Gurbani Defines Pardhaan, Leader…

Bhai Gurdas Ji in his Vaar teaches us very important Upadesh that if leaders of a community make the people go astray, then that community is doomed:

• ਜੇ ਮਾਉ ਪੁਤੈ ਵਿਸੁ ਦੇ ਤਿਸਤੇ ਕਿਸੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ । ਜੇ ਘਰੁ ਭੰਨੈ ਪਾਹਰੂ ਕਉਣੁ ਰਖਣਹਾਰਾ । ਬੇੜੀ ਡੋਬੈ ਪਾਤਣੀ ਕਿਉ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰਾ । ਆਗੂ ਲੈ ਉਝੜਿ ਪਵੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਕਰੈ ਪੁਕਾਰਾ । ਜੇ ਕਰਿ ਖੇਤੈ ਖਾਇ ਵਾੜਿ ਕੋ ਲਹੈ ਨ ਸਾਰਾ । ਜੇ ਗੁਰ ਭਰਮਾਏ ਸਾਂਗੁ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਆ ਸਿਖੁ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ॥੨੨॥ : If a mother administers poison to son then to whom else that son could be more dear. If the watchman breaks open the house, then, who else could be a protector. If the boatman makes the boat sink, how one could get across. If the LEADER himself makes the people go astray, who else could be called for help. And if the protecting fence starts eating the crops who else will take care of the fields. Similarly, if the Guru deludes a Sikh through a sham, what a poor Sikh could do. (Bhai Gurdas Vaar35, Pauri 22).
• ਬਾਹਰ ਕੀ ਅਗਨਿ ਬੂਝਤ ਜਲ ਸਰਤਾ ਕੈ ਨਾਉ ਮੈ ਜਉ ਅਗਨਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਕੈਸੇ ਕੈ ਬੁਝਾਈਐ । ਬਾਹਰ ਸੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਓਟ ਲੀਜੀਅਤ ਕੋਟ ਗੜ ਗੜ ਮੈ ਜਉ ਲੂਟਿ ਲੀਜੈ ਕਹੋ ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ । ਚੋਰਨ ਕੈ ਤ੍ਰਾਸ ਜਾਇ ਸਰਨਿ ਗਹੈ ਨਰਿੰਦ ਮਾਰੈ ਮਹੀਪਤਿ ਜੀਉ ਕੈਸੇ ਕੈ ਬਚਾਈਐ । ਮਾਇਆ ਡਰ ਡਰਪਤ ਹਾਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਅਰੈ ਜਾਵੈ ਤਹਾ ਜਉ ਮਾਇਆ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਕਹਾ ਠਹਰਾਈਐ ॥੫੪੪॥ : Fire burning outside the stream can be extinguished with the water of the stream, but if the boat in the river catches fire, how can that be extinguished? Escaping from the attack of a robber while out in the open, one can run and take shelter in a fort or such other place but when someone robs in the fort, what can be done then? If for fear of thieves one takes refuge with a RULER and if the ruler starts punishing the victim, then what can be done? Weary of the dread and dragon-net of Maya (i.e. Maya’s onslaught…), if one goes to the Gurdwara, and if Maya penetrates there too, then where would one go to Rest or Escape! (Kabit Bhai Gurdas Ji, 544).
• ਕਲਿ ਆਈ ਕੁਤੇ ਮੁਹੀ ਖਾਜੁ ਹੋਇਆ ਮੁਰਦਾਰ ਗੁਸਾਈ । ਰਾਜੇ ਪਾਪ ਕਮਾਵਦੇ ਉਲਟੀ ਵਾੜ ਖੇਤ ਕਉ ਖਾਈ । ਪਰਜਾ ਅੰਧੀ ਗਿਆਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੂੜੁ ਕੁਸਤਿ ਮੁਖਹੁ ਆਲਾਈ। : The corrupt state of the mind of people has become like the mouth of dog which always seeks the dead to eat. The kings are sinning as if the protective fence were itself devouring the crop in the field. Bereft of Giyan-Wisdom, the mentally blind people are uttering falsehood. (Bhai Gurdas Vaar1, Pauri 30).

Just as a person is considered religious/leader in our society, not because of his Qualities/Virtues, but because of his external physical appearance or outwardly performed ritualized (Karamkaand) dogmas and traditions. That’s why according to the words of the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), only donkeys (i.e. fools) without Qualities/Virtues – dressed in religious garbs religious paraphernalia – are dominant everywhere.

• ਇਕਨਾ ਸੁਧਿ ਨ ਬੁਧਿ ਨ ਅਕਲਿ ਸਰ ਅਖਰ ਕਾ ਭੇਉ ਨ ਲਹੰਤਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਨਰ ਅਸਲਿ ਖਰ ਜਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰੰਤਿ ॥੨॥ : There are many people who do not have any spiritual understanding, Wisdom, intelligence, and do not understand the Guru Shabad. Nanak, such people who pretend to be good or righteous without Virtues (and are proud of their memorized letter knowledge), those people are real donkeys. ||2|| (sggs 1246).

The word Pardhan (pronounced as Pardhaan-ਪਰਧਾਨ) has a general meaning as understood by most of the people (i.e., a chief, a distinguished person, a leader, Aagoo-ਆਗੂ, ਮੁਖੀ, ਜਥੇਦਾਰ, ਚਉਧਰੀ, ਮੰਨੇ ਪ੍ਰਮੰਨੇ etc.), and also a special meaning as understood by the the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giyan, Upadesh or Way of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS).

As described in the following verses, the Gurbani redefines the term ‘Pardhaan-ਪਰਧਾਨ’, and gives us the significance as well as the true qualifications of a ‘Pardhaan‘.

• ਸਚੁ ਵਰਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥ ਦਇਆ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਖਿਮਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀ ਤੇ ਮਾਣਸ ਪਰਧਾਨ ॥ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਧੋਤੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਚਉਕਾ ਤਿਲਕੁ ਕਰਣੀ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਭਾਉ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਤ ਕੋਈ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ : The most exalted people (Pardhaan) are those persons who make truth their fasting (‘Varat‘), contentment their pilgrim-location, Wisdom and meditation their ablution, compassion their deity, and forgiveness their rosary. Those for whom the Virtuous/honest Way of life is their lion-cloth (i.e. religious garb worn by the Pujaaree), keeping their Conscience clean is their cooking enclosure, high moral character is their sacred mark on their forehead, and true Love is their Spiritual Food; Nanak, extremely RARE is such person. ||1|| (sggs 1245).
• ਜਿਨਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇਆ ਸੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਪਰਧਾਨ ॥ : Perfect Pardhaan are those who fix there mind on Satigur (i.e. true Wisdom, ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ). (sggs 45).
• ਜਿਨ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਸੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਪਰਧਾਨ ॥ : Perfect Prdhaan are they in whose heart dwells Paarbrahm (Universal Energy…). (sggs 45).
• ਅਚਾਰਵੰਤਿ ਸਾਈ ਪਰਧਾਨੇ ॥ : He alone is Pardhaan who is of a good moral character (leads a pure life). (sggs 97).
• ਜਿਨਾ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਸੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਪੁਰਖ ਪਰਧਾਨ ॥ : They (i.e. Gurmukh), who with every breath and morsel do not forget (Naam: Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…), are the perfect Pardhaan persons. (sggs 313).
• ਸੀਲਵੰਤਿ ਪਰਧਾਨਿ ਰਿਦੈ ਸਚਾਵੀਆ ॥ : Those who have become sweet-nature, and in whose mind the Truth abides are the true Pardhaan. (sggs 964).
• ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਮੁਹਬਤਿ ਇਕ ਸਿਉ ਤੇ ਮਾਣਸ ਪਰਧਾਨ ॥੨॥ : They who bear true love for the One, are alone the Pardhaan persons ||2|| (sggs 1102).
• ਧਨਵੰਤੇ ਸੇਈ ਪਰਧਾਨ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨ ॥੪॥੧੭॥੩੦॥ : They alone are wealthy and Pardhaan, within whom is enshrined the Treasure of the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…). ||4||17||30|| (sggs 1144).
• ਸੋਈ ਸੁਗਿਆਨਾ ਸੋ ਪਰਧਾਨਾ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਅਪਨਾ ਕੀਤਾ ॥ : That man is of Wisdom and he is the Pardhaan, who is abiding in Prabh (i.e, Mool, True Nature, Jot Saroop, Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…). (sggs 453).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਏ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਧਿਆਨਾਂ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਪਦੁ ਚੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਭਏ ਪਰਧਾਨਾ ॥੬॥ : Those whom the Satguru blessed with liberation (from the domination or love for Maya) and the ability to focus on God, they realized the God and became Pardhaan. (sggs 1345).

