The Gurbani tells us we cannot hide our actions (ਕਰਤੂਤ, deeds, conduct, work, business, manner of our life, etc.) from the All-knowing Presence.
Generally this is what happens when we knowing try to steal or do something bad: we look to the left; we look to the right; we look back; and we look front. Why? Because, we want to make sure nobody is watching us! So, to hide our actions, we carefully look around us!
- ਅਗਹੁ ਦੇਖੈ ਪਿਛਹੁ ਦੇਖੈ ਤੁਝ ਤੇ ਕਹਾ ਛਪਾਵੈ ॥੩॥: ||3|| Agahu dekhai pichhahu dekhai tujh te kahaa chhapaavai ||3||: (while looting and bringing the loot home, one) looks in front, and looks behind ( so nobody can see him), but (The fool does not understand that O Lord!) where could (he) hide from You? ||3|| (sggs 156).
But, Baabaa Nanak reminds us in the above verse that we cannot hide our actions from the All-knowing or All-watching Consciousness. Why? Because, the Gurbani’s God is ever present within us, “day and night” – “ਸਦਾ ਹਦੂਰਿ” (Sadaa Hadoori – ਅੰਗ-ਸੰਗ).
In other words, the Gurbani’s God is omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience. So He sees everything we do and hears everything we say.
But, on account of our ignorance, doubts, error, etc., we think we are clever. And – in this foolishness – we think we can trick the All-seeing Presence within.
- ਲੂਕਿ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਕਿਸ ਤੇ ਜਾ ਵੇਖੈ ਸਦਾ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਥਾਨ ਥਨੰਤਰਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥੩॥: Looki kamaavai kis te jaa vekhai sadaa hadoori. Thaan thanantar rav rahiaa meraa prabh bharpoor ||3||: From whom (are you) trying to hide your actions? The ever-present God sees all. My God is totally pervading all places and interspaces (ਹਰੇਕ ਥਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਪੂਰੇ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਵਿਆਪਕ). ||3|| (sggs 48).
- ਜਿਸੁ ਪਾਸਿ ਲੁਕਾਇਦੜੋ ਸੋ ਵੇਖੀ ਸਾਥੈ ॥ ਸੰਗਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਕਰਣਹਾਰਾ ਕਾਇ ਪਾਪੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥: Jis paas lokaaindarho so vekhee naale. Sangee dekhai karanhaaraa kaai paap kamaaeeai: From whom you hide your actions – He sees them, and is always with you. The Creator within (every being); He sees (your deeds), so why commit sins (ਮੰਦ ਕਰਮ)? (sggs 461).
- ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਲੇ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਲੇ ਕਹੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਪਾਸਹੁ ਮਨ ਕਿਆ ਚੋਰਈਐ ॥: The Lord is inside (each being – ਅੰਗ-ਸੰਗ), and (also) outside. (Then) tell me, O mind! How can You hide anything from Him (i.e., All-pervading: ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ)? (sggs 861).
- ਐਸੇ ਕਾਹੇ ਭੂਲਿ ਪਰੇ ॥ ਕਰਹਿ ਕਰਾਵਹਿ ਮੂਕਰਿ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਪੇਖਤ ਸੁਨਤ ਸਦਾ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥: Aise kaahe bhool pare …: Why do you wander in delusion like this? You act, and incite others to act (evil Karma), and then deny it. The Lord is always with you; He sees and hears everything. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 823).e