Knowledge is Taken, not Given

Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is inspiring and Awakening, hence capable of changing one’s mindset, habits, thinking (Soch), actions, conduct etc.

• ਤਵ ਗੁਨ ਕਹਾ ਜਗਤ ਗੁਰਾ ਜਉ ਕਰਮੁ ਨ ਨਾਸੈ ॥ : O Guru of the world, what is the use of coming to Your refuge, if (by taking refuse in your Wisdom) because of the effect of my misdeeds (bad habits, bad thoughts etc.), even if now I continue to do misdeeds. (sggs 858).
• ਗਿਆਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਤਹ ਕਰਮਹ ਨਾਸੁ ॥੩॥: When the spiritual Wisdom wells up within, then the (love of Mayaic efforts or) deeds end. ||3|| (sggs 1167).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਚਨ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਮਹਾ ਬਿਖਾਦੀ ਦੁਸਟ ਅਪਵਾਦੀ ਤੇ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਸੰਗਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਜਨਮ ਭਵੰਤੇ ਨਰਕਿ ਪੜੰਤੇ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਕੁਲ ਉਧਾਰੇ ॥੨॥ : O Satguru (ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ-true Wisdom), countless people with no virtues have crossed over the worldly ocean of vices by following your divine words (Shabad). ||1||Pause|| Even the most argumentative, vicious and indecent people have become (mentally) immaculate by Internalizing Your Shabad. ||1|| (O Satguru), you have redeemed the entire lineages of those who had been wandering and suffering like hell through myriad of (mental) births. ||2|| (sggs 406).

But, one must be sincerely willing to take the Wisdom!

According to the Gurbani in SGGS, Giaan-Wisdom is the subject of the mind (Budh) – REALIZATION WITHIN. It can NOT be pushed or shoved into one’s head by force! Furthermore, there is NO concept of transfer of blessing in the Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak. Instead the principle of Baabaa Nanak’s Sikhi or Gurmat is:

• ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥: (So long there is breath — Praan) accomplish the task (of God Realization) yourself ( i.e. with self-efforts, hard work: Shabad-Vichaar …). ||20|| (sggs 474).

Aptly the Gurbani in SGGS talks about both Naam JAP as well as Giaan JAP – ਗਿਆਨ / ਨਾਮ ਜਪਣ ਦਾ ਵਿਸ਼ਾ ਹੈ!

• ਐਸਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ॥ ਹੋਵਹੁ ਚਾਕਰ ਸਾਚੇ ਕੇਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਰਵੈ ॥ ਬਾਂਧਨਿ ਬਾਂਧਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਭਵੈ ॥੨॥: O my mind! Internalize such divine Giaan-Wisdom so that you can Realize the Creator within (i.e. traverse spiritual Life of Wisdom / Virtues). ||1||Pause|| Everyone talks as if he knows everything about divine Giaan-Wisdom and contemplation. But the reality is that almost the entire world is wandering around tied in the bonds of Maya (i.e. one cannot link with God by mere talks). ||2|| (sggs 728).

JAP (‘॥ ਜਪੁ ॥’) as envisaged by the SGGS is the Process of Realization WITHIN — listening to the Gurbani (with complete involvement of the mind), Knowing or Understanding, Believing or Accepting, Internalizing (i.e. BECOMING the Gurbani – ‘ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਣੀਐ–Gurbani Baneeai‘ – ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਨ ਹੋ ਗਈ ਜਾਂ ਘਰ ਕਰ ਗਈ …), Emulating or applying it in daily life when transacting with the outside world of objects, emotions, and thoughts.

We humans tend to be arrogant about who or what we are.

As a result we are dismissive of what does not fit within our own paradigm. We behave hostile to whatever may even remotely threaten our false ego-sense (Haumai) and props.

Leave alone the interest or inclination, most of us not have the capacity nor the burning desire to Awaken/Realize the spiritual WISDOM WITHIN.

As a result, we want ready made answers. As a consequent of such mindset, falsehoods are planted and spread, and we put ourselves in a position to be plundered, cheated and exploited.

• ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਉਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਬਾਬਾ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖੈ ਏਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥੨॥੧੧॥ : Without the Perfect Guru (Giaan or Wisdom-ਗਿਆਨ), there is no progress (reformation, revival, salvation etc.). Baabaa Nanak says this after due discernment. ||2||11|| (sggs 886).

History tells that much of what we learn is often incorrect, biased, myths, if not down right false.

In many cases these falsehoods or myths lead to exploitation, intolerance, fanaticism, destruction, hostility to what is different, discrimination between one individual and the other being, rituals (Karamkaand, formalities, …), empty promises, ceremonies, superstitions, prayers with the lips, supposed or fabricated anecdotes, counterfeit gods, mystery-mongering, pilgrimages etc. Nowhere is this phenomenon observed more greatly than in organized religion and the self-serving paid clergy.

Sikhi is a WAY of life. And, the Way of the Gurbani is the Way of UNDERSTANING, RREALIZATION within – constant LEARNING or uninterrupted fresh or new supply of Knowledge in life (‘ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ’).

Man is endowed with intellect (Budh). Using it man can comprehend his present state of limitations, bondage, mental traps, imperfections, demerits, incompleteness etc. He is naturally inclined to Free himself from them and Realize Completeness within (Saabat Soorat-‘ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ’).

• ਸੇਖ ਸਬੂਰੀ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਕਿਆ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੇ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਦਿਲ ਸਾਬਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਕਹਾਂ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥੧੮੫॥: O Sheikh, if you do not have Godly contentment within you, then why do you go to Kaaba (in Macca) for pilgrimage? O Kabir, one whose Heart (mind) is not Complete (fully contented, doubt free, ‘ਸਾਬਤ’ etc.), how can he Realize God? ||185|| (sggs 1374).

The Message of the Gurbani in SGGS ENCOURAGES QUESTIONING and guides the questioner to to find his / her own answers. Increasingly more and more people are questioning the emptiness in life, meaning and purpose of their existence etc.

Spiritually speaking, although the Gurbani is very tasteful (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਰਸ), but everybody cannot taste it. Because it’s tasteful only to those who chose to Take it or accept it, understand it, Realize it WITHIN and apply its Wisdom to daily life, Here and Now.

That being said, to Take Spiritual Giaan-Knowledge or not is a personal choice!

As a consequent, Sikhi (learning of the Way of the SGGS) is not a matter of giving, it is a matter of Taking, Understanding, Internalizing, Realizing and living it in daily life (Amal-ਅਮਲ)!

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

The SGGS expects its Sikhs to solve the Riddle. Thus, one becomes a Gursikh only when he has learnt, understood and applied the Gurbani’s Wisdom and has solved the riddle posed to him by the the Satguru.

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

• 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 turn to the Guru (Shabad). That Sikh must be with the Guru (Shabad) from the mind (Surat-Conscience), only then he/she can Internalize the spiritual Message of the Guru (Shabad). He/she should contemplate on the Guru’s spiritual Instructions (Guru’s Charan) and submit to the Guru’s Instructions keeping them in mind (Surat-Conscience) – and acting on them. Renouncing self-conceit, he/she always depends 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 – Giaan-Wisdom). ||21|| (sggs 919).

Hence, Wisdom or Sikhi cannot be thrusted upon somebody by force (ਧੱਕੇ ਨਾਲ).

If it could be thrusted upon somebody, Baabaa Nanak would have thrusted it upon his two sons Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das; Guru Amardas Ji would have thrusted it upon his son Mohan; and Guru Ramdas Jee would have thrusted it upon his son Prithy Chand etc.

• ਪੁਤ੍ਰੀ ਕਉਲੁ ਨ ਪਾਲਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਪੀਰਹੁ ਕੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਮੁਰਟੀਐ ॥ ਦਿਲਿ ਖੋਟੈ ਆਕੀ ਫਿਰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਭਾਰੁ ਉਚਾਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਛਟੀਐ ॥: Sons (of Baabaa Nanak: Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das) did not obey (Baabaa Nanak’s) Word; they turned their backs on Him as Guru. The evil-hearted ones become rebellious; they carry loads (of vices, Bikaar, defects…) on their backs. (sggs 967).
• ਮੋਹਣੁ ਕਮਲਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਚਉਬਾਰਾ ਮੋਹਰੀ ਮਨਾਇਆ॥ ਮੀਣਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਪਿਰਥੀਆ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਤੋਂਡਕ ਬਰਲੁ ਚਲਾਇਆ॥: Mohan (son of Guru Amardas) got insane (ਝੱਲਾ, ਬੇ-ਅਕਲ…) and Mohart (the second son) lived in a lofty house and started getting served by the people. Prithy Chand (son of Guru Ramdas) came out as dissembling scoundrel and using his oblique nature spread his mental sickness all round. (Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 26 Paurhee 33).

Aptly, the Gurbani asserts you cannot give Knowledge or Wisdom to somebody as a mundane gift either, or as a ready-made package, or make it to an order, or blow it into somebody’s ear, or spit it into somebody’s mouth! There is NO concept of transfer of blessing in SIKHI!

Furthermore, none else can Take it for anybody either. It’s just as nobody can eat for anybody else – if you are hungry, you must eat yourself! If you want to get married, then you need to Take ‘Phere‘ yourself; you cannot substitute somebody else for you!

• ਬਿਨੁ ਖਾਏ ਬੂਝੈ ਨਹੀ ਭੂਖ ॥: Without eating, hunger is not satisfied. (sggs 1149).

However, the Gurbani warns us that this sought after Spiritual Wisdom is not to be realized by mere words or talks. Because through mere talk, all we can obtain is falsehood (‘ਕੂੜੋ’) not Spiritual Wisdom. Also, through mere useless talk, our hunger for Maya (‘ਭੁਖ’) will not diminish.

• ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਗਲੀਈ ਢੂਢੀਐ ਕਥਨਾ ਕਰੜਾ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਕਰਮਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾ ਪਾਈਐ ਹੋਰ ਹਿਕਮਤਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥੨॥: Saying knowledge does not make one wise. It takes hard work to acquire knowledge. If we keep practicing as hard as chewing iron, we can reach the destination. Other tricks and dictates (i.e. orders or hukam of the mind) are useless. ||2|| (sggs 465).
• ਗਾਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਅਲ ਪਲਾਲੀਆ ਕੰਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਹਿ ਮਿਤ ॥੧॥: O friend! Useless talks are of no avail. ||1|| (sggs 321).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਗਲੀ ਕੂੜੀਈ ਕੂੜੋ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥: O Nanak! From false talks (ਝੂਠ-lies), only falsehood is obtained. ||2|| (sggs 141).

In short, Knowledge or Wisdom is the subject of willingly Taking (ਲੈਣਾਂ) – REALIZING WITHIN.

You may explain it to somebody, but you cannot force somebody to Take it if that person is unwilling or uninterested to receive it. In other words, you have the choice of either Taking it or not Taking it. In other words, you have the choice to either follow Baabaa Nanak, or follow Auranzeb or Babar etc.!

• ਆਪਣਾ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਆਪਿ ਸਵਾਰੇ ਹੋਰਨਿ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਕਾਰਜਿ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਦਇਆ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਈ ॥੩॥: (One) resolves his own affair himself (i.e. the ultimate Purpose of life of God Realization); anyone else cannot do this work (for him). Only a rare Guru’s follower (Gurmukh-Hood Mindset) understands that his Realization of God requires the virtues like Godly Contentment, Compassion and Dharma. ||3|| (sggs 351).

For example, a teacher teaches the entire class. However, students who listen to the teacher with full attention, willingness and interest excel, and those who don’t fail or do bad in exam.

Similarly, somebody can explain the spiritual Knowledge of the Gurbani to us, but whether to Take it or leave it is up to an individual. The Gurbani says its the nature of some people that upon hearing the Divine Naam (Wisdom / Virtues), they feel like they have been stung by a scorpion!

• ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਨਤ ਜਨੁ ਬਿਛੂਅ ਡਸਾਨਾ ॥੨॥: If he (i.e., Saakat – separated from Truth) hears Divine Naam (i.e., Divine Knowledge, Giaan…), he feels like he has been stung by a scorpion ||2||. (sggs 892).

But in order to Take Wisdom or Gurmati, the prerequisite is one has to admit he lacks it. In other words, the Gurbani tells us that Truth (Sach) can enter within only if the mind-vessel is fist emptied of its existing garbage – falsehood.

• ਕੂੜੈ ਕੀ ਪਾਲਿ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਨਿਕਲੈ ਸਚੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥: (When) the wall of falsehood is torn down from within, Truth comes to dwell in the mind. (sggs 591).

Although the Gurbani’s spiritual Knowledge is available to everybody, but if the learner (i.e. a Sikh) is not interested in Taking it, there is nothing SGGS can do – one may hear it from one ear and let it out from the other!

• ਕਬੀਰ ਸਾਚਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਜਉ ਸਿਖਾ ਮਹਿ ਚੂਕ ॥ ਅੰਧੇ ਏਕ ਨ ਲਾਗਈ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਂਸੁ ਬਜਾਈਐ ਫੂਕ ॥੧੫੮॥: The Satiguru can’t do anything, when there is a lapse (deception, etc.) in Sikhs (learners). (The Satguru’s Knowledge, Giaan…) can’t affect the blind (i.e., mentally blind – ignorant); it is as useless as blowing into bamboo. ||158|| (sggs 1372).

The SGGS asserts that Taking the Guru’s Wisdom is Bhagti.

• ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਤੂੰ ਲੇਹਿ ਇਆਨੇ ॥ ਭਗਤਿ ਬਿਨਾ ਬਹੁ ਡੂਬੇ ਸਿਆਨੇ ॥: O you ignorant, take the Gurmat (internalize the Message embedded in the Gur-Shabad); without this Bhagti, even very wise (self-willed) persons have succumb to vices/Bikaar (worldly temptations and their corrupting influences – Bhav Saagar…). (sggs 288).

Sikhi is in constant learning through sincere Shabad-Vichaar (or churning the Gurbani).

• ਊਤਮ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥੩॥: The ultimate action is Reflections on the Shabad – Shabad Vichaar ||3|| (sggs 158).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥: (Those beings) who have not served the ‘Satiguru‘ (through the Shabad-Vichaar), no Wisdom has Awakened within them, (they may appear as alive but they) are as dead in the world (spiritually dead-ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ). (sggs 88).

That being said, one who values Giaan-Wisdom for its own sake, stands to benefit in the long run. But, not everybody is likely to value it for its own sake. Then the question is: Who is most likely to engage in Vichaar or contemplation of Giaan? The SGGS answers this question as follows:

• ਜਿਨਾ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਸੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਿਨਾ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਤਿਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤੇ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ॥੪॥੭॥੨੭॥ : Those who have the Treasure of Virtues within, contemplate Giaan-Wisdom. Those with the Treasure of Virtues within, annihilate Haumai (false ego sense). Nanak, (I am) awed by those who are attuned to the divine Naam (Giaan-Wisdom / Virtues). ||4||7||27|| (sggs 160).
• ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੈ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥: Those who have the Treasure of Virtues within unite with the Guru (Giaan–Wisdom). (sggs 364).
• ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਹੈ ਸੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਿਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਹਿ ਜਾਤੇ ॥੧੬॥ (sggs 648).
• ਪੋਤੈ ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਹੈ ਤਿਨ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮੇਲਾਇ ॥ (sggs 30).
• ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਹੈ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਵਾਤਿ ਸਿਪੀਤੀ ॥ (sggs 951).
• ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੈ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਹੈ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧੯॥ (sggs 1245).