Gurbani Defines Fasting

In order to impart Spiritual Giyan-Wisdom, all contributors of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) have used terms that were already within the use and within the psyche of people of the time.

However, they have used these terms as examples (ਹਵਾਲਾ), but explicitly with new meanings and understanding to fit the unique and new spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak.

One of these terms is ‘fasting’ (‘ਬ੍ਰਤ’-Brat, ਬਰਤ-Barat). Fasting is a mandatory, voluntary or supererogatory abstinence from solid food, drinks etc. over any period of time out of the ordinary.

People seem to observe fasting for a variety of reasons such as religious, social, political, physical, hygienic, some specific worldly gains etc.

However, in Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak, belief in superstitions or performing fasts for religious and superstitious reasons is critiqued, rejected, and debunked for it does not give one any spiritual benefits. It is called ‘Pakhand‘.

• ਵਰਤ ਨੇਮੁ ਸੁਚ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਪੂਜਾ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ : (Mind’s) doubt does not depart with pomp or ostentation (Pakhand) such as ritualistic fasts, vows, (outer) purity, restraint and Poojaa ceremonies. (sggs 1423).

The spirituality of the Gurbani (SGGS) is of the SELF, for the SELF, by the SELF. Hence, there is NO concept of transfer of blessings in the spirituality of the Gurbani.

• ਅੰਨੁ ਨ ਖਾਹਿ ਦੇਹੀ ਦੁਖੁ ਦੀਜੈ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਥੀਜੈ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਜਨਮੈ ਜਨਮਿ ਮਰੀਜੈ ॥੬॥ : Those who do not eat food; they (just) tortures their body (because they don’t gain any spiritual benefit from this act). Without the Divine Wisdom from the Guru, he is not satisfied. The Manmukh (mind) is repeatedly born only to die. ||6|| (sggs 905).

Fasting for superstitious and religious reasons

Ritual of religious fasting is practiced to this day amongst many man-made religions of the world. Also, it appears that people take on religious fasts in a hope of fulfilling a variety of desires (Kaam).

These desires include (but not limited to) conferring a long and healthy life for one’s husband, preparation to receive atonement of sins, earning the pleasure and blessing of the Pujaaree‘s (clergy) concocted gods living in the sky, fulfilling some sort of religious obligations, expectation of fulfilling material desires, avoiding sorrows, developing miracles, attaining union or richer perception of the Pujaaree-concocted God, expecting material remuneration or reward, prolonging life, attaining liberation (Mukti) after death, reserve a seat in heaven afterlife, and so on.

• ਕਬੀਰ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਛਾਡਿ ਕੈ ਅਹੋਈ ਰਾਖੈ ਨਾਰਿ ॥ ਗਦਹੀ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਅਉਤਰੈ ਭਾਰੁ ਸਹੈ ਮਨ ਚਾਰਿ ॥੧੦੮॥ : O Kabir! The consequence of leaving Hari Naam (Wisdom) is that the (foolish) woman goes around fasting (ritual fast of Ahoee-ਅਹੋਈ = ਕੱਤਕ ਦੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਸੀਤਲਾ ਦੇਵੀ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਤੇ ਵਰਤ – Ahoee is associated with fast and worship of Seetalaa Devi – ਸੀਤਲਾ ਦੇਵੀ – in the Desi month of Katak). Consequently (as she is trying to please Seetalaa Devi by observing fast) she will descend to a donkey (at the level of mind or thinking), to carry heavy load (of vices/Bikaar. Now, why donkey? First, donkey is a beast of burden, and second Seetala Devi’s riding vehicle – ਸਵਾਰੀ – is said to be a donkey! Hence, if Seetala is pleased, she would make the fasting woman her riding donkey!) ||108|| (sggs 1370).

Having said that, the purpose of religious fasting seems to be to subdue the sense of fear lurking in the Mayaic mind, and to please the Pujaaree-concocted God who resides somewhere up there in the sky separate from humans, and for securing fulfillment of Vaasnaas (deep-rooted subconscious cravings) and greed etc..

• ਤੀਰਥ ਵਰਤ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਰਮੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ : No ritualistic deeds, such as visiting places of pilgrim, observing fasts, cleansing the body, or performing acts of piety and Poojaa will be of any avail to you. (sggs 75).
• ਹਠੁ ਨਿਗ੍ਰਹੁ ਕਰਿ ਕਾਇਆ ਛੀਜੈ ॥ ਵਰਤੁ ਤਪਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਭੀਜੈ ॥ : By practicing stubborn self-torture, the body wears off. The mind is not softened or pleased by fasting or austerities. (sggs 905).

The following words of Bhagat Kabir Ji blows away all of this Pakhand, falsehood, imitation and Karamkaand:

• ਬ੍ਰਹਮਨ ਗਿਆਸ ਕਰਹਿ ਚਉਬੀਸਾ ਕਾਜੀ ਮਹ ਰਮਜਾਨਾ ॥ ਗਿਆਰਹ ਮਾਸ ਪਾਸ ਕੈ ਰਾਖੇ ਏਕੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥੩॥ : The Brahmins observe fasts on each 11th lunar day, i.e. twenty four times in a year, and Qazi, the Muslim priest fasts during the entire month of Ramadan. They put eleven months aside (don’t observe any faith discipline) and try to find the treasure (of God’s Naam) just in one month! ||3|| (sggs 1349).
• ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਪਾਲ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਅਨਾਦਿ ਭੂਖੇ ਕਵਲੁ ਟਹਕੇਵ ॥ ਧਨੁ ਓਇ ਸੰਤ ਜਿਨ ਐਸੀ ਜਾਨੀ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਮਿਲਿਬੋ ਸਾਰਿੰਗਪਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖ ਤੇ ਹੋਇ ਅਨਾਦਿ ॥ ਜਪੀਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਨ ਕੈ ਸਾਦਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜਪੀਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਅੰਨੁ ॥ ਅੰਭੈ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਨੀਕਾ ਵੰਨੁ ॥ ਅੰਨੈ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਜੋ ਨਰ ਹੋਵਹਿ ॥ ਤੀਨਿ ਭਵਨ ਮਹਿ ਅਪਨੀ ਖੋਵਹਿ ॥੨॥ ਛੋਡਹਿ ਅੰਨੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਪਾਖੰਡ ॥ ਨਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਨਿ ਨਾ ਓਹਿ ਰੰਡ ॥ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਬਕਤੇ ਦੂਧਾਧਾਰੀ ॥ ਗੁਪਤੀ ਖਾਵਹਿ ਵਟਿਕਾ ਸਾਰੀ ॥੩॥ ਅੰਨੈ ਬਿਨਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ਸੁਕਾਲੁ ॥ ਤਜਿਐ ਅੰਨਿ ਨ ਮਿਲੈ ਗੁਪਾਲੁ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਹਮ ਐਸੇ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਅਨਾਦਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੮॥੧੧॥ : Praiseworthy is God (Hukam: Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) who sustains the earth and praiseworthy is the divine Guru. Blessed is the grain, which makes the Heart of a hungry person bloom. Blessed are those devotees (Satsangee Jan) who have understood this aspect of life (that food is not blasphemy). They (who eat food and remember God ) Realize God. ||1|| It is through the blessing of God (living in harmony with Hukam: Universal System-Rule-Law-Order of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) that all this food is produced, God’s Naam can be Internalized only after eating food (NOT EMPTY STOMACH!). ||1||Pause|| Just as we Internalize God’s Naam, we should also lovingly enjoy eating food. When mixed with water, the food looks even more pleasing. One who abstains from eating food, loses his honor everywhere. ||2|| Those human beings who pretend to give up food, they practice Pakhand (hypocrisy). They are (like those women who) are neither happy brides nor widows. (i.e. they are not united with their Mool or Jot Saroop, however practicing Pakhnad and Karamkaand they pretend as they are united with their Mool within — but in reality they don’t fit anywhere!). To the world they may claim that they are surviving only on milk, but secretly they eat all the sweets (which are offered to the idols). ||3|| Without eating food no one’s time can pass in peace. One cannot realize God, by abstaining from food. Kabir says, this is what I have understood, that blessed is the food that helps our mind to get focused on God. ||4||8||11||(sggs 873).

In short, the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS teaches us that it is a sign of one’s mind being out of control if one observes fasts for superstitious/religious reasons, wanders to locations of pilgrimage etc.

• ਤੀਰਥ ਕਰੈ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਫੁਨਿ ਰਾਖੈ ਨਹ ਮਨੂਆ ਬਸਿ ਜਾ ਕੋ ॥ ਨਿਹਫਲ ਧਰਮੁ ਤਾਹਿ ਤੁਮ ਮਾਨਹੁ ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹਤ ਮੈ ਯਾ ਕਉ ॥੧॥ : One whose mind is not under his control, goes on pilgrimage and observes many fasts. I tell you the truth – consider such religious deeds useless. ||1|| (sggs 831).
• ਜਾਪ ਤਾਪ ਨੇਮ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮ ਨਾਹੀ ਇਨ ਬਿਧੇ ਛੁਟਕਾਰ ॥ : The mortals cannot be liberated from vices/Bikaar by doing such deeds as worship, penance, bodily purification, and austerity. (sggs 1301).

Gurbani (re-)defines fasting!

Fasting as defined in the Gurbani is to keep the wandering mind in check (in control, free of vices/Bikaar etc.) through mental FASTING — through internalizing the Enlightening spiritual Giyan-Wisdom of the Guru Shabad and living daily life accordingly.

• ਦੁਆਦਸੀ ਦਇਆ ਦਾਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਜਾਤੋ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਆਣੈ ॥ ਬਰਤੀ ਬਰਤ ਰਹੈ ਨਿਹਕਾਮ ॥ ਅਜਪਾ ਜਾਪੁ ਜਪੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮ ॥ : The twelfth day: One who knows how to practice compassion and charity, brings his wandering mind under control. One who lives free from love for worldly desires, observes the sublime fast of all the fasts, and (the mind that has become stable) remembers Naam without uttering (i.e. his Conscience continuously remains God-connected intuitively) (sggs 840).
• ਸਚੁ ਬ੍ਰਤੁ ਨੇਮੁ ਨ ਕਾਲੁ ਸੰਤਾਵੈ ॥ : Make Truth (Creator) your fasting, then the fear of death will not agonize. (sggs 411).
• ਹਿੰਸਾ ਮਮਤਾ ਮੋਹੁ ਚੁਕਾਵੈ ॥ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਬ੍ਰਤੁ ਆਤਮ ਚੀਨੈ ॥ : Get rid of cruelty, false sense of possessiveness and attachment. By observing such fast, one receives the reward of knowing oneself. (sggs 840).
• ਦਸਮੀ ਦਸੇ ਦੁਆਰ ਜੇ ਠਾਕੈ ਏਕਾਦਸੀ ਏਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਦੁਆਦਸੀ ਪੰਚ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖੈ ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ॥ ਐਸਾ ਵਰਤੁ ਰਹੀਜੈ ਪਾਡੇ ਹੋਰ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਸਿਖ ਕਿਆ ਦੀਜੈ ॥੨॥ : Controlling all the ten senses as observing the fast of tenth lunar day, and knowing that God is pervading everywhere to be the fast of the eleventh lunar day, and makes controlling all the five vices/Bikaar as observing fast on the twelfth lunar day, then Nanak, the mind agrees (i.e. finds solace). O pandit, if one can observe this kind of fast, then there is NO need for any more teachings (instructions etc.). ||2|| (sggs 1245).

Further, the Gurbani asserts that the Godly contentment in every situation coupled with compassion is the true fast to conquer dark mental forces.

• ਮਨਿ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਅ ਦਇਆ ॥ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਬਰਤੁ ਸੰਪੂਰਨ ਭਇਆ ॥ ਧਾਵਤ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਖੈ ਇਕ ਠਾਇ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਸੁਧੁ ਜਪਤ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਇ ॥ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹੇ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਅਟਲ ਏਹੁ ਧਰਮ ॥੧੧॥ : Let your mind be content, and be kind to all beings. In this way, your fast will be successful (i.e. this is the real fast). (With this kind of fast, one can) keep his wandering mind restrained in one place. Realizing the divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues) the mind and body become pure. God pervades amongst all. Nanak, Hari kirtan (living a life of Divine Virtues) is the eternal Dharma. ||11|| (sggs 299).
• 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).
• ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਬੈਰਾਗੋ ਰਾਮ ॥ : With Gurmat (Wisdom of the SGGS), the mind abides in its own Home within (Nijj Ghar), and through the Shabad (the mind) become attached to the Divine (Naam: Wisdom, Virtues…). (sggs 568).

The mind is drunk with the illusive wine of Maya. It is restless though thousands of scorpions have stung it at one time!!

• ਖਟੁ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਉਚਰਤ ਰਸਨਾਗਰ ਤੀਰਥ ਗਵਨ ਨ ਥੋਰੀ ॥ ਪੂਜਾ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਤਪੀਆ ਊਹਾ ਗੈਲਿ ਨ ਛੋਰੀ ॥੧॥ : Even after reciting the six Shaastras orally and visiting sacred shrines of pilgrimage does not diminish hunger for Maya. Even Poojaa, ceremonial religious signs or symbols on body, fasting, rituals and penance — none of these will make Maya spare you. ||1|| (sggs 1216).

In such agitated condition, the deluded mind behaves like it is separate from its Mool (Source, Jot Saroop…). This is the false ego-sense or the Haumai-mind. In this diseased condition, the mind performs worthless deeds.

The Gurbani says the divine Virtues such as Godly contentment and loving compassion can be Awakened within through observing the FAST of remembering the Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues).

• ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਬ੍ਰਤਕਾਰੀ ॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਤਰੰਗ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੩॥ : Remembering the Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues) all the time is my giving in charity and fasting. By Reflecting on the Essence of Reality (Divine Virtues), one become satiated (contented…) from the waves (of Maya — worldly temptations and their corrupting influences). ||3|| (sggs 1331).

Through remembering the Naam (Giyan-Wisdom/Virtues) comes the dissolution of the body-consciousness, resulting transformation of the mind into Divine Consciousness (Jot Saroop). Vanish with the dissolution of the body-consciousness are the Pakhand (hypocrisy) and Karamkaand (rituals) such as fasting etc.

• ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਪ ਤਾਪ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਨੇਮਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇ ਕੁਸਲ ਸਭਿ ਖੇਮਾ ॥੨॥ ਆਚਾਰ ਬਿਉਹਾਰ ਜਾਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨੀਆ ॥ : Remembering Divine Naam is my Jaap, Taap, fasting and daily religious practice. I enjoy happiness and Bliss by always remembering God. ||2|| To live a life of Divine Virtues is my good conduct, occupation and social status. (sggs 715).
• ਸਭਿ ਨਾਦ ਬੇਦ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਤਾ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਤਹ ਤੀਰਥ ਵਰਤ ਤਪ ਸਾਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੩॥ : (A person who is engaged in Bhagti, Shabad-Vichaar, etc., for that person…) All Naad and Vedas are in the Gurbani (Guru‘s Word). (Through the Gurbani’s Wisdom) the mind becomes imbued with the love of God. (In that spiritual state) is his sacred shrine of pilgrimage, fasting and austere self-discipline. By following the Guru‘s Giyan-Wisdom, God is realized. ||3|| (sggs 879).
• ਇਕਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਹਿ ਅੰਨੁ ਨ ਖਾਵਹਿ ॥ ਇਕਿ ਅਗਨਿ ਜਲਾਵਹਿ ਦੇਹ ਖਪਾਵਹਿ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ਕਿਤੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਪਾਰਿ ਲੰਘਾਈ ਹੇ ॥੧੪॥ : Some bathe at sacred shrines and refuse to eat. Many people (becoming ascetics) light fires and torment their bodies by sitting before it. But without the divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom/ Virtues), one is not liberated (from the shackles of Maya), no one can cross over the world-ocean in any other way. ||14|| (sggs 1025).

The Gurbani reminds us that for an Enlightened mind (Gurmukh, Guru Shabad-Oriented), all days or months are auspicious. He always eats light and sleeps less! Thus, he neither tortures his body, nor pampers it with sense gratification. Overeating or wrong eating disturb the mind; eating insufficiently, on the other hand, leads to physical and mental weakness.

Similarly, oversleep dulls the nervous system; not enough sleep produces a tendency to sleep against one’s will. All of this is undesirable to a seeker or learner.

• ਸੇਵ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਸਚੋ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥ ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਮੰਦੈ ਪੈਰੁ ਨ ਰਖਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਤੋੜੇ ਬੰਧਨਾ ਅੰਨੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਥੋੜਾ ਖਾਇਆ ॥ : Only those do the real Sevaa who are contented. They contemplate the Truth. They do not walk on the path of corruption (wickedness, ill-doings…), but do good deeds and live by Dharma. They burn away the bonds of the world (Maya’s fetters…), and live on a little water and food (i.e., they do not eat for the sake of sense-gratification).
• ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਜੋ ਪਹਿਰੈ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕੂਕਰੁ ਜੂਠਨ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇ ॥੧॥ : Without remembering the Naam, whatever a person wears and eats, it is as a wandering dog eating leftover food (false or filth). ||1|| (sggs 240).
• ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਖਾਧਾ ਪੈਧਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਭੁ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਨਾਮਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਤੇ ॥ : Those whose (minds) are imbued with the divine Naam (Wisdom, Virtues etc.), their food, clothes and wealth are untainted (i.e. obtained by fair means). (sggs 648).
• ਹਾਟੀ ਬਾਟੀ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਪਰ ਘਰਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਡੋੁਲਾਈ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਮਨੁ ਟੇਕ ਨ ਟਿਕਈ ਨਾਨਕ ਭੂਖ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਹਾਟੁ ਪਟਣੁ ਘਰੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ਸਹਜੇ ਸਚੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੋ ॥ ਖੰਡਿਤ ਨਿਦ੍ਰਾ ਅਲਪ ਅਹਾਰੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥੮॥ : (TRUE RENUNCIATION) is not to lose one’s self in worldly affairs while living within the world; and to not allow the mind to wander therein. Nanak, sans of Naam, the mind does not remain stable, and its hunger for worldly temptations or Maya does not go away. (In TRUE RENUNCIATION), the Shabad Guru Guides the mind to focus on acquiring godly Virtues and sharing godly Virtues (while staying within the world). The Essence of (a mind that is in TRUE RENUNCIATION based on the Instructions of the Guru Shabad), Nanak, is the desire for worldly affairs (or hunger for Maya) is controlled to the extent that it does not lose itself (in sleep of unawareness). ॥8॥ (sggs 639).

Ending Note

The Gurbani in the SGGS teaches the entire humanity:

• ਵਰਤ ਨ ਰਹਉ ਨ ਮਹ ਰਮਦਾਨਾ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਜੋ ਰਖੈ ਨਿਦਾਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਏਕੁ ਗੁਸਾਈ ਅਲਹੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੁਹਾਂ ਨੇਬੇਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਉ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਸੇਵੀ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੨॥ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਉ ਨ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਉ ॥ ਏਕ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਲੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਉ ॥੩॥ ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਕੀਆ ਵਖਾਨਾ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਖੁਦਿ ਖਸਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੫॥੩॥ : I do not practice the fasts (of Hindus), nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan (the Roza of Muslims). I serve only the One, who protects all till the end of life. ||1|| My God is only One, Who is called Gosain (by the Hindus) and Allah (by the Muslims). I have separated myself from (religious practices) of them both, the Hindus and the Muslims (I don’t follow whatever they have written: their explanations, commentaries, customs, injunctions, etc.). ||1|| Pause || I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu shrines. I serve no other than the Only One Formless. ||2|| I do not perform Hindu worship, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers. I have understood in my mind and pay my obeisance to the One, the Formless. ||3||  We are not Hindus, nor are we Muslims (i.e. for the guidance of spiritual life, we do not depend on them). My body and breath of life belong to (whom Muslims call) Allah and to (whom Hindus call) Raam. ||4|| O Kabeer! This is what I say: That the one-self can realize God through Guru – Pir (Spiritual Teacher). ||5||3|| (sggs 1136).

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