Gurbani on Absurdity of Conflicts among Man-Made Religions

Everything in nature is good in moderation. Excess of anything is bad because, anything in excess becomes poisonous and hazardous. Man-made and organized religions are the burning example of it.

The the objective of all man-made religions and their religious practices or spiritual activities is to realize the meaning and purpose of life – to find one’s true self and true nature, change thinking and behavior for good, live truthfully and virtuously, and become spiritually Awakened.

Hence, it is about rising above baser thoughts, gaining freedom from slavery of mind dominance, and achieving a conscious transformation so that we can enjoy peace and happiness in life and in the society and the world we live in.

That is what the great spiritual Masters sought to convey. If religion is supposed to facilitate that then one wonders why there is no peace! Instead, there is so much violence, hatred, conflicts, killing of innocent human beings, wars etc. in the name of religions and their concocted gods?

Unfortunately, because religion so powerfully manipulate and enslave the human mind, it has always attracted a lot of bad people. Evidently, these bad people have hijacked organized religions. Since these bad characters themselves starve of spiritual well-being, they can NOT heal others. These bad characters give the big doses of religion to their followers, which eventually causes poisonous environment and widespread destruction.

A foolish or bad person’s focus is always on man-made religion’s concocted antagonistic adherents, fanatic ideas, religious paraphernalia and rituals etc. Such mentally slave person blindly follows the clergy’s distorted belief system. The result is that the Messages of great spiritual Masters have been almost completely lost.

Also, religion is a cover for religious hooligans, for cheaters, for Thugs (‘Baanaaras Kay Thugg’), for fraudulent or conmen, for criminals, for fugitives, rapists, for criminal minds, etc. Their bad deeds get hidden behind their cover of religion!

In a fit of ignorance, stupidity, arrogance, phony pride and threats these mentally ill people display their criminal behavior.

ALL man-made religions act as anti-humanity

Why are they anti-humanity? All the religions of the world are man-made. Since they are man-made, no religion wants to see another religion grow in terms of numbers of followers, revenue etc. Hence, everyone says their own religion is the best. This is the reason why all religions are anti-humanity.

That being said, the professional religious hooligans among man-made religions have no concern and hesitation about physically assaulting, injuring, maiming or attempting to murder those they disagree with them. They justify their criminal acts by claiming that they are protecting the dignity of their religion, prophet, scripture, God etc.

A serious problem which is worrying the whole world today is what has come to be known as religious extremism, fundamentalism or fanaticism. People blindly believe ideology of invented concepts and concocted narratives of their Pujaaree (clergy).

The implication of such blind belief in ideology that has began with faulty assumptions of the greedy and self-serving Pujaaree (clergy clique) is that people of one religion get pitted against others. This is why many hate other religions and other scriptures, and madly think they must be destroyed.

