Deraa-Vaad Baabaas

First off, the Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) does NOT create SANTDOM or SAADHDOM or DERAA-VAAD or BAABAA-DOM!

As a matter of fact, the Gurbani (SGGS) is never specific to location, occasion, person, incident etc.

The Gurbani is also NOT meant to regurgitate useless Karamkaand (rituals, formalities, etc.) and concocted mythical narratives that already existed before the Gurus and Bhagats.

Hence, they never sanctioned any tradition like Sant-Hood or Baabaa-Hood or Deraa-Vaad, neither any initiation to be a Sant etc. They knew such practices would confuse the masses, and defeat the Unique and Revolutionary spirituality of Gurmat or Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak.

Instead, the SGGS creates GURMUKH MINDSETS — Bhagat, Daas or Jan — who live a divine Life of Wisdom and Virtues!

The negative impact of false ego-sense (i.e. Haumai) or pride develops in some people to an extent that (1) they are foolish enough to equate themselves to God; (2) declare themselves to be God; (3) pretend to have miraculous powers (Karaamaat), (4) expect followers worship them, and so on.

The brainwashed and blockheaded followers blindly follow their freeloading Baabaas or sants. Many a time foolishly and blindly call them to be the ‘Roop‘ (ਰੂਪ) of Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Nanak etc.!

Many boast their Baabaas or sants to be born as Nirankar or God! The list of such fraud and foolishness goes on and on!

But they are always reluctant to answer any convincing and logical argument of the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS.

Among Sikhs (learners or seekers), plenty of Derra-Vaad baabaas or sants of such hypocritical acts (Pakhand) can be found.

Aptly, the Gurbani calls them ‘Baanaarasi Kae Thugs‘ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) meaning ‘fraudulent or conmen posing as Sants or spiritual persons.’

• ਗਲੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀਆ ਲੋਟੇ ਹਥਿ ਨਿਬਗ ॥ ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥: Who have rosaries around their necks, and glittering jugs in their hands, (just because of such religious paraphernalia) they should not be called the Divine’s Sant — they are thugs of Banaras (i.e., religious conmen, robbers, cheats…). (sggs 476).
• ਸਾਧੋ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਮਾਨੁ ਤਿਆਗਉ ॥ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਦੁਰਜਨ ਕੀ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਭਾਗਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥:  O ‘Saadho‘ (i.e. those who call themselves Saadh / seekers but in reality are fraud)! Shed the egotistical pride of your mind. Abstain from lust and anger (i.e. all Bikaar) which is like being in the company of evil persons. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 219).

In fact, the status of these ‘Baanaaras Kae Thugs‘ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) Sants, Saadh or Baabaas remains because they inject greed and fear in the minds of gullible and ignorant followers — fear of pre-1469 concocted concepts of after physical death or afterlife, God, Paap Punn, Sutak (pronounced Sootak-ਸੂਤਕ), Hell and Heaven, Religion, Dharma, Ghosts or Bhoot Pret, cycle of reincarnation (Avaa Gavan), ritual bathing, Tirath or pilgrimage, Kirtan (ਕੀਰਤਨ), Bhagti, Jum Doot, Dharma Raj, Chitr Gupt etc. which have been rejected in the SGGS!

Furthermore, being fearful and greedy, people who seek refuge at these Deraas and do not dare speak out against them!

As a matter of fact — throughout the period of the Gurus (1469 – 1708) — no Sikh was ever called a Sant or referred to with the title of ‘Sant‘.

Created by the British Raj, a class of Sants slides into Sikhi about beginning of the 19th century.

In fact, many of the original heads of Deraas in Punjab were veterans of the British army in India!

Apparently, they were supported by the British Raj for the main purpose of (1) distorting, tainting and corrupting the Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak, and (2) to divide Sikhs to weaken them for easy control of the VAST Punjab province, which (during the British Raj, NOT now) stretched from Himachal Pradesh in the east to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the west!

In the singular sense, Gurbani uses the word ‘Sant’ or ‘Saadh‘ to refer to God and the Guru. In the plural sense, it refers to ordinary Sikhs (learners or seekers). Gurbani further refers to a ‘group or class’ of people who call themselves ‘Sants‘ as conmen (fraudulent and of bad intent). The Gurbani calls them ‘Benares Kay Thugs’ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’).

However, invariably, when people — specially of Indian origin — see somebody claiming to be a holy man, with peculiar external religious paraphernalia, they fall on his feet. He may be a first-class thief under his outer covering, but nonetheless he is revered!

