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harsharan000

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Everything posted by harsharan000

  1. It is totally true what Dust of the Saints Feet, has said. One thing we must bear in mind, no matter whatsoever someone may say, but the teachings of our Gurus are eternal truths. We must have heard the saying: Jaisa dhiayie... taisa hoiye. Which means as you think or dwell upon so you become. Wahiguru is the only one beyond the triloki creation (which is transient and perishable and thus is subject to parlay and mahaparlay), beyond Braham....that is why He is known as Paarbraham or Akal Purukh...means beyond the reach of Kal, the administrator, that is why He is Akal. Meanwhile all these gods and devtas are under the domain of Kal Purukh. So obviously, if we want to merge in Satnam, if we want to get freed forever from this creation, from the wheel of eighty four, we sholud do bhakti and give totally our love and devotion to Wahiguru. He is the only one as said before, beyond Kal... so naturally only by contemplating on Him can we secure our real freedom from maya, Kal and mind...there is no other way. Sorry if somebody is going to be hurt, but the fact is all these triloki gods and devis or devtas, are creations of Kal, he has done it so, that his creation may go on, and the souls may never ever know or even think of Wahiguru. He did bhakti for millions of years,and cunningly asked for souls from Satpurush, to populate his creation and give some sort of life to it.... that is why he has created so many religions, pilgrimages, fasts, rituals....etc...just to keep the souls entangled here, for the sake of his creation to go on, plus the souls are trapped by the mind, the 3 bodies, karmas, sanskaras, kam, krodh, lobh, moh, ahankar.... the list of the elements in which the souls are trapped is endless, the jeeva by itself is powerless and uncapable to free itself by any means, and so the soul has become prisoner in this alien land, because it ´s real home is Sach Khand. That is why Wahiguru came to our human level to show us how to overpower all these powerfull enemies, and defeat them with the weapon of Nam or Shabad, which is nothing more than the active power of Akal Purukh, it is this same Shabad, with which we can end our miseries and wash our sins or karmas, that is why Guru Nanak in Jap Ji Sahib referring to this Shabad has said: Suniye, dukh paap sabh naas. Means by listening to this Shabad only, can one get real freedom and thus merge in Wahiguru. Guru Amar Das also referring to this Shabad in Anand Sahib says: Nam jinke man vaseh...vajeh Shabad ganere. Which means, in that house(body) where Nam Simran is the foundation for ruhaniyat, that Shabad is heard, which is like celestial melodies. Further on He says: Saacha Nam mera adharo, Vajeh Panch Shabad titu ghar sabaghi: means, The true Nam is my support( here and hereafter) and in that happy and fortunate house(in the heart where God resides through Nam Simran), the five forms of heavenly melodies are played..... Kahai Nanak tah sukh hoa titu ghar Anhad vajeh, which means : Nanak says that, they have obtained Divine Bliss(once the soul merges in Satnam), and the Unbeaten or Nonstop Music goes on playing in their hearts. Now the question arises, who can do so, like Nam Simran or listen to this Shabad or Nam. Again Guru Amar Das, answers : Dhur(i) karam(i) paaia tudh jin kau, se Nam Har ke laage, which means :Those who are predestined,will have their minds absorbed in Nam Simran, so obviously they will listen that Anhad Shabad, those will also follow these teachings with a realtive ease, the rest will engage themselves with all other things or activities. Dear brothers and sisters, our Gurbani has countless and priceless jewels contained in it, let us read and understand it carefully, so that we can then apply it in our lives. So much beauty in it... so much truth in it... it contains the highest gyan, and precise directions, so that we can lit the flame of love and devotion for Wahiguru... that much... that we are burnt in the separation from Him, and then He has no other way, but to come to our rescue and give us His Darshan, and shower us with His Daya and Meher, to merge us with Himself, and so thus we can fulfill our goal of human life. May Wahiguru bless all of us.
  2. Sorry Alias, but I think, you should not see it in that way, like a fikka darshan or a good darshan. Let us see how can I expalin it.... Suppose , you want to meet the president or the prime minister, and yopu are told that he is in bulilding X, on the fifth floor..... and you, once having entered that building, you go floor by floor by stairs, and by chance you meet some members of parliament on the first floor; still going upstairs then on the second floor you meet some other politicians...... so you see, they are neither fake, nor are they doing anything wrong there, they are posted there to do some paricular jobs... they are not to be blamed if we do not meet the prime minister there....these experiences, should only remind us that o.k I am in the right area and building, the thing is, that I have still to go higher and reach the fifth floor, where the prime minister´s office is. And so if the prime minister is on the fifth floor, whose fault is it? if that person does not reach there.... be it for any case.....because the person is tired, or has changed his mind, or because he has entertained himself in chating with someone else. The people working in that building are not common people, all of them are important people, but of course, if you want the highest...you have to reach the highest...I hope your doubts are clarified, with this simple example . Wahiguru is on a much much higjer level than any of these gods, devis or devtas, where they themselves can not reach. So seeing them means, I am not at the right place yet, sought by me, I have still to go higher, to reach my goal. We should pray Wahiguru to bless us, to enlighten us, in order to be fit and pure to be able to stand in His presence.
  3. Dear brother, the fact that you had Krishnas´s darshanas... is quite encouraging, inspite of saying even when you had not done Nam Simram. This only proves, no effort goes in vain, and reincarnation is a fact. This is probably due, to some sort of kamaee you had performed in your past birth/s... so you are continuing just from where you left it then.... it was just a matter of time, you had already planted the seed(kamaee and watered it), just you had to wait for it to be riped. But as for me, I will never tell anybody that he is wrong or right, it is for Him to decide what to do and when to do.... as all souls belong to Him, He is all chatur and siane, while we are totally mugadhs. I can only sing His glory, that also, if He thinks fit. But as for me, if I am given to choose between any gods (or even all of them together) darshans daily at all times( i don´t want to name, so that nobody is hurted), and on the other hand if I had only Nam Simran, even then I would definetely choose Nam Simran of my beloved Wahiguru!
  4. First of all, just relax. I can see you had some hot arguments with some brother, but just relax, otherwise because of your mind´s state which is agitated, you may not grasp the full contents. Secondly, I am no authority to convince you or anybody. Of course you may have your way of thinking,which is quite respectable... so carry on, and be open to learn, as life is a never ending process of learning, and the same applies to me and everybody. Anybody saying the contrary would be called arrogant. Guru Nanak was the embodiment of true gyan, and He called Himself : lalla golla... Humility is the sign of the real wise ones....the rest are justt parrots or charlatans...no matter howsoever they are scholars or with the degree of doctorates in any field or better said in thelogy. I have never compared you to Ravan... i don`t even know how you managed to think even so....you see, that is why I told you in the beginig to cool down. You may converse with me in a friendly manner, and I will be glad to answer you to the best of my capabilities, but I shall never try to convince, that is upon you to see how confortable you are with them. And that is because, if it is not written in one´s destiny to believe Him, no matter how much one may try to convince somebody, it will just not go inside his/her capacity of understanding and beleiving. Guru Ram Das´s elder son had Wahiguru as his father and Guru Arjun Dev as , also the swarup of the same Wahiguru as brother , and was surrounded at all times in a spiritual atmosphere, having their physicall darshan.... but even then,he was wicked. So you see, things although clear, are not so easy to be understood by everybody, as each and everyone have different levels of consciousness, different backgrounds, different past karmas and sanskaras. It is not the physicall proximity or nearness to any embodiment of truth which can change one, if again, it is not written in it`s forehead. It was the fruit of his(Prithvi Chand) past good karmas, for which he was born in a Guru ghar..... because even the physicall darshan of the Guru can not be had just like that, it is all His will, His bhaana... it is not at all in the jeevas hands. All of our beloved Gurus have stressed, that ruhaniyat is not something to be discussed, it is to be realized, to be experienced. And that is only possible in one way, applying ourselves to it, through a jugtee, a method...you may call it Nam Simran. As per your question , to why He can not be perceived by the mind? That is because, the mind works with and through the senses, it is limited within their four walls. If that was the case, forget God, what about our souls, nobody has seen it though all believe in them, forget even souls, tell me about the so called mind, everybody talks about it, but if you break somebody´s head, will you find the mind there? You will only see, bones, brains and some other organs contained there, So you see, we do not know much about all these things, which are beyond the reach of senses and mind. For that you have to see what the spiritual teachers have to say about these matters, compare their teachings if you are not totally convinced with one, and see in what areas they are common or where they differ... it all depends on each one`s comfort level. As from what I have known from their teachings,is that our souls are covered with 3 more bodies, which are the physicall, the astral and the causal, and then covered with agyanta, with mind and karmas .... so you see, the soul is imprisoned by all these things and has lost her identity, her nature. And all this is just, because the creation has to go on, the soul apart from all these things mentioned previously, is a prisoner in the creation of Kal, he has cunningly made it in sucha a way, that the soul by itself can never escape. On the other side, the mercifull Wahiguru, knows the suffering state of His souls, on how they are trapped and imprisoned in this mayavi creation, under the domain of Kal. He knows He is invisible to us. So He comes to our human level, to make us understand the reality, to make us recover our origin, we have been wandering since inmemorial times, to infuse His love and devotion for Himself in us, and reveal us the secrets of Nam or Shabad, like Guru Nanak, and the sucessors, or Kabir Sahib, Guru Ravi Das, Sant Nam Dev, Paltu Sahib ... And through the practice and abyaas of Nam Simran, we can cut all our bonds, overpower the mind and Kal, and return safely to Sach Khand. Because, that Nam or Shabad is the very essence of Wahiguru, there is no difference. As Guru Nanak has said: Shabade dharti shabade akash, shabade shabd hoa parkash sagli dharti shabad ke paache Nanak, Shabad ghate ghat achay Which means: Shabd createth the eatrh, Shabad createth the sky, from Shabad cometh all light. The whole world reseth on Shabad, O Nanak, and this Shabadis present in all human beings. So you see, this power known as God, Wahiguru, Satnam, is the same as Shabad or Nam, and it is this very power, this energy or level of consciousness, which is our true nature also, where we departed one day, and it it is in this very Shabad, where we have to merge ourselves and become one with it, just like a drop merges in the ocean and becomes one with it. As you can see from what is written above, it is just natural to come to the conclusion, that there is nothing beyond Satnam, which is the first and ultimate reality... so obviously, only Satnam, are the answers you are going to get from me, because that is only what I know and I have. You are free to disagree and find your answers in different directions, but from my side you will get, only Satnam. Jus as it is said: one day a handfull of salt wanted to know the depth and inmensity of the ocean... once it went there to expereice this, it got dissolved and became one with the ocean. In our case also, Wahiguru can not be described, it is better to experience and realize Him, by merging ourselves in Him.
