Giyan Ratan: the Jewel of Wisdom

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is the Giyan-Guru. It’s the Treasure and Jewel of the Wisdom (Giyan, Bibek...) for constant learning how to live life (Gurmukh Lifestyle).

Also, the SGGS tells us that the Wisdom is ever present within all of us!

• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਤਨੁ ਹੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਵਣਹਾਰਾ ॥ : Within is the Gur-Giyan (Wisdom), the Divine Jewel, the Bestower of Liberation. (sggs 593).
• ਮਤਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਤਨ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਮਾਣਿਕ ਜੇ ਇਕ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣੀ ॥ : The Internalization of (this) one Priceless Message of my Guru (i.e. Shabad) makes my spirituality Shabad Based (i.e. Virtues-ਗੁਣ, Wisdom). (sggs 2).

In short, the Satguru (Satguru = True Wisdom = ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ) is always with us. But very ‘rare‘ ones are willing to recognize it.

• ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ : My Guru is always with me, near at hand (sggs 394).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਖਾਲੀ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ ਮੇਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥ : None is devoid of the Satigur; (Satgur – Knowledge of Truth – ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ, Wisdom…) unites with my Mool within. (sggs 850).
• ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਸਾਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਭੁਖਾ ਸਭਿ ਗਵਾਈਆ ॥ : The True Giyan or Wisdom is my food (which supports my life). The True Giyan or Wisdom is my food (which supports my life), who (i.e. Giyan or Wisdom) has removed all my hunger (hunger of Maya, greed, etc.). (sggs 917).

The Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS Liberates from the negative impact of Maya, ignorance, duality (two-ness), Haumai (false ego sense), Bikaar (lust anger, greed, etc.), doubt…

Hence, although the food of the gross body-frame is outside. However, the food of the mind (i.e., Wisdom, Virtues, Amrit…) is within!

• ਮਨ ਰੇ ਥਿਰੁ ਰਹੁ ਮਤੁ ਕਤ ਜਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਢੂਢਤ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਘਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਘਟ ਮਾਹੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O my mind! Remain steady within and do not wander around helter-skelter (searching for Amrit-Naam outside…). By searching around on the outside, you will only suffer great pain because the life-giving Amrit is found Within. ||Pause|| (sggs 598).

Question: If the Treasure or Jewel of the Gur-Giyan or Wisdom is within each and every person, then what happened to it? Why is it missing?

Answer: According to the SGGS, on account of one’s own Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.) it has been forgotten. Furthermore, the Gurbani reveals that it is the Maya (Mayaic intellect – ਮਾਇਕੀ ਬੁੱਧੀ) that deserted the Jewel of the Giyan (Wisdom, Knowledge, ਗਿਆਨ ਖੜਗੁ…). In other words, it is the mind’s hunger for Maya (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ ਭੁੱਖ) that depleted its Treasure of the Giyan (Naam Padaarath…) from within.

Simply put: Bikaar (i.e., lust, anger, greed, attachment, etc.) blind us to the Wisdom or Virtues!

• ਭ੍ਰਮਤ ਫਿਰਤ ਬਹੁ ਜਨਮ ਬਿਲਾਨੇ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਧੀਰੇ ॥ ਲਾਲਚ ਬਿਖੁ ਕਾਮ ਲੁਬਧ ਰਾਤਾ ਮਨਿ ਬਿਸਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਹੀਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Life is squandered in worldly pursuits; the physical body exhausts itself, the mind gets devoid of peace, and spiritual Wealth does not get accumulated. The vice of greed keeps the mind absorbed in the poison of worldly desires; denying a rightful place to invaluable JEWEL (of Godly Realization, Godly Wisdom). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 487).
• ਬਾਬਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹ ਹਿਤੁ ਕੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਹਿਰਿ ਲੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O Baabaa! (I have) enshrined attachment (love and affection, ਮੋਹ-ਪਿਆਰ) for Maya, which has taken the Jewel of the Wisdom away (from me). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 482).

As a result of this forgetfulness of the Jewel of Wisdom (Giyan Rattan), people in this world wander around lost.

• ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣੀ ਭਵੈ ਸਬਾਈ ॥ : Deprived (abandoned, deserted…) of the Divine Knowledge (Giyan, Wisdom), the entire world (ਸਾਰੀ ਲੁਕਾਈ) wanders around (to stray, err, forget…). (sggs 1034).

