GurSikhs Solve the Riddle

The relationship of a Sikh with the Guru is spiritual, not physical. That said, the basis of this relationship is in adopting the life-style shown by the enlightening spiritual Counsel or Message contained within the Guru Shabad.

• ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੇ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਪੁਤਹਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿਅਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਸਤਾਰਿਆ ॥੨॥ : O GurSikhs of Jan Nanak, Realize the Creator within and be free from vices/Bikaar. ||2|| (sggs 312).

If Giyan-Wisdom is not put into practice, then it becomes a curse. The answers and solutions for Spiritual Realization are provided to us in the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS). Therefore, the issue is not finding the answers or solutions, but practice or apply them!

Practicing the Counsel of the of the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS, the Gurmukhs (Enlengthened / Guru Shabad-Oriented mindsets) Understand the riddle of Spiritual Realization — the Realization of the Omnipresent Creator Within — for they have realized it within the Conscience (mind). Since they have realized it permanently, they can inspire and guide others Realize the Omnipresent Creator Within as well through internalizing the Messages within the Guru Shabad.

As explained in the following verses, one who has truly become the GurSikh (i.e. a lifelong student or learner of the SGGS), internalizes the spiritual Message of the Shabad; constantly bathes in this immaculate pool of the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom and then apply it to daily life (Amal):

• ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਪਰਵਾਹ ਛੁਟਕੰਤ ਸਦ ਦ੍ਵਾਰਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਗ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਨ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਮਲ ਸਰ ਸੰਤ ਸਿਖ ਨਾਈਐ ॥ : The Stream of Amrit (-Giyan or spiritual Knowledge) flows constantly from the Door (of the Gur-Shabad). The Sikh seekers (Satsangee of the Gur-Shabad) bathe in the immaculate pool or Srovar of the Gur-Giyan (spiritual Knowledge). (sggs 1401).

Thus, one becomes a GurSikh only when he has understood and applied the enlightening Message embedded in the Guru Shabad.

• ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਜੋ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਚਰਣੀ ਜਾਇ ਪਇਆ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਜਿਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਮੁਖਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਕਹਿਆ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮਨਿ ਅਨਦੁ ਭਇਆ ॥ ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਇਆ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੰਉ ਹੰਉ ਸਦਾ ਨਮਸਕਾਰੀ ਜੋ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਚਲਿਆ ॥੧੮॥ : We should call that Guru’s Sikh (lifelong learner or student of the SGGS) a blessed one who follows Guru’s Giyan–Wisdom with devotion and obedience. We should call that Guru’s Sikh the blessed one who remembers the divine Naam (live daily life of divine Wisdom/Virtues). We should call that Guru’s Sikh blessed one, who becomes blissful on listening to the divine Naam. We should call that Guru’s Sikh the blessed one, who by the Satgur Sevaa has been blessed with the Divine Naam. I, forever, bow in deep respect to that Guru’s Sikh, who lives by internalizing the enlightening spiritual Message embedded in the Guru Shabad. ||18|| (sggs 593).

In a nutshell, it’s the mind (‘ਜੀਅਹੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਲੇ’) that has to become a Sikh – NOT the gross body-frame (ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਮਨ ਕਰਕੇ, ਸਰੀਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਨਹੀ)! The SGGS defines a Sikh as follows:

• ਜੇ ਕੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੇਤੀ ਸਨਮੁਖੁ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਹੋਵੈ ਤ ਸਨਮੁਖੁ ਸਿਖੁ ਕੋਈ ਜੀਅਹੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਰਨ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਧਿਆਏ ਅੰਤਰ ਆਤਮੈ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥ ਆਪੁ ਛਡਿ ਸਦਾ ਰਹੈ ਪਰਣੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਏ ॥ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਨਮੁਖੁ ਹੋਏ ॥੨੧॥ : If any ‘Sikh’ (learner-ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ of the SGGS) wants to become truly faithful turn to the Guru (Shabad); then that Sikh must follow the Gur (i.e. Giyan-Wisdom. That Sikh should contemplate on the Guru’s spiritual Giyan-Wisdom and enshrine it in the mind. Renouncing self-conceit, he/she always contemplate on the Guru (Shabad), and does not consider anyone else except the Guru as spiritual Guide. Nanak says, listen, O seekers: such a ‘Sikh‘ has his/her mind always connected to the Guru (Shabad – Giyan-Wisdom). ||21|| (sggs 919).
• ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥ : O Mind! He alone is a Sikh, a friend, and a relative, who walks in the Way of the Guru’s Bhaanaa (Gurmat, Shabad, Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom…). (sggs 601).
• ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਮਾਣਕ ਸੇਵੇ ਸਿਖੁ ਸੋੁ ਖੋਜਿ ਲਹੈ ॥੧॥ : The Gur-Upadesh (i.e., Gur-Giyan or Wisdom) are the Gems and Jewels; a Sikh who serves (through the Shabad-Vichaar) searches and finds them. ||1|| (sggs 1328).
• ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣੀਜੈ ॥ : O MY MIND! Listen to the Gur-Counsel (Wisdom, Giyan…). (sggs 1334).
• ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥: The SHABAD is my GURU (i.e. the Source of my Enlightenment), and my conscience (Surat, mind) is the disciple (of this SHABAD GURU (i.e. I adherer to the Instructions contained within the Shabad). (sggs 943).
• ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਘਾਏ ਪਾਰਿ ॥ : Sikhi is contemplation on Guru’s teaching (Instructions, Wisdom, Counsel, Guide, Upadesh, Giyan, Bibek) and acting on it. Being blessed by the Grace of the Guru’s teaching one then crosses the ocean of worldly temptations and their corrupting influences (Bhav Saagar). (sggs 465).
• ਊਤਮ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥੩॥ : The ultimate action is Reflections on the Shabad – Shabad Vichaar ||3|| (sggs 158).

Gurbani and divine Enlightenment

Consider the following Shabad:

• ਥਾਲੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਤੈ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਹਰਿ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੀਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਇਹੁ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਅਲਭੁ ਹੈ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਲਭੈ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਏਹ ਮੁਦਾਵਣੀ ਕਿਉ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਕਢੀਐ ਸਦਾ ਰਖੀਐ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰਿ ॥ ਏਹ ਮੁਦਾਵਣੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਈ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾ ਲਧੀ ਭਾਲਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਸੁ ਬੁਝਾਏ ਸੁ ਬੁਝਸੀ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਘਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ : (Plate or container of) the human Conscious or mind that has internalized three Realizations; (1) the Creator, (2) contentment and (3) thoughtful reflection (into spiritual Life), in that mind is the food of essence of Amrit (-Naam: Wisdom / Virtues). Eating (this spiritual food) the mind is contented and finds the way to freedom from vices. O seekers, this spiritual food is difficult to find; it is found only by Reflecting on the Guru Shabad. This ‘Mudavani‘ (Spirituality of Realization within) requires that the divine Naam be never discarded, therefore be kept permanently inculcated within. The Satguru has put this ‘Mudavani‘ (Spirituality of Realization within); the GurSikhs realize it by Internalizing the spirituality of the Guru Shabad. Nanak, a Gurmukh realizes the Omnipresent Creator within by putting in efforts to understand and realizes God through the Satguru. ||1|| (sggs 645).

The word ‘Mudavani‘ (‘ਮੁਦਾਵਣੀ’) in the above Shabad refers to something that is LASTING once it is Realized within the mind or Conscience. This state of ‘Mudavani‘ within the mind comes to exist when the mind internalizes the following three — Realization of (1) the Creator (2) contentment and (3) thoughtful reflection (into spiritual Life), and it is kept permanent by adoption and internalization of divine Naam (Wisdom/Virtues) and submission to the Omnipresent Creator within. Also consider an another similar Shabad:

• ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿੰਨਿ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੋ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਪਇਓ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭਸੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਏਹ ਵਸਤੁ ਤਜੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਰਖੁ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਤਮ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਸਾਰੋ ॥੧॥ : (Plate or container of) the human Conscious or mind that has internalized three Realizations; (1) the Creator, (2) contentment and (3) thoughtful reflection (into spiritual Life); is the one that realizes spiritual life through the Realization of the Amrit Naam (Wisdom/Virtues…) that is the basis of All of spirituality. The mind which consumes or adopts and internalizes Naam is the one that attains its spiritual Goal. This Thing (i.e. spirituality of Realization) requires that the divine Naam (Wisdom/Virtues…) be never discarded, therefore be kept permanently inculcated within. Nanak, life within a vices-filled world is traversed by submitting to the Creator who pervades the entire Cosmos. ॥1॥ (sggs 1429).

