Purpose of Human Birth

At some point in life the question ‘What’s the purpose of life?’ crosses the mind of every human being. Plenty of scientists, philosophers, psychologist, and theologians have spent their lifetime finding an answer to this question and have written about it In this regard, there are the metaphysical views of Semitic religions, the eastern religions, psychologists, philosophers, science, and so on. Despite centuries of seeming metaphysical progression, this question remains unanswered. This failure indicates inability of humanity to tackle and solve this riddle.

Undoubtedly our modern lives are luxurious, more so then our ancestors. Then what are we lacking in our lives riddling us with discontent, restlessness, unhappiness, hopelessness, uncontrolled life, irresolute life, inability, and so on? Some wonder what went wrong?

Gurmat has the answer

As we are taught by the Gurbani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), the reason we haven’t made more progress in this direction is:

• Uncontrolled egotism ( Haumai) and its faults — vices/Bikaars: lust, anger, greed, attachment, egotistical pride; and their countless variations.
• Absence of Divine Giyan-Wisdom — ignorance.
• Not living in harmony with the Divine Hukam — the Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature with which the Kudrat functions (ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). Simply put, it’s the Law of consequences.
• UN-enlightened lifestyle — Manmukh, Saakat, Mayadhaaree mindset.
• No cultivation of Divine Virtues.
• Uncontrolled conscience (Surt-ਸੁਰਤ).
• Absence of self-efforts for mastering conscience (Surt-ਸੁਰਤ) through adherence to Gurmat principles (‘ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥’ – SGGS 943).
• Instead, we want sublime thing like mastering esoteric dimensions of conscience in a ready-made package or condensed into a magical or mystical formula without investing the required blood and sweat (i.e. self-efforts). Consequently we get cheated and ruined by the con artists.
• Uncontrolled hunger for Maya.
• Lack of living in the present moment — NOW. Instead our minds oscillate between the past (which is dead) and the unmanifested future.
• Unwilling to either undergo or accept the internal cleansing.
• Reliance on the selfish, dishonest, greedy and self-serving Pujaaree (clergy) groups, acting as middle-man.
• Not treating spirituality as of the SELF, for the SELF, and by the SELF (no middle man), and so on.

Consider the following Shabad of the Gurbani (SGGS), in which Bhagat Kabir asks the Guru Sahib to elaborate upon for what purpose do we come in this world:

• ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਲਾਗਿ ਹਮ ਬਿਨਵਤਾ ਪੂਛਤ ਕਹ ਜੀਉ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਕਵਨ ਕਾਜਿ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜੈ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਕਹਹੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਦੇਵ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਲਾਵਹੁ ਜਿਤੁ ਭੈ ਬੰਧਨ ਤੂਟੈ ॥ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਖ ਫੇੜ ਕਰਮ ਸੁਖ ਜੀਅ ਜਨਮ ਤੇ ਛੂਟੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਫਾਸ ਬੰਧ ਨਹੀ ਫਾਰੈ ਅਰੁ ਮਨ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਨ ਲੂਕੇ ॥ ਆਪਾ ਪਦੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਣੁ ਨ ਚੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿਆ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਅਭਿਉ ਨ ਚੂਕੇ ॥੨॥ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਉਪਜੈ ਉਪਜੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਭਾਵ ਅਭਾਵ ਬਿਹੂਣਾ ॥ ਉਦੈ ਅਸਤ ਕੀ ਮਨ ਬੁਧਿ ਨਾਸੀ ਤਉ ਸਦਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਲਿਵ ਲੀਣਾ ॥੩॥ ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਬਿੰਬੁ ਬਿੰਬ ਕਉ ਮਿਲੀ ਹੈ ਉਦਕ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਬਿਗਰਾਨਾ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਐਸਾ ਗੁਣ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਾਗਾ ਤਉ ਮਨੁ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਸਮਾਨਾਂ ॥੪॥੧॥ : Bowing to the Guru, I humbly ask him, why what is the purpose of human existence? Please help me understand for what purpose do we come in this world, and why do we ruin ourselves? ||1|| O Divine Guru, have Mercy on me, and place me on that Path, by which fear and shackles/traps/bonds of worldly attachments are broken. The pains of birth and death arise from indulgence in vice/Bikaar in life; peace is experienced when life is liberated (from vices/Bikaar). ||1||Pause|| But the mind does not break free from the shackles of Maya by taking refuge in the absolute God. Until one realizes the State of the self liberated from ignorance, one’s delusion does not end. ||2|| The essence of existence is neither born (nor dies), but one thinks it is born because of sans of understanding of existence and non-existence. When the mortal gives up his ideas of birth and death, only then he/she remains attuned to God a state of equipoise. ||3|| Only when man discards his inner notions of birth and death only then he/she immerses himself in ‘Sahaj’ (Natural state of being, Giyan-Wisdom Avastha, Equanimity). Just as upon breaking of a pitcher of water, the reflection of anything in it blends with water collectively. Kabir says, similarly cultivation of Virtues removes my doubt regarding God and His creations as being separate entities and absorbs my mind in the absolute God. ||4||1|| (sggs 475).