Accordingly, the Gurbani makes it crystal clear that we should not have allowed our deluded intellect (Mayaic Budhi) to take away the Jewel of the Wisdom (Giyan-Ratan..). In fact, such intellect is called dog (ਕੁੱਤੀ) in the Gurbani!

• ਰਤਨ ਵਿਗਾੜਿ ਵਿਗੋਏ ਕੁਤੀ ਮੁਇਆ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਕਾਈ ॥ : (The Budhi-intellect) that has defiled and wasted the Jewel (of Giyan) is a dog, and no one pays any attention to the dead (who has died to the Divine Knowledge). (sggs 360).

The SGGS helps us correct this error.

The SGGS tells not to allow Maya take the Jewel of the Wisdom away from us. Consider the following verse:

• ਮਨ ਕਰਹਲਾ ਵਡਭਾਗੀਆ ਤੂੰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥ : O camel-like mind, you are so very fortunate; preserve (your) Jewel of Wisdom. (sggs 235).

In the foregoing verse, the Gurbani compares our mind with that of a ‘camel’ (ਕਰਹਲਾ). At the same time, it’s also called ‘very fortunate’ (ਵਡਭਾਗੀਆ)!

First, why is the mind called ‘camel’?

Attachment to Maya (love of Maya…) makes our mental conditioning (false ego-sense) more and more dense. Such Mayaic mind is akin to a camel. For instance, a camel eats thorny bramble even though it makes his mouth bleed! Similarly, our ignorant or Mayaic mind indulges in sense gratification even though it suffers. As a result, the Mayaic mind knowingly commits demerits.

• ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਸਭ ਬਾਤ ਜਾਨਤ ਹੀ ਅਉਗਨੁ ਕਰੈ ॥ ਕਾਹੇ ਕੀ ਕੁਸਲਾਤ ਹਾਥਿ ਦੀਪੁ ਕੂਏ ਪਰੈ ॥੨੧੬॥ : Kabeer, the mind knows everything and knowingly it commits demerits. What is the use of that lamp (Giyan-Wisdom) if we fall into the well (of ignorance, Maya, vices or Bikaar) even with that lamp in our hands? (sggs 1376).

Second, why the mind is called ‘very fortunate’ (ਵਡਭਾਗੀਆ) as the same time?

The mind can be one’s worse enemy, and it can also be one’s best friend. It all depends how it’s used or handled!

For one thing, the Gurbani tells us that our mind is Jot-Saroop.

Thus, the Gurbani tells us that – driven by Maya’s love or hunger – the mind is plentiful of demerits (ਅਉਗੁਣ), and, at the same time, the Gurbani tells us that the Divine Virtues (ਗੁਣ) also abide within it as well.

• ਅਵਗੁਣੀ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੈ ਗੁਣ ਭੀ ਵਸਹਿ ਨਾਲਿ ॥ : (The mind) is plentiful of demerits, but Virtues dwell within it as well. (sggs 936).

How can we Awaken the Jewel of the Wisdom within?

According to the Gurbani, we can do so by churning the Gurbani, through the Shabad-Vichaar and then living it in daily life – living life by the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giyan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS…).

• ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਊਚੋ ਊਚੀ ਪਉੜੀ ਗਿਆਨਿ ਰਤਨਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ਹੇ ॥੪॥ : The Gurmat is the ladder to reach the highest of the high (Knowledge, understanding…), and with the Jewel of Knowledge, egotism is conquered. ||4|| (sggs 1050).
• ਨਾਮ ਰਤਨੁ ਸੁਨਿ ਜਪਿ ਜਪਿ ਜੀਵਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੰਠ ਮਝਾਰੇ ॥੨॥੧੧॥੩੦॥ : O Nanak! I live by listening, understanding, and assimilating the Jewel of Wisdom; (thus I remember) the Divine within (i.e., living Divine Life – ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ). ||2||11||30|| (sggs 716).

The Wisdom of the SGGS connects us with Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature (Kudrat Rabb, Universal Energy…).

The SGGS is the means (ਜਰੀਆ, connection, cause, medium …) through which we receive Knowledge of the One (ੴ : ‘ Iko or Eko).

