Debunking the Myth of Paras Stone

By    |    Add a Comment

The Paras stone (ਪਾਰਸ) – also called the philosopher’s stone – is a legendary mythical substance said to possess extraordinary powers, including the ability to turn base metals like iron etc into gold. In Gurmat (teachings of the Gurbani included within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS), it is not a literal stone but a metaphor for the Guru or Gurbani itself, representing the transformative power of the Divine Giyan-Wisdom of the Shabad Guru (SGGS).

In india, cunning Bipar-Vaad/Brahmin-Vaad is the originator of unbelievable mythical tales. These include mythological four ages (Kali Yuga etc), wish fulfilling Parjat tree and Kamdhenu (cow), Karma of past lives, otherworldly hell and heaven, transmigration or reincarnation, 330 million gods or deities, Jum Doot and Dharma Raj, concocted rituals (Karamkaand), Chitr Gupt, and so on. All these myths are false and debunked by the Gurmat of Guru Nanak.

The Bipar’s same mythology had concocted the story of mythological Paras stone popular among the common people of India. Surprisingly, laden with ignorance and greed, people believed in this empty and imaginary (ਖਿਆਲੀ) nonsense. As a result, this myth became a reality among them!

How can man even dream of treading a righteous or purposeful life with all these false myths emanating from within his own selfishness-greed binary? These false myths lead humanity astray and deadens man’s impetus for adopting Virtue and a Divine Life (enlightened or Gurmukh State).

In order to CONVEY the enlightening Message of the BANI, all 35 composers of the Bani (ਬਾਣੀਕਾਰ) who are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) have used language, vocabulary, beliefs, phrases, terms, metaphors etc that were already within the use and within the psyche of people of the time. The verses written in different poetic forms and various languages in the SGGS highlight this aspect well. The use of this vocabulary does NOT at all mean that they have accepted the meaning of the vocabulary in the form in which it was prevalent. GURUS and BHAGATS have deployed these terms as as a figurative device (examples, ਹਵਾਲਾ), but explicitly with new meanings and understanding to fit the new spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak.

Guru Nanak, the progenitor Guru of Sikhi, who meticulously and logically critiqued, rejected, debunked and dismantled the dominant religious orthodoxies of his time, laying the foundation for a tradition that would eventually crystallize into the innovative, unique and revolutionary Sikhi. Guru Nanak adopted existing religious terminology and reconstructed it with new meaning exposing its falsity from within.

For example, when speaking to a farmer Guru Nanak used the language of farmers. When in discussion with Pandits, Yogis, Qazi, Mullah etc. he used their spiritual language of the time. This way, it was easy for the people to relate and understand his new spiritual Message.

Paras = Guru in the true Sikhi of Guru Nanak

The Paras stone is a metaphor for the Guru in Gurmat (Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom, Counsel, Guide, Upadesh). The teaching of the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS affirms that the GURU IS THE PARAS (philosopher’s stone), and by following the Guru’s teachings, a person’s (iron-like) base nature is transformed into a pure, divine state (like gold) – Bliss, perfection, Divine illumination, and spiritual enlightenment. Gurbani teaches that only Divine Giyan-Wisdom can fulfill human birth’s purpose. Guru’s Shabad guides towards spiritual enlightenment or spiritual completeness – being linked completely with the spiritual Message of the complete Guru within; and being linked completely with humanity without.

Having said that, in true Sikhi of Guru Nanak, the Guru’s teachings = Paras which posses transformative power. 

