Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad

Shabad in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) means the Creator (God), Truth, Guru’s teachings and the Guru’s Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge). So it is the understanding of the Creator that is needed for the understanding of Hukam (Cosmic Law, System-Rule-Law of Kudrat, ਨਿਯਮ). The one, who understands the Hukam and conducts himself/herself, accordingly, is called a ‘Sachiaaraa’ in the SGGS Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat, Jan, Braham Giaanee, etc. All these words are used interchangeably in the SGGS. In short, to become Sachiaaraa is to become Enlightened or God-Realized being.

  • ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ : How then can I become God-Realized being within (‘Sachiaaraa‘)? How can I remove the obstacle of my non-realized state within? O Nanak! (The way to realize Creator within is to) remain within the confines of His Hukam (the Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…), as (Creator and His Hukam) is contained with us. ||1|| (sggs 1).

Hence strength of the mind is true Understanding or Wisdom and divine Virtues such as Godly contentment etc. The awakening of this strength within takes place when the ignorance driven emotional roller-coaster and the instinctive mind’s negative influences are properly understood and conquered through internalization of the Shabadfalse ego-sense (or Haumai), vices or Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride etc.), selfishness, enviousness, stubborn mindedness etc.

In a nutshell, Sikhi is a spirituality of divine Virtues / Wisdom Realized Within through the spiritual Message embedded in the God-Connecting Gur-Shabad (Enlightenment.).

Hence, in a nutshell, Sikhi is a process of acquiring divine Virtues / Wisdom and then applying it to daily life – BECOMIG THE GURBANI.

Simply put: realization of the Message contained in the Shabad = realization of the Creator within:

  • ਸਬਦਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੋ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਨਉ ਆਪੇ ਲਏ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਕੋ ਨਾ ਮਿਲੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ : Realizing the Enlightening Message Within the Shabad is to become realized of the Creator; for which one’s Self must bring about this realization. None who subscribe to a Principle other than this have realized; they suffer the cycles of spiritual life and death (i.e. the one’s Self must bring about realization). (sggs 27).

Baabaa Nanak Guides us that the mind or Conscience (Surat – ਸੁਰਤ) is the disciple (‘Sikh‘, learner, seeker), NOT the physical body-frame.

  • ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥: The SHABAD is my GURU (i.e. the Source of my Enlightenment), and my conscience (Surat, mind) is the disciple (of this SHABAD GURU (i.e. I adherer to the Instructions contained within the Shabad). (sggs 943).

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches once the Mayaic mind is brought under control, Message embedded within the Shabad — spiritual meanings or Upadesh — will unfold before our Inner Vision.

  • ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਸਬਦ ਭੇਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਸੰਤਾਏ ॥੩॥: As long as (the mortal) does not come to Realize the Message embedded within the Shabad, the fear of death continues to torture him. ||3|| (sggs 1126).
  • ਏਨਾ ਅਖਰਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥: (Only that person is the learned: scholar-ਵਿਦਵਾਨ) who by becoming the Gurmukh and through his education understands (his Mool, Giaan or Wisdom etc.). Debt (of Bikaar: lust, anger, greed etc.) does not accumulate on the head of that person (i.e. that person does not transgress and does not deviate from the path of life). ||2|| (sggs 432).
  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਮਤਿ ਆਵੈ ਸੋ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥ ਇਹ ਬਾਣੀ ਜੋ ਜੀਅਹੁ ਜਾਣੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: One who embraces the Enlightening Upadesh/Wisdom of the Satgur’s Shabad, immerses into it. One who understands and lives the Bani (SGGS), invites the  Naam (Wisdom/Virtues) to reside within. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 797).
  • ਜਿਨਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਓਇ ਮਾਣਸ ਜੂਨਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਨਿ ਪਸੂ ਢੋਰ ਗਾਵਾਰ ॥ ਓਨਾ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਸਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥: Those who have not Internalized the Message of the Guru‘s Shabad; do not call them human beings; they are as dead animals and stupid. They have neither spiritual GiaanWisdom of spiritual Life nor Contemplation (Giaan Dhiaan); they have no love and affection for the Creator Within. (sggs 1418).

