Guru Sikhiaa Deekhiaa

Guru’s ‘Sikhiaa’ (ਸਿਖਿਆ) = Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa‘ (ਦੀਖਿਆ) => contemplation on Guru’s Instructions, Teaching, teaching, Wisdom, Counsel, Guide, learning, Giyan, Upadesh, Bibek and acting upon it (practice, ਅਮਲ).

The Gurbani instructs its learners (i.e. Sikhs) that with Love (i.e. with determination, willingness etc.), make the Guru’s ‘Sikhiaa Deekhiaa’ Spiritual Food of the mind.

  • ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥ : O Mind! He alone is a Sikh, a friend, and a relative, who walks in the Way of the Guru’s Bhaanaa (Gurmat, Shabad, Upadesh, Giaan-Wisdom). (sggs 601).
  • ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਘਾਏ ਪਾਰਿ ॥ : Sikhi is contemplation on Guru’s teaching (Instructions, Wisdom, Counsel, Guide, Upadesh, Giyan, Bibek) and acting on it. Being blessed by the Grace of the Guru’s teaching one then crosses the ocean of worldly temptations and their corrupting influences (Bhav Saagar). (sggs 465).
  • ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਜਿ ਦਿਤਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸੋ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਸਿਖੀ ਕੰਨੇ ॥ : The Message of the Shabad (Upadesh) provided by the Satguru is listen to by the Sikhs (learners) with attention and focus (so that we can understand the Message of the Shabad Guru). (sggs 314).

In other words, the Gurbani in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) urges its learners (i.e. Sikhs) to lovingly become the Gurmukh (Enlightened, Guru-oriented), enjoin the Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ) and realize the Mool (Source, Origin, Jot-Saroop..) Within by eradicating the negative impact of Maya or false ego-sense (Haumai) through internalizing the Enlightening Spiritual Message of the Guru Shabad.

  • ਸਿਖਿਆ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਭੋਜਨ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਉ ॥੬॥ ਗਰਬ ਗਤੰ ਸੁਖ ਆਤਮ ਧਿਆਨਾ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਭਈ ਜੋਤੀ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥ ਲਿਖਤੁ ਮਿਟੈ ਨਹੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਨੀਸਾਨਾ ॥ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਰਣਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੭॥ : I have made the Guru ‘Sikhiaa Deekhiaa’ and Love of the Guru Shabad my (spiritual) food. Living in harmony with the Divine Hukam, I have realized my Nij Ghar Within. ||6|| With the extinction of the pride, my soul (mind) is established in Peace (Bliss…). By becoming Enlightened my individual light has absorbed into the Supreme Light. The Enlightening Message of the Guru Shabad deeply etched in my mind cannot be erased. I have realized the (One) Creator to be the Creator of everything. ||7|| (sggs 221).
  • ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪੂਰੀ ਦੀਖਿਆ ॥ : Perfect is the ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Instructions, Teaching…) of the perfect Guru. (sggs 293).
  • ਦੀਖਿਆ ਆਪਿ ਬੁਝਾਇਆ ਸਿਫਤੀ ਸਚਿ ਸਮੇਉ ॥ : Those who internalize the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Instructions, Teaching…) Realize the Creator. (sggs 150).
  • ਨਉ ਖੰਡ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੀ ਇਸੁ ਤਨ ਮਹਿ ਰਵਿਆ ਨਿਮਖ ਨਿਮਖ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮੁੰਦ੍ਰਾ ਕਾਨੀ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਿਓ ਏਕੁ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰਾ ॥੧॥ : Every moment I pay homage to the Creator who pervades Within my body and the and all the nine regions of the world. (O Yogi, you wear earrings to show you have overcome worldly desires) I accept the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa’ (Instructions, Teaching…) as my earrings and have firmly realized the ONE creator Within. ||1|| (sggs 208).
  • ਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਜਿਹ ਮਨਿ ਬਸੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਭਾਗੁ ॥੧॥ : Nanak, that mind which internalizes the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa’ (Instructions, Teaching…) becomes Enlightened. ||1|| (sggs 260).
  • ਪ੍ਰਣਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਅਗਮੁ ਸੁਣਾਏ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਚੇਲੇ ਕੀ ਸੰਧਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਦਾਰੂ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ : Nanak submits and shares the Divine teachings; which brings Union of the Guru (i.e. teaching) and his student (i.e. Sikh’s mind or Conscience-Surat). That student (learner-Sikh) takes the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Instructions, Teaching…) as his Spiritual Food and the medicine (to cure his/her mental traps/diseases). (sggs 877).

