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 or divine life or Gurmukh Lifestyle (i.e., Aatmak Maut – ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ); or death of one’s consciousness (death of Jameer-ਜਮੀਰ); or death of one’s Wisdom and Virtues of the mind – Truth (ਸਤ), honesty (ਇਮਾਨਦਾਰੀ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ-Natural State of Being), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), humility (ਮਨ ਨਿਮਾਣਾ, ਬੁਧਿ ਗਰੀਬੀ), sweet speech (ਮਿਠ ਬੋਲੜਾ)….

• ਆਖਾ ਜੀਵਾ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਉ ॥: I come alive (Aatmak Jeevan-ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ) as I am in a Realized State. The Un-Realized State Brings Spiritual Death (Aatmak Mout-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). (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 Awakens the Divine Wisdom (Giaan, Bibek, Truth…) and Virtues (ਗੁਣ) within, and thus annihilate the bad impact of Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, etc.). With such control of mind or, one is saved from the death of his spiritual Life (i.e. Aatmic Maut – ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ).

• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਮਰਣੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥: One who dies in the Shabad (i.e., Wisdom, Virtues…), will never again have to die (ਫਿਰ ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ ਨਹੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ). (sggs 153).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਪਾਏ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥: One who dies in the Shabad, obtains Bhagti ||3|| (sggs 159).
• ਮਨੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਹਉਮੈ ਤਜੇ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥: When one’s mind dies in the Shabad gains Knowledge and conviction, and (he) sheds egotism and ‘Vikaar‘ (sggs 162).

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

• ਮਨੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥: The mind is conquered through the shabad; this is known to ‘Janu’ (Daas, Gurmukh, Bhagat…). (sggs 665).

And, without the immediate Divine Knowledge, we cannot transcend Maya.

• ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਛਾਨਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: (The Spiritual) Collyrium of the Wisdom is recognized through the Gur-Shabad (applying it Mool is realized). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 221).

According to the Gurbani, annihilation of the relativist consciousness (Haumai – which is the product of the Mayaic or doubt-ridden mind) comes about when one dies in the Shabad.

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

In nutshell, it is the continuous abidance in Shabad-Surt — Guru’s Updesh or Message of the Shabad, Naam-consciousness, the Gurmukh Mindset, Wisdom, Virtues etc.

It is to be free from the negative impact of Haumai (false ego-sense), Maya’s negative effects, duality, doubts, ignorance, vices or 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 Mool within; and so on.

• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਤਾਂ ਏਕ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥: (One) can embrace the Love for the One (single mindedly – ਇਕ ਮਨ ਇਕ ਚਿਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ) only when (he) dies through the Shabad ( sggs 412).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦ ॥: One who dies in the Shabad, is ever 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 Perfection, becomes the embodiment of Wisdom (Aatam Giaan, 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 (ਪੂਰਨ) is that ‘Janu’ (Bhagat, Daas, Gurmukh) who dies through the Shabad. The brave Satiuru 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).

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 ॥: sabadi marahu phiri jeevahu sad hee … (sggs 604).

Thus, the Gurbani repeatedly tells 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.

• ਜੇ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੁਝੈ ਤਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਿਹਾਲਾ ॥: If (one) understands the Shabad, then (he) beholds the Truth (sggs 412).
• ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਸਹਿਲਾ ਜੀਵੈ ਸੋਇ ॥: (Who) dies through the Shabad, that (person) lives in Peace. (sggs 1344).

Hence, the spirituality of the Guru’s Shabad guides towards a lifestyle of good conduct, virtuous living, discipline etc. in one’s life (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 this Sevaa or service — Shabd Vichaar (ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ) — of the Guru is meaningful (fruitful, successful, worthwhile etc.):

• ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੇ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰੁ ॥੭॥: The Guru’s Sevaa or Service is Shabad Vichaar (Internalizing the Shabad – Enlightening oneself with the Upadesh or Message of the Shabad). Undertaking (this) essential Effort, control Haumai (i.e. false ego-sense and its faults – ‘Panch‘ i.e. Bikaar) ॥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 ॥ : Satgur Kee Sevaa Safal Hai (sggs 644).