Understanding Guru Granth Sahib
Posted by Chanchal Singh Chowdhry
Understanding Guru Granth Sahib
Posted by Chanchal Singh Chowdhry on Saturday, 3/10/2001 4:01 PM MST
| UNDERSTANDING THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB This article was first published in Sikh Messanger in 2000 Sikhs: The State We Are In One of the most compelling Preface I have ever read on Sikh articles was written by theLate Gurcharan Singh Khalsa Journalist In the Preview of the book Gurmat Vichar written by Giani Nasib Singh Dhillon In 1985 He wrote: Todays reciting of GGS is like "Mantra" , everywhere in the world series of Akhand Path ,Sahej Path are going on ,targets are being set for numbers and ready made Paths are available at a price. Pathis. are doing Path for the sake of money and the person who is getting it done thinks that by spending money he is following his Dharma. No attempts is being made to Understand the teachings of GGS and have its message within our minds. The real tragedy is that they are completely ignorant about the whole thing .Ragis and Parcharkar are being paid for their performance. Its often seen then when we do MATHA TEK ,we not only place money infront of GGS but at the same time give money to Ragis as if this is the part of sikh customs. Special fuctions are held on SANGRAD , as if we worship Suraj Devta.? The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the Greatest A to Z of Spiritual work ever produced and we can only pay true respect by following its teachings and not by any rituals. In our daily life whenever we want to go from one place to another we plan a route and start our journey to reach our destination. By simply reciting the route and not following it we can never get to our destination. However no attempts are being made to map out our spiritual journey . The object of this article is to highlight the true meanings of some of the common words used in The Guru Granth Sahib to enable the reader to understand the message of God. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : To be one with God Guru Nanak Ji tells us that water from any part of the world is mixable and when you mix water from different parts of the world you can?t distinguish which one came from where. If you try mixing water from different sources and then you are asked to separate these you can?t do that . Similarly we have to have same qualities as Waheguru so that our soul get immersed with Waheguru and then and only then we will be unseparable from God. Nanak Leen Bhaiyo Gobind Main , Jeyo Paani Sang Paani? ( To be one with God like water ) Bohat Janam Bicherey Thea Madho Ehh Janam Tumarey Lekheay? (Oh my Lord for long my soul is separated from you, I wish to devote my entire life so that I can be one with you) Gobind Milan Ke Eho Tere Barria? (Human life is the only time in which we can stop Ava Gavan , a cycle of birth and death. And be one with our Lord) The above quotes from GGS defines the ultimate aim of a Sikh or any human being Har Jan Aissa Chaiyee Jaisa Har He Hoi (We are instructed to acquire the qualities or the attributes of Waheguru ) This is the objective of all human being and sikhs in particular. Having defined aims and objectives we need to look at GGS to see how we can achieve our goals. Mode Of Operations : What do we need to do. Naam Simran is the only way we can acquire some of the qualities of Guruji.Even GGS does not claim to know Him fully Tumre Gat Mit Tum Hee Janee Nanak Das Sadda Kurbanee Each one of Waheguruji Name represents one of his qualities ,let?s choose one of HIS names and One of HIS Attributes and mediate. GGS uses over 730 different names such as Narain, Gobind, Madho, Thakur, Abnashi , Brahmgiani Saad,Sant etc. Sahib Merea Meharavan , Jee Sagal Ko Devey Daan Tu Kahey Doley Parania Tujhe Rakhey Ga Sirjan Haar (My Lord is ever so Merciful ,He is the provider of everything, why do you worry Lord is there to do the best for you). Giani Nasib Singh Dhillon chose "Waheguru Tu Meharvan Hain" as a line for his meditation., which I like very much because GGS says: : Tere Gun Gava Te Bhujayee This is the only way we can acquire the attributes of Lord and full fill the aim of our life. MUNN- and its definition Sikhism is a Universal Religion , the reason for this matter is that its teaching are applicable to the entire mankind. The teaching of GGS are for our MIND or in Punjabi its called ?Munn? (Do not confuse it with mood or heart). According to Mool Mantra, Waheguru is omnipresent , timeless , formless , it has no shape ,form and for that matter Feet ,Heart etc. God is Invisible and He resides in all of us To have a relationship with invisible Waheguru ji ,only an invisible thing in our body can have a relationship and that only invisible non pershible element is Munn- or collection of thought. Lets see if this statement agrees with GGS Hey Munn Merea Tu Sadda Ro Har Naley (we are being instructed to be mediate God ,all the times) MUNN too Jote Saroop Hain Apna Mool Pachan Munn Mere Gur Ke Bhanney Chall This is a piece of advise to the mind to follow Gurujis instructions.The entire Guru Granth Sahib's instructions are for the Munn to follow as this is the only invisible thing which can have relationship with Guru Ji.