  5. Sorry to tell you once more, again Satnam. Because He is unchangeable, that is why He is sat or truth, because He is eternal and unchangeable. He is beyond mind, or Kal. He is Karta Purukh, He is the doer of everything. He is Ajoonee, He is neither born nor dies like other creatures, He is beyond Parlay and Mahaparlay, He is Nirbav and Nirver, He is fearless and thus without any enemy, He is realized as per Gurparsad, only with the grace of the Guru. Nobody´s experience can be a base or a platform of beleif for others, it is for each individual. We as students when we are in school, we faithfully follow the teachings of what we are taught, we are then limited. But if we apply ourselves diligently in the studies and hardwork, we may one day reach the level of those teachers. That is the same in spirituality, we have to do abyaas to gain purity, shed our past impressions of karmas and sanskaras or call it agyanta, and merge through a technique in that eternal truth known as Satnam. But if we do not apply and study hard, and just ask the professor or other students questions of all sorts.... hardly shall we gain any improvement and achieve anything in life. Spirituality is by applying ourselves to it through some sort of sadhna, diksha, or technique.... not by mere theoritical studies. If that was the case, Ravan was a scholar, and had mastered the vedas, but that did not stop him from being a rascal and do inmoral acts freely. On the other side by the sacred practice of Nam Simram, one sheds off all impurities, gains real knowledge, and thus speeds it progress towards it´s goal, in the vehicle of Shabad or Nam, towards Satnam. Those who consume drugs, though taken in same amount and at the same time, have different experiences. But those who apply to Nam, all will say the same things experienced, that is why our Gurus, or Kabir Sahib, Sant Nam Dev, Guru Ravi Das, Paltu Sahib... all talk of that same reality in the same terms, though they are from different backgrounds and locations. Because that reality is only one, whether you are a hindu, a sikh, an isaee or a muslim. If you try to find that reality ouside, one will be lost in diversity and discussions; but if we go and see it inside, it will be same for all. That is why it is said in the Bani: Anter Jot, Niranter Bani, Sachay Sahib Siu Liv Lae. In this way, it is the same for all, as taught by our beloved Gurus.
  6. From the teachings of our Gurus and thus as stated in the Bani, there are countless planets, and universes and so are the Brahmas, Shivas or Vishnus... and the 33 crore gods. But as we can see, all of them are not of the same status. On the contrary, in the begining of Jap Ji Sahib, Guru Nanak has clearly, beautifully and with authority stated: Ik Onkar, Satnam, which means God is only one, without any more, and His name is Satnam. All these so called gods are just entities with a certain level of consciousness. All of them compared to Wahiguru Akal Purukh, are just like tiny sparks compared to the light of millions of Suns together, just to say something, because Wahiguru is much much much more. Anyhow, no amount of discussions is going to satisfy anybody, unless each one of us, goes inside and sees it by himself. These hindu gods, are entities on a lower level, they are inside the limits of Maya and Kal. On the contrary, Wahiguru or Satnam, is beyond Kal and Maya, that is why, He is known as Akal Purukh. Take it from any point or angle, Wahiguru is the Supreme being. Namely it may sound as Wahiguru is the Lord for sikhs only, but actually, Wahiguru or Satnam, are just words to describe that Primal and Supreme being. He is a consciouss power, energy and an unlimited ocean of bliss. Words and languages can create disputes among different religions, but if each one of us, goes inside and sees it for himself, and reaches the level of consciousness called Satnam, will agree that what we tend to limit with words, and ideas is something unique and beyond description in human terms. He is Ooch Apaar Beant Swami... He is limitless. And that power or energy reffered to, is known in our Bani as Shabad, as Nam also, for example, mentioned by Guru Amar Das in Anand Sahib. So we can see, this description of Wahiguru can pacify and make all of us equal,as no one is really superior or inferior, no names or languages are thus right or wrong. For example, let us take the planet Sun, we all know what it is, but the word Sun is in English, and the same is Sol in Spanish or Surya in Hindi.... now if different people fight saying my Sun is superior...that would be ridiculous. But if any of them look at the same time when the Sun has risen, all of them will agree, that there is only one Sun. In the same way, if we elevate our consciousness or souls in the inner spiritual realms, we shall all decalre the same properties or qualities of that Sun experienced by us, like the sunlight, the heat...etc. But unless we can get these desirable spiritual experiences, which, again are dependentant on several factors, but mainly on His grace or Daya Meher, what we can only do, is a due research,and get our own conclusions. And for that, my experience says, we should read and understand the Granth Sahib througly as well as other scriptures, and we shall see that what our Guru Sahibans, have said, are the the most beautifull, at the same time the simplest and highest truths, without any comaprison or parralell.
  7. Darshan of any kind of positive spiritual entities, is a consequence of gathering and concentrating the consciousness, and then elevating it to higher levels in the inner realms . They(spiritual positive entities) may appear to us, but that is not so important. And moreover, darshan of any of these entities can never ever be called punisment. Punishments or curses cause pain and suffering, can cover us with agyanta, but to these darshans we can never call it a punishment. It is like, as if one is in darkness, and one aims to see the Sun, but by any reason instead of seeing the Sun first, one sees the light of a lamp, or of a bulb of 100 watts lit on, or the light of the stars or moon on a dark night... though one´s aim is to see the Sunlight, but seeing these dim lights is better, than to be in total darkness, there is no harm in it... but then, one has not got to be attracted by them, rather one should be firm in his/her resolution, that I have to reach my goal, which is none other than Wahiguru Akal Purukh. These experiences of darshans of these lower entities than Satpurush, only show us that we are heading in the right direction, towards Wahiguru, that we are on the right track and thus sholud not give any importance more than that, but just as an encouraging evidence or proof. Wahiguru is important, and we should be so much absorbed in Him(through spiritual practice), that no other entity may dare even to come in front of us to distract us, even for a fraction of a second; by saying to itself, that this soul is a real lover of Him(Akal Purukh), just as I am of Ram( in this case of Hanuman),so it should not be disturbed at all, not even by thought, rather, given any possible aid until it reaches it goal( Satnam). Wahiguru ki fateh. P.S: maybe at some time in the past,the individual had a unconsciouss desire or some thoughts of these so called "gods", that is why Hanuman ji appeared.... or it can also be possible, that rather, when one is on the way to our supreme Father Wahiguru, these so called gods, devis or devtas, come to have the darshan of that wadbhagee soul, and wish it all the best, as they themselves can not go further then where they are located, until they reap thier good karmas there, and come down to earth and be born in a human form, only then, can they try to go and merge in Wahiguru, this privilege of merging in Satnam is only granted to humans, that is why, this human form is called the top of creation. And even then in the human form, only those wadbhagees marked by Wahiguru on their foreheads or written in their destiny, come to love Him, believe in Him, and do all their best to merge in Him as soon as possible. It is all His utter grace, humans by themselves are powerless and uncapable, in this particular matter.
  8. I have just found some sound information on the present topic of the need of Vegetarian diet, which I am going to offer in the service of all the sangat. I clearly declare not a single word is mine, but I do totally agree with it. It is outstanding and mind blowing in it´s contents, and at the same time very clear and simple, direct to the point, without any zig zags, full of truth and humility. There are noble souls out there in this Bhavsagar, by good luck one comes to meet them, if not personally, or even through internet, as in this case, I pray to Wahiguru to bless this soul(the one whoever may have written it) with more grace, so that His love and message can reach every corner of this creation, of which we as souls are quite hungry. Here it goes. About Eating Meat: The controversy in the Khalsa Panth over being a vegetarian or non-vegetarian arose due to the difference in the interpretation of the word Kuthha - one of the four primary taboos or Cardinal Sins for the Sikhs. Before going into the depth of what "Kuthha' really means, it is imperative to consider the real importance of these taboos in Sikhism. It is an undisputed fact that any Sikh who commits any one of these four taboos becomes an apostate. That means he is no longer a Sikh, i.e., he is automatically de-linked and ex-communicated from the Khalsa Brotherhood, even though he may be considered a Sikh by society. As a natural corollary, he loses the Grace of the Satguru without which no progress can be made in achieving the Bliss of Naam-Simran. The four great taboos prescribed for the Sikhs are, thus, of fundamental importance. Being of such fundamental importance, the four taboos cannot, obviously, be based upon any temporary contingency of the prevailing circumstances. They must have their own solid basis and foundation, and must be conducive to spiritual upliftment through Naam-Simran, which occupies the pivotal position in the whole edifice of Sikhism. Otherwise, they will lose their applicability in the changed circumstances, especially when their role in the spiritual progress is doubtful or even negative. It is explicit in Gurbani that the principles of Gurmat are unchangeable and of permanent standing: "Gurmatat Mat Achal Hai Chalaey Na Sakey Koey" (pg. 548) [The Instruction of the Guru is Unshakable. None can change it.] Obviously, therefore, these four basic taboos formulated by the Tenth Guru must have their own solid base which would stand the stress of all times. The word Kuthha is generally (or erroneously) taken to mean HaIaaI meat i.e. "Meat obtained by the Muslim method of slaying the animal, slowly severing the main blood artery of the throat of the animal, while reciting religious formulae, the main object of slaughtering in this manner being a sacrifice to God to expiate the sins of the slaughterer and its flesh as food being only a secondary object..." The Jhatka method has been described as killing the animal with one stroke of the weapon without exciting fear glands secreting poisons into its bloodstream and without causing harniftil psychic waves to emanate from the animal's mind." The origin and basis of Halaal method of slaying animals by Muslims may have been sacrificial. However, by the time of the Sikh Gurus, it had just become a "Muslim method" without any consideration of its sacrificial origin. In fact, a separate class of professionals, called butchers, had emerged with the sole purpose of slaying the animals in this way. Thus, through the employment of butchers, the original idea of slaughtering the animal as a "sacrifice to God to expiate the sins of the slaughterer" had ceased to exist. The original practice had become professionalized and commercialized and remains so even now. So, according to the generally prevailing idea as advocated by many Sikh scholars, the main reason for imposing this taboo of not eating Halaal meat is not that it is sacrificial or even religious. Rather this taboo had been imposed primarily to liberate the Sikhs from mental slavery of the then rulers of the Muslim faith who had banned by law the slaying of animals by any method other than Halaal. If this interpretation is accepted, then the following points arise: (i) With the changed times now, when there is no longer such coercion from any quarter, there should be no need for continuing this taboo in the list of the four taboos because the reason for the imposition of this taboo no longer exists. (ii) It also implies that the four taboos which, have been declared by Satguru himself as basic and of fundamental importance, may not necessarily be conducive to spiritual enhancement of the soul through Naam-Simran; their objective being merely to create a spirit of moral, and, according to some, physical strength to face the unjust and tyrannical rule of the then rulers. Obviously, this cannot be the situation as the main and the only objective of the Satguru was and is to implant the Holy Naam firmly in the minds of the Sikhs through Holy Amrit (Khande-Ki.Pahul). One cannot imagine the All knowing Satguru imposing a taboo of such basic importance which has no relationship with, or which does not help his Sikhs in the achievement of the Spiritual Bliss. (iii) If we accept this position of a taboo being imposed only to serve the conditions prevailing at a particular time, then we provide a pretext to the so-called Modern Sikhs who consider that the keeping of Keshas is no longer necessary in the changed times. They also contend that Kirpan is now of little significance in this atomic age. They openly assert that religion must change with the changing times. The spirit of Sikhism, according to them, lies only within the Sikhs and it has nothing to do with the outward appearance or baanaa. They further contend that the then prevailing circumstances made the necessity of keeping Sikhs unique and easily distinguishable. In the changed circumstances that necessity no longer exists. Thus, accepting the above background of the Kuthha will lead to total destruction of the edifice of Sikhism. (iv) Moreover, how would we classify fish? Is it HaIaal or Jhatka? (v) Meat-eating Sikh brethren advocate that the only touchstone to be used in deciding whether meat should be eaten or refrained from, is whether it creates trouble in the body and fills the mind with evil. If there is no such ill effect then there is no harm in eating it. In the support of this contention, they cite the following couplet from Gurbani: "Baba Hore Khanna Khushi Khuaar Jit Khaadey Tan Peeriay, Man Mey Chaley Vikaar" (pg. 196) [O Baba! All other foods (except the Naam) create trouble in the body and fill the mind with evil.] Evidently the foregoing couplet is a mis-quotation in this context because herein Guru Sahib is comparing all material foods with the Divine Food (i.e. Naam-Simran) and is decrying the former. The word HORE is very crucial in this couplet.It does not mean ANY