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॥ (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 SurtGuru’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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10 comments

  1. Yes Bhai Shaib Jio – “ABEEYAAS” is importat.
    • ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥ (sggs 474).
    • ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਖੋਜਹਿ ਸੇਈ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਹੋਰਿ ਫੂਟਿ ਮੂਏ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ॥੨੦॥ (sggs 911).
    • ਜਿਨੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਗਏ ਮਸਕਤਿ ਘਾਲਿ ॥: Jinee Naamu dhiaaiaa … (sggs 8).

  2. I just remember a wordly Quote in context of repeatition as
    “KARAT KARAT ABEEYAAS JUD MAT HOT SUJAAN”
    There is great significance of the effect of repetition. Still there are
    hard nuts to crack and leave this world without being dented .

  3. Thank you Bhai Sahib Jio!
    To develop necessary Bairaag (detachment) in life, the Gurbani repeats this Message time and again:
    • ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਸਹਾਈ ਮਨ ਕਾ ॥ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਸੁਤ ਬਨਿਤਾ ਹਿਤੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਸਭ ਫਨ ਕਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਆਗੇ ਕਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਲਹਾ ਬਾਂਧਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਭਰਵਾਸਾ ਧਨ ਕਾ ॥ ਕਹਾ ਬਿਸਾਸਾ ਇਸ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਕਾ ਇਤਨਕੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਠਨਕਾ ॥੧॥: Hari binu kaounu sahaaee man kaa… (sggs 153).

  4. VEER T SINGH JEO,…very relevent Quotes
    The above quotes are excellent guidelines for human beings.In fact
    this should happen in evryones life as early as can be .But is this happening so.?
    In this context the observations given by Brother Jaidka ji seems quite relevent.

  5. Good point Bhai Sahib Ji!
    The Gurbani urges us that everything in one’s life can wait, but not the search (ਖੋਜ – through the Shabad Vichaar) to know one’s True Nature as Joti Saroop — Mool Realization.
    Towards that end, the Gurbani recommends to make timely start and preparation, and not to wait for the twilight years! Here is the Gurbani’s edict:
    • ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਜਰਾ ਰੋਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਕਾਲਿ ਗ੍ਰਸੀ ਨਹੀ ਕਾਇਆ ॥ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਬਿਕਲ ਭਈ ਨਹੀ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਭਜਿ ਲੇਹਿ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਨੀ ॥੨॥ ਅਬ ਨ ਭਜਸਿ ਭਜਸਿ ਕਬ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਆਵੈ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਭਜਿਆ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਸੋਈ ਅਬ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੁਤਾਹੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਪਾਰੁ ॥੩॥: Jab lagu jraa rogu ahee aaiaa … (sggs 1159)
    • ਤਰਨਾਪੋ ਇਉ ਹੀ ਗਇਓ ਲੀਓ ਜਰਾ ਤਨੁ ਜੀਤਿ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਾ ਅਉਧ ਜਾਤੁ ਹੈ ਬੀਤਿ ॥: Taranaapo iou hee gaio leeo jaraa tanu jeet… (sggs 1426).
    • ਕਬੀਰਾ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਚੇਤਿਓ ਜਰਾ ਪਹੂੰਚਿਓ ਆਇ ॥ ਲਾਗੀ ਮੰਦਿਰ ਦੁਆਰ ਤੇ ਅਬ ਕਿਆ ਕਾਢਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥: Kabeer raamu na chetio jaraa pahoonchio aai… (sggs 1371).
    • ਨੈਨਹੁ ਨੀਰੁ ਬਹੈ ਤਨੁ ਖੀਨਾ ਭਏ ਕੇਸ ਦੁਧ ਵਾਨੀ ॥ ਰੂਧਾ ਕੰਠੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਉਚਰੈ ਅਬ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਹਿ ਪਰਾਨੀ ॥੧॥: Nainahu neeru bahai tanu kheenaa bhae kes dudh vaanee… (sggs 659).
    • ਛਿਨੁ ਛਿਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਛੀਜੈ ਜਰਾ ਜਨਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਬ ਤੇਰੀ ਓਕ ਕੋਈ ਪਾਨੀਓ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ॥: Shinu shinu tanu sheejai jaraa janaavai.. (sggs 656).
    • ਤਿਨ ਜਰੁ ਵੈਰੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿ ਬੁਢੇ ਥੀਇ ਮਰੰਨਿ ॥: Tin jaru vairee Nanakaa ji budhe theei maranni (sggs 788).

  6. For being graced by PRABHu to get the company of TRUE GuRu
    Age/Time is never a factor. The most important is that this should happen. We have examples as our 3rd NANAK GuROO AMARDAS ji and 8th NANAK GuROO HARi KISHAN SAHIB ji.

  7. As life approaches its end man starts awakening to life’s meaning and purpose but it’s too late now. He knows that he has missed the supreme gifts of life by postponing Naam Simran…So by the time most of us wake up to Gurbani, it’s time to pack up and leave this temporary world….But we are very very lucky who have Guru Granth Sahib Ji as our eternal, living Guru..A true Sikh need not repent at the end of his life as he is guided and protected by the greatest of Living Guru..

  8. Yes Bhai Sahib Jio, the Gurbani is very clear – if we want Naam to come and abide in the mind, then we need to die through/by/in the Shabad!!
    • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡੁ ਬਲਾਇਆ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥੨॥: Gurmukhi sabadu pachhaaneeai hari amrit naami samaai… (sggs 29).
    Thank you Bhai Sahib jio!

  9. This Quote of the blog as
    •ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥੧॥: Gur kai Sabadi jeevatu marai Hari … (sggs 33).

    clealry tells the condition for HARiNAAMu to stay within mind(MUN)

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