• ਕਾਦੀ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਮਲੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਆ ਘਾਇ ॥ ਜੋਗੀ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਅੰਧੁ ॥ ਤੀਨੇ ਓਜਾੜੇ ਕਾ ਬੰਧੁ ॥੨॥ : The clergy of the Muslim faith was corrupt, the Brahmin was murderous and the Yogi Un-Enlightened. These three (clergy) had become the root cause for the spiritual wreckage and desolation that mankind had come to endure. (sggs 662).
• ਮਾਣਸ ਖਾਣੇ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਵਾਜ ॥ ਛੁਰੀ ਵਗਾਇਨਿ ਤਿਨ ਗਲਿ ਤਾਗ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਘਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਪੂਰਹਿ ਨਾਦ ॥ ਉਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਭਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਓਈ ਸਾਦ ॥ ਕੂੜੀ ਰਾਸਿ ਕੂੜਾ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ॥ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਆਹਾਰੁ ॥ ਸਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਕਾ ਡੇਰਾ ਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੂੜੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥ : Those who devour humanity by plundering it (i.e. those who violate or usurp someone’s right or take away something that rightfully belongs to others – ਪਰਾਇਆ ਹਕ ਖਾਣ ਵਾਲੇ) perform Namaz (Muslim prayer). There is the sacred thread around the necks of those who wield the knife of such robbery (corruption, bribe, etc.). To whose house the Brahmin (clergy or Pujaaree) blow the conch to sanctify their doings, they also have the same taste (i.e. they are also corrupt). The capital of falsehood is the only thing they have. They only trade in falsehood. They mislead people by speaking falsehood and make living through falsehood (deception). The sense of shame and Dharma is not even close to them, it is far away from them. Nanak, in this way, there is falsehood all around in the name of religion. (sggs 471).
• ਕਾਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੋਗੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਤ ਕਾ ਢਬੁ ॥ ਥਾਨਸਟ ਜਗ ਭਰਿਸਟ ਹੋਏ ਡੂਬਤਾ ਇਵ ਜਗੁ ॥ : Human life is not a time (to waste in rituals– Karamkaand); by these methods, neither there is any truthful living nor any Yoga (Union or Realization of the Creator Within). By these rituals, even the purest hearts become defiled; and thus the entire world starts drowning (in Bikaar, vices, Pakhand, cheating or fraud etc.). ||1|| (sggs 662).

Ideology based on religion restrict, cocoon, brainwash, enslave and control people. This tends to destroy the quest to question, seek answers, pursue learning and further Awakening. That said, if one begins his/her journey based on such ideology, he/she inevitably is likely to arrive at a dead end.

Take for example, since centuries earlier and even now, many folks believe in spite of evidence to the contrary that God resides somewhere ‘up there’ in the sky, after death or afterlife hell and heaven are also somewhere ‘up there’ in the sky, so is ‘Sach Khand‘, and so on.

Religious extremism, fundamentalism and fanaticism

Misunderstanding, misinterpretations and distortions of religious texts and resulting chaos breeds religious conflict, tensions, animosity, blind fanaticism, extremism, fundamentalism, bigotry, intolerance, wars, killings etc. Which, in time, turns into bloody tragedies.

The Universal Energy called God (Cosmic Law) is generally depicted as Pure Love, Omnipresent, and that the only way to link with This Universal Truth is through Love. Yet, the pages of human history are soaked with the innocent blood spilled in the name of religion and God! How can the so called ‘most merciful’, ‘most compassionate’, and ‘most gracious’ God whom people worship daily incite them to kill people in His Name, as well as in the name of their religion? What has gone wrong? The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) offers us the answer as follows:

• ਹਉਮੈ ਝਗੜਾ ਪਾਇਓਨੁ ਝਗੜੈ ਜਗੁ ਮੁਇਆ ॥ : Through false ego-sense (Haumai), the world is caught in conflict and strife, and it spiritually deteriorates (suffers due to these quarrels). (sggs 790).
• ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਪੰਚ ਕੋ ਝਗਰਾ ਝਗਰਤ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥ : Kabeer, the denial of the creator is on account of my vices or Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride); my human birth (i.e. spirituality) is being lost in such defiance. (sggs 482).
• ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਧੜੇ ਪੰਚ ਚੋਰ ਝਗੜਾਏ ॥ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ਵਧਾਏ ॥  : In Kalijug (i.e. corrupt state of the mind), the five thieves (i.e. all Bikaar) instigate alliances and conflicts. (Because of these five thieves) lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride increase. (sggs 366).
• ਅੰਧਾ ਝਖਿ ਝਖਿ ਪਇਆ ਝੇਰਿ ॥ : (Entangled in worldly entanglements, a mentally) blind and bewildered gets involved in turmoil (tumult, strife, row, etc.). (sggs 1287).

The Wisdom of the Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) points out the absurdity of conflicts over religion when the Creator of the entire Humanity is ‘One and Only’ (Hukam: System,-Rule-Law of Nature)!