food but any OTHER food, i.e., any food other than NAAM. In the absence of the Divine Food (Naam), all material foods will sicken the body as well as the soul. The very idea of eating meat fills the mind with evil making it aggressive and a partner in taking the life of an innocent creature. For this very reason, almost all of the well-known spiritually enlightened Gursikhs of the past and present have been and are shunning meat and allied non-vegetarian foods. Such foods are not conducive to spiritual development and Naam.Simran and, therefore, the all-knowing Satguru could not approve them. (vi) In two Hukam Naamaas of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib there are clear cut instructions prohibiting the eating of meat, fish, etc. The actual words used are "Maas machhi de nerrey nahin jawnaa." when Guru Nanak in his sixth form prohibits Sikhs's from eating flesh in such a strong language, how can he, in his tenth form, issue instructions absolutely contrary to and in negation of his own earlier instructions? (vii) Mohsin Fani (1615-70), the well known historian and a contemporary of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, writes in his work DABISTAN-E- MAZAHIB as follows: "Having prohibited his disciples to drink wine and eat pork, he (Nanak) himself abstained from eating flesh and ordered not to hurt any living being. After him this precept was neglected by his followers; but Aijun Mal, one of the substitutes of his Faith, renewed the prohibition to eat flesh and said: This has not been approved by Nanak" What clear cut evidence against eating flesh and drinking wine in Sikhism! (viii) Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's "UPDESH" to Bhai Daya Singh Ji which is mentioned in "SUDHARAM MARAG GRANTH", and also found written in some old handwritten volumes of Sri Guru Granth Sahib: "One who does not: (a) Steal, (b) Commit adultery, © Slander anyone, (d) Gamble, (e) Eat meat or drink wine, will be liberated in this very life (i.e. Jeewan Mukt)" (ix). It is also asserted that bravery is connected with eating animal flesh. The assertion is baseless. In fact, bravery is not connected with brute body force. Real bravery comes out of the spirit of sacrifice for the Truth and arises from the state of mind. The very prevalent words Charhdi Kala among the Sikhs refer to the Charhdi Kala of the spirit. The Sikh history is full of such instances where Sikhs who were hungry for days together defeated the tyrant Mughal forces whose meat eating habits were legendary. (x) There is no difference in either taste or nutritive content of meat obtained through Jhatka or Halaal methods. Meat remains meat, whatever may be the method of slaying the animal. It is a mockery of the august and everlasting holy fundamental principles of Gurmat to attach such a fundamental importance to meat obtained from a particular method of slaying the animal, that its eating by a Sikh makes him an apostate, and that obtained from another method of slaying becomes fully acceptable. Either meat is allowed or is prohibited totally. There can be no mid-way. It is rather strange that many 'modern' and 'intellectual' Sikhs, who are often questioning the rationale of such edicts as keeping of Kirpan or Keshas and even the particular type of Kachhehra, generally do not question the rationale of Jhatka and Halaal distinction in respect of meat. Obviously, it is the generally preferred taste of the tongue that keeps them mum on this issue. These are only a few of the inconsistencies and contradictions in accepting the interpretation of Kuthha to mean HalaaI type of meat. Now let us consider as to what is the true meaning of the word Kuthha Etymologically, the word "Kuthha" (killed) is a past participle which has been derived from the root "Kohna" which means to slay or kill. This word does not mean to slay slowly or according to the Muslim method. In fact, to my knowledge, this word has never been used in the Muslim literature or in their general language to refer to "Halaal" meat. There are number of similarly derived words, e.g. "Muthha," "Dhatthha," etc. Thus, the word "Kuthha" literally means meat obtained by killing animals with any sharp weapon irrespective of whether any holy hymns are read at that time or not. In fact, reading of an holy hymns on this most cruel and heartless moment, is itself a highly sacrilegious act. For instance if one accepts a bribe or commits a theft while reciting holy hymns and these claims that because of his having read holy hymns during that act it no longer remains a crime, is only befooling himself. Now consider this from another angle. For Halal meat, the animal is killed while reciting Qalima - the holy Mantra of the Muslims praising God in Arabic language. For obtaining Jhatka meat, they say Sat Sri Akal, which is also praise of God but in Punjabi language. Meat obtained while reciting praise of God in Arabic language is Haiaal (sacred) for a Muslim and is Haraam (unsacred) for a Sikh. Likewise meat obtained while reciting praise of God in Punjabi language is HaIaaI (sacred) for a Sikh and Haraam (unsacred) for a Muslim. By implication, meat being the common factor in both cases, Qalima is Haraam for a Sikh and Sat Sri Akal is Haraam for a Muslim. If both Qalima and Sat Sri Akal are praises of God in different languages, neither of them is Haraam. In fact, Haraam is the selfish trend of the mind of the meat eaters. S. Kapur Singh rightly points out "Sikhism is not a religion of confusion and tomfoolery. The Sikh Way of Life is based upon the highest principle of Divinity -with the ultimate goal of merging one's soul (Atma) with the Ultimate Soul (Param-Atma) In Gurbani the word 'Kuthha" as well as 'Kohna' have been used at a number of places in this sense: "Paap Karendar Sarpar Muthey. Ajraeel Pharrey Phar KUTHHEY" (pg. 1019) The sinner will certainly be ruined or destroyed. The angel of death will seize and kill them. (Here the word "kuthhey" means simply killing, not killing by Haiaal) "Bed Parhey Mukh Mitthee Baani Jeeaan KUHAT Na Sangey Paraanee" (pg. 201) He (Pandit) recites the Vedas very sweetly, but he does not hesitate to kill life. "Abhakhya Ka Kuthha Bakra Khanaa Choukay Upar Kisey Na Jaanaa" (pg. 472) They eat the meat obtained while uttering the unspeakable word (referring to Qalima of the Muslims which the Hindus considered as unspeakable) and allow none to enter their kitchen square. The supporters of the word Kuthha to mean Halaal meat very often bank upon the above cited couplet to support their contention. They ascribe it to mean the meat obtained by slaying goats while uttering Qalima, which is the Muslim way of slaughtering animals. If the word Kuthha were to mean HaIaai meat, the use of the word abhakhya is superfluous. The sentence should have been simply Kuthha Khaanaa to mean the eating of the HaIaaI meat. The very fact that the word Kuthha has been qualified with the adjective abhakhya kaa means that Kuthha refers to simple meat of the killed animal, irrespective of the method of slaying the animal; and while qualifying meat to mean Haiaai, the words abhakhya kaa had to be particularly prefixed to convey that sense. Almost all the renowned commentators and translators of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, e.g., Bhai Sahib Vir Singh, Professor Sahib Singh, S. Manmohan Singh, etc., have interpreted this couplet in this way. It is thus clear that the word Kuthha means simply meat of the killed animal and does not go into the detail of how the animal is killed. Like so many other adulterations committed by the anti-Sikhs in Gurmat Rahit Maryada, this interpretation of the word Kuthha to mean HaiaaI meat has also been initiated and popularized by those very anti- Sikhs, in their efforts to destroy the roots of the new faith in order to decrease its efficacy and create doubts and dissensions in the Panth. Our brothers have unconsciously fallen in their trap. The only hymn in the whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib that is specifically cited (by meat-eaters) in support of eating meat is the hymn of Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the // of Raag Malhar on pages 1289-90 beginning with the couplet: "Maas Maas Kar Moorakh Jhaghrrey. Gian dhian Nahin Jaaney. Kaun Maas Kaun Saag Kahaavey Kis Mah Paap Samaaney" (pg. 1289-1290) Only the fool quarrels over the question of eating or not eating of the meat. He does not have the True Wisdom. Without True Wisdom or Meditation, he harps on which is flesh and which is not flesh and which food is sinful and which is not. A deeper study of the whole hymn brings out: i. Herein, Guru Sahib is addressing a Vaishnav Pandit who believes that he can achieve his spiritual goal only by avoiding meat as food and not trying to obtain the true wisdom through meditation. He has stressed that only avoiding meat will not lead one to the achievement of Spiritual Bliss if one does not do Naam-Simran. This equally applies to all, including non-meat-eating Sikhs. ii. It relates to the flesh or meat in general and not to any particular type of flesh - whether prepared by Halaal or Jhatka method. The Sikh supporters of flesh eating do not accept at all the intake of all types of meat, but according to them, only Jhatka meat is permissible and HaIaal is totally prohibited. In other words, what does the term "Kuthha" denote? iii. The flesh of the mother's womb wherein the human body is born, the flesh of the mother's breasts which feed the infant, the flesh of the tongue, ears, mouth, etc., used for perception of various senses of the body, the flesh in the form of wife and off-springs referred to in the Shabad, is flesh no doubt and one cannot escape it, but is it the flesh to be eaten as food by the humans? Does the love for this type of flesh involve any cruelty or slaughter of living bodies? Obviously, the Shabad has a deeper meaning telling Vaishnav pandits that merely escaping from the flesh does not take one anywhere. Nor can anyone get rid of the flesh (i.e., attainment of salvation from the cycle of birth and death) by his own futile efforts without the Grace of the True Guru. One very well known Sikh writer, in his book on Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's life, while claiming that the above hymn supports meat eating, recommends that those Sikhs who seek spiritual bliss through Naam Simran should shun it! Well, devoid of Naam Simran Sikhism is reduced to naught. At this point it would be worth mentioning two well known anecdotes from the life of Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in this respect: i.During his visit to Lahore, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji happened to stay in the neighbourhood of a big slaughter house. In the ambrosial hours of the early morning, he heard loud shrills and cries of the animals being butchered there. Then, in the daytime, he saw the population addicted to vices connected with meat, wine and women. He was so moved by this sight that he exclaimed: "Lahore shahar zahar kahar sawa pahar" (pg. 1412) God's curse is upon the city of Lahore for a quarter of the day* ii. Duni Chand was holding a grand annual feast to feed the Brahmins in celebration of Saraadh ceremony for the peace of his departed father's soul. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji told him that his father had taken the body of a wolf and was starving on the nearby river bank at that time. Duni Chand immediately went there and saw the starving wolf. On seeing his son, the wolf died and thus spoke to him from his Astral or luminous body: "In human body when I was nearing death, I smelt the flavor of meat being cooked in the neighbouring house and felt an ardent desire for it. I died in the same state of mind. That is why I was given the body of a wolf so that I could fulfil my last desire in human life." Gurbani also says: "Jit Laago Man Baasna, Ant Saaee Pragtaani" (pg. 267) [The desire to which the mind is attached, becomes manifest in the end.] This brings out clearly the thinking of Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in this respect. Sri Guru Granth Sahib prohibits eating of animal flesh in clearcut and unambiguous language in a number of places: "Jee Badhoh So Dharam Kar Thaapoh,Adharam Kaho Kat Bhai. Anpas Ko Munwar Kar Thaapoh, Kaa Ko Kaho Kasaaee. (pg. 1103) You kill animals and call it religion (Rahit); then what indeed is irreligion (Kurahit)? Even then you consider yourself as a sage of sages; then whom to call a butcher? "Bed Kateb Kaho Mat Jhoothhay, Jhoothhaa Jo Na Bichaarey. Jo Sabh Meh Ek Khudai Kahat Ho,To Kio Murghi Maarey" (pg. 1350) Do not call various religious texts false. False is one who gives no thought to their contents. If you consider God is in all, then why do you slaughter the chicken (i.e., life?) "Rojaa Dharey, Manaavey Mlah, Svaadat Jee Sanghaarey. Aapaa Deldi Avar Nahin Dekhey,Kaahey Kow Jhakh Maarey" (pg. 1375) You keep fasts (i.e., religious acts) to appease God. At the same time you slay life for your relish. This utter selfishness is nothing but empty or nonsensical talk. "Kabir Jee Jo Maareh Jor Kar,Kaahtey Heh Ju Halaal. Daftar Daee Jab Kaadh Hai, Hoegaa Kaun Havaal" (pg. 1375) Whosoever slays life by force and call it sanctified; What will be his fate when he will be called to account for it in His Court? "Kabir Bhaang, Mach liii Surapaan Jo Jo Praanee Khahey. Tirath, Barat, Nem Kiaye Te Sabhay Rasaatal Jahey" (pg. 1376) Whosoever eats flesh, fish, etc. and takes wine and hemp, all his religious acts will go to waste. "Kabir Khoob Khaana Khichri, Ja Meh Amrit Lon Heraa Rotee Kaarney Galaa Kataavey Kon" (pg. 1374) Blessed is the simple food of rice mixed with salt; Who would risk his head to be slain hereafter, for the meat one eats here? It is thus clear from the foregoing that the word Kuthha used in the Sikh Code of Conduct does not refer to Halaal or sacrificial meat at all, but refers to meat and allied products as a whole. It means simply to slay or cut the animal whatever may be the method used for the purpose. The use of the word in the same sense at a number of places in Gurbani brings out this point beyond any shadow of a doubt. Accordingly, eating flesh in general (and not only Halaal) is totally prohibited for the Sikhs and is one of the four Cardinal Sins enunciated in the Sikh Code of Conduct. It is a great travesty of the factual position to assert that, tIn the Sikh Doctrine, therefore, there is no religious injunction for or against meat eating; it is a matter of individual choice and discretion, a most sensible principle. All the Rahits (Do's) and Kurahits (Don'ts or taboos) are of fundamental importance in Sikhism. These are a pre-condition for one's being accepted for baptism or taking of Amrit which means nothing but Naam: "Amrit Naam Parmesar Tera Jo Simray So Jeevey" (pg. 616) [God; Amrit is nothing but your Naam and he alone lives who meditates or contemplates on it.] Amrit Har Har Naam Hay Meri Jindareeay Amrit Gurmat Paaey Ram" (pg. 538) [The Naam Divine is Amrit; and is obtained through the Guru's Instruction.]
