Essence of Karma, Dharma, and Wisdom

• ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਇਹੁ ਤਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਜਪੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥: This is the essence of Karma, Dharma and spiritual wisdom: do japa of Hri Naam with Saadh (within). (sggs 866).

Naam Japanaa (understand the Gurbani and obtain Giaan or Wisdom, Virtue…) simply means to understand the Gur-Shabad (Gurmukh Lifestyle…), and then live in that Divine consciousness (Aatam Giaan, Spiritual Wisdom…) as oppose to material consciousness (Mayaic intellect – Manmukh or Saakat or Mayadhaaree lifestyle).

Simply put: Naam Japanaa is to Understand the Gurbani and constantly keep the Divine Qualities and Wisdom (Giaan…) in the mind and live by them.

So, here the Gurbani tells us that constantly keeping the Divine Qualities and Wisdom (Giaan…) in mind and live by them is the essence of Karma, Dharma and spiritual wisdom!

Rest is all empty Karamkaand and religious rituals promoted by the crafty and illiterate  Pujaaree groups (priest-class, Granthis, Deraa-Vaad, etc.) to mislead people and make money – the useless expanse of Haumai (false ego-sense).

In this context, here are more verses from the Gurbani:

• ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ॥ : Of all Dharma the most sublime Dharma is to realize the Naam (Wisdom / Virtues) and emulating them to perform deeds free of corrupting influence of Maya. (sggs 266).
• ਤਜਿ ਸਭਿ ਭਰਮ ਭਜਿਓ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਟਲ ਇਹੁ ਧਰਮ ॥: Renounce all your doubts, and vibrate upon the Supreme Lord. Says Nanak, this is eternal Dharma (sggs 196).
• ਬਲਿਓ ਚਰਾਗੁ ਅੰਧ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਰ ਮਹਿ ਸਭ ਕਲਿ ਉਧਰੀ ਇਕ ਨਾਮ ਧਰਮ ॥: (Guru Nanak) has lit a lamp of ‘Naam Dharma‘ (Universal Dharma of Divine Virtues) to remove the ignorance of the whole of humanity to enable them to cross the sea of worldly life. (sggs 1387).
• ਸਗਲ ਮਤਾਂਤ ਕੇਵਲ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ॥: The essence of all religion is the Divine Naam alone. (sggs 296).
• ਕਾਹੂ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਧਰਮਿ ॥: (Naam) cannot be obtained by any devices (cleverness, contrivance, ਹੋਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਢੰਗ ਨਾਲ, etc.), and any religious rituals (ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਰਸਮ ਰਿਵਾਜ, etc.) (sggs 274).
• ਪਤੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ਗਿਆਨ ਮਤਿ ਡੰਡਾ ਵਰਤਮਾਨ ਬਿਭੂਤੰ ॥: (O Yogi!) Reflection (on Shabad) is my begging bowl; Giaan (Divine Wisdom) is my understanding; the Divine presence (Here and Now) is my ash (sggs 360).
• ਭੇਖ ਅਨੇਕ ਅਗਨਿ ਨਹੀ ਬੁਝੈ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਉਪਾਵ ਦਰਗਹ ਨਹੀ ਸਿਝੈ ॥: Wearing various religious robes, the fire (of desire, Maya) is not extinguished; even making millions of (such) efforts, (one) does not succeed in realizing the Divine Court (Mool…). (sggs 266).
• ਮੈ ਅਵਰੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਪੂਜਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਵਸਿ ਰਹੇ ॥ ਭੇਖੁ ਭਵਨੀ ਹਠੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਚੁ ਗਹਿ ਰਹੇ ॥੧॥: Divine Naam is dwelling in (my) mind; (equivalent to this divine Naam) I don’t think of any religious discussion, any meditation and any Poojaa. I know nothing about religious robes, pilgrimages or stubbornness; O Nanak, I only hold tight to the Truth ||1|| (sggs 843).