In a nutshell, for a GurSikh, the purpose in life is to imbue the Divine Spirit of the Creator (Akal) by becoming the personalized expression of Divine Will — Hukam (Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature) with which the Kudrat functions (ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ). But the path to all of this is through the cultivation and practice of Divine Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam).

• ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਜੇ ਬੁਝੈ ਤ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੨॥ : Everything is within Hukam, none is exempt from Hukam. Nanak, if one Realizes he/she is to obey Hukam, then one does not talk in ego — one does not boast of being outside/beyond/exempt of Hukam, or does not talk arrogantly and do things in own will or Manmukhta…). ॥2॥ (sggs 1).
• ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਗਲੇ ਜੰਤ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸੁਨਨ ਗਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਆਗਾਸ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਆਕਾਰ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੇ ਧਾਰੇ ਪੁਰੀਆ ਸਭ ਭਵਨ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਉਧਰੇ ਸੁਨਿ ਸ੍ਰਵਨ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਨੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਾਏ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਉਥੇ ਪਦ ਮਹਿ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਏ ॥੫॥ : All creatures exist in accordance with Divine Naam/cosmic or natural laws (Hukam). The Universe exists in accordance with Divine Naam. Naam makes the existence/basis of (Hindu scriptures), the Simritis, Vedas and Puranas. Naam provides the means for us to listen, learn and focus our attention. Naam is the Support of the skies and the nether regions. Naam is the essence of all existential forms. Naam is the support of all the worlds and realms. Attach yourself to the Naam, listen to this sage advice. It the conscience within the self that enables one to attach to Naam. Nanak, that humble being realizes the legendary fourth stage of consciousness (beyond three qualities of Maya), and liberates himself/herself. ||5|| (sggs 284).

That said, it makes sense for the Sikh to cultivate Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), because it is the existential source of Creation and it connects the seeker of truth to his source of Divine origination (Mool / Creator). But how?

• ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥ : The SHABAD is my GURU (i.e. the Source of my Enlightenment), and my conscience (Surat, mind) is the disciple (of this SHABAD GURU i.e. I adhere to the Instructions contained within the Shabad). (sggs 943).
• ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵੇ ਤਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਹੈ ॥ : Everyone might recite Naam with their tongues, but only those whose aim is to serve the Satguru acquire its merit (i.e. live life by the Satguru’s teachings realized through Shabad Vichaar). (sggs 1262).
• ਜੀਵਨ ਪਦਵੀ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਸਾਚੁ ਸੁਆਉ ॥੨॥ : Spiritual life is in Naam (In remembering God). (sggs
• ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਸਦਾ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਉ ॥ ਪੂਰਨ ਏਹੀ ਸੁਆਉ ॥੧॥ : Always emulate Divine Virtues in life. This alone is the real purpose of human life. ||1|| (sggs 895).

If you visit any Gurdwara these days and listen to the preaching therein, you will find a strange cocktail of these various views being preached by most of the Sikhs and Sikh Pujaaree (clergy) groups and preachers believing in reincarnation or transmigration, heaven and hell up there in the sky, Sach Khand up there somewhere, Jum Doot-Dharma Raj-Chitr Gupt, and so on. However, an independent and objective study of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib( SGGS) reveals that the SGGS critiques, rejects and debunks these views. That said, Gurbani is not meant to regurgitate pre-1469 belief system.

However, a GurSikh (lifelong learner of the Guru’s teachings) considers only the counsel (teaching, guidance, Upadesh) as enunciated in the SGGS. If we do not, then we will be doing injustice to the Sikh Gurus who so painstakingly preserved their original Message in the SGGS.

In short, the Sikh view of life’s purpose is similar to the View of the science. A true scientific spirit has no place for superstitions, imaginary and empty rituals (Karamkaand), madness of casteism (Jaat Paat), injustice, hostility, social hierarchy, gender inequality, and so on. Also, a true scientific spirit has no place for baseless claims or concocted stories by the self-serving clergy about the earth, the sun, the moon and the stars, and so on. Guru Nanak explained they were all suspended in space, always moving on their natural course and that the eclipses were nothing but natural shadows on the face of the sun and the moon. The life of Guru Nanak was a forceful protest against narrowness of all kinds, the hallmark of his scientific spirit.

