Who says 'Sri Granth' is the Guru? >> Prove it

[sher_panjabi]

http://www.panthic.org/news/129/ARTICLE/1275/2005-04-24.html

Who says 'Sri Granth' is Guru?

by Manvir Singh Khalsa

In 2004 we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first prakaash of the Aad Granth Sahib Ji.

In 2004 we celebrated 400 years of the completion of Aad Granth Sahib Ji, which was dictated and compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

In 2004 we celebrated that for 400 years we have been bestowed upon us an invaluable treasure by Vaheguru.

However, amongst the celebrations, the joy and atmosphere of optimism and enlightenment, there are certain groups of people who are cunningly and cleverly trying to break the stability of the Sikh Panth (nation) and make vulnerable Sikhs turn away from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to make them into gullible customers of fake holy men and self proclaimed Satgurus.

Radha Soamis, Nirankaris (known as Narakdharis), the RSS, Piaara Singh Bhaniaara, Naamdharis (Kookas), Ashutosh (Noormeliaa), and a growing number of "Sants" and fake "holy men", are some of those who spread the cancer of luring uneducated Sikh women and their families into becoming their followers, in an attempt to weaken the Panth (Nation) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

"How can a ‘book’ be your Guru?" and "Which Guru said that ‘Shabad Guru’ is the Guru of the Sikhs?" are common challenges made to Sikhs by the followers of these self-proclaimed Satgurus to Sikhs.

"Gurus and holy men have come in the past, they are here now, and there will be more in the future. You don’t need Guru Granth Sahib."

"Take [the initiation of] Naam and accept the living Guru as your Guru. Without a Guru you cannot attain salvation. A "book" alone cannot do anything! You must have someone to explain it to you!"

Those that doubt Guru Granth Sahib Ji to be the Guru of the Sikhs and who instead have been lured in by the sweet talk and appearance of self-proclaimed god men fire these questions at us. However, the paradox is that they claim Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not a Guru and that Gurbaani (the Divine Word revealed through the Guru) cannot enlighten us or liberate us. On the other hand, most of these self-proclaimed fake Satgurus give ‘Naam’ to their followers on initiation. ‘Naam’ given by these fake god men consists of shabads (divine hymns) or words, which are from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and are given in private to the followers to recite in secret and not to tell anyone else what they have been given. The sermons of these fake God men expand on shabads from Gurbaani. Why? If they believe Gurbaani contains no salvation then why us it in preaching?

"How can a ‘book’ be your Guru? Which Guru said the ‘Shabad Guru’ is the Guru of the Sikhs?"

The fools who ask this are ignorant about Gurbaani. Not only did Guru Gobind Singh Ji declare Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the Guru but even the Sikh Gurus before him declared that the Shabad Guru, Gurbaani, is the Guru.

Guru Nanak Sahib Ji says,

jYsI mY AwvY Ksm kI bwxI qYsVw krI igAwnu vy lwlo ]

"As the Lord’s word comes to me, Lalo, so I deliver it." (Ang 722, SGGS)

Gurbaani has been revealed by Vaheguru through the human living Gurus. Vaheguru spoke through Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Even Guru Nanak Sahib Ji states that his Guru is the ‘Shabad’, the Divine Word. Guru Ji says:

sbdu guru suriq Duin cylw ]

"The Divine Word is the Guru, and my mind in reflective meditation, the disciple" (Ang 943, SGGS).

The self-proclaimed fake Satgurus say that without them the world will go mad and that they cannot get salvation. However, one day they will die. Another Guru will come. Then he will die and another Guru will come. But the Guru of Gurus, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji says:

sbdu gur pIrw gihr gMBIrw ibnu sbdY jgu baurwnw ]

”The profound and unfathomable ‘Shabad’ is his Guru and spiritual guide. Without the ‘Shabad’ the world is gone mad." (Ang 635, SGGS)

The Shabad Guru is everlasting.

The Kings who lived 400 years ago have all died and others take the throne.

The Kings who live 200 years ago have all died and new ones are born and appointed.

However, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the only King of Kings who still with us after 400 years.

