Eyes of Darshan and Vichaar

The Gurbani tells us that the One Creator is of the sublime Saroop (‘Nirankaar‘ or Formless).

This ‘Nirankaar’ Saroop of the Omnipresent God cannot be seen with the external eyes (physical eyes).

Also, it cannot be seen by just reading scriptures, hearing, talking etc. Also in cannot seen by utilizing the Mayaic intellect (ਦਿਸੈ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਸਾਉ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥, sggs 139).

Eyes of Darshan

The edict of the Gurbani is: Those eyes are different (ਹੋਰ ਕਿਸਮ ਦੀਆ) that behold or realize the ‘Nirankaar, or the Formless Lord.

  • ਲੋਇਣ ਲੋਈ ਡਿਠ ਪਿਆਸ ਨ ਬੁਝੈ ਮੂ ਘਣੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਅਖੜੀਆਂ ਬਿਅੰਨਿ ਜਿਨੀ ਡਿਸੰਦੋ ਮਾ ਪਿਰੀ ॥੧॥: With my eyes, I have seen (the world: Maya), (but still) my (thirst of Maya or to see the world) is great, this thirst is not quenched (ਇਹ ਪਿਆਸ ਬੁੱਝਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ). O Nanak! Those eyes are different, which behold my Beloved (Universal Energy…). ||1|| (sggs 577 and 1100).

Having said that, what are those eyes which behold God (Universal Energy…)?

Those eyes that can see the Darshan or Deedaar (ਦੀਦਾਰ) of the Divine Beloved are the Inner Eyes that are free of any ‘Sutak‘ (mind’s defilement, impurity etc.)

What are these Inner Eyes consist of?

The Inner Eyes = Eyes of Gurbani – Bibek Budh of the Gurbani, eyes of Shabad-Surati, eyes of the Naam, eyes of the Guru’s Giaan-Wisdom, eyes of the Gurmat, and so on

Simply put: When Bibek Budh or discerning intellect has realized the Message embedded in the Shabad, it becomes the Inner Eyes, and enjoys the Darshan or Deedaar (ਦੀਦਾਰ) of its Mool (Source, Jot) within. No wonder the Gurbani calls Bibek the Guru!

  • ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੈ ਸੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਬਿਬੇਕੋੁ ॥੪॥੫॥: Says Kabeer, I have found that Guru, whose Name is Bibeko’ (Wisdom, Discerning Intelligence…). ||4||5|| (sggs 793).

To the contrary, external eyes – because of ‘Sutak can only see Maya!

This is the reason the Gurbani tells us that the Darshan or Deedaar (ਦੀਦਾਰ) of the Formless cannot be accomplished with the external or the physical eyes.

Aptly, the Gurbani asserts that Darshan or Deedaar (ਦੀਦਾਰ) of the Formless can only be done with the Inner Eyes.

  • 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).

In fact, ‘Deed‘ as in ‘Deedar‘ simply indicates eyes (Inner Eyes).

  • ਰਤੇ ਇਸਕ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਰੰਗਿ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕੇ ॥ ਵਿਸਰਿਆ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇ ਭੁਇ ਭਾਰੁ ਥੀਏ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Those who are immersed in the love of Rabb and imbued with the divine vision (they are the real human beings). But those who have forgotten the Naam are just a burden on earth || Pause|| (sggs 488).

In nutshell, the Inner Eyes are the Eyes of Shabad-Surati ( ਲੋਇਣ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥: Loin surati krei (sggs 139)…

A person having developed such Inner Eyes of Shabad-Surati is the Enlightened one (Gurmukh Mindset).

  • ਮੁੰਧ ਇਆਣੀ ਪੇਈਅੜੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦਿਖੈ ॥੧॥: By becoming Enlightened (Gurmukh Mindset), while still living in this world, the innocent soul-bride sees the sight of her Husband (God). ||1|| (sggs 78).

Eyes of Vichaar

Hence Shabad Vichaar (Reflections on the Gurbani or Gur-Shabad, Spiritual Inquiry into the Gur-Shabad, churning the Gurbani etc.) is given a prominence priority or importance in Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak.

Having said that, eyes of Vichaar = eyes of Darshan.

  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਜੇਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਚੁਕਈ ਨਾਮਿ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥: Everybody in this the world physically see the Satgur. Nothing going to happen just by seeing (the Satgur); one can not be ‘Mukt‘ (liberated, unentangled, unhindered etc.) until and unless the Message within the Shabad is Reflected upon. (Because, without the Shabad-Vichaar) the filth of Haumai (false ego-sense) is not removed, and love for the Naam (Shabad, Hukam, Divine Virtues, Divine Wisdom, Giaan…) does not get affixed (in the mind). (sggs 594).
  • ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਮੀਠਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਭੋਗੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ॥: The Shabad-Vichaar (Reflection on the Gur-Shabad) is the sweet Amrit. One can always enjoy it by eradicating false ego-sense from within. (sggs 424).
  • ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਣੀ ॥: The Shabad is Amrit; the Hari Baanee is Amrit (sggs 119).
  • ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਤਿਖ ਜਾਇ ॥: The Gur-Shabad (Upadesh, Wisdom, ਸਿਖਿਆ) is the Amrit; by drinking it, (Maya‘s) thirst is quenched (sggs 35).
  • ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਉ ॥: (O my mind) keep drinking the Amrit of the Shabad. (sggs 891).
  • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੁ ॥: For a Gurmukh (Enlightened Mind), Shabad is the Amrit. (sggs 932).
  • ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਜੇਵਡੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥: Marvelous is the Bani (hymns of SGGS/Enlightening Message of the Shabad), nothing equals it as it is the voice of the Formless One. (sggs 515).
  • ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਚੁ ਹੈ ਸਚਿ ਮਿਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਇ ॥: Marvelous is the Bani (hymns of SGGS/Enlightening Message of the Shabad) of Truth that brings about Union with Truth. (sggs 514).

A Mind having such Inner eyes of Vichaar is called in the Gurbani the Gurmukh (Enlightened Mindset).

  • ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਚੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲਧੀ ਭਾਲਿ ॥: Marvelous is the Bani (hymns of SGGS/Enlightening Message of the Shabad) of Truth, a Gurmukh (Enlightened Mindset) has sought it and found it. (sggs 514).

6 comments

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