Opening Verse – Guru Nanak’s concept of ‘God’

Following is the opening composition of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). The Author of this opening verse is Guru Nanak. This opening verse of the SGGS, shown below, is accepted as Guru Nanak’s description or definition of what other religions call ‘God’.

• ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ (sggs 1).

The pages to follow will look at each term of this opening verse in more detail.

This is Guru Nanak’s paradigm. However, humans have added so many names to it like some call it Mool Mantar or Mool Mantra and some call it Mangla Charan etc.

Although it’s the commencing or opening (first) composition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), it also appears in full or shortened form before the commencement of most of the Raagas within the SGGS. BUT, nowhere it can be found starting or ending with the term Mool Mantar , Mool Mantra or Mangla Charan. Apparently our Gurus did not label this opening verse as such.

These labels are man-made, concocted by the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy) — the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) and their trained Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees, and so on.

Since any Mangla Charan and Mantar (Mantra or Mant) is meant for ritualistic chanting, ritualistic reading or ritualistic recitation (i.e. Karamkaand), these Pujaaree-created labels reduce the significance and importance of this opening verse whose each word is loaded with deep meaning for Sikhs (lifelong students or learners) to Understand and BECOME the Gurbani. In short, Gurmant or Gur-Mantar essentially means Guru’s Upadesh – spiritual Message, Guidance, Direction, Advice, Counsel embedded in the Guru Shabad.

Guru Nanak makes it clear that he does not know of any ‘Taant Mant’, Mantar or Mantra:

• ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥ : I know nothing of ‘Paakhand’ of Tantric spells and magical mantras (witchcraft, ਜਾਦੂ-ਟੂਣਾ…); I have enshrined Raam (-Naam: Wisdom, Truth…) within my Heart, my mind is pleased with That. (sggs 766).
• ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਤੰਤ ਨ ਮੰਤਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਣੁ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਹੰਤਾ ॥ : There is no other medicine, Tantric spells or magical mantras, but Naam Simran (dwelling on Wisdom / Virtues) destroys evil. (sggs 416).

Furthermore, this preamble encapsulates the Essence of the spiritual Message or Counsel of the entire SGGS. Hence, it’s the heart of the Sikh Thought.

Just as fragrance is boxed in the flower, and the light of the sun is hidden in the colors, similarly, the Essence of the One Creator and Brahm-Giyan is summed up in this opening composition of the SGGS.

That being said, the bottom line in the Way of life of a Sikh is to Become Divine Entity by understanding the Gurbani, and then living a divine life as Gurmukh (Enlightened / Guru Shabad-Oriented mindset).

This opening verse of the SGGS depicts the ONENESS of the Creator with the entirety of His Creation. The ONE genderless, All-pervading Universal Energy or Hukam – the whole aspect: ਸਮੁੱਚਾ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ – of which we all are the part (‘ਅੰਸੁ-Ans‘). It also depicts some Divine Virtues pertaining to the Creator.

The message for Sikhs in terms of Realizing the Creator within is to Understand these Godly Virtues, awaken/develop/realize these Godly Virtues within, apply these Godly virtues to daily life, and thus BECOME Godly Virtues.

Nine statements of the opening verse of the SGGS

1st Statement – ੴ (IkO or EkO):

Ik or Ek + O = IkO or EkO = The One Creator Who is One with His entire Creation (ਸਾਰਾ ਕੁਝ ਇਕ ਹੈ), ONE Hukam: Cosmic or Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature (ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ), One Universal Energy, One animate and inanimate – we must Identify with this ONENESS, Sach (ਸੱਚ) Satt (ਸੱਤ), Universal Truth…

• ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ : The Creator resides within the Creation that He Created. (sggs 83).
• ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਜਣੋ ਹਰਿ ਇਕਸੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਮੈ ਸੰਗੁ ॥: Only the ONE (i.e. IKO) Hari (Rabb, Universal Energy, Creator…) is my true friend. Only the ONE is my true companion. (sggs 958).
• ਏਕੋ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਏਕੋ ਹੈ ॥: O brother! (Rabb, Universal Energy…) is the One and Only {i.e. EKO). (sggs 350).
• ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਏਕਸ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥ ਏਕਸ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਭ ਧੰਧੁ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O my mind, focus your Conscious on the One (Creator). Without (focusing the mind on) One, the whole (of the worldly love or entanglements) becomes a commercial transaction (ਧੰਧਾ), and Maya’s attachment (or hunger) is also totally Mithiya. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 44).
• ਹਰਿ ਇਕੋ ਕਰਤਾ ਇਕੁ ਇਕੋ ਦੀਬਾਣੁ ਹਰਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਇਕਸੈ ਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਮਰੁ ਇਕੋ ਹਰਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਧਰਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੋਈ ਨਾਹਿ ਡਰੁ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਦੂਰਿ ਕਰਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਤਿਸੈ ਨੋ ਸਾਲਾਹਿ ਜਿ ਤੁਧੁ ਰਖੈ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਘਰਿ ॥ : God is only ONE who is the ONE Creator, and there is only ONE ‘Diban’ (i.e. Hukam: Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature) of that ONE. The Hukam of this One Creator pervades everywhere, therefore keep only this ONE in mind. Besides this ONE Omnipresent God there is no other; therefore remove fear and doubt of other (remove duality from the mind). (sggs 83).

2nd Statement – ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ [Satt Naam]:

Satt = True, Real, permanently in Existence, which remains forever, constant, ਹੋਂਦ, The One god or Creator (Universal Energy etc.) which is permanently in Existence, Hukam
Naam = Virtue, Hukam, Spiritual Wisdom.
Satt Naam = A Sikh must Awaken/inculcate the divine Giyan-Wisdom/Virtues of this ONE which is Satt (ਅਟੱਲ) and live accordingly.

In this second statement, a foundational principle regarding God’s NAME in Sikhi of Guru Nanak is revealed. Also, consider the following verses:

• ਕਿਰਤਮ ਨਾਮ ਕਥੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਜਿਹਬਾ ॥ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਾ ਪੂਰਬਲਾ ॥: (O Creator!) All names uttered by the tongue are all Your descriptive names (which your children have created or made-up describing Your diversified activities or Virtues in Kudrat). Your first or primary Virtue is ‘Sat-ਸਤਿ’ — permanently in existence. (sggs 1083).
• ਗੋਵਿਦੁ ਗੁਣੀ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ : Creator is the Treasure of Virtues whose limits cannot be known. (sggs 32).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਣੁ ॥ : (O my mind) deem both the Guru (Shabad Giyan-Wisdom) and the Creator to be one and the same. (sggs 864).

Thus, in a nutshell:

• Creator or God has no proper name. Creator’s all names are ‘Kirtem‘ — descriptions of His perceived Virtues (adjectives).
• All such perceived virtues are acceptable.
• Creator is divine Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam
• Creator’s primary Virtues within the Gurbani (SGGS) is ‘Sat-ਸਤਿ’ from Sanskrit ‘सत्य-ਸਤਯ’ — Permanently in Existence.
• Creator’s all names are given by his Bhagat, devotees.
• Many names of Creator are used in the SGGS.
• Therefore, to claim that Creator has only ‘one’ particular name (e.g. ‘Waheguru‘), and then debate on His ‘one’ name is not only futile but also rejected in the Gurbani.

Cosmos is the manifest (Sargun) form of the Creator whereas Hukam (Cosmic Law: System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) is the invisible (Nirgun) form that pervades the Cosmos. Thus, it is Cosmic Law that is the Creator. To realize the Creator or to become Creator-like (Sachiara, Hukami Banda or Gurmukh), Guru Nanak says one must live in harmony with the Hukam.

• 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).
• ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ : Everything is within Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam. Nanak, if one Realizes he/she is to obey Hukam, then one does not talk in ego — one does not boast of being outside/beyond/exempt of Hukam, or does not talk arrogantly and do things in own will or Manmukhta…). ॥2॥ (sggs 1).
• ਹੁਕਮੇ ਜਪੈ ਨਿਰੋਧਰ ਗੁਰਮੰਤ ॥ : It is living by the Hukam one Realizes the Guru’s Upadesh (i.e. spiritual Message embedded in Shabad, Guidance, Direction, Advice, or Counsel) which removes vices. (sggs 961).
• ਆਪਿ ਸਤਿ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਸਤਿ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਨੈ ਅਪਨੀ ਮਿਤਿ ਗਤਿ ॥: Creator Himself is ‘SAT‘ and whatever IT has Created is also ‘SAT. IT ITself knows His condition and manners. Because IT is the only ONE Permanently in Existence, IT only knows the extent to which everything is there. (sggs 19).

