The Gurbani in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is a boon or a Treasure of Bibek (also spelt as ‘Vivek‘) – common sense, discernment, logic, rationality, Tarak (ਤਰਕ), Daleel (ਦਲੀਲ), Giyan-Wisdom etc.
- ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੈ ਸੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਬਿਬੇਕੋੁ ॥੪॥੫॥ : Says Kabeer, I have found that Guru, whose Name is ‘Bibek’ (Wisdom, Discerning Intelligence…). ||4||5|| (sggs 793).
- ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਪਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੇਰਾ ॥ : Bibek Budh is obtained from the Satigur; the Guru reveals the Divine Wisdom. (sggs 711).
- ਸੋ ਧਨਵੰਤਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਬੁਧਿ ਬਿਬੇਕ ॥: Wealthy is that person who has Bibek Budh. (sggs 1150).
We humans are living in the ‘age of information’. There is an avalanche of information – internet, media, books, encyclopedias, magazines, databases, newspapers, library catalogs etc.
However, ironically – although humanity has always been confused – we humans never have been this confused with existence and our life in general. Life seems to have become insanely complicated and we know not why!
We seem to have so much and yet we feel so empty, miserable, hollow, unstable, crazy, stressful and agitated inside. In confusion, we look outwards (the world of see, touch, smell, hear and taste) and wander around focused primarily on family, relationships, wealth, power, influence etc. We thus struggle to make sense of our lives and to find answers.
- ਐਸੀ ਠਗਉਰੀ ਪਾਇ ਭੁਲਾਵੈ ਮਨਿ ਸਭ ਕੈ ਲਾਗੈ ਮੀਠੀ ॥੨॥ : (Maya) confuses (misleads etc.) a person by administering such intoxicant that (Maya) seems sweet to everyone’s mind. ||2|| (sggs 673).
As the Gurbani is cognizant of importance of the human birth, its views about the human life are based on practical and a sound common sense (Bibek, prudence, practical, Wisdom, facts etc.) to improve the lives of all people by providing them practical spirituality — there is no room for blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ਼, ਅੰਨੀ ਸ਼ਰਧਾ), irrationality or illogical thinking (ਤਰਕਹੀਣਤਾ), mental slavery, dogmas, antagonistic adherents, Pujaaree clique’s concocted nonsense, and so on.
Accordingly, the Gurbani is neither mystic nor dogmatic. For it does not want us to waste our precious and ‘rare’ human birth in unessentials.
We are urged by the SGGS to become the Gurmukh (Enlightened or Guru Shabad-Oriented mindset) for the Gurmukhs possess Bibek Budh.
- ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ : The Gurmukh is blessed with spiritual wisdom and discerning intellect (sggs 317).
Aptly, the Pre-1469 belief system is strongly critiqued, debunked and rejected in the Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak!
However, the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy) has reduced Guru Nanak’s Unique (‘Nirmal‘) and Revolutionary spirituality to rituals (Karamkaand), fake stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ), religious paraphernalia, religious robes, pilgrim (Teerath Yatra), Pakhand, ritual bathing (Ishnaan), chanting, afterlife nonsense etc. that have been rejected and discarded by Guru Nanak.
- ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਿਕਾ ਜਗਤ੍ਰਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਇਆ ॥ : In the world of spirituality, the Panth of Nanak has its Trademark in its Uniqueness as being ‘Nirmal‘-uncontaminated (by existing pre-1469 beliefs). (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar1, Pauree 45).
Hence, it seems as common sense is no longer all that common!
For example, if we look into a basic question of why does the man suffers, we will understand from the Gurbani that the man’s own Mayaic mind is the seat of his troubles (Dukha-ਦੁਖ) for the mind knowingly commits demerits.
- ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਸਭ ਬਾਤ ਜਾਨਤ ਹੀ ਅਉਗਨੁ ਕਰੈ ॥ : Kabeer, the mind knows everything and knowingly it commits demerits. (sggs 1376).
In other words, we suffer because we don’t control our instinctive and impulsive mind. Infected with the virus of Haumai (false ego-sense) and the hunger for Maya, it is out of whack.
- ਮਨ ਰੇ ਕਹਾ ਭਇਓ ਤੈ ਬਉਰਾ ॥ : O mind, why have you gone crazy? (sggs 220).
Thus, the Gurbani’s common sense Counsel is on annihilating this phantom called mind (thoughts-stuff, Haumai, imaginations, Phurnae-ਫੁਰਨੇ…) through the constant and earnest Shabad-Vichaar.
Human minds are ridden with hunger or love of Maya (worldly temptations and their corrupting influences, vices/Bikaar, and so on). As a result, common sense — which is at our disposal that can be freely used — is laying dormant within.
- ਮਨੁ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੈ ਫਧਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਬਿਸਰਿਓ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ : The mind is entangled in Maya; it has forgotten the Divine Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth… (sggs 1428).
Because of our mind’s hunger or love of Maya (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ ਭੁੱਖ), the self-serving clergy (Pujaaree) is having pretty easy time to deceive people (ਛਲ-ਕਪਟ), mislead them away from the practical Spiritual Message of the SGGS just as the corrupt Pandits, Mullahs, Yogis etc. have been misleading people for centuries. The Gurbani attest to this as follows:
- ਕਾਦੀ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਮਲੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਆ ਘਾਇ ॥ ਜੋਗੀ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਅੰਧੁ ॥ ਤੀਨੇ ਓਜਾੜੇ ਕਾ ਬੰਧੁ ॥੨॥ : The clergy of the Muslim faith was corrupt, the Brahmin was murderous and the Yogi Un-Enlightened. These three (clergy) had become the root cause for the spiritual wreckage and desolation that mankind had
come to endure. (sggs 662).
Hence, the Creator or anybody else cannot be blamed for our troubles. Therefore, as time and again emphasized in the Gurbani, the urgent task at hand is to ‘kill’ one’s own deluded mind, Here and Now.
To this end, the Gurbani asks us to Internalize the Enlightening Message of the Shabad (the Gurmukh mindset) — BECOME the Gurbani and conquer the mind.
- ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਨੁ ਜੀਤਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ॥ : The spirituality of the Shabad — the Message/Enlightenment of the Shabad (Gurmukh-Hood State of the Mind) enables the mind to overcome inflictions of the false ego-sense. (sggs 946).
Without getting the better of the mind, abidance in common sense, Bibek or Gurmukh Lifestyle is not possible.
Although for the majority of us, this is like racing along the razor’s edge or chewing steel balls, but what other option do we have? Therefore, through churning the Gurbani, we are urged by the SGGS to become Lamp unto ourselves, Here and Now.
- ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਉਜਾਰੋ ਦੀਪਾ ॥ ਬਿਨਸਿਓ ਅੰਧਕਾਰ ਤਿਹ ਮੰਦਰਿ ਰਤਨ ਕੋਠੜੀ ਖੁਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਅਨੂਪਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : The Satgur‘s Shabad is like the light of the lamp (through which the Light of Giyan or Wisdom emanates – ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਚਾਨਣ). (When the Giyan-Light from this Lamp of the Satgur’s Shabad enters in the body-temple) It dispels the darkness of ignorance from the body, and opens the beautiful chamber of Jewels (Wisdom, Virtues, ਆਤਮਕ ਗੁਣ). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 821).
The important thing is to use that Lamp (ਅਮਲ, implementation…) to tread the Way in life of the Shabad. Otherwise, the SGGS asks us what’s the use of having the lamp in hand if, despite the lamp in hand, we fall into a well (of ignorance, Maya, doubt or Bharam…)?
- ਕਾਹੇ ਕੀ ਕੁਸਲਾਤ ਹਾਥਿ ਦੀਪੁ ਕੂਏ ਪਰੈ ॥੨੧੬॥ : What is the use of that lamp (Giyan-Wisdom) if we fall into the well (of ignorance, Maya, vices or Bikaar) even with that lamp in our hands? ॥216॥(sggs 1376).
The Guru’s Shabad is likened to a Lamp. If we allow it in our daily life, the Light of this Shabad-Lamp can remove the darkness of ignorance from within the mind — the ignorance of its Mool-ਮੂਲ or Jot Saroop.
We all have the Treasure of Naam (Wisdom / Virtues…) Within. The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS tells us that to cultivate Shabad-Surti (Shabad-Conscience) or to Awaken it from its dormancy will require ਘਾਲਣਾਂ / ਕਮਾਈ (Uddam, self-efforts, willingness, earnestness etc.).
- ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਮਿਲਿ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈਐ ॥੭॥ : Within is the Treasure of the Shabad; (but) it is obtained by eradicating self-conceit (ਪਰੰਤੂ ਆਪਾ-ਭਾਵ ਤਿਆਗ ਕੇ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ) ||7|| (sggs 228).
The Universal Teaching of the SGGS can be appreciated only if we are cool-headedly open to its true understanding. Common sense must prevail.
Gurdwaras are supposed to be the school of Gurmat. However, because of ‘Golak-ਗੋਲਕ’ (money, greed, hunger of Maya, business, ਧੰਧਾ…), we cannot expect helping hand from the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy), and as well from the Gurdwara committees who are equally in love with Golak in addition to chieftainship (ਝੂਠੀ ਚੌਧਰ) or power instead of propagating the true Message of the Gurbani.
The glorious lives of all the Gurus and Bhagat inspires us to use our common sense (Bibek Budh). For example, Bhagat Kabeer Ji did exactly that when he decided to leave ‘Banaras’ (note: Kashi, Varanasi and Banaras refer to the same city) at once upon realizing that he wasted his life following others and following the Karamkaand propagated by the corrupt Pujaaaree System there. In fact Bhagat Kabeer Ji (including Guru Nanak and all other composers of the Bani) hit hard on the corruption of the Pujaaaree System everywhere.
Thus, using his common sense, Bhagat Kabeer Ji was able to untrap himself from the corruption of the Pujaaree system.
- ਕਹਤੁ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਲੋਈ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਕਿਆ ਕਾਸੀ ਕਿਆ ਊਖਰੁ ਮਗਹਰੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਜਉ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥੩॥ : Says Kabeer, listen, O people — let no person fall into any delusion (that liberation is found in Kashi, but not in Magahar). If Divine (Naam: Giyan-Wisdom/Virtues…) in the Heart then there is NO DIFFERENCE between (the so called holy place called) Kashi and (the so called unholy place called) Magahar (NOTE: It is the general belief of Hindus that a person who gives up his body while living in Kashi or Banaras becomes liberated because this city belongs to Shiva and whoever dies in the city of Magahar becomes a donkey. Kabeer Ji here dispels this misconception, and teaches all of us that God realization is NOT location-dependent). ||2||3|| (sggs 692).
- ਤਜੀ ਲੇ ਬਨਾਰਸ ਮਤਿ ਭਈ ਥੋਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਗਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਿਵ ਪੁਰੀ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਮਰਤੀ ਬਾਰ ਮਗਹਰਿ ਉਠਿ ਆਇਆ ॥੨॥ : (O Kabeer! People think) I have lost my common sense, to have left ‘Banaras’ (note: Kashi, Varanasi and Banaras refer to the same city). People tell me I wasted the benefit of living the whole life in ‘Banaras’. Because I left ‘Banaras‘ and have come to ‘Magahar‘ at the time of (near) death. ||2|| (sggs 326).
Bhagat Kabeer Ji also teaches Muslim brothers:
- ਕਬੀਰ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੇ ਹਉ ਜਾਇ ਥਾ ਆਗੈ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਸਾਂਈ ਮੁਝ ਸਿਉ ਲਰਿ ਪਰਿਆ ਤੁਝੈ ਕਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਫੁਰਮਾਈ ਗਾਇ ॥੧੯੭॥ : Kabeer, I was going on a pilgrimage to Kaabaa (in Mecca), I visualize God on the way. God got upset at me and asked me, who told you that I reside only at this place or any other place of pilgrimage. ||197|| (sggs 1375).
- ਕਬੀਰ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਹੋਇ ਹੋਇ ਗਇਆ ਕੇਤੀ ਬਾਰ ਕਬੀਰ ॥ ਸਾਂਈ ਮੁਝ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਖਤਾ ਮੁਖਹੁ ਨ ਬੋਲੈ ਪੀਰ ॥੧੯੮॥ : Kabeer, I have been on the pilgrimage to Kaabaa (in Mecca) many times (but he did not see God there, he begged). O God, You don’t talk to me, what faults are you seeing in me? ||198|| (sggs 1375).
The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS teaches us we all have the common sense at our disposal that can be freely used. The Gurbani in SGGS teaches common sense should not be forgotten even for a moment.
- ਅੰਤਰਿ ਖੂਹਟਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਭਰਿਆ ਸਬਦੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਪੀਐ ਪਨਿਹਾਰੀ ॥ : Deep within this body is the well overflowing with the Amrit; the Water-carrier (one engaged in Naam-Jap or understanding the Gur-Shabad) draws and drinks it through the Shabad (sggs 570).
Some related posts:
Some pointers from the Gurbani:
(1). Death is not the enemy of our true Being.
• ਕਉਨੁ ਮੂਆ ਰੇ ਕਉਨੁ ਮੂਆ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ਇਹੁ ਤਉ ਚਲਤੁ ਭਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: (sggs 885).
• ਨਾ ਜੀਉ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਡੂਬੈ ਤਰੈ ॥ (sggs 151).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਾ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਨਾਸ ॥੫॥ (sggs 273).
(2). On account of doubts, we act in Aham or Haumai (false ego-sense).
• ਮਲ ਭਰਮ ਕਰਮ ਅਹੰ ਮਮਤਾ ਮਰਣੁ ਚੀਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਏ ॥ (sggs 458).
(3). Bharam (doubt, ਭਰਮ) is like a wedge in the Consciousness, cracking or dividing it in two. It is not easy to trace the exact moment of the beginning of Bharam (doubt, ਭਰਮ), but it does have an end.
• ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਭਰਮ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥ (sggs 294).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਭਰਮੁ ਗਵਾਇ ॥ (sggs 231).
However, the Gurbani hints us that this crack (duality, division, ਭੰਗ, ਤੇੜ ) happens in Traytaa. But these Yugas don’t mean the same as of the Pandit’s definition. That will be the subject of a separate post.
• ਤ੍ਰਿਤੀਏ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਭਇਆ ਦੁਤੇੜਾ ॥ (sggs 886)
(4). When, having effaced the Haumai (false ego-sense), the individual soul realizes its Original Nature (Mool), all its doubts evaporates.
(5). It is useless to brood over the past. It is like a cancelled check or a bygone thing; whatever has happened has happened. It’s not worth worrying about it. For, distracted by worries, we will not be able to take advantage of the present (NOW) and realize the Mool.
• ਬਹੁ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਚਿਤਵੈ ਆਪੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥ (sggs 159).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋ ਮੈ ਚਿਤਵਉ ਨਾ ਕਰੈ ਕਿਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਚਿਤਵੇ ਹੋਇ ॥ (1376)
(6). Only the present moment (NOW) is relevant, because our entire future depends on what we do NOW.
• ਸੁਣਿ ਮਨ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਮਿਲੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਹੈ ਏਹ ॥ (sggs 20).
• ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਸੋਈ ਅਬ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ (sggs 1159).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾਲਿ ਕਰੰਤਾ ਅਬਹਿ ਕਰੁ ਅਬ ਕਰਤਾ ਸੁਇ ਤਾਲ ॥ (sggs 1371).
• ਸੁਣਿ ਮਨ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਮਿਲੁ ਵੇਲਾ ਹੈ ਏਹ ॥ (sggs 20).
• ਵਤ ਲਗੀ ਸਚੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਬੀਜੇ ਸੋ ਖਾਇ ॥ (sggs 321).
• ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥ ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥ (sggs 12).
(7). Constant Naam-consciousness or Shabad-Surti (the Gurmukh Lifestyle) helps reveal the radiance of one’s Mool within in each moment of his lives. This will free us of the fear of death.
• ਫੂਟੋ ਆਂਡਾ ਭਰਮ ਕਾ ਮਨਹਿ ਭਇਓ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥ (sggs 1002).
• ਗਇਆ ਭਰਮੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦਾ ॥੩॥੨੦॥ (sggs 327).
• ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਗਇਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੬॥: (sggs 330).
• ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਧਰਿ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਭੈ ਭਾਗੀ ॥੩॥੪॥ (sggs 658).
• ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਵਸੀਅਲੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣਿ ਰਹੈ ॥ (sggs 945).
Interesting question!
Not sure though if Gurbani explicitly explores this issue.
That said, the notion that we don’t remember our past lives is not entirely true. I myself have run into people who not only remmebered their past lives in vivid details, they even met their family members from past life.
If we google PLR (Past Life Regression), we will find several verified testimonials. There’s a school of thought that most infants remeber their past lives till they turn two or so.
What I personally think is that our recollection perhaps pertains to the most recent past life (assuming there are several) and the clarity of the ‘memory’ perhaps depends on how much time has elapsed between the latest previous incarnation and the current one.
Also I think nature has a system of resetting or erasing the past memory to send us with a ‘clean-slate’ but exceptions are always there and those are the ones that get revealed.
Besides, forgetting is a ‘feature’ that ‘living beings’ are charaterized with. We don’t even remember everything of our own childhood. So the re-incarnated ‘subject’ (again depending on the length of the separating time) is naturally bound to forget a lot – if not all.
But as we all agree, only the Creator truly understands His own creation. We motrals can only speculate.
Bhul Chuk aAaf.
If ATMA is same ,why can’ t we remember/recall what we were before this life
please clarify
I think to get the answer one would need to understand the real character of ATMA and its
relationship with remembrance(Present/Past or future)
Prakash.S.Bagga
mout [death]
what it is
when flow of chemical stop in body or what else?
If ATMA is same ,why can’ t we remember/recall what we were before this life
please clarify
Thank you Sammi Ji. Very briefly:
kamal pragaas: ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਿਆ: ਅੰਤਰਿ or Antari => within; ਕਮਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਿਆ or Kamal Pragaasiaa => Heart Enlightened with the Divine Knowledge (ਗਿਆਨ ਅਵਸਤਾ – Giaan Avastaa…)…
Sehsaa => skepticism, doubt, anxiety, fear …
Hinsa => Mercilessness, cruelty, hardness, rigidity, violence, outrage, fury…
• ਇਕੁ ਤਿਲੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਰੋਗੁ ਵਡਾ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ॥: Iku tilu piaaraa veesarai rogu vadaa man maahi (sggs 21).
Also, please see the post entitled “Persistent Bhagti“.
Dear Vir ji
Can you add light upon sehsaa, hinsaa and kamal pragaas with the help of Gurbani.
As I was trying to understand the shabad… EIK TIL PYARA VISARAI, ROG VADAA MAN MAHE (SHRI GURU NANAK DEV JI)
Thank you all for prompt reply……..I hope your guidance will be with me throughout this journey of comprehending knowledge upon gurbani….
Shammi Ji,
The very urge that has cropped up within you to compehend Gurbani has already put you on the right path.
And as our Vir Ji has pointed out – analyzing each line in detail with love and devotion is the ‘key’.
Fortunately there are quite a few resources on internet for the reference. But best would be to have some likeminded individual(s) to join you in this endeavor and pursue this collectively.
One of the good sources that I personally like is the translation and explanation (with controversial topics reserached and discussed) in detail of Sri Guru granth Sahib Ji.
A word of caution: Don’t be dismayed by the slowness of your initial progress. Celebrate every new term you comprehend and soon you would be very comfortable in comprehending most of Gurbani without much efforts.
And then will come the most important and perhaps the most difficult phase of this journey – implementing the teachings – a stage which perhaps our T Singh Vir Ji seems to have reached and efforts are on on my part (and that puts me more or less in the same boat that you are sailing in) and Gurbani reassures us that we take one painda (step) and Guru will advance million steps to help us succeed.
So congratulations Shammi Ji for having taken the first step; soon Waheguru will be motivating you to stride rapidly towards the intended destination.
Bhul Chuk Maaf.
Thank you Shammi Ji for taking the time to share your Vichaar.
As the Gurbani itself indicates, each line must be read/listened with love and earnest Vichaar (Reflections…) to obtain its true understanding (ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ), only that will be of avail (ਉਹੀ ਕੰਮ ਆਵੇਗਾ). Essentially this is what the following verses indicate:
• ਪੀਸਤ ਪੀਸਤ ਚਾਬਿਆ ਸੋਈ ਨਿਬਹਿਆ ਸਾਥ ॥੨੧੫॥: Peesat peesat chaabiaa soeee ibhiaa saath (sggs 1376).
• ਖੋਜਤ ਖੋਜਤ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਆ ॥: Khojat khojat amrit peeaa (sggs 932).
• ਖੋਜ ਬੂਝਿ ਜਉ ਕਰੈ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਤਉ ਭਵਜਲ ਤਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਵੈ ਬਾਰਾ ॥੪੦॥: Khoj boojhi jaou kare beechaaraa. Taou bhavjal tarat n laavai baaraa ||40||(sggs 342).
The Gurbani says our Mool (Surce, Jot…) is within. So, our target is to begin moving towards our Mool.
Dear Sir
I have read your writings and am really grateful that it has certainly added knowledge to me.
I just wish to know that how can i enhance my knowledge of gurbaani.
Thank you Vir Ji for sharing your Vichaar.
Very true! ‘middlemen’ are Mayadhaaree. Because of their love for Maya (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ ਭੁਖ), they have lost their Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom of the Gurbani) and are Dukhee (“crying”). The Gurbani’s edict:
• ਪੰਡਿਤ ਰੋਵਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਗਵਾਇ ॥: Pandit rovahi giaanu gavaai (sggs 954).
• ਙਿਆਨੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਇਆ ਗਰਬਿ ਗਲੇ ਬਿਖੁ ਖਾਇਆ ॥: Giaanu gavaaiaa doojaa bhaaiaa garabi gale bikhu khaaiaa (sggs 930).
One who is “crying” out for Maya himself (“ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਇਆ”), how in the world he is going to free anybody else from it? He can’t. Such people are exactly doing what the greedy and corrupt Brahmins and Pandits were (and still are) doing at the time of the Gurus and Bhagats. Because, deep down, these people are followers of those greedy and corrupt Brahmins and Pandits (ਬ੍ਰਹਮਨ ਦੇ ਚੇਲੇ).
They don’t want the true meangins of the Gurbani to come close to the masses. If they do, they risk losing their lucarative business. Therefore, things they continue to do or tell people are often contrary to the Gurbani’s Teaching (Gurmat). So, the Gurbani rejects them:
ਹਮਰਾ ਝਗਰਾ ਰਹਾ ਨ ਕੋਊ ॥ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਛਾਡੇ ਦੋਊ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Hamaraa jhagaraa rahaa n ko-o. Pandit mullan chhaade do-oo (sggs 1159).
Here, when the Gurbani says “ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਛਾਡੇ ਦੋਊ”, it also includes the present day Sikh Pujaaree-Group (i.e., Bhais, Ragis, Parchaarak, so called Sant, etc.).
The Gurbani declares that except the Mool-realization within (Source, Jot…), nothing else (i.e, Mayaic prayers – ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀਆ ਅਰਦਾਸਾਂ, etc.) will satisfy the human mind.
• ਮਮਾ ਮੂਲ ਗਹਿਆ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ॥: MANNAA mool gahiaa manu maanai (sggs 342).
For this, the Gurbani’s unadultrated Giaan (Divine Knowledge, Aatam-Giaan) is necessary:
• ਗਿਆਨ ਕਾ ਬਧਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥: Giaan kaa badhaa manu rahai gur binu giaanu n hoi ||5|| (sggs 469).
Thus, it’s must to decipher and understand the Gurbani as we read or listen, ourselves. Essentially this is what the following verse indicates:
• ਪੀਸਤ ਪੀਸਤ ਚਾਬਿਆ ਸੋਈ ਨਿਬਹਿਆ ਸਾਥ ॥੨੧੫॥: Peesat peesat chaabiaa soeee ibhiaa saath (sggs 1376).
• ਮਨ ਸਮਝਾਵਨ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਕਛੂਅਕ ਪੜੀਐ ਗਿਆਨ ॥੫॥: Man samajhaavan kaarane kashooak parreai giaan (sggs 340).
Vir Jio, you have hit the nail squarely on its head.
Common sense is not all common. Period.
Why else most of us keep resorting to rituals that heve been so strongly condemned in Gurbani – millions times over?
And I completely agree with you. The greedy ‘massengers’ for their vested interests have been leading a commom man astray thus keeping them away from deciphering the true ‘message’.
The day we learn not to depend on these ‘middlemen’ and make sincere attempts to interpret Gurbani directly, we will start acquiring the ‘commom sense’.
Deep regards.