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Waheguru This book is written by Baba Karam Singh Ji Bhikke Wale. Questions were asked to Baba Isher Singh Ji by different individuals and the answers given. Baba Karam Singh Ji wrote these down to help the student on Atam Marg. In the introduction it says that after reading this granth other granths will not be needed because it has all the essence of other granths in it. Couple of the questions and answers in the begaining of the book are here translated into english so Gursikhs can have a taste and will read the entire book for their benefit. My english is not so great and many mistakes probably crept in,so it is better if you read it along with the book Waheguru Here is the link for the entire book Atam Hularay Ik Oankar Satgur Prasad “Atam Hularay” by Baba Karam Singh Ji Rara Sahib Wale Question: The six Sasters(six schools of hindu philosophy) and other religions (mat) have given different methods and understanding on how liberation (mukat) is to be obtained; for instance some say that spiritual wisdom (gyan) leads to liberation (mukhti). Some say that following the eight components of yoga: Yim, Naym, dharna, dhayan etc. leads to liberation. Also some say that karama leads to liberation. Every sect (bekh) give there own view on liberation. What is the method taught in Sikhi(Gur Mat) that leads to liberation? Answer: Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj also believes spiritual wisdom (gyan) leads to liberation. For instance: “But liberation does not come from learning without understanding,” (Ang 903). Without knowledge (gyan) there is no liberation for a person(jiv). Also, Guru Gobind Singh Ji says who is ignorant of the Knowledge of the ONE LORD, how can such person ferry across the world-ocean? 1.71. Akal Ustat Sri Krishna also says that without spirtual wisdom (gyan) liberation is not possible. Riday Giaanaat nih Mukti (Gita) For as long as there is no knowledge of the soul (Jiv Atama) in the heart (hirday) there can be no liberation. Question: What is the definition of liberation (mukti)? Answer: The eradication of coming and going in reincarnation and the destruction of (Aad) suffering of the mind (Biadh) suffering of the body (Opaadh) suffering of the self and is the meaning of liberation. Question: What method or practice (saadan) taught by Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj that leads to liberation? Answer: Guru Ji teaches that these three methods (Saadna) lead to liberation: Bana manan nam liv laavan Houmai tajan panth eiho paavan This is the path of liberation. There are two more methods (saadan). 1. Sewa 2. Simran, without these two Sikhi cannot be obtained. For instance: ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖੀ ਦਾ ਸਿਖਣਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ। Gur Sikhee Daa Sikhanaa Guramoukhi Saadhasangati Dee Sayvaa. The way of learning the conduct of a Sikh of the Guru is that one should be the holy congregation. 1 ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੨੮ ਪਉੜੀ ੪ ਪੰ. ੧ Bhai Gurdas Ji Without self-less service (Sewa) and remembering God (Simran) Sikhi can’t be obtained. Like a bird cant fly in the sky without two feathers. A Sikh without self-less service (Sewa) and remembering God (Simran) cant merge into Wahguru without these two items. Question: What is the form of self-less service (sewa)? Answer: There are many different kinds of Sewa. Sewa of parents. Sewa of a country. Sewa of society. Sewa of someone in need. Sewa of animals and birds. Building schools, colleges, hospitals, religious centers are also Sewa, all these Sewas are for the society. But the most beneficial Sewa is of the Guru and Congregation (sangat) with this sewa the heart (hirda) becomes clean and the light of spiritual knowledge (gyan) grows. Guru Ji says: Fruitful is service to the True Guru, if one does so with a sincere mind (Ang 552) There are many different kinds of Sewa for the Guru. For instance taking care of the Guru. Even if you live far sending money for the Guru’s Kitchen (langer) is Sewa. Also, spreading the teachings of the Gurus is Sewa. Thats why in the Gurus House liberation can be obtained by Sewa to the Guru and Sewa to the society. In the midst of this world, do seva and you shall be given a place of honor in the Court of the Lord. Sri Rag Guru Nanak Dev Ji Question: To live a happy life in this world what qualities (gunas) need to be applied? Answer: God rests in those hearts which have good qualities, traits (gunas). For instance: Jogi riday Nivas, bogi riday Udas Those with good qualities (gunas) have God in their