  9. Question : What is Soul? Answer : Wondrous and beautiful is the description of the beauty of the Supreme Soul, the Supreme Lord God. || 1 || Pause || He is not old; He is not young. He is not in pain; He is not caught in Death's noose. He does not die; He does not go away. In the beginning, and throughout the ages, He is permeating everywhere. || 1 || He is not hot; He is not cold. He has no enemy; He has no friend. He is not happy; He is not sad. Everything belongs to Him; He can do anything. || 2 || He has no father; He has no mother. He is beyond the beyond, and has always been so. He is not affected by virtue or vice. Deep within each and every heart, He is always awake and aware. || 3 || From the three qualities, the one mechanism of Maya was produced. The great Maya is only His shadow. He is un deceivable, impenetrable, unfathomable and merciful. He is merciful to the meek, forever compassionate. His state and limits cannot ever be known. Nanak is a sacrifice, a sacrifice to Him. || [ SGGS Page 868 ] The soul is divine; divine is the soul. [sGGS Page 1325 ] Question : What is Mind? Answer : The mind is Maya, the mind is a chaser; the mind is a bird flying across the sky. The thieves are overpowered by the Shabad, and then the body-village prospers and celebrates. Lord, when You save someone, he is saved; his capital is safe and sound. || 1 || Such is my Treasure, the Jewel of the Naam; please bless me with the Guru's Teachings, so that I may fall at Your Feet. || 1 || Pause || The mind is a Yogi, the mind is a pleasure-seeker; the mind is foolish and ignorant. The mind is the giver, the mind is the beggar; the mind is the Great Guru, the Creator. The five thieves are conquered, and peace is attained; such is the contemplative wisdom of God. || 2 || The One Lord is said to be in each and every heart, but no one can see Him. The false are cast upside-down into the womb of reincarnation; without the Name, they lose their honour. Those whom You unite, remain united, if it is Your Will. || 3 || God does not ask about social class or birth; you must find your true home. That is your social class and that is your status - the karma of what you have done. [ SGGS Page 1330 ] Question : Body? Answer : The union of air, water and fire - the body is the play-thing of the fickle and unsteady intellect. It has nine doors, and then there is the Tenth Gate. Reflect upon this and understand it, O wise one. || 1 || The Lord is the One who speaks, teaches and listens. One who contemplates his own self is truly wise. || 1 || Pause || The body is dust; the wind speaks through it. Understand, O wise one, who has died. Awareness, conflict and ego have died, but the One who sees does not die. || 2 || For the sake of it, you journey to sacred shrines and holy rivers; but this priceless jewel is within your own heart. The Pandits, the religious scholars, read and read endlessly; they stir up arguments and controversies, but they do not know the secret deep within. || 3 || I have not died - that evil nature within me has died. The One who is pervading everywhere does not die. Says Nanak, the Guru has revealed God to me, and now I see that there is no such thing as birth or death. [ SGGS Page 152 ] O my body, the Lord infused His Light into you, and then you came into the world. The Lord infused His Light into you, and then you came into the world. The Lord Himself is your mother, and He Himself is your father; He created the created beings, and revealed the world to them. By Guru's Grace, some understand, and then it's a show; it seems like just a show. Says Nanak, He laid the foundation of the Universe, and infused His Light, and then you came into the world. [ SGGS Page 921 ] Question: What was before this universe? Answer : He created Himself - at that time, there was no other. He consulted Himself for advice, and what He did came to pass. At that time, there were no Akaashic Ethers, no nether regions, nor the three worlds. At that time, only the Formless Lord Himself existed - there was no creation. As it pleased Him, so did He act; without Him, there was no other. [sGGS Page 509 ] We can only express a sense of wonder about the beginning. The absolute abided endlessly deep within Himself then. [ SGGS Page 940] For endless aeons, there was only utter darkness. There was no earth or sky; there was only the infinite Command of His Hukam. There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound Samaadhi. || 1 || There were no sources of creation or powers of speech, no air or water. There was no creation or destruction, no coming or going. There were no continents, nether regions, seven seas, rivers or flowing water. || 2 || There were no heavenly realms, earth or nether regions of the underworld. There was no heaven or hell, no death or time. [ SGGS Page 1035 ] Question : How this universe was created ? Answer : He created the creation, and watches over it; the Hukam of His Command is over all. He formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. No one knows His limits. [sGGS Page 1036 ] From the True Lord came the air, and from the air came water. From water, He created the three worlds; in each and every heart He has infused His Light. [ SGGS Page 19 ] Question : What is Waheguru ( God )? Answer : God is only one. His name is true. He is the creator. He is without fear. He is inimical to none. He never dies. He is beyond birth and death. He is self illuminated. He is realised by the kindness of the true Guru. [ SGGS Page 1 ] The Lord is said to be the Greatest of the Great; His Kingdom is the Highest of the High. He has no colour or mark; His Value cannot be estimated. Please show Mercy to Nanak, God, and bless him with Your True Name. [ SGGS Page 44 ] Wherever I look, there I see God's Presence. [ SGGS Page 84 ] He is unknowable, infinite, unapproachable and imperceptible. He is not subject to death or karma. His caste is casteless; He is unborn, self-illumined, and free of doubt and desire. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to the Truest of the True. He has no form, no color and no features; through the True Word of the Shabad, He reveals Himself. || Pause || He has no mother, father, sons or relatives; He is free of sexual desire; He has no wife. He has no ancestry; He is immaculate. He is infinite and endless; O Lord, Your Light is pervading all. || 2 || Deep within each and every heart, God is hidden; His Light is in each and every heart. The heavy doors are opened by Guru's Instructions; one becomes fearless, in the trance of deep meditation. || 3 || The Lord created all beings, and placed death over the heads of all; all the world is under His Power. [sGGS Page 597 ] You have no form or shape, no social class or race. These humans believe that You are far away; but You are quite obviously apparent. You enjoy Yourself in every heart, and no filth sticks to You. You are the blissful and infinite Primal Lord God; Your Light is all-pervading. Among all divine beings, You are the most divine, O Creator-architect, Rejuvenator of all. How can my single tongue worship and adore You? You are the eternal, imperishable, infinite Lord God. [ SGGS Page 1096 ] Question : What is Religion? Answer : Of all religions, the best religion is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct. Of all religious rituals, the most sublime ritual is to erase the filth of the dirty mind in the Company of the Holy. Of all efforts, the best effort is to chant the Name of the Lord in the heart, forever. Of all speech, the most ambrosial speech is to hear the Lord's Praise and chant it with the tongue. Of all places, the most sublime place, O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides. [ SGGS Page 266 ] Question : What is a Miracle? Answer : If I were to become a Siddha, and work miracles, summon wealth and become invisible and visible at will, so that people would hold me in awe - seeing these, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would not enter into my mind. || 3 || If I were to become an emperor and raise a huge army, and sit on a throne, issuing commands and collecting taxes - O Nanak, all of this could pass away like a puff of wind. Seeing these, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would not enter into my mind. || 4 || 1 || SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL: If I could live for millions and millions of years, and if the air was my food and drink, and if I lived in a cave and never saw either the sun or the moon, and if I never slept, even in dreams - even so, I could not estimate Your Value. How can I describe the Greatness of Your Name? [ SGGS Page 14] If I dressed myself in fire, and built my house of snow, and made iron my food; and if I were to drink in all pain like water, and drive the entire earth before me; and if I were to place the earth upon a scale and balance it with a single copper coin; and if I were to become so great that I could not be contained, and if I were to control and lead all; and if I were to possess so much power within my mind that I could cause others to do my bidding - so what? As Great as our Lord and Master is, so great are His gifts. He bestows them according to His Will. O Nanak, those upon whom the Lord casts His Glance of Grace, obtain the glorious greatness of the True Name. [ SGGS Page 147 ] O Nanak, that is the most wonderful gift (miracle), which is received from the Lord, when He is totally pleased. [ SGGS Page 474 ] All the Siddhas, spiritual masters and seekers search for the Name; they have grown weary of concentrating and focusing their attention. Without the True Guru, no one finds the Name; the Gurmukhs unite in Union with the Lord. Without the Name, all food and clothes are worthless; cursed is such spirituality, and cursed are such miraculous powers. That alone is spirituality, and that alone is miraculous power, which the Carefree Lord spontaneously bestows. O Nanak, the Lord's Name abides in the mind of the Gurmukh; this is spirituality, and this is miraculous power. [ SGGS Page 650 ] Question: Who are saints? Answer: Those who do not forget the Lord, with each breath and morsel of food, whose minds are filled with the Mantra of the Lord's Name - they alone are blessed; O Nanak, they are the perfect Saints. [ SGGS Page319 ] Twenty-four hours a day, he knows the Lord to be near at hand; he surrenders to the Sweet Will of God. The One Name is the Support of the Saints; they remain the dust of the feet of all. || 1 || Listen, to the way of life of the Saints O my Siblings of Destiny; their praises cannot be described. || 1 || Pause || Their occupation is the Naam, the Name of the Lord. The Kirtan, the Praise of the Lord, the embodiment of bliss, is their rest. Friends and enemies are one and the same to them. They know of no other than God. || 2 || They erase millions upon millions of sins. They dispel suffering; they are givers of the life of the soul. They are so brave; they are men of their word. The Saints have enticed Maya herself. || 3 || Their company is cherished even by the gods and the angels. Blessed is their Darshan, and fruitful is their service. With his palms pressed together, Nanak offers his prayer: O Lord, Treasure of Excellence, please bless me with the service of the Saints. [ SGGS Page 392 ] The Saints are tolerant and good-natured; friends and enemies are the same to them. O Nanak, it is all the same to them, whether someone offers them all sorts of foods, or slanders them, or draws weapons to kill them. || 27 || They pay no attention to dishonour or disrespect. They are not bothered by gossip; the miseries of the world do not touch them. [sGGS Page 1356 ] Question : What is pilgrimage ? Answer : In spite of the many places of pilgrimage for people to bathe in, their minds are still stained by their stubborn ego; the Lord Master is not pleased by this at all. When will I find the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy? There, I shall be always in the ecstasy of the Lord, Har, Har, and my mind shall take its cleansing bath in the healing ointment of spiritual wisdom. [ SGGS Page 687 ] Bathing at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, filth is not washed off. Religious rituals are all just egotistical displays. By pleasing and appeasing people, no one is saved. Without the Naam, they shall depart weeping. || 2 || Without the Lord's Name, the screen is not torn