Writer Maxim Gorky is attributed with the following statement: ‘Freedom is the first five minutes in which you were born to cry naked, nameless, without a sense of any separative psyche, not knowing what is right, what is wrong and without human grudge. Five minutes after birth society decided your name, nationality, religion and other attributes. Then we grow defending and promoting things we didn’t choose, endlessly for the rest of our life. Thus compassion is gone and illusion is invited’.
Having said that, even though we are born free but the thoughts of the world/people enslaves our minds.
In the same way, the Pujaaree (clergy clique) also enslaves minds of the masses! The result is that, although the body moves around freely, but the mind remains in possession of the Pujaaree day and night!
Thus, human minds get taken over by outer domination — clergy concocted fake gods and goddess, fake afterlife hell and heaven, fake afterlife salvation, judgement after death, distorted and corrupted spirituality, concocted narratives, blindly entrenched beliefs, dogmas, superstitions and doubts, worthless rituals (Karamkaand), religious paraphernalia, religious robes, religious bathing, outer purity, external locations of pilgrimage (Tirath), Bikaar or vices, sense gratifications etc.
- ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਤਿਆਂ ਡਡਾਂ ਜਲਵਾਸੀ ॥ ਵਾਲ ਵਧਾਇਆਂ ਪਾਈਐ ਬੜ ਜਟਾਂ ਪਲਾਸੀ ॥ ਨੰਗੇ ਰਹਿਆਂ ਜੇ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਣਿ ਮਿਰਗ ਉਦਾਸੀ ॥ ਭਸਮ ਲਾਇ ਜੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਖਰੁ ਖੇਹ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ॥ ਜੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਚੁਪ ਕੀਤਿਆਂ ਪਸ਼ੂਆਂ ਜੜ ਹਾਸੀ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲੈ ਖਲਾਸੀ ॥੧੪॥ : If one could attain liberation by taking bath at pilgrimage locations then (we know that) the frogs always live in water. If growing long hair could make it available then the Banyan has long roots hanging from it. If going naked gets it, all the deer in the forest can be called detached ones. If it is attained by smearing ashes on body, the ass always rolls in dust. If muteness could bring it, the animals and inert objects are certainly speechless. No liberation is attained without the Guru (Giyan-Wisdom of the Shabad) and bondages are shattered only after meeting the Guru. (Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 36, Pauri 14).
In order to CONVEY the truth of the BANI, all writers of the Bani (ਬਾਣੀਕਾਰ) who are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) have used language, vocabulary, beliefs, phrases, terms, metaphors and traditions that were already within the use and within the psyche of people of the time. The verses written in different poetic forms and various languages in the SGGS highlight this aspect well. The use of this vocabulary does NOT at all mean that they have accepted the meaning of the vocabulary in the form in which it was prevalent.
For example, when speaking to a farmer Baabaa Nanak used the language of farmers. When in discussion with Pandit, Yogi, Qazi etc. he used their spiritual language of the time. It was easy for the people to relate and understand his Unique spiritual Message.
However, as noted above, the use of this vocabulary does NOT at all mean that the writers (ਬਾਣੀਕਾਰ) of the Bani included in the SGGS have accepted the meaning of the vocabulary in the form in which it was prevalent at the time. GURUS and BHAGATS have used these terms as examples (ਹਵਾਲਾ), but explicitly with new meanings and understanding to fit the new spiritual paradigms of Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak.
Liberated (mukt) while living the reality of life (Jeevan). For the Sikh Jeevanmukt, the world was not false but one’s hubris was false and everything committed under its influence accrued a false result.
In a nutshell, liberation — Mukti, salvation, freedom, Emancipation — in the Unique Sikhi of Baabaa Nanak or Gurmat means the realization of Creator (Truth) Within living the reality of whereas in Semitic and Hindu religions generally it means going to heaven after death etc. Gurmat rejects Hindu and Semitic notions of Mukti unequivocally because, for the Sikh liberation (Jeevanmukti) is here and now, NOT after death. Also, for a Sikh the world is not false but one’s false ego-sense (Haumai) is false, and everything done under its influence accrued a false result.
- ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਆਤਮ ਹਿਤਾਵੈ ॥ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਸੋਊ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥ : He, who abides by God’s Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature), is a liberated person while still alive. (sggs 275).
- ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਜਾਗਿ ਰਹੇ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਗਤਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੪॥: He, who remembers God constantly, becomes a liberated person while still alive through Inner Enlightenment. ॥4॥ (sggs 904).
- ਓਹੁ ਧਨਵੰਤੁ ਕੁਲਵੰਤੁ ਪਤਿਵੰਤੁ ॥ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਭਗਵੰਤੁ ॥: He is a living liberated who keeps God in Heart. Such a person is indeed wealthy, honorable and of noble birth. (sggs 294).
If the brain becomes a slave, then we will also remain a slave for the rest of our lives. Hence, unlike all traditional religions, the Gurbani (SGGS) teaches us to remain liberated from the slavery of the outer domination while still alive (Jeevan Mukta) — Mukti or salvation from psychological time, relativist consciousness, illusion, conditioned mind, worldly temptations, vices/Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride; and their countless variations), etc.
- ਜਰਾ ਜੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਈ ਸਚਿ ਰਹੈ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਸੋ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਜਾਇ ॥: One, who dwells on God, does not suffer moral decline. He alone is called liberated-in-life, from within whom Haumai (fasle ego-sense) is eradicated. (sggs 1009).
- ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਸੋ ਆਖੀਐ ਮਰਿ ਜੀਵੈ ਮਰੀਆ ॥ : (As Enlightened or Gurmukh Mindset) one who subdues (Haumai or false ego-sense, self-centeredness, corrupting worldly temptations etc.) is a ‘Jeevan Mukta‘. (sggs 449).
- ਸੁਰਗ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਸਭਿ ਬਾਂਛਹਿ ਨਿਤਿ ਆਸਾ ਆਸ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੇ ਜਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਮਾਂਗਹਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਧੀਜੈ ॥੧॥ : All yearn for the pleasure of heaven through ‘Mukti‘ (liberation, salvation) and continuously place their hope in it. But the devotees, who long for Vision of God, do not ask for ‘Mukti, as they are satisfied having the Blessed Vision. (sggs 1324).
- ਰਾਜੁ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲਾਰੇ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਮਹੇਸ ਸਿਧ ਮੁਨਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਾ ਮੋਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਹੀ ਦਰਸਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ : (O God, I) neither desire for empire (Bhugati or materiality) nor liberation (Mukti); (my) mind longs for the love of your lotus feet (Virtues / Wisdom). Whereas others search for Brahma, Shiva, Sidhas, Munis and Indra, I yearn for the Blessed Vision of my God. (sggs 534).
- ਮੁਕਤਿ ਬਪੁੜੀ ਭੀ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਤਿਆਗੇ ॥: A spiritually Wise forsakes even liberation. (sggs 1078).
For example, all traditional religions of the world tell people that God (or whatever name you want to use) is separate from you, sitting on a throne in the sky somewhere ‘up there’ or ‘there yonder’. They want people to be fearful of this fake God’s wrath and they want you to be blindly be under His domination, as if God is some sort of dictator and we all must be under His dictatorship etc.!
In fact, Christian clergy will tell you that the only way to God is through Jesus! If you do not follow him then you go to hell, and you have no hope to get into the Kingdom of God, up there!
The clergy of the Judaism claims they are the only chosen people of God!
Muslim clergy will label you ‘Kaaffir‘ (infidel) unless you are a Muslim — a ‘Kaaffir‘ does not even deserve to live!
It’s equally embarrassing for the rest of the Pujaaree cliques of other organized religions, including Sikhi of the Pujaaree.
What a cynical view of Dharma, Spirituality, and God! However, the Gurmat Giyan-Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) rejects all this.
Instead, the Gurbani teaches us practical spirituality, One All-pervading Universal Energy (Hukam: Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature), compassion and Love, Oneness of Humanity, virtuous living, respect and equality etc.
Simply put, the Gurbani asserts people talk about salvation of others and being saved themselves – the savior and the saved – ONLY until they have Realized God within themselves! In other words, once a person Realizes God within (Truth) himself/herself, that person transcends his/her slavery of the outer domination!
- ਤਾਰਨ ਤਰਨੁ ਤਬੈ ਲਗੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਅਬ ਤਉ ਬਿਮਲ ਭਏ ਘਟ ਹੀ ਮਹਿ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੨॥੫॥: (People talk of) salvation and being saved (i.e., the savior and the saved) as long as they do not understand the Essence of Reality. Says Kabeer! (I have) now become Pure within my Heart; my mind has become Happy. ||2||5|| (sggs 1104).
Accordingly, instead of wandering outside or worrying about a fake dominator or dictator ruling from ‘up there’ in the sky, the Gurbani asks us to look within and know own self:
- ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਟੋਲੈ ਸੋ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਹੀ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਿਨੀ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੋ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ : (The Creator, Divine Virtues, Spiritual tranquility, Naam, Shabad, Amrit…) all is WITHIN, not outside. The one who searches outside wanders in delusion. By ‘Gur Parasaadee’ (i.e. by the Grace of the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom), those who have Realized WITHIN are at peace in mind/thoughts and outside dealing with the world. ||1|| (sggs 102).
- ਪੁਹਪ ਮਧਿ ਜਿਉ ਬਾਸੁ ਬਸਤੁ ਹੈ ਮੁਕਰ ਮਾਹਿ ਜੈਸੇ ਛਾਈ ॥ ਤੈਸੇ ਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਬਸੇ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਘਟ ਹੀ ਖੋਜਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥੧॥: As the fragrance abides in the flower and the reflection in the mirror, so the Divine dwells uninterrupted (in all. Hence) O Brother! Search for Him within your Heart ||1|| (sggs 684).
- ਕਾਇਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਵਸੈ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਲਖਿਆ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਮੁਗਧੁ ਬੂਝੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭਾਲਣਿ ਜਾਈ ॥: God dwells within the body; but being Invisible, cannot be seen. The unenlightened Manmukh does not understand this fact and wanders outside to search for God. (sggs 754).
Clearly, the Gurbani teaches us an Inner Rule or an Inner discipline — a revolution Within!
- ਕਾਯਉ ਦੇਵਾ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਦੇਵਲ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਜੰਗਮ ਜਾਤੀ ॥ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ ਨਈਬੇਦਾ ਕਾਇਅਉ ਪੂਜਉ ਪਾਤੀ ॥੧॥ ਕਾਇਆ ਬਹੁ ਖੰਡ ਖੋਜਤੇ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਆਇਬੋ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਜਾਇਬੋ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ਦੁਹਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡੇ ਸੋਈ ਪਿੰਡੇ ਜੋ ਖੋਜੈ ਸੋ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ ਪੀਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਣਵੈ ਪਰਮ ਤਤੁ ਹੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਹੋਇ ਲਖਾਵੈ ॥੨॥੩॥: For me, to search my body is the temple wherein God dwells, and the it is the place of pilgrimage of which I am a pilgrim (searching for God Within my body). Searching God within the body is like burning incense, lighting of lamps and offering delicious food on leaf plates in Poojaa. ||1|| When I searched my body within, I found the new Treasure (of Naam) which I was searching outside. (Since I have realized within my ownself) the Glory of Raam (now I can say that) nothing comes, and nothing goes (i.e. I don’t go through repeated scuffing in my daily life). ||1||Pause|| What is pervading in the Universe out there is also within my body (the elements that comprise the universe are the elements that constitute me…); but this realization is the result of my internalizing of it. Peepaa offers – If Satguru (i.e. Giyan-Wisdom: ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ) is internalized, then the Supreme Reality (the Source of all, Creator) is revealed within (the conscience-mind). ||2||3|| (sggs 695).
The Gurbani thus teaches us to get out from the slavery of outer domination for the illusion is outside. But the Spiritual Factor, free of any illusion, is inside!
The Gurbani says that those who become Enlightened (Gurmukh Mindset) understand this, and those who remain Manmukh (unenlightened) remains in fetters.
- ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਬੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰਾਏ ॥੪॥੩॥: O Nanak! Manmukh remain in bondage; (but those who) become Gurmukh become liberated. ||4||3|| (sggs 559).
- ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਖੋਲੇ ਕਪਾਟ ॥ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਭਏ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਥਾਟ ॥੪॥੪੩॥੧੧੨॥ : Nanak says, the Guru has Enlightened my mind. I am liberated and my doubts have been dispelled. ||4||43||112|| (sggs 188).
Undoubtedly, the Gurbani is truly a revolutionary Siddhaant — the assertion of Truth, authentic Experience or Realization, Vision of Reality, the Timeless and Universal Wisdom etc.! It Liberates the entire humanity from the slavery of any outside agency, outside domination or any rule from the outside.
- ਆਪਿ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਕਰੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਸਦਾ ਨਮਸਕਾਰੁ ॥੮॥੨੩॥ : Nanak, I bow in reverence forever to that person who has liberated himself, and who inspires others to liberate themselves (from repeated suffering due to ignorance, falsehood etc.). ||8||23|| (sggs 295).
- ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਐ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥ ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥: O Nanak! Meeting the Satigur (ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ) then one learns the perfect Way to live life. (Thus following that) he is liberated while laughing, playing, dressing and eating (i.e. one remains free from worldly temptations and their corrupting influence while living in the world). (sggs 522).
In a nutshell, the Gurbani of SGGS wants to free the entire humanity. So it urges all to step Inward.
To Free us from any domination from the outside, the Gurbani tells not to depend on an outside agency for resolving life’s affairs. Instead, we can and we must resolve our own affairs, ourselves, here and now:
- ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥ : (So long there is breath – Praan) we should accomplish our task (work, purpose, avail, concern etc) with our hands ourselves (i.e. with self-efforts and hard work) – it is in the hands of the human beings to achieve the purpose of human birth to make it successful by living in conformance with the Divine Hukam. ||20|| (sggs 474).
However, the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy clique) and the custodians of ALL man-made religions want people to be the slave of or dependent on an outside agency that is vengeful, wrathful, jealous, angry etc. This way it’s much easier for them to exploit and manipulate the masses, propagate duality, hatred, fear, pitting people against one another (i.e., ‘us versus them’) etc.
On the other hand, the Gurbani teaches Oneness of humanity, non-duality, Love, fearlessness, Equality etc. It removes our doubts, the mind’s falsehood and ignorance of its own Original Blissful Nature.
- ਹਮਰਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਗਇਆ ਭਉ ਭਾਗਾ ॥ ਜਬ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਗਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Now that my consciousness is attached to the Naam (Wisdom, Virtues, Truth…) ||1||Pause||, my mind’s doubt got dispelled and my fear has fled away. (sggs 655).
The Beauty of the Gurmat Siddhaant is that once you step Inward, you free yourself from the slavery of the outside nonsense — you act spontaneously, not according to any rule imposed by others or by one’s own conditioned mind.
Once inside or Within, you keep going until you become established in ‘Sahaj’ (Natural State of Being, Spontaneous State of Being, State of Giaan-Wisdom etc.), ‘Sunn Samaadhi’ (stillness, nothingness, spiritual Silence, State Free of attachment to Mayaic thoughts, false ego-sense or Haumai etc.), ‘Pad Nirabaan’ (Nirvaanaa, liberation, eternal happiness etc.) etc.
Here the response is Total, Undivided, Untainted, Unconditioned, non-violent, Total Freedom.
- ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬਿਗਸੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥: The Gurmukh (Spiritual Being) blossoms forth through Sahaj (sggs 1173).
- ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਤਾ ॥: (By becoming the Gurmukh, his) mind remains intuitively absorbed in Sunn Samaadhi (where there are no Mayaic thoughts, noise of the Haumai, etc.). (sggs 904).
- ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤਾ ਸੋਈ ਨਿਰਬਾਣੁ ॥੩॥: One who is imbued with Naam (Wisdom / Virtues), remains Free from worldly temptations and their corrupting influences. ॥3॥ (sggs 385).
Here the actor (imposter or distorted mind) completely disappears, the scene and the seer become one — here the mind is completely Free of all conditioning, and it cannot be manipulated by anybody or anything. Reality is only when the mind is not. Death of the mind is death of the negative impact of Maya.
- ਫਾਹੇ ਕਾਟੇ ਮਿਟੇ ਗਵਨ ਫਤਿਹ ਭਈ ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤ ॥: When one conquers his (own) mind, victory (Fatih-‘ਫਤਿਹ’) is obtained; (Maya’s) snares are cut (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਦੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਕੱਟੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ); and one’s (Mayaic-ਮਾਇਆ ਪਿਛੇ ਭਟਕਣਾ) wanderings cease. (sggs 258).
Hence, the Gurbani asserts that no outer domination should exist whatsoever. Thus, the Gurbani’s Dharma is of divine Virtues, not out of fear but out of Truth!
What a revolutionary Siddhaant, indeed!
Hence, true or real Mukti (liberation) is to continuously remain in Bliss (Ananad) while living the reality of life (Jeevan) while alive — freedom from attachment to duality.
- ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਆਤਮ ਹਿਤਾਵੈ ॥ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਸੋਊ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥ ਤੈਸਾ ਹਰਖੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੋਗੁ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਤਹ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਓਗੁ ॥ ਤੈਸਾ ਸੁਵਰਨੁ ਤੈਸੀ ਉਸੁ ਮਾਟੀ ॥ ਤੈਸਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਤੈਸੀ ਬਿਖੁ ਖਾਟੀ ॥ ਤੈਸਾ ਮਾਨੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਤੈਸਾ ਰੰਕੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਰਾਜਾਨੁ ॥ ਜੋ ਵਰਤਾਏ ਸਾਈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਓਹੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥੭॥: He, who abides by God’s Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature), is a liberated person while still alive. As is joy, so is sorrow to him. In both, he remains in everlasting Bliss and attached to Hukam. As is gold, so is dust to him. As is nectar, so is bitter poison to him. As is honor, so is dishonor to him. As is the beggar, so is the king to him. His way is to accept and live in harmony with Hukam. Nanak, only such individuals can truly be called liberated while living. ||7|| (sggs 275).
Ending
Simply put, a wise man resist outer/worldly attractions and their corrupting influences, but an unwise man becomes slave of them.
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Thank you brother Makhan Singh Rayat Ji for taking the time to respond. Thank you for sharing!
Gurbani realizes us about ‘JOT’ ( mool, Atma )
when,we understand………..are free.
Thank you!
The Gurbani teaches us the real rule which is above religion and can be practiced by any one ( Irrspective of Catse , Creed , religion etc.) in the whole Humanity. This is the real Oneness of SGGS.