3rd Statement – ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖ (Kartaa Purakh)

Kartaa = Creator, Maker,
Purakh = Being, Omnipresent Within Creation.
Kartaa Purakh = The immutable law of nature (ਕੁਦਰਤ ਦਾ ਅਟੱਲ ਨਿਯਮ), Omnipresent Creator Within Creation (both visible and invisible.), Kartar/Creator.

The most all-encompassing Sikh or Gurbani term for God is ‘Kartaa Purakh’.

• ਆਪੇ ਸਚੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ॥ ਅੰਡਜ ਫੋੜਿ ਜੋੜਿ ਵਿਛੋੜਿ ॥ ਧਰਤਿ ਅਕਾਸੁ ਕੀਏ ਬੈਸਣ ਕਉ ਥਾਉ ॥ ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨੰਤੁ ਕੀਏ ਭਉ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖਣਹਾਰਾ ॥ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰਾ ॥੩॥: The Creator is eternal; IT created this universe through His Hukam (System-Rule-Law-Command of Nature). By breaking (BANG!) the cosmic egg-like universe, He created different continents and keeps these separate in their positions. God created the earth and the sky as the place for the creatures to live. God created day and night and the sense of fear and love in the creatures. God who created the creatures, after creating IT also watches over them (i.e. None is outside of His Hukam-ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ…). There is no other Creator (i.e. there is NO SECOND). ||3|| (sggs 839).
• ਸੁੰਨ ਮੰਡਲ ਇਕੁ ਜੋਗੀ ਬੈਸੇ ॥ ਨਾਰਿ ਨ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕੋਊ ਕੈਸੇ ॥: When there was no creation, ONE god was present (not in human sense). This One God is neither Male nor female, (since this ONE god is not a prson) then how can anyone describe Him in that sense. (sggs 685).
• ਘਟ ਘਟ ਮੈ ਹਰਿ ਜੂ ਬਸੈ ਸੰਤਨ ਕਹਿਓ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਹ ਭਜੁ ਮਨਾ ਭਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਉਤਰਹਿ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੧੨॥ : Every single bit of Creation that the Creator has Created, IT resides WITHIN every particular of His Creation. O Nanak! Join (focus, contemplation…) with that Creator WITHIN, this way Spiritual Journey will be transverse (successfully get WITHIN ourselves). ||12|| (sggs 1427).
• 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).

4th Statement – ਨਿਰਭਉ [Nirbhou]

Nir = Without
Bhou = Fear
Nir + Bhou = Nirbhou = Without Fear, Fearless – the One Creator is fearless, the Creator’s Hukam functions without any fear etc – When there is no one above IT, then who is there to fear? In other words we should also live without fear for there is no ‘other’ but ONE

• ਨਿਰਭਉ ਜਪੈ ਸਗਲ ਭਉ ਮਿਟੈ ॥ : Whosoever realizes the Fearless Creator all his fear vanishes. (sggs 293).
• ਜਿਨ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਜਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਜੀ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਸਭੁ ਗਵਾਸੀ ॥: Those who always remember the Fearless (Rabb, Creator…); all their fear is removed. (sggs 11).
• ਭੈ ਕਾਹੂ ਕਉ ਦੇਤ ਨਹਿ ਨਹਿ ਭੈ ਮਾਨਤ ਆਨ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਨਿ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਤਾਹਿ ਬਖਾਨਿ ॥੧੬॥: Whosoever frightens none nor is afraid of (threats of) anyone; says Nanak, listen, O mind! Call that person a Giyani (a Wise person, spiritually Enlightened). (sggs 1427).

5th Statement – ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ [Nirvair]

Nir = Without
Vair = enmity
Nirvair = Without enmity – the Creator is without enmity, the Creator’s Hukam functions without enmity towards anyone or anything – if  there is no ‘other’ then there will be no fear and animosity. Hence, we must live without fear and animosity because in Nanakian Thought there is no ‘other’ but ੴ . Simply put, if we live in harmony with the ONE Hukam, we will not be punished. Because the Divine Hukam or Law of Nature holds no enmity with anyone.

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਅੰਦਰਹੁ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਹੈ ਸਭੁ ਦੇਖੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਇਕੁ ਸੋਇ ॥: Satiguru is without enmity within. He Beholds the ONE Brahm (Creator) everywhere. (sggs 302).
• ਬਿਸਰਿ ਗਈ ਸਭ ਤਾਤਿ ਪਰਾਈ ॥ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਬੈਰੀ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਗਾਨਾ ਸਗਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਮ ਕਉ ਬਨਿ ਆਈ ॥੧॥ : All enmity vanishes when you come into the Company of the Guru (Gur-Shabad, Gur-Wisdom…). ||1||Pause|| No one is my enemy, no one is a stranger, I have BECOME ONE with the entirety of the humanity. ||1|| (sggs 1299).

6th Statement – ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ (Akaal Moorat)

Akaal = Not bound in time,, Timeless, Formless, Spaceless.
Moorat = Form
Akaal Moorat = The ONE Creator free of human attribute such as an image – Timeless, Formless. In other words, the Divine Hukam never dies or ends.

Since God has no human attribute such as an image (Akaal Moorat), IT does not communicate with the Prophets directly or through others, as the Semitic religions claim, nor does IT incarnate as a human as Hinduism claims.

• ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਰੇਖ ਨ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਿੰਨ ॥: The Creator has no form, no shape, no color and is free from the three qualities of Maya (i.e. Rajo, Tamo, Sato). (sggs 283).
• ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨ ॥: Reflect on the Divine Wisdom in your mind. Take the Enlightening Message embedded in the Guru Shabad and accept the divine Shabad as the injunctions through which to gratify the mind. (sggs 864).

7th Statement – ਅਜੂਨੀ (Ajoonee)

A = No
Joonee = Birth
A + Joonee = Ajoonee = Unborn – the ONE Creator does not take birth, life forms or body. The One Creator is genderless. In other words, the One Hukam is CONTINUOUS.

• ਹੈ ਭੀ ਹੋਸੀ ਜਾਇ ਨ ਜਾਸੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਰਚਾਈ ॥ : The Creator who has created this creation is present now, will always be present in the future; neither IT is born nor will IT die. (sggs 6, 9 and 347).
• ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਰਹਿਓ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੪॥੧॥: God neither takes birth nor IT dies; IT neither comes from anywhere nor IT goes anywhere. Nanak’s God is pervading everywhere. ||4||1|| (sggs 1136).
• ਸੋ ਮੁਖੁ ਜਲਉ ਜਿਤੁ ਕਹਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਜੋਨੀ ॥੩॥ : May that mouth burn, which says that God incarnates. ||3|| (sggs 1136).
• ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਕਾ ਕਰਿ ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਜਾਨੁ ॥ : Satguru (God) is Niranjan (beyond Maya – without material content). Do not believe that It is in the form of man. (sggs 895).

8th Statement – ਸੈਭੰ (Saibhang

Sai = from ਸ੍ਵੈ ‘Svai’ = Self
Bhang = Create, break, dissolve, fragment etc.
Sai + Bhang = Saibhang = the ONE Creator is self-created. There is no one to guide the ONE. Bhang also means who is capable to Create, is also capable to Break etc. – we should become self-illuminated, personal experience.

• ਆਪੀਨੑੈ ਆਪੁ ਸਾਜਿਓ ਆਪੀਨੑੈ ਰਚਿਓ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੁਯੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਸਾਜੀਐ ਕਰਿ ਆਸਣੁ ਡਿਠੋ ਚਾਉ ॥ ਦਾਤਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਤੂੰ ਤੁਸਿ ਦੇਵਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਪਸਾਉ ॥ : (O Creator!) You are self-created, then You setup Your Existence – You exist within Your Creation; Creation is manifestation of You. (O Creator! After self-creating) secondly You Created Kudrat (System-Rule-Law of Nature) and You reside within it and delight. O Creator, You Yourself are the benefactor and the Creator of all beings, and have extended into Your creation.(sggs 463).
• ਦਦੈ ਦੋਸੁ ਨ ਦੇਊ ਕਿਸੈ ਦੋਸੁ ਕਰੰਮਾ ਆਪਣਿਆ ॥: Blame for my follies lies within my own deeds, not on another. (sggs 433).
• ਹਰਨ ਭਰਨ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਫੋਰੁ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ਹੋਰੁ ॥: (Creator) can create or destroy the universe in the blink of an eye, nobody knows His resolve (plot, secret etc.). (sggs 284).