• ਏਕੁ ਪਿਤਾ ਏਕਸ ਕੇ ਹਮ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਤੂ ਮੇਰਾ ਗੁਰ ਹਾਈ ॥ : O Guru, You have Enlightened me that we are All the Creation of the One Creator. (sggs 611).
• ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰਵਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੀਜੋ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਬੈਰ ਬਿਰੋਧ ਛੇਦੇ ਭੈ ਭਰਮਾਂ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਪੁੰਨਿ ਆਤਮੈ ਕੀਨੇ ਧਰਮਾ ॥੩॥ : The One Creator is present in every being; there is none other except That (i.e. the same One Almighty is present in all). One who ends enmity, antagonism and fear due to transgressions; realizes God Within and becomes virtuous and righteous. ||3|| (sggs 1348).

However, on account of mental delusion (‘Bharam‘), Bhagat Kabeer Ji says Hindus call ‘Katebas‘ [Semitic texts: the Torah, the Zabur (Psalms), the Injil (Gospel) and the Quran] to be ‘Jhoothae-ਝੂਠੇ’ (i.e. false, untrue).

Similarly Muslims say the Hindu Vedas are ‘Jhoothae‘ (i.e. false, untrue).

Likewise, in the name of religion and God, we also witness conflicts between other organized religions.

Bhagat Kabeer Ji asks all to cut it off! Consider a few Shabads of Bhagat Kabeer Ji as follows:

• ਬੇਦ ਕੀ ਪੁਤ੍ਰੀ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਸਾਂਕਲ ਜੇਵਰੀ ਲੈ ਹੈ ਆਈ ॥੧॥ ਆਪਨ ਨਗਰੁ ਆਪ ਤੇ ਬਾਧਿਆ ॥ ਮੋਹ ਕੈ ਫਾਧਿ ਕਾਲ ਸਰੁ ਸਾਂਧਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਟੀ ਨ ਕਟੈ ਤੂਟਿ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਸਾ ਸਾਪਨਿ ਹੋਇ ਜਗ ਕਉ ਖਾਈ ॥੨॥ ਹਮ ਦੇਖਤ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਲੂਟਿਆ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੈ ਰਾਮ ਕਹਿ ਛੂਟਿਆ ॥੩॥੩੦॥ : O brother! The Simritee is the daughter of the Vedas. It has brought a chain and a rope (of rituals or Karamkaand, Jaat Paat, dogmas, religious paraphernalia, separate god from man, reincarnation or transmigration, hell heaven etc.). ||1|| It has imprisoned the followers (to obliterate their intelligence). It has tightened the noose of emotional attachment and shot the arrow of (fear of) death. ||1||Pause|| Its strength is such that neither can it be cut off nor does it depart by itself. It is the serpent, eating the world (i.e. as a serpent eats her children, similarly, she is eating her followers). ||2|| I bear witness to this serpent plundering the world. Says Kabeer, I have escaped it only by remembering the Naam (Giyan-Wisdom…). ||3||30|| (sggs 329).

Bhagat Kabeer Ji Counsels the entire humanity that false (‘Jhoothae‘) are those who don’t use their intellect for introspection (i.e. Vichaar, reflection…) on the One Omnipresent Creator, the ONE Divine Essence within all (Jot Saroop).

• ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥ ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਕਹਹੁ ਨਿਆਉ ਖੁਦਾਈ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਪਕਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਆਨਿਆ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਮਾਟੀ ਕਉ ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਤ ਲਾਗੀ ਕਹੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਆ ॥੨॥ ਕਿਆ ਉਜੂ ਪਾਕੁ ਕੀਆ ਮੁਹੁ ਧੋਇਆ ਕਿਆ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਸਿਰੁ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਜਉ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਪਟੁ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੩॥ ਤੂੰ ਨਾਪਾਕੁ ਪਾਕੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੂਝਿਆ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਮਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਤੇ ਚੂਕਾ ਦੋਜਕ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੪॥ : The Vedas and the Katebas (i.e. religious books) mock (people’s thinking-Soch-Vichaar etc.) as false. But false are they who do not use their intellect to reflect or introspect. Indeed, if One Creator is said to be in all then tell me why you slay your hen to please God (idiomatic for helpless being). ||1|| Tell me if this is a God’s justice? O Mullah (Muslim priest), your mind’s doubts have still not been dispelled. ||1||Pause|| You capture and destroy life by performing halal on a body born from dust to please God. Since a breathing creature’s Jot Saroop is Eternal, then tell me what have you really sacrificed? ॥2॥ what good are your ritualistic purifications, ritualistic washing of your face and ritualistic bowing of your head in the mosque (during prayer)? What is the use of ritualistic pilgrimage to Mecca and prayer, if there is deceit in your heart? ||3|| you are still impure because you have not understood God. Kabeer says, with these rituals you have missed out on paradise (inner peace in life) and your mind is set on hell (the miserable life). ||4||4|| (sggs 1350).

Similarly, Bhagt Kabeer Ji in SGGS also questions the Hindu priest (Pandit/Brahmin):

• ਪਡੀਆ ਕਵਨ ਕੁਮਤਿ ਤੁਮ ਲਾਗੇ ॥ ਬੂਡਹੁਗੇ ਪਰਵਾਰ ਸਕਲ ਸਿਉ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਪਹੁ ਅਭਾਗੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਪੜੇ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਗੁਨੁ ਖਰ ਚੰਦਨ ਜਸ ਭਾਰਾ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨੀ ਕੈਸੇ ਉਤਰਸਿ ਪਾਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਜੀਅ ਬਧਹੁ ਸੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਅਧਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਤ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਮੁਨਿਵਰ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਕਾ ਕਉ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਸਾਈ ॥੨॥ ਮਨ ਕੇ ਅੰਧੇ ਆਪਿ ਨ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਕਾਹਿ ਬੁਝਾਵਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਕਾਰਨ ਬਿਦਿਆ ਬੇਚਹੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਾਈ ॥੩॥ ਨਾਰਦ ਬਚਨ ਬਿਆਸੁ ਕਹਤ ਹੈ ਸੁਕ ਕਉ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਰਾਮੈ ਰਮਿ ਛੂਟਹੁ ਨਾਹਿ ਤ ਬੂਡੇ ਭਾਈ ॥੪॥੧॥ : O Pandit, what evil intellect are you attached to? O unfortunate (Pandit) you do not realize God within, as a result you along with your family (senses, followers etc.) would drown in the ocean of worldly temptations. ||1||Pause|| (O pandit) what is the use of reading the Vedas and the Puraanas? It is like loading a donkey with sandalwood (If Mool is not understood…). You have not realize the spiritual state of Divine Naam (Wisdom / Virtues), hence there is no way to cross the ocean of worldly temptations. ||1|| (O Pujaaree – paid clergy) you kill living beings, and deem it as an act of Dharma (i.e. mercilessly kill another being in the name of religion, ਜੱਗ ਕਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀ/ਬਲੀ ਦੇਣਾਂ etc.). Tell me, brother, what would you call an Adharma (i.e. irreligious act…)? (By killing other beings) you call yourself the most excellent sage; then who would you call a butcher (i.e. there is no greater butcher than you)? ||2|| (O Pandit!) You don’t understand yourself (the right way of life), who else are you giving advice to? (O mentally blind! You) sell knowledge (learning, etc.) for the sake of Maya; your life is totally worthless. ||3|| (O spiritually blind Pandit) Narada preaches it, Vyasa also says the same and Sukadeva also teaches the same (that without realizing Omnipresent God, you cannot be liberated). Kabeer says (the same that) you can be liberated by only realizing Omnipresent God, otherwise (O spiritually blind Pandit) you will be drown in Bhav Saagar (the ocean of worldly temptations and their corrupting influences). ||4||1|| (sggs 1102-1103).

