Dying in Shabad

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) talks about three types of death:

1). Death (or transformation) of the physical body-frame, which everybody has to go through, no exception.

• ਮਰਣੁ ਲਿਖਾਇ ਮੰਡਲ ਮਹਿ ਆਏ ॥: Destined to die, (one) comes into the world (sggs 685).

(2). Death of one’s spiritual life (i.e. Aatmak Maut – ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ) — death of one’s conscience (death of Jameer-ਜਮੀਰ); death of one’s Wisdom and Virtues of the mind and so on.

• ਆਖਾ ਜੀਵਾ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਉ ॥ ਆਖਣਿ ਅਉਖਾ ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ : I come alive (Aatmak Jeevan-ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ) when I am in a Realized State. The Un-Realized State Brings Spiritual Death (Aatmak Mout-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). The realization of the divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom/Virtues) is said to be arduous. (sggs 9 – 349).
• ਇਕਨਾ ਮਰਣੁ ਨ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਸ ਘਣੇਰਿਆ ॥ ਮਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਨਿਤ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਕੇਰਿਆ ॥ : There are those who are unaware of their death in their excessive desires of all kinds. (While trying to fulfill these excessive worldly desires) they die over and over again, every day (cyclic nature of mind). They are of no use to anyone. (sggs 143)..
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥ : (Those beings) who have not served the ‘Satiguru‘ (through the Shabad-Vichaar), no Wisdom has Awakened within them, (they may appear as alive but they) are as dead in the world (spiritually dead-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). (sggs 88).

(3). Dying in the Shabad. According to the SGGS, dying in the Shabad – internalizing the enlightening spiritual Message embedded in the Shabad (divine injunctions), Awakens the Divine Wisdom-Giyan (Bibek) and Virtues (ਗੁਣ) within, annihilating the bad impact of self-conceit/egotism and its faults (Bikaar: lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, etc.). With such control of mind, one is saved from the death of spiritual life.

• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਮਰਣੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ : Whose self-conceit/egotism dies in the Shabad (i.e. Upadesh/Wisdom/Virtues…), then he does not experience spiritual death (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). (sggs 153).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਪਾਏ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥: Dying within the enlightening spiritual Message contained in the Shabad, one realizes Bhagti ||3|| (sggs 159).
• ਮਨੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਹਉਮੈ ਤਜੇ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥ : The mind which dies internalizes the enlightening spiritual Message contained in the Shabad, casts away false ego-sense (Haumai) and vices/Bikaar‘. (sggs 162).

The Gurbani time and again reminds that without annihilation of the Mayaic infatuated mind, one cannot realize his Mool within (Source, Jot Saroop, Truth, True Nature…).

• ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਮਰੈ ਦਾਰੂ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥ : Rare is the one who knows the medicine which, by using it, he annihilates the mind (does not accept the negative impact of Haumai, Bikaar). (‘Rare’ person attuned to the Guru’s Shabad – Giyan or Wisdom) understands that the mind attached to the Guru’s Shabad is untouched by the negative impact of Haumai, Bikaar), this is known to ‘Janu’ (Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat…). ||1|| (sggs 665).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੈ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਕਾ ਦਰੁ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੩॥ : One who dies in the Shabad, that person annihilates his/her mind and realizes Liberation (from Maya attachment, worldly attractions and their corrupting influences…). ||3|| (sggs 117).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ॥ (sggs 224).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਅਉਧੂ ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੨੧॥ (sggs 908).

Also, without the immediate Divine Wisdom, we cannot transcend Maya. Because, according to the Gurbani, annihilation of the relativist consciousness (Haumai, the product of the Mayaic or doubt-ridden mind) comes about when one dies in the Shabad.

• ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਛਾਨਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : The Spiritual Wisdom is realized through the Guru Shabad. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 221).

What is dying in the Shabad or dying through the Shabad? 

In a nutshell, it is internalization of the Enlightening spiritual Message of the Guru Shabad. Simply put, it is the continuous abidance in Shabad Surt — Guru’s Updesh or Message of the Shabad.

In other words, it is to be free from the negative impact of Haumai (false ego-sense), Maya’s negative effects, duality, doubts, ignorance, vices/Bikaar, Manmukhataa; it is to be Awakened to one’s ‘Mool‘ or ‘Nij Ghar‘, within; it is to become living liberated or living dead while alive; it is to remain constantly (ਸਾਸ ਸਾਸ: each and every breath) hooked on to one’s Jot Saroop within; and so on.

• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਤਾਂ ਏਕ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥ : When one eradicates his self-conceit/egotism through the Shabad, only then he can attune his mind to ONE Creator. ( sggs 412).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦ ॥ : When one eradicates his self-conceit/egotism through the Shabad, he ever remains in Bliss. (sggs 364).
• ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥੧॥ : Through the Gur-Shabad, who remains dead (to Bikaar: lust, anger, greed, etc.) while yet alive, Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) comes to dwell within his mind. ||1|| (sggs 33).

Upon dying in the Shabad, one attains conviction/Perfection/confidence, becomes the embodiment of Wisdom (Aatam Giyan, Virtues) that is contained in the Shabad (SGGS), as the fragrance is boxed in the flower…

• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਸੋਈ ਜਨੁ ਪੂਰਾ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ ਸੂਰਾ ॥ : Perfect is that ‘Janu’ (Bhagat, Daas, Gurmukh) who dies through the Shabad. The brave Satiguru utters and proclaims this. (sggs 1046).

In other words, when died through the Shabad, the Inner (‘Antar’) Awakens to the Hukam, divine Naam, Spiritual Wisdom / Virtues. Such exalted State is indicated by the Gurbani to be beyond the physical instruments of tongue, ears, etc.

• ਅਖੀ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਵੇਖਣਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਕੰਨਾ ਸੁਨਣਾ ॥ ਪੈਰਾ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਚਲਣਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਹਥਾ ਕਰਣਾ ॥ ਜੀਭੈ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਬੋਲਣਾ ਇਉ ਜੀਵਤ ਮਰਣਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣਿ ਕੈ ਤਉ ਖਸਮੈ ਮਿਲਣਾ ॥੧॥ : See without eyes (i.e. if we look at the world by removing lust from the eyes etc.), hear without ears (i.e. if we keep the ears from the habit of hearing slander etc.); walk without feet (i.e. if we keep our feet from running in the wrong direction etc.), work without hands (i.e. if we use our hands without doing harm to others etc.); speak without the tongue (i.e. if we remove the habit of slandering others from the tongue etc.); this is how one dies alive. O Nanak! When one understands/recognizes Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature), then one realizes Truth (‘Khasam‘-Master etc.). (sggs 139)..

Upon realizing Shabad-Surti (Shabad-Conscience), the old false being or Manmukh ‘dies’, and gets ‘reborn’ as a new Spiritual Being with a Gurmukh MINDSET (Enlightened/Guru Shabad-Oriented). In other words, upon transcending the relativist consciousness or false ego-sense, the mortal becomes living liberated or Jeevanmukta — realizes perfection.

• ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਭਵਜਲੁ ਤਰਣਾ ॥੨॥ : Through the Gur-Shabad, the Gurmukh remains dead while yet alive, and swims across the world-ocean (of Maya…). ||2|| (sggs 69).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰਹੁ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੀਵਹੁ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਤਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਮਰਣੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ : If you die through the Shabad, then you will continuously live spiritual life, sans of spiritual death again. (sggs 604). ***

Thus, the Gurbani repeatedly teaches us that the wandering mind can be stabilized (annihilated, conquered, etc.) with the Shabad (Wisdom Bibek) only.

• ਕੁੰਭੇ ਬਧਾ ਜਲੁ ਰਹੈ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਗਿਆਨ ਕਾ ਬਧਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥ : As the water remains confined in a pitcher, (just so) the mind is restrained by the Spiritual Wisdom. But (as) the pitcher cannot be shaped without the water, (just so) there can be no Spiritual Wisdom without the Guru. ||5|| (sggs 469).

By inquiring into Truth and falsehood through churning the Gurbani we can resolve the confusion between Truth (ਸਚ) and untruth — Real and unreal, Eternal and ephemeral, fleeting, permanent, etc.

• ਕਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਵਾਜਾ ਪਗ ਬਿਨੁ ਤਾਲਾ ॥ ਜੇ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੁਝੈ ਤਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਿਹਾਲਾ ॥ : If one understands the Enlightening Message of the Shabad, then he experiences the Creator within. The experience is like playing a musical instrument without hands or dancing without the feet (i.e. it is inner experience). (sggs 412).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਸਹਿਲਾ ਜੀਵੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ : (Who) dies through the Shabad, that (person) lives in Peace. (sggs 1344).

Thus, the spirituality of the Guru’s Shabad guides towards a lifestyle of good conduct, wise/virtuous living etc. (Enlightened or Gurmukh mindset).

• ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਆਚਾਰੁ ਨ ਕਿਨ ਹੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ : Without the (Wisdom of the Gur-) Shabad, no one achieves a lifestyle of good conduct. (sggs 1285).

When done in sincerity, the Gurbani claims that the Sevaa or service of the Guru — Shabd Vichaar (ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ) — is meaningful, fruitful, successful etc. As follows, the Gurbani in the SGGS reveals to its Sikhs (students, learners) the nature of the Guru’s Service (‘Gur Ki Sevaa‘). 

• ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੇ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰੁ ॥੭॥ : Undertaking the deed of controlling my false ego-sense (Haumai) and Enlightening myself with the spiritual Message within the Shabad (Shabad Vichaar) is service (Sevaa) of the Guru (ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ-Gur Ki Sevaa). ॥7॥. (sggs 223)..
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾ ਤਤੁ ਪਾਏ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਏ ॥ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੈ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਮੁਕਤੀ ਕਾ ਦਰੁ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੩॥ : When one meets the Satguru, then he realizes the essence of Naam. (Then he) enshrines God’s Naam in the mind. (Who) dies in the Shabad, annihilates his own mind and obtains the Door of Liberation. ||3|| (sggs 116-117).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਕਰੇ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥ : the service of the Satiguru (i.e. Shabad Vichaar) is fruitful if one performs it with mind focused on it. (sggs 644).

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