Rain of Naam

Naam is one of the terms often used willy-nilly in Sikhi by the self- serving Pujaaree (clergy: Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etc.) and the freeloading Deraa-Vaad Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) etc.

Although the debunked Pujaare incessantly repeats it but do not explain from the point of view of the Gurmat (Giaan or Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS). Further, to distort it, they use vedic and puranic slants in interpretations and translations of the Gurbani.

Many go to the good-for-nothing Deraa-Vaad sants or baabaa (‘ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ’) to get Naam, as they are the Thekedaar (contractor) of Naam, with exclusive rights to market it!

Some will secretly blow it in your ear and will ask you not to reveal it to anybody or share it with anybody!

Some will spit it in your mouth!

Nowadays, some are heard selling Naam via email, internet, etc.!

This is all Pakhand or fraud as per the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS.

Such religious or spiritual fraud becomes an abominable cruelty when many — instead of understanding the Gurbani through the Gurbani — glorify their own mental inertia and disgusting intellectual morbidity with the plumes of misquoted declarations of the Gurbani.

Who fall victims to this spiritual fraud?

Obviously, who fall victims to this fraud are those who are greedy, full of fear, brainwashed by the Pujaaree, doubt-ridden, deluded, lack Gurbani’s proper understanding (ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ) etc.

According to the Gurbani, the Naam is located within, not outside! For, as asserted throughout the Gurbani, ‘everything (‘ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ’) is within.

• ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਟੋਲੈ ਸੋ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਹੀ ॥: (The Divine Virtues, Wisdom, Spiritual tranquility, Naam, Shabad, Amrit, Prabh, ਆਤਮਕ ਸੁਖ…) all that is within the Heart-Home; not outside. Who searches outside is deluded by doubts (sggs 102).

This , ‘everything (‘ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ’) also include Naam, Amrit!!

• ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਸੋਧਿ ਤੂੰ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਸੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਹੇਤਿ ਅਪਾਰਿ ॥੮॥੧੦॥੩੨॥: Search this mind and body, by the Gur-Shabad-Vichaar (by reflecting on the Gur-Shabad…). O Nanak! Within this body is the Treasure of the Naam; it is attained through the unbounded love for the Gur (Gur-Giaan…) ||8||10||32|| (sggs 427).
• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ॥: Deep within is the sacred shrine (Teerath) of Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom…), which the Satigur has revealed. (sggs 587).
• 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॥: The body is the temple and God dwells in it; the body 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|| The elements that make up the physical body are exactly the same elements that make up the Universe. If you contemplate on this, then you will realize the Reality of it. Peepaa prays – If Satguru is met (Wisdom of Truth: ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ), then the Greatest Reality (Real Source, Creator, ਅਸਲੀਅਤ, ਤੱਤ, ਸੱਚ) is revealed (Within). ||2||3|| (sggs 695).
• ਘਰ ਹੀ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਭਰਪੂਰੁ ਹੈ ਮਨਮੁਖਾ ਸਾਦੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕਸਤੂਰੀ ਮਿਰਗੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਭ੍ਰਮਦਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਇਆ ॥: As the body-house (the Soul, Heart, etc.) is brimful with the Amrit (Naam), still, because of the deluded mind, the self-willed Manmukh (perverse, one in material consciousness, etc.) does not recognize or experience it. (He is) like the deer, who does not recognize its own musk-scent (that is located within its own body); (but to find the musk-scent) it wanders around, deluded by doubt (sggs 644).

How can Amrit-Naam be Realized within?

The Gurbani explains to us in very simple terms as to how we all may realize the Naam within, Here and Now because the Gurbani is NOT for  AFTERLIFE. The simple and logical formula given by the Gurbani is as follows.

First off, the Gurbani urges us to bring about a ‘storm of Wisdom‘ within by churning the Gurbani through the Shabad-Vichaar . This practice of the Gur-Shabad (ਸਬਦ ਕਮਾਈ) will remove our doubts (Bharam), the love or hunger of Maya, duality, attachments, desires for sense-gratification, wicked intellect, and so on. This all is clearly explained in the following verses:

• ਦੇਖੌ ਭਾਈ ਗ੍ਹਾਨ ਕੀ ਆਈ ਆਂਧੀ ॥ ਸਭੈ ਉਡਾਨੀ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕੀ ਟਾਟੀ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਮਾਇਆ ਬਾਂਧੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਦੁਚਿਤੇ ਕੀ ਦੁਇ ਥੂਨਿ ਗਿਰਾਨੀ ਮੋਹ ਬਲੇਡਾ ਟੂਟਾ ॥ ਤਿਸਨਾ ਛਾਨਿ ਪਰੀ ਧਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਭਾਂਡਾ ਫੂਟਾ ॥੧॥: O brother, the storm of Spiritual Wisdom or Enlightenment has struck my mind. (This storm of Wisdom) has blown away my mind’s Bharam (doubts, confusion, superstition etc.) and bonds of Maya like the thatched walls of my hut. ||1||pause|| The pillar of my double-mindedness and the beam of my emotional bonds of the hut has come crashing down. The thatched roof of worldly desires (supported on the beam of attachment) has fallen to the ground and the pitcher of evil intellect has broken. ||1|| (sggs 331).
• ਜਹਾ ਤ੍ਰਿਖਾ ਮਨ ਤੁਝੁ ਆਕਰਖੈ ॥ ਤਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਬਰਖੈ ॥੪॥: O mind! Where thirst (of Maya) sucks out your (breath), there O Nanak, the rain of Amrit-Naam (extinguishes the heat of Maya). (sggs 264).

After the ‘storm of Wisdom’ has taken place within, or after the  Gurmat is properly understood and Internalized, then, according to the Gurbani, the magic happens!

That is, the TORRENTIAL RAIN of Naam (ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਬਰਖਾ-ਬਰਸਾਤ) begins to fall within! One can feel it (in the form of Wisdom, Virtues, peace, Joy, Anand, Happiness…) as one can feel coolness in the air after a rainstorm. People who interact with this person can also notice a positive change! 

This all is clearly explained in following verses of the Gur-Shabad:

• ਆਂਧੀ ਪਾਛੇ ਜੋ ਜਲੁ ਬਰਖੈ ਤਿਹਿ ਤੇਰਾ ਜਨੁ ਭੀਨਾਂ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨਿ ਭਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਾ ਉਦੈ ਭਾਨੁ ਜਬ ਚੀਨਾ ॥੨॥੪੩॥: The Enlightenment that followed the storm overwhelms me. Says Kabeer! Spiritual Enlightenment has come from Shabad Guru. ||2||43|| (sggs 332).
• ਬਰਸੈ ਮੇਘੁ ਸਖੀ ਘਰਿ ਪਾਹੁਨ ਆਏ ॥: O Mate! The cloud rains (within). The Guest (Truth, Wisdom, Virtues…) has walked into my (Heart-) Home. (sggs 1266).
• ਸਾਚ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵਰਖਾ ॥੩॥: (In the state of Sahaj Avastha: Natural state of being, state of Wisdom, ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ…) rains the true Amrit-Naam. (sggs

The word ‘ਜਲੁ-Jal’ (literally meaning water) in the foregoing verse symbolizes Naam-Amrit. Here are a few verses from the Gurbani where Naam-Amrit is said to be ‘ਜਲੁ-Jal’:

• ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਜਲੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਇਹੁ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਸਾਰਾ ॥: The Water of the Hari’s Naam-Amrit is immaculate. This is the best medicine in the world (to obtain Liberation). (sggs 659).
• ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਜਲੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਅਗਨਿ ਬੁਝੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਬੁਝਈਆ ॥੪॥: Following the Gurmat (Teachings of the Gurbani, whosoever has) obtained the Water of the Amrit Naam, his fire (of Maya, desires…) has been put out by the (Message embedded) in the Gur-Shabad. ||4|| (sggs 834).
• ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਲੁ ਸੰਚਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਭਏ ਸਹਾਈ ॥੨॥: The Gur (-Giaan or Wisdom) became the helper, (the Gur) has sprinkled the Water of the Amrit-Naam,  (sggs 814).
• ਝਿਮਿ ਝਿਮਿ ਵਰਸੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰਾ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਸੁਨਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥: (Those who have found or realized their Mool within) the uniform stream of Amrit rains (within them). The mind drinks it in hearing and reflecting on the Shabad (i.e. Shabad Vichaar is the stream of Amrit). (sggs 102).
• ਸਾਵਣੁ ਆਇਆ ਝਿਮਝਿਮਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥: By becoming the Gurmukh, one who remembers Hari Naam, (for him, as it were) comes the month of Saawan (raining month – ਇਕ-ਰਸ ਵਰ੍ਹਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਾਵਣ). (sggs 1250).
• ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਵਰਸੈ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥: Amrit Hari kaa Naam hai… (sggs 1281).

The Gurbani further simplifies the process of Realizing Naam within — it is a question of BECOMING THE GURBANI. 

• ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਈਐ ॥: The Naam-treasure is present within every human being, but it is obtained by becoming the Gurmukh. (sggs 369).
• ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਗੋਵਿੰਦਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗਾਜੈ ਜੀਉ ॥: The treasure of the Hari Naam is within; (this Naam of) Hari is revealed (becomes apparent or evident, ਪਰਗਟ) through the (Wisdom or Brahm-Giaan of the) Gur-Shabad (sggs 174).

Now, perhaps we can appreciate as to why the Gurbani asserts Naam Padaarath and Giaan padaarath to be essentially one and the same.

• ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੋ ਦੇਇ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇ ॥: The Gur-Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom…) is the Naam Padaarath. (Hence, the Guru) makes the Hari Naam firm (resolved, stable, strong, properly understood, ਪੱਕਾ, ਦ੍ਰਿੜ, etc., in the mind of the sincere seeker of Truth – ਜਗ੍ਯਾਸੂ…). (sggs 759).
• ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੋਰਾ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Raam Naam is my Brahm Giaan (Divine Wisdom…). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1159).

Furthermore, to become immersed in the Naam-Amrit, we are urged to realize the Gur-Shabad.

In nutshell, ‘Brahm-Giaan’ of the entire Gurbani (Naam, Shabad…) is the Naam-Amrit.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡੁ ਬਲਾਇਆ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥੨॥: By becoming the Gurmukh Shabad is realized; (and who realizes becomes) immersed in the Amrit-Naam. (Whosoever within) has lit the bright (Light or Lamp of) Gur-Giaan or Spiritual Wisdom, (from within him) the darkness of ignorance gets dispelled ||2|| (sggs 29).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੀਐ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡੁ ਬਲਾਇਆ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥੨॥: By becoming the Gurmukh realize the Gur-Shabad; (who realizes the Gur-Shabad, he is) immersed in the Amrit-Naam. (Whosoever within) has lit the bright (Light or Lamp of) Gur-Giaan or Spiritual Wisdom, (from within him) the darkness of ignorance gets dispelled ||2|| (sggs 29).
• ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਮਨਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥: Through the Gur-Shabad, the Naam abides within the mind (sggs 158).
• ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਵਰਤੀ ਜਗ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਇਸੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥: The Gurbani has manifested (ਪਰਗਟ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ…) in this world, the ‘Hari Naam’ is obtained from this Bani. ||3|| (1066).
• ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਗੁਣ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੫॥: ‘Janu’ Nanak utters the Bani of the Divine Virtues [i.e., the Divine Wisdom (‘Gur-ਗੁਰ’) and the Divine Virtues (‘Gun-ਗੁਣ’) are embedded in the Gurbani]; one gets absorbed in the Hari Naam through the Gurbani (i.e., living by the Divine Wisdom and the Divine Virtues of the Gurbani). ||4||5|| (sggs 494).

However — either willfully, or because of ignorance of the Gurbani, or both — the majority (if not all) of theself-serving Pujaaree seldom explains this term ‘Naam‘ in its true perspective as seen by the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS!

The Gurbani is ‘Brahm Beechaar’ (‘ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰ’). In Brahm-Vichaar, there is no place forrituals or Karamkaand, religious paraphernalia dogmas, religious robes etc.!

Those who think otherwise apparently take the Gur-Shabad to be just a song or ‘ਗੀਤੁ-Geetu’ and don’t understand the gist of the Gurbani, or don’t want to understand it, or just blindly follow the Karamkaand and superstitions propagated by the Pujaaree which has been rejected in the Gurbani.

• ਲੋਗੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਇਹੁ ਗੀਤੁ ਹੈ ਇਹੁ ਤਉ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥: People think that the (Gur-Shabad) is (an ordinary) song, but it is a ‘Brahm Beechaar’. (sggs 335).
• ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਇਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਉਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥੨॥੧੧॥: The Divine Naam (Giaan-Wisdom, Virtues…) of the One Creator are the Basis for Spirituality for a Worldly Mindset; Nanak thus Utters the Discourse of the Creator (Brahm Beechaar). (sggs 1138).
• ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿ ਦੀਆ ॥ ਛਾਡਿ ਚਲੇ ਹਮ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਲੀਆ ॥੩॥: ALL that the Pandit and Mullah Clergy have prescribed or presented to us, I have DISCARDED (while walking on the Path of (Spirituality). I DISCARD IT ALL and have ACCEPTED NOTHING at all. ||3|| (sggs 1159).