Clearly, the SGGS wants Sikhs (lifelong learners) to develop Virtues (ਗੁਣ) and live them in daily life.

• ਜੋ ਜਨ ਲੂਝਹਿ ਮਨੈ ਸਿਉ ਸੇ ਸੂਰੇ ਪਰਧਾਨਾ ॥ : Those ‘Jan’ (Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat…) who struggle with their minds are ‘Sooraa‘ (braveheart) and ‘Pardhaanaa‘. (sggs 1089).
• ਸਗਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਮਹਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨੁ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਮਿਟੈ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥ : Among all persons, the supreme (Pardhaan) person is the one who gives up his false ego-sense with the Guru (-Giyan, Wisdom, Bibek, Virtues…). (sggs 266).

As defined in the Gurbani (SGGS), can we find a person who has become ‘Pardhaan’ (ਪਰਧਾਨ, ਆਗੂ, ਮੁਖੀ, ਜਥੇਦਾਰ, ਚਉਧਰੀ…) with these qualifications in any Gurdwara, so called Teerath, Takahat, religious institutions, religious organizations, religious groups, and so on?

Very rare indeed!

• ਜਿਤਨੇ ਸਾਹ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹ ਉਮਰਾਵ ਸਿਕਦਾਰ ਚਉਧਰੀ ਸਭਿ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਝੂਠੁ ਭਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ਜਾਣੁ ॥ : All the kings, emperors, nobles, lords and chiefs are false, transitory, and engrossed in duality – know this well (sggs 861).
• ਸਗਲ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕੇ ਪੰਚ ਸਿਕਦਾਰ ॥ : The five demons (lust, anger, greed etc.) are the rulers of the whole world. (sggs 865).
• ਜਿਸੁ ਸਿਕਦਾਰੀ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਖੁਆਰੀ ਚਾਕਰ ਕੇਹੇ ਡਰਣਾ ॥ ਜਾ ਸਿਕਦਾਰੈ ਪਵੈ ਜੰਜੀਰੀ ਤਾ ਚਾਕਰ ਹਥਹੁ ਮਰਣਾ ॥੪॥ : When one becomes a ‘Sikdaar’ (ruler, leader, king, chief, ਹਾਕਮ, ਚੌਧਰੀ) and oppresses the people, such a revolt arises among the common people that it becomes difficult for the state (government party) to rule. If the people stand up fearlessly then the king can be removed from the throne. Tyrant kings die at the hands of their servants. ||4|| (sggs 902).

To the contrary, we all routinely hear and read stories, or witness corruption, falsehood, fraud, cheating (ਠਗੀ) etc. at all levels of the society; including places and institutions of the organized or institutionalized religions (ਮਜ਼ਹਬ).

• ਕਾਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੋਗੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਤ ਕਾ ਢਬੁ ॥ ਥਾਨਸਟ ਜਗ ਭਰਿਸਟ ਹੋਏ ਡੂਬਤਾ ਇਵ ਜਗੁ ॥ : Human life is not a time (to waste in rituals– Karamkaand); by these methods, neither there is any truthful living nor any Yoga (Union or Realization of the Creator Within). By these rituals, even the purest hearts become defiled; and thus the entire world starts drowning (in Bikaar, vices, Pakhand, cheating or fraud etc.). ||1|| (sggs 662).
• ਜੇ ਰਤੁ ਲਗੈ ਕਪੜੈ ਜਾਮਾ ਹੋਇ ਪਲੀਤੁ ॥ ਜੋ ਰਤੁ ਪੀਵਹਿ ਮਾਣਸਾ ਤਿਨ ਕਿਉ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਚੀਤੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਉ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਾ ਦਿਲਿ ਹਛੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ॥ ਅਵਰਿ ਦਿਵਾਜੇ ਦੁਨੀ ਕੇ ਝੂਠੇ ਅਮਲ ਕਰੇਹੁ ॥੧॥ : If there is blood on the garment, then the garment is said to be polluted (and, with bloody clothes, one does not participate in religious ceremonies or rituals). but those who are rulers (leaders etc.) of the common people, they devour what rightfully belong to others, how can their consciousness (or mind) remain pure? Such people, even if they perform infinite religious rituals or Karamkaand, are all Pakhand (hypocritical). ||1|| (sggs 140).

The Gurbani (SGGS) teaches us that the so called religious places and people’s hearts or minds have become ‘Polluted’ with Pakhand, falsehood, corruption, dogmas, empty rituals (Karamkaand), misrepresentation of the religious principles, doubt, criminal activities, menufactured stories and myths (ਮੰਨ ਘੜੰਤ ਸਾਖੀਆਂ), ignorance, nepotism, Jaat Paat (casteism), anti-Gurmat practices, and so on. Not just in isolated case, but everywhere.

Because of the corrupt Pardhaan or leaders, religions and the humanity seem to be drowning indeed!

• ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਅਵਰੀ ਨੋ ਸਮਝਾਵਣਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਮੁਠਾ ਆਪਿ ਮੁਹਾਏ ਸਾਥੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਐਸਾ ਆਗੂ ਜਾਪੈ ॥੧॥ : The person who lies (makes money illegally by making false agreements) as if is eating (rotten) corpse. But he goes on to teach others (not to lie). The man who has strayed himself will drown his companions too. How can such a person be accepted as your leader? ||1|| (sggs 139-140).
• ਸਰਮੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਦੁਇ ਛਪਿ ਖਲੋਏ ਕੂੜੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਪਰਧਾਨੁ ਵੇ ਲਾਲੋ ॥ : Modesty (ਹਯਾ, shame, etc.) and Dharma both have vanished, and falsehood moves about as the ‘Pardhaan’. (sggs 722).
• ਬਚਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਤੈ ਖਿਸਕਿ ਜਾਇ ਬੋਲੇ ਸਭੁ ਕਚਾ ॥ ਅੰਦਰਹੁ ਥੋਥਾ ਕੂੜਿਆਰੁ ਕੂੜੀ ਸਭ ਖਚਾ ॥ : (A person devoid of wisdom/Virtues) gives his word but then backs out, thus whatever he says is false. That liar is shallow inside for all he talks is false. (sggs 1099).

Then it should not come as a surprise to read or hear the Gurbani asking Sikhs to discards the self serving Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc. trained by the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ).

They are like ladles — ladles do not know the taste of the food they cruise in!

As a matter of fact, so called religious locations and groups have become the dens of mammon worshipers., Andh-Vishavaash (blind faith), corruption, nefarious activities, fraud, dirty politicking, anti-Gurmat alliances, falsehood (ਝੂਠ) etc.

• ਅੰਧਾ ਆਗੂ ਜੇ ਥੀਐ ਕਿਉ ਪਾਧਰੁ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਮੁਸੈ ਮਤਿ ਹੋਛੀਐ ਕਿਉ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥ ਕਿਉ ਰਾਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਅੰਧ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਅੰਧਲੀ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਨਾਮ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਕਛੁ ਨ ਸੂਝੈ ਅੰਧੁ ਬੂਡੌ ਧੰਧਲੀ ॥ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਚਾਉ ਉਪਜੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ॥ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਗੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਬਿਨੰਤੀ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਾਧਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਸੈ ॥੬॥ : If a blind man (mentally blind, ignorant…) is made the leader, how will he know the Way (right Way of life). Due to his inadequate understanding (lack of Wisdom etc.), he himself is being plundered (by Maya, evil inclinations etc.); how will (those who follow such a blind or Mayadhaaree leader) know the Way? How can he follow the righteous path and realize God? Because the intellect of a spiritually ignorant person is always misleading. Devoid of the divine Naam (Wisdom / Virtues), he does not understand anything about righteous living; spiritually ignorant person remains drowned in worldly strife. One in whose heart is enshrined the Message of the Guru’s Shabad, his mind is always Enlightened with the Shabad; a keen enthusiasm (to live with Message of the Shabad) wells up within him. With folded hands, he keeps offering prayer before the Guru (Shabad Guru) who shows him the Way of life. ||6|| (sggs 767).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਧਾ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਦਸੇ ਰਾਹੈ ਸਭਸੁ ਮੁਹਾਏ ਸਾਥੈ ॥ : O Nanak! The one who himself is blind (mentally blind), but shows others the way, defrauds all his associate. (sggs 140).

