Daan – Giving in Charity

Literally, ‘DAAN‘ is giving or offering of material in the name of charity, spirituality, Punn, religious Karamkaand, alms, gift, ਖੈਰਾਤ (ਪੁੰਨ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ) etc. There are numerous verses that reject the ritual or Karamkaand of Daan (offerings), ‘Punn‘ and visiting Teeraths (Yatra, pilgrimages).

The edict of the Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is that Sikhs (students / learners…) must use the sword of Wisdom of the SHABAD when it comes to Karamkaand pertaining to ‘DAAN‘.

In separate post “Poojaa” (worship), we saw how Pujaaree/Brahman/Bipar (priest) deceive and loot poor and ignorant people in the name of his concocted ritual Poojaa (worship). Alas, including the Pujaaree, all the people who believe in God say that all kinds of wealth, fame, power etc are the gift of that God. Then, when everything belongs to that God, then what kind of offering is it to return his gift to him?

• ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਸਭੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕੇਰਾ ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਪੂਜ ਚੜਾਵਏ ॥ : The mind, body and all wealth belong to God; so what can anyone offer to Him in Poojaa (worship)? (sggs 542).
• ਕਿਆ ਦੇਵਉ ਜਾ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੇਰਾ ॥ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਿ ਜਾਉ ਲਖ ਬੇਰਾ ॥ : O God, what may I offer You in gratitude, when everything belongs to You? O God! I am always dedicated to You. (sggs 887).
• ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਦਾਤੀ ਕੀਤੈ ਪੁੰਨਿ ॥ : (God) is not softened or pleased by giving charity or alms (Daan-Punn, ਦਾਨ-ਪੁੱਨ …). (sggs 1237).

The above verses (and many more) makes it clear that God talked about in the SGGS cannot be bribed or corrupted. In other words, if Omnipresent God forgives sins by being pleased with Daan-Punn, Paath-Poojaa etc. then no one is too corrupt and bribe-taking than such God! We think God is like us — corrupt, false, bribe taking etc.! No, God is not like that at all!

• ਪੂਜਾ ਵਰਤ ਤਿਲਕ ਇਸਨਾਨਾ ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਬਹੁ ਦੈਨ ॥ ਕਹੂੰ ਨ ਭੀਜੈ ਸੰਜਮ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਮੀਠੇ ਬੈਨ ॥ : (Rituals or Karamkaand such as) worship, fasting, ceremonial marks on one’s forehead, ablution, generous donations to charities, or speaking sweet words, with none of these the Divine is pleased (sggs 674).

However, the Gurbani tells us ONLY that person can use Wisdom or discriminating intellect (Bibek Budh, Akal-ਅਕਲ) who has internalize the Enlightening spiritual Message contained in Shabad (Gurmukh State of the mind).

In short, Internalization of the Enlightening Message embedded in Shabad is the State of the mind which is characterized by Wisdom, Enlightenment, brave, Good, Virtues, truthfulness, fearlessness, blissfulness (Anand), piety, Joyfulness, positivity, Happiness, balanced and poised life, Living Liberated, Mool-Abidance etc.

Such Guru SHABAD-Oriented mind is beyond relativist consciousness or duality (i.e. two-ness) such as ‘Paap Punn‘, ‘Maan Apmaan’, ‘Dukh Sukh‘ etc.

Since thinking and doing of such mind is all ‘GOOD’, NO question of ‘Paap‘ arises!

The bitter truth is, those of us (including the self-serving clergy) who worry about ‘Paap Punn‘ DO NOT want to understand, accept, Realize or Internalize the Message of the Guru Shabad!