The Shabad Guru has not died nor will die in the future. The Shabad Guru is eternal. Why choose a Guru who will die one day and you will end up having to choose another Guru. Why not choose a Guru who will never die and will be forever with you?

Guru Amar Daas Sahib Ji, the Third Nanak, goes one step forward in describing Gurbaani, the Shabad, the Divine Word, as the embodiment of the Truth, the embodiment of Vaheguru (the wondrous Lord) Himself.

vwhu vwhu bwxI inrMkwr hY iqsu jyvfu Avru n koie]

"Hail, Hail, the Word of the Guru, which is the embodiment of the Formless Lord Himself; there is none other, nothing else to be reckoned equal to it." (Ang 515, SGGS)

Where there is the Word of God, there is God Himself. Where is there is the Truth, there the True One pervades:

s`c KMif vsY inrMkwru]

"In the realm of truth (where truth pervades), there pervades the Formless Lord." (Guru Nanak Sahib, Japji Sahib, Ang 8, SGGS)

Guru Raam Daas Sahib Ji, the Fourth Nanak, proclaims:

bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRq swry]

‘Baani’, the Word of God, is the Guru, the Guru is Baani, in ‘Baani’ is Amrit, the nectar of life." (Ang 982, SGGS)

Not only is Gurbaani the Guru and the Guru is Gurbaani, but also within Gurbaani, within the Shabad Guru Vaheguru has placed Amrit, the nectar of life. People say who says that the Shabad Guru is the Guru of the Sikhs and argue where is the proof that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji left eternal Guruship with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Guru himself has said, well my Guru is Gurbaani! If we follow the true path of the Gurus then Gurbaani is our Guru as well.

Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji, the Fifth Nanak, reiterates the message of the First Nanak that whatever is written in Gurbaani, the message of the Shabad Guru, is not from the Guru himself but it is direct from Vaheguru:

hau Awphu boil n jwxdw mY kihAw sBu hkmwau jIau]

"I myself know not what to say; all I speak is what the Lord commands/" (Ang 763, SGGS)

Through Gurbaani, the Shabad, the Divine Word, Vaheguru speaks to us. The Formless Vaheguru communicated to the world through speaking through the das saroop (ten bodies) of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Now the Formless communicates to us through the written word. The Guru is the embodiment of Vaheguru Himself.

If we still have doubt whether Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is just a mere "Book", then Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s voice speaks to us through Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and says:

poQI prmysr kw Qwnu]

"The Divine Scripture (Sri Granth Sahib) is the meeting place where one can meet the Transcendent Lord God." (Ang 1226, SGGS)

The Guru is saying that it is not just a "book", but recognises it as the ‘meeting place to meet the Transcendent Lord God’.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaaj does not say anything new when he said the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Gurbaani, the Shabad, the Divine Word is the Guru. Time after time the Sikh Gurus explained and re-emphasised that the Shabad, that Gurbaani is the Guru. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji beautifully said when leaving eternal Guruship with Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

dUsrw rUp gRMQ jI jwn, aun ky AMg myro kr mwn]

jo isK gur drSn kI cwh, drSn kroN gRMQ jI Awh]

jo mn swQ cwho kr bwq, gRMQ jI pVy bIcwry swQ]

jo muJ bcn sunn kw cwhy, gRMQ jI pVy suxy icq lwih]

myro rUp gMRQ jI jwn, ies mn Byd nhIN kC mwn]

"The Granth is second myself (referring to Sri Guru Granth, not Dasam Granth which was compiled later by Bhai Mani Singh), it should be taken for me. A Sikh who wants to see me, should a look at the Granth. One who wishes to talk to me, should read the Granth and think it over. One who is anxious to listen to me talk, he or she should read the Granth and listen to its recitation with attention. Consider the Granth as my ownself. Have not the least doubt about it."

Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji and Bhai Prahlad Singh Ji were some of the Gursikhs present when Guruship was left with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and they have recorded what Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s instructions were at the time.

Bhai Prahlad Singh Ji records Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji saying in a Rehatnaama:

AwigAw BeI Akwl kI qbY clwXo pMQ] sB isKn ko hukm hY guru mwinXo gRMQ] gurU gRMQ jI mwnXo pRgt gurW kI dyh] jo pRB ko imlbo chY Koj sbid mY lyh]

"The Will of God hath ordained the order of the Khalsa. This is the final commandment to all the Sikhs: accept the Granth as the Guru. Deem the revered Guru Granth as the visible body of the Gurus. Whosoever desires to feel Vaheguru’s presence search and merge in the Revelation itself."

This command by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji has also been recorded by Giani Gian Singh Ji in his book, "Tavaareek Khalsa" (1891), pg. 365.

Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji who was also present at Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nander, when guruship was left with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji states:

jo gur kw isK AKwey, Aqy Sbd gRMQ swihb jI dw guru krky nw mMny, AwpxI mwieAw dy hMkwr ivc glqwn rhy]

"One who claims to be a Sikh of the Guru, but does not accept Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Guru, they will forever remain deluded by their egotistical attachment to Maya (the relative world)."

As long as we hold on the support of Gurbaani, no power can shake the ground we stand on.

As long as we read and understand Shabad Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, no group, person or government can make us tremble.

As long as we remain faithful to the Guru Granth and the Guru Panth (Sikh Nation), no power in the world, no cancer in the world, no problem in the world can touch our shadows.

The day we let go of Shabad Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji; the day we turn our back on our Father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji; the day we stop respecting, reading, understanding and living Gurbaani then we are finished and we would have dug our own graves.

gur kI kIriq jpIAY hir nwau ]

gur kI Bgiq sdw gux gwau ]

gur kI suriq inkit kir jwnu ]

gur kw sbdu siq kir mwnu ]2]

"This is the Guru's Praise, to chant the Name of the Lord.

This is devotion to the Guru, to sing forever the Glorious Praises of the Lord.

This is contemplation upon the Guru, to know that the Lord is close at hand.

Accept the Word of the Guru's Shabad as Truth. ||2||" (Ang 897)

Awpy siqguru myly pUrw ]

scY sbid mhwbl sUrw ]

Awpy myly dy vifAweI scy isau icqu lwiedw ]9]

“The Perfect Lord Himself unites them with the True Guru.

Through the True Word of the Shabad, he makes them brave spiritual heroes.

Uniting them with Himself, He bestows glorious greatness; He inspires them to focus their consciousness on the True Lord. ||9||” (Ang 1060)

May Vaheguru bless us all.

Be inspired and inspire others.

manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk

[Ranz_Killa]

** Speechless **

Dhan Dhan Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj

Vaho Vaho Bani Nirankaar Hai, thes Jivad Avar Na Koi

Wjkk Wjkf

[Khalsa4ever]

Waheguroo jee ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo jee kee Fateh!

Thank you jee... excellent article!

Waheguroo jee ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo jee kee Fateh!

[Nidhi]

But if they don't consider Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji as the last Guru ji, it wouldn't matter to them what GurBaani says... or??

Plz enlighten...

[sher_panjabi]

Well so called Sikhs who are influenced by Radha Soami and Naamdharis (Kooke) both read and you might argue they believe in Gurbaani.

However they don't believe Gurbaani is a Guru (i.e. a spiritual guide).

Radha Soamis say:

"Gurbaani is great. However how will you be liberated with gurbaani alone? You need someone to explain Gurbaani to you in person... you need a living Guru."

Naamdhari rever the shabad and gurbaani. They do kirtan and read gurbaani. However they belief it is false and a big lie that Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave guruship to Sri Granth Sahib. They believe that Guru Gobind Singh ji lived up 116 years and passed guruship to an elevanth Guru "Balak Singh".

Radha Soami and Namdhari argue that Sikhs are deluded and have no proof that Guru Gobind Singh ji gave gurgaddi to Guru Granth Sahib ji and argue that the only one thin which Sikhs based this view on is the line:

"Sabh Sikhan Kau Hukam Hai, Guroo Maniyau Granth"

which Radha Soami and Namdhari argue is made up by Sikhs after Guru ji's death.

So for argument sake, imagine that the dohira we sing after Ardaas is made up by Sikhs... so does that imply that its a false lie that GUru Granth sahib ji is Guru?

