Gurbani Defines ‘Panth’

The word ‘Panth‘ in the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) is used for spiritual path (ਅਧਿਆਤਮਿਕ ਮਾਰਗ), NOT for a worldly entity, or a sect, or a group, or a way of worldly or social life.

  • ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਕਾਟਿ ਦੇਉ ਗੁਰ ਆਗੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਪੰਥੁ ਦਿਖਈਆ ॥੨॥ : I offer my body and mind to the Guru (Upadesh or Message of Shabad) for teaching me the Way (‘Panth’) to realize the Creator. (sggs 836).
  • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪੰਥ ਨਿਰੋਲੁ ਨ ਰੋਲਣਿ ਰੋਲੀਐ । : The Way (‘Panth’) of Gurmukh is clear and distinct; it cannot be subsumed and dissipated by any one. (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar19, Pauri 20).

This word ‘PANTH-ਪੰਥੁ’ is derived from Sanskrit Patha or Pantham means literally a Way, Path, ਰਸਤਾ, ਮਾਰਗ, ਰਾਹ etc.

And, ‘Panthi-ਪੰਥੀ’ or ‘Pathik-ਪਥਿਕ’ means traveler, ਰਾਹਗੀਰ, ਰਾਹੀ etc.

Some political leaders, religious leaders, political organization based on religion, a specific sect, Jathedars etcetera think them to be the ‘Panth‘. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

  • ਗੁਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦਾਤੈ ਪੰਥੁ ਬਤਾਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਆਇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਰੀ ॥ : Satguru, the bestower (of Giyan-Wisdom), showed me the WAY to realize God within. (sggs 170).
  • ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੰਥਿ ਚਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਿਖਾ ॥ : Many Sikhs accompanied the Satguru and followed the Path/Way (‘Panth’) shown by the Guru. (sggs 1116).

Gurbani defines the word ‘PANTH‘ as Sikhi or Gurmat Way of life

Not based on political/religious leaders, Jathedar, Parchaaraks, Ragis etcetera but based on the enlightening Message or Counsel of the Shabad (SGGS), PANTH-ਪੰਥੁ’ refers to a spiritual ‘Way of life‘. In other words, Sikhi of Guru Nanak is not a religion or a tribe or a sect in a particular geographical location of the world, instead, it is a universal Way of fearless, impartial, selfless, independent, healthy, happy spiritual life.

  • ਵਾਟ ਹਮਾਰੀ ਖਰੀ ਉਡੀਣੀ ॥ ਖੰਨਿਅਹੁ ਤਿਖੀ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਪਿਈਣੀ ॥ ਉਸੁ ਊਪਰਿ ਹੈ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਸੇਖ ਫਰੀਦਾ ਪੰਥੁ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰਿ ਸਵੇਰਾ ॥੪॥੧॥: The path of life upon which we must walk is extremely difficult. It is keener than the sharpest two-edged sword. Upon it is where I must tread. Sheikh Farid, I must remember to start upon that path early in life. ||4||1|| (sggs 794).

The word ‘Panth‘ is mentioned many times in the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). However, nowhere does ‘Panth‘ mean a specific ‘group’ of people in a specific geographical location, political or religious leaders, Jathedar etc.

  • ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਪੰਥੁ ਨ ਸੂਝਈ ਕਿਤੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਿਰਬਹੀਐ ॥੨॥ : Without the Guru (Giyan-Wisdom), the spiritually blind cannot determine the right WAY of life. How can anyone proceed? ॥2॥ (sggs 229).
  • ਨਾਇ ਮੰਨਿਐ ਪੰਥੁ ਪਰਗਟਾ ਨਾਮੇ ਸਭ ਲੋਈ ॥ : By believing in Naam (Wisdom / Virtues…), the Path (or Way) of life becomes clearly visible and through Naam, the Light of divine Wisdom spreads. (sggs 1241).

Hence, as envisaged by the Guru Shabad (SGGS), ‘Panth‘ is a spiritual Way of life that teaches (1) there is One Creator, (2) This One Creator extends into everything including all humans without distinction as the One Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ), (3) and this one Omnipresent Creator must be realized within. This is the base / Foundational principle of Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak:

  • ਮੇਰੈ ਹੀਅਰੈ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਇ ਕੀ ਗੁਰਿ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਪੰਥੁ ਬਤਾਇਆ ॥ : My Heart is filled with the Love of God, and the Guru has shown me the WAY to realize God within. (sggs 172).

Thus, for a person to become a ‘Panthak’ or ‘Pathic‘ of the Sikhi Way of life, one has to follow the ‘Panth‘/WAY of life Counseled by the Guru Shabad (SGGS) – internalization of the enlightening spiritual Message contained in the Shabad.