The Gurbani says such is the distinct and exalted life-style of the Gurmukhs (Guru- Oriented, Enlightened) that their minds become soaked (imbued, affected…) with the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa’ (Instructions, Teaching…):

  • ਇਹ ਚਾਲ ਨਿਰਾਲੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ ਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਸੁਣਿ ਮਨੁ ਭਿੰਨੇ ॥੨੫॥ : This is the unique life-style of the Gurmukhs (Guru-Oriented, Enlightened) that listening to the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa’ (Instructions, Teaching…), their minds become influenced/affected by it. ||25|| (sggs 314).
  • ਬਾਘੁ ਮਰੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਹੋਇ ॥ : Whosoever is blessed with the Satgur’s ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Teaching of the Gur-Shabad), he slays (controls…) his mind, and thus the tiger (Kaal-Kalpanaa that devours his Spiritual Life within) also dies within.(sggs 1410).
  • ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਸੇ ਸਚਿ ਰਾਤੇ ॥ : Those who practice the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Instructions, Teaching…) become God-realized. (sggs 944).

That being said, we are given this Unique Treasure of the Gurbani so that — by becoming its willing learners (students-Sikh, ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀ) — we can understand it, apply it and then successfully traverse life.

  • ਮਨੁ ਕੁੰਚਰੁ ਪੀਲਕੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਕੁੰਡਾ ਜਹ ਖਿੰਚੇ ਤਹ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਸਤੀ ਕੁੰਡੇ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਉਝੜਿ ਪਾਇ ॥੨॥ : The mind is the elephant; (if) we make the Guru elephant-driver and the Guru’s (instructions, teaching, Giyan-Wisdom…) the whip, then wherever the Guru drives the mind, it goes. Nanak, without the whip (of the Guru’s Giyan-Wisdom), the elephant (of the mind) repeatedly wanders into the wilderness (of Maya or worldly temptations and their corrupting influences). ||2|| (sggs 516).
  • ਮਨੁ ਕੁੰਚਰੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਉਦਿਆਨੈ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਅੰਕਸੁ ਸਚੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਨੀਸਾਨੈ ॥ ਰਾਜ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਸੋਭ ਸੁ ਮਾਨੈ ॥੧॥ : The mind is an elephant in the forest like body. That elephant like mind who follows the Enlightening Message of the Guru Shabad, Realizes the Creator Within. ||1|| (sggs 221).

In a nutshell, immensely profound yet simple, the Words of the Gurbani in SGGS are capable of jolting us into our Jot-Saroop (Source, origin, Mool) or Awareness of our True Nature, Here and Now. The Words of the Gurbani cuts to the core without wasting effort on non-essentials (e.g. Pujaaree’s concocted or Brahmanical concepts, rituals (Karamkaand), religious paraphernalia, religious garbs (Bhekh) etc. which have repeatedly been critiqued and rejected in the SGGS.

  • ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਵਸੀਅਲੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣਿ ਰਹੈ ॥ : Internalization of the spiritual Message of the Shabad (the Gurmukh-Hood State of Mind) enables its Essence to be Rooted (Mool) within the mind permanently. (sggs 945).
  • 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).
  • ਧੁਰਿ ਕਰਮੁ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਸਾਚੁ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਕਟੀ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਫਾਸਏ ॥ : One who put self-effort and internalizes the Enlightening Message of the Guru Shabad eradicates the trap of ‘JUM‘ (i.e. vices/Bikaar)  (sggs 691).
  • ਗੁਰੂ ਸਮੁੰਦੁ ਨਦੀ ਸਭਿ ਸਿਖੀ ਨਾਤੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥: (This is the true bath or Ishanaan of a Sikh) the Guru (as if) is the ocean, His teachings (as if) are all rivers, bathing in (this Gur-Wisdom, Gur-Sikhiaa…) (i.e, by attuning consciousness to it) glory is obtained. (sggs 150).

Without the Guru Shabad or the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Instructions, Teaching…), there can be no Spiritual Giyan-Wisdom. This is the Gurbani’s edict.

  • ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਕੈਸੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ : Without the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Instructions, Teaching…) there can be no Spiritual Giyan-Wisdom. (sggs 1140).
  • ਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਲੇ ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਨਾ ਮੋਹੁ ਤੂਟੈ ਨਾ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਹਿ ॥੫॥ : Obtaining ‘Deekhiaa‘ (Instructions, Teaching…) from the (worldly, so called) Guru, people practice ritual worship and penance. With these ritualistic (worship and penance) neither their attachment ends nor it causes God-realization. ||5|| (sggs 356).
  • ਸੋ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਜੋ ਤਿਹਾਂ ਗੁਣਾ ਕੀ ਪੰਡ ਉਤਾਰੈ ॥ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੈ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਓਹੁ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਲੇਇ ॥ : That person alone is a Pandit who unloads the mind of three modes of Maya. (Such a Pandit) always remembers the Divine Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues); and realizes the Guru’s ‘Deekhiaa’ (Instructions, Teaching…) (sggs 1261).

The Gurbani crities and rejects robotic or ritual chanting ‘Raam Raam‘, or ‘Hari Hari’, or ‘Waheguru Waheguru’ etc.

  • ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥ : The entire world roams around uttering ‘Raam Raam‘; but ‘Raam‘ cannot be Realized like this. (sggs 555).
  • ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਤ ਕਪਟੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਹਿਰਦਾ ਸੁਧੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ : One who utters ‘Hari, Hari‘, while constantly practicing deception, (his) Heart (i.e. mind) cannot become pure. (sggs 732).
  • ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਮਨੂਆ ਦਹਦਿਸਿ ਧਾਵੈ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਆਪਿਆ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਚੀਨ੍ਹੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੂਨੀ ਆਵੈ ॥3॥ : Outwardly for showing off, (the Manmukh) wears religious robes, (he thus tries to be) very clever, but his (instinctive) mind wanders in the ten directions. Such a person trapped in false ego-sense (Haumai), does not internalize the Message embedded in the Guru Shabad, as a result his/her mind remains in the cycle of worldly desires (cyclic nature of mind). (sggs 732).

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5 comments

  1. “UDAMu SAKATi SIYANUP TUMAREE DEHi Ta NAAMu VAKHAANEE
    SEYEE BHAGAT BHAGATi SE LAAGE NANAK JO PRABH BHAANEE”

    SGGS ji pp1219

  2. Divine Nadr (grace/kirpa/gurparsad) play important role.

    Yes Bhai Sahib Jio. Thank you for sharing!
    • ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥ (sggs 474).
    • ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰਤ ਮਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਆ ॥ (sggs 99).
    • ਸਗਲ ਉਦਮ ਮਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਭਲਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜੀਅ ਸਦਾ ॥ (sggs 266).

  3. ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 1, GGS. 465-10).
    Sikhee Sikhiaa Gur Veechaar ||
    Contemplating the Guru, I have been taught these teachings

    ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਘਾਏ ਪਾਰਿ ॥
    Nadharee Karam Laghaaeae Paar ||
    Granting His Grace, He carries His servants across.

    Divine Nadr (grace/kirpa/gurparsad) play important role.

  4. Here NAAMu as deekhiaa is being asked

    Yes, Bhai Sahib Jio. Thank you!
    The entire Gurbani is Naam (Shabad, Hukam, Gur-Giaan, Gur-Upadesh, Gurmat …),
    • ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੋ ਦੇਇ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇ ॥ (sggs 759).
    • ਐਸਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵਸਿ ਰਸਿ ਰਸਿ ਮਾਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (sggs 831).
    • ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਗਿਆਨ ਕਾਇਆ ਰਸ ਭੋਗੰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (sggs 360).
    • ਗਿਆਨਿ ਰਤਨਿ ਘਟਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਪਿਆਰੋ ॥ (sggs 584).
    • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨਾਮਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਹੋਈ ॥ (sggs 117).
    • ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਬਦਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੈ ॥ (sggs 361).
    • ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥੧॥ (sggs 33).
    • ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥ (sggs 72).

    and Deekhia.
    • ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ਦੇਵੈ ਦੀਖਿਆ ॥: Amritu Hari kaa naaou devai Deekhiaa (sggs 729).
    • ਐਸੀ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਜਨ ਸਿਉ ਮੰਗਾ ॥ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਰੋ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੋ ਰੰਗਾ ॥ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਰੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਰੇ ਅੰਗਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (sggs 828).

  5. In my understanding the meaning of deekhiaa should be different from the meaning of Sikhiaa.
    deekhiaa is reference for something to receive in return of rendering service.This is very clear in a Quote from Gurbaanee as
    “KARTA TU MERA JUJMAAN IK deekhiaa MAIN TAE PAE MANGOO DEH APNAA NAAMu”
    Here NAAMu as deekhiaa is being asked in return of the service of KARTA as JUJMAN.

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