Mere Seeing and Bowing is of no Avail

Without Shabad-Vichaar, mere bowing (Mathaa Tekanaa) or seeing (Darshan) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) will not and cannot liberate anybody from Maya, doubts, duality, Haumai (false ego-sense), worldly bondage, mind’s delusions, Bikaar, and so on. This is the Gurbani’s edict.

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਜੇਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਚੁਕਈ ਨਾਮਿ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥: Everybody in this the world physically see the Satgur. Nothing going to happen just by seeing (the Satgur); one can not be ‘Mukt‘ (liberated, unentangled, unhindered etc.) until and unless the Message within the Shabad is Reflected upon. (Because, without the Shabad-Vichaar) the filth of Haumai (false ego-sense) is not removed, and love for the Naam (Shabad, Hukam, Divine Virtues, Divine Wisdom, Giaan…) does not get affixed (in the mind). (sggs 594).
• ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਦੂਣਾ ਨਿਵੈ ਜੋ ਹੰਤਾ ਮਿਰਗਾਹਿ ॥ ਸੀਸਿ ਨਿਵਾਇਐ ਕਿਆ ਥੀਐ ਜਾ ਰਿਦੈ ਕੁਸੁਧੇ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੧॥: The sinner (i.e., one who does not live in harmony with Hukam or the Divine Wisdom) bows double like the deer hunter (who bows double as much while aiming at the deer). What can be achieved by merely bowing the head, when the heart remains resorted to falsehood (i.e., nothing is achieved!)? ||1|| (sggs 470).
• ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥: The entire world roams around uttering “Raam”, “Raam”, “Raam”; but “Raam” cannot be Realized like this. (sggs 555).
• ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਤ ਕਪਟੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਹਿਰਦਾ ਸੁਧੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥: One who utters ” Hari” “Hari”, while constantly practicing deception, (his) Heart cannot become pure. (sggs 732).
• ਤਨਿ ਚੰਦਨੁ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਪਾਤੀ ॥ ਰਿਦ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਰ ਤਲ ਕਾਤੀ ॥: (O lewed man) you rub your body with sandalwood oil, and place basil leaves on your forehead. However, thou hold a knife in the hand of your heart (within you is cheat, deception…). (sggs 1351).

The Gurbani captures Varied facets of the crooked human nature and the gross and subtle ways in which the right conduct can be transgressed.

• ਸਿੰਮਲ ਰੁਖੁ ਸਰਾਇਰਾ ਅਤਿ ਦੀਰਘ ਅਤਿ ਮੁਚੁ ॥ ਓਇ ਜਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਆਸ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਨਿਰਾਸੇ ਕਿਤੁ ॥ ਫਲ ਫਿਕੇ ਫੁਲ ਬਕਬਕੇ ਕੰਮਿ ਨ ਆਵਹਿ ਪਤ ॥ ਮਿਠਤੁ ਨੀਵੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਗੁਣ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਤਤੁ ॥ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਨਿਵੈ ਆਪ ਕਉ ਪਰ ਕਉ ਨਿਵੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਧਰਿ ਤਾਰਾਜੂ ਤੋਲੀਐ ਨਿਵੈ ਸੁ ਗਉਰਾ ਹੋਇ ॥: The Simmal tree is straight, very tall and wide. But the birds that come and sit on it with the hope of eating its fruits, depart disappointed. Because its fruits are tasteless, its flowers are nauseating, and its leaves are useless. Nanak, there is sweetness in being humble and there are Virtues in it; humility is the essence of all Virtues (i.e. it’s the best Virtue). Everyone bows down for one’s own sake (own selfishness), not for the sake of others. (But notice that) when something is placed on the balancing scale and weighed, the side which descends is heavier (similarly he who shows genuine humility is deemed a better person)! (sggs 470).

The foregoing verses draw our attention to the fact that:

• Pretending to be humble (pretentiously bowing down – ਝੂਠੇ ਲਾਲਚ ਦੀ ਖਾਤਰ ਮੱਥੇ ਟੇਕਣੇ…) while there is the lack of true humility or Wisdom within brings in its wake all the negative and undesirable qualities. In fact, those who display phony bowing down are indicated to be akin to a ‘Aparaadhe‘ (sinner, offender, defaulter, transgressor, guilty, culprit, wrong-doer, etc.),  like the hunter who bows double as much while aiming at his pray.
• Due to arrogance, mere seeing the SGGS or boring down in front of the SGGS there sets in delusion, deception, doubt, error, wandering, fallacy, illusion (ਭਰਮ ਜਾਲ), perplexity, etc.
• The quality of True humility is the bedrock on which all other good qualities rest…

Thus, the SGGS asserts nothing can be achieved by merely seeing the SGGS, or  merely bowing (Mathaa Tekanaa) in front of the SGGS, or everywhere else (ਥਾਂ ਥਾਂ ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਾਂ) if the mind is devoid of the Shabad-Vichaar. In other words, the SGGS tells us that merely being in the presence of the SGGS is NOT enough; or, nothing can be achieved by bowing the head if the mind remains bent on falsehood, Bikaar, malice, crookedness, etc. Here is the Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ):

• ਬੁਤ ਪੂਜਿ ਪੂਜਿ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੂਏ ਤੁਰਕ ਮੂਏ ਸਿਰੁ ਨਾਈ ॥: Worshiping their idols, the Hindus die; the Muslims die bowing their heads (towards Mecca…). (sggs 654).
• ਇਕਿ ਅਪਣੈ ਸੁਆਇ ਆਇ ਬਹਹਿ ਗੁਰ ਆਗੈ ਜਿਉ ਬਗੁਲ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਈਐ ॥: Some come for their own self-interest, and sit before the Guru; they pretend to be in Samaadhi, like the crane! ||3|| (sggs 881).

Now, let’s ask the SGGS what the real “Bowing” is! According to the Gurmat (Wisdom, Giaan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS…), the true bowing is to have faith (ਭਰੋਸਾ) in the Guru’s Giaan (Wisdom, understanding, Soojh-Boojh…), see the Universal Energy everywhere…

• ਸਿਦਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਸਿਜਦਾ ਮਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਖਸੂਦੁ ॥:  Make faith (ਭਰੋਸਾ in the Guru’s Giaan, Wisdom, understanding, Soojh-Boojh…) your bowing and let the conquest of mind be the aim of your life. (sggs 84).

In nutshell, according to the SGGS, the real “Bowing” is to realize the Naam (Giaan, Wisdom, Virtues, Hukam or Universal Energy…).

• ਤੁਧਨੋ ਨਿਵਣੁ ਮੰਨਣੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਉ ॥: To accept or live by your Naam (Wisdom, Virtues) is the true bowing or obeisance unto you. (sggs 878).

Hence, the SGGS cautions its learners (i.e., Sikhs) that — without Shabad-Vichaar — mere seeing (Darshan-ਦਰਸਨ) the Satigur (ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ-True Wisdom) will not and cannot liberate anybody from Maya, doubts, duality, Haumai (false ego-sense), delusion, Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.), and so on. The Gurbani compares the spiritual path (the Gurmukh Lifestyle) to chewing iron with the teeth of wax!

• ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥: (One is) not liberated by merely seeing (the Satigur), unless the Shabad is Reflected upon. (sggs 594).
• ਲੋਇਣ ਲੋਈ ਡਿਠ ਪਿਆਸ ਨ ਬੁਝੈ ਮੂ ਘਣੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਅਖੜੀਆਂ ਬਿਅੰਨਿ ਜਿਨੀ ਡਿਸੰਦੋ ਮਾ ਪਿਰੀ ॥੧॥: With my eyes, I have seen (the world: Maya), (but still) my (thirst of Maya or to see the world) is great, this thirst is not quenched (ਇਹ ਪਿਆਸ ਬੁੱਝਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ). O Nanak! Those eyes are different, which behold my Beloved (Universal Energy…). ||1|| (sggs 577 and 1100).

The Gurbani asserts the eyes which can see or behold the “Nirankaar” (Formless Principle) are different (ਹੋਰ ਕਿਸਮ ਦੀਆ) — the Inner Eyes = Eyes of the Gurbani, Bibek Budhi of the Gurbani, eyes of the Shabad-Surati, eyes of the Naam, eyes of the Gurmat, eyes of the Gur-Giaan (eyes of the Spiritual Wisdom Divine Knowledge of the Gurbani)…

Since the Gurbani is meant for the human mind (ਸੋਚ-thinking), it asks the mind be reformed (“ਆਪੁ ਸਵਾਰਹਿ”) to recognize its True Nature (Mool, Jot Saroop…). Towards that end, we are given the spiritual Knowledge (Giaan, ਉਚੀ ਮਤ, ਸਮਝ… ) for mending the mind (thinking-ਸੋਚ), and thus changing our living style in the process. However, this will only happen if we thoroughly understand the Gurmat through Shabad-Vichaar and then apply it to our daily life. Hence, the SGGS asserts:

• ਆਪੁ ਸਵਾਰਹਿ ਮੈ ਮਿਲਹਿ ਮੈ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਫਰੀਦਾ ਜੇ ਤੂ ਮੇਰਾ ਹੋਇ ਰਹਹਿ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੯੫॥: If you REFORM yourself then you will Realize Me (i.e. God), and when you Realize Me (i.e. God), you will rejoice in Spiritual Bliss. O Farid, (reforming yourself) if you become Mine then the entire world would become yours. ||95|| (sggs 1382).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਲਾਗਾ ਪਾਇ ॥: I praise the Guru bowing down to his Feet again and again (i.e., Guru’s Feet = Guru’s Charan = Gur’s Giaan, or Wisdom).  (sggs 756).
• ਹਿਰਦੈ ਚਰਣ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਾਂਧਿਓ ਪਾਲ ॥੨॥੭॥੩੮॥: O Nanak! Continually entrust that the Satigur’s Shabad (Upadesh, ਸਚ ਦਾ ਗਿਆਨ, Wisdom…), are (Satigur’s feet) Charan enshrined in my Heart. ||2||7||38|| (sggs 680).

Therefore, to preach, promote, or believe that mere seeing or bowing will liberate one is a fallacy and fraud propagated by the Pujaaree system. Ironically, this is what seems to be the emphasis in the Gurdwaras (by the ਲੋਟੂ-ਟੋਲਾ of the Pujaaree groups.), for the path of Pakhand is much easier to follow – people see, people do!

• ਦੇਖਾ ਦੇਖੀ ਸਭ ਕਰੇ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝ ਨ ਪਾਇ ॥: Manmukhs (Unenlightened persons) do everything seeing other people do to make a show (Pakhand, ਦੇਖਾ ਦੇਖੀ, ਨਕਲ, ਦਿਖਾਵਾ…), but they themselves have no understanding of the true way of living. (sggs 28).

Gurmat can only be begotten through Shabad Vichaar, which is like chewing iron. Because, it is very difficult for a person attached to this glittering world to cross the ocean of Maya, thoughts (ਫੁਰਨੇ), doubts (ਭਰਮ), false ego-sense (Haumai), self-conceit, Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.), poignant longing for the worldly objects, sense pleasures and material desires, etc.

However – instead of promoting Giaan (Wisdom) of the Gurbani – the illiterate and scheming  Sikh Pujaaree groups promote robes (ਭੇਖ, ਬਾਣਾਂ), symbols, ponds, buildings, idol worship (ਬੁੱਤ ਪੂਜਾ, ਮੂਰਤੀ ਪੂਜਾ…), body-consciousness, Deraavaad, Santdoms, Saadhdoms, nonsense rituals, worship  of embodied beings (ਦੇਹਧਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ), made-up stuff (i.e., granths, stories, history…), Golak (money collection), and so on.

• ਸਿਆਮਲੰ ਮਧੁਰ ਮਾਨੁਖ੍ਯ੍ਯੰ ਰਿਦਯੰ ਭੂਮਿ ਵੈਰਣਹ ॥ ਨਿਵੰਤਿ ਹੋਵੰਤਿ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਚੇਤਨੰ ਸੰਤ ਸ੍ਵਜਨਹ ॥੬੦॥: A person (may look) beautiful and speak sweet words, (but if he) harbors vengeance (i.e., Bikaar)  in the farm of (his) heart; (then his) bowing is false. True Satsangee Jan (the Gurmukh, Daas, Bhagat…) remain conscious or cognizant (of this fault…). ||60||(sggs 1359).
• ਲੋਗਨ ਰਾਮੁ ਖਿਲਉਨਾ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥੧॥: People think that Raam (Mool, Source…) is a toy or a play-thing ||1|| (sggs 1158)!

In nutshell, despite the fact that the Wisdom of the SGGS frees us from the useless rituals (Karamkaand), the crafty Pujaaree groups have turned the Gurbani into a “Tijaarat” (Business, ਧੰਧਾ)!

Therefore, the SGGS urges its learners (i.e., Sikhs, students) to utilize the mind, commonsense…

• ਕੋਠਰੇ ਮਹਿ ਕੋਠਰੀ ਪਰਮ ਕੋਠੀ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਨੀ ਬਸਤੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਉ ਲੇਵਹੁ ਬਸਤੁ ਸਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰਿ ॥੪॥ ਕਬੀਰਿ ਦੀਈ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕਉ ਲੀਨੀ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਭਾਗੁ ॥: In the body-house is the chamber (of the mind); through Reflection (on the Shabad, or Naam), make this chamber (of the mind) becomes the best (intelligent, excellent, Original, or Jot Saroop…). The Guru (Bibek or Giaan-Guru) has blessed Kabeer with the commodity (of Giaan or Naam, instructing) “Take this commodity and guard it” (in the mind-chamber). ||4||  Kabeer has given (this Giaan or Naam) to the world, but (that mind) alone becomes Enlightenment which takes it. (sggs 970).

Furthermore, the SGGS also tells us that those — whose minds are bent on ignorance or foolishness  — will not use their mind or commonsense:

• ਮਨਹੁ ਜਿ ਅੰਧੇ ਕੂਪ ਕਹਿਆ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ॥: Mortals whose minds are like dark well (i.e., extremely foolish) do not understand the purpose of life even when told. (sggs 1246).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਗੁਰੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਤਬ ਜਾਨੀਐ ਮਿਟੈ ਮੋਹੁ ਤਨ ਤਾਪ ॥ ਹਰਖ ਸੋਗ ਦਾਝੈ ਨਹੀ ਤਬ ਹਰਿ ਆਪਹਿ ਆਪਿ ॥੧੮੯॥: O Kabir! One is known to have been Connected with the Guru’s Giaan-Wisdom, only when his (Mayaic) attachment and physical agony are eradicated. When no pleasure or sorrow tortures one’s mind, then that is a state of mind when God seems to be pervading everywhere. ||189|| (sggs 1374).