Thus, in a nutshell, false are those who ritually keep reading or reciting religious books in doubt or in love of Maya etc., without using their intellect for introspection and without Reflecting on the One Creator within all.

• ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਰਹਿ ਕਹ ਬਪੁਰੇ ਨਹ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਇਕ ਏਕਾ ॥ : What can the poor Vedas and Katebs (Semitic texts: Quran etc.) teach when their authors themselves did not understand the ‘One and Only’. (sggs 1153).
• ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਭਿ ਸਾਸਤ ਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਪੜਿਆ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ : The readings of the Vedas, Katebs (Semitic texts: Quran etc.), Simrtis and all the Shastras do not show the path to liberation (freedom from ignorance and falsehood, Bikaar…). (sggs 747).
• ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਚੁਕਈ ਜੇ ਵੇਦ ਪੜੈ ਜੁਗ ਚਾਰਿ ॥ : O Pandit! Even your filth (of Bikaar, doubt…) does not get erased (even if you) read the Vedas for four ages. (sggs 647).
• ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਇਫਤਰਾ ਭਾਈ ਦਿਲ ਕਾ ਫਿਕਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ : O brother, the anxiety of one’s mind does not go away by exaggerating the reality and giving references from Vedas and Katebs (Semitic texts: Quran etc.) for the sake of argument (show off, ਦਿਖਲਾਵਾ etc.). (sggs 727).
• ਵੇਦੁ ਪੜਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਵਾਦੁ ਵਖਾਣਹਿ ਮੋਹੇ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ : Studying the Vedas does not provide Godly essence; (Instead the discourse) causes one to get attached to the temporal polemics therein. (sggs 128).
• ਬਹੁ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਬਹੁ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤੀ ਪੇਖੇ ਸਰਬ ਢਢੋਲਿ ॥ ਪੂਜਸਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਅਮੋਲ ॥੧॥ : I have studied and researched all the many Shastras and Simratees. The methods (Karamkaand-rituals etc.) of realizing the Creator described therein, Nanak, do not even come close to the priceless divine Naam (divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues). ॥1॥ (sggs 265).
• ਵੇਦਾ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਤਮੁ ਸੋ ਸੁਣਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਜਿਉ ਬੇਤਾਲਿਆ ॥ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸਚੁ ਤਜਿਆ ਕੂੜੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਜੂਐ ਹਾਰਿਆ ॥੧੯॥ : In the Vedas, the exalted Naam is not discoursed, so (the discourse) is out of sync. Nanak, discarding the Creator and inculcating Creator-devoid discourse is to gamble away life. ||19|| (sggs 919).

Pujaaree (clergy) groups mislead people away from the path of Truth

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) asserts that the self serving Pujaaree (clergy) has plundered people in the world.

There are about four kinds of people who control or are in charge of the organized and institutionalized religions, and the so called religious places/locations in this world:

1. those who want to be worshiped by others (ਅਪਣੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਾਉਣੀ),
2. those who are greedy (Mayadhaaree-ਮਾਇਆਧਾਰੀ, ਠੱਗ…),
3. those who desire name and fame (ਪਰਤਿਛਟਾ: honor…).
4. those who want to live as freeloaders (i.e. sponger, moocher aka leeches, ਵੇਹਲੜ, ਨਿਕੰਮੇ, ਐਸ਼-ਪਰਸਤ) in the world — person who habitually depends on the charity of others for food, shelter, clothing etc.

As far as the Pujaaree (clergy) is concerned, it is posited that they have studied the holy book thoroughly, pondered over it long and finally succeeded in attaining intuitive wisdom to crack open the hard shell of language and ambiguity to get at the kernels of the underlying Truth in the words of the holy book which most readers are likely to miss! Therefore, when the Pujaaree (clergy) interprets the holy book, the majority of the people take it granted that the priests have succeeded in unearthing its deeper and sublime meaning!

