Ways of the World

The Gurbani urges us to renounce ways of the worldly people-ਲੋਗਾ ਰੀਤਿ:

• ਪ੍ਰਥਮੇ ਤਿਆਗੀ ਹਉਮੈ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ॥ ਦੁਤੀਆ ਤਿਆਗੀ ਲੋਗਾ ਰੀਤਿ ॥ Prathme tiaagee haumai preet …: (After having tasted the Prema-Rasa or Prema-Bhagati: Shabad-Vichhar, Aatam-Giaan, Gurmat…) first, I renounced my love of egotism (ਹਉਮੈ). Second, I renounced the ways of the world. (sggs 370).

A true devotee (the Gurmukh, Bhagat…) is never recognized by his or her own family or community! To the contrary, upon seeing you practice Bhagati or Naam-Simran (Shabad-Vichaar, Aatmic-Giaan…), immediate family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, and so on, generally start behaving contemptuously — rolling eyebrows, crossing eyes, laughing sarcastically, calling names, and so on. Thus, if anything, they become the source of distraction and hurdle to the seekers of the Truth.

• ਭਗਤਾ ਤੈ ਸੈਸਾਰੀਆ ਜੋੜੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਆਇਆ ॥: There can never be true alliance or connection (of nature, thinking, habits etc.) between the Bhagats (Gurmukh, Daas, Jan etc.) and the worldly people. (sggs 145).
• ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਦਾਸ ਸਿਉ ਸਾਕਤ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਗੁ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਬਿਖਈ ਓਸੁ ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: The Divine’s Daas (Bhagat, Gurmukh, Jan etc.) does not associate with the Saakat (worldly person etc.). (Why? Because) One is in the clutches of sensuousness (ਵਿਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਪਿਆਰ), while the other is in love with ‘Raam‘ (Source, Mool, True Nature, Jot Saroop…). ||1||Pause|| (sggs 198).

The Gurbani urges us not be concerned as to what family members or worldly people would think if you started practicing Bhagti (living the Gurmukh Lifestyle). What the Gurbani says matters the most. If one is sincere, nothing can stop his Spiritual Unfoldment.

• ਤੇਰੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਛੋਡਉ ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਹਸੈ: I will not renounce Your Bhagti, O Lord; what does it matter if people laugh at me? (sggs 1170).
• ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਜਿ ਲਾਜ ਲੋਕਾਣੀਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: IIgnoreing the criticism of others, night and day meditate on the Lord’s Name (Shabad-Vichaar…) ||1|| Pause || (sggs 399). …).

In this context, the best example can be given of Baabaa Nanak – people contemptuously would call him names such as spirit, demon, etc. Did this sort of worldly nonsense cause him to give up God’s Name? No! Thus, Baabaa Nanak’s life teaches us very important lesson: One must give up shame or reserve (Lok-Laaj) when it comes to Bhagti. Spiritual glory and behavior of God-intoxicated Souls are beyond the understanding of an ordinary human being of limited vision.

• ਕੋਈ ਆਖੈ ਭੂਤਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਬੇਤਾਲਾ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਆਖੈ ਆਦਮੀ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਵੇਚਾਰਾ ॥੧॥: (For not following the worldly ways…) Some call (Nanak) “Bhootanaa” (a ghost…); some call “Betaalaa” (demon…); Some call “Vaechaara” (wretched, helpless, poor…). ||1|| (sggs 991).

If people can call Baabaa Nanak demon, ghost, etc., then what to speak of us! Think about it!