In fact the Gurbani (SGGS) asserts these days those people are called Choudharee (or Pardhaan…) who are ‘Ilati-ਇਲਤਿ’ — troublemaker, hooligan, person of bad character, ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤੀ ਮੱਕਾਰ), Ship wreckers (ਕੌਮ ਦਾ ਬੇੜਾ ਗਰਕ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ) who are bent upon ruining the society, people etc:

• ਨਾਉ ਫਕੀਰੈ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ਮੂਰਖ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਅੰਧੇ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਪਾਰਖੂ ਏਵੈ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਆਉ ॥ ਇਲਤਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਚਉਧਰੀ ਕੂੜੀ ਪੂਰੇ ਥਾਉ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਕਲਿ ਕਾ ਏਹੁ ਨਿਆਉ ॥੧॥ : When a beggar is recognized as the riches of all, a foolish person is named a religious scholar, when a blind person is recognized as an appraiser (scholar etc), when people talk contradictory things like this, when a troublemaker/mischievous person – who causes conflicts between people – is recognized as a leader and falsehood pervades all places, then, Nanak, a Gurmukh (enlightened / Guru Shabad-Oriented mindset) comes to understand that this is the phenomena of Kalyug (corrupt state of the mind, age of conflicts/duality – when wrong overtakes goodness etc). ||1|| (sggs 1288).
• ਬੇੜੀ ਡੋਬੈ ਪਾਤਣੀ ਕਿਉ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰਾ ॥ ਆਗੂ ਲੈ ਉਝੜਿ ਪਵੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਕਰੈ ਪੁਕਾਰਾ ॥ : If the boatman makes the boat sink, how one could get across. If the leader himself makes the people go astray, who else could be called for help. (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar 35, Pauri 22).

The SGGS teaches us the Way of Bibek (discernment, logic, rationality, Tarak-ਤਰਕ, Daleel-ਦਲੀਲ…). Irrationality or illogical thinking (ਤਰਕਹੀਣਤਾ) symbolizes slave-mentality. Hence, the SGGS does NOT teach us to follow the path of blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ਼, ਅੰਧ ਸ਼ਰਧਾ).

In a nutshell, the Gurmat (Wisdom, Upadesh or the Way of the SGGS) makes us Wise (ਗਿਆਨਵਾਨ, ਤਰਕਸ਼ੀਲ, ਬਿਬੇਕੀ, ਪਾਰਖੂ …), NOT followers of blind faith (ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ਼ੀ, ਸ਼ਰਧਾਵਾਨ). A person of blind faith (ਸ਼ਰਧਾਵਾਨ) cannot be a Wise person (ਗਿਆਨਵਾਨ…).

• ਸਚੀ ਕਾਰੈ ਸਚੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਸੋ ਨਰੁ ਜੰਮੈ ਨਾ ਮਰੈ ਨਾ ਆਵੈ ਨਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰਿ ਪਰਧਾਨੁ ਸੋ ਦਰਗਹਿ ਪੈਧਾ ਜਾਇ ॥੪॥੧੪॥ : Let man do honest and true work. Then understand that he has come to understand the Truth — Gurmat has settled in his mind. Such a person will not waver. He will not die a spiritual death (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ) because of repeated good and bad thoughts. Wearing this Siropa (of the Gurmat), that person lives as a ‘Pardhaan‘ (supreme, distinguished, eminent etc.) in this Universal ‘Dargah’. ||4||14|| (sggs 19).