But, in reality, it’s the reverse that happens! The scriptures get lost amidst distortions; false or unmeaning rituals, rites, controversy, concoctions, fake God, fake hell and heaven, fake theory of afterlife transmigration or reincarnation etc.

Aptly, the Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak teaches all of us to discard the Pujaaree (clergy) system:

• ਹਮਰਾ ਝਗਰਾ ਰਹਾ ਨ ਕੋਊ ॥ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਛਾਡੇ ਦੋਊ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : (Bhagat Kabeer Ji says) I have no conflict in my mind whatsoever — no struggle within me anymore. (I have achieved this state because) I have discarded all the claims of the clergy (Pujaaree). |1|| Pause || (sggs 1158).
• 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).

The Pujaaree (clergy) groups of all organized religions mislead people (ਗੁਮਰਾਹ, ਪੁੱਠੇ ਰਾਹ…) away from the path of Truth and put them on the path of fear, greed, falsehood, duality, worthless rituals (Karamkaand), rites, ceremonies, concocted concepts and myths (weird stories-ਮੰਨ ਘੜੰਤ ਸਾਖੀਆ), religious wearing and other paraphernalia, and a list of dos and don’ts for the followers. They also issue religious edicts and decrees for others to follow. They take upon themselves the task of administering the punishment to offenders of God’s commandment and their own edicts and decrees. As the religion gets older and life becomes complicated, the list of such rules grows longer and longer; making one wonder if the will and wish of the Pujaaree (clergy) is not the will and wish of God!!!!!

• ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾਗਦ ਕੀ ਓਬਰੀ ਮਸੁ ਕੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਪਾਟ ॥ ਪਾਹਨ ਬੋਰੀ ਪਿਰਥਮੀ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਪਾੜੀ ਬਾਟ ॥੧੩੭॥ : Kabeer, the religious books (of Pandits/ Pujaaree) are like a prison made of paper, and the rituals (Karamkaand) written in ink are like the doors of that prison. The stone idols have spiritually drowned the people of this world (in the ocean of worldliness), and Pandits (i.e. the clergy/Pujaaree) are plundering people (i.e. robbing people by engaging them in useless rituals and idolatry Poojaa and though donation-Daan etc.). ||137|| (sggs 1371).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਪਾਹਨੁ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰੁ ਕੀਆ ਪੂਜੈ ਸਭੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਇਸ ਭਰਵਾਸੇ ਜੋ ਰਹੇ ਬੂਡੇ ਕਾਲੀ ਧਾਰ ॥੧੩੬॥ : Kabeer, establishing and deeming a stone (statue) as God, people all over the world are worshipping it. Those who have this belief that by worshipping idols they are remembering God, are totally ruined spiritually, as if they are drowned in the deep waters (from where no trace of them can be found). ||136|| (sggs 1371).
• ਨ ਪਾਥਰੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਨਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਫੋਕਟ ਕਰਮ ਨਿਹਫਲ ਹੈ ਸੇਵ ॥੨॥ : This stone (idol) neither speaks nor can give anything, The act of worshipping the stone (Idol) is worthless and fruitless. ॥2॥(sggs 1160).
• ਏਕੈ ਪਾਥਰ ਕੀਜੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਦੂਜੈ ਪਾਥਰ ਧਰੀਐ ਪਾਉ ॥ ਜੇ ਓਹੁ ਦੇਉ ਤ ਓਹੁ ਭੀ ਦੇਵਾ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਹਮ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ॥੪॥੧॥ : Some Stones Are Worshipped and Some Stepped On. If Some Are Gods, then the Others Must Be Gods as well. ॥4॥1॥ (sggs 525).