ACCORDING TO THE GURBANI, Naam (Wisdom / Virtues) is realized ONLY by those who have realized contentment. In other words, Realization of the Creator within cannot happen without first being content with the temporal world:

• ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਕਰਿ ਭਾਉ ਤੋਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੇਇ ॥ : Those who practice true contentment and love, obtain the supplies of the Naam (sggs 422).
• ਰਤਨ ਜਵੇਹਰ ਨਾਮ ॥ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਗਿਆਨ ॥ : Divine Naam is the Jewel and Ruby (i.e. very precious). The Wisdom of the godly contentment (is obtained through it). (sggs 893).
• ਸਚ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ : Without the Truth, godly contentment is not obtained. (sggs 1040).
• ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਦੀਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀ ਪਾਨਾਂ ਹੇ ॥੭॥ : One who has realized the godly contentment through internalizing the Enlightening Message contained in the Guru Shabad, drinks the Naam Amrit and inspires others to drink it. ||7|| (sggs 1075).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਭੁਸਰੀਆ ਪਕਾਈਆ ਪਾਈਆ ਥਾਲੈ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਜਿਨੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਾਇਆ ਰਜਿ ਰਜਿ ਸੇਈ ਖਾਹਿ ॥੩॥ : O Nanak! (Paarbrahm) has placed cooked or ripened (Giyan, spiritual Knowledge…) in the Plate (of the letters of the SGGS, ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਅੱਖਰਾ ਰੂਪ ਥਾਲ…). They, who obtained the Wisdom of the Guru, (their minds) eat it to their fill and satiation. (sggs 696).

Hence, the Gurbani has put the sublime Food (ਭੋਜਨ) of Amrit-Naam in the human Conscience. Our challenge is to understand the true meanings of the Gurbani As Is (‘ਸਬਦ ਭੇਦੁ’) and then live it in daily life (i.e. Gurmukh Mindset).

• ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਾ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਗਿਆਨ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥੩॥ : Spiritual Wisdom (ਉੱਚੀ ਸਮਝ, etc.) is the food or nourishment of the Brahm Giyani – the knower of Truth. Nanak, the Brahm Giyani is absorbed in God’s meditation. ||3|| (sggs 273).

Gubani defines Gurbani

The SGGS teaches us that the Gurbani defines the Gurbani. ‘ਸਬਦ ਭੇਦੁ’ (Shabad-Bhaed) or the true meanings of the Gurbani are not straightforward. However, the Gurbani teaches us that a GurSikh can understand (ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ) and internalize the Enlightening Message of the Guru Shabad through searching (ਖੋਜ) and Reflecting (Shabad Vichaar). Thus, the one who has become the GurSikh, he has also become Enlightened (Gurmukh Mindset), free of vices/Bikaar.

• ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਸਬਦ ਭੇਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਸੰਤਾਏ ॥੩॥ : As long as (the mortal) does not come to Realize the Message embedded within the Shabad, the fear of death continues to torture him. ||3|| (sggs 1126).
• ਏਨਾ ਅਖਰਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਲੇਖੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥ : (Only that person is the learned: scholar-ਵਿਦਵਾਨ) who by becoming the Gurmukh and through his education understands (his Mool, Giyan-Wisdom etc.). Debt (of Bikaar: lust, anger, greed etc.) does not accumulate on the head of that person (i.e. that person does not transgress and does not deviate from the path of life). ||2|| (sggs 432).
• ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਿਖੁ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਤੇ ਹਾਟੈ ॥ : The Sikh of the Guru recoils (withdraws, ਹਟ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ…) from vices/Bikaars (sggs 286).

But, the truth is that due to distortion of the Gurbani’s spiritual Message, the majority of us remain confused!