• ਬੇਦ ਬਾਦ ਸਭਿ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣਹਿ ॥ ਨ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਭੀਜੈ ਨ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ॥ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਪਾਪੁ ਸਭੁ ਬੇਦਿ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਜੈ ਹੇ ॥੧੫॥: (The Brahman) explains all the controversies in the Vedas but he has no inner Enlightenment or Understanding of Truth. He keeps talking what is Paap Punn (ritualistic vices or virtues) according to Vedas whereas the Amrit can ONLY be drunk by becoming a Gurmukh (Enlightened). ||15|| (sggs 1050).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਾ ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਸੋਝੀ ਪਾਵੈ ॥: By becoming the Gurmukh, when a human being practices good deeds, then does he come to understand (the nature of) this mind. (sggs 159).

in Sikhi (i.e. the Way of life based on the Wisdom of the SGGS…), Daan offered in the name of spirituality is rejected. Because, as a spiritual act, it is of little or no value. Baabaa Nanak asserts:

• ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਅਨੇਕ ਨਾਵਣ ਕਿਉ ਅੰਤਰ ਮਲੁ ਧੋਵੈ ॥: (Without Naam) No person can wash the filth (of Bikaar) within by performing many ‘Punn Daan’ and pilgrimages. (sggs 243).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਜਨੁ ਚਜੁ ਅਚਾਰੁ ॥: For a Gurmukh (an Enlightened mind), maintaining Virtuous conduct or way of life is like taking a (Teerath-) bath. (sggs 932).

The underlying reason for it’s rejection in Sikhi of the SGGS is that there is no spiritual advancement of the giver or the receiver of Daan as defined, practiced and mandated by the dictates of the Karamkaand (rituals) of the self-serving clergy.

The act of Daan does NOT instill Wisdom or Virtues. To the contrary, it anchors the mind to false ego-sense (Haumai) on the false premise that we are giving something.

• ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਅਰੁ ਦਾਨ ਕਰਿ ਮਨ ਮੈ ਧਰੈ ਗੁਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਹਫਲ ਜਾਤ ਤਿਹ ਜਿਉ ਕੁੰਚਰ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥੪੬॥: (A person’s useless rituals of) undertaking pilgrimages (Teerath Yaatraas), keeping fasts, and making offerings (DAAN), bind the mind in egotism (that I have become Mahatama, religious, and virtuous). Nanak, these actions (that person) are as useless as an elephant cleansing itself (and dirtying itself yet again)! (sggs 1428).

It is this false ego-sense (Haumai) which then begins to think that by giving it has become noble, virtuous, spiritual, Mahaatmaa etc.

• ਸਤੀਆ ਮਨਿ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਦੇਣੈ ਕੈ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਮੰਗਹਿ ਸਹਸਾ ਗੂਣਾ ਸੋਭ ਕਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ : People who want to give (in charity, donation) pretend to be content. They (save money, food and so on) to give to religious causes etc. But they are beggars, not benefactors. Because they ask Rabb for a thousand times more than what they give. They do this show-off and wish the world to honor them. (sggs 466).

In fact, the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS tells us that we humans do not own anything on our own accord!

So, how can we even think of giving (DAAN) something which we don’t even own in the first place?

• ਤੇਰੋ ਕੀਆ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਅਰਪਉ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਚਵਰ ਢੋਲਾਰੇ ॥੩॥: (All this Kudrat – System-Rule-Law of Nature is made by You- O God) What shall I place before You out of what You created? Your Naam (Wisdom, Virtues…) is the fan, which I wave over You (meaning rituals such as Aarti etc. is ostentation and false. Remembering Naam is the right way of life). ||3|| (sggs 694).

We often hear explanations such as, ‘Well, once I have given donation, I care less what the receiver does with it.’

This is a great FALLACY!

This fallacy is totally refuted by the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS. Such foolishness will come back to haunt the giver as well as rest of the society! We cannot escape the consequences of our stupidity.

That said, sharing comes with responsibility and accountability.

The self-serving Pujaaree (clergy) and the Pujaaree systems have been employing two-prong tactic to swindle the foolish and gullible people — fear and greed (ਡਰ ਅਤੇ ਲਾਲਚ).

They scare (fear-ਡਰ) people by telling them if they don’t give clergy everything in Daan (charity), then they would suffer (Dukh) in this life and in the next life.

On the other hand, they tell people (i.e. greed-ਲਾਲਚ) if you generously give, then they would enjoy happiness (Sukh) in this life as well as in the next life here after in heaven!

This nonsense is all critiqued, debunked and rejected in the SGGS.

