Mere Darshan or Seeing of Guru Will do Nothing!

The spirituality of the Gurmat (Wisdom of the Guru Shabad) is of the SELF, for the SELF, and by the SELF. Also there is NO place for a middleman (Vicholaa) in Gurmat either.

That said, the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) claims that ritual seeing (Darshan-ਦਰਸ਼ਨ) of the Guru or SGGS will not do anything – it will not liberate anybody from non-realized state of the mind.

Mere Darshan will do nothing

To get liberated from vices/Bikaar, bad thoughts (Soch) or non-realized state, it is necessary to internalize the enlightening Message of the Guru Shabad and adopt/live it in daily life. therefore, there is NO concept of transfer of blessings in the spirituality of the Gurbani in the SGGS. Thus, here the following practical Sidhaant of the Guru Shabad applies.

• ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ ॥ : I would eat what I sow. (sggs 4).
• ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ : Sikhi is contemplation on Guru’s teaching (Instructions, Wisdom, Counsel, Guide, Upadesh, Giyan, Bibek) and acting on it. (sggs 465).

In other words, if I want to liberate myself then I must work hard for it. Just seeing the Guru (SGGS) will not do the trick if the mind within remains corrupted and stubbornly unchanged.

Simply put, without Shabad-Vichaar, mere seeing (Darshan-ਦਰਸ਼ਨ) seeing of Sri SGGS will not and cannot liberate anybody from Mayic delusion, doubts, duality, Haumai (false ego-sense), worldly bondage, vices/Bikaars, 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 world physically see the Satgur. But one can not be ‘Mukt‘ (liberated etc.) just by seeing the Satguru until and unless the Message within the Shabad is Reflected upon and lived ( i.e. nothing is will be accomplished). Filth of Haumai (false ego-sense) is not removed until love for the Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues /  Hukam) does not get affixed in the mind. (sggs 594).

Therefore, to preach, propagate, or believe that mere seeing or ‘Darshan‘ will free or emancipate one is a fallacy (Jhooth-ਝੂਠ) and fraud. Ironically, this is what seems to be the emphasis in the Gurdwaras by the self-serving Pujaaree clique — Deraa-Vaad sadh babas, Bhais, Granthis, Ragis, Parcharaks, Dhadis, Kathaa-kaars, Jathedars etc trained in Nirmala traditions rejected by Guru Nanak in no uncertain terms.

Misinterpretation of verses by Self-serving Pujaaree

To justify and keep their lucrative business and lifestyle of freeloaders going, the Pujaaree click always misuse or misquote or misinterpret verses from the SGGS. For example ‘ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਪੇਖਿਆ ਸੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ਨ ਪਰਿਆ ਰੇ ॥੪॥੨॥੧੩॥’ etc.

Without paying attention to the ‘Rahaou‘ verse of this Shabad, the self-serving Pujaaree and others influenced by the Nirmala traditions or Bipran literally translate it as who have heard and seen Guru Nanak do not descend into the womb of reincarnation again.

Such interpretation is totally contrary to the Pure and Unique Gurmat of Baba Nanak. Not Only that it contradicts rest of the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS.

As mentioned before, the Gurbani also asserts:

• ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ : But one can not be ‘Mukt‘ (liberated etc.) just by seeing the Satguru until and unless the Message within the Shabad is Reflected upon and lived ( i.e. nothing is will be accomplished). (sggs 594).
• ਸੇਵਕ ਸਿਖ ਪੂਜਣ ਸਭਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਊਤਮ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਗਾਵਿਆ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਿਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ : (Those who call themselves Guru’s) Sevak and Sikhs come and perform Poojaa and sing the Bani. But God accepts the singing and listening of those people who who have acted upon the (Giyan-Wisdom) of the Satguru knowing it true. ||1|| (sggs 669).
• ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥ : O my Mind! He alone is a Sikh, a friend, and a relative, who lives his/her life in conformance with the Guru’s Bhaanaa (i.e. Guru’s Upadesh, Giyan-Wisdom…). (sggs 601).

Now let’s come back to the verse ‘ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਪੇਖਿਆ ਸੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ਨ ਪਰਿਆ ਰੇ’. But before that, let’s consider and reflect on the ‘Rahaou’ verse of the Shabad. Deciphering the meaning of the Rahaou (ਰਹਾਉ) verse first is very essential. This is because the Rahaou verse contains both the gist and the context for the entire Shabad. This means that all the spiritual Messages of the remaining verses must be interpreted by applying this context.

