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Summary of Question:	General
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 10/11/2001 6:46 AM MDT

Sat Sri Akal,

I have a couple of general questions that came to me as i was reading sonme the past questions that people have sent in.

1. Why do people do "mattha deak" (bow down and touch there heads to the ground) at places where Guru's have sat or done somthing, i.e. like an activity. I know why you do it to the Guru Granth Shaib. Is this not meaningless? I thought the Guru's taught us to get rid or meaningless rituals?

2. If you are a deaf sikh, then how will you be able to listen to Gurbani? You can read it but how will you get the full effects of it?

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REPLY
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Sat Sri Akal,

We "mattha deak" to show respect to the Guru (Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and more specifically to give ourselves up to the Guru. We "mattha deak" only to the Guru and no one else. We should try to overcome meaningless rituals, however it is not easy for everyone to have a formless/worshipless God. It is easier to have something to look at and bow down to rather than to close your eyes and meditate on Satguru. However, since an actual Guru was there, it is a place where the Waheguru has been.

Secondly, one technically does not need to hear to enjoy the full effects of gurbani. Beethoven went deaf at an early age and still he composed some of the world's best music. Not being able to hear is only a slight hindrance, and actually none at all if you truly love Waheguru. If you love Waheguru, then you will be able to hear Waheguru regardless of whether you are deaf or not.

Gur Fateh,
HSD