heart (hirday) and those always seeking pleasures (bog) are always far from God. Guru Ji says: He dwells forever in the minds of the virtuous. He is far removed from those worthless people who lack virtue (Ang 27) God is in the heart of the virtuous and far away from those who lack virtue . This is why good qualities need to be lived (dharn). Dhora Dharm seel tap daan gun, vidya bin jo jant Mirat lok kit baar tay, nar bap mirag bichranat 14 Those people without religion (dharm) , good conducts (aacharn), good virtues (gunas), knowledge of God (brahm vidya) are a burden to this earth. Even though those people have the bodies of a human but they are like animals. That is why people need to be virtues (gunas). Religion (dharm) is the best virtue (gunas). Guru Ji says: Those who forget the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are a burden on the earth (Ang 488) Dohar Sukhi dukhi nar jagat mai, dharm karay jo koi Sukhi karay tab sukh badai, dukhi karai dukh khoe 19 Those who with pain or pleasure follow the religious teaching (dharm) will get happiness. If a happy(sukhi) person follows the teaching he gets more happy. If a miserable (dukhi) person follows the teaching his misery will be reduced. Question: What is the form of righteousness, duty, faith (dharm). By what qualities can a person follow dharm? Answer: Ahead the meaning of dharm is explained. Dhora Khima, Ahansa, daya, mird, satbachan, tap, daan Seel, Soch, Trasna bina, dham ling das jaan 10 These are the ten signs of dharm. 1. Forgiveness (khima karani) 2. Not killing a being (Jiv na marnay) 3. Having compassion on all beings (sab jivan tay daya karni) 4. Talking positive (mitha bolna) 5. Talking truth (sat bachan bolnay) 6. Following religious practice (tap karna) 7. Giving (daan karna) 8. Being modest and staying sexually pure (sharm rakhni jat vich rahna) 9. Bathing (isnaan Karna) 10. Be content (trishna ton bina hona) Meaning staying content with what you have, not always wanting more. This is the form of dharm, by following these ten signs happiness is obtained. Question: How does dharm grow (otpati)? Answer: Choupai Upjay dharm vak sat kar ait Daya daan kar dham vadai nit isthat dharm khimaa kay sangaa Dharm krodh kar hoot vivangaa 11 Meaning: Being truthful gives rise to dharm. Being truthful is a best quality (guna). Guru Ji says: Sacho oray sab ko upar sach aachar va sach shabna hoey daaru paap kadhay dhoeay. Because of this always talk truthfully. Compassion and giving everyday adds growth to your faith. If someone practices compassion dharm begins to stabilize in that person. Compassion and forgiveness gives birth to dharm. Guru Ji says: The mythical bull is Dharma, the son of compassion; this is what patiently holds the earth in its place (Ang 3) So dharm in the form of the bull is the son of compassion. It holds the earth upon itself. If dharm is destroyed then the whole earth is destroyed. Dharm is powerful, practice it with forgiveness toward everyone in your heart. Question: How is dharm destroyed (naas)? Answer: Dharm Krodh kar hot vibangaa 11 Dharm is destroyed by angar (krodh) because when a person is angry all his good virtues (gunas) get destroyed in his hear. Question: How does anger take birth? ' Answer: Anger rises from (dvash). Whoever has jealousy and hatred they will get angry. Guru Ji in Bani says anger is like fire (agni) and outcaste(Chandal). Agian krodh Chandal The fire of anger is the outcaste who burns dead bodies at the crematorium (Ang 15) For instance fire when it gets loose destroys whatever is in its way, so angry destroys the good virtues like fire. A butcher (chandal) does not have compassion in his heart, so doesn’t a person who has angry. Guru Ji says: Do not meet with, or even approach those people, whose hearts are filled with horrible anger (Ang 40) The Fifth Guru explains it: O anger, you are the root of conflict, compassion never rises up in you. You take take the corrupt, sinful beings in your power, and make them dance like monkeys. Associating with you, mortals are debased and punished by the Messenger of Death in so manys ways. O Destroyer of the pains of the poor, O Merciful God, Nanak prays for You to protect all beings from such anger. (Ang 1358) Andh Karo tharg vatan kro, Surat vatan ko batharo dar daaro dirat vatan ki su dirtharo, pun chaatar ki mat dur nivaro Anger says whoever I effect, People with eyes I make them blind. And whoever has ears I make them dumb. whoever has steadfastness I shake them The wise I make foolish and unable to differentiate between good or bad This is why anger destroys dharm, never have anger in your mind