Presenting the essence of the reality of the entire universe, Guru Nanak showed that everything is being created and destroyed in this entire universe by the principle of ‘Sanjog – Vijog‘ meaning ‘joining or creating – breaking or fragmenting’ (‘ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ਵਿਜੋਗੁ’, ‘ਉਪਜੈ ਬਿਨਸੈ’,  ‘ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ’, ਜੋੜ-ਤੋੜ…).

• ਭੰਨਣ ਘੜਣ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਹੈ ਓਪਤਿ ਸਭ ਪਰਲੈ ॥: (Creator is) capable of breaking, making, creating and annihilating (cataclysm etc.) all. (sggs 1102).
• ਸੰਜੋਗੁ ਵਿਜੋਗੁ ਦੁਇ ਕਾਰ ਚਲਾਵਹਿ ਲੇਖੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਭਾਗ ॥ : (sggs 6).

9th Statement – ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ (Gur Prasaad)

Gur = Guru – Shabad Guru, Eternal Wisdom
Prasaad = Grace, Blessing
Gur + Prasaad = Gur Prasaad = ਗਿਆਨ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ, Blessing or Grace of the Enlightening spiritual Message / Counsel, Giyan-Wisdom, Bibek contained within the Guru Shabad.

Clearly, the Creator/ Kartar as described above is not anything akin to a human. IT is formless and timeless and yet is self-existent. It does not incarnate in any human or other form.

Realization of ‘God’ described in opening verse

Guru Nanak’s Counsel is NOT to worship the ONE but BECOME THE ONE. In short, one has to BECOME the Gurbani (‘Gurbani Baneeai-ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਣੀਐ)!’). By becoming the Gurbani, when we tune ourselves according to the ONE Hukam, we realize the ONE.

• ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਣੀਐ ॥: The Satgur’s Bani (the God-Connecting Shabad-Guru) is the embodiment of the Creator; (therefore) BECOME THE GURBANI (to Realize the Creator). (sggs 304).

The Gurbani Counsels that the One Creator with preceding Virtues is realized by becoming Enlightened with the Blessing or Grace of the spiritual Message or Gur-Giyan–Wisdom–Bibek contained in the Guru Shabad.

• ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ ॥੧॥ : (O MY mind) Gurbani is the enlightenment in life in this world. It comes to abide within the mind through the divine grace of internalization of the enlightening Message of it. ||1|| (sggs 67).

Having said that, it’s important to recognize that since God shown in Sikhi of Guru Nanak or Gurmat (Wisdom-Giyan, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS…) resides within all beings, Changelss, then the logic or commonsense dictates that the Divine Grace must also always be present within all being as well!

That said, ‘Gur Prasaad‘ implies that we can realize these preceding seven Spiritual Virtues with the Grace of the Guru’s Giyan–Wisdom.

• ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨਾਮ ਰਤਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥: The Jewel of Giyan (Wisdom) is obtained from the Guru (sggs 1044).

However, for the grant of this Grace of the Gur-Giyan (Wisdom…), we need to understand the Gurbani through an earnest Shabad-Vichaar, and then apply its Wisdom to daily life.

But, to take this Wisdom (Giyan-ਗਿਆਨ) contained in the Guru Shabad or not is a personal choice and decision.

Sikhi is a Way of the Spiritual Giyan-Wisdom (ਗਿਆਨ) – it’s the Giyan Maarag! Therefore, NOT few selected words, NOT few selected lines, or NOT few selected verses but the Spiritual Wisdom (Giyan, Bibek, Upadesh Naam…) of the ENTIRE SGGS is for Sikhs (learners, seekers) to learn thought-out life and then live it in daily life. This is the real ‘Rahat‘ of the Gurbani!