  • ਇਕੁ ਉਤਮ ਪੰਥੁ ਸੁਨਿਓ ਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਤਿਹ ਮਿਲੰਤ ਜਮ ਤ੍ਰਾਸ ਮਿਟਾਈ ॥ : I have heard a spiritually High Path with the company of the Guru (Message/Counsel of the Shabad), by joining which I have rid myself of the affliction of vices/Bikaar. (sggs 1406).
  • ਮੰਨੈ ਮਗੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਪੰਥੁ ॥ : The Spiritual State of BECOMING precludes traversing prescribed path (by the different religions, etc.). (sggs 3).

In other words, a person enlightened through the spiritual Message contained in the Shabad (SGGS) realizes, remembers and lives the Sikhi or Gurmat ‘Panth‘ (Gurmat’s Spiritual Way of life ).

  • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਾ ਨੋ ਪੰਥੁ ਪਰਗਟਾ ਦਰਿ ਠਾਕ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਪਾਇ ॥ : The divine Path is revealed to the Gurmukhs (Enlightened/Guru Shbad-Oriented) and they face no hurdles in their Way to God Realization. (sggs 42).
  • ਪੰਥੁ ਦਸਾਵਾ ਨਿਤ ਖੜੀ ਮੁੰਧ ਜੋਬਨਿ ਬਾਲੀ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥ : Constantly keep remembering the spiritual Path of God Realization. (sggs 449).

Guru Nanak’s Spirituality is a ‘NIRMAL’ (Pure) and ‘NIRALA’ (Unique) Way of life

At the time of Guru Nanak’s arrival (1469), two ideologies (ਵਿਚਾਰ ਧਾਰਾ) were dominant in India — (1) Brahmin (Pujaaree-clergy) influence, madness of belief in caste system (Jaat Paat) in the society, idol worship in temples and related rituals (karamkaand) etc., and (2) Muslim influence in which Islamic Sharia and forced conversion of people into Islam was dominant. The thought of living an  independent life with self-respect and and letting others live the same was missing in both. This is how Guru Nanak has painted the picture of miserable, self-respect less and immoral life of that time:

  • ਕਲਿ ਕਾਤੀ ਰਾਜੇ ਕਾਸਾਈ ਧਰਮੁ ਪੰਖ ਕਰਿ ਉਡਰਿਆ ॥ ਕੂੜੁ ਅਮਾਵਸ ਸਚੁ ਚੰਦ੍ਰਮਾ ਦੀਸੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਹ ਚੜਿਆ ॥ ਹਉ ਭਾਲਿ ਵਿਕੁੰਨੀ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਆਧੇਰੈ ਰਾਹੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ : ‘Kali’ (corrupt state of the mind) is like a sharp knife. Kings (and their officers) who protect the people are behaving like butchers (ਜਾਲਮ). The true principle of Dharma is as if taken wings and flown away. The falsehood all around seems to have spread like a pitch dark night (of Masya). The moon of truth is nowhere to be seen! I have grown frustrated in search for the moon of truth. In this darkness, I CAN NOT FIND THE PATH (‘ਰਾਹੁ’-Rah, ਮਾਰਗ-Marag). (sggs 145).
  • ਅੰਧੀ ਰਯਤਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣੀ ਭਾਹਿ ਭਰੇ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ॥ : (Because of) deprived of the Divine Knowledge, people (as if have become mentally) blind (ignorant), and are engaged in gratifying their fire (of desires, Maya…). (sggs 469).
  • ਕਾਜੀ ਹੋਏ ਰਿਸਵਤੀ ਵਢੀ ਲੈ ਕੈ ਹਕ ਗਵਾਈ । : Qazis have become bribable (crook, criminal…), they take bribes and have lost their high regards and position. (BhaI Gurdas, Vaar1, Pauri 30).

Guru Nanak showed world the PATH (‘ਰਾਹੁ’-Rah, ਮਾਰਗ-Marag, ਰਸਤਾ-Rasta…) — a spiritual Way of life based on the Message or Counsel contained in the Shabad (SGGS) — is ‘Nirmal (Pure) and ‘Nirala‘ (Unique) BECAUSE it is free from the contamination of the pre-1469 beliefs, practices and mindset that have been rejected and discarded by Guru Nanak in no uncertain terms.

  • ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਿਕਾ ਜਗਤ੍ਰਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਇਆ । : In the world of spirituality, the Way (of spirituality or Sikhi) of Nanak has its Trademark in its Uniqueness as being ‘Nirmal‘ (pure — free from contamination/impurities of the existing pre-1469 beliefs). (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar1, Pauri 45).
  • ਸਬਦਿ ਜਿਤੀ ਸਿਧਿ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਕੀਤੋਸੁ ਅਪਣਾ ਪੰਥੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ । : Through (the power of the) Shabad (Guru Nanak) won over the group of Siddhs and propounded his altogether new/Unique (‘Nirala‘) ‘Panth‘ or way of life. (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar1, Pauri 31).

The difference between Guru Nanak’s Sikhi Way of life and organized religions (ਮਜ਼ਹਬ) is that religions are based on blind faith (Andh Vishvaas-ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ), BUT THE NIRMLAL-Pure‘ SIKHI OF GURU NANAK IS A ‘NIRALA-UniqueWAY OF LIFE BASED ON REASON, LOGIC, BIBEK BUDH (ਤਰਕ), WISDOM (GIYAN-ਗਿਆਨ) AND DIVINE VIRTUES (Gun-ਗੁਣ)!

