਾ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰੁ ਹੈ ਪਾਵਨੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਘਟਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਹੇ ॥੫॥ : Just as a Brahmin keeps his kitchen pure by drawing lines around it and not letting any low cast person enter in it, similarly the Guru’s follower keeps his mind/conscience pure by not letting evil thoughts in it. God’s Name is his spiritual sustenance and support in life. Forever satisfied and pure is that person, within whose mind is enshrined God’s Naam. ||5|| (sggs 1048).

Simply put: For a Sikh (student, learner or ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ of the SGGS), the Wisdom of the Gurmat is the Way of life.

• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜੂਠਾ ਕਿਉ ਸੁਚਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਸਬਦੀ ਧੋਵੈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਕੋਇ ॥ : If (someone) is impure within, (he) cannot become pure (without washing the mind with Shabad). How rare is the person who washes (his mind) with the Shabad (Wisdom, Upadesh, Sikhiaa, Naam…). (sggs 1344).

Ending

In nutshell, there is not a single verse in the Bani included in the SGGS in which the Brahmanical purity is praised or approved. Rather, there are countless verses in SGGS in which such Pakhnad of purity, Jooth (food touched by others etc) or Bhitt (touch of untouchable), has been thoroughly refuted.

• ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ : Eternal Sukh (ਸੁਖ-Happiness, Peace, Joy…) is attained when doubts are dispelled. (sggs 114).ਛੂਟੈ ਸੰਸਾ ਮਿਟਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਦੁਖ ॥ : With the eradication of doubts, Dukha (ਦੁਖ-suffering, sorrow…) is eliminated. (sggs 343).
• ਹਮਰਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਗਇਆ ਭਉ ਭਾਗਾ ॥ ਜਬ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਗਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Now that my consciousness is attached to the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) ||1||Pause||, my mind’s doubt got dispelled and my fear has fled away. (sggs 655).
• ਗਇਆ ਭਰਮੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦਾ ॥੩॥੨੦॥ : (My) doubt has been eliminated, and Supreme Bliss has remained behind. ||3||20|| (sggs 327).

That said, if WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE and PRACTICE, the SGGS provides us Wisdom (Giyan), which:

• protects Sikhs from deception, fraud, hypocrisy or Pakhand,
• makes Sikhs Wise, just, rational or discreet (ਤਰਕਸ਼ੀਲ, ਵਿਵੇਕੀ),
• inspires Sikhs to be ONLY good human being,
• motivates Sikhs to pursue higher education,
• makes Sikhs prudent and brave,
• builds high character, originality and conviction,
• inspires to live a pious life (the Gurmukh Lifestyle),
• removes delusion, doubts, fear and Karamkaand,
• leads people to the straight path of Truth,
• does good to the society,
• rejects Jaat Paat (casteism), inequality, and so on.

The following Shabad of Guru Nanak will challenge (ਲਲਕਾਰ) our mind forever:

• ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਰਾਗੀ ਨਾਦੀ ਬੇਦਿ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਸੁਰਤੀ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਜੋਗਿ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਸੋਗੀ ਕੀਤੈ ਰੋਜਿ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਰੂਪੀ ਮਾਲੀ ਰੰਗਿ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਭਵਿਐ ਨੰਗਿ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਦਾਤੀ ਕੀਤੈ ਪੁੰਨਿ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਬੈਠਿਆ ਸੁੰਨਿ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਭੇੜਿ ਮਰਹਿ ਭਿੜਿ ਸੂਰ ॥ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਕੇਤੇ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਧੂੜ ॥ ਲੇਖਾ ਲਿਖੀਐ ਮਨ ਕੈ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਭੀਜੈ ਸਾਚੈ ਨਾਇ ॥੨॥ : (God) is NOT impressed (pleased, won over etc) with singing in Ragas (Kirtan etc) and playing musical instruments or reading (religious books) like Vedas. (God) is NOT impressed with meditation, debating knowledge or practicing Yogic postures. (God) is NOT impressed with even if one just sits being sorrowful all the time. (God) is NOT impressed by indulging in beautifying one’s looks, by acquiring possessions, or by indulging in revelries. (God) is NOT impressed with wandering unclad at Teerath(at so called sacred shrines, ritual pilgrimage and bathing there). (God) is NOT impressed with giving charitable donations/alms (Daan). (GodI is NOT impressed with sitting silent in the wilderness. (God) is NOT impressed by bravely fighting and dying as a warrior in battle (i.e. by becoming a martyr/Shaheed). (God) is not impressed with those who smear themselves with ashes and other things and roll themselves in the dust. The test (of good and bad of people) is according to what’s in the mind (i.e. mind’s intentions/tendencies). Nanak, (God) is only impressed with when we are attuned to God’s Naam (Wisdom-Giyan / Virtues / Hukam…). (sggs 1237).

Some related posts:

• Pujaaree’s Sikhi vs. Guru Nanak’s Unique Sikhi
• Mind Must Bathe in the Pool of Wisdom/Virtues
• Religious Rituals – Karamkaand
• Stubborn Mindedness – Ritual Bathing
• Gurbani stresses Internal Cleanliness
• Fakery and Pretensciousness of ‘Untouched’ food…
• Gurbani Defines True Teerath-Pilgrimage in Sikhi
• Gurbani Says all Shrines and Pilgrimage are Within only if We were to Understand it!
• Teerath Yaatraa – Pilgrimage
• Gurbani Rejects Eclipse Rituals
• Inner Purity Vs. Outer Purity
• Gurbani is not Meant to Repeat Pre-1469 Belief System
• Aatam Tirath
• Sikhi: a New ‘Way’ of Life
• Crowds follow the path of Falsehood, Pakhand…
• Sheepish Attitude – People See, People do
• Core of Gurmat Spirituality – Kiv Sachiaaraa Hoeeai?
• Gurdwara is Supposed to be a Gateway to Insight
• Missing Component from Sikhi Parchar
• The Egg of Doubt Must Burst
• Sikhi Teaches to Discard priestly Class
• Sikhi: a New ‘Way’ of Life
• Nonsense Rituals and Superstitions
• Sootak Redefined
• Fear exists only in Mind – Thoughts