Cocoon of falsehood

The purpose of life is to break out of the cocoon of falsehood (non-realized state) and realize the Truth or Creator Within, HERE AND NOW.

• ਬਾਵਰੇ ਤੈ ਗਿਆਨ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: O foolish person! You have not acquired divine Wisdom to realize God, and so you have wasted your life in vain. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 793).

As counseled by the Gurbani in SGGS, although our mind’s True Nature is Jot Saroop, but on account of its attachment to Maya —wordily temptations and their corrupting influences — it now has become like a split grain (fragmented, divided, ਦਲੀ ਹੋਈ ਦਾਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਦੋ ਫਾੜ)!

• ਬੀਉ ਬੀਜਿ ਪਤਿ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਅਬ ਕਿਉ ਉਗਵੈ ਦਾਲਿ ॥ ਜੇ ਇਕੁ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਉਗਵੈ ਰੁਤੀ ਹੂ ਰੁਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ : Those who planted the seed (of Divine Naam) within have departed with honor; (but) those whose mind is split in duality (fragmented-ਦਾਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਦੋ-ਫਾੜ), how can the seed (of Naam: Wisdom /Virtues / Hukam) sprout in their mind? As the seed sprouts only if the seed is whole (undivided, Saabat…) and if the season is right, similarly the seed of Naam will sprout only if the mind is not split in duality (i.e, mind must remain Unfragmented, Whole, Saabat…). (sggs 468).

This split, division, or fragmentation is the result of our love for Maya (the principle of plurality…). Although Maya and Brahma are blended with everything, but, on account of our attachment or fascination for Maya worldly attractions…), our mind either ignores or overrules what our Budhi (intellect or logic) tells it.

• ਮਾਇਆ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਰਮੈ ਸਭ ਸੰਗ ॥ : Maya and Brahm are blended with everything. (sggs 343).

The Gurbani teaches us that we cannot link back to our Mool (Jot Saroop), unless and until we become One again (Whole, Total, Undivided, Unconditioned, ਸਾਬਤ…), here and now. In other words, all conditioning, fragmentation, divisions, duality etc must vanish, and only One must remain.

• ਯਾ ਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਏਕਹਿ ਕਉ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਜਨਮਤ ਮੋਹਿਓ ਮੋਹਨੀ ਮਾਇਆ ॥ : (Man) is born in this life only to become ONE (with Prabh, Mool, etc. – through Naam…). (But) ever since (man’s) birth, (he) has been enticed and deceived by Maya. (sggs 251).
• ਏਕੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਤਾ ਏਕੁ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ॥੨॥: (When only) One (Truth) remains, then the One (Lord) is revealed (to him). ||2|| (sggs 886).
• ਏਕ ਜੋਤਿ ਏਕੋ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਸਭ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਇਕੁ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ : The One, the Jot (Light…) of the One, abides within my mind; the One Brahm is seen in all. (sggs 1325).
• ਇਉ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥੫॥ : This is what Nanak says: O mind, you are the ‘Jot Saroop’ – light form of the Universal Energy-Creator, recognize your own true Origin (Mool) ||5|| (sggs 441).

The process to break open the cocoon of falsehood

Now what’s the Process (Way, ਵਿਧਿ…) for becoming One again as taught by the Gurbani? According to the Gurbani, the Process is becoming the Gurmukh or ‘Sachiaaraa‘ (Hukam Rajaaee Chalanaa-ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ). The Gurmat (Giyan-Wisdom, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS) counsels this human life is the opportunity given to all of us to become ONE again (‘ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ’). To become ONE again is to become ‘SACHIAARAA‘ – God-Realized being, here and now!

• ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ॥ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ : How then can I become God-Realized being within (‘Sachiaaraa‘)? How can I remove the obstacle of my non-realized state within? O Nanak! (The way to realize Creator within is to) remain within the confines of His Hukam (the Cosmic System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…), as (Creator and His Hukam) is contained with us. ||1|| (sggs 1).
• ਏਕੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਤਾ ॥: A person who By becomes the Gurmukh, realizes the One ‘Niranjan‘ (without defects, Universal Energy etc.). (sggs 223).
• ਜਿਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਾਤਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਏਕੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥ : Who knows (ਪਛਾਣ…) the Satiguru (True Wisdom-ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ) Realizes the One. (sggs 1070).

