The Gurmat Giyan–Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) asserts there is only ONE All-Pervading, Universal Energy. However –on account of diversified activities or qualities (ਗੁਣ) of this Dynamic Factor or Creator – people call it by many names.
- ਕਿਰਤਮ ਨਾਮ ਕਥੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਜਿਹਬਾ ॥ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਪਰਾ ਪੂਰਬਲਾ ॥ : (O Creator!) All names uttered by the tongue are all Your descriptive names (which your children have created or made-up describing Your diversified activities or Virtues in Kudrat). Your first or primary Virtue is ‘Sat-ਸਤਿ’ — permanently in existence. (sggs 1083).
- ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਧਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾ ਮਨਿ ਜੋਰੁ ॥ ਏਕ ਬਿਨਾ ਦੂਜਾ ਨਹੀ ਹੋਰੁ ॥ : The mind (of Bhagat) is filled with the Support or Power of the Prabh. (For them) Without (This) one, there is no other at all (sggs 1151).
- ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕੋ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਦੂਜਾ ਕਹ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਾਰ ॥੧॥ : O Nanak! One (Universal Energy) is wide-spread (ਫੈਲਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ), where can there be another seen? (sggs 292).
In a nutshell, Gurmat embodies the central theme of ONENESS of existence — seeing nothing as apart from one’s own self.
- ਅਨਿਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ : Nanak, the One ‘Ekankaar’ (God) has manifested in the creation in the so many ways. (sggs 296).
- ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿੰਨਿ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੋ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਪਇਓ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭਸੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਏਹ ਵਸਤੁ ਤਜੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਰਖੁ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੋ ॥ ਤਮ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਸਾਰੋ ॥੧॥ : (Plate or container of) the human Conscious or mind that has internalized three realizations; (1) the Creator, (2) contentment and (3) thoughtful reflection (into spiritual Life); is the one that realizes spiritual life through the realization of the Amrit Naam (Wisdom/Virtues…) that is the basis of All of spirituality. The mind which consumes or adopts and internalizes Naam is the one that attains its spiritual Goal. This Thing (i.e. spirituality of realization) requires that the divine Naam (Wisdom/Virtues…) be never discarded, therefore be kept permanently inculcated within. Nanak, life within a vices-filled world is traversed by submitting to the Creator who pervades the entire Cosmos. ॥1॥ (sggs 1429).
Therefore, the purpose of all world religions should be to Establish the Reality or Truth of This One Universal Energy. However, to the contrary, all organized and institutionalized religions (yes, all religions!) are ever eager to pamper non-essentials (the second – external objects), after death stuff, conflicts etc. but not the bare Truth of the One Reality.
- ਇਕਤੁ ਸੂਤਿ ਪਰੋਇ ਜੋਤਿ ਸੰਜਾਰੀਐ ॥ : All are strung on One thread (of One Hukam: Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature); One Jot is infused amongst all. (sggs 518).
Abiding in Mool is life’s purpose
In fact, the Gurbani time and again reminds us that the only purpose of human life is abiding in our Mool Here and Now – not after death.
- ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥ ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥੧॥ : (O Human being!) You have been blessed with a human body. This is your only opportunity to unite with the Creator. Other worldly deeds (e.g. Karamkaand, rituals, formalities, concocted concepts etc.) are of no use to you in realizing God. Therefore join the holy congregation (i.e. Satsangee Jan, seekers) and lovingly remember the divine Naam (Virtues / Wisdom). ||1|| (sggs 12).
- ਕਾਲ ਕਲਪਨਾ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖ ਮਹਿ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੨॥ : The ‘Kaal’ of thought (ਫੁਰਨੇ…) never consumes (him) who remains absorbed in (his) Mool. ||2|| (sggs 343).
Mool is Here and Now!
We are repeatedly reminded by the Gurbani there is only one Mool and that we all have to return to this Mool. Knowing that we all have to return to this one Mool, then why wander hither and thither and why not abide in Mool here and now! The Gurbani wants us to understand this simple and bare Truth of this ever-present, All-pervading Mool.
- ਮੂਲਹੁ ਭੁਲਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਏ ॥੨॥ : (One who) has forgotten (his) Mool (Source, Jot…), (he) wastes away his life. ||2|| (sggs 664).
- ਚਿਟੇ ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਕਪੜੇ ਮੈਲੇ ਚਿਤ ਕਠੋਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਦੂਜੈ ਵਿਆਪੇ ਚੋਰ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਮੂਲੁ ਨ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਸੇ ਪਸੂਆ ਸੇ ਢੋਰ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥ : Their clothes are white (beautiful religious robes) but their conscience is cruel and filthy (full of vices — they look holy or Mahaatamaa on the outside only). Their minds don’t acquire Naam (Giyan-Wisdom, Virtues…); engrossed in duality they cheat people (i.e. their external appearance is only pretense-Pakhand to cheat people). They do not Understand their own Mool (Source, Jot Saroop…); that’s why they are fools with animal intelligence ||3|| (sggs 751).