• ਹਰਿ ਆਰਾਧਿ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਰੇ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਰੇ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਰਿਓ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : The Guru taught me to remember the Creator (‘Hari‘)and: Even though I have been named servant of the Omnipresent Creator; I have not learnt how to remember the Creator; I only repeat ‘Hari Hari or Gur Gur‘. ||Pause|| (sggs 613).

After dwelling and contemplating on the ‘Rahaou‘ verse, now let’s reflect on the verse in question:

• ਮੈ ਮੂਰਖ ਕੀ ਕੇਤਕ ਬਾਤ ਹੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਪਰਾਧੀ ਤਰਿਆ ਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਪੇਖਿਆ ਸੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ਨ ਪਰਿਆ ਰੇ ॥੪॥੨॥੧੩॥ : What to talk of a foolish person like me (who doubts efficacy living in conformance with the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom and the Divine’s Hukam), even millions of wrongdoers have have gone across (Bhav Saagar – the ocean of unenlightened life). Those people who have listened/internalized the enlightening Giyan-Wisdom of Guru Nanak and live in conformance with it; their minds never again go through womb of the repeated suffering at the level of he mind (cycle of repeated spiritual death). ||4||2||13|| (sggs 613).

That said, the SGGS teaches we can only be liberated through the Reflection/realization/internalization of the Gur-Shabad and living accordingly. Because without it the ‘Bhangar/filth’ of the of mind will not end. Also, love for the Naam (Gur-Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam) cannot be implanted in the mind.

The Gurbani cannot be more clear!

Here the Gurbani is not talking about ritual seeing, but it is talking about internalizination and living by the Guru’s-Giyan that can sustain the mind.

• ਮਨ ਸਮਝਾਵਨ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਕਛੂਅਕ ਪੜੀਐ ਗਿਆਨ ॥੫॥ : To instruct the mind one ought to study Knowledge to some extent. ||5|| (sggs 340).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਡਿਠਾ ਤਾਂ ਮਨੁ ਸਾਧਾਰਿਆ ॥੭॥ : Guru dithaa taan manu sadhaariaa ||7|| (sggs 968).

The Gurbani teaches us that our mind can only be restrained by the Gur-Giyan, not by mere seeing or mere bowing to the SGGS or someone.

• ਕੁੰਭੇ ਬਧਾ ਜਲੁ ਰਹੈ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਗਿਆਨ ਕਾ ਬਧਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥ : As the water remains confined in a pitcher, (just so) the mind is restrained by the Spiritual Wisdom. But (as) the pitcher cannot be shaped without the water, (just so) there can be no Spiritual Wisdom without the Guru. ||5|| (sggs 469).

Once the mind is restrained by the Gur-Giyan, then, as the Gurbani says, the spiritual state of ‘ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ’ arises:

• ਮੁੰਦਾ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸਰਮੁ ਪਤੁ ਝੋਲੀ ਧਿਆਨ ਕੀ ਕਰਹਿ ਬਿਭੂਤਿ ॥ ਖਿੰਥਾ ਕਾਲੁ ਕੁਆਰੀ ਕਾਇਆ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਡੰਡਾ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ॥ ਆਈ ਪੰਥੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਮਾਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ ॥ : (O Yogi) make Godly contentment your earrings, hard work your begging bowl, and contemplation (on Naam: Wisdom/Virtues) ashes that cover your body. Such diligence enable a life time (ਖਿੰਥਾ ਕਾਲੁ) of liberation from vices (free from inflictions of vices or Bikaar– ਕੁਆਰੀ) and the spirituality (or Way – ਜੁਗਤਿ) of unflinching faith (ਡੰਡਾ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ) in (Divine Virtues). (Let Divine Virtues, universal brotherhood) as the highest spirituality for all of humanity (be your ‘Aaee Panthi‘ sect-ਆਈ ਪੰਥੀ), by controlling your mind you can Win (ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ) the command or dictates of our sensory world (ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ). (sggs 6).

Therefore, according to the Gurbani, Understanding the Guru Shabad, and then living it is the true state of ‘ਤੁਧੁ ਡਿਠੇ ਸਚੇ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹ –Tudhu dithe sache paatisaah‘. With this (ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਦੇ ਦਰਸਨ) will end  all our inner filth of Bikaars, Haumai, ego, ailments of the mind… (the state of ‘ਜਿਸ ਡਿਠੇ ਸਭਿ ਦੁਖਿ ਜਾਇ – Jis dithe sabhi dukhi jaai’).

In other words, by merely reading, reciting or singing ‘… ਜਿਸ ਡਿਠੇ ਸਭਿ ਦੁਖਿ ਜਾਇ ॥’ will not bring the end to our mind’s illnesses (filth, Bikaars, Haumai, ego and so on).

So, if we really intend to respect (ਕਦਰ, ਸਤਕਾਰ, reverence, veneration…) the SGGS, then, as the Gurbai urges us, we must search (ਖੋਜ) Giyan (ਗਿਆਨ…) in the Gurbani by becoming the ‘rare’ Gurmukh (Enlightened) and live accordingly.

• ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥੧੦॥੧॥ : Nanak, a rare person by becoming the Gurmukh (Enlightened/Guru Shabad Oriented being) understands by abiding the Guru Shabad in the mind. (sggs 842).

This is the purport (ਮੁੱਦਾ…) of the Gurbani, not grip or possession (ਕਬਜਾ) of Golak (money) on its name; not corruption on its name; not ਧੜੇਬੰਦੀ on its name (alliances and counter-alliances of Manmukhataa…); not ਲੜਾਈ-ਝਗੜੇ (fight, tussle, contention, etc.) in the Gurdwaras in its name…! The one who truly respects the Gurbani becomes the Gurmukh (Brahm-Giyanee…) and his mind and life get transformed (ਜੀਵਨ ਪਦਵੀ). Because he gets absorbed into the Gurmat (“ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ”, ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ, the Gurbani’s Teaching …). Thus it’s only the Gurbani’s Giyan that will liberate us.

• 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).

Ending

To say that mere/ritual bowing to SGGS, mere/ritual reading/hearing of SGGS, or mere/ritual seeing of SGGS (‘Darshan‘) will liberate one from conditioned or non-realized state of the mind only indicates poverty/bankruptcy of intellect. Before accepting/believing the literal translation/interpretation of the verse ‘ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਪੇਖਿਆ ਸੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ਨ ਪਰਿਆ ਰੇ’, we should remember:

• This verse is written by the Fifth Guru. And he never saw Guru Nanak!!!!!!!!!
• Guru Nanak’s own sons – Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das – rebelled against Guru Nanak and his Teaching!!!!!!!

Although we respect all ten Guru Sahibs, but it must also be born in mind that whoever is the Guru or Satguru of Guru Nanak is also the Guru or Satguru of his Sikhs. Guru Nanak in his own words:

• 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).

The Way of the Guru Shabad is the Way of Understanding is and application of that Understanding in day-day-life (Amal-ਅਮਲ).

• ਜਹ ਕਰਣੀ ਤਹ ਪੂਰੀ ਮਤਿ ॥ ਕਰਣੀ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਘਟੇ ਘਟਿ ॥੩॥: When one’s ‘Karnee’/actions/conduct is perfect (i.e. free of cunningness/ingenuity – in conformance with the Divine Hukam/Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues) then this would indicate one’s intellect is also perfect. Sans of perfect ‘Karanee’/actions/conduct would indicate deficient intellect (i.e. one cannot have perfect ‘Karnee‘ with deficient intellect/understanding…). ||3|| (sggs 25).
• ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ : How then can I become God-Realized being within (‘Sachiaaraa‘)? How can I remove the obstacle of my non-realized state within? O Nanak! (The way to realize Creator within is to) remain within the confines of His Hukam (the Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…), as (Creator and His Hukam) is contained with us. ||1|| (sggs 1).

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• Pujaaree System Wants People Remain Ignorant, Fearful, Ritualistic…
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• Mere Bowing is of no Avail
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• Reading and Memorizing Gurbani is of no Avail Unless…
• Looking Pious and Mahatma Outside but Fraud Inside
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• Mool Realization cannot be Made to an Order
• Virtues
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Crowds follow the path of Falsehood, Pakhand…
• Ritualistic Reading of the Gurbani
• Spiritual Development
• Spiritual Indigestion
• Spiritual Surgery
• Self-Efforts