Develop Partnership with Virtues

The entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) provides us a whole gamut of Virtues attributed to the ONE God.

Therefore the ONE CREATOR in Sikhi of the Gurmat or Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of divine Virtues (‘Gun-ਗੁਣ’).

• ਕੋਟਿ ਗੁਣਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਗਣੇ ਨ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੬॥ : (O God) You have millions of Virtues which cannot be counted. ||6|| (sggs 1156).
• ਕਵਨ ਕਹਾ ਗੁਨ ਕੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥ : Which of the virtues of my beloved Husband-God, may I mention? (sggs 737).
• ਬੰਦਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਬੰਦਨਾ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਰਾਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : Pay obeisance to the Creator by Revealing (Awakening) the Godly Virtues within. (sggs 683).

All Names given to God are in fact divine Virtues. In other words, every Name the Gurus, Bhagats and seekers have given to God are in terms of the divine Virtues.

In short, the ONE Creator / Hukam is defined in the Gurbani (SGGS) in terms of the divine Virtues. The Primary Virtues of God is that He is ‘Karataa Purakh-ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖ’ = CREATOR BEING.

That being said, in Sikhi of the SGGS the Realization of the ONE Creator WITHIN comes through the process of acquisition or developing partnership with divine Virtues in daily life and then living them when transacting with the outside world of objects, sphere of emotions, and the realm of thoughts. — BECOMING the VIRTUES.

• ਆਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਚੁ ॥ ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੋਸੀ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ॥੧॥: The Creator is WITHIN me from my ‘Aad’ (Conception). He is WITHIN me SINCE Conception, following Conception. He is WITHIN me Here and Now. Nanak, He is WITHIN me throughout my existence. ||1|| (sggs 1).

Once we have developed partnership with the divine Virtues within, then the Creator — the Treasure of Virtues within — becomes our ‘Partipaalak-Nourisher‘ (nourisher of the mind with the divine Virtues. Without this Nourishment of Virtues, the mind will eventually succumb to its spiritual death!

• ਤੁਮ ਦਾਤੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲਕ ਨਾਇਕ ਖਸਮ ਹਮਾਰੇ ॥ : O God, You are our Benefactor, Nourisher, Guide and Master. (sggs 673).

In a nutshell, Sikhi is a Way of life — a Unique Way of life based on the Unique spirituality of the Shabad (Enlightenment) that teaches to flourish spiritually and develop partnership with divine Virtues.

The Gurbani (SGGS) asserts a person without Virtues (Gun-ਗੁਣ) is as useless as a cow without milk; a bird without wings; vegetation or crop without water; an emperor without respect, empty husk without grain etc. This is the edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ) of the SGGS:

• ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਨਰ ਅਸਲਿ ਖਰ ਜਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਣ ਗਰਬੁ ਕਰੰਤਿ ॥੨॥: Nanak, those are real asses, who have no Virtues but are filled with egotistical pride ||2|| (sggs 1246).
• ਦੁਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਧੇਨੁ ਪੰਖ ਬਿਨੁ ਪੰਖੀ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਉਤਭੁਜ ਕਾਮਿ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਕਿਆ ਸੁਲਤਾਨੁ ਸਲਾਮ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਅੰਧੀ ਕੋਠੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਾਹੀ ॥੧॥: A cow without milk; a bird without wings; vegetation without water (i.e. useless)! What is an emperor without respect? (Similarly) without the Naam (i.e., ਗੁਣ, Virtues, Wisdom, Truth…), the soul (or the mind) is just a dark room. ||1|| (sggs 354).

We read in the SGGS that the Gurbani is the ‘Gun Bani-ਗੁਣ ਬਾਣੀ’ (Gun = Virtues). The more Divine Virtues Awaken within translate into more gain in Spiritual Giaan-Knowledge (Bibek…).

• 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).
• ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਹੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਵਡ ਦਾਣਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਏ ਬਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਝਾ ॥੩॥: Who has found the great wise and mighty Satiguru (True Wisdom-ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ), the Satiguru share with him many of divine Virtues. (sggs 697).

In short dealing — ‘ਸਾਝ ਕਰੀਜੈ’: taking or giving (ਲੇਨ ਦੇਨ) — of a Sikh should be in Virtues/Wisdom. Aptly, the Gurbani Speaks of One Universal Dharma of Virtues.

• ਗੁਣਾ ਕਾ ਹੋਵੈ ਵਾਸੁਲਾ ਕਢਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਲਈਜੈ ॥ ਜੇ ਗੁਣ ਹੋਵਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਸਾਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਸਾਝ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥ ਸਾਝ ਕਰੀਜੈ ਗੁਣਹ ਕੇਰੀ ਛੋਡਿ ਅਵਗਣ ਚਲੀਐ ॥ ਪਹਿਰੇ ਪਟੰਬਰ ਕਰਿ ਅਡੰਬਰ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਿੜੁ ਮਲੀਐ ॥ : O Mind, you have Within your possession Divine Virtues; manifest them in your Spirituality. Since you possess these Divine Virtues O Mind, adopt a Relationship with them. The adoption of this Relationship is the discarding of human vices as you walk the Journey of Spirituality. By treating everyone with love and by doing good deeds, one can win the wrestling of life (battle of life, game of life etc. – ਜੀਵਨ-ਘੋਲ) against (Vices). (sggs 765-766).
• ਸਾਚੁ ਨੇਹੁ ਤਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮਾ ਜਿਨ ਮਨਿ ਵੁਠਾ ਆਪਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਝੀ ਤਿਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਬਸੇ ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜਾਪਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ : Those who Realize their Beloved (i.e. Creator) in their mind, they alone bear true love and yearning for Him. Those who reside in their company and share their Virtues (also) always live in the Creator’s Realization. (sggs 761).

Since only Virtues can be conducive to a Divine Life (Enlightened or Gurmukh State of the Mind), we are urged to churn the Gurbani and collect / develop the Divine Virtues in life.

In fact, we are reminded by the Gurbani that without Virtues Bhagti (‘ਭਗਤਿ’) is NOT possible!

• ਸਭਿ ਗੁਣ ਤੇਰੇ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਣ ਕੀਤੇ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥: I Cleanse my mind Within (of vices) with Godly Virtues. Bhagti (spirituality) does not materialize without Internalizing these Virtues. (sggs 4).
• ਗੁਣ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਮਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥: (One who) reflects on the Divine Virtues is spiritually Wise. Spiritual Wisdom is realized through the Divine Virtues (sggs 931).

Therefore, devoid of the Divine Virtues, we are reminded by the SGGS that one remains stuck in a mentality of Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree!

• ਗੁਣ ਵਿਹੂਣ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਲੁ ਧਾਰੀ ॥: (Those) without Virtues, bear the filth of Maya (in their minds). (sggs 367).

Accordingly, we are repeatedly advised by the Gurbani to Awaken and share (‘Saajh-ਸਾਝ’) in the Divine Virtues/Wisdom only.

Thus Sikhs are encouraged to enter a partnership of Virtues with others. Such a collaboration of Virtues can provide a strong foundation for positive social change, serving others, peaceful coexistence among people of diverse communities and cultures in the world.

• ਅਵਗਣ ਵਿਕਣਿ ਪਲ੍ਹ੍ਹਰਨਿ ਗੁਣ ਕੀ ਸਾਝ ਕਰੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ॥੨੫॥ ਗੁਣ ਕੀ ਸਾਝ ਸੁਖੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਸਚੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰੇਨਿ ॥: Throw away the sins and demerits and enter the partnership of Virtues with others. ॥29॥ In the collaboration of Virtues, Sukh (Peace, Joy etc.) wells up, and one can perform genuine Bhagti. (sggs 756).
• ਆਪਿ ਜਪਹੁ ਅਵਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵਹੁ ॥ ਸੁਨਤ ਕਹਤ ਰਹਤ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ॥: Realize the Naam (Wisdom / Virtues) yourself and inspire others to Realize it. By learning, teaching and living it (practice-ਅਮਲ), one becomes Enlightened. (sggs 289).
• ਜਨ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਊਤਮ ਕਾਮਾ ॥ : Serving others is the ultimate good deed. (sggs 164).

Now, the question is: Why some in life just tie up bundles of demerits (faults, Bikaars, ਅਵਗਣ, ਅਉਗੁਣ) instead of Virtues/Wisdom?

• ਲੋਕੁ ਅਵਗਣਾ ਕੀ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਗੰਠੜੀ ਗੁਣ ਨ ਵਿਹਾਝੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਕਾ ਗਾਹਕੁ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਇ ॥: People tie up bundles of demerits; no one deals in Virtues. O Nanak! Rare is the purchaser appropriator of Virtues. (sggs 1092.

The Gurbani teaches Haumai or egoistic mind enjoys being absorbed in Mayaic qualities (Rajo, Tamo, and Sato) instead of Virtues/Wisdom!

Faults of Haumai or false ego-sense are numerous and they make blind to Virtues!

• ਭੋਲਿਆ ਹਉਮੈ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰਿ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ਮਨ ਗੁਣ ਵਿਚਿ ਗੁਣੁ ਲੈ ਸਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O my naive mind, forsake your intellect/ consciousness of Haumai (false ego-sense). O my mind, through reflection (on the Guru’s Shabad), subdue your false ego-sense and enshrine Virtues, and take care of this most excellent Quality that subdues the false ego-sense (live with Gurmukh Mindset – Wisdom / Virtues). ||1||pause|| (sggs 1168).
• ਜਿਨਾ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਸੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਿਨਾ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਤਿਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤੇ ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ॥੪॥੭॥੨੭॥ : Those who have the Treasure of Virtues within, contemplate Giaan-Wisdom. Those with the Treasure of Virtues within, annihilate Haumai (false ego sense). Nanak, (I am) awed by those who are attuned to the divine Naam (Giaan-Wisdom / Virtues). ||4||7||27|| (sggs 160).

As a result, the pastime of such deluded or Mayaic mind is to collaborate with demerits! The Gurbani cautions us of this negative habit of the instinctive mind:

• ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਸਭ ਬਾਤ ਜਾਨਤ ਹੀ ਅਉਗਨੁ ਕਰੈ ॥: O Kabir! The mind knows everything and knowingly it commits demerits (sggs 1376).

Where there is Haumai (false ego-sense), there is the consummate enemy called Bikaar (i.e. lust, ager, greed, attachment, pride etc.). Where there is lust, there is the compelling and coercive materialistic desire of indulging in Maya or sensory temptations.

The Gurbani asserts individual beings are brimful with demerits. The Gurbani also tells us that Virtues abide within Jeeva as well. By BECOMING THE GURBANI (Gurmukh Mindset – Enlightened State of the Mind etc.) one can discover Virtues from the Inner body-Srovar (‘ਸਰੀਰਿ ਸਰੋਵਰਿ’) via churning the Gurbani – Shabad-Vichaar.

• ਸਰੀਰਿ ਸਰੋਵਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਪਰਗਟਿ ਕੀਏ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਥਿ ਤਤੁ ਕਢੀਏ ॥੪॥੫॥੫੭॥: The body-Srovar (body-pool) yields Virtues. O Nanak! By becoming the Gurmukh, who churns this (body-pool through Shabad-Vichaar), discovers Knowledge (ਤੱਤ ਗਿਆਨ…). ||4||5||57|| (sggs 367).
• ਅਵਗੁਣੀ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਹੈ ਗੁਣ ਭੀ ਵਸਹਿ ਨਾਲਿ ॥: (The mortal) is overflowing with demerits, but Virtues dwell within him as well. (sggs 936).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੀਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਣੀ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ॥੮॥੧੦॥: O Nanak! Shabad should be reflected upon, (reflecting on the Shabad) Treasure of Virtues is obtained. ||8||10|| (sggs 59).
• 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).

It’s crystal clear from the Gurbani (SGGS) that:

• Demerits are foreign to our mind — external, unnatural, not inherent.
• Virtues are native (inherent, natural, within etc.).
• The Treasure of all Virtues, one’s Mool or Jot saroop is ever present WITHIN!
• The Treasure of all Virtues is realized through Internalizing the spiritual Message of the Shabad (Enlightenment), Here and Now.
• No importance is given in the SGGS to any external location, external building, external Sarovar, external religious paraphernalia, religious robes, religious Pakhand, ritual bathing, useless Karamkaand (‘Kufakarhe‘), concocted myths and narratives etc.

The divine Message of the Gurbani centers on self-efforts (Uddam) to improve ownself, persuade ownself, search ownself, change ownself, instruct own mind, Self-Transcendence etc. — each person’s competition is with ownself; try to be better than yourself! (developing Gurmukh Mindset).

• ਕਢਿ ਕਸੀਦਾ ਪਹਿਰਹਿ ਚੋਲੀ ਤਾਂ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਨਾਰੀ ॥ ਜੇ ਘਰੁ ਰਾਖਹਿ ਬੁਰਾ ਨ ਚਾਖਹਿ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਕੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥੨॥ : (O Jeeva or soul-bride), if you beautify your mind with Virtues, as if you are wearing your a beautifully embroidered garment, then you will be recognized as happily wedded (Jeeva or soul-) bride. (sggs 1171).
• ਜਿਨ ਗੁਣੁ ਪਲੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਮਾਣਕ ਵਣਜਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥: O Nanak! They alone deal in the gem (of Naam, Shabad, Wisdom…) who have Virtue (in their mind). (sggs 954).
• ਮਾਨੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਭੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਿਆਨ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਾਵੈ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੫੬॥ : (Spiritual success is the) Realization of the Divine Virtues and Internalization of His Hukam. Nanak, the spirituality of the Shabad provides the Honor (of Realization) within my Conscience. ॥56॥ (sggs 944).
• ਆਪਣਾ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਆਪਿ ਸਵਾਰੇ ਹੋਰਨਿ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਕਾਰਜਿ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਦਇਆ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਈ ॥੩॥: (One) resolves his own affair himself (i.e. the ultimate Purpose of life of God Realization); anyone else cannot do this work (for him). Only a rare Guru’s follower (Gurmukh-Hood Mindset) understands that his Realization of God requires the virtues like Godly Contentment, Compassion and Dharma. ||3|| (sggs 351).
• ਆਪੁ ਸਵਾਰਹਿ ਮੈ ਮਿਲਹਿ ਮੈ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ : O Farid, (reforming yourself) if you become Mine then the entire world would become yours. ||95|| (sggs 1382).
• ਕਾਇ ਪਟੋਲਾ ਪਾੜਤੀ ਕੰਬਲੜੀ ਪਹਿਰੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਘਰ ਹੀ ਬੈਠਿਆ ਸਹੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਜੇ ਨੀਅਤਿ ਰਾਸਿ ਕਰੇਇ ॥੧੦੪॥ : There is no need to tear the expensive silk garments and wear an ugly blanket to find/realize God. Nanak, God is found/realized being at home itself, if one makes mind (Soch-thinking) correct (Spiritual Message: There is no need for any special dress to realize God. But the way to realize God is to adopt divine Virtues in life). (sggs 1383).

In the Gurbani (SGGS), Virtues are said to be the man’s best friends (‘Sajjan-ਸਜਣ’) because they never desert a person. Instead, they always stay with him and protect him from the filth or Bhangaar of vices!

• ਸਜਣ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਲਿ ਮੈ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਚਲੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ॥ ਜਿਥੈ ਲੇਖਾ ਮੰਗੀਐ ਤਿਥੈ ਖੜੇ ਦਿਸੰਨਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: (Virtues – ਗੁਣ) alone are my friends, who (always) travel along with me; and where the accounts are called for (i.e., wherever I’m in trouble, my Virtues) appear standing with me. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 729).
• ਸਾਜਨ ਚਲੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਕਿਉ ਮੇਲਾ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਜੇ ਗੁਣ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਗੰਠੜੀਐ ਮੇਲੇਗਾ ਸੋਈ ॥੨॥ : Virtues, dear companions of life-journey, have departed from within, (do you know) how to realize God? If Virtues are within you, you would realize God within automatically. ||2|| (sggs 729).
• ਨਾਨਕ ਅਉਗੁਣ ਜੇਤੜੇ ਤੇਤੇ ਗਲੀ ਜੰਜੀਰ ॥ ਜੇ ਗੁਣ ਹੋਨਿ ਤ ਕਟੀਅਨਿ ਸੇ ਭਾਈ ਸੇ ਵੀਰ ॥: O Nanak! As many as are the demerits (Bikaar…), so many are the chains (bonds, Bandhan…) around (one’s) neck. If (one) possesses the Divine Virtues, then the chains are cut away; (hence Virtues) are (one’s) true brothers and mates. (sggs 595).
• ਗੁਰੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਬੋਹਲੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਕਾ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਸਿਖ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਂਝ ਕਰਾਵਹਿ ॥ : The Satguru is the treasure of the Divine Naam and the fortunate Sikhs (learners-ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ) only participate in Virtues. (sggs 590).
• ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਦਸੇ ਮਿਤੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਝੀ ਤਿਨ ਸਿਉ ਕਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈ ॥ : I am dedicated to that friend, who shows me the way to realize God. I would share their Virtues and would remember the Divine Naam with adoration. (sggs 647).