The Gurbani’s wisdom breaks emotional attachment to Maya/duality
A deluded or doubt ridden mind is confused and identifies its Mool with the body-frame and the gross objects of the world. A mind ridden with delusion and false ego-sense (Haumai, I-ness, individuation) wavers on account of indecision (Khinchotaan-ਖਿੰਚੋਤਾਣਿ) and sees the objects or duality (Doojaa-Bhaav).
- ਖਿੰਚੋਤਾਣਿ ਵਿਗੁਚੀਐ ਬੁਰਾ ਭਲਾ ਦੁਇ ਨਾਲਿ ਜੀਉ ॥: An indecisive person, runs helter-skelter and fails to seek out and discover the truth. Various goods and bads pull at him and through inner conflict he is finished. (sggs 751).
- ਮੂਲੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਲਾਗੇ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਈ ॥ : Abandoning the Mool, (Mayaic Jeev) become attached to the love of duality. (sggs 232).
- ਅਬੇ ਤਬੇ ਕੀ ਚਾਕਰੀ ਕਿਉ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ ਪਥਰ ਕੀ ਬੇੜੀ ਜੇ ਚੜੈ ਭਰ ਨਾਲਿ ਬੁਡਾਵੈ ॥੪॥ : (Excluding the Guru’s Wisdom), the presence of Universal Energy cannot be achieved by flattering others (i.e. by serving every ‘Dick and Tom’). It is such a foolish thing that if a person wants to cross the river in a stone boat, he will drown himself and his companions. (sggs 420).
Gurmat teaches us to not to be lost in Maya, or steeped in false ego-sense and not to run helter-skelter in indecisiveness (duality). Instead, Gurmat asks us to become Bhagat (Gurmukh – Enlightened):
- ਦੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਮੰਧੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਸਗਲਾਣਾ ॥ ਦੁਹਹੂੰ ਤੇ ਰਹਤ ਭਗਤੁ ਹੈ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਜਾਣਾ ॥੧॥: The whole world is engrossed in (duality -) bad actions and good actions (as determined by the Pujaaree). The Bhagat (Gurmukh… – Enlightened mindset) comprehends what truly is good and what truly is bad. Such an individual remains aloof from these two ideas. ||1|| (sggs 51).
When there is no negative impact of Haumai (I-ness, individuation); there is no delusion of Maya or plurality; there is no differentiation or fragmentation of the consciousness because there is no corrupting influences of worldly temptations etc.
In such Gurmukh state of the mind (Enlightenment) what remains over is the true Mool – subject and object merge in the Mool or the seer and seen become one. In other words, when Mool is Realized, the negative mind which was attached to the worldly attractions and their corrupting influences is nowhere!
- 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).
That said, Gurmat teaches its learners (i.e. Sikhs) to consider Joy and pain, respect and insult, good and bad etc. one and the same — accept them. These pair of opposites are to be locked at through Hukam (universal law of consequences, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ….) and discerning intellect (Bibek).
- ਨਾਨਕ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਝਖਣਾ ਦੁਖ ਛਡਿ ਮੰਗੀਅਹਿ ਸੁਖ ॥ ਸੁਖੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਦੁਇ ਦਰਿ ਕਪੜੇ ਪਹਿਰਹਿ ਜਾਇ ਮਨੁਖ ॥ ਜਿਥੈ ਬੋਲਣਿ ਹਾਰੀਐ ਤਿਥੈ ਚੰਗੀ ਚੁਪ ॥੨॥: Happiness and pain (Sukh and Dukh) are the two garments for one life. Nanak, why then beg for happiness and negate pain (begging for joy and negating pain is fruitless talk -‘Jhakhanaa‘)? Where you are bound to lose in argument (to avoid one for the other), why not accept the two? ||2|| (sggs 149).
- ਸੁਖੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਦੋਨੋ ਸਮ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨੈ ਅਉਰੁ ਮਾਨੁ ਅਪਮਾਨਾ ॥ ਹਰਖ ਸੋਗ ਤੇ ਰਹੈ ਅਤੀਤਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਜਗਿ ਤਤੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੧॥: One who knows that Sukha and Dukha are both the same, and honor and dishonor as well, who remains detached from joy and sorrow, realizes the true essence (of living) in the world ||1||. (sggs 219).
Realize the ONE in the midst of Maya/duality
Maya is the principle of twoness – duality. However, instead of renouncing Maya, duality or the world, the SGGS counsels its Sikhs to engage in it BUT with a detached attitude. If there is no darkness, how will one know the greatness of the light?