Constantly updating ourselves

The Pujaaree-Vaad wants us to believe we have arrived at that intellectual destination where we need little or no new learning.

This is the exact opposite of the Message of the SGGS – the Message of the SGGS is Keep learning how to live as long as as we live!

‘Kudrat’ is said to be Infinite – ‘ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਵਣ ਕਹਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ’. As such, the learning must also be Infinite.

Therefore, there is plenty new to learn throughout one’s life time, everyday because life never stops teaching!

Therefore, the SGGS asserts that a fresh or new supply of Knowledge should uninterruptedly continue in one’s life. In a nutshell, a Sikh is supposed to be a lifelong learner. Because as long as one is learning he/she is not old. That being said, the Wisdom of the Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) urges all Sikhs to debug ourselves everyday, and constantly upgrade ourselves by keep on learning everyday, throughout our lives! (‘ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ…’)! The Gurbani claims that the Creative Energy is forever NEW!

• ਦਇਆਲ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਤਰਾ ॥ : O Bountiful! Your Naam (Wisdom, Knowledge, Virtues, Truth…) carries me across (this Bhav Saagar and to the Sukh Saagar). (sggs 660).

In other words, to make the mind gain better Understanding (Soojh-Boojh), it must learn everyday. The knowledge protects us from being plundered.

In fact the SGGS says that without the Wisdom people become dreadful.

• ਫਰੀਦਾ ਤਿਨਾ ਮੁਖ ਡਰਾਵਣੇ ਜਿਨਾ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਓਨੁ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਐਥੈ ਦੁਖ ਘਣੇਰਿਆ ਅਗੈ ਠਉਰ ਨ ਠਾਉ ॥੧੦੬॥ : O Fareed! The faces of those who forget the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues…) appear dreadful. (Without Wisdom, Virtues…) they greatly suffer now and in the future. (sggs 1383).

For example, if somebody wants to become a doctor or engineer, that person also needs to attend a medical or an engineering college. Also, if you want to become a pilot, then you have to join a flying school to learn flying and become a pilot, and so on.

• ਮਨ ਸਮਝਾਵਨ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਕਛੂਅਕ ਪੜੀਐ ਗਿਆਨ ॥੫॥ : To instruct the mind one ought to study Knowledge to some extent. ||5|| (sggs 340).
• ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O mind! With the Gur (-Giyan, Knowledge…), amend yourself (bloom, set right, adorn, reclaim…). (sggs 13).

The SGGS explains this with a beautiful example of a pond.

If there is a continuous supply of fresh and new water into a pond, it will look beautiful (‘ਹਰੀਆਵਲਾ’) with green leaves of plants, flowers, vegetation, etc.

However, if there is no fresh or new supply of water into the pond, the same pond will look ugly with dead leaves, dead flowers, dead vegetation; bad smell; etc.

The message is: If a mind stops cultivating or obtaining new or fresh knowledge, it will become stagnated, stubborn, fanatic, unhelpful, bad, etc.

• ਪਬਰ ਤੂੰ ਹਰੀਆਵਲਾ ਕਵਲਾ ਕੰਚਨ ਵੰਨਿ ॥ ਕੈ ਦੋਖੜੈ ਸੜਿਓਹਿ ਕਾਲੀ ਹੋਈਆ ਦੇਹੁਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਮੈ ਤਨਿ ਭੰਗੁ ॥ ਜਾਣਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਨਾ ਲਹਾਂ ਜੈ ਸੇਤੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੰਗੁ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਡਿਠੈ ਤਨੁ ਪਰਫੁੜੈ ਚੜੈ ਚਵਗਣਿ ਵੰਨੁ ॥੩੦॥ : O pond! (Before, when you had continuous flow of fresh water into you) your leaves were green, and your blossoms were gold. What pain has burnt you, and made your body black? O Nanak! my body is battered (because of no supply of fresh water). I have not received that water which I love. Seeing it (fresh water flowing in), my body blossoms forth, and I am blessed with a deep and beautiful color (But, now, I don’t get that water anymore). ||30|| (sggs 1412).