(short form of The Guru Granth Sahib) WHO IS A SIKH A definition of a Sikh can be obtained from GGS SAT GUR KA JO SIKH AKHAEY , BHALKEY UTH HAR NAM DEHAWAY. (Sikh is a person who mediates upon His name and one of His attributes all the times) So Sikh Sakha Bandap Hai Bhai Jo Gur Ke Bhaney Vich Aveay (True sikh is a person who surrenders completely to the will of Lord) AMRIT VELA The Amrit Vela can be defined as AMRIT VELA SUCH NOUN VADAYEE VICHAR (It simply means whenever you mediate His name its Amrit Vela .The line should be read in two parts the first is What is Amrit Vela , and the answer is Such Noun Vadayee Vichar Which simply means wherever you think of that ?Sucha? Waheguru , it is Amrit Vela AMRIT AND ITS MEANING According to Guru Granth Sahib the Amrit can be accessed by following the teachings inscribed in Guru Granth Sahib ji as demonstrated below: ?Nanak Amrit Ek Hain Dooja Amrit Nahin? --- GGS-1238 Lets look at what is this one and only one Amrit from different quotes from GGS Jhim Jhim Varsey Amrit Dhaara_ Munn Peevay Sunn Shabad Vichara? ---GGS 102 Peevay Amrit Saada Raahey Har Rang, Japeyo Sarang Paani---GGS 920 (Sarang Paani means one who is the provider of everything ie Waheguru) Its clear from above quotes that the foremost important is that Amrit is to be derived by deliberations and mediating upon His name. Ganga Jal Gobind Gur Naam (Wahegurus name is the holy water ). GURU, SADD, SANT , SATGURU, BRAHMGIANI, ARE THE DIFFERENT NAMES OF WAHEGURU Quite often these names are used for people whereas careful study of GGS will reveal that these are different names of God and there is no person to whom any of these titles can be bestowed. GURU The word ?GURU ?used in Guru Granth Sahib refers to WAHEGURU .. According to Guru Granth Sahib , ?GURU ?is defined as Bani Guru ,Guru Hai Bani , Vich Bani Amrit Sarey SAAD AND SANT ( commonly and incorrectly used for saint/ holy man in sikh teaching) Lets look at quotes from Sukhmani SAAD KE SOBHA KA NAHEE ANNT? (nobody can gauge the Saad) SAAD KE MEHMA BEAD NA JANNEAY (No Holy book can explain all the attributes of God and even GGS accepts its inability to do so) SAAD KE SOBHA OOCH TE OOCHEY ( SAAD is higher than highest you can think of) SAAD KE SANG SAAB HOTE NABERA ( In the company of God , I gain my ultimate aim of life ie become one with God) SAAD SANG EHH HOMMEY CHOOREEY AND CHAR PADARATH JAY KO MAANGEY SAAD JANNA KE SEWA LAAGEY SANT KE SEWA , NAAM DEHAAYEA (The Sewa of God is mediation) SANT PRATAP DURMAT SABB NASSEY ( Only with blessings of Sant , I follow godly path ,which is opposite of Durmat) SATGURU Satguru Mera Sadda Sadda Na Awvey na Jaye Oh Abnasi Purakh Hain Sab Mai Rahia Samay (Satguru is for ever ,He never takes birth and He is immortal) Can any living human claim to have such properties ,I for one don't think so . From above it can be concluded that Word Saad , Sant , Satguru, etc are different names used for Waheguru ,and in this agrees, with quotes from Sukmani NANAK , SAAD KE SOBHA PRABH MAAH SAAMNEE (Waheguru is Saad Himself ) APPEAY JANNEAY SAAD VADYEE NANAK SAAD PRABHU BUNN AAYEE BRAHMGIANI : Here again I submit the various quotes from Sukmani in support of my understanding that word Brahmgiani is also another name for God. BRAHMGIANI OOCH TE OOCHA (Brahmgiani is higher than highest) See the similarity of this quote with ?Saad Ke Sobha Ooch Te Oochi? BRAHMGIANI KA NAHI BINAS ( Brahmgiani is indestructible or not effected by time ) BRAHMGIANI TE KUCH BURRA NA HOOVEY (Brahmgiani whatever does for us is good for us) Compare this quote from GGS JO TUDD BHAVEY NANKA SAYEE BHALLIKAR ( Says Nanak Oh Lord whatever you do for us is the best) BRAHMGIANI APP NIRANKAR (Brahmgiani is God Himself) NANAK , BRAHMGIANI JAAPEY SAGAL SANSAR (The entire world worships Him) NANAK ,BRAHMGIANI APP PARMESAR BRAHMGIANI SARAB KA THAKKAR ( Brahmgiani is God of this Universe) Perhaps the most powerful and beyond any doubt is the quote which proves that Brahmgiani is another name of Waheguru Ji BRAHMGIANI SAADA JEEVEY NAHI MARTA ( Brahmgiani is immortal ) In my mind such properties can only be attributed to Waheguru as no living person can possess such high qualities SOORA , WHO QUALIFIES TO BE ONE Jako Har Rang Laaga Iss Jugg Main So Kaheitey Hai Soora This is translated as ,In this spiritual world a? Soora? is a person who is absorbed and immersed in thoughts and the attributes of Waheguru ji. With this definition of Soora, lets look at Kabir Jis Quote from GGS Soora So Pahchaney Jo Larrey Deen Key Hait Purja Purja Kut Murrey Kabhey, Kubhu Na Charrae Khet I translate second line first which means Purja Purja it spiritual sense it means to have control over Five Thieves within our selves ie Kam,Karod,Lobe,Mohe and Hankara ( Iss Dahey Main Panch Chore Basat Hai-----GGS) and first line This means one who surrenders completely to Waheguru Jis will and lead the life as per Guru Ji instructions. Looking at these two quotes I can deduce that ?Soora? is a person who is a Gursikh and abide by the doctrines of Sikhisms SIMRAN and why should we meditate If you want daily Amrit ,then Simran is exactly you have to do.By this GGS does not mean that start reciting,singing or reading these lines but like all instructions we read and start practicing.You can?t learn swimming by reading it, you have to get down in the pool and practice what you have read in the manual. REGEIME AND POLITICS Our 5th Guru ,Gobind Singh ji wrote Raj Na Chahoo Mukat Na Chahoo (I neither want kingdom nor I want Mukti ,my only desire is to follow my Wahegurus instructions) Our 10th Guru fought for the human rights but never retained an inch of land or establish himself as King.There are lessons for the entire mankind to learn frrom him. Lets look at another quote Raj , Binna Dharam Na Challey Hai (No regieme can be perfect unless it is run on Wahegurus instruction ,equality and justice for all.) SANGAT Sangat Aisi Janeeyo Jitho Eko Naam Sagat is where only Waheguru Thought in your mind,now where that can be ofcourse in company of Waheguru Ji Prabh Simran Me App Nirankara and Vich Sangat Prabh Vassey In the company of Waheguru ,He himself is present and Bani Guru ,Guru Hai Bani We know the meaning of Saad and Sangat ,combining the two together becomes Saad Sangat or the company of God. WAHEGURUS FEET, CHARAN ,PALLA,CHARAN DHOOR From Mool Mantra we know God does not have form,He is Timeless then, in spiritual sense can only mean that Gods message is for forever and time cant bring any change. The questions comes to the mind then what is meant by SAAD Ke Charan ,Charan Dhoor ,Tere Charan Vich, etc in GGS. SAJAN TERE CHARAN KE HOEAY RAHHA SADD DHOOR The word Sajan here refers to Waheguru and not to any friend.If Waheguru has no feet then you cant be under His feet or be part of that dust. In spiritual sense I translate this line Waheguru I would always like to be immersed with your Shabad ie in your thought (Thy Name and one of Your Attributes) Lets look at another quote Gur Ke Charan Dhooey Dhooey Peeva (I meditate upon His shabad) My conclusion is words such as SAAD KE BACCHAN, SAAD DA PALLA ,SAAD KE CHARAN ,SADHU KE DHOOR ,mean Shabad and nothing else. Late Sant Sujan Singh described Sant Ka Palla as shabad When Bhai Ji in Gurudawara says " Sat Guru De Charna Da Dhian Dhar Ke Boley Ji? suerely he is refering to Shabad and nothing else.If you Immerse yourself completely in Wahegurus Shabad ,it would make better sense.Otherwise people like me will always be looking for Feet and Dust and surely Guru Ji never wanted us to do this. TIRATH YATRA or PILGRIMAGE Lets look at the following lines from GGS and then ask ourselves that in view of such clear and power conclusions ,would any of our 10 gurus have created such pilgrimages . A religion which beleives there is only one God and also says "Na Humm Hindu Na Musalaman" and in todays extension Jews,Christian etc. can create no such thing. Ghar Main Saab Kuch Bahar Nahin (Everything is within yourbody ,oh my mind do not wander off to far places in search of Him) Tirath Barat Aur Dan Kar , Munn Mein Karrey Guman (no ritual is of any use if you have not purified your munn or collection of thoughts which comes only from mediating on Thy Name and Attributes as explained below again a line from GGS) Tirath Navan Jawoo Tirath Naam Hain Here a question is being asked , go for pilgrimage and then answer is in next line Tirath is mediation Upon His name/Attributes. Atth Satth Tirath Jaey Naavey Uttrey Nahin Maael (Even if you go to sixty eight holy places for holy bath ,by simply going there ,you can not get rid off of your five evils) Anik Tirath Jey Jatan Kare Ta Anter Ke Homey Na Jayee Jaeon Antar Mailaa Havo Tirath Bhave Disantar Loye Nank Milley Satguru Sang (If you do not keep the company of God ie Naam Simran ,you can never be one with God ,even if you go on pilgrigame to many countries.) In no uncertain terms Guruji forbids us going to Titarths. Acknowledgements : Giani Nasib Singh Dhillon ?Gurmat Vichar? plus various articles written by him. Prof.Harminder Singh ; Misinterpretations in Sikhism? Late Prof.Sahib Singh ,Translation of GGS in Punjabi Late Raghbir Singh Bir Bandagi Naama |
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