Clearly, just repeating, for example, ‘Waheguru, Waheguru…’ or some other word or words by the tongue, rosary, or singing with musical instruments is NOT the GURBANI’S Naam Japnaa, Naam-Sevaa or Simran! Guru Nanak says:

• ਨਾਨਕ ਗਇਆ ਜਾਪੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੩੪॥: Says Nanak — (I) have walked on the Spiritual Path and have Realized / Understood; now you walk on this Spiritual Path and Realize / Understand yourself (i.e. it is only upon walking the Path and Realizing one discovers if one succeeded or failed). ॥34॥ (sggs 7).
• ਆਪਣਾ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਆਪਿ ਸਵਾਰੇ ਹੋਰਨਿ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥: (Jeev-individual being) resolves his own affair (i.e., the Purpose of life of Mool Realization) himself; anyone else cannot do this work (for him). (sggs 351).

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

Anything short of that is just self-serving business transactions (ਧੰਧਾ) in the name of the Guru and the Gurbani — Pakhand, ignorance, deception, anti-Gurmat distortions, rituals (Karamkaand), fakeness, slavery of the senses and outer domination etc.

• ਮੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਤੀ ਪਿਰਹੜੀ ਕਿਉ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਜੀਵਾ ਮਾਉ ॥ ਮੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਆਧਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਲਾਗਿ ਰਹਾਉ ॥੮॥: I have deep love for the ‘Satigur‘ (True Wisdom-ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ). O my mother (metaphor for Mayaic mind, intellect, conscience…), how can I live without Guru (Giyan-Wisdom). The Gurbani (i.e. the Enlightening spiritual  Wisdom of the Guru Shabad) is my Base or Support of my life. Attuned to the Guru Shabad I remain spiritually alive. ||8|| (sggs 759).

Creator’s Presence Within

In Short, in the Gurmat or Sikhi of Guru Nanak:

• The Creator (Haakam, Hukmi, God) is Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, His HUKAM is also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, His GRACE is also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, the JUDGE is also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, the JUDGEMENT is also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, the REALIZATION of ITS Presence also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, the Divine NAAM (Wisdom / Virtues…) is also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, the Divine DARBAAR (Court) is also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, the ‘Sach Khand’ / ‘Sachkhand‘ is also Within.
• Since the Creator is Within, the Divine KINGDOM is also Within (‘Begam Puraa-ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ’).
• Since the Creator is Within, the Divine ‘Takhat‘ also within.
• Since the Creator is Within, Jot Saroop‘ is also within.
• Since the Creator is Within, mind must become the Divine temple.

That said, the Gurbani Counsels us that its ‘ALL’ Within:

• 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).

Also, according to the Gurbani (SGGS), God is Unfathomable.

• ਤੂ ਦਰੀਆਉ ਦਾਨਾ ਬੀਨਾ ਮੈ ਮਛੁਲੀ ਕੈਸੇ ਅੰਤੁ ਲਹਾ ॥ : I am merely a fish in the Unfathomable Ocean that is You, how can I ever fathom You in entirety? (sggs 25).

Hence God’s name in Gurmat is meant for understanding, not for robotic or mechanical chanting etc. In short, it is meant for BECOMING (Creator-like Virtues) — BECOMING NAAM ( i.e. Virtues / Wisdom), Realizing Naam within, inculcating Naam Within, or Internalizing Naam within.

• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜਿਸ ਕੈ ਸਚੁ ਵਸੈ ਸਚੇ ਸਚੀ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਸਚਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੇ ਨ ਵਿਛੁੜਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥ : The Ultimate Glory of Whomsoever Comes to Realize the Creator Within Is to Become Creator-Like. The Glory of those who realize the Creator Within is Permanent; (The Creator) has come to reside Within their Conscience. (sggs 27).

Hence ‘NAAM JAPANAA‘ in the Sikhi of Guru Nanak is living daily life of Divine Wisdom / Virtues — practical Spirituality.

Some Qualities of God shown through Gurbani in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) have been mentioned, through which one can understand God. By inculcating these Qualities and imbibing in them, we can realize God Within and live a virtuous, happy, meaningful, enlightened, beneficent, constructive, successful spiritual life (Gurmukh Lifestyle: Enlightened or Guru Shabad-Oriented mindset).

• ਏਤੁ ਰਾਹਿ ਪਤਿ ਪਵੜੀਆ ਚੜੀਐ ਹੋਇ ਇਕੀਸ ॥: The way to realizing the Creator requires the elevation of one’s Conscience (Surt) / spirituality rung by rung. (sggs 7).

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