Soojh Boojh

Khoj (ਖੋਜ-search) leads to Samajh (ਸਮਝ, ਸੋਚ, ਸੂਝ, ਸੁਧ, ਮੱਤ, ਹੋਸ, perception, grasp, intelligence, sanity, acuteness, understanding, reorganization, ਗੁਰ-ਸਬਦ ਨੂੰ ਪਛਾਣ ਲੈਣਾਂ/ਸਮਝ ਲੈਣਾਂ, etc.).
Then comes Boojh (ਬੂਝ-Understanding, Comprehension, Realization, Awareness, ਉੱਚੀ ਮਤਿ, ਅਪਣੇ ਮੂਲ ਨਾਲ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ, ਵਿਵੇਕ-ਬੁਧ, etc.).

  • ਖੋਜ ਬੂਝਿ ਜਉ ਕਰੈ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥ ਤਉ ਭਵਜਲ ਤਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਵੈ ਬਾਰਾ ॥੪੦॥: When someone understand by Searching (“Khoj”), and engages in Vichaar (Reflection on the Divine Virtues, Wisdom…), then (he) crosses over the “Bhavjal” (Bhav Saagar or dreadful ocean of Maya, etc.) in no time. ||40|| (sggs 342).

The process of “Samajh” needs the support of the mind and senses (ਗਿਆਨ-ਇੰਦ੍ਰੇ or Giaan-Indrees) to grasp. “Samajh” helps one know truth and untruth (Satt and Asatt).

  • ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਸਮਝਾਵਹਿ ॥: Through the Gur-Shabad, (who by becoming the Gurmukh searches Him by Gurmat) instructs (his) mind. (sggs 1028).

Boojh” is the next stage, which is beyond the mind and senses. Therefore, “Boojh” does not need the support of the mind and senses. That is, Giaan-Indrees cease to be here. Because, only the world of the gross objects is in the purview of the senses, not the Formless (Nirankaar).

  • ਪੜਿਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦੁ ਬੁਝਿਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥: Not by reading (books), but through Understanding, is the Mystery Realized. (sggs 148).

Thus, “Boojh” is not the subject of reading, but “Khoj“. For “Khoj” leads to “Samajh“, and “Samajh” to “Boojh“.

Boojh” is the stage of Realization of Nirankaar (Formless). Now perhaps we can appreciate as to why it is said the Formless is beyond the grasp of the senses. This is the stage of “Budhi Badalee” – transmutation of Mayaic Budhi (worldly intelligence, or worldly mind, or worldly wisdom, etc.).

  • ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਬੁਧਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਈ ਮੇਰੀ ਬੁਧਿ ਬਦਲੀ ਸਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥੨੧॥੭੨॥: Says Kabeer! (Wisdom) has taken away my (worldly) intelligence (ਅਕਲ). With this altered intelligence, now I have obtained Sidhi (Spiritual Perfection…). ||2||21||72|| (sggs 339).
  • ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੋਈ ਬੂਝੈ ਗੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਗੁਣੀ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥: One who becomes the Gurmukh, he Understands (the Divine). Uttering (the Divine) Virtues, (the Gurmukh) remains absorbed in the Divine Virtues. ||1|| (sggs 110).
  • ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥: Who merges in the Gur-Shabad, comes to Understand the Lord. ||3|| (sggs 160).

3 comments

  1. “u have not mentioned ‘daya or mehar without it u cannot achieve either soojh or boojh”

    That’s not the Gurbani’s position.
    According to the Gurbani, before u can realize Daya, there are two steps:
    1. u need to become Jeevan Mukat, meaning complete eradication of false ego-sense (Haumai, Aapaa-Bhaav…).
    2. Then one comes to perfect SooJh-Boojh (Understanding….).
    3. #1 and #2 give rise true Daya
    In short, u need to become the Gurmukh (Sat Santokhee…). Here is the Gurbani:
    •ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੂਝੈ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਰਬ ਦਇਆ ॥ (sggs 940).
    •ਜਿਤੁ ਕਾਰਜਿ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਦਇਆ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਈ ॥੩॥ (sggs 351).
    Thus, hoping to become Dayaaloo before becoming the Gurmukh seems to be an illusion. It’s like placing a cart before the horses!
    Bhul Chuk Maaf.

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