To mend or correct this corruption or errors of the Pujaaree system, the Gurus and Bhagats searched and studied with introspection all the Simritis, Shastras etc. Their Bani contains their corrections. Hence, understanding the overarching position regarding any concept, belief or issue (e.g. Vedas and Kateb in this case) in the entire SGGS is critical in deciphering the intended and authentic messages of any given verse.

• ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋਧੇ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਬੇਦ ॥ : Nanak, (I) have carefully studied (searched etc.) Simritis and Vedas. (sggs 1142).
• ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਤਾ ॥ : Neither the Vedas [four Hindu texts] nor the four Katebas (Semitic texts: Quran etc.) know the ‘Reality’. (sggs 1021).
• ਸਾਸਤ ਬੇਦ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਭਿ ਸੋਧੇ ਸਭ ਏਕਾ ਬਾਤ ਪੁਕਾਰੀ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਕੋਊ ਪਾਵੈ ਮਨਿ ਵੇਖਹੁ ਕਰਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੨॥ : I have searched all the Shastras, Vedas and Simritis, they all affirm one thing, that without the Guru (i.e. Giaan-Wisdom), no one obtains liberation (from Bikaar, vices, Maya…); reflect upon this in your mind. ||2|| (sggs 495).
• ਸੋਧੇ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਗਲ ॥ ਸੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਿ ਜਪਾਏ ॥ : I have explored all the Shastras and Simritis (and concluded that the wall of worldly attachment does not break without Naam). That person alone realizes Naam (Wisdom / Virtues…) who puts forth self-efforts (Shabad Vichaar…). (sggs 890).
• ਸਭਿ ਨਾਦ ਬੇਦ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਤਾ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਤਹ ਤੀਰਥ ਵਰਤ ਤਪ ਸਾਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੩॥ : (A person who is engaged in Bhagti, Shabad-Vichaar, etc., for that person…) All Naad and Vedas are in the Gurbani (Guru‘s Word). (Through the Gurbani’s Wisdom) the mind becomes imbued with the love of God. (In that spiritual state) is his sacred shrine of pilgrimage, fasting and austere self-discipline. By following the Guru‘s Giaan-Wisdom, God is realized. ||3|| (sggs 879).
• ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਸੋਧਿ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਿਨੀ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਗਿ ਤੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਪਰਵਾਨਾ ॥੩॥ : Carefully examine Vedas and Puranas with introspection and (they say that) every age has its Dharma (i.e. every time period has its own Dharma). (But) by becoming the Gurmukh (Enlightened Mindset) one who internalizes the Message embedded within the Shabad will realize the Omnipresent (The message of the first verse is that Vedas is period, age or time based – it is not perpetual. However, the Creator is perpetual. In other words, the Creator is NOT period, age or time based – Vedas do NOT cater to a perpetual Creator! The message of the second verse is that to realize the Omnipresent one needs to internalize the
  messages that emanate as contained within the Guru’s Shabad)  (sggs 797).

Conflicts among religions may be open and active, however many time it is also passive and clandestine. These useless conflicts saps the society and world of harmony, love, peace and vitality and hampers progress.

Worrisome as this phenomena is, however the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) has commonsense solutions to this problem. But, unfortunately, commonsense is NOT common anymore!

The Gurbani’s universal Message to the ENTIRE HUMANITY is to live in harmony with the divine Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) is to cease all conflicts and stop harming others. Because, this immutable Hukam is ‘Karan’, ‘Kaaran’, ‘Karim’, ‘Raheem’, Creator etc. who is NOT under any religion!

• ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ … ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੯॥ : Some utter repeatedly Raam Raam (Hindu name of God); others utter Khuda (Muslim name of God) … Says Nanak – one who has recognized the Hukam, that person has understood the mystery of ‘Prabh Saahib‘ (i.e. Universal Energy…). ॥5॥9॥ (sggs 885).

In a nutshell, Gurmat embodies the central theme of ONENESS of existence — seeing nothing as apart from the ONE.

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