Daan practice and gross oppression and loot of people

The spirit of self-interest is at work behind every scheme that runs the practice of charity (Daan). The Brahmin-Vaad, having created the outline of religion of his own concoctions, wrote it down in his religious scriptures and then propagated it in such a planned manner that the people accepted the profound influence of this fraud of the Brahmin (priest/Pujaaree). The crafty Brahmin completely hammered his religious self-interest in the minds of the unsuspecting people. Using that religious interest, the greed of receiving many times more rewards (than the Daan), he kept inspiring the ignorant public to perform Daan Punn (charity…) by trapping them in the fear of the terrible disasters that would befall them if they don’t. In fulfillment of this crafty plan, many such stories were fabricated and written in their religious scriptures. The effect of which is that (except for a few Gurmukhs — enlightened) almost all those who give Daan (charity) are filled with the desire and greedy hope of (in return for the donation):

• getting back many times more wealth in return for their donations (Daan),
• feeling of being freed from the fear of punishment for misdeeds is at work,
• happiness of himself or someone close to him,
• desiresuccess of his financial activities (i.e. profit from vile acts such as robbery, theft, cheating etc.),
• get sins, transgressions, vices, etc destroyed,
• salvation, stay in heaven,
• God’s mercy and favors forever,
• and so on.

That said – out of ignorance, fear and greed – gullible people give the clergy gold, horses, elephants, food, clothes, land, etc. Not only that, people even give away their wives in Daan to the clergy to enjoy them! How stupid is that? The 5th Mahal and Bhagat Naam Dev Ji explain all this as follows,

• ਮਕਰ ਪ੍ਰਾਗਿ ਦਾਨੁ ਬਹੁ ਕੀਆ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਦੀਓ ਅਧ ਕਾਟਿ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਕੋ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ਬਹੁ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਕਟਿ ਕਾਟ ॥੨॥ : (According to Bipran/Brahman-veed belief), in the auspicious month of Maagh one may have given lot of charity (Daan) at Prayaag (so called sacred place), and got his body cut into two halves, one may give huge amounts of gold pieces (in Daan), but no one attains liberation from vices without lovingly remembering God’s Naam. ||2||(sggs 986).
• ਕਨਿਕ ਕਾਮਿਨੀ ਹੈਵਰ ਗੈਵਰ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਦਾਨੁ ਦਾਤਾਰਾ ॥ ਅੰਨ ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਭੂਮਿ ਬਹੁ ਅਰਪੇ ਨਹ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਦੁਆਰਾ ॥੪॥: A person may give Daan (charity, gifts, donations…) of all sorts – gold, women, horses and elephants. One may make offerings of food, clothes and land in abundance, but this will not lead him to the Door of Hari (Mool, Pure Nature, Jot Saroop, Truth, Wisdom, Virtues, ਅਕਲ, ਦਿਮਾਗ, ਗਿਆਨ…). ||4||(sggs 642).
• ਅਸੁ ਦਾਨ ਗਜ ਦਾਨ ਸਿਹਜਾ ਨਾਰੀ ਭੂਮਿ ਦਾਨ ਐਸੋ ਦਾਨੁ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਆਤਮ ਜਉ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਕੀਜੈ ਆਪ ਬਰਾਬਰਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਿ ਤਊ ਨ ਪੂਜੈ ॥੩॥: (O my hypocritical mind!) if horses are given away in Daan (charity, gifts, donations…), if elephants are given away in Daan, if women on their beds are given away in Daan, if land is given away in Daan; if such gifts are given over and over again; if own-self is offered in Daan, and give away in Daan his body weight in gold; none of these is equal to the Divine Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…). ||3|| (sggs 973).
• ਅਰਧ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਕਟਾਈਐ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਵਤੁ ਧਰਾਇ ॥ ਤਨੁ ਹੈਮੰਚਲਿ ਗਾਲੀਐ ਭੀ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੈ ਤੁਲਿ ਨ ਪੁਜਈ ਸਭ ਡਿਠੀ ਠੋਕਿ ਵਜਾਇ ॥੩॥ : One may have the body cut into two (aradh) halves by putting the (karvat-u) saw on the head. One may let his body be frozen/degenerate in the snow of Himalaya mountain, even than the mind would not be free of the disease (i.e. false ego-sense/Vices/Bikaar…). I have seen, and confirmed that none of such ritualistic deeds equal to obedience to Divine Naam. ॥3॥ (sggs 62).

It gets even more bizarre! In additions to taking people’s wives in Daan, the corrupt and slave of his senses Pujaaree (Bipran/Brahman) concocted scheme of Kanniya Daan — people offering (Daan) him their singe (unmarried, virgin) girls. To fulfill this plan, many concocted stories have been written in religious scriptures (Puran…). for example:

• Stories that encourage daughters to give to charity.
• Donating a virgin brings salvation.
• Depiction of all gods as lustful and lewd in concocted legends.
• Earning of merit by marrying single (unmarried) girl to a stone idol of a god.
• Gods and incarnations as lovers of virgin girls or are willing to marry countless girls, and so on.

Ignorant, brainwashed, and doubt-ridden people married minor girls to stones and left them at the mercy of the lustful and lewd Brahman (priest).  He brainwashed people believing that the entire basis of the happiness of the god in the stone idol is the happiness of Brahman!

The 5th Mahal explains this:

• ਮਨ ਕਾਮਨਾ ਤੀਰਥ ਜਾਇ ਬਸਿਓ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਵਤ ਧਰਾਏ ॥ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਜੇ ਲਖ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਾਏ ॥੩॥: With the mind’s desires, a person may go and dwell at sacred places of pilgrimage, and offer his head to be sawn off; but this will not cause the filth of his mind to depart, even though he may make Lakhs of efforts (1 Lakh = 100 thousands). ||3|| (sggs 642).

Even today, all this nonsense and Pakhand (ਪਖੰਡ) still goes on, but in a slightly different form!

For example, instead of horses and elephants, brainwashed people donate expensive cars to Baabaas or Deraas. Also, instead of ‘giving away women on their beds (ਸਿਹਜਾ ਨਾਰੀ)’, people send their women (ਬਹੂ-ਬੇਟੀ) to Baabaas or Deraas in hope to conceive sons! It’s similar to the practice of Brahmin Pujaaree-Vaad, who for centuries kept young girls in temples as sex slaves — ‘Devadasi‘ tradition (ਦੇਵਦਾਸੀ ਪ੍ਰਥਾ) — bases of lewd activities (ਐਸ਼-ਪਰਸਤੀ). Apparently, these people are still living in a stone-age!

Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS does not promote or support double standard. Hence, whatever Karamkaand (rituals) is said to be bad for others in Gurbani, is also bad for Sikhs! If any of us thinks otherwise, that person is a fake or Pakhandee Sikh (ਪਖੰਡੀ ਸਿੱਖ – pretentious Sikh)!

The Gurbani teaches us that the majority of us imitate what we see other people do – ‘Dekhaa Dekhee‘ (‘ਦੇਖਾ ਦੇਖੀ’, ‘Monkey see, monkey do’, etc).

• ਦੇਖਾ ਦੇਖੀ ਸਭ ਕਰੇ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝ ਨ ਪਾਇ ॥: Manmukhs (Unenlightened persons) do everything seeing other people do to make a show (Pakhand, ਦੇਖਾ ਦੇਖੀ, ਨਕਲ, ਦਿਖਾਵਾ…), but they themselves have no understanding of the true way of living. (sggs 28).

In spite of having this New Treasure of Wisdom (i.e. SGGS), Sikhs are still groping in ignorance, delusion, and are being taken for ride by the corrupt clergy that preach pre-1469 concocted belief system of Bipar-Vaad/Brahman-Vaad.

• 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 (Giaan-Wisdom) if we fall into the well (of ignorance, Maya, vices or Bikaar) even with that lamp in our hands? (sggs 1376).

On account of fear and greed, if one indiscriminately gives, then one has involuntarily become instrument, accessory or partner in whatever the receiver does with one’s charity or donation.

One thing is certain – you can be sure it will certainly be utilized for wasteful and dysfunctional activities, lewd (ਐਸ਼ਪਰਸਤੀ) or nefarious activities to spread trouble in the society and in the world.

Because wealth in the hands of a fool is worse than the poverty of a learned! It injures both the giver and the receiver, and the society at large! This is why the Gurbani asserts that ‘Paap and Punn‘ are both the same. It’s like casting gold before cattle or casting pearls before cranes!

• ਚਉਣੇ ਸੁਇਨਾ ਪਾਈਐ ਚੁਣਿ ਚੁਣਿ ਖਾਵੈ ਘਾਸੁ ॥: Though gold may be placed before a herd of cattle, but they will pick out the grass to eat (i.e., cattle have no appreciation for gold)! (sggs 143).
• ਹੰਸਾ ਹੀਰਾ ਮੋਤੀ ਚੁਗਣਾ ਬਗੁ ਡਡਾ ਭਾਲਣ ਜਾਵੈ ॥: The swans peck at the diamonds and pearls, while the crane chases after frogs. (sggs 960).

Also, the majority of us give in charity in hope for sanctifying dishonest lifestyle or wealth accumulated with corrupt means and misappropriation.

Then, in a futile bid to get the ill-gotten wealth sanctified or blessed, we give some of it to charity institutions, to build temples, to open hospitals, to serve Langar or free food distribution, and so on. Bigger the charity or donation, bigger the corruption behind it!

• ਸਤੀ ਪਾਪੁ ਕਰਿ ਸਤੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥: Those human beings who show themselves or claim to be virtuous and religious, but in reality they commit Bikaar, perversion etc. (although outwardly) they only show that they are practicing Truth (or Dharma etc.)! (sggs 951).
• ਪਿਆਰੇ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਮਿਲਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਮੈ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਮ ਅਨੇਕਾ ॥ ਹਾਰਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਕੈ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਦੀਜੈ ਬੁਧਿ ਬਿਬੇਕਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: My dear! I have performed many such rituals, but the Divine (Wisdom, Virtues…) is not realized by these methods (ਤਰੀਕੇ). (Realizing the worthlessness of ritualistic practices/methods) I gave up performing these and I have placed my at the sanctuary/care of Giyan-Guru and pray for the grant of BIBEK BUDHI (discerning intellect/mind). ||Pause|| (sggs 641).

Not only that, on account of ignorance of the Gurmat or Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak, the majority of us make material offerings (Daan-Punn) to our dead ancestors using the ill-gotten wealth (ਜੇ ਮੋਹਾਕਾ ਘਰੁ ਮੁਹੈ ਘਰੁ ਮੁਹਿ ਪਿਤਰੀ ਦੇਇ ॥… sggs 472)! The Gurbani rejects all this circus of our corrupt mind.

Further, our false ego-sense (Haumai) expects something in return from Daan-Punn. Any expectations from it almost always disappoint. It is so because with every unfulfilled expectation comes the seed of disappointment.

• ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਜੇਤਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥: People take their cleansing baths, and give to charity again and again, but they are ultimately consumed by their love of duality (sggs 34).

Listen to any Ardaas (ਅਰਦਾਸ-prayer) in any Gurdwara around the world. The majority of Sikhs (perhaps over 99%) who have given something insist their names be announced in the Ardaas, or inscribed on walls, floors or objects of the Gurdwara, or honored and recognized with Siropa, or given some position in the Gurdwara committee etc.

These are manifestations of the negative impact of the false ego-sense (Haumai) that has become rotten with the pride of worldly possessions.

Apparently, this is of no concern to the self-serving clergy. They care only for their earnings (Golak, ਧੰਧਾ) and have thus taken over the role of the Brahmin clergy that is critiqued by our Gurus and Bhagats in the Gurbani.

Gurmat Re-defines Daan

In a nutshell, according to the Gurmat, the ‘Perfect’ charity is Naam — divine Giyan-Wisdom…!

• ਨਾਮੁ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪੂਰਨ ਦਾਨੁ ॥: My perfect donation is Naam (divine Wisdom…). (sggs 1145).
• ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਾਗੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ ਤਜਿ ਮੋਹੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਸਗਲ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥੨॥੧॥੩੮॥: Removing (from within) attachment (i.e. Bikaar), doubt and all pride, Nanak asks for the Daan of Naam. ||2||1||38|| (sggs 1305).
• ਜੈਸੇ ਸਤ ਮੰਦਰ ਕੰਚਨ ਕੇ ਉਸਾਰ ਦੀਨੇ ਤੈਸਾ ਪੁੰਨ ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਇਕ ਸਬਦ ਸਿਖਾਏ ਕਾ । : Just as a hundred temples are built with gold and then donated, so is the teaching of a Shabad to a GurSikh. (Bhai Gurdas Ji).