If these anti-panthic groups which read and preach gurbaani (to join sangat to the self-proclaimed guru) actually read Gurbaani carefully they would realise that irrespective of historical accounts or not - Guru Granth Sahib ji has been Guru since Guru Nanak Sahib ji... this was made a physical reality by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

[GuruManeyoGranth]

Waheguroo Jee Kee Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Excellent article Bhajee! :cool:

Another point that we should concentrate on is learning Gurmukhi and taking proper Santhia and "Uchaar-ing" Gurbani in a Shudh manner. This is really important. Even though the English translations can help us understand to some extent, we will never get the full Rass/Fragrance of Gurbani through English translations.

Gurbani operates on many different levels with different levels of understanding, and has certain concepts which the English language cannot convey. Bani is also written in poetic form - and reading English transliterations can never do justice to the poetic beauty of Gurbani.

Therefore, if we are to understand our Guru Jee properly, we must take conscious efforts to learn Gurmukhi and learning Shudh Uchaaran and Santhia of Gurbani.

Bhul Chuk Maaf

Waheguroo

[Harjit_S_Banga]

Sher Panjabi Veer ji, I don't have words to say thanks to you for posting such a wonderful Article. If someone is still illusioned or confused about Guru ji then its their BAD luck otherwise Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is our GURU for once and all...

Bhul Chuk Muyaf and Stay in Chardi Kalaa...........

[Baldeep Singh]

Vahegurooo Ji Ka Khalsaaaah, Vaheguroooo Ji Ka Fateeeeeh!

Bhai Sahib Baba Nand Singhji pointing to Satguru Granth Sahibji from his soul clarifies to the congregation present "Eh Jeonda, Jaagda, Bolda Guru Nanak Hai" - "Sri Guru Granth sahibji is the living, awake, speaking Sri Guru Nanak Sahib”

One time I met this bibi who follows the Nakla Baba/Gurus of Radhaswamis at me bus stop, she started to big up the the Nakla baba/Gurus saying that her Nakla Satsang they do parchaar in english and punjabi... I could tell where the conversation was going... I told her straight I do not believe these Nakla Babay, she said we believe in Guru Nanak - I said that is a baseless remark .. I believe in that Satguru who has come to save the whole world from this Kalyug, who ever desires to put their foot on the path of true love, they will be the ones who will saved by Guru Panth and Guru Granth.

That Guru who saved this mahamoorakh, and gave me the gift of discipline.

I cant bear to hear the nindiya of my Guru , I feel like cutting the tongues of these parasite Babay, one day Guru Sahib will give me an opportunity.

Bhul Chuk Maaf I am just passionate.

[ravindersidhu]

i know many ppl who goto these radha soami's,

one thing is there that alot of charity goes on in their name at beas,

but what i hate is that they preach the guru grnth sahib as their own words, give naam and say we r not acting against sikhi,

the thing is they arange satsangs and they have tv channles here in india, and they publish books,

where do they get all this money

they add sant in the begining of the name and maharaj at the end of their name, the entire satsang will sit on carpets and they sit on a well shaded elevated stage, ppl gasther like cattle, bus loads full of women, men children, often causing traffic jams here in delhi

u'll see sikhs women and many hindu's too,

after the 'satsang' is over, the 'sant' will sit on a takhat and ppl walk by(those who want to take his naam), and he will stop those who he wants to give naam, and give it to them, those who don't get it will come again,

one of my friends mother was forced by her friend to come to this gurdwara where a sant will give her naam ad make her realise her spiritual side, and she went, when the sant came he wispered the naam in her ear so nobody else may hear it, what did he say 'waheguru', she said inour gurdwara we say it aloud, and not wisper it in someone's ears

i feel finding the truth in the guru granth sahib is way simpler, and atleast we know that we r with our satgur, and we know we have the truth in front of us, then why do we go anywhere

but these bogus ppl r becoming more and more accessable to ppl, specially since they started doing satsang on tv

and why do they dress like sikhs ? and add singh to their names

[Princess]

Amazing article

it also left me speechless

:TH: