Apathy

Apathy- lack of interest and enthusiasm

(Ang 1140) Guru Arjan Dev Jee

ਬਿਨੁ ਬਾਜੇ ਕੈਸੋ ਿਨਰਿਤਕਾਰੀ ॥
bin baajae kaiso nirathikaaree
Without music, how is one to dance?

ੀਬਨੁ ਕੰਠੈ ਕੈਸੇ ਗਾਵਨਹਾਰੀ ॥
bin kunthai kaisae gaavunehaaree
Without a voice, how is one to sing?

ਝੀਲ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੈਸੇ ਬਜੈ ਰਬਾਬ ॥
jeel binaa kaisae bujai rubaab
Without strings, how is a guitar to be played?

naaਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਿਬਰਥੇ ਸਿਭ ਕਾਜ ॥੧॥
naam binaa biruthae sabh kaaj
Without the Naam, all affairs are useless. 1

ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਕਹਹੁ ਕੋ ਤਿਰਆ ॥
naam binaa kehuhu ko thariaa
Without the Naam – tell me: who has ever been saved?

ੀਬਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈਸੇ ਪਾਿਰ ਪਿਰਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
bin sathigur kaisae paar pariaa
Without the True Guru, how can anyone cross over to the other side? 1Pause

ਬਿਨੁ ਿਜਹਵਾ ਕਹਾ ਕੋ ਬਕਤਾ ॥
bin jihuvaa kehaa ko bukuthaa
Without a tongue, how can anyone speak?

ੀਬਨੁ ਸ੍ਰਵਨਾ ਕਹਾ ਕੋ ਸੁਨਤਾ ॥
bin sruvunaa kehaa ko sunuthaa
Without ears, how can anyone hear?

ੀਬਨੁ ਨੇਤ੍ਰਾ ਕਹਾ ਕੋ ਪੇਖੈ ॥
bin naethraa kehaa ko paekhai
Without eyes, how can anyone see?

naaਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਰੁ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਲੇਖੈ ॥੨॥
naam binaa nur kehee n laekhai
Without the Naam, the mortal is of no account at all. 2

ਬਿਨੁ ਿਬਿਦਆ ਕਹਾ ਕੋਈ ਪੰਿਡਤ ॥
bin bidhiaa kehaa koee punddith
Without learning, how can one be a Pandit – a religious scholar?

ੀਬਨੁ ਅਮਰੈ ਕੈਸੇ ਰਾਜ ਮੰਡਿਤ ॥
bin amurai kaisae raaj munddith
Without power, what is the glory of an empire?

ੀਬਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਕਹਾ ਮਨੁ ਠਹਰਾਨਾ ॥
bin boojhae kehaa mun thehuraanaa
Without understanding, how can the mind become steady?

ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਬਉਰਾਨਾ ॥੩॥
naam binaa subh jug bouraanaa
Without the Naam, the whole world is insane. 3

ਬਿਨੁ ਬੈਰਾਗ ਕਹਾ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ॥
bin bairaag kehaa bairaagee
Without detachment, how can one be a detached hermit?

ਬਿਨੁ ਹਉ ਿਤਆਿਗ ਕਹਾ ਕੋਊ ਿਤਆਗੀ ॥
bin ho thiaag kehaa kooo thiaagee
Without renouncing egotism, how can anyone be a renunciate?

ਬਿਨੁ ਬਿਸ ਪੰਚ ਕਹਾ ਮਨ ਚੂਰੇ ॥
bin bas punch kehaa mun choorae
Without overcoming the five thieves, how can the mind be subdued?

ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਦ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਝੂਰੇ ॥੪॥
naam binaa sudh sudh hee jhoorae
Without the Naam, the mortal regrets and repents forever and ever. 4

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਦੀਿਖਆ ਕੈਸੇ ਿਗਆਨੁ ॥
bin gur dheekhiaa kaisae giaan
Without the Guru's Teachings, how can anyone obtain spiritual wisdom?

ਬਿਨੁ ਪੇਖੇ ਕਹੁ ਕੈਸੋ ਿਧਆਨੁ ॥
bin paekhae kuhu kaiso dhiaan
Without seeing - tell me: how can anyone visualize in meditation?