The impact of the self-serving Pujaaree’s concocted narratives and the Pujaaree’s spirituality of dogma, religious paraphernalia, religious garbs, useless formalities (Karamkaand) etc. is a barrier in understanding and realizing the real spiritual meanings and Message contained in the Guru’s Shabad (SGGS). This is the bitter truth:

  • ਫਰੀਦਾ ਕੰਨਿ ਮੁਸਲਾ ਸੂਫੁ ਗਲਿ ਦਿਲਿ ਕਾਤੀ ਗੁੜੁ ਵਾਤਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਦਿਸੈ ਚਾਨਣਾ ਦਿਲਿ ਅੰਧਿਆਰੀ ਰਾਤਿ ॥੫੦॥ : O Farid! on your shoulder is the prayer mat, around your neck is the black scarf (Sufi robe), candy in your mouth (i.e. deceptively sweet words), but a dagger in your heart (you have disguised yourself as a pious person, you speak sweet words but your heart is deceitful). outwardly you appear as spiritually wise but in your heart is pitch darkness of spiritual ignorance. ||50|| (sggs 1380).
  • ਜੇ ਜਾਣਸਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰ ਕਰਮੰ ॥ ਸਭਿ ਫੋਕਟ ਨਿਸਚਉ ਕਰਮੰ ॥: If (you) know the Way of the Brahm, (then you would) definitely know that all rituals are of no value. (sggs 470).
  • ਅਨਿਕ ਭੇਖ ਅਰੁ ਙਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨ ਮਨਹਠਿ ਮਿਲਿਅਉ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥: No one can realize (divine Union) by all sorts of religious robes, religious-debates (ਧਰਮ-ਚਰਚਾ) and meditation with stubborn mindedly. (sggs 251).
  • ਕਬੀਰ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਇਕ ਸਿਉ ਕੀਏ ਆਨ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਭਾਵੈ ਲਾਂਬੇ ਕੇਸ ਕਰੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਘਰਰਿ ਮੁਡਾਇ ॥੨੫॥ : Kabeer, when you love single-mindedly to the ONE Creator then all your doubts flee, irrespective of whatever pleases the world: unshorn hair or shaven head (i.e. it makes no difference to the Creator if you do all this as Karamkaand or mere Bhekh-ਭੇਖ, or to pretend that you are pious or spiritually advanced, or you will be rescued from hell by the Guru who will grab you by the hair and pull you out, and so on). ||25|| (sggs 1365).

Only when the mind is freed from the clutches of Mayaic consciousness or confusion, the Message embedded within the Guru’s Shabad can be realized.

  • ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਾਣਾਈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਾਲਿ ਸਮਾਈ ॥੨੯॥: The Message embedded within the Shabad causes Realization (of the Creator) to come about. Nanak, (the Message embedded within the Shabad) removes false ego-sense from the Journey of Realization of the Creator Within. ॥29॥ (sggs 941).

If truthfully searched through Shabad-Vichaar and churning the Gurbani, we will find that although we repeatedly go through the Gurbani (SGGS), but our deluded and confused mind seldom let the Gurbani go through us!

  • ਮੈ ਮੂਰਖ ਕੀ ਕੇਤਕ ਬਾਤ ਹੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਪਰਾਧੀ ਤਰਿਆ ਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਪੇਖਿਆ ਸੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ਨ ਪਰਿਆ ਰੇ ॥੪॥੨॥੧੩॥ : What to talk of a foolish person like, (in refuge of Guru’s Giaan-Wisdom, Guidance) even millions of wrongdoers have have gone across (Bhav Saagar – the ocean of unenlightened life). Those people who have listened to the Guru Nanak’s Teaching have realized the Enlightening Message (i.e. Upadesh embedded in the Guru’s Shabad); their minds never again go through repeated suffering (repeated birth and death of the mind). ||4||2||13|| (sggs 613).

The reason Mayaic mind seldom let the Gurbani go through us is our habitual or ritualistic reading of the Gurbani, which is undertaken in stubborn mindedness and in a businesslike manner (calculated) and in an endless hunger for Maya; without hand-in-hand intense subjective discipline and without Reflecting on the Gurbani’s sublime Essence (Giaan-Wisdom).

In other words, our reading or listening of the Gurbani is undertaken with the help of the pick ax of the Mayaic or superficial meanings to either gratify our false ego-sense (Haumai), or make a mere academic acquaintance with the Gurbani. Such reading results in very bad spiritual indigestion.

In short, it seems we are merely satisfied with just ritualistic reading of the Gurbani, as well as superficial or worldly meanings of the Gurbani as promoted by the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ, ਨਿਕੰਮੇ) and their own trained self-serving Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.).

The result of all this is that Sikhi as it is seen or practiced today is no longer the Sikhi that was taught to us by our Gurus. Instead, it is a Sikhi or spirituality that stands distorted, corrupted and tainted by the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas and their trained Pujaaree.

