Reading and Memorizing Gurbani is of no Avail Unless…

The words of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) are meant not only to be mechanically or robotically read and memorized, but their true meanings understood, and their instructions then applied to one’s day-to-day living.

Reading Gurbani without understanding – religious business (ਧੰਦਾ) and Karamkaand (rituals)

• ਪੜਿਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਬੁਝਿਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਖਟੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੈ ਭੇਖਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਹਾਵਣਾ ॥ : Not by just reading (scriptures), but it is through spiritual Wisdom one Understands this fact (that God is infinite). No one can merge in the eternal God by merely adopting the garbs mentioned in the six Shastras (the Hindu holy books). The eternal God is unfathomable, but revealed through the Guru’s Shabad, He (i.e. Creation, Hukam) looks beautiful. (sggs 148).

However a mind impacted with the negativity of the false ego-sense (Haumai) may not agree with the Gurbani’s declaration that ritualistic reading and memorizing the Gurbani (or any religious text for that matter) without gaining Understanding (ਆਤਮਕ ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ) is of no avail (Spiritual Giyan-Wisdom, ਆਤਮਕ ਲਾਭ, ਲਾਹਾ…):

• ਪਢੇ ਗੁਨੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਛੁ ਬਉਰੇ ਜਉ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥: O crazy man! (You) gain nothing by reading and studying if you do not gain the Understanding (ਆਤਮਕ ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ) in the Heart. ||2|| (sggs 483).
• ਬੇਦ ਪੜਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਬੂਝਹਿ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਲੂਝਹਿ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮੈਲੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਅੰਧਾ ਕਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਦੁਤਰੁ ਤਰੀਜੈ ਹੇ ॥੧੪॥ : Pujaaree people (Priests) read a lot of religious books, but do not understand the Way of the Divine Life. They read for the sake of amassing Maya. They will fight if not paid dearly. These Pujaaree are filled with the filth of Maya. They are mentally blind because of ignorance. How can they swim across the world ocean (Bhav Saagar)? ||14|| (sggs 1050).
• ਪਾਠੁ ਪੜਿਓ ਅਰੁ ਬੇਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿਓ ਨਿਵਲਿ ਭੁਅੰਗਮ ਸਾਧੇ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਜਨਾ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗੁ ਨ ਛੁਟਕਿਓ ਅਧਿਕ ਅਹੰਬੁਧਿ ਬਾਧੇ ॥੧॥ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਮਿਲਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਮੈ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਮ ਅਨੇਕਾ ॥ ਹਾਰਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਕੈ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਦੀਜੈ ਬੁਧਿ ਬਿਬੇਕਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: (Some) read holy texts (Paath — ਪਾਠ ਕਰਨਾ), and contemplate the Veda. (Some) practice the inner cleansing techniques of Yoga, and control of the breath. (But, with these practices, one) cannot escape from the five (i.e., lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride…), and is all the more tied to ego-intellect. ||1|| My dear! I have performed many such rituals, but the Divine (Wisdom, Virtues…) is not realized by these methods (ਤਰੀਕੇ). (Forsaking the ritualistic practices or methods) I have dropped down weary at the Divine-door (Giaan-Guru, True Wisdom) and pray for the grant of Bibek-Budhi (discerning intellect…). ||Pause|| (sggs 641).

Accordingly, the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS time and again reminds us even if we were to read loads of books (Granths etc.), it would be a ‘useless’ exercise!

• ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਗਡੀ ਲਦੀਅਹਿ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਭਰੀਅਹਿ ਸਾਥ ॥ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਬੇੜੀ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਗਡੀਅਹਿ ਖਾਤ ॥ ਪੜੀਅਹਿ ਜੇਤੇ ਬਰਸ ਬਰਸ ਪੜੀਅਹਿ ਜੇਤੇ ਮਾਸ ॥ ਪੜੀਐ ਜੇਤੀ ਆਰਜਾ ਪੜੀਅਹਿ ਜੇਤੇ ਸਾਸ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਲੇਖੈ ਇਕ ਗਲ ਹੋਰੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਝਖਣਾ ਝਾਖ ॥੧॥: (One may) read cart-loads of books, (one may) read heaps and heaps of them. (One may) read boat-loads of books, (one may) read and fill pits with them. (One may) read year after year, (one may) read all the months, that there are. (One may) continue to read entire life, (one may) read with all breaths. O Nanak! Only one thing is of any account (understanding, ਸੂਝ-ਬੂਝ…), all else is but useless and idle talk in ego ||1|| (sggs 467).