ਬਿਨੁ ਭੈ ਕਥਨੀ ਸਰਬ ਿਬਕਾਰ ॥
bin bhai kuthunee surub bikaar
Without the Fear of God, all speech in useless.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰ ਕਾ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥੫॥੬॥੧੯॥
kuhu naanuk dhur kaa beechaar
Says Nanak, this is the wisdom of the Lord's Court. 5619

Guru Sahib explains beautifully in this Shabad; without Naam all affairs are of no avail, even if somebody is trying to do Sevaa, without Athai Pehar (24,7)Naam Simran and a Pakka (solid) Amritvelaa one is showing Apathy towards Guru Sahib.


ਜਿਨ ਗੁਰਮੁਿਖ ਿਹਰਦਾ ਸੁਧੁ ਹੈ ਸੇਵ ਪਈ ਿਤਨ ਥਾਇ ॥
jin gurumukh hirudhaa sudh hai saev pee thin thaae
Those Gurmukhs who are pure of heart-their service is accepted.
(Ang 27) Guru AmarDaas Jee


When one Japs Naam 24 hours a day in Sehaj Avasthaa one will learn to live in Hukum and Bhaana (his sweet will). Once one has learnt to live in Hukum and Bhaana, Guru Sahib will bless this soul with Panthik Sevaa, which will change the lives of many.


ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਭਗਿਤ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
man mailai bhugath n hovee naam n paaeiaa jaae
With a polluted mind, devotional service cannot be performed, and the Naam, the Name of the Lord, cannot be obtained.
(Ang 39) Guru AmarDaas Jee


Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale was a very introvert Gursikh before receiving the Jathedaaree of DamDamee Taksaal, many of the older Taksaalee Gursikhs were upset with this decision, as they felt Sant Jarnail Singh was too young, quite and naive. This Jathedaaree was in reality blessed by Guru Sahib, as Guru Sahib blessed Baba Jarnail Singh with Chardeekallaa Naam-Baanee Vaala Jeevan. Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale went on to awaken a faith in which had been a sleep for many years, only through the support of Naam and Baanee and Guru Sahibs blessing.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh was also a great Gursikh who was in love with Naam and Baanee, he did not try to create any Jathebandee, but through the power of Naam and Baanee and Guru Sahibs blessing, the Akhand Keertani Jatha was created, in turn this Jathebandee has created many Abhiyaasee Naujavaan Gursikhs around the world. Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh was in love with Baanee, so he just went around villages singing Baanee.

GURU SAHIB BLESSED THESE TWO AMAZING GURSIKHS WITH PANTHIK SEVAA, WHO CHANGED THE LIVES OF MANY. THE REASON FOR THIS IS, THEY WERE NAAM BAANEE DE RASEEAE.


ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਗਇਆ ਭਾਉ ਭਗਤਿ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥
junum murun kaa bho gaeiaa bhaao bhugath gopaal
The fear of death and rebirth is removed by performing loving devotional service to the Lord of the World.
(Ang 45) Guru Arjan Dev Jee


This is the true Sevaa. The one who is indulged in this Sevaa will be liberated, and all other Sevaa will come to one through Guru Sahibs blessing.

Daas is not saying Sevaa is a bad thing, but what Daas is saying is that doing Sevaa without Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas will lead to self ego somewhere along the line, and doing Sevaa through Athai Pehar Abhiyaas will lead to Pooran (pure) Chardeekallaa of the Panth, which in turn will bring Khalsa Raaj.

If one is an active person it is a good thing, but one has to remember the true Sevaa of the Panth will be blessed to an Abhiyasee, as shown above by two amazing Gursikhs of the Panth. One will live and die for the Panth.


ਸਬਦਿ ਿਮਲਿਹ ਤਾ ਹਿਰ ਿਮਲੈ ਸੇਵਾ ਪਵੈ ਸਭ ਥਾਇ ॥
subadh milehi thaa har milai saevaa puvai subh thaae
Realizing the Shabad, one meets with the Lord, and all one's service is accepted.
(Ang 27) Guru AmarDaas Jee


Below is an amazing Shabad by Guru Arjan Dev Jee explaining how the true service is serving the Lord Athai Pehar, through this service one becomes a Saint, when becoming a Saint ones service becomes accepted and fruitful.