This means there can be no sharing if one has not earned a decent and honest living in the first place (Dharam Dee Kirat Kamaaee – ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਤ ਕਮਾਈ).

• ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥: One who eats by working diligently (with honesty…) and helps the needy in the right way out of this noble work; O Nanak! Only such people have come to know the right way of life. ||1|| (sggs 1245).

The Guru’s command is that man should learn to offer everything that will benefit him/her — discarding of all vices/Bikaar. Gurmat’s inspiration is to abandon one’s egoistic beliefs/mentality and mold one’s mind according to the counsel (Upadesh) of the Guru Shabad.

• ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਲੋਭ ਮਦ ਮਤਸਰ ਇਹ ਅਰਪਿ ਸਗਲ ਦਾਨੁ ਕੀਨਾ ॥ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇ ਹਰਿ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਓ ਤਉ ਮਿਲਿਓ ਸਗਲ ਪ੍ਰਬੀਨਾ ॥੧॥ : My giving ‘Daan’ is to discard my lust, anger, greed, false ego-sense and envy forever (etc all vices/Bikaar). With the Guru given medicine of God’s Naam, and firmly implanting his teachings within I realized the all proficient God. ||1||(sggs 1210).

Gurbani (SGGS) rejects Bipran/Brahmnaical Karamkaand. That said, there is no single Shabad in the SGGS that suggests offering material things to such a Guru who connects one with the Creator. To associate offering of material things with the same Guru as with the with Bipran/Brahmnaical corruption is a severe disrespect of the Guru (ਤੇਰੋ ਕੀਆ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਅਰਪਉ…).

• ਹਉ ਮਨੁ ਅਰਪੀ ਸਭੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਰਪੀ ਅਰਪੀ ਸਭਿ ਦੇਸਾ ॥ : I will surrender my mind (false ego-sense of corrupt intellect), I will surrender my entire body (Seva-service done with the body) and I will surrender all my sensory organs (enslavement of senses). (sggs 247).
• ਝੂਠਾ ਮੰਗਣੁ ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਮਾਗੈ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਮਰਤੇ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ॥ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਜੋ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਸੇਵੈ ਸੋ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਕਹਣਾ ॥੧॥ : One who asks for a false gift (perishable things – ਨਾਸਵੰਤ ਪਦਾਰਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ), will not take even an instant to die (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ – death of his spiritual life). But one who continually serves the Transcendent, meeting the Guru, he is said to have become simple or free of wiles (ਅਡੋਲ, free of Maya’s cravings, free of desires, etc.). ||1|| (sggs 109).
• ਮਾਇਆ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਚਲਈ ਕਿਆ ਲਪਟਾਵਹਿ ਅੰਧ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਰਣ ਧਿਆਇ ਤੂ ਤੂਟਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਬੰਧ ॥੨॥ : O spiritually blind mortal, Maya will not go along with you in the end, so why do you cling to it? Focus on the Guru’s Wisdom, so that your bonds of Maya may get broken. ||2|| (sggs 1093).

Therefore, using the Divine Giyan-Wisdom (Bibek, Akal-ਅਕਲ), it’s our responsibility to seek out those in real need. This will make one’s sharing truly meaningful. Hence, the SGGS counsels all Sikhs that a brain devoid of Wisdom leads to Satanic or devilish life.

• ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਤਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਜੀਵਿਆ ਜਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਵੇਚਹਿ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਖੇਤੀ ਜਿਨ ਕੀ ਉਜੜੈ ਖਲਵਾੜੇ ਕਿਆ ਥਾਉ ॥ ਸਚੈ ਸਰਮੈ ਬਾਹਰੇ ਅਗੈ ਲਹਹਿ ਨ ਦਾਦਿ ॥ ਅਕਲਿ ਏਹ ਨ ਆਖੀਐ ਅਕਲਿ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਬਾਦਿ ॥ ਅਕਲੀ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸੇਵੀਐ ਅਕਲੀ ਪਾਈਐ ਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਅਕਲੀ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਕੈ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਅਕਲੀ ਕੀਚੈ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖੈ ਰਾਹੁ ਏਹੁ ਹੋਰਿ ਗਲਾਂ ਸੈਤਾਨੁ ॥੧॥: Accursed is the life who (on account of their selfishness and greed) read and reflect on Naam to sell it in the form of Mantras or magic. They are like those whose crop is continuously destroyed, (as a result) they have nothing to thrash! Without proper self-effort (to know ownself etc.) their future life is wasted. Intellect is not which is wasted in futile arguments. Use intellect in the service of God; the right use of intellect brings respect. Learn by intelligent reading and use intelligence in practice of charity (to help the needy). Says Nanak, this is the right way of life while other things (failure to apply discerning intellect) lead to wickedness. ||1|| (sggs 1245).