We often go through the Gurbani, but our false ego-sense (Haumai, Mayaic mind…) does not let the Gurbani go through us! Why?

It is because most often our reading of the Gurbani is undertaken without hand-in-hand intense subjective discipline. To put it in other way, instead of reflecting and contemplating (Shabad-Vichaar…) on the Divine Essence (Aatam Giaan) and becoming one with it, our material consciousness enjoys worshiping the physical ‘I’; for our ego-mind likes the crooked ways (Mayaic efforts)!

• ਅਖਰ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਭੁਲੀਐ ਭੇਖੀ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥: (In spite of) Reading books over and over again, people make mistakes (due the pride of this reading); wearing of religious robes also gives rise to much pride (in the mind). (sggs 61).

In spite of the repeated cautions in the Gurbani, today, for example, in the Gurdwaras the continual page to page reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib called Akhand-Paath is sold to gullible Sikhs in a businesslike manner. This is the way of the Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree (mammon worshipers).

Akhand Paaths are fundamentally against the philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), hence totally Un-Gurmat. How so? Consider the following:

• Guru Ji has provided something for our understanding of the embedded Message in the Shabad. What is that? Guru Sahib has added a word ‘RAHAU’ to help in understanding the Shabad. The word ‘RAHAU’ means ‘pause’ (stop-ਰੁਕੋ) and think before proceeding as the central idea of the word is shown here in the ‘RAHAU’ verse.
• There are about 2685 ‘RAHAU’ in the SGGS. Now one should pause 2685 times duringa a Akhand Paath. If we see the importance of this ‘RAHAU’ in the ritual of Akhand Paath, it will be completely rejected, because Akhand Paath is done without pausing, without stopping, and without thinking, which is against the philosophy of SGGS.

all composers of Bani (ਬਾਣੀਕਾਰ) who are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) have explained a lot to us for our life
Through their Bani, but it seems as we did not agree to a word of them. Since Akhand Paaths are a major revenue generating ritual for Gurdwaras and the self-serving Pujaaree clique (clergy), management committees and the Pujaaree clique encourage Sikh congregations to conduct Akhand Paaths in Gurdwaras or their homes. Gurbani says:

• ਬਾਨਾਰਸੀ ਤਪੁ ਕਰੈ ਉਲਟਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਮਰੈ ਅਗਨਿ ਦਹੈ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਲਪੁ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਅਸੁਮੇਧ ਜਗੁ ਕੀਜੈ ਸੋਨਾ ਗਰਭ ਦਾਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਿ ਤਊ ਨ ਪੂਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਛੋਡਿ ਛੋਡਿ ਰੇ ਪਾਖੰਡੀ ਮਨ ਕਪਟੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਲੀਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: If a person goes to Baanaaras and performs penance by hanging upside down, dies at the places of Teeraths (locations of pilgrimage), suffer burns by fire, or put the body in difficult positions, make offerings of expensive items such as horse-sacrifice ceremony (Yagna) and donate gold as concealed donation; even then none of these is equal the Internalization of the Divine Naam (Shabad, spiritual Giyan-Wisdom, Virtues etc.). O my hypocritical (Pakhnadee) mind, do not practice deception ( fraud etc.), so renounce it. ॥1॥ Pause ॥ (sggs 973).

The Gurbani cautions us of this fraud that even the so called Brahma ended up wasting life by such unavailing reading of Vedas without understanding!

• ਚਿਤੁ ਜਿਨ ਕਾ ਹਿਰਿ ਲਇਆ ਮਾਇਆ ਬੋਲਨਿ ਪਏ ਰਵਾਣੀ ॥: Those whose consciousness has been lured by Maya, keep reciting mechanically (ਫਰ ਫਰ, ਉਪਰੋਂ ਉਪਰੋਂ, ਤੇਜੀ ਨਾਲ…). (sggs 920).
• ਸਨਕ ਸਨੰਦ ਅੰਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪੜੇ ਪੜਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥੧॥: By reading and reading (i.e., reading the Vedas over and over again), Sanak and Sanand (the so called sons of Brahma) wasted their lives away (but could not find Rabb…). Brahma too wasted his life away reading the Vedas. ||1|| ||1|| (sggs 478).