To make a ‘Nirala Panth‘ means to make a Unique Way of spiritual life. Guru Nanak did that by rejecting the traditionalists with pre-1469 mindset, and created a Pure (Nirmal) and Unique Way of life (i.e. Nirala).

But to be ‘Nirmal‘ and ‘Nirala‘, the work should also be ‘Nirmal‘ and ‘Nirala‘! However, the reality is that the Pujaaree in Sikhi still follows the same rejected pre-1469 beliefs, mindset and religiosity — blind worship, rituals (Karamkaand), fake stories (ਗੱਪ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ), religious paraphernalia, religious robes, ritual pilgrim (Teerath Yatra), Pakhand, ritual bathing (Ishnaan), ritual chanting etcetera that have been rejected and discarded by Guru Nanak.

Gurbani’s Enlightening Message is universal and egalitarian

Sikh Gurus and Bhagats were humanist leaders instead of sectarian narrow thinkers. Their Bani in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) connects each one of us with the entire humanity — the spirituality of ‘ੴ ‘ (Eko or Iko). Guru Nanak used ‘ੴ ‘ for the ENTIRE UNIVERSE! Simply put, ‘ੴ ‘ means one within everything and everywhere —  unity of both the Creator and the Creation. Aptly, nowhere the Gurbani teaches us to make a separate distinction from rest of the humanity. It teaches there is only ONE God and we humans are the children of this ONE Creator!

That said, the edict of the Guru Shabad is that the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS is ‘ਸਾਝੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਹਾਨੈ: Saajhee Sagal Jahaanai‘ — applicable to the entire world. Hence, its spiritual Message is NOT LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC location, religion, occasion, person, group, incident or era! It is relevant in all times, all locations, and the entire humanity in the world.

  • ਪਰਥਾਇ ਸਾਖੀ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਸਾਝੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਹਾਨੈ ॥ : The Great Men may be speaking about or addressing certain story or a particular situation, but the Teaching in those is applicable to the entire world. (sggs 647).

Therefore, the spiritual Message embedded within the Shabad) is not only for the Sikhs but also the source of spiritual Enlightenment for the entire humanity in the world to take and benefit from it.

  • ਭਰਮੁ ਜਰਾਇ ਚਰਾਈ ਬਿਭੂਤਾ ਪੰਥੁ ਏਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਪੇਖਿਆ ॥ : I have burnt my doubt and smeared my body with the ash of this burnt doubt. Now my Path in life is to see God everywhere. (sggs 208).

Ending

Simply put, Sikhi of Guru Nanak is not a tribe or a sect, or a pre-1469 spirituality. Instead, it is a universal Way (Path or Panth) of egalitarian and elevating spiritual life. Our Gurus and Bhagats walked this Path with their humanistic thinking, Virtues, and wishing the Entire Humanity well (‘SARBAT DA BHALA’).

  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਭਨਾ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਮਨਾਇਦਾ ਤਿਸ ਦਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਕਿਉ ਹੋਇ ॥ : Satiguru (The Creator-Realizing Counsel that is contained within the Shabad) bestows the good understanding to all. A mind which realizes Bibek Budh (discerning intellect) through the Gurmat follows the straight path and wishes good of all (‘SARBAT DA BHALA‘). (sggs 302).

Aptly, Guru Nanak wants us to WALK THE PATH, NOT JUST KNOW THE PATH!

  • ਨਾਨਕ ਗਇਆ ਜਾਪੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੩੪॥: Says Nanak — (I) have walked on the Spiritual Path and have Realized / Understood; now you walk on this Spiritual Path and Realize / Understand yourself (i.e. it is only upon walking the Path and Realizing one discovers if one succeeded or failed). ॥34॥ (sggs 7).

Spirituality is to control what happens within me – in my own mind (Conscience-Surat-ਸੁਰਤ) – NOT to control what happens within other people out there. To the contrary, religions are to control people and what happens outside. A stark difference in spirituality and organized religions indeed!

Since the Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak is Universal and Egalitarian, it’s absolutely illogical and impractical to even think that a few people can get together and strip (excommunicate) someone of his/her Path (i.e. ‘Panth’) of the Sikhi of Guru Nanak by passing ‘Hukamnama‘ (edict, order, decree…)! But sadly, this term ‘Panth‘ has been abused by corrupt politicians to silence their critics and win personal favors from government at the expense of the Unique and Pure spirituality of Guru Nanak through appointments of unqualified/weaklings yes-men subservient to them as Jathedars to pass ‘Hukamnamas’ that serve their agenda and invalidate/silent those that question them.

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2 comments

  1. As with many subtle spiritual meanings in SGGS they are misinterpreted from internal values to external, from subtle to gross, from formless to form. In doing so it changes their meaning and masks their true beauty.

    As always thankyou T Singh Ji.

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