That said, if a Sikh does not use Wisdom (Bibek, Akal-ਅਕਲ) in sharing, then it will be meaningless, Pakhand and Kapat (fraud etc.).

• ਛੋਡਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਰੇ ਪਾਖੰਡੀ ਮਨ ਕਪਟੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥: Surrender the pretense; do not betray (fraud etc.) your Conscience. (sggs 973).
• ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥: Through hypocrisy, Bhagti cannot be done, and Paarbrahm is not Realized (sggs 849).

Having said that, the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS asserts that humans (including Sikhs!) cannot be DAANEE (ਦਾਨੀ, giver of Daan).

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥: The spirituality of the Shabad Cleanses the mind of false-ego-sense (Isnaan-‘ਇਸਨਾਨੁ’); enabling an exemplary life of ‘Naam Daan‘ (i.e. exemplary life of divine Wisdom-Virtue-ਗੁ੍ਣ so that who come across you may emulate you). (sggs 942).
• ਮਾਘਿ ਮਜਨੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਧੂਆ ਧੂੜੀ ਕਰਿ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਸੁਣਿ ਸਭਨਾ ਨੋ ਕਰਿ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ ਜਨਮ ਕਰਮ ਮਲੁ ਉਤਰੈ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਜਾਇ ਗੁਮਾਨੁ ॥ : In Maagh (on the day of Maaghee, people consider ritual bathing at the so called Teerath places to be very meritorious, but you, O Sikh!) bathe in the Company of the Guru — bathe in the dust of Gur-Charan meaning Internalize Giaan-Wisdom-Virtues-ਗੁਣ or Message of the Shabad. Listen and contemplate the divine Naam (Wisdom-Virtue-ਗੁ੍ਣ); and live an exemplary life of Godly Virtues (so that whosoever come across you may emulate those you: Daan-‘ਦਾਨੁ’). (In this way) the impurity accumulated during ‘Janam Karma‘ (i.e. activities done through the process of spiritual Journey — e.g. the impurity such as ‘I know’, ‘I’m better than others’, ‘I’m spiritually elevated’, ‘I have Realized God’ etc.) are cleansed, and egotistical pride is removed from the mind. (sggs 135).

For a real Sikh, the Guru or God is the ONLY Daanee (Giver).

• ਨਾਮ ਦਾਨੁ ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਦੀਓ ਮੈ ਏਹੋ ਆਧਾਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: The Perfect GURU has given me the DAAN of the Naam; I have made it (my life’s) support. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 401).
• ਤੂ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦਾਤਾ ਦਾਨਿ ਮਤਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਹਮ ਥਾਰੇ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਮੈ ਕਿਆ ਮਾਗਉ ਕਿਛੁ ਥਿਰੁ ਨ ਰਹਾਈ ਹਰਿ ਦੀਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਬਨਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਗੁਪਤੋ ਵਰਤੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਦੇਖਿ ਨਿਹਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ … : O God (present within)! You are the Great Giver and perfect in Wisdom, we are merely your beggars (who subsist on Your Great Giving). What else I can ask for? Nothing lasts forever. O God! Please Bless with Your Naam (Wisdom / Virtues). ||1|| God pervades Within each and everyone. In the water, on the land and in the sky (O God, You) pervades but hidden; You are revealed through the Enlightening Message of the Guru’s Shabad (i.e. O my mind, see THAT ONE Universal Energy through internalizing the spiritual Message of the Guru‘s Shabad). ||Pause|| … (sggs 597).

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