away. I have studied all the Shaastras and Simritees. He alone chants the Naam, whom the Lord Himself inspires to chant. He obtains all fruits and rewards, and merges in peace. || 3 || O Savior Lord, please save me! All peace and comforts are in Your Hand, God. Whatever you attach me to, to that I am attached, O my Lord and Master. O Nanak, the Lord is the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts. [ SGGS Page 890 ] Repeating the Naam, the Name of the Lord, the mortal is exalted and glorified. Repeating the Naam, sin is banished from the body. Repeating the Naam, all festivals are celebrated. Repeating the Naam, one is cleansed at the sixty-eight sacred shrines. My sacred shrine of pilgrimage is the Name of the Lord. The Guru has instructed me in the true essence of spiritual wisdom. [ SGGS Page 1142 ] Question : What are 5 thieves or immoral deed ? Answer : Within this body dwell the five thieves: sexual desire, anger, greed, emotional attachment and egotism. They plunder the Nectar, but the self-willed manmukh does not realise it; no one hears his complaint. The world is blind, and its dealings are blind as well; without the Guru, there is only pitch darkness. [ SGGS Page 600 ] There are five of them, but I am all alone. How can I protect my hearth and home, O my mind? They are beating and plundering me over and over again; unto whom can I complain? [ SGGS Page 155 ] The four castes and social classes, and the preachers with the six Shaastras on their finger-tips, the beautiful, the refined, the shapely and the wise - the five passions have enticed and beguiled them all. || 1 || Who has seized and conquered the five powerful fighters? Is there anyone strong enough? He alone, who conquers and defeats the five demons, is perfect in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga. || Pause || They are so awesome and great; they cannot be controlled, and they do not run away. Their army is mighty and unyielding. Says Nanak, that humble being who is under the protection of the Saadh Sangat, crushes those terrible demons. [ SGGS Page 404 ] The deer, the fish, the bumble bee, the moth and the elephant are destroyed, each for a single defect. So the one who is filled with the five incurable vices - what hope is there for him? [ SGGS Page 486 ] Question : What is about household and housewife ( Marriage, family life ) ? Answer : People wear all sorts of costumes and wander all around, but in their hearts and minds, they practice deception. They do not attain the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, and after death, they sink into manure. || 1 || O mind, remain detached in the midst of your household. Practicing truth, self-discipline and good deeds, the Gurmukh is enlightened. || 1 || Pause || Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, the mind is conquered, and one attains the State of Liberation in one's own home. So meditate on the Name of the Lord; join and merge with the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation. [ SGGS Page 26 ] Why do the Yogis, the revellers, and the beggars wander in foreign lands? They do not understand the Word of the Guru's Shabad, and the essence of excellence within them. || 3 || The Pandits, the religious scholars, the teachers and astrologers, and those who endlessly read the Puraanas, do not know what is within; God is hidden deep within them. || 4 || Some penitents perform penance in the forests, and some dwell forever at sacred shrines. The unenlightened people do not understand themselves - why have they become denunciates? || 5 || Some control their sexual energy, and are known as celibates. But without the Guru's Word, they are not saved, and they wander in reincarnation. || 6 || Some are householders, servants, and seekers, attached to the Guru's Teachings. They hold fast to the Naam, to charity, to cleansing and purification; they remain awake in devotion to the Lord. [ SGGS Page 419 ] O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, one comes to know the Perfect Way. While laughing, playing, dressing and eating, he is liberated. [ SGGS Page 522 ] A good wife to care for my home - Your humble servant Dhanna begs for these things, Lord. [ SGGS Page 695 ] Question : Are the women inferior or bad? Answer : From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman. [SGGS Page 473 ] Question : What is about adultery ? Answer : Like the companionship of a poisonous snake, so is the desire for another's spouse. [sGGS Page 403 ] Those men who go out to enjoy other men's women shall suffer in shame. Those who steal the wealth of others - how can their guilt be concealed? Those who chant(Nam Simran) the Sacred Praises of the Lord save and redeem all their generations. O Lord! Those who listen(The Shabad inside our body) and contemplate the Supreme Lord God become pure and holy. [ SGGS Page 1362 ]
  10. Dear brothers, all of you, who may have felt hurt due to my posts, I humbly ask for forgiveness with folded hands. I have not ignored any of your posts, as I have learnt a lot from all of you. There is no reason either for me of getting upset, as I have no business involved here where I am going to get profit or loss. Whether you or me, we are all His souls. Wahiguru is not a monopoly of any dharma, He is universal, equall to all. Each one tries best, according to his or her level, in the circumstances where the nature has put us. Having said that, each and everyone is responsible and has the right to be right or wrong, it is each individual`s free choice. As I have seen, though you and me have the same objective : Wahiguru, but still so much of krodh present, just because our thinking is different, our way of understanding and approaching is different; so no matter how much we may explain our point of views, we are never going to agree. I can reply each one of you in a rational manner.....but even then I am going to be showered with ill feelings , and frankly speaking, there is no need for all these situations. I do not know you, neither any of you to me, then why should there be ill feelings? Why can there not be friendship and harmony on a human level? I just wanted to share, thoughts on spirituality in a friendly way, without forcing anything on anybody, at the same time neither allowing anybody to force on me, we could just go on blaming, without an end to it. I feel all of you have high spirit and potential of love and devotion for Wahiguru...that is important. He is important, not me. I am the lowest of lowest. So inspite all our disagreements, I have decided to take the first step, to ask for forgiveness once again. As it is said:do not cause pain to any being as the Lord resides in the chamber of their hearts. May God bless each and everyone.
  11. Dear sister Akaalkaur 84, I have read today from one of your posts, where you say the following words : there are problems that the most qualified and experienced drs of the world cannot treat, but my guru treated mine. Miracles do happen with baani... Mera vaid guru govinda.....I'm living proof of it So I was thinking in asking you a a favour, if only you do not mind doing it. Because I am not that pure enough to have His darshan yet. Can you please ask the guru you mention, next time he appears you, what is it all that I (me) am supposed doing, and let me know his answer? Because that is what you ask me in your upper post. It may help us clear many things, including myself, thank you jee.
  12. "and the blind man sees the three worlds, by meeting with the True Guru and being purified. ||1||anDhulay taribhavan soojhi-aa gur bhayt puneetaa." Dear Brother, as far as i understand from this upper line, which means, at this phisicall level we see with our sight (eyes), but we are unaware of the spiritual dimensions, that is why, in a way we are blind, because we do not see them. But with a proper guide and jugtee( meeting with the true Guru and purity), we can perceive and enter into those subtle regions: first the astral ( Sahasdanwal Kanwal); second, the causal (Trikuti); and third, the beyond one, more spiritual, more subtle one: (Daswan Dwar) Parbraham, the gateway to Sach Khand. One proceeds from this phisical mayavee creation to the upper and higher regions, penetrating them, as one gets more and more purified with Nam Simarn. Apart from this phisicall body, the soul has two more coverings on it, the astral and the causal bodies, which are needed when one reaches in those regions, but once passing Parbraham, the soul is free from all coverings, and is thus ready to merge in Satnam, because it has become as pure as Him. And all this is possible, only through His inmense Daya Meher.
  13. So much you talk, just tell me, when one dies, are the 5 Ks going with you, or any other material things? So then when one´s soul goes there, how do they know that this a sikh or a hindu or christian? Do you think, your soul is going to wear the physicall 5Ks and go there, after death? Only one´s karmas and bhakti (Naam Simran) goes.... that is why it is said as you sow so shall you reap? Changeea Buraeea vaache Dharam hadoor (Dharam Rai watches your good or bad karmas, when you die and go before him), and Wahiguru sees if you have done His Naam Simran, he is not bothered how you dress, eat or whether you are rich, black or white or even if you are illeterate, or the language you speak, nothing of that sort, only if you have done Nam Simran, that is why it is said, Jis vakhar lain toon aaya, Ram Nam, Santan ghar paaya. The real wealth for which you have come to gather in this world is Ram Naam and that is to be found in the refuge of the saints, nothing more nothing less. Not the outer things which shall be burnt away. Here nobody preaches, yhat is your inferior and negative entity, your ego, which makes you behave so. Here, only we can share each other´s points. We should know these facts: Wahiguru is an spiritul being, to reach Him , only Nam Simran should be done because that only, transports our soul same in essence like Him, to His court. This is all about, all else is material and perishable, without any spiritual gain from it, as it has no chetanta in it, You can not learn from a stone(inert, lifeless), you need a conscious( livefull) teacher, with knowledge to learn and become mature, because only conscious entities can transfer consciousness. You do what you like, for me my Wahiguru is with me, and it is Him I only need. You are a stubborn person, you are much steeped in the outer things, that is why you are not mature in the Bani, and so you are insecure to talk and read about it than the Bani itself, on the other side you are strong on the material, but remember the material shall be left here, only your soul and your karmas or love for Him shall go with you, I could laugh at you for your this behaviour, but I have pity on you, may Wahiguru bless you with real wisdom
  14. You keep on denying the reality. You mention none references from the Bani, while you just know to accuse. I am not slandering any teachings of the Gurus, on the contrary, I only praise Wahiguru and the Gurus, that`s all. Soul and Supreme Soul only. No other outer interferences. Real rehat is the one which takes one nearer towards Him, and that is Nam bhakti, and this can be done by keeping an eye over the mind, that it does not wander here or there even for a second, then yes by doing so, you are a true sikh. Real rehat is the one, which takes us nearer the truth, and truth is Nam, apart from it all is fanah, all is nashwant. The power and truth in all the Gurus is the same, though outwardly they appear different physically. Neither you, me or those living now were present when Guru Jee left this world, so nobody can say that this is truth or false, but yes, His words can be known as truth if compared to those Gurus who left before Him, in the similarity. Then you may ask, but we were neither there, in the times of other Gurus. But there is a slight difference, there was still a Guru to follow, which means the teachings could not be manipulated. It is a second time, you say that I make myself a Guru, are you not ashamed by saying so? Guru is very high entity, I am a sinner and very low, and Gurgaddhi is passed on, by the previous Guru on someone worthy for it. You can not be greedy and grab it by force, which is a sin to even think about it, I never thought you could fall so low. But even then, I pray, may God bless you.
  15. Following are some lines, of the post of brother Mehtab Singh , from his thread how to meet Wahiguru in this very forum : ਕਰਮ ਕਰਤ ਬਧੇ ਅਹੰਮੇਵ ॥ Ritual practices bind people in egotism; ਮਿਲਿ ਪਾਥਰ ਕੀ ਕਰਹੀ ਸੇਵ ॥੩॥ meeting together, they worship stones. ||3|| ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ Says Kabeer, He is obtained only by devotional worship. ਭੋਲੇ ਭਾਇ ਮਿਲੇ ਰਘੁਰਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੬॥ Through innocent love, the Lord is met. ||4||6|| Brother "five only", your behaviour is like a naughty and inmature child. Do you know the meaning of respect and freedom? If yes, then do it, if not, then learn it. One may disagree over certain matters, but that does not mean you have to force... which is as bad as fanatism. Put your ideas, with references, with the support of bani, and then leave it, but do not force. Do something of your own, not putting videos of you tube, and this or that was done or said, prove it, as brother Balbir Singh asked you some days ago, but it seems, you have no logic answers. Going back to the point of that I do not bother to answer you, which is not true at all, because I have given answers from within the bani, not made by me nor of somebody´s sayings like you, but still if you do not understand... as said before you need more time to mature the truths of the Bani, though simple, they are complicated for all, but it seems more for you. Open your mind, use a little bit of logic and common sense, do not be so rigid. In this world there are hindus, muslims, christians around us, who do not believe in Sikhee... then what are you going to do...if you are so strong.... go and convert and convince them. Let us see your, so power , of fantasies and illusions, castles in the air. At least for me, I can not talk for others, but for me, only Wahiguru and the Bani is truth and law. Nothing is superior to them. Do not forget, in JapJi Sahib it is said: Ik Onkar.... Karta Purukh. There is only one Lord, and He is the only doer. Remeber, only He, nobody else, and it is to this Wahiguru, to whom I only bow and make the objective of my devotion, thanks to the teachings of our Gurus`. But it seems, that you have to be reminded of all this. Only WAHIGURU, nobody else. The punj pyares you talk about, deserve all respect and admiration, as they inspire us, how our faith and love should be for Guru Jee, but that is all. Whatsoever they got, was given by the same and unique giver, to them, to all and everybody: Wahiguru. I wished they were here today, if they were, they would have surely scolded you, for your nonsense. Shame on you, while being in the presence of the Sache Patshah Wahiguru, you dare to name others? He is the only Saache Sahib, and the rest of us, are all at most, kookars at His door. How dare you mention other things, while being in His presence? He is the true Sultan, true Shanshah. He is only One, none apart from Him. Again and again you have to remember, chetanta or consciousness is not to be found in any thing made from any of the 5 tattwas, single or combined, neither this body. If inert items can get us real gyan, real understanding, then surely Wahiguru is not needed, it is just silly to think so. Our Gurus, try to take our attention from the mayavee and lifeless outside world, and attach our attention to His feet inside by Nam Simran, but we like the outer and lifeless things instead, are we not manmukhs? Outer things, outer mannerisms are social habits in community rules, just to show others that, I am so and so, but there is no spirituality or ruhaniyat in it. It is o.k to follow them, because we have been born in a particular country, caste, community or class, but that is all, nothing more. Love for Him, is generated in us by His devotion, not by outer fittings or dresses, neither by putting on certain ornaments. Humans may like to do so to impress others, or give them our way of identifying ourselves in the society.... bu think a littel bit, it does not matter to Wahiguru, how you dress of make up, He only sees if you have love for Him or not, and if we want to impress Him, love and humility should be our outfits. The true Amrit referred by our Gurus`is mentioned by Guru Amar Das in Raag Maajh: amrit banee gur kee meethee. The bani of the Guru is sweet Amrit. ( This bani is not made, by the water, one of the 5 tattwas, which are mayavee,) Further on He says: satgur hai amrit sar saachaa man naavai mail chukaavani-aa. The true Guru is the real pool, real fountain of Amrit (Nectar), in which by bathing in it, the filth of the mind ( sins ) are washed away. The real Amrit, is the bani of Wahiguru Himself, created and made by Himself, as stated by Guru Amar Das above, not man made, with elements like water and sugar. And this Amrit`s effect is by listening to it, by our souls, not by making it and drinking it in a vessel or a glass. It seems you like diversity, you name the 5K, the Punj Pyares.... While the bani says: Ik Onkar.... He is the only one, without any two, three, four or five. The Gurus have said, that when we go back to Him, we merge in Him and become like Him; so all these past good souls, were so pure, that they merged in Wahiguru; if you can go and trace them, try to find them where they are... then come and tell me, what is their condition now. It is because of the mind, that we have diversity. But in Him, all become Him, so then, how are you going to differentiate. Or do you think that doing bhakti and being one with Him, is like going to a hill station for holidays? All this ocurrs at this physicall level man, not at His level. Suppose I give you 10 drops of water, to go and pour them in the ocean, then after 1 hour, I tell you to go and bring them, can you? Surely not, because they have become one with the ocean, that is the same what happened with Panj pyares and the Gurus`, bhagats, and sants. We merge in Wahiguru, only by loosing our gross and subtle identity (mind), not by keeping it. Your thinking shows that you believe that , those who go there , in Sach Khand, are still individuals, with their bodies,minds, personalities..... nooooooooo, the drops have become one with the Ocean. Do you understand? May God bless you!
  16. One thing is clear in all dharmas. Lord or Wahiguru, is the same thing. He is the only truth, that is why He is eternal. Apart from that, His Nam, and the souls are permanent. Different thing is, that some are near Him and some are far. According to the teachings of our Gurus`, the reason of our miseries is because we are separated from Him, the ocean of bliss and real happiness, our true Father. And the only solution to all pains, is to go back and merge in Him. Doing anything else is to prolong our stay in the creation where dissolutions and grand dissolutions take place. And anything made of maya, and the five elements : water, air, fire, earth and ether, are subject to perish; and as we know even our bodies are made of these elements, that`s why changes ocurr and one day we decay, so is the same of everthing we see, feel and touch with our gyan and karma indriyas, this means in a way, that nothing made of these inert and lifeless objects, can be a source of real happiness, bliss, and knowledge or gyan. Why? Because as said before, no truth is in them, as they are transient and perishable. The first characteristic or truth is, that it is unchangeable. It was truth in the begining, Aad Sach, it is the truth since ages Jugad Sach, it is the same truth even now Haebee Sach, and it will remain as truth hereafter Nanak hosee bhee Sach, and all these facts are only possible with Wahiguru, who has to be our sole objective and priority, above anything else. That is why, our Gurus knowing Him and His Nam as only existing truth, stressed upon us to attach our chit, our mind to it. Why? Because as you dwell upon, there shall you go. We dwell upon wordly objects and things, which have no chetanta, no truth, so no consciousness in it, so naturally we are guaranteeing our coming back to this material level. Even our body is inert and lifeless, all it`s functions draw the needed energy from the soul. That is why, due to the lifeless and inert nature of all this gross, subtle and causal creation, our Gurus stressed as said before, to give our devotion to the only One and True Lord, and His Nam. But why so? Because He and His Nam are beyond the regions where creation and dissolution take place; so naturally, by devoting ourselves to Parbraham Satnam only, through Nam Simran, can we achieve real freedom, and be able, to then merge ourselves in Wahiguru. Our bani left by our Gurus`is atee sunder, atee meethee, atee pyaree. Guru Sahiban, Panchvee Patshahee makes it very simple and clear to us, of how the devtion should be done, and whom alone should it be done, in Raag Maajh, in the following lines : so gi-aan Dhi-aan jo tuDh bhaa-ee : that is true wisdom and (devotion) meditation, that alone which pleases you, We must bear in our minds, that anything we do, we must think before, will this really please my Lord? Otherwise, no matter how many million other acts one may perform, all are like decorations on a dead body, which is same like saying : simply useless, manmukhta. Then in the second line, he goes direct to the point : so-ee jap jo parabh jee-o bhaavai bhaanai poor gi-aanaa jee-o: He is pleased alone, by the jaap of His Nam, and in doing so, that means pleasing Him, is the perfect spiritual wisdom. But then, one may ask, if this is so, then why almost all the world does not do (Nam Simran), and is engaged in so many other outer aspects of devotion, in which the whole world is occupied day and night, thinking it to be true. Now, for this also Guru sahiban has an answer, in His next line: amrit naam tayraa so-ee gaavai. jo saahib tayrai man bhaava: he alone chants your Name ( Nam Simran ), who is pleasing to You, my Lord, my Master. This has to be so, if everybody easily believed in these facts, simple but true in essence, just let us ask ourselves, how would the creation go on? If the creation has to go on, imperfection has to go on also. It is not in our hand to do anything, we can do only ardaas at His holy feet, that, please bless me with Your, sadh Kee sangat, that then even a rusted piece of iron like myself be carried across the sea of this huge creation, and place me at Your Lotus feet Guru Amardas, also says nothing else is needeed to be done to meet our beloved, only Nam Simran, which is the real Amrit; that can conquer, the five thieves, mind and Kal; and is the real Amrit to give us everlasting peace and life, at the feet of Wahiguru, when He says : Eh man mayreeya, toon sadah raho har Naalay( this is being referred to Nam Simran), Har Naal rahoh toon man mayray, dookh sabh visaarna: If you do so, by staying in Nam Simran, all your pains (sins ) shall be erased. Because our sins are the root cause of our suffering, karmas whether good or bad, both are bindings to this creation, and so the sins can only be washed, not by any outer amrit, but by the Amrit of His Nam, which is made and produced by Nam Simran. We can take the bani of any of our Gurus´, only His sift salahee( His praises) and devtion to Him, through His Nam Simran, is mentiond. Anything apart from that, is manmukhta, is ignorance. And this ignorance can only be removed, as said before, in His Sadh kee Sangat, because, it is there where we learn about what is pleasing to the Lord, and what is not, and that is the tat, the essence of spirituality, and that is Gurmukhta.
  17. Quite very much true, this above post, thanks. And as we are in the mood of talking of love and devotion, I would like to offer in service of the sangat, some lovely and inspiring lines from the Bani of Paanchvee Patshahee Gond M . 5. P . 864 : Gur parasd urd kamal bigas, Andhkar meh bhaya pargas; Jin kiya so Gur te janiya, Gur kirpa te mugad man maniya; Gur karta gur kanay jog. Gur parmeshwar hai be hog; Kaho nank Prabh eha janai, Bin Guru mukt na paiye bhai This means: By Guru`s grace the inner lotus is opened. In darkness dawneth Light. He who has created the Universe, through Guru is He known;by Guru`s kindness the foolish mind, comes in control. Guru is the real doer, Guru has the the power to do; Guru is God, now and forever. Says Nanak, God has made this known, that without Guru there is no salvation, brother. At other place again Guru jee says, raag Gauri Purbi M . 5 . : Jis ka greh tin diya tala, Kunjee Gur saunpee. Anik upay kare nahee paave, Bin satgur sarnaee. Which means: Whose House it is ( i.e. the human body ), He (Himself ) has locked it ; (but) and the key has been given to a Guru. How so ever numerous ways does the man adopt, the key he gets not, except by coming under the refuge ( feet ) of a Guru . Moreover at other place again Guru jee insists in Raag Gauri Sukmani : Satpurukh jin jaanya Satgur tiska naun, Tiske sang sikh udharay Nanak Har gun gau. Which means: Sat Purush who has realized, satguru is His name. In His company is the disciple saved, by singing His praises, O Nanak. Sikh also means, one who learns. But learns what? Sikhiya. But which sikhiya? The sikhiya of Gurmat . That also, for what purpose? For being transformed from a manmukh into a gurmukh. No any other way. Sikh is also a degree, that one gets, by bravery and purity wining the mind, and thus reaching the first spiritual stage of Sahasdanwal Kanwal, or known as the astral region, thus by reaching there, that soul is given the title of a sikh, in it`s true sense. But we are not supposed to be stuck there, we are supposed to move still upwards , until we reach Sach Khand by His grace, and become one with Him, then and only then that soul gets the title of a "Sant". That is why in our teachings Sant is given that supreme importance. For other people sant is someone in saffaron dress or a recluse , a sadhu, a yogi or a sanyasi; but in our Bani, Sant is that being, who comes direct from Sach Khand, none other than Wahiguru Himself, with the sole purpose of spreading daya meher on the jivas, and take them out of this bahvsagar, with the help of Nam and Shabad Dhun, to their true "Nijh Ghar".
  18. Just as for any knowledge, we need to learn from someone, similarly, as it is said in the Bani: Awar kaaj, tere kitte na kaam, mil sadh sangat, bhaj kewal Naam. There you will get the right directions for you noble and lovely question. This is something which has to be practiced and done, with someone who is an expert in it. Your question is like you have seen a delicious food in a magazine, and so you have the desire to have it and eat it. Magazines however colorful, can just create that desire in you, but no amount of looking at it, can satisfy your hunger....It has to be done in a particular manner and with some particular ingredients, this process can be called "jugtee" or technique, which has to be learned and practiced, then you can have that delicious taste of that food. In spirituality it is the same. If for worldly things which are perceivable through our mind and senses, a teacher is needed... then how come for the spiritual achievements, which are not possible with our senses, neither gyan nor karam indriyas, can we do it by ourselves? Naturally a guide is needed. We must be aware, that in the spiritual realms, there are many spiritual beings, then just imagine that a negative entity comes in front of you disguised as, let us say God for example, how can one say for sure, that what you have seen is real? In those realms also, a guide is essential. This guide walks with you, the whloe way back, up to the end, and protects you and guides you in, at each step. Many references are given in the Bani, like for example : Ik Onkar, Satgur Parsad. There is only one God and He is realized as an act of grace, as parsad, of a Satguru. At other place it is also mentioned : Agam Agochar Prabh Abnasee, poore Gur te paaya. And that teacher is none other, than Wahuguru Himself, who comes at our level, for this very purpose of taking his afflicted souls in this maayaavee creation, back to our Nijh Ghar, Sach Khand. And this way has to be so, because who else than Wahiguru can know the way of going back so accurately? Just as nobody, can know better than oneself, one`s neighbourhood and the streets or lanes taking to one`s own house. No matter how much, one can be a yogi or a gyani, the spiritual planes are so huge and vast, that the whole physicall universe is like a hair floating in an ocean, compratively in the first spiritual astral region. So then what to say about the higher stages in the way back, gods and godesses, like Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva or devis also do not know who Satpurush is, or the way back to him, all are traped and misled by Kal, so then who or what are we petty humans? But one thing is in our favour, His inmense love, daya and meher for us. Who other than Wahiguru Himself, has that power to do so? . Nobody except Him, can do so, as Kal is quite powerfull, and without this aid of Sat Purush as a Satguru, none can cross and reach Parbraham. Only Wahiguru is superior and more powerfull than Kal; so when the soul goes back, accompanied by a Satguru, Kal has no alternative, but to bow down at Wahiguru, and also at the blessed accompanying soul. Both soul and Wahiguru, assume human forms on this physicall level, but when both leave this world, both of them also in thier true spiritual nature, one as Shabad Guru (Satguru teacher), and the other as Dhun Chela ( soul disciple), go together hand by hand, stage by stage, until the goal is achieved, Sach Khand.
  19. Dear brothers, Gurbani first of all, is the bani of the Gurus, irrespective of who was first . Actually, Wahiguru is the first Guru into existence, that is why it is said : AAd Gureh Nameh, Jugad gureh Nameh, Satgureh Nameh, Sree Gurudeve Nameh. Which means He was the Guru since the begining, is the Guru since eras, He is the true Guru, and He comes in the human form as Gurudev, and we bow at each one, of His these forms. If Wahiguru does not come at our level in a human form, we humans by ourselves, can never ever know anything about Him. As it is said in the Bani: Agam Agochar Prabh Abhnaasee, Poore Gur te paaya. The Lord is inaccesible in His true form, for any of our 10 karma or gyan indriyas, then it is also beyond the reach of mind, beyond the reach of gods of the level of Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva....than what and where is our position in this scene.... naturally nowhere or at the most at the bottom of it. Here comes the reality now, as it was said before, Agam Agochar Poore Gur te paaya, means that Unfathomable, and Unlimited Lord is realized by a true Guru ( Satguru ). Even in the begining of the Bani it is said: Ik Onkar, Satgur Parsad, which again points us that there is only one Lord, and He is realized by the grace of a true Guru. And true Guru at our human level means only when Wahiguru assumes an human form and comes to our level, to deliver us freedom from the most potent enemies, each one more powerful than the other :mind, kam, krodh, lobh, moh, ahankar, and to top it still, there are :maya and Kal, the parents of the previous mentioned enemies of our souls. Then we are bound with heavy chains of karmas, sanskaras, misconcepts, ignorance, blind faith, fanatism, etc... which all are means, more than enough to keep the souls attention far away from Sat Purush. But because of his unconditional love for His souls (we ), He takes the touble to come and rescue us, and give us rhe real freedom, to never ever be born again in this Mahabhavsagar, with the help of His Amrit bani, Shabad or Nam. This is the real Bani, real Amrit , flowing uncesantly 24 hours a day, 12 months and forever non stop. It is this real Amrit, which our Gurus have stated many times in the bani, even in the Anand Sahib, it is this Bani to which one listens and gets purified from all the sins. It is this Bani, to which Guru Nanak refers and says: Suniye, dookh paap ka naas. It is this bani to which He says by listening to it we get all the knowledge of the world, continents and the nether regions-, the value of 68 tiraths or pilgrimages. Again He says: Suniai jog jugat tan bhed. Suniai sasat simriti ved: means, by hearing this Anhad Bani, the method of realising Him, comes to be known in this body, and the knowledge of the four religious books, the six schools of philosophy, and the 24 ceremonial treatises is attained by hearing this Nam of God.This all is possible, even if one is illeterate. Such is the Nam of God. What else? Well, by hearing it : Nanak, bhagta sada vigas, a blissful state is obtained. Also , Suniai, sat, santokh, gian. Which means: by hearing it one gets : Truthfulness or purity; contentment, rid of all trishnas or desires, and divine knowledge. And one can go on counting the blessings one gets, by listening this Nam, this Shabad or Anhad Bani, known also as Amrit bani. It is through this Shabad or Nam, that Wahiguru, spreads Himself and is present everywhere at all times, and moreover inside our human body, known also as the living temple of God. He is to be realized in it , only. All other temples which are man made, are made of one of the 5 elements, which are transient and perishable and thus have no chetanta or consciouness in them. But this human form, has the essence consciusness ( soul ) of Wahiguru Himself . And it is this soul which has to merge in Wahiguru, so if any maryada, or care has to be taken, it has to be this of ( : karmas, love and devotion through Nam Simran), and this maryada has to be followed for the sole purpose of the union of the soul, with Sat Purush. Neither the body, nor any of the ornaments or decorations on it, can merge in Wahiguru, as all of them are perishable, are nashvant. But all this, how did we come to know? Only when Wahiguru assumes an human form, and He tells us, all these beautiful and wonderfull truths liitle by little, so that we moorakhs and agyanis, may be able to understand and follow it. This is the true parsad, the bakshish, the daya meher, of the Gurus, to us human beings. Only then, it is possible the saying : Ik Onkar, Satgur Parsad. But we stupid mugadhs humans, whenever He decides to come at our level, we are worse than all criminals together, because we abuse them,and afflict pain over them by crossing and nailing them, beheading them, making them sit on hot plates... speak nonsense about them and to them... and still He comes for us. Is this not his uncondtional and true love for us? But in exchange, we only have abuses for them. How many of us are caught up in rituals and brahms ( ignorance), and do not follow their teachings; when they make it easy and simple for us. They say, do not do anything else, just nam Simran, because that is the only true dhan which we can take it with us. This is the true dhan to what they refer, when they say : Gur ka bachan baseh jeea naale, Jal nahee dubey,taskar nahee leve, baheh na sakeh sareh.... which means: that bakshish or Amrit given by a true Guru, water can not drown it, no thief can rob it, and fire can not burn it. So much truth, and at the same time so simple... and we mugadhas, gavaars, just complicate it, and do the opposite toatally. Are we not manmukhs? And then too, we say, we do it the name of God, up to the extent that we fight, kill, cheat and misbehave with our fellowmen. Stupid fanatism, and blind faith, which is cause of the fall and destrusction of mankind . If we had real love and faith in Him, we should have had by now, love and kindness towards all, no hatred, no krodh. Our minds should be open, our hearts open to His love and grace, so that we may pour it on those, who are not so fortunate. To be real spritual beings at some stage, we have to be better human beings first, irrespective of creed, color ,class or caste; and that also, we learn it better in their company, or also in the sadh kee sangat. May Wahiguru`s blessings, be on each and everyone! Sat Sri Akal.
  20. Dear brother, some questions can be answered by God alone, so lets us reach and ask Him. But then as the wise ones have said, that would be like a handfull of salt saying, I am going to enter the sea to see its depth. I think it is not difficult to imagine what happened then. The handfull of salt got dissolved and merged in the sea. The same would happen with our souls. Only those meet Him(through love and devotion), whom He wants....And meeting Him means unlimited bliss, happiness, peace and wisdom....... because that is what He is.... He is an akhoot bhandar of virtues. Please let us never ever blame God, without first knowing Him actually. How can you say He seems to be on an ego trip? Know it for sure, we are the mughads, moorakhs, the agyanis, He is the only chatur syane. Does a father needs his child`s praise? No. If the child praises his father it is because he loves and admires him the most, for him his father is the best. In that way we have to view Wahiguru, because He is our true Father, and He is the real Shanshah, Sache Patsha, the Emperor of emperors, the king of kings, as the bani says: Sache Sahiba, kya nahee ghar tere.... He is Bountifull, Merciful, Dayalu, Ooch Apaar Beant Soami.... Matchless.... He is the highest.... beyond comparison... beyond description...Perfect in all ways.... Spotless.... Inmaculate......words fail to sing His glories adecuately. Excuse me to correct you. It is not your fault, How can a worm like us, know and try to understand the limitless. Having said that, you have to bear in mind, that He does not rewards or punishes, He only loves. It is our behaviour, our karmas, that take us near Him or keep us away from Him. If He was to punish, which door could we then go, to ask for forgiveness. Please, never ever blame such a sweet and lovely being like Him, if you have even a penny of common sense, or even if you don`t have, but do not do so. Reincarnation and punishment are due to your own karmas, not to Him. By loving suh a lovely being like Him, our true father, yes , you can get redemption from all these things; so how can you make such baseless accusations. He is like the Sun, if you try to spit Him, it will fall on you, so be carefull. A father always loves his child, but if he misbehaves, police will come and catch him, and reform or correct him according to his deeds and needs, his reqiurements. Some are o.k just by feeling shame at the police station, others are kept some days, others months or years... it depends all on that child`s misbehaviour, and as long he shows no signs of repentment, or to improve his bad conduct, he will just prolong his stay in the prison. Police is not bad, the judge is not bad, they are essential for enforcement of law, order and security. It is the infractors (we ), who are bad, by trespassing the laws of nature, so naturally, you have to be corrected, you can not be given a pat on your back. And still the father is so lovely, that no matter after how much time the child comes back, he awaits him, with his arms wide open, to embrace him, so is our Wahiguru, but exceedingly infinte more gracefull, tender and lovely. He Himself comes to our human level as a Satguru, for that purpose, what else do we need? So much love and care, and we dare to blame Him? Shame on us!
  21. Dear brother, Wahiguru, is without begining, without ending, and He is everywhere, there is no such place where He is not. He is a different type of creator, than we humans. Here the painter paints a picture .... the picture (his creative work ) is at one place, and the painter is at other place. But that is not the case with Akal Purukh, He created everything and is present in them like an image in a mirror, or the perfume in the flower. He comes to our physicall level to make Himself known to us, because we can not perceive Him neither with our gyan indriyas nor with our karam indriyas, and He is beyond mind and intellect. That is why in the bani it is written: Sochay Soch Na hovaee, je sochay lakhwaar. So then, how can we ever know about Him, or even love Him? As we see the Sun through the sunlight, we can see Wahiguru through the grace of a Satguru, that is why it is said: Ik Onkar.... Satgur Parsad. That is why He comes to our level, in a human form, so that He can infuse that knowledge and love for Him in us, he talks to us in our words, so that we may understand Him. He can not come in any other form, as it is below human level; be it animal, bird, fish, or tree, or even devis or devtas. Not even incarnations of Vishnu or Shiv, like Ram or Krishna, or the other 8 incarnations included. These incarnations of these gods come to reestablish order and peace on earth, they display supernatural powers, perform miracles.... and thus keep entangled the souls in creation, at most those who beleive in them go to Swarg or Baikunth. This is quite different, from when Wahiguru Himself assumes an human form, when He comes, He comes to redeem forever the souls from this creation, by attaching and showing us the way of Nam or Shabad, through it`s Simran. They do not perform any miracles, they earn their own livinghood, thay do not depend on alms, and they say nobody is high or low because of wealth,name and fame, but this distinction is made between those who have love in their hearts for Wahiguru or not, this is what really counts. According to your 4 point, it could be well said, that yes He had com before in human forms,it has to be so, humans of any age or era are same, in the sense that none can by themselves know about Him, we are all covered by maya. And at the same time, He can not be unjust....how can He decide to come ata particular time for a particular number of souls..... So what about those souls who were incarnated before the coming of Guru Nanak? How can Wahiguru be unjust with them? Because if they did not come in contact with Nanak, does that means they are condemed? It is ridiculous to think in that way? Now do not ask who they were, it is for the historians that job, to trace that. But we should not be close minded, we have to reason, faith is stronger by comon sense and sound reasoning. Wahiguru decides when He takes a human form, and then when He is at our level, He is born, and goes back in the same way as the rest of the humans, He is respectfull with His own designed ways. Following is a beautifull shabad of Sache Patshah Guru Arjun Dev in raag Bialaval, where He clearly explains today`s topic ( your queries) : aapeh mayl la-ay. He Himself merges us with Himself. jab tay saran tumaaree aa-ay tab tay dokh ga-ay. When I came to Your Sanctuary, my sins vanished. taj abhimaan ar chint biraanee saaDhah saran pa-ay. Renouncing egotistical pride and other anxieties, I have sought the Sanctuary of the Holy Saints. jap jap naam tumHaaro pareetam tan tay rog kha-ay. Chanting, meditating on Your Name, O my Beloved, disease is eradicated from my body. ||1|| mahaa mugaDh ajaan agi-aanee raakhay Dhaar da-ay. Even utterly foolish, ignorant and thoughtless persons have been saved by the Kind Lord. kaho naanak gur pooraa bhayti-o aavan jaan rahay. ||2||1||126|| Says Nanak, I have met the Perfect Guru; my comings and goings have ended. Such a nice bani....... It is true the saying : awar Kaaj tere kiteh na kaam... mil sadh sangat bhaj kewal Nam. Our soul is same in esence as Wahiguru, that is why it has an natural urge to go go back to it`s origin. It is a different thing, that whether one is blessed to be on the right track of love and devotion, of Nam Simran, or one is unfortunate, by going astray with wrong methods and means. The difference between us and Him is that we are a drop, and He is an ocean, but through His grace, He makes that blessed soul an ocean from a drop,by merging it in Himself . That is His graetness, His Daya Meher, His Bakshish, His Parsad Our true nature is the soul, and it is the soul (not the body or any part of it, neither any material ornament) which merges in Akal Purukh, that is why it is said : Shabad( Wahiguru ) Guru... Dhun( soul ) chela, when we leave our physicall body, by catching the Amrit Bani, or the Shabad inside us, which is our true Guru, we reach our true home Sach Khand. We are souls, which is our true nature, and so obviously, the phisicall body is temporary, so if any spiritual activity has to be done, it is for the soul to be pure and inmaculate, it doest matter how so ever many baths one takes, it is the soul which has to be purified.... by purifying the inert body, we do not get any gyan . That is why Nam Simran is the highest form of true devotion, given to us by our Gurus. It is only for the soul. The body decays and is burnt, but the true dhan of Nam Simran is never burnt, nor robbed by the thiefs, neither the water can drown it , and this is what we are going to take with us when we go away. Our Gurus are more wiser than us to keep us binded into petty physical activities, that is not their real teachings, neither they ever meant so... they came to save our souls, we have to take care ourselves of our body by keeping it healthy. They( Gurus ) deal only with the soul, which has to go back to Sach Khand.
  22. Dear brother, I can perceive from your posts, you are quite an inqiusitive, smart and intelligent person, but then I was just wondering, inspite of all this, why you were failing to get the messages, the real meaning from the quotes of the bani given above, not even from the shabad of Guru Arjun Dev, which was so fantastically beautifull and clear . Forums are to express one´s views, not debates or arguments only. The Bani of the Gurus is to be followed literally, without reasoning. So debates can be possible for worldly sciences or philosphies, but the best results of the teachings of the Gurus, can be had by following them as Sat Bachan. This is not a court and you are no judge, that I have to answer your questions in your ways. I have answered, but if you fail to see the light in them, then I would just say, you need time to be more mature, time to reap the fruit of truth in you. Before ending, this is my last post to your so called questions, I am not going to answer you any more...it is just not worthy. For me, the words of our Gurus is law. Anything apart from that, is useless. Thanks for your adejectives towards me like: ego, ignorance, vague posts and being like a child. May God bless you!
  23. What more clarifications can I give? As I have said several times, the only important thing is Wahiguru and the way to realize Him. What is the importance of any institution if it was not for Wahiguru? Each place, each second only He is to be in our minds. Me, you,he, she or they is not important at all. Only He, above everything. Why is it not seen, at what I am pointing at? All the beautifull lines from the bani above mentioned....but that is not commented, if attention was paid to what is written in it , there would be no misunderstandings at all. I am not saying anything new of myself, just what is written in the bani, the teachings of our Gurus. That apart from Wahiguru,and love and devotion for Him, anything else, is untruth, is transient and perishable.Customs, traditions and material ornaments are o.k on a worldly level, but have nothing to do in ruhaniyat. They are inert, no consciousness in them, so we should not think, that in doing them, brings us closer to Wahiguru. Wahiguru is only to be realized by meditating on His trascendental form,by Nam Simran.... and this is what it is all about. If Wahiguru is the only objective, and He is inside us, then how can he be realized outside? Outside is all maya, with color, forms, and diversity .... and from it, only confussion is the outcome. Wahiguru is our true Father, and I am telling humbly to all the brothers and sisters, that He should be our main focus, but we are so imprisoned by outer behaviours that, it seems by doing so, I have done a crime. We should remember, that the so called institutions, shall all be left behind, the day we shall depart from this world.... and that only our abhyaas, our bandagee, our karmas shall go with us. So these are things, are to be taken care. Guru Arjun Dev, in Raag Gauree, tells us very clearly about these main things in the following beautifull shabad : mil mayray gobind apnaa naam dayh. Meet me, O my Lord of the Universe. Please bless me with Your Name. naam binaa Dharig Dharig asnayhu. ||1|| rahaa-o. Without the Naam, the Name of the Lord, cursed, cursed is love and intimacy. ||1||Pause|| naam binaa jo pahirai khaa-ay. Without the Naam, one who dresses and eats well ................. (outer forms, outer behaviour) ji-o kookar joothan meh paa-ay. ||1|| is like a dog, who falls in and eats impure foods. ||1|| naam binaa jaytaa bi-uhaar. ji-o mirtak mithi-aa seegaar. ||2|| Without the Naam, all occupations are useless, like decorations on a dead body. ||2|| ................... ( without Nam bhakti, anything done is useless) naam bisaar karay ras bhog. One who forgets the Naam and indulges in pleasures, sukh supnai nahee tan meh rog. ||3|| shall find no peace, even in dreams; his body shall become diseased. ||3|| naam ti-aag karay an kaaj. One who renounces the Naam and engages in other occupations, ..............( again it is mentioned outer forms, rules and regulations) binas jaa-ay jhoothay sabh paaj. ||4|| shall see all of his false pretenses fall away. ||4|| naam sang man pareet na laavai. One whose mind does not embrace love for the Naam kot karam karto narak jaavai. ||5|| shall go to hell, even though he may perform millions of ceremonial rituals. ||5|| ........( here also are mentioned ,outer forms) har kaa naam jin man na aaraaDhaa. One whose mind does not contemplate the Name of the Lord chor kee ni-aa-ee jam pur baaDhaa. ||6|| is bound like a thief, in the City of Death. ||6|| laakh adambar bahut bisthaaraa. Hundreds of thousands of ostentatious shows and great expanses naam binaa jhoothay paasaaraa. ||7|| - without the Naam, all these displays are false. ||7|| ..................... (again very clearly states, that without Nam Bhakti, everything else is false, is bikh, is poison) har kaa naam so-ee jan lay-ay. That humble being repeats the Name of the Lord, kar kirpaa naanak jis day-ay. ||8||10|| O Nanak, whom the Lord blesses with His Mercy. ||8||10|| I think, Guru Sahiban can not be more clear, in each line mahima of Nam and it`s kamaee or abhyas is given importance, he clearly says, "anything apart from Nam bhakti is like decorating a dead body". Only soul , Nam and Wahiguru are mentioned in the whole bani, there are no such things as institutions, or leaders. Wahiguru, is the only important thing, nothing else, our Gurus have always drawn our attention in the truth, which is inside in each one of us, and that truth or reality is, Nam and Shabad.
  24. Dear brothers, forgive me if I have hurt anybody, but the things I see that, when all the teachings of our beloved Gurus have been reduced to outer practices and rules and do`s and don´ts, it makes me very sad. I am accused of having ego.... What ego can I have? It is only pity for my fellow men and women, that when I see how we waste our lives in symbols. Whom do we want to show our behaviour and character? Does the almighty Wahiguru needs to be reminded at all times with our outer observacnes and mannerisms? He is inside us, whatsoever sewa or any other parctices we do, is just for Him....then, if He is inside us, why all these external things? According to the teachings of our Gurus, only love for Him is needed, and then apart from Nam Bhakti, as per each line and page in the bani, everything is useless. Wahiguru is a supreme spiritual being, which can be realized only by arising our consciousness into the spiritual realms, and that is only through Nam Simran. Why is this so? Because, Nam is Maha Chetan force, and by only diving into it, can we become pure and fit to be in His presence, not by attaching ourselves to material thinghs which are inert, which can give us no true gyan or knowledge of Him. And poison means, everything which takes us away from Him. Only He and His Nam are Sat, are everlasting. We can ask ourselves, each and everyone, this follwing question: am I doing this real thing of Nam Simran or not? If yes, then we are blessed, if not then we are away from the path which leads us to Him. If the Sun has no nationality, what nationality has the ray which cometh from Him? If the sea has no nationality, what nationality has a simple drop going to have? If the Lord has no nationality, what nationality has the soul got then? We give a lot of importance to the physicall and material things, forgetting the real message of our Gurus, this is what is wrong.... They taught us only Wahiguru and His bhakti, through Nam Simran.
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