• ਕਹਾ ਬੁਝਾਰਤਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਡੋਰਾ ॥ ਨਿਸਿ ਕਹੀਐ ਤਉ ਸਮਝੈ ਭੋਰਾ ॥ : How can a riddle be understood by the deaf? (With a sign if you) Say ‘night’, he thinks (you said) ‘day’ (i.e. even he is constantly told, but still does not understand at all). (sggs 267).
• ਅਬ ਪੂਛੇ ਕਿਆ ਕਹਾ ॥ ਲੈਨੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਰਸੁ ਨੀਕੋ ਬਾਵਰ ਬਿਖੁ ਸਿਉ ਗਹਿ ਰਹਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : (O crazy man!) Now if you are asked, what can you say? O crazy man! You were to acquire the Amrit Naam, instead you are clinging to Maya, the poison for spiritual life. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1203).

Furthermore, as indicated in the following verses, on account of   foolishness and greed, we don’t listen or pay attention to the spiritual Message contained in the Guru Shabad:

• ਸਭੇ ਗਲਾ ਜਾਤੀਆ ਸੁਣਿ ਕੈ ਚੁਪ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਕਦ ਹੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਨ ਲਧੀਆ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੜਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਦੇਇ ਬੁਝਾਰਤ ਸਾਰਤਾ ਸੇ ਅਖੀ ਡਿਠੜਿਆ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਜਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਲੋਭੀਆ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਸੁਣੀ ਕਹਿਆ ॥੨॥ : (O Creator) The human being engrossed in Maya, is fully aware of the righteous deeds but remains aloof from them. Bewitched by Maya, he does not acquire (spiritual) Conscience. ||1|| The riddles and hints are given (by the Gurbani, Gurmukhs…), and he sees them with his eyes. But (the Jeeva) is foolish and greedy, and he never listens to what he is told. ||2|| (sggs 217).
• ਪੜਿਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਬੁਝਿਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਖਟੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੈ ਭੇਖਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਵਣਾ ॥ : Not by just reading (scriptures), but it is through spiritual Wisdom one Understands this fact (that God is infinite). No one can merge in the eternal God by merely adopting the garbs mentioned in the six Shastras (the Hindu holy books). The eternal God is unfathomable, but revealed through the Guru’s Shabad, He (i.e. Creation, Hukam) looks beautiful. (sggs 148).

In a nutshell, Gurmat is the subject of searching (ਖੋਜ-Khoj), reflecting and understanding. The Gurbani asserts we should always remember  Naam (Wisdom/Virtues). As propagated by the self-serving Pujaaree clique, mere reading of the SGGS or mere seeing or bowing to SGGS will not do the trick!

• ਖੋਜ ਬੂਝਿ ਜਉ ਕਰੈ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਤਉ ਭਵਜਲ ਤਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਵੈ ਬਾਰਾ ॥੪੦॥ : When someone understand by Searching (‘Khoj‘), and engages in Vichaar (Reflection on the Divine Virtues, Wisdom…), then (he) crosses over the ‘Bhavjal’ (Bhav Saagar or dreadful ocean of Maya, etc.) in no time. ||40|| (sggs 342).

Once the Gurbani is understood (ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ), then the Gurbani wants us to constantly apply it in daily life (‘ਅਮਲ’, ‘ਕਰਣੀ’…).

As evident, Sikhi we see out there today is not the Sikhi of the SGGS. Instead, it’s a Sikhi of the self serving Pujaaree clique — freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) and their  trained Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.

Baabaa Nanak asserts brandishing religious paraphernalia on one’s ephemeral body-frame is not a Sikhi of the SGGS for it is the mind that has to become the Sikh!

• 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).

Some Related Posts:

• Reading and Memorizing Gurbani is of no Avail Unless…
• Ritualistic Reading of the Gurbani
• When Reading the Word, no Need to Shout so Loud
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Become the Gurbani
• Gurmat and Shabad Vichaar
• Churning the Gurbani
• Dying in Shabad
• Mere Seeing of the SGGS Will Not Liberate
• Stubborn Mindedness – a Mental Disease
• Gurbani is Meant to be Understood and Applied
• Stubborn Mindedness – Reading or Listening Gurbani
• Become the Gurbani
• Way of the Gurbani is the Way of Understanding
• Naam Sevaa
• Goal of Gurmat Based Sevaa