(Ang 392) Guru Arjan Dev Jee

ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਨਿਕਿਟ ਕਿਰ ਜਾਨੈ ॥
aath pehur nikatt kar jaanai
Twenty-four hours a day, he knows the Lord to be near at hand;

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਮੀਠਾ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
prubh kaa keeaa meethaa maanai
he surrenders to the Sweet Will of God.

ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤਨ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥
eaek naam sunthun aadhaar
The One Name is the Support of the Saints;

hoie rhy sB kI pg Cwru ]1]
hoe rehae subh kee pug shaar
they remain the dust of the feet of all. 1

ਸੰਤ ਰਹਤ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥
sunth rehuth sunuhu maerae bhaaee
Listen, to the way of life of the Saints, O my Siblings of Destiny;

ਉਆ ਕੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ouaa kee mehimaa kuthun n jaaee
their praises cannot be described. 1Pause

ਵਰਤਣਿ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥
vuruthan jaa kai kaevul naam
Their occupation is the Naam, the Name of the Lord.

ਅਨਦ ਰੂਪ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥
anudh roop keeruthun bisraam
The Kirtan, the Praise of the Lord, the embodiment of bliss, is their rest.

ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਤ੍ਰü ਜਾ ਕੈ ਏਕ ਸਮਾਨੈ ॥
mithr suthru jaa kai eaek sumaanai
Friends and enemies are one and the same to them.

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਨੈ ॥੨॥
prubh apunae bin avur n jaanai
They know of no other than God. 2

ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਿਟ ਅਘ ਕਾਟਨਹਾਰਾ ॥
kott kott agh kaattunehaaraa
They erase millions upon millions of sins.

ਦੁਖ ਦੂਰਿ ਕਰਨ ਜੀਅ ਕੇ ਦਾਤਾਰਾ ॥
dhukh dhoor kurun jeea kae dhaathaaraa
They dispel suffering; they are givers of the life of the soul.

ਸੂਰਬੀਰ ਬਚਨ ਕੇ ਬਲੀ ॥
soorubeer buchun kae bulee
They are so brave; they are men of their word.

ਕਉਲਾ ਬਪੁਰੀ ਸੰਤੀ ਛਲੀ ॥੩॥
koulaa bupuree sunthee shulee
The Saints have enticed Maya herself. 3

ਤਾ ਕਾ ਸੰਗੁ ਬਾਛਹਿ ਸੁਰਦੇਵ ॥
thaa kaa sung baashehi surudhaev
Their company is cherished even by the gods and the angels.

ਅਮੋਘ ਦਰਸੁ ਸਫਲ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਸੇਵ ॥
amogh dhurus suful jaa kee saev
Blessed is their Darshan, and fruitful is their service.

ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਰੇ ਅਰਦਾਿਸ ॥
kur jorr naanuk kurae arudhaas
With his palms pressed together, Nanak offers his prayer:

ਮੋਹਿ ਸੰਤਹ ਟਹਲ ਦੀਜੈ ਗੁਣਤਾਿਸ ॥੪॥੩੭॥੮੮॥
mohi suntheh ttehul dheejai gunuthaas
O Lord, Treasure of Excellence, please bless me with the service of the Saints. 43788



This Shabad explains the powerful qualities of a Saint: They remain the dust of all, the one Name is their total support, they surrender to the Lords will, their praises cannot be described, their occupation is the Name, Keertan is their rest, Friends and enemies are the same, they know of no other than God Vahiguroo, they erase millions of sins, they are givers of the Soul, the Saints have enticed Maayaa (controlled), their company is cherished by Gods and Angels.

Guru Nanak Dev Jee goes on to say please bless me with the service of the Saints. Only through great humility can one do Sevaa, true Sevaa of the Panth as Guru Jee stated above. The 'I' has been destroyed through Naam, one feels one does not exist, only when becoming one to one with the Lord.


ਜਬ ਹਮ ਹੋਤੇ ਤਬ ਤੁਮ ਨਾਹੀ ਅਬ ਤੁਮ ਹਹੁ ਹਮ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
jub hum hothae thub thum naahee ab thum huhu hum naahee
When I was, then You were not; now that You are, I am not.

ਅਬ ਹਮ ਤੁਮ ਏਕ ਭਏ ਹਹਿ ਏਕੈ ਦੇਖਤ ਮਨੁ ਪਤੀਆਹੀ ