Gurbani Defines Ghost – Bhoot Pret

The majority of us talk about ghosts and goblin or Bhoot Pret (ਭੂਤ-ਪ੍ਰੇਤ) and Jamm Doot (ਜੱਮ ਦੂਤ) as heard from manufactured stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ), or as seen in movies and t.v. serials, or Pakhand, etc. However we seldom talk about the Bhoot Pret and Jaam Doot the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) talks about!

The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS does not believe in the existence of any Bhoot Pret as heard from manufactured stories, or as seen in movies and t.v. serials, etc. In fact, the SGGS does not believe in the existence of any power other than the One Rabb (Universal Energy).

• ਸਰਬੰ ਸਾਚਾ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਜਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥: There is only the One eternal Divine; there is no other at all. (sggs 660).

If there is ‘NO OTHER’ or no second, then how can there be ghosts and goblin or Bhoot Pret and Jamm Doot etc.?

Who is the real ghost, goblin or Bhoot Pret and Jamm Doot the Gurbani talks about?

Bhoot-Pret defined

As the Gurbani asserts, we must find answer from within the Gurbani (‘ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਤੀ’). Otherwise the answer will be wrong. So, let’s ask the SGGS!

In a nutshell, A man with a corrupted mind or consciousness is a PRET or ghost. On the other hand, a man with a reformed or Heightened Consciousness is DEVTAA or god-like.

In other words, ‘PRET‘ or ghost is a man’s ‘ਵਿਰਤੀ-Viratee’ (nature, inclinations, conduct etc.).

Hence, according to the SGGS, a man with deformed ‘Viratee‘ himself/herself becomes the ghost (Bhoot Pret), or animal, or stone-hearted etc., while still living in the human body!

• ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਤੀ ਪੇਈਐ ਜਾਣੁ ਵਿਰਤੀ ਸੰਨਿ ॥: O Nanak! The ‘Viratee‘ that sleeps (i.e. in the sleep of Maya or ignorance) within, know that ‘Viratee‘ gets plundered. (sggs 23).

Thus, The Gurbani asserts that any person attached to Maya or without Wisdom, Virtues, Truth (Sach), etc. is a ghost (Bhoot Pret).

Hence, minds inflicted with Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.) are ugly or ‘Karoop‘ — ghosts (Bhoot Pret), here and now!

• ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਪਰੇਤੁ ਹੈ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥: Attachment to Maya, lust, anger, and egotism is the goblin (ghost, ਪ੍ਰੇਤ, ਭੂਤ…). (sggs 513).
• ਕਲਿ ਮਹਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਤਾ ਸਤਜੁਗਿ ਪਰਮ ਹੰਸ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥: Those who have not realized Raam (Mool, Prabh, Source, ਮੂਲ…) are ‘Pret-ਪ੍ਰੇਤ’ in ‘Kali‘ (mental state of imagination, strife, hunger for Maya…). Those who are established in ‘Satjugi‘ (the mental state of Truth) are the supreme souls who have become aware of the spiritual life. (sggs 1131).
• ਕਲੀ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿੰਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਉਤਾਰੁ ॥ ਪੁਤੁ ਜਿਨੂਰਾ ਧੀਅ ਜਿੰਨੂਰੀ ਜੋਰੂ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਦਾ ਸਿਕਦਾਰੁ ॥੧॥: O Nanak! In ‘Kalee‘ (a mental state of imagining or Phurne, doubt, hunger for Maya…), ghosts have taken birth. (Without Wisdom, Virtues, etc.) the son, the daughter, and the wife is the chief of the demons! ||1|| (sggs 556).
• ਕਈ ਕੋਟਿ ਭੂਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਸੂਕਰ ਮ੍ਰਿਗਾਚ ॥: Many millions (of people who are full of Bikaar and devoid of Virtues, Wisdom…) are Pret, ghosts, swine and tigers. (sggs 276).

Accordingly, the Gurbani asserts that the day a person’s Virtues (ਗੁਣ), Wisdom or humanity (ਇਨਸਾਨੀਅਤ) dies, on that day the person becomes ghosts and goblin or Bhoot Pret. After that, a person is of no use to the society, his own family, or anybody else.

• ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਨਿ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਸਸੀ ਤਿਤੁ ਵੇਲੈ ਕਹਸਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਤੁ ॥: On that day when ‘Dehee‘ (Aaatmaan or Aatmak-Gun or Virtues, true human nature…) perishes, at that time (that person) is called a ghost. (sggs 134).
• ਕਰਤੂਤਿ ਪਸੂ ਕੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਾਤਿ ॥ ਲੋਕ ਪਚਾਰਾ ਕਰੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮਲੁ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਛਪਸਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਕਛੁ ਕਰੈ ਛਪਾਇਆ ॥: Although; human in name or creed, but actions are that of animalistic nature. But day and night he exhibits or shows off to people (that he is a human – ਬੰਦਾ)! Outside (on his body) he wears religious dress but in his mind is the filth of Maya. However he cannot conceal the filth of his mind with (outwardly wearing religious robes, cunningness, pleasing people etc.). (sggs 267).

In other words, the man is the biggest ‘Bhoot‘ there is (i.e. Pret, ghost, goblin)!

The implication is that if a person is attached to Maya and has no interest in acquiring Virtues such as, Truth (ਸਤ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), etc.) then clearly he is disconnected from Bhagti, Naam, Shabd, Hukam, Virtues, Wisdom…

• ਕੁਟੰਬ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਣੰ ਮਾਇਆ ਅਨੇਕ ਉਦਮਹ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਾਵ ਹੀਣੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਸਰਤ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਤਤਹ ॥੧॥: (People) make efforts for his family and puts in many endeavors for the sake of Maya. O Nanak! (But) they remain devoid of the Hari Bhagti (Giaan-Wisdom, Virtues…); and  (those who) forget Prabh (Mool, Jot Saroop…) are like ghost. ||1|| (sggs 706).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾ ਘਰ ਸਾਧ ਨ ਸੇਵੀਅਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਤੇ ਘਰ ਮਰਹਟ ਸਾਰਖੇ ਭੂਤ ਬਸਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧੯੨॥: O Kabeer! Hearts, in which the ‘Saadh’ (Gur-Shabad – Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) is not served; those Hearts are like the cremation ground and demons dwell within them. (sggs 1374).

However, since we don’t want to be responsible for our own mind’s corruptionand reform it, we easily create ghosts (Bhoot Pret) and Jamm Doot in the sky so that we can pass on our corruption to some other entity in thin air!

There is also a concocted concept of Jum (also spelt Yam, Jamm etc.) Doot. This pre-1469 concept of Jum Doot is ‘soldiers of death’ in the afterlife. The Gurbani also debunks this laughable MYTH and fear related to ‘Jamm’:

• ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਿਰਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਏਹੁ ਜਮੁ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੇ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਬੰਦਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਕਢਦਾ ਸਾਹਾ ਹੇ ॥ : It is the Omnipresent Creator that is in total and complete authority on matters of Creation. What can these pitiful Jamm do? Human beings are subject to the Hukam of the Creator and we live in accordance with His Hukam; death and things concerning death are in accordance with His Hukam. (sggs 1054).

Spirituality of the self-serving Pujaaree is the spirituality of LIFE AFTER DEATH. However the Unique spirituality of the SGGS is of HERE and NOW.

Gurbani’s Wisdom is for living people, not for animals or stones or dead people

Medicine is for alive people, not for the dead people. Therefore, first off, it’s essential to recognize that the Wisdom of the Gurbani is for the minds of the living people, not for animals, stones, or dead people.

It’s the people’s mind that has been shut up, confused, and confinedas a chick in an eggshell of doubt, Karamkaand, ignorance, demerits, Bikaar, and so on.

Hence, the Gurbani addresses the human mind for it is the human mind that needs to change its bad habits or bad thinking and actions, here and now, not after death. The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS does not believe in the nonsense of after-death liberation (Mukti):

• ਬੇਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਭਗਤਹੁ ਮਰਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਿਨਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੫॥: Says Baynee – Listen O devotees, nobody has ever attained liberation after death. ||5|| (sggs 93).

Therefore, simply put, according to the Wisdom of the SGGS, it’s the man’s untruthful or unvirtuous nature (Virtee-ਵਿਰਤੀ), habits, or actions – animal-nature (‘ਪਸੂ’ ਵਿਰਤੀ), or Pret- nature (‘ਪਰੇਤ’ ਵਿਰਤੀ), or ignorance (foolish ‘ਮੁਗਧ’) – talked about here in the Gur-Shabad 

• ਗਾਵਤੇ ਉਧਰਹਿ ਸੁਣਤੇ ਉਧਰਹਿ ਬਿਨਸਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥ ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤ ਮੁਗਧ ਕਉ ਤਾਰੇ ਪਾਹਨ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰੈ ॥: They who live by the divine Wisdom or Virtues are revived (i.e., they get rid of their bad thinking, consequently) and all their Paap are destroyed. Thus (living by the Wisdom or Virtues) men of animal-nature, Pret– nature, and stone-nature are saved (from Bhav Saagar). (sggs 802).
• ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤ ਮੁਗਧ ਭਏ ਸ੍ਰੋਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਮੁਖਿ ਗਾਇਆ ॥੧॥: Pasoo Pret Mugdh… (sggs 614).

Hence, one disconnected from the Truth (ਸੱਚ), or separated from Naam, or broken away from his Mool is the ghost or goblin. Baabaa Nanak stresses that this ghost within our body ruins us.

• ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਸੀਲੁ ਨ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਪਿੰਜਰ ਮਹਿ ਕਾਸਟੁ ਭਇਆ ॥: You do not practice truth, abstinence, self-discipline or humility; the ghost within your skeleton has become (like a) dry wood. (sggs 906).

In a nutshell, man’s duality (Doojaa-Bhaav) is his worst ghost. Like darkness and light, in nature both duality and non-duality coexists. But the Mayaic or Haumai-mind sees or transacts with duality only.

• ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਭੂਤ ਸਭਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਾਏ ॥: All goblins and demons are attached to duality (wanderings in the love of Maya, ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਦੀ ਭਟਕਣਾ). (sggs 841).
• ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਮੰਦਰ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥ ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੪॥: (If forgetting ‘Gobind’ while alive) who thinks of to the end (i.e. to the brink of spiritual death, mental blindness, ਸਿਰੇ-ਅੰਤ ਦੀ ਹੱਦ ਤਕ), who thinks of only mansions and dies so thinking (ਵਿਲਕਦਾ ਹੋਇਆ then it indicates the state of his mind or Virtee-ਵਿਰਤੀ) repeatedly living as a Pret (or ghost in daily life, here and now, NOT after physical body is dead). ||4|| (sggs 526).

Those attached to duality are also called Manmukhs in the Gurbani. Therefore, a Manmukh (a Saakat or a Mayadhaaree) = a ghost or goblin.

But a Gurmukh (who is opposite of the Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree), lives in non-duality, for he is established in the Divine Wisdom of the SGGS. In other words, he has become Jeevanmukta (living liberated). He has realized his non-dual Jot Sroop.

In other words, the darkness or ‘Dhundh-ਧੁੰਧ’ of ignorance is ghost in itself.

• ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਪਿੰਜਰ ਮਹਿ ਦੂਖ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥ ਨਰਕਿ ਪਚਹਿ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਧੇਰੇ ॥: (Those who live as) ghost in the body-cage, suffer all sorts of afflictions. Those who (thus live) in the darkness of spiritual wisdom, putrefy in hellish (existence). (sggs 1029).

the SGGS wants us to live a Gurmukh Lifestyle, NOT like a ghost or an animal! However, living blind to the Wisdom, one tends to believe false things to be true.

• ਝੂਠੁ ਬਾਤ ਸਾ ਸਚੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਤੀ ॥: That which is false (we) deem it to be true. (sggs 185).

Hence, the Gurbani asserts that so long the Divine Virtues — Truth (ਸਤ), contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ), compassion (ਦਯਾ), Dharma (ਧਰਮ), patience (ਧੀਰਜ), Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), etc. — are within the mind, the mortal will be happy, peaceful, blissful…

• ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਢਹਿ ਢੇਰੀ ਤਨੁ ਖੇਹ ॥੧॥: Without the Divine Virtues, the body is of no avail; (in the end) it will crumble into a pile of dust. ||1|| (sggs 20).

Transforming  animal or Pret nature into Devtaa

How one can transform his animal or Pret nature?

• ਪਰੇਤਹੁ ਕੀਤੋਨੁ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਸਭੇ ਸਿਖ ਉਬਾਰਿਅਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥: That Creator (by giving the gift of Naam) has made man a ‘DEVATAA‘ from a ‘Pret‘ (ghost, phantom…). ‘Prabh‘ (i.e. abidance in Mool, Hukam, Naam…) liberates all Sikhs (seekers or learners). (sggs 323).