Purpose of reading Gurbani

Having said that, now, what’s the purpose of reading (Paath — ਪਾਠ ਕਰਨਾ)?

According to the Gurbani — not according to the self-serving Pujaajee (clergy) — the ONLY purpose of reading the Gurbani (Paath — ਪਾਠ ਕਰਨਾ) is to Awaken Bibebk Budhi within (discerning intellect, logic, commonsense, Giyan-Wisdom-ਸਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ, Virtues-ਗੁਣ etc.). Such Bibek-Budhi bestows upon one Joy, Peace, Bliss (Anand), Mool-abidance, freedom from vices/Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, etc.), and so on.

• ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਬਿਲੋਵਨਾ ਬਿਲੋਵਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਸਹਜਿ ਬਿਲੋਵਹੁ ਜੈਸੇ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਤਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਟੁਕੀ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਬਿਲੋਈ ॥ ਇਸੁ ਮਟੁਕੀ ਮਹਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੰਜੋਈ ॥੨॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਬਿਲੋਵਨਾ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਪਾਵੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰਾ ॥੩॥: O Brother! Churn the churn of the Hari (Shabad-Vichaar…). Churn it steadily (i.e., in Sahaj Avasthaa – Natural State of Being, transcending Maya…), so that the Essence (ਤੱਤ – ਗਿਆਨ) may not be lost. ||1||Pause|| Make body the churning jar (ਚਾਟੀ), and churn therein with the (stick – ਮਧਾਣੀ – of the) mind. In this (body-) jar, gather (the milk of) the Shabad. ||2|| The churning of the Hari is to Reflect (Shabad-Vichaar) within the mind. (One who does this churning) by the Gur-Prasaadi (Grace of the Gur-Giaan, he), obtains the stream of Amrit (within). ||3|| (sggs 478).
• ਮਾਧਾਣਾ ਪਰਬਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਨੇਤ੍ਰਿ ਬਾਸਕੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਿੜਕਿਓਨੁ ॥: Making the mountain (of Higher Consciousness, Shabad-Surti, ਉੱਚੀ ਸੁਰਤ…) churning stick; and making (the mind) the churning string, (he) churned the Shabad. (sggs 967).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੋਲੈ ਤਤੁ ਬਿਰੋਲੈ ਚੀਨੈ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰੋ ॥ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਮੇਟੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਸਾਏ ਤਾ ਮਨਿ ਚੂਕੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੋ ॥: The Essence (Message) of the spirituality of the Shabad is attaining Realization of Unfathomable Creator. Realization of the Shabad eliminates false ego sense and other pathways (i.e. duality, Maya etc.). (sggs 944).
• ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ ਐਸਾ ਖੀਰੁ ਬਿਲੋਈਐ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਨੂਆ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਓਈਐ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ O my Raam! (Remaining pure in the midst of impurity) in this way the cream is churned (Shabad-Vichaar). Through the Gurmat, hold your steadfast, and in this way, drink the Amrit (Giaan-Wisdom). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 332).

The Gurbani’s emphasis, thus, is on realizing the true Understanding of the Gurbani in SGGS. Because the content of the Gurbani is Divine Knowledge recorded for the purpose of reflection (Shabad-Vichaar); which must be followed by living it in daily life. This is the key. As the Gurbani puts it, without the intuitive Understanding we simply live like beasts!

• ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥: Without understanding, people become beast (-nature) and demon ||6|| (sggs 224).
• ਬਾਣੀ ਬਿਰਲਉ ਬੀਚਾਰਸੀ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਇਹ ਬਾਣੀ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸਾ ਹੋਇ ॥੪੦॥ : Only a RARE Gurmukh (Enlighted State of the Mind) Reflects on Gurbani. This Bani is of the Satguru and through it, one abides in his own True Self within. ||40|| (sggs 935).

Ending note

Many read Gurbani (Paath etc.), but still they are hypocritical (Pakhandi) about all the rituals (Karamkaand), which they themselves read while reciting the Gurbani that they are all useless act and thus debunked by the SGGS. Having said that, the Gurbani in SGGS teaches us:

• ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਤਿਨਾ ਕਾ ਜੀਵਿਆ ਜਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਵੇਚਹਿ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਖੇਤੀ ਜਿਨ ਕੀ ਉਜੜੈ ਖਲਵਾੜੇ ਕਿਆ ਥਾਉ ॥ ਸਚੈ ਸਰਮੈ ਬਾਹਰੇ ਅਗੈ ਲਹਹਿ ਨ ਦਾਦਿ ॥ ਅਕਲਿ ਏਹ ਨ ਆਖੀਐ ਅਕਲਿ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਬਾਦਿ ॥ ਅਕਲੀ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸੇਵੀਐ ਅਕਲੀ ਪਾਈਐ ਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਅਕਲੀ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਕੈ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਅਕਲੀ ਕੀਚੈ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖੈ ਰਾਹੁ ਏਹੁ ਹੋਰਿ ਗਲਾਂ ਸੈਤਾਨੁ ॥੧॥: Accursed is the life who (on account of their selfishness and greed) read and reflect on Naam to sell it in the form of Mantras or magic. They are like those whose crop is continuously destroyed, (as a result) they have nothing to thrash! Without proper self-effort (to know ownself etc.) their future life is wasted. Intellect is not which is wasted in futile arguments. Use intellect in the service of God; the right use of intellect brings respect. Learn by intelligent reading and use intelligence in practice of charity (to help the needy). Says Nanak, this is the right way of life while other things (failure to apply discerning intellect) lead to wickedness. ||1|| (sggs 1245).
• ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਪੜੀਐ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥: By Reflecting on the Gur-Shabad (i.e., Shabad-Vichaar), study and understand ‘Hari’ (Naam). (sggs 424).
• ਦੀਵਾ ਬਲੈ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪਾਠ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਉਗਵੈ ਸੂਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਪੈ ਚੰਦੁ ॥ ਜਹ ਗਿਆਨ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਮਿਟੰਤੁ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪਾਠ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ॥ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਸਭ ਹੋਇ ਖੁਆਰ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਉਤਰਸਿ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ : When the lamp (of Giaan or Wisdom is lit within), darkness (of ignorance) is dispelled. (In this way) reading of religious texts as Veda destroys Paap (opposing of Hukam, corrupt thoughts – ਹੁਕਮ ਦਾ ਵਿਰੋਧ; ਮਾੜੀ ਸੋਚ…). When the sun rises, the moon is not visible. Where the Light of Divine Wisdom illuminates, ignorance is dispelled. The (mere) reading of religious texts such as Veda is worldly occupation (business, ਧੰਧਾ…). Scholars read them and consider only their meaning. Without understanding, ALL are troubled (afflicted, perplexed…). Nanak, only the Gurmukh (Enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented) crosses over the worldly ocean of vices/Bikaar. ||1|| (sggs 791).

Similarly, Bhai Gurdas Ji also counsels us:

• ਪੂਛਤ ਪਥਕਿ ਤਿਹ ਮਾਰਗ ਨ ਧਾਰੈ ਪਗਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਕੈ ਦੇਸ ਕੈਸੇ ਬਾਤਨੁ ਕੇ ਜਾਈਐ । ਪੂਛਤ ਹੈ ਬੈਦ ਖਾਤ ਅਉਖਦ ਨ ਸੰਜਮ ਸੈ ਕੈਸੇ ਮਿਟੈ ਰੋਗ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜ ਸਮਾਈਐ । ਪੂਛਤ ਸੁਹਾਗਨ ਕਰਮ ਹੈ ਦੁਹਾਗਨਿ ਕੈ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਿਬਿਚਾਰ ਕਤ ਸਿਹਜਾ ਬੁਲਾਈਐ । ਗਾਏ ਸੁਨੇ ਆਂਖੇ ਮੀਚੈ ਪਾਈਐ ਨ ਪਰਮਪਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਗਹਿ ਜਉ ਲਉ ਨ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥੪੩੯॥ : One asks the Way to Realize the Creator but does not tread even a step on it. Without launching oneself on that Way, how can one Realize the Creator by mere prattles? One asks the physician (the Guru), the medicine of curing the malady of false ego-sense (Haumai), but does not consume the medicine (Guru’s Giaan-Wisdom) with dedicated discipline and precautions. Then how can the ailment of egotism be cured and spiritual peace acquired? One asks from the dear and beloveds of the Lord husband the Way of Uniting Him, but all her actions and deeds are like of wretched and discarded women. Then how can such a seeker wife with deceitful heart ever be called to the nuptial bed of the husband Lord for Union? As long as one does not follow (live, practice – ਅਮਲ) the teachings of the Guru, it is not possible to Realize the Creator Within even if one goes through rituals of eye-closing and doing chanting/Kirtan. ॥439॥ (Bhai Gurdas, Kabit Savaiye).
• ਖਾਂਡ ਖਾਂਡ ਕਹੈ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਨ ਸ੍ਵਾਦੁ ਮੀਠੋ ਆਵੈ ॥ ਅਗਨਿ ਅਗਨਿ ਕਹੈ ਸੀਤ ਨ ਬਿਨਾਸ ਹੈ ॥ ਬੈਦ ਬੈਦ ਕਹੈ ਰੋਗ ਮਿਟਤ ਨ ਕਾਹੂ ਕੋ॥ ਦਰਬ ਦਰਬ ਕਹੈ ਕੋਊ ਦਰਬਹਿ ਨ ਬਿਲਾਸ ਹੈ ॥ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੰਦਨ ਕਹਤ ਪ੍ਰਗਟੈ ਨ ਸੁਬਾਸੁ ਬਾਸੁ ॥ ਤੈਸੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਗੋਸਟਿ ਕਹਤ ਨ ਰਹਤ ਪਾਵੈ॥ ਕਰਨੀ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਭਾਨ ਉਦਤਿ ਅਕਾਸ ਹੈ ॥: By mere saying (repeating, chanting or uttering again and again) the word ‘sugar, sugar’ one cannot taste the sweetness of sugar. By mere saying the word ‘fire, fire’ one cannot drive the cold away. By merely uttering the word ‘doctor, doctor’ one cannot cure the illness. By mere saying the word ‘money, money’ one cannot have money (or enjoy it). By mere chanting the word ‘Chandan, Chandan‘ one cannot make its fragrance appear (i.e., cannot manifest or experience sandalwood’s fragrance). Similarly, by mere saying the word ‘Knowledge’ one cannot live it. ‘Karanee‘ is supreme (implementation, practice, putting the spiritual Wisdom or Advice of the Gurbani to work, live it, walk it, do it, ਅਮਲ, ਕਮਾਈ etc. — walk the talk!), like the rising sun in the sky (Kabit Savaiye, Bhai Gurdaas).
• ਜੈਸੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਗਿਆਨ ਕਹੈ ਗਿਆਨ ਹੂੰ ਨ ਹੋਤ ਕਛੁ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ । ਤੈਸੇ ਗੁਰ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਧਿਆਨ ਹੂ ਨ ਪਾਵਤ ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸ ਜਾਇ ਨ ਸਮਾਈਐ ॥੫੪੨॥: Just by saying (repeating, chanting or uttering again and again) Giaan (spiritual Knowledge) again and again, knowledge cannot be obtained. It can only be acquired by lodging it within the mind. Similarly just repeatedly asking for a glimpse of the Guru, one cannot acquire contemplation of the Guru. This is possible only when one engrosses or merges oneself in the Guru’s Message (i.e. BECOMING ONE with Guru’s Upadesh, Advice, Giaan). ॥542॥ (Kabit Savaiye, Bhai Gurdaas).
• ਗਲੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਖੰਡੁ ਖੰਡੁ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਉ ਨ ਭੋਵੈ । ਮਖਨੁ ਖਾਇ ਨ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਿਲੋਵੈ ॥੧੭॥: By mere talking, none gets satisfied, as by mere uttering word ‘sugar’ one cannot have his mouth sweet. If one is to eat butter, one should not go churning water, i.e. mere talks cannot produce the right results. (Bhai Gurdaas, Vaar 17, Paurhee 17).

Some Related Posts:

• Ritualistic Reading of the Gurbani
• When Reading the Word, no Need to Shout so Loud
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Become the Gurbani
• Gurmat and Shabad Vichaar
• Churning the Gurbani
• Dying in Shabad
• Mere Seeing of the SGGS Will Not Liberate
• Stubborn Mindedness – a Mental Disease
• Gurbani is Meant to be Understood and Applied
• Stubborn Mindedness – Reading or Listening Gurbani
• Way of the Gurbani is the Way of Understanding
• Seven Days of a Sikh
• Gursikhs Solve the Riddle
• Acting without Being or Becoming