Self-serving Pujaaree’s stale spirituality is totally opposite of Baabaa Nanak’s UNIQUE and REVOLUTIONARY spirituality:

  • Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy trained by the Deraa-Vaad Baabaas) is the spirituality of FEAR and GREED. However the Unique spirituality of the SGGS is of Godly contentment and Ananad (Bliss, Joy).
  • The spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is of ‘asking’ or ‘constantly reminding the Creator to give us this or that’. However, such spirituality of BEGGING (Mayaic Ardaas-prayers) does not fit into the spirituality of Sikhi which is of Godly contentment and Ananad.
  • Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is the spirituality of MIDDLE-MAN (ਵਿਚੋਲਾ). However the Unique spirituality of the SGGS is the spirituality of the SELF, for the SELF, by the SELF.
  • Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is the spirituality of LIFE AFTER DEATH. However the Unique spirituality of the SGGS is of HERE and NOW.
  • Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is the spirituality of KARAMKAAND (worthless RITUALS, formalities etc.). However the practical spirituality of the SGGS is of spiritual Wisdom (Enlightenment, divine Virtues).
  • Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is the spirituality of MIRACLES (karaamaat). However the Unique spirituality of the SGGS is of HUKAM.
  • Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is the stale pre-1469 spirituality of concocted narratives, made-up tales, manufactured God separate from man and rest of the Creation etc. However this nonsense of the Bipar-Vaad is debunked in the SGGS. Instead, the Unique and Revolutionary spirituality of Sikhi is of BECOMING THE GURBANI and realizing the divinity that is within all of us, Here and Now.

Having said that, SGGS teaches us that the gist of the Shabad Guru can only be realized through proper Understanding – Shabad-Vichaar, Khoj (search), churning the Gurbani etc.

  • ਪੜਿਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਬੁਝਿਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਖਟੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੈ ਭੇਖਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਵਣਾ ॥ : Not by just reading (scriptures), but it is through spiritual Wisdom one Understands this fact (that God is infinite). No one can merge in the eternal God by merely adopting the garbs mentioned in the six Shastras (the Hindu holy books). The eternal God is unfathomable, but revealed through the Guru’s Shabad, He (i.e. Creation, Hukam) looks beautiful. (sggs 148).
  • ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥: Without Understanding, people become beasts and demons (nature-ਸੁਭਾਵ). ||6|| (sggs 224).

That being said, clearly the Guru’s Shabad is also beyond physical and ritual reading (e.g. Akhand Paath, Hired Paathee, ritual Nitnem, paid reading, deal making reading, forced reading etc.).

  • ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਸਭ ਹੋਇ ਖੁਆਰ ॥: Without understanding, ALL are troubled (afflicted, distressed, perplexed…). (sggs 791).

If we allow our relativist consciousness to take the Gurbani’s (SGGS) worldly or superficial meanings, it would read strange and even incongruous. Hence, in order to understand and appreciate the true gist of the Gur-Shabad, its embedded Message needs to be Internalized and then lived in daily life (Gurmukh-Mindset).

In short, Gurmukh (Bhagat, Daas, Jan…) is a State of the Mind characterized by Enlightenment, divine Virtues such as Godly contentment, truthfulness, compassion, fearlessness, bliss (Anand), braveheart, piousness, Joy, positivity, Happiness, Living Liberation, Mool-Abidance etc.

  • ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਇ ॥: Waahu! Waahu! The Baanee (‘ਬਾਣੀ’) is True; only a rare person by becoming a Gurmukh understands it. (sggs 1276).
  • ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਸਭੁ ਅੰਧ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਿਸਹਿ ਬੁਝਾਇਦਾ ॥੫॥: A person who has become a Gurmukh understands that without the Shabad (Wisdom, Giaan, Upadesh…) there is total darkness everywhere (for the human being in the journey of life). ||5|| (sggs 1065).
  • ਗੁਹਜ ਰਤਨ ਵਿਚਿ ਲੁਕਿ ਰਹੇ ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਕਢੈ ਖੋਤਿ ॥: Hidden within it are the Jewels (of the Divine Virtues…); a rare ‘Sevak‘ digs them out (through Shabad-Vichaar) by becoming the Gurmukh (sggs 309).

Thus, to become Enlightened (Gurmukhs Mindset) is not a social status or a title or an external appearance of a person, it is a question of BECOMING THE GURBANI.