In nutshell, according to the SGGS, by bathing the mind in the pool of the Divine Wisdom of the SGGS:

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਚਰਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪਰਸਿਆ ਸੇ ਪਸੁ ਪਰੇਤ ਸੁਰਿ ਨਰ ਭਇਅ ॥੨॥੬॥: (the mind of) Whoever realizes the Giaan (the Divine Wisdom…) of the Satiguru, (that mind) is transformed from an animal (-nature) and a ghost (-nature) into an angelic being. ||2||6|| (sggs 1399).
• ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਉਧਾਰੇ ਇਕ ਖਣੇ ॥: In an instant, (Naam: Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) emancipates persons, who are ignorant, beasts-nature and goblin-nature. (sggs 963).
• ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਸਿਉ ਲਾਗੋ ਹੇਤੁ ॥ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਬਿਨਸਿਓ ਮਹਾ ਪਰੇਤੁ ॥: Whosoever imbibes affection for the Giaan (the Divine Wisdom…), the great demon (of one’s demon-nature) is destroyed in an instant. (1149).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਪਾਇਐ ਪੂਰਾ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਪਸੂ ਪਰੇਤਹੁ ਦੇਵ ਕਰੈ ॥੨॥: With the Satigur (True Wisdom, ਸੱਚ ਦਾ ਗਿਆਨ), the perfect cleansing bath (of the mind) is obtained (which kills) the animal-state and ghost-state (of the mind) and transforms it into Devtaa (divine, Wise, Virtuous, Truthful…). ||2|| (sggs 1329).

Hence, anybody in this world who is devoid of Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ), Virtues (ਗੁਣ), Truth (ਸਚ), etc., is called in the Gurbani Bhoot (Pret, ghost, goblin, Betaalaa, demon, etc.).

Also, anybody in this world who is under the adverse impact of Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.) and Maya, and thus live a Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree lifestyle are called in the Gurbani Bhoot (Pret, ghost, goblin, Betaalaa etc.).

• ਸਚਿ ਕਾਲੁ ਕੂੜੁ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਕਲਿ ਕਾਲਖ ਬੇਤਾਲ ॥: There is a famine of Truth; falsehood prevails, and the blackness of the Kali (i.e., dark or wicked thinking of the mind) has turned people into demons (sggs 468).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਅੰਧੇ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥: The (mentally) blind Manmukh wander around like demons (sggs 117).
• ਨਾਵਹੁ ਭੁਲਾ ਜਗੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਬੇਤਾਲਿਆ ॥: Having forgotten the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…), the world is roaming around like a demon (sggs 149).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥: Without understanding, people become beast (-nature) and demon ||6|| (sggs 224).
• ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਣੀ ਹੋਈ ਖੇਹ ॥: Without Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…, the human body) is worse than a beast, a demon. (sggs 890).
• ਪੰਚਮੀ ਪੰਚ ਭੂਤ ਬੇਤਾਲਾ ॥: Panchamee (the fifth day of the lunar): The mortals of five elements (devoid of the divine life) are but demons. (sggs 839).

In nutshell, there is no ghost-Pret or Devtaa because of the physical body (ਸਰੀਰ ਕਰਕੇ). A person becomes a Devtaa by improving or mending his/her ‘Soch‘ or thinking (with the divine Virtues, Wisdom). Also, a person becomes ghost-Pret by becoming corrupt.

In nutshell:
Mortal + Truth or Divine Virtues (ਗੁਣ) = Divine, god-like, ਦੇਵਤਾ…
Mortal – (minus) Truth or Divine Virtues (ਗੁਣ) = ghost, goblin, Satan, Demon, Pasoo, ਰਾਖਛਸ, ਬੇਤਾਲਾ…

• ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਉਹਾੜੀ ਸਦ ਵਾਰ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਮਾਣਸ ਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਵਾਰ ॥: Hundred times a day, I am a sacrifice unto my ‘Gur’ (i.e., Wisdom or Giaan-Guru), who without any delay made ‘DEVTAE’ (i.e., noble men of Divine Virtues) out of ‘Maanaas’ (i.e. those with defective minds – devoid of Virtues). (sggs 462).