On account of our lack of BECOMING the Gurbani (SGGS), and our fear and greed, we readily accept anyone who says ‘I am God‘, ‘I have seen God’, ‘I will show you God’, ‘I can give you son – ਦੁਧ ਪੁਤ’, ‘I can improve your business’, ‘I can fulfill all your desires‘, ‘I can help you win lawsuit’, ‘I can make you wealthy’, ‘I can make you rich’, and so on.

These days, if someone without education just wants to live a luxurious life (ਐਸ਼ਪਰਸਤੀ) as a freeloader (ਵੇਹਲੜ) in the society, he becomes a Sant or Baabaa and setup a Deraa!

There are various reason people chose this lifestyle —  lazy-bums, fugitives, hooligan lifestyle, illiteracy, lack of skill and education, hiding from the law, vote-banks for corrupt leaders and politicians etc. In fact many disguised in the dress (ਭੇਖ, ਬਾਣਾ) are hardcore criminals running from the law!

A well paying business indeed, wherein there need not be any investment and therefore, it is a safe activity of ‘all gains and no loss’! Also, there is no need to toil!

Consider the following verses of Bhatt Bhikhaa Ji (whose Bani is included in the SGGS). He mentions spending one year searching for a true Sant, but could not find one. He saw many ‘Saadh‘ and Pandits. But he found them to be sweet talkers on the outside, but full of Maya‘s corruption on the inside (i.e., fraud…). Finally, he gave up his search and came to the Guru Sahib.

• ਰਹਿਓ ਸੰਤ ਹਉ ਟੋਲਿ ਸਾਧ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ਡਿਠੇ ॥ ਸੰਨਿਆਸੀ ਤਪਸੀਅਹ ਮੁਖਹੁ ਏ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮਿਠੇ ॥ ਬਰਸੁ ਏਕੁ ਹਉ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਕਿਨੈ ਨਹੁ ਪਰਚਉ ਲਾਯਉ ॥ ਕਹਤਿਅਹ ਕਹਤੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਰਹਤ ਕੋ ਖੁਸੀ ਨ ਆਯਉ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਗੇ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਗੁਣ ਹਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਹਉ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਯਿ ਮਿਲਾਯਉ ਭਿਖਿਆ ਜਿਵ ਤੂ ਰਖਹਿ ਤਿਵ ਰਹਉ ॥੨॥੨੦॥: I have been searching for Sants; I have seen so many ‘Sadh’. (Also seen) Sannyaasees, penitents and sweet-tongued Pandits. Although I wandered around for a year, but no one could satisfy me (solace, ਤਸੱਲੀ…). I have heard people say and preach, but seeing their way of life (Rahat), I am not at all pleased. What can I say about the qualities of those people who are engaged in other than Naam, (i.e., love of Maya)? (sggs 1395).

Bhagat Kabeer Jee also makes similar observation. He says whom I go to release myself, I find them bound by all sorts of chains themselves (false ego-sense or Haumai, Bikaar, craftiness etc.)!!

• ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਨੇ ਅੰਧਾ ॥ ਜਾ ਪਹਿ ਜਾਉ ਆਪੁ ਛੁਟਕਾਵਨਿ ਤੇ ਬਾਧੇ ਬਹੁ ਫੰਧਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Without Hari (Mool, Source), the spiritually blind ones are gone astray in doubt. And those, to whom I go to find release – they themselves are bound by all sorts of chains. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 334).

To Maintain their luxurious life (ਐਸ਼ਪਰਸਤੀ) as a freeloader (ਵੇਹਲੜ), these Deraa-Vaad Sants or Baabaas have distorted the UNIQUNESS of the Gurbani and its distinct goals, and thus reduced the Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak to a mere mundane business (‘ਰੋਟੀਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ’ ਧੰਧਾ; ‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’ )!

• ਕਰਤੂਤਿ ਪਸੂ ਕੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਾਤਿ ॥ ਲੋਕ ਪਚਾਰਾ ਕਰੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮਲੁ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਛਪਸਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਕਛੁ ਕਰੈ ਛਪਾਇਆ ॥: Although; human in name or creed, but actions are that of animalistic nature. But day and night he exhibits or shows off to people (that he is a human – ਬੰਦਾ)! Outside (on his body) he wears religious dress but in his mind is the filth of Maya. However he cannot conceal the filth of his mind with (outwardly wearing religious robes, cunningness, pleasing people etc.). (sggs 267).

The Gurbani debunks their conduct or life-style (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਰਤੂਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਖਿਲਾਫ ਬੋਲਦੀ ਹੈ)!

Deraa-Vaad is neither supported nor encouraged in the Gurbani.

According to the Gurbani, the Real ‘Deraa‘ (ਡੇਰਾ) is Within — Mool-abidance, divine Life, Gurmukh MINDSET, Realization of the Creator Within etc.).

Fittingly, the Gurbani (SGGS) tells us that the worldly Deraas are not the real Deraas for they are fleeting, perishable etc.

The Gurbani also tells us that the value of the real Deraa — which is beyond these fleeting worldly Deraa — is known only to those with the Gurmukh Mindset inculcated through churning the Gurbani via Shabad-Vichaar:

• ਡਡਾ ਡੇਰਾ ਇਹੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਹ ਡੇਰਾ ਤਹ ਜਾਨੁ ॥ ਉਆ ਡੇਰਾ ਕਾ ਸੰਜਮੋ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਛਾਨੁ ॥ ਇਆ ਡੇਰਾ ਕਉ ਸ੍ਰਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਘਾਲੈ ॥ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਤਸੂ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਚਾਲੈ ॥ ਉਆ ਡੇਰਾ ਕੀ ਸੋ ਮਿਤਿ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਭਗਵਾਨੈ ॥ ਡੇਰਾ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਸਚੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਨਹ ਡੋਲਾਇਆ ॥੨੯॥: Daddaa (a letter of the Gurmukhi alphabet): This worldly Deraa (ਸੰਸਾਰੀ ਡੇਰਾ) is not your (True Deraa); (therefore) know that Deraa (which is True-ਸਚਾ ਡੇਰਾ). Through the Shabad of the Guru, understand the technique of getting established in that Deraa (which is true). Man works hard for the sake of this worldly Deraa. But (upon death) not even a particle of this (worldly Deraa) goes with him. Only he knows the worth of that Deraa who (develop) Perfect Perspective (ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿਕੋਣ, ਨਜਰੀਆ, point of view…). (That) Permanent Deraa is obtained connecting with the Gur-Giaan or Wisdom. O Nanak! Those Jan (Daas, Bhagat, Gurmukh, etc., who obtain that true Deraa, their minds) do not wander (after these perishable worldly Deraa). ||29|| (sggs 256).

However, contrary to what the Gurbani says, these so called Sants or Saadh are so attached to the worldly Deraas (ਸੰਸਾਰੀ ਡੇਰਾ) furnished with expensive cars, luxurious lifestyle etc.? Some are even contemplating having landing strips for private jets in their Deraas (probably some already have them)!

Clearly, to support their luxurious lifestyle (ਐਸ਼ਪਰਸਤੀ) of ‘freeloaders’ (ਵੇਹਲੜ ਲੋਕਾ ਦੇ ਅੱਡੇ, ਡੇਰੇ) in the society, they care less what the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS says. They care less becauser they are anti-Sikhi, or anti-Gurmat, or anti-Soch of Baabaa Nanak.

If they did care, then they would be living according to the Giaan (Wisdom, Upadesh…) of the SGGS.

Clearly, these ‘freeloaders’ (ਵੇਹਲੜ ) live a life of ‘Dhroh‘ (‘ਧ੍ਰੋਹ’=> deceit, to live freely off others and, in return, mislead them etc.).

The Gurbani indicates those engaged in ‘Dhroh’ are full of Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride….).

• ਝੂਠ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਮਹਾ ਲੋਭ ਧ੍ਰੋਹ ॥: (The fool lives a life of) falsehood, Bikaar, immense greed and ‘Dhroh’. (sggs 267-268).

Thus under the influence of Maya or materiality the deluded mind nurses the defiled senses.

• ਉਦੋਸਾਹੈ ਕਿਆ ਨੀਸਾਨੀ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਅੰਨੀ ॥ ਉਦੋਸੀਅ ਘਰੇ ਹੀ ਵੁਠੀ ਕੁੜਿਈ ਰੰਨੀ ਧੰਮੀ ॥ ਸਤੀ ਰੰਨੀ ਘਰੇ ਸਿਆਪਾ ਰੋਵਨਿ ਕੂੜੀ ਕੰਮੀ ॥ ਜੋ ਲੇਵੈ ਸੋ ਦੇਵੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਖਟੇ ਦੰਮ ਸਹੰਮੀ ॥੨੯॥ : What is the sign of a person who is always running after Maya? The proof is that such rat-race does not lack worldly materials for him. (HOWEVER, running around for the sake of mere Maya) confusion always prevails in his Mind and entrapped in the love for Mays, his sensory organs always create turmoil in his life. The seven companions (senses: two eyes, two ears, one nose, one mouth and one sex organ) always create commotion in his mind for the sake of short lived worldly pleasures. He earns lot of worldly wealth but remains miserable because whatever he earns, he does not share with others. ॥29॥ (sggs 1412).

Instead of searching our ownself we accept ‘Baanaarasi Kae Thugs‘ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) who come along claiming to be holy men.

Such ‘Baanaarasi Kae Thugs‘ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) and swindlers are pullulating nowadays every where in the world. If not alert and aware, one can be easily distracted, cheated, trapped and snared into their net of Bharam-Jaal or Maya-Jaal (traps of illusion, delusion…).

Since they are anti-Gurmat, Baabaa Nanak asks everybody to be on the alert — he disapproves their lifestyle saying ‘ਤਾ ਕੈ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਲਗੀਐ ਪਾਇ – don’t ever touch their feet’ (i.e. don’t follow their example in life, or don’t follow their lifestyle).

• ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੀਤ ॥ ਭੁਖੇ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਘਰੇ ਮਸੀਤਿ ॥ ਮਖਟੂ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਕੰਨ ਪੜਾਏ ॥ ਫਕਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਾਤਿ ਗਵਾਏ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਸਦਾਏ ਮੰਗਣ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਲਗੀਐ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥: Someone sings the hymns (Kirtan etc. as a source of livelihood or bread, but he lacks Giaan or wisdom (since he uses it as a source of income, his understanding could not be higher). The mosque of the starving mullahs is also for the sake of livelihood (i.e. the Mullahs have also made the act of praying in the mosque a source of livelihood or bread). There is another (third one) lazy bum (unemployed, ਹੱਡ-ਹਰਾਮ, ਵੇਹਲੜ) gets his ears pierced (to look like a Yogi). Someone else becomes a panhandler and lives life of a beggar-ਮੰਗਖਾਣਾਂ), and thus loses his social status. Someone pretends to be respected by becoming a Guru or a Pir (spiritual guide…) but is also greedy for material things (i.e. accumulates wealth by craftiness and making excuses. Don’t ever touch such person’s feet (i.e., don’t consider him a Guru or a Pir – don’t follow him). One who eats by working diligently (with honesty…) and helps the needy in the right way out of this noble work; O Nanak! Only such people have come to know the right way of life. ||1|| (sggs 1245).

Note the last two verses (‘ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥’).

The Gurbani’s Teaching is that one should work with his hands (Kirat Kamaaee – ਕਿਰਤ ਕਮਾਈ) while keeping the Conscience united with the Gur-Shabad within. However these ‘Baanaarasi Kae Thugs‘ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) do not work for what they eat.

In short, if a so called Sant does not righteously work to earn his living, then he is not even a Sikh (learner of the Gurbani-ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਤੋਂ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਲੈਣ ਵਾਲਾ) let alone a Sant!

• ਹਾਥ ਪਾਉ ਕਰਿ ਕਾਮੁ ਸਭੁ ਚੀਤੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੨੧੩॥: Do all the work using your hands and feet, and connect your mind with the ‘Niranjan‘ (Maya-free Rabb). ||213|| (sggs 1376).

The following verses of the Gurbani perfectly fit Deraa-Vaad:

• ਕਬੀਰ ਸਿਖ ਸਾਖਾ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਕੀਏ ਕੇਸੋ ਕੀਓ ਨ ਮੀਤੁ ॥ ਚਾਲੇ ਥੇ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਨ ਕਉ ਬੀਚੈ ਅਟਕਿਓ ਚੀਤੁ ॥੯੬॥: O Kabeer! (Those who) have made many students and disciples (ਚੇਲੇ-ਚਾਟੜੇ), but have not made the Mool (their) Friend; (although) they set out to meet Hari (Mool, within), but (their) consciousness failed (them) half-way. ||96|| (sggs 1369).
• ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਨਿਤ ਪਰ ਦਰਬੁ ਹਿਰਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਚੁਰਾਇਆ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਤ ਕਰਹੁ ਰਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ ॥: Those human beings who ever get up and steal the wealth of others; their (own wealth of) Divine Naam gets stolen. O Divine! Let me not even associate with them; save me from them. (sggs 1244).

From such clear defiance of the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS, it becomes very clear that:

• Being anti-Gurmat, they distort the Gurmat’s Uniqueness and its equally distinct goals.
• Since they cannot see beyond Maya, they mislead people and put them on the path of Mayaic lifestyle – [ਰਖਵਾਰੇ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਬਿਨਾਸ ॥ (sggs 871)].
• If they themselves are so spiritually sick, then how in the world they are going to cure others or their followers! In other words, how they can detoxicate others from the addiction to which they themselves are addicted! [ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਸੋਭਾ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਰੇ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਆਵਤ ਪਹੀਆ ਖੂਧੇ ਜਾਹਿ ॥ (sggs 872)].
• Apparently, they don’t understand or don’t believe what the Gurbani says! They only believe and do whatever supports their freeloading lifestyle. That will put them in the category of Manmukhs-Saakats-Mayadhaaree, Asants or Asaadh etc.
• If they don’t follow the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS, then they are nothing but religious conmen ‘Baanaarasi Kae Thugs‘ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) swindling people in the name of the Gurbani, Dharma, and Sikhi.
• Whatever they do is to trap people as ‘Pakhiaaree-ਪਖਿਆਰੀ’: ਕਰਿ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ਬਹੈ ਪਖਿਆਰੀ ॥ (sggs 871).
• Hence, they only know ‘Phaasan Kee Bidhi‘ (‘ਫਾਸਨ ਕੀ ਬਿਧਿ’ = way to snare or trap people, ਫਸਣ ਅਤੇ ਫਸਾਣ ਦਾ ਰਸਤਾ…). They do not know ‘Chhootan Kee’ Bidhi (‘ਛੂਟਨ ਕੀ’ = way of liberation, ਮੁਕਤੀ ਦਾ ਰਸਤਾ…).
• Thus, instead of abiding in Mool or Jot Saroop within as taught by the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS, they link themselves and others with Maya [ਹਉ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਾਂਠੇ ਜਾਇ ਪਹੂਚਾ ॥੨॥ (sggs 659)].
• Along with their corrupt lackeys (pupils, followers, leaders and corrupt politicians buddies…), they have mislead people away from the real Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak (‘ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ’) and put them on the path of Karamkaand, rituals, formalities, dogmas, Bhekh (ਭੇਖ-garbs), Jaat-Paat, worldly entanglements (‘ਆਲ ਜਾਲ’, ਪੁੱਠੀ ਮੱਤ), etc., from which the Gurbani frees us (ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਹਾ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਵਸਿ ਆਲ ਜਾਲ ॥: sggs 1194)!
• Since they themselves are disconnected from the Gur-Shabad, then how are they going to link others with it? They cannot. Instead, they are hooking people to worship them and their Deraas; ruining (spiritually) themselves and others in the process [ਲੋਗੁ ਗੰਠਿ ਗੰਠਿ ਖਰਾ ਬਿਗੂਚਾ ॥ (sggs 659) ; ਆਪੋ ਆਪੈ ਪੂਜਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ (sggs 951)].

These ‘Baanaarasi Kae Thugs‘ (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) takes pleasures in having their illiterates disciples (ਚੇਲੇ ਚਾਟੜੇ) and unsuspecting followers touch their feet. If you question theme, they always quote the following verse (‘ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਲਾਗਉ ਪਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥’) and misinterpret it to justify as if the Guru has ordered every Sikh to humbly bow and fall at their feet.

However, (1) if you ask them then why don’t they touch feet of other Sikhs they see, then they will get very angry and their followers may even kill you!

But that’s not really the true message of this verse or the Gurbani as a whole:

• ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ ॥ ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਲਾਗਉ ਪਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥: Composition of the fifth Guru in Raag Soohee titled (Gunvantee-ਗੁਣਵੰਤੀ) virtuous soul-bride. If I see a GurSikh who lives by the Guru’s Giaan or Wisdom, bowing down, I shall pay obeisance to him/her and follow his/her example (or follow his/her lifestyle). (sggs 763).

However, the Message of the Guru’s Shabad (SGGS) should be known only to those who read the SGGS themselves and thus have inculcated Understanding of the Gurbani through churning the Gurbani. Otherwise, only Manmat (ਮਨਮਤ-mind’s will or dictates) are considered as Gurmat!

• ਮੂਰਖ ਪੜਹਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਰਲੈ ਜਾਤਾ ਹੇ ॥੧੫॥: (Devoid of Naam) the fools read (books), but do not understand the (Upadesh, Wisdom, Naam, Hukam, etc. of the) Shabad. How rare are those who, by becoming the Gurmukh, understood (the Upadesh of the Shabad). ||15|| (sggs 1053).