Unfortunately, the so called Sikh leaders in particular (religious or political) lack managerial skills, commonsense, honesty, character, Guru’s Giyan–Wisdom etc — they are not ‘Paarkhoo‘ (ਤਰਕਸ਼ੀਲ, Bibeki, logical…). Their thinking (Soch) and behavior suggest they are living in medieval times or stone-age, unaware of the present day time, circumstances, and demands. As a result, they have damaged Guru Nanak’s Unique and Revolutionary Sikhi, perhaps beyond repair.

• ਤਖਤਿ ਰਾਜਾ ਸੋ ਬਹੈ ਜਿ ਤਖਤੈ ਲਾਇਕ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਜਿਨੀ ਸਚੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਸਚੁ ਰਾਜੇ ਸੇਈ ॥ ਏਹਿ ਭੂਪਤਿ ਰਾਜੇ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਦੁਖੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿਆ ਸਾਲਾਹੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਜਾਦੇ ਬਿਲਮ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਸਚਾ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਸੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਹੋਈ ॥੬॥ : Those rulers (kings, leaders…) should sit on throne who actually deserve to be on throne. The worthy rulers are only those who have realized Truth (the Creator); only they are worthy to be epitheted as the true rulers. Do not declare them the rulers of the world who are attached to duality (Maya – worldly attractions and their corrupting influences) and resultantly drown in pain. What is the use of praise the one who will fade away and vanish over time? There is One eternal God, emulating who the Gurmukh (Enlightened/Guru Shabad-Oriented mindset) becomes eternal (spiritually stable). (sggs 1088).
• ਖੋਟੇ ਕਉ ਖਰਾ ਕਹੈ ਖਰੇ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਅੰਧੇ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਪਾਰਖੂ ਕਲੀ ਕਾਲ ਵਿਡਾਣੈ ॥੩॥: Ignorant people consider falsehood to be true; (unfortunately) they are not wise to recognize the true. The blind (mentally blind i.e. ignorant or foolish) man is known as an appraiser (or wise); this is the sign of Kal Yuga (i.e. Kal Yuga = corrupt state of the mind). ||3|| (sggs 229).
• ਗਲੀ ਅਸੀ ਚੰਗੀਆ ਆਚਾਰੀ ਬੁਰੀਆਹ ॥ ਮਨਹੁ ਕੁਸੁਧਾ ਕਾਲੀਆ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਚਿਟਵੀਆਹ ॥ ਰੀਸਾ ਕਰਿਹ ਤਿਨਾੜੀਆ ਜੋ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਦਰੁ ਖੜੀਆਹ ॥ : We are good at talking, but our conduct is bad (ਮਾੜਾ ਚਾਲ-ਚਲਣ ਜਾਂ ਆਚਰਨ…). Mentally, we are impure and filthy, but outwardly, we appear pure and clean. (Yet) we imitate (ਰੀਸ) those (Bhagat, Gurmukh…) who are established in divine consciousness (i.e. serve or live the Truth with full attention). (sggs 85).

Some Related Posts:

• Crowds follow the path of Falsehood, Pakhand…
• Acting without Being or Becoming
• Bitter as Nimm
• Imitation: People See, People do
• Non-Gurmukh Mindset – Manmukh, Saakat, Mayadhaaree…
• The Gurmukh Never Grows Old!
• We’re only as Good as the Company We Keep
• Become the Gurbani
• Seven Days of a Sikh
• Sikhi: a Way of Life
• Sikhi of the Clergy – Pujaaree
• Sikhi Teaches to Discard priestly Class
• Shabad Langar
• Gurmat and Shabad Vichaar
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Asant and Asaadh
• Bad Behavior Inside Gurdwara is also Bad Outside!
• Crookedness
• Gurbani on Learned Fools
• Gurbani on Religious Paraphernalia
• Bad Behavior Inside Gurdwara is also Bad Outside!
• Leave Ego Personality and Shoes Outside!