A Sikh is supposed to be a lifelong learner. Because as long as one is learning he/she is not old. That being said, the Gurbani’s Wisdom urges all Sikhs to debug ourselves everyday, and constantly upgrade ourselves by keep on learning everyday, throughout our lives! (‘ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ’)! Because, all awakening begins with an inquiring mind. Guru Nanak confirms in the onset of the SGGS:

• ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੮॥ : Nanak, the spirituality of Internalizing the Shabad is Blissful. Internalization of the Shabad rids us of vices and sorrows. ॥8॥ (sggs 2-3).

Hence, Bhagat Kabeer Ji urges us that the thirst for Knowledge (Giyan) in general should NEVER fade away; should never cease or stop or quench. Instead, this thirst for Knowledge should ever increase!

• ਮਾਧਉ ਜਲ ਕੀ ਪਿਆਸ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਅਗਨਿ ਉਠੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O Rabb! (My) thirst for Knowledge (Giyan) does not go away. As I gain Knowledge, the fire of my thirst (or longing) for Knowledge is raging even more! ||1||Pause|| (sggs 323).

A person who is capable of learning everyday but does not do so has no advantage over the illiterate or ignorant person.

But mere reading will achieve little, unless it impacts our thinking (i.e, mind, thoughts, ਸੋਚ)!

Therefore, the bottom line is – for a Sikh – Awakening of the Giyan (Knowledge) within is must in order to live a purposeful life, for Giyan (Knowledge) is the giver of real gifts (‘Daataa-ਦਾਤਾ’) in life!

• ਗੁਰੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਡੁਬਦਾ ਲਏ ਤਰਾਇ ॥੨॥ : The Guru (Giyan, Knowledge…) is the giver (of gifts),  the Guru (Giyan, Knowledge…) is All-powerful, and (Giyan, Knowledge…) is within all of us (in our brain). The Guru (Giyan, Knowledge…) understands Rabb (Universal Energy, Kudrat…), and in case you are failing or sinking in life, this Guru (Giyan, Knowledge…) can rescue you. (sggs 49).

As evident, Sikhi we see out there today in most part is not a Sikhi of the SGGS. Instead, it’s a Sikhi of the self-serving Pujaaree. As Guru Nanak asserts – mere brandishing religious paraphernalia on one’s ephemeral body-frame is not a Sikhi of the SGGS.

• ਭੇਖੁ ਭਵਨੀ ਹਠੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਚੁ ਗਹਿ ਰਹੇ ॥੧॥ : I know nothing about religious robes, pilgrimages or stubbornness; O Nanak, I only hold tight to the Truth ||1|| (sggs 843).

Unfortunately, the illiterate and deceptive Pujaaree-Vaad in Sikhi has made the SGGS an object of worship like an idol – Karamkaand (rituals), keeping it wrapped in expensive clothes (Rumaalaas), reading it in ritualistic manners (Akhand Paaths, Nit-Nem, etc.), displaying it on expensive Palkis, traveling it in helicopters, empty bowing, performing Mayaic prayers in front of the SGGS, filling Golak (money, business, ਧੰਧਾ) on its name etc.

• ਇਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਸਭੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਚੇ ਕੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੋਤਿ ॥ ਗੁਹਜ ਰਤਨ ਵਿਚਿ ਲੁਕਿ ਰਹੇ ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਕਢੈ ਖੋਤਿ ॥ : This body (or human life) is Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature); Within it is the Creator’s ‘Jot‘ (Light-Conscience) is within it. Hidden or embedded within (this ‘Jot‘ or Conscience) are the Jewels (of Godly Virtues, Wisdom etc.); a ‘rare‘ person digs them out from the depth of Conscience through the Message of the Shabad by becoming ‘Sevak’ (Sikh: learner, seeker, Gurmukh, Daas, Jan etc.). (sggs 309).

Some related posts:

• Intellect Must Awaken to Wisdom
• The Satgur’s Sword of Wisdom
• Explosion of the Gurbani’s Wisdom
• Gurbani Says Fire the Bomb of Wisdom
• Storm of Wisdom
• Gurbani’s wisdom is meant to be understood and lived
• Mind Must Bathe in the Pool of Wisdom/Virtues
• Knowledge is Taken, not Given
• One Without Wisdom is Plundered
• Spiritual Wisdom Protects from Deception and Fraud
• Using Wisdom
• Cultivating Knowledge
• Light Symbolizes Knowledge
• No Taker of Knowledge
• True knowledge
• Without Knowledge and Naam