Ritualistic Reading of the Gurbani

The Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches us that the purpose of reading / listening the Gurbani is to become Wise (Gurmukh: Enlightened / Guru-Shabad-Oriented mindset). If that does not happen, then the following Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ) applies to us:

• ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਕਛੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਪਸੁ ਜਿਉ ਉਦਰੁ ਭਰਉ ॥ : Listening to the Gurmat (Shabad-Giaan, Teaching of the Gurbani, etc.), (if) no Spiritual Wisdom (understanding of the Spiritual Life…) wells up within; (then it would be) like a beast (routinely) filling its belly (sggs 685).
• ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥੬॥ : Without understanding, people become beast (-nature) and demon ||6|| (sggs 224).

Until and unless we become Wise by listening and reading the Gurbani, we can NOT validate one’s Knowledge (Giyan-ਗਿਆਨ) to determine if they are someone else’s anti-Gurmat agenda, misguided interpretations, prejudices, opinions etc. that we have simply adopted mistakenly thinking them to be facts. We can ONLY Look for the truth if we ourselves become familiar with the true meanings of the Gurbani, and ONLY then we can use that Knowledge to do what is right and appropriate.

• ਪੜਿਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਬੁਝਿਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥ : Not by just reading (scriptures), but it is through spiritual Wisdom one Understands this fact (that God is infinite). (sggs 148).

The Unique and Revolutionary new Message of the Gurmat Wisdom of the SGGS is NOT meant to regurgitate the ritualism or Karamkaand that was already existing in the society before the Gurus and the Bhagats.

Having said that, the deep thoughts of Guru Nanak will get absorbed into our minds ONLY if we read or listen to the Gurbani of the SGGS to avoid the mental traps of the man-made, organized religions!

However, due to our ignorance of the Gurbani and the resulting corruption of our minds (inner filth of vices/Bikaar: lust, anger, greed, etc.), the illiterate and corrupt Pujaaree-Vaad and other religious con artists are able to dupe us.

On account of our greed, fear and ignorance, so long we are willing participants they will continue duping us.

The great ones tell us to remember one thing: If we want something as sublime as God and want it cheaply in the form of a ‘ready-made’ package (businesslike deal, ਧੰਧਾ), we put ourselves in a position to be cheated by the religious con artists (ਠਗ – Thugg)!

Also, there is a saying to the effect that where there are greedy people, a cheat (ਠਗ – Thugg, trickster, swindler…) will never starve there!

When the Gurus and Bhagats condemned the then Pujaaree system for reading religious texts (Paath-ਪਾਠ) for the sake of making money (businesslike-ਧੰਧਾ), perhaps they had no idea that many in Sikhs masks would do the same with their Bani (ਬਾਣੀ) — business (ਧੰਧਾ), INSTEAD of a source of learning Giyan–Wisdom from it!

• ਮੂਰਖ ਅੰਧੇ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੈ ਬਿਉਹਾਰੀ ॥ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਕਪਟੁ ਉਦਰੁ ਭਰਣ ਕੈ ਤਾਈ ਪਾਠ ਪੜਹਿ ਗਾਵਾਰੀ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵੇ ਸੋ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਏ ਜਿਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਮਾਰੀ ॥ : Dealing with Maya alone, the blind fools remain subservient to the three qualities of material nature (i.e. Rajo, Tamo, Sato). With deception within, the fool do Paath (reading of religious texts) to fill their bellies. Through Shabad Vichaar, one who follows the Guru’s teaching eradicates false ego-sense (Haumai) and attains Peace. (sggs 1246).
• 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 (Giyan-Guru, True Wisdom) and pray for the grant of Bibek-Budhi (discerning intellect…). ||Pause|| (sggs 641).

Ready-made Paaths on sale, Keelee-Tang Paath (ਕੀਲੀ-ਟੰਗ ਪਾਠ) …

The author remembers this story from his childhood. It may sound like a joke, but it’s a true story.

In my village in India, there lived a Paathee (also spelt Pathi – a professional reader of the SGGS).

One day a man from the neighboring village visited him and said, ‘Someone has died in our family. We would like to hire you to do a Sahaj Paath in his memory (also called Sadhaaran Paath)’.

‘Sure, I am available’, said the Paathee.

‘How long it would take you to complete the Sahaj Paath?’, inquired the potential client.

‘About couple of weeks’, replied the Paathee.

‘But, unfortunately, we do not have that much time. We have only couple of days’, said the potential client.

‘In that case, I can sell you a Keelee-Tang Paath (ਕੀਲੀ-ਟੰਗ ਪਾਠ)’, said the Paathee.

‘What is this ‘Keelee-Tang Paath‘, inquired the customer.

‘You see, in my spare time, I do Paath at my home. When done, I tie a knot in a towel and hang it on a Keelee. In nutshell, it’s a ready-made (Keetaa Kraaiaa Paath-ਕੀਤਾ ਕਰਾਇਆ ਪਾਠ ), explained the Paathee.

Those who are not familiar with this Punjabi word ‘Keele’, it’s a peg driven into the wall for hanging clothes etc.

If this sort of fraud or Pakhand in the name of the Gurbani existed in the non-digital era of the 19th-20th century, just imagine what might be going on in the present age of Internet, media, digital and wireless information etc.!

In fact there are some additional categories of Paath (ਪਾਠ) these days — reading of the Gurbani from more than one Beerh at the same time (i.e., ਇੱਕ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਬੀੜਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਕਰਕੇ: ਆਖੰਡਪਾਠ, ਕੋਤਰੀ ਪਾਠ, ਸੰਪਟ ਪਾਠ…), a sheer business and a sheer scheme of the corrupt and illiterate Pujaaree to keep the unsuspecting, fearful and greedy people brainwashed for a return business.

• ਅੰਧੇ ਅਕਲੀ ਬਾਹਰੇ ਕਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਸਿਉ ਕਹੀਐ ॥: There is no point in explaining this to the people who have been blinded and made devoid of intellect or Wisdom (i.e. made ignorant by their attachment to Maya). (sggs 229).

Brahman/Pandits have many categories of Paath with different rate for each category. Similarly, the Pujaaree-Vaad in Sikhi also have many categories of Paath with different rate. This un-Gurmat practice is nothing but a fraud in the name of the Gurbani and Gurus!

• 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 SGGS is NOT a subject of ritual reading and memorizing or worshipping (Poojaa) it like an idol. How sad that the Enlightening Message with universal appeal that transcends boundaries of traditional religions, race and geography etcetera and which was supposed to be read, heard and deliberated upon has been turned into an idol to be only seen and worshipped by the self-serving politicians and priests that we are not supposed to have!

Instead, its a subject of understanding, for the Gurbani is BRAHM VICHAAR! It is given to the entire humanity as Upadesh (teaching, guide, counsel, instructions) which is meant to be internalized and lived in daily life.

• 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 (Giyan-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).
• ਜਿ ਠਗੀ ਆਵੈ ਠਗੀ ਉਠਿ ਜਾਇ ਤਿਸੁ ਨੇੜੈ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥ ਜਿ ਵਿਣੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਮਨੁ ਮੰਨੇ ਕੰਮੁ ਕਰਾਏ ਸੋ ਜੰਤੁ ਮਹਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ : The GurSikh does not come close to the person who comes and goes to deceive. Nanak proclaims and announces this true Wisdom (‘Brahmu Beechaaru’) that a person who is not pleasing to the Mind of the ‘Satigur‘ (i.e. True Wisdom) may get his way (by deceptively making Gursikhs to serve him), but that being will only suffer in terrible pain. ||2|| (sggs 317).

It is given to us (learners – ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ) so we can help ourselves to drive away our mind’s ignorance of its Original Nature (or Jot Saroop). It explains many ways the benefit (Laahaa-ਲਾਹਾ) of imbibing or by bringing the true Knowledge (ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ), understanding or intellect in life.

But, instead, the Sikh Pujaaree-Vaad has turned it into a business, worldly occupation, a job, fraud etc. (ਦੁਨੀਆਵੀ ਵਿਹਾਰ, ਧੰਧਾ, ਲੁੱਟ…). It is like churning water and hope to produce butter!

• ਪੋਖਰੁ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਿਰੋਲੀਐ ਮਾਖਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਰੀਸੈ ॥੭॥ : No butter can be obtained by churning a pond water (i.e. the way of the world is like churning the pond water and expecting to experience Bliss…). ||7|| (sggs 229).
• ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਗਡੀ ਲਦੀਅਹਿ … 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 … 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).

Just look at what goes on in Gurdwaras and all Deeraas. It is worse than Brahman-Vaad. The following Shabad — which criticizes Brahman (Pandit) for practicing fraud in the name of ‘Paath‘ — perfectly fits today’s paid clergy in Sikhi as well. Consequently, Gurdwaras are turning into Golakdwaras!

• ਬੇਦ ਪਾਠ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ॥ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਸਭ ਹੋਇ ਖੁਆਰ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਉਤਰਸਿ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ : 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).
• ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਪੋਥੀ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਪਾਠਾ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਪੜੈ ਸੁਣਿ ਥਾਟਾ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਰਸ ਰਾਤੇ ਮਨੁ ਬਹੁ ਨਾਟਾ ॥੭॥ : One may read the religious books and recite the Simritis. One may read Vedas, Puranas, and other compilations. But without being imbued with the essence f Naam, the mind wanders endlessly. ||7|| (sggs 226).
• ਪਾਠੁ ਪੜੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਝੂਠੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਨਿਗੁਰੇ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਓਹੈ ॥ : (A manmukh renunciate…) even though reads religious books but still lies, because without being imbued with the Guru Shabad, his intellect does not change. (sggs 1013).

Un-Gurmat ritual of paid Akhand Paaths…

According to Bhai Kahn Singh Ji Nabha, the author of Gurmati Martand, the tradition of Akhand Paath was started by Budha Dal – NOT BY THE GURUS – and the beginning of Budha Dal was in 17th century.

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.

Getting an Akhand Path (of Sri Guru Granth Sahib) performed has also become a kind of Karamkaand (ritual or practice). One who gets the Akhand Path performed to satisfy his/her false ego-sense (Haumai), distributes invitations to his friends and relatives, requesting them to come at the ‘Bhog’ (conclusion) of the ‘Path’ (reading). The ceremony is performed very much in the manner of the Brahmin priests chanting ‘mantras’ on the conclusion of Ramayana Path etc. Very much like the Pandits (Brahmin priests), ‘Akhand Path’ can be paid in instalments or in full. ‘Ready-made’ or ‘already-completed’ Akhand Paths can be had for a price by sending money from abroad to the managers of historical Gurdwaras in India. What a big anti-Gurmat or apostate practice it is! ‘Gurmat is Giyan Maarag – a subject for meditation and reflection for which concentration and purity of mind are essential while doing ‘path’ (reading of the scripture) and listening to it. But both these things are disappearing from Sikhi of Guru Nanak. The edict of Gurbani is:

• ਹੋਹੁ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ॥ : Remain Awake/Alert/Attentive to the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom. (sggs 895).
• ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸੰਤ ਮੀਤ ॥ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਏਕਾਗਰ ਚੀਤ ॥ : O seeker friends, laud the Creator (divine Virtues) with minds Awake/Alert/Attentive and single mindedness. (sggs 295).

This is not at all possible during Akhand Path! There are also other  Un-Gurmat or Brahmanical rituals carried out during Akhand Path such as a pitcher or bottle of water coconut wrapped in red cloth and tied with ‘Mauli (untwisted multi-strand yarn used on ceremonial
occasions) is placed, under the ‘Kumbh’ (pitcher of water) is also placed a mixture of several cereals, lamps of clarified butter are also lit, incense is regularly put, and so on. If questioned, the answer one gets is that this is the practice which has been continuing for long! The truth is these are Brahmanical practices or rituals that have been named as ‘Gurmaryada’

All composers of Bani (ਬਾਣੀਕਾਰ) who are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) have explained a lot to us 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).

No Jathedaar of Akal Takhat would dare issue an addict to ban this un-Gurmat practice (Karamkaand) of paid Akhand Paaths, he/she is more likely to get fired for he/she will be running against many interests that complement each other. For example:

• People’s (Sangat) interest: People’s psyche has been so molded by the self-serving Pujaaree that they consider getting an Akhand Paath done will bestow abundant ‘Guru Kian Khushian’ upon them without any effort or without changing their lifestyle.
• The Paathi’s interest: They get paid for doing the Paath and this payment is a huge attraction for them because most of them have no formal education, skill, vocation or job. Special in foreign countries most of theses Paathees / Granthees / Parchaaraks / Ragis etc. come from India after spending huge sums of money. Hence making money is a big allurement for them.
• The Granthi’s interest: They also get paid for Ardas and many other un-Gurmat ritualistic practices.
• The Gurdwaras’ interest and the SGPC’s interest:  Akhand Paaths, Bhog ceremonies etc. are cash cows for them. This is the reason ‘Golak‘ is always seen placed in front of the SGGS!
• The Deraas’ interest: Akhand Paaths are also cash cows for for the freeloading Baabaas (ਵੇਹਲੜ) of thousands of Deraas in Punjab. Those who have understood the Unique Sikhi of Guru Nanak Sahib ji will go to these Deraas to get robbed, otherwise thousands of people are going there. It is not the fault of these Deraas either, as long as educated people continue to go there these Deraas will remain in business. Due to lack of mental development we are not even ready to understand. Deraa people have a deep study of the sick mentality of the society that how people can be robbed in the name of religion! Looting is taking place in the name of various kinds of offerings in the name of fulfilling of desires (wishes), fulfilling of vows (ਸੁੱਖਣਾ), Akhand Paaths, Ardaas, Kirtan, Kathaa, Rumaalaas, donations, and so on.

The Gurbani Enlightens us:

• ਆਚਾਰੀ ਨਹੀ ਜੀਤਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਪਾਠ ਪੜੈ ਨਹੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇ ॥ : God cannot be realized by rituals (Karamkaand). His Virtues cannot be estimated by Paath (reading religious books). (sggs 355).
• ਬੁਧਿ ਪਾਠਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਬਹੁ ਚਤੁਰਾਈਐ ਭਾਇ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਣੇ ॥ : God is not realized by intellect, great cleverness and Paath (reading religious books), He is realized by who loves Him in his mind. (sggs 436).

Allowing the Gurbani to read us!

Although ladles (ਕੜਛੀਆ) cruise through all sorts of food, but they do not know the relish of food – they just remain devoid of it!

Similarly many of us read the Gurbani (Paaths, Nitnem etc.) but we rarely allow the Gurbani to read us!

• ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਬੂਝਿ ਲੇ ਤਉ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਬੇਰਾ ॥ : Understand by the Grace of the Gur-Giyan (Wisdom), this will be the right decision (i.e. resolve, judgement, ਨਿਰਨਾ). (sggs 229).
• ਦੀਵਾ ਬਲੈ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪਾਠ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਉਗਵੈ ਸੂਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਪੈ ਚੰਦੁ ॥ ਜਹ ਗਿਆਨ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਮਿਟੰਤੁ ॥ : When the lamp (of Giyan 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. (sggs 791).

Until and unless we allow the Gurbani to go through us, our reading or hearing it is of no avail. Also, mere seeing SGGS or mere bowing to SGGS is of no avail either. This is the edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ) of the Gurbani.

It’s not that the Gurbani is only teaching Brahmins, Pandits, Yogi, Qazi, Mullah, etc. not to practice such fraud, it is also teaching those who call or identify themselves as Sikhs!

If a Sikh practices falsehood than why wouldn’t a Brahmin be helped along with his falsehood/corruption, or a Muslim or a Christian or a Yogi with his?

• ਪੜਣਾ ਗੁੜਣਾ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਵਿਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਭਿ ਪੜਿ ਥਕੇ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥ : Reading and reflecting on the scriptures with fire of worldly desires and Bikaar or vices in the mind are just worldly pursuits. People have grown weary of reading scriptures in egotism (Haumai) and are ruined through the love of duality. (sggs 650).
• ਪੜਿਐ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਗਿਆਨੀਆ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ : The filth is not removed by reading. Go ahead, and ask the Wise ones ||1||. (sggs 39).

The Gurbani says that any listening/reading (of the Gurbani) has to be thoroughly understood of its true meaning, and then it must be lived in daily life (ਅਮਲ). Without all this, it will create only spiritual indigestion!

• ਪਾਠੁ ਪੜੈ ਨਾ ਬੂਝਈ ਭੇਖੀ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਇ ॥ : (Those who merely) read (scriptures – ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਪੁਸਤਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਨਿਰਾ ਪਾਠ) cannot understand (this secret); the ‘Bhekhee’ (those who thus merely read disguised in religious garbs, deceitful pretenders, sham, false, impersonator etc.) become more deluded by doubts (sggs 66).
• 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).

Hence, according to the Gurbani — not according to the illiterate and corrupt Pujaajee-system — the ONLY purpose of reading any religious text (Paath — ਪਾਠ ਕਰਨਾ, Nitnem etc.) is to Awaken Bibebk Budhi within (discerning intellect, logic, Giyan or Wisdom, divine Virtues, etc.). Such Bibek-Budhi bestows upon us Joy, Peace, Anand (Bliss), Mool-abidance, untainted thinking (Soch), commonsense, and so on.

• ਨਾਨਕ ਪੜਣਾ ਗੁਨਣਾ ਇਕੁ ਨਾਉ ਹੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ : O Nanak! Only one Naam (Giyan-Wisdom, Virtues…) is worth reading and contemplating; but a rare thoughtful (ਵਿਚਾਰਵਾਨ) person understands it. (sggs 1246).

Ending note

We are given the Gurbani (SGGS) to learn from. Instead, the self-serving Pujaaree (clergy) has covered it with Rumaalaas from whom we had to learn. Furthermore, they granted permission to specific group to read it, and made rest of the people afraid to even go near it – they give people fear of ‘Paap-ਪਾਪ’ (sin)!

The Gurbani verses quoted in the blog post have been given as example, but there are many more such verses recorded in the SGGS. Nowhere in the Gurbani of the SGGS is there a mention of doing mere Paath or Akhand Paath but there is a complete rejection of ritualistic recitations done in the name of religion. The so-called sants, sadh, political leaders and greedy priests (Pujaaree clique) have made the Sikh community superstitious through rituals like Akhand Paths etc.

What Guru Nanak preached to the entire humanity was the daily conduct that will make one a better human being. He preached how to live, and use one’s ‘Bibek Buddh’ (discerning intellect), to guide their daily activity instead of a list of dos and don’ts prepared by the self-serving Pujaaree clique (clergy). The Unique Sikhi of Guru Nanak is a Way of life based on reason (logic, Bibek, ਤਰਕ). The difference between Nanak’s Sikhi and man-made organized religions (ਮਜ਼ਹਬ) is that religions are based on blind faith (Andh Vishvaas-ਅੰਧ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ), BUT SIKHI OF GURU NANAK IS BASED ON REASON! Abandoning the Gurmat Way of Bibek Budh, superstition is becoming the cause of destruction.

• ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥ : True learning induces in the mind service to humanity. (sggs 356).
• ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੈ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਪਾਵੈ ਮਾਨੁ ॥ : Through the Grace of the Giyan-Guru, a person who reflects again and again on ‘Vidiaa‘ (Giyan, Wisdom…) obtains honor in the society. (sggs 1329).

Some Related Posts:

• Gurbani is Meant to be Understood and Applied
• Way of the Gurbani is the Way of Understanding
• Reading and Memorizing Gurbani is of no Avail Unless…
• When Reading the Word, no Need to Shout so Loud
• Calculated Relationship with Guru or God
• Realize Enlightening Message Embedded within Shabad
• Become the Gurbani
• Man Invented Invisible God and Related Fear, Blind Faith, Fantasy…
• Gurmat and Shabad Vichaar
• Churning the Gurbani
• Dying in Shabad
• Spiritual Indigestion
• Spiritual Surgery
• Mere Seeing of the SGGS Will Not Liberate
• Stubborn Mindedness – a Mental Disease
• Stubborn Mindedness – Reading or Listening Gurbani
• Sikhi of the Clergy – Pujaaree
• Sikhi Teaches to Discard priestly Class
• Sikhi: a Way of Life
• The Satgur’s Sword of Wisdom
• Sikhi of the Clergy – Pujaaree
• Sikhi Teaches to Discard priestly Class
• Sikhi: a New ‘Way’ of Life
• Gurbani can only be Comprehended Through Gurbani Itself
• Rituals Bind Us in Egotism
• Religious Rituals – Karamkaand