  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਣੀਐ ॥: The Satgur’s Bani (the God-Connecting Shabad-Guru) is the embodiment of the Creator; (therefore) BECOME THE GURBANI (to Realize the Creator). (sggs 304).
  • ਬਾਣੀ ਬਿਰਲਉ ਬੀਚਾਰਸੀ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਇਹ ਬਾਣੀ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੪੦॥ : Only a RARE Gurmukh (Enlighted State of the Mind) Reflects on Gurbani. This Bani is of the Satguru and through it, one abides in his own True Self within. ||40|| (sggs 935).
  • ਖੀਰ ਅਧਾਰਿ ਬਾਰਿਕੁ ਜਬ ਹੋਤਾ ਬਿਨੁ ਖੀਰੈ ਰਹਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥ : When the baby is dependent only on milk, it cannot remain/live without milk (similarly, a Sikh cannot not remain/live without the Message/Upadesh of the Shabad-Guru). (sggs 1266).

Since Baabaa Nanak’s Sikhi or Gurmat is UNIQUE and REVOLUTIONARY, the SGGS asserts the Gurbani can ONLY be Understood FROM the Gurbani itself, NOT from Bipar-Vaad!

  • 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).
  • ਮੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਤੀ ਪਿਰਹੜੀ ਕਿਉ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਜੀਵਾ ਮਾਉ ॥ ਮੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਆਧਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਲਾਗਿ ਰਹਾਉ ॥੮॥: I have deep love for the ‘Satigur‘ (True Wisdom-ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ). O my mother (metaphor for Mayaic mind, intellect, conscience…), how can I live without Guru (Giyan-Wisdom). The Gurbani (i.e. the Enlightening spiritual  Wisdom of the Guru Shabad) is my Base or Support of my life. Attuned to the Guru Shabad I remain spiritually alive. ||8|| (sggs 759).
  • ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ ॥: (Guru’s) Bani is the Guru (of Sikhs i.e. Shabad-Guru or Wisdom or Giaan-Guru) and the Guru is present (as Giaan or Wisdom) in the Bani. The Amrit (of the Guru’s Giaan or Wisdom…) is contained in the whole of Bani. (sggs 982).

Therefore, while Interpreting the Gurbani (SGGS), it will be useful to keep in mind:

  • Use the Gurbani as PRIMARY SOURCE (NOT secondary source) to understand the Gurbani (i.e. 1430 pages of the SGGS).
  • Use the Gurbani to explain the Gurbani.
  • Interpretation should have internal validity and reliability.
  • Gurbani grammar is useful for coherent interpretation.
  • The Gurbani is the sole indicator of original intent of the Gurus.
  • The Guru’s intent lies in the Gurbani.
  • Answers lie within the Gurbani.
  • The Message of the Gurbani (SGGS) is Universal, Unique, Revolutionary, timeless, wholesome etc. What it means is that the Gurbani is never specific to location, occasion, person, incident etc.
  • The obsessions with the nonsense such as AFTERLIFE, or after death rituals (Karamkaand) etc. in pre-1469 belief systems are removed from Gurbani (SGGS).

The Guru’s Shabad (SGGS) bestows upon us ‘Sojhee-ਸੋਝੀ’ ( Wisdom, Understanding, comprehension, ਸਮਝ. ਗਿਆਨ etc.), which teaches us the proper Way of living life. BUT, one who is willingly wants to take this ‘Sojhee-ਸੋਝੀ’ will obtain it, which, in turn, will change one’s mindset, habits, thinking (Soch), conduct, character etc.

  • ਗੁਰੂ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਹੋਇ ਸੋਝੀ ਪਾਇਸੀ ॥ ਏਤੁ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਧੋਇ ਹਛਾ ਹੋਇਸੀ ॥ : One is Blessed with the true Wisdom of the Guru only by internalizing the Message contained in the Guru Shabad. By getting the mind cleansed this way alone one Realizes the Creator within. (sggs 730).
  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਚਨ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਮਹਾ ਬਿਖਾਦੀ ਦੁਸਟ ਅਪਵਾਦੀ ਤੇ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਸੰਗਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਜਨਮ ਭਵੰਤੇ ਨਰਕਿ ਪੜੰਤੇ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਕੁਲ ਉਧਾਰੇ ॥੨॥ : O Satguru (ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ-true Wisdom), countless people with no virtues have crossed over the worldly ocean of vices by following your divine words (Shabad). ||1||Pause|| Even the most argumentative, vicious and indecent people have become (mentally) immaculate by Internalizing Your Shabad. ||1|| (O Satguru), you have redeemed the entire lineages of those who had been wandering and suffering like hell through myriad of (mental) births. ||2|| (sggs 406).
  • ਤਵ ਗੁਨ ਕਹਾ ਜਗਤ ਗੁਰਾ ਜਉ ਕਰਮੁ ਨ ਨਾਸੈ ॥ : O Guru of the world (the Creator), what is the use of coming to Your refuge, if the effect of my misdeeds (bad thoughts etc.) is not going to be erased. (sggs 858).
  • ਗਿਆਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਤਹ ਕਰਮਹ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੩॥: When the spiritual Wisdom wells up within, then the (love of Mayaic efforts or) deeds end. ||3|| (sggs 1167).

The Gurbani tells us an Enlightened mind realizes its Mool within, and thus becomes ONE with its Jot Saroop (Orginal Nature).

  • ਯਾ ਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਏਕਹਿ ਕਉ ਆਇਆ ॥ : (Man) is born in this life only to become ONE (with God, Prabh, Mool, etc. – through Naam…). (sggs 251).
  • ਬੀਉ ਬੀਜਿ ਪਤਿ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਅਬ ਕਿਉ ਉਗਵੈ ਦਾਲਿ ॥ ਜੇ ਇਕੁ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਉਗਵੈ ਰੁਤੀ ਹੂ ਰੁਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥: Those who planted the seed (of Divine Naam) within have departed with honor; (but) those whose mind is split in duality (fragmented-ਦਾਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਦੋ-ਫਾੜ), how can the seed (of Naam: Wisdom / Virtues) sprout in their mind? The seed sprouts only if the seed is whole (undivided-Saabat…) and if the season is proper (the seed of Naam will sprout only if the mind is not split in duality: Unfragmented, Whole-Saabat…). (sggs 468).

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8 comments

  1. Thank you brother Ramjit Singh Mann Ji for your thoughtful reply. Welcome to the Gurbani blog!

    First off, to my knowledge, there is no Bani written under the Title/ਸਿਰਲੇਖ of “Babar Bani”.

    In my humble opinion, I think we should refrain from assigning concocted Title/ਸਿਰਲੇਖ to the Bani.

    Many people have already distorted Gurbani (SGGS) by assigning concocted Title/ਸਿਰਲੇਖ such as “Dukh Bhanjani” etc.

    The Gurbani has used many examples such as animals, birds, insects, stars, sky, moon, sun, locations, and so on. The purpose of these examples is to impart deeper spiritual message addressed to the mind.

    This means that while Gurbani is always composed at some location, used some examples; may be composed to draw from specific occasions and events; and may be uttered in the presence of person or persons – the Shabad is never meant for any specific location, any particular occasion or for a certain person(s). In other words, all of Gurbani is composed for use in all locations, all occasions, all eras and all persons. Gurbani is spiritual in nature and meant for the whole of humanity throughout time.

    In short, the Guru Sahib has given us Giaan-Wisdom of all sides, all aspects of life. It’s up to an individual IF he/she takes it or how he/she takes it…

    I don’t know which Shabad you was referring to, perhaps “ਖੁਰਾਸਾਨ ਖਸਮਾਨਾ ਕੀਆ ਹਿੰਦੁਸਤਾਨੁ ਡਰਾਇਆ ॥” (SGGS 360).

    Since the subject matter of this post is not that Shabad, we may have a separate future post on it.

  2. I understand the main objective of Gurbani is to change thought process (mind) and it is not specific for location, occasion, person, incident etc. I would appreciate your views on Shabads interpreted as Babar Bani in GGS?

  3. Beautifully explained. Internalizing the message embedded in Shabad is the key.

    Thanks again for your enlightening articles.

  4. Thank you Veer Gurpreet Singh Ji for your insightful comment.

    ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਸੋਈ ਜਨੁ ਸਿਝੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ (sggs 1416).

  5. Satkar jog Gurmukh T. Singh ji
    Yes the main aim of this life is be ‘ONE’ once again because our chit(heart,inner-soul, inner-consciousness,antar-atma…) and mann(mind, consciousness…) are separated(cracked) and with the help of reflections on gurbani (gurmat-gyan,tat-gyan, atam-gyan, shabad-vichar, divine- knowledge…) our mann will die completely(death of the worldly desires, mann di ichha…) into chit and then we will live our life under the hukam of akaal purakh(guru da bhana).
    IS JUG MIEN EKEIY (to become one) KO AYE…

    Regards
    G.S.

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