- ਸਭ ਕੈ ਮਧਿ ਸਗਲ ਤੇ ਉਦਾਸ ॥ … ਇਹ ਫਲ ਤਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਕੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਭਨੇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਬਚਨ ਮਨਿ ਸੁਨੇ ॥੬॥ : Remain in the midst of all, and yet detached from all, … These blessings come to the one, Nanak, who remains linked to Naam (Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues), and attentively listens to and live accordingly. ||6|| (sggs 296).
- ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਿਨਾ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਤਿਨੀ ਵਿਚੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ : Says Nanak: By the Gur-Grace (Grace of the Gur-Giyan or Wisdom…) who remain connected (to their Mool, True Nature or Jot Saroop, Aatam Giyan or Wisdom…) realize (Bliss, Mukti or liberation etc.) while using Maya. (sggs 921).
- ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਅਲਿਪਤੋ ਵਰਤੈ ਤਿਉ ਵਿਚੇ ਗਿਰਹ ਉਦਾਸੁ ॥ : As the lotus flower floats unaffected in the water, so does one must remain detached in his own household. (sggs 949).
The Gurbani teaches us that we all can inculcate the attitude of non-attachment through internalization of the spiritual Message of the Guru Shabad (Enlightenment). The circus of our Mayaic mind (Un-enlightened mind) will not do the trick!
- ਸੁਖ ਦੁਖ ਸਮ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਣੀਅਹਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥ : Those who internalize the Enlightening spiritual Message of the Guru Shabad realizes inner peace, for them the pain and pleasure (i.e. the pair of opposites) are one and the same. ||5|| (sggs 57).
Mool stands beyond the conditioned mind
Put plainly, one’s Changeless Mool is only One and is always Here and Now, beyond the conditioned mind. As the Gurbani says, all we need to do is become the Gurmukh (Enlightened or Guru Shabad-Oriented).
- ਤੂ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਇਕੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਰਗੜੀਐ ॥ : (O Hari!) You are the One, permeating each and every heart; (but this truth is) revealed to those who become the Gurmukh (sggs 301).
- ਤੂ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਵਸਹਿ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਾਉ ਨ ਬੁਝਹਿ ਗਵਾਰੀ ॥: (O Lord!) You dwell, hidden, within the Heart day and night; but the fools do not understand how to Love You. (sggs 607).
- ਰੂਪੁ ਨ ਰੇਖ ਨ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਗੁਣ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਿੰਨ ॥ : The Creator has no form, no shape, no color and is free from the three qualities of Maya (i.e. Rajo, Tamo, Sato). (sggs 283).
If we are willing to TAKE, the Gurbani in SGGS provides with the necessary Giyan-Wisdom for abiding in one’s Mool within! The aim of the Gurbani is to encourage man to come out of all kinds of fear, superstition, doubt, illusion, delusion, false notions, confusion, perplexity etc. to lead a life as ‘Sachiaaraa‘.
- ਮੂਲਹੁ ਭੁਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ॥ : (They) forget Mool, (who) do not recognize the Gur-Shabad (sggs 128).
The Gurbani cuts to the core without wasting effort on inessentials created by the self-serving Pujaaree clique. Having said that, the Gurbani is not meant to be merely wrapped up in the designers wrapping and worship as an idol as being done by the Pujaaree clique to fool the layman.
- ਗਾਫਲ ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਭਾਲਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ : O careless and sans of spiritual Wisdom, the hope of deep communion with God is futile without the Guru Shabad. (sggs 751).
Some Related Posts:
Refering to the contents of above message as
“Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Albert Einstein.”
It is important to get the understanding as to how to perform this task. Can any human accomplish this task of his own .Probably not as Human s Wisdom is also limited as being part of the “Universe” .
. Only “GuRu” can widen the limited wisdom of human being to accomplish the task mentioned in the message.
In this context one should give a serious thought to the conclusion of Albert Einstein
as “EVERY THING IS A WAVE ..”
A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Albert Einstein.
Thank you Bhai Sahib Jio!
One should understand a Quote from Gurbaanee as
“MADHUSOODAN MERE MUN TUN PRANAA,HAU HARi BINu DOOJAA AWAR NAA JANAA.
KOEE SAJANu SANTu MILEY WADBHAAGEE .MAI HARi PRABHu
PIYARAA DASYE JEEO”………………….MANJH M 4
Thank you Bhai Sahib Jio.
Your suggestion has been well taken.
In my understanding there is a clear distinction between REALITY and TRUTH.
REALITY is the ENTITY or THE MOOL whereas TRUTH is the POWER of THE ENTITY.
Since REALITY or THE MOOL can be refered and or known thru many NAMES but TRUTH or POWER of REALITY is to be known as its SINGLE and ONLY ONE NAAMu that is HARi.HARi.
guru fateh
will it be helpful if all of your blogs are collected into a PDF based book to distribute electronically to those asking for it? I think it will be a good idea.