To become ‘Sachiaaraa’ is = ‘Hukam Rajaaee chalanaa‘ (‘ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ)! This declaration of ‘Hukam Rajaaee chalanaa‘ (‘ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ‘) is the Core of Guru Nanak Spirituality. Hence it’s the Central concept of Sikhi and the summary of entire SGGS.

In other words one must live to the end in Undivided Conscience (‘ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ’). To yet put it otherwise, one must transcend duality (two-ness, Mayaic conscience…), the body-consciousness, animal consciousness, and so on.

In short, Internalization of the Message of the Shabad is the State of mind which is characterized by Wisdom, Enlightenment, bravery, Goodness, Virtues, truthfulness, fearlessness, blissfulness (Anand), piety, Joyfulness, positivity, Happiness, balanced and poised life, living dead, Jot Saroop or Mool-Abidance etc.

Thus, the Realization of the Mental State of ‘Sachiaaraa‘ or Gurmukhs-Hood is not a social status or a title, it is a question of Mool-Abidance.

• 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).
• ਗੁਣ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਤਾਰਥੁ ਸੋਭਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਈ ॥ (sggs 445).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕੋਈ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥ (sggs 1344).
• ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕੋ ਹੋਈ ॥ (sggs 232).

All Gurus and Bhagats have practically demonstrated to the entire world that this can be and must be done, Here and Now — harmonize life with the Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature/Universe).

Off course, this will require commandment towards this target of life. And to meet this ultimate purpose of life, the Gurbani asks us to keep aimed at the target with the sword or arrow of Gur-Giyan or Wisdom.

Current life is the only opportunity

Yes, our current life is the only opportunity we get and we need to make the most of it.

• 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).

In a nutshell, the Gurbani in SGGS teaches us that NOBODY can do it for anybody else. In other words, It can NOT be made to an order, or given to somebody as a readymade package, or blown into somebody’s ears, or spit into somebody’s mouth etc.

• ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕਾਜੁ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥ : (So long there is breath — Praan) with own hands (with self-efforts, ਉੱਦਮ ਕਰ ਕੇ: Shabad-Vichaar …), resolve your own affair yourself. ||20|| (sggs 474).
• 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).

Having said that, the Guru’s Shabad teaches us to live a noble life according to the Hukam and teachings of Guru. Those who don’t are spiritually and morally dead, worse than animals.

• ਕਰਿੂਤਿ ਪਸੂ ਕੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਾਤਿ ॥ : Although; human in name or creed, but actions are that of animalistic nature. (sggs 267).
• ਦੁਲਭ ਦੇਹ ਪਾਈ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਪਹਿ ਤੇ ਆਤਮ ਘਾਤੀ ॥੧॥ ਮਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਹੀ ਜਿਨਾ ਬਿਸਰਤ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਨ ਜੀਵਨ ਕਉਨ ਕਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਖਾਤ ਪੀਤ ਖੇਲਤ ਹਸਤ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥ ਕਵਨ ਅਰਥ ਮਿਰਤਕ ਸੀਗਾਰ ॥੨॥ ਜੋ ਨ ਸੁਨਹਿ ਜਸੁ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦਾ ॥ ਪਸੁ ਪੰਖੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਗਦ ਜੋਨਿ ਤੇ ਮੰਦਾ ॥੩॥ : Human body is unique and it is good fortune to obtain it. Those who do not realize Naam (Wisdom / Virtues) are committing suicide (fall prey to spiritual death). ||1|| Those who forget God’s Naam might as well die. A life bereft of Naam is of no use. ||1||Pause|| (Those bereft of Naam – spiritually dead) may pass their life gratifying their senses with plenty of objects of eating, drinking, playing and enjoyment. (These sense objects do not provide lasting satisfaction. They are akin to) adornment of a dead body, which is of no use. ||2|| Human beings who do not listen to – and emulate –  the divine Virtues are worse than animals, birds and creeping creatures. ||3|| (sggs 188).

Knowing life’s purpose is the road to realization of Universal God

This search for the purpose of human life or the meaning of being human is the path to realizing the Universal God. The Unique Gurmat of Guru Nanak believes in Universality of God. It is a fact of existence. As the Gurbani enshrined within SGGS teaches us that this Universal God is the ONE and only Creator; resides within the Creation; is immortal; Formless; was never born and will never die; defies any nomenclature; was there before the universe began; it is here in this universe and will be there when this universe dies.

The very first Statement of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) – ‘ੴ’ (IkO or EkO) – depicts the ONENESS of the Creator with the entirety of His Creation (i.e. Universal God). the ultimate purpose of human life is to realize this ‘ੴ’. Here and Now, NOT after death.

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