  • ਗੁਰ ਪਾਰਸ ਹਮ ਲੋਹ ਮਿਲਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਹੋਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ਕਾਇਆ ਗੜੁ ਸੋਹਿਆ ਰਾਮ ॥ : The Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom is like ‘Paaras’ (mythical stone) and my mind is like iron (deluded, ignorant, Bikaaree…), but upon coming in touch with the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom, I have become immaculate like gold. By uniting my individual conscious with Divine Conscious of the Guru, my mind-fortress has become beautiful. (sggs 1114).
  • ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰ ਮਹਿ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਹਟੁ ਹੈ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਪਾਰਸਿ ਭੇਟਿਐ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥੧੦॥ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰ ਮਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਵਸੈ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਣਜੀਐ ਸਚਾ ਸਉਦਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੧੧॥੧॥ : The mind lured by the love for duality is like a piece of iron within the human body, the Har Mandir. But if one internalizes and follows the Guru’s teachings which is like a mythical “Paras“, then his iron-like mind becomes like-gold (Enlightened / Guru Shabad-Oriented) whose worth cannot be described. ||10|| God Himself resides within the human body, the temple of God; yes that God is always residing within all. Nanak, if we trade the commodity of Divine Naam by becoming the Gurmukh (Enlightened / Guru Shabad-Oriented mindset), then it becomes a true trade. ||11||1|| (sggs 1346).

Nonetheless, a base metal like iron changes to gold by touching a mythological stone called Paras is used as metaphor for an UN-enlightened person (Manmukh) becoming an Enlightened person (Gurmukh: Guru-Sahabad-Oriented) with the Guru-Paras (i.e. Guru’s Guidance/Upadesh/Giyan-Wisdom). In short, the spiritual metaphor is a symbol of perfection, transformation, enlightenment, and the ultimate goal of human refinement.

  • ਜਿਉ ਛੁਹਿ ਪਾਰਸ ਮਨੂਰ ਭਏ ਕੰਚਨ ਤਿਉ ਪਤਿਤ ਜਨ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੰਗਤੀ ਸੁਧ ਹੋਵਤ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਸੁਧ ਹਾਧੋ ॥੧॥ : Just as the rusted iron becomes gold by touching the mythical stone (Paras), similarly the life of the person fallen to Maya and vices/Bikaar become purified (enlightened) by following the Guru’s teachings. ||1|| (sggs 1297).
  • ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਪਾਰਸ ਪਰਸ ਪਰਾ ॥ : The Guru is the embodiment of peace, Truth and Wisdom. The Guru’s touch is far superior than the touch of the mythical stone called Paras (i.e. the true guru transforms people). (sggs 250).
  • ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰਹਿ ਪੰਚ ਧਾਤੂ ॥ ਭੈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਨਿਰਮਲਾ ਤੂ ॥ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਜਬ ਭੇਟੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਤਾ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਪਰਸਿ ਦਿਖਾਇਣਾ ॥੭॥ : Through the Guru’s Shabad (Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom), the five impulses (lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride) are destroyed. Enshrine the revered fear (ਅਦਬ) of God in your mind and it will become immaculate. (O my mind) Guru is the “Paras“, when a person meets the perfect Guru-Paras (Giyan-Wisdom), then that person sees God everywhere by following the Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru-Paras. ||7|| (sggs 1078).
  • ਸਚੁ ਬ੍ਰਤੁ ਨੇਮੁ ਨ ਕਾਲੁ ਸੰਤਾਵੈ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਰੋਧੁ ਜਲਾਵੈ ॥ ਗਗਨਿ ਨਿਵਾਸਿ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਵੈ ॥ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਪਰਸਿ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ : Make Truth (Creator) your fasting, then the fear of death will not agonize. Burn anger through the Guru’s Shabad (Uoadesh, Giyan-Wisdom). Through the higher spiritual thinking (obtained through the Guru’s Shabad), remain attuned to God. By following the Guru-Paras (Giyan-Wisdom) one obtains the supreme spiritual status. ||2|| (sggs 411).
  • ਪਰਚੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਵੈ ਜਉ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਪਰਸੈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : When one lovingly remembers God, his mind gets appeased with Him. With the touch of God-Paras, he/she becomes pure like Gold, free of duality/double mindedness. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1167).

There is no mention in any scripture, however, about the mythical ‘Paras’ stone turning any metal into a ‘Paras’ like itself. However, internalization of the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom can do it, provided one is willing to take it. Because, by internalizing the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom, one is transformed. For example, by coming in touch with the Paras-Guru Nanak, baba Lahana became Guru-Paras himself, and so on.

  • ਸਤਿ ਰੂਪੁ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਧਰਿਓ ਉਰਿ ॥ ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖਿ ਪਰਤਖਿ ਲਿਖ੍ਉ ਅਛਰੁ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਧੁਰਿ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਗਮਗੈ ਤੇਜੁ ਭੂਅ ਮੰਡਲਿ ਛਾਯਉ ॥ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਪਰਸਿ ਪਰਸੁ ਪਰਸਿ ਗੁਰਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਕਹਾਯਉ ॥ ਭਨਿ ਮਥੁਰਾ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਸਦਾ ਥਿਰੁ ਲਾਇ ਚਿਤੁ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਰਹਹੁ ॥ ਕਲਜੁਗਿ ਜਹਾਜੁ ਅਰਜੁਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਗਲ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ੍ਟਿ ਲਗਿ ਬਿਤਰਹੁ ॥੨॥ : (Guru Arjan) has enshrined truth and contentment in his heart/mind and has enshrined within him that God who is the embodiment of truth and is eternal. God, the primal being, has preordained him very clearly with this destiny of becoming the Guru. God’s divine light clearly shines within him (Guru Arjan), and his grandeur has spread all over the world. By meeting and coming into contact with Guru-Paras Ramdas, Guru Arjan was acclaimed as Guru-Paras by the Guru Ramdas. Bard Mathura says, keeping your mind fixed on the Guru (Guru Arjan), always remain in his presence. O people of the world, in kalyug (troubled state of mind), Guru Arjan is like a ship; you can safely cross over this worldly ocean (of attractions and their corrupting influences) by following his teachings. ||2|| (sggs 1408).
  • ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਤਖਤਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੇ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਕੀਏ ॥ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਭੇਟਿ ਭਏ ਸੇ ਪਾਰਸ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਥੀਏ ॥੪॥੪॥੧੨॥ : By becoming the Gurmukh (Enlightened/Guru Shabad-Oriented), people who have the honor of sitting on the Hirda-Takht (i.e. Mool-abidance) become ‘Pardhaan‘. Nanak, by internalizing the Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru-Paras, they have become like Paras, and now their mind remains attuned to the Creator with Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru. ||4||4||12|| (sggs 1172).
  • ਸਤਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਗਾਖੜੀ ਸਿਰੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇ ॥ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਿਲਹਿ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੇਵਾ ਪਵੈ ਸਭ ਥਾਇ ॥ ਪਾਰਸਿ ਪਰਸਿਐ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਹੋਇ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ : The ‘Sevaa’ or service of the Creator-Connecting Satgur (i.e. Shabad Vichaar) is challenging because it requires ultimate submission and relegation of the Self. The Omnipresent Creator Within is realized upon realizing the spiritual Message Within the Shabad; whence one’s ‘Seva’ (Shabad Vichaar) bears fruit. By following the Guidance of the Guru-Paras, one become like Paras, and one’s individual light merges with the Supreme Light. (sggs 27).

Company of seekers of truth is Paras-like too

One’s thinking (thoughts: Soch-ਸੋਚ) is formed from ‘Sangat‘ (ਸੰਗਤ: company, association). In turn, one’s actions and habits are the louder expression of one’s thinking (thoughts: Soch). Implication is that Good ‘Sangat‘ – Sangat of seekers of truth – will form (1) good thinking (thoughts: Soch), resulting in good habits and deeds. (2) To the contrary, bad ‘Sangat‘ (Kusang) will form bad thinking (thoughts: Soch), resulting in bad habits and deeds.

  • ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਪਰਸਿ ਲੋਹਾ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥ : Discriminating intellect (that discerns between good and evil – comes by joining the SatSangat (seekers of truth), just as, upon coming in contact with a mythical ‘Paras‘, a piece of iron becomes gold! ||3|| (sggs 481).
  • ਐ ਜੀ ਸਦਾ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਰਵਿਆ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਨਿ ਚੁਕਾਈ ॥ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਭੇਟਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਧਾਤੁ ਹੋਈ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੬॥ : God is Omnipresent and ever kind, showing kindness to all, by following Guru’s Teachings, one can experience Divine Grace, then his/her mind’s wandering ends. In the company of the seekers of truth (SatSangat), a person’s mind becomes immaculate, just as upon coming in contact with a mythical ‘Paras‘ a piece of iron becomes gold, similarly, this is the same blessing/effect in the company of the seekers of truth ||6||(sggs 505).
  • ਭਗਤ ਸੋਹਹਿ ਦਰਵਾਰਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣਿ ਰਸਨ ਰਸਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਸਨ ਰਸਾਏ ਨਾਮਿ ਤਿਸਾਏ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਵਿਕਾਣੇ ॥ ਪਾਰਸਿ ਪਰਸਿਐ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਹੋਏ ਜਾ ਤੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਣੇ ॥ ਅਮਰਾ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਗਿਆਨ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤ ਸੋਹਨਿ ਦਰਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਸਾਚੇ ਕੇ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ॥੪॥ : Adorned by the Guru’s Shabad (Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom), seekers of truth look beauteous in Divine Court (i.e. they beauteous by conforming to Divine Hukam). They speak the ambrosial divine word with their tongue and relish them. Being thirsty for the Divine Naam (abidance in Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam); they dedicate themselves to the Guru’s Shabad. (O God) when they became pleasing to Your mind, by following the teachings of the Guru-Paras, they become Paras (i.e. they guide others like the Guru). They erase their self conceit and attain the immortal status; however it is only a rare person who reflects on this (Guru’s) Divine Giyan-Wisdom. Nanak, seekers of truth look beautiful in Divine Court; they are the merchants of God’s Naam. ||4||(sggs 688).
  • ਮੇਰੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਪੋਚ ਸੋਚ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ॥ ਮੇਰਾ ਕਰਮੁ ਕੁਟਿਲਤਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਕੁਭਾਂਤੀ ॥੧॥ : (O Creator) day and night my company is with evil-minded persons, (as a result of evil company) my thinking is also evil. (Since my thinking is evil) my actions are deceitful (cunning, crooked, untruthful etc.); and thus my human birth has become of the worst or a low kind. ||1|| (sggs 345).

Ending

To ward off ills, problems, suffering, worries, uncertainties in life and to fulfill wishes and desires, people perform all sorts of empty and imaginary rituals (Karamkaamd). However, Sikhi / Gurmat of Guru Nanak has exposed the falsehood of myths, empty and imaginary superstitions and rituals in no uncertain terms – devoid of Divine Giyan-Wisdom, any form of Bhagti and worship where people turn to outward objects such as Sarovars/ponds, trees, animals, shrines, Baurhis, weapons, footwear etc is of no avail.

The Gurmat (teachings of the Gurbani included in SGGS) guides the entire humanity what we need to do. There is no other than the Divine Giyan-Wisdom that can remove our mental ailments and fulfill our life’s purpose. Enlightenment of this Divine Giyan-Wisdom can transform our thinking, mend and refine our minds.

  • ਪਾਰਜਾਤੁ ਲੋੜਹਿ ਮਨ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥ ਕਾਮਧੇਨੁ ਸੋਹੀ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਮਾਇ ਰਸਾਇਣਾ ॥੬॥ : O my dear mind, if you wish to have Paarjaat (wish fulfilling mythical tree). If you wish to have ‘Kamdhenu‘ (wish fulfilling mythical cow), then follow the teaching of the perfect Guru (SHABAD) and realize satiation and contentment within and earn the wealth of the Divine Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), the Essence. ॥6॥ (sggs 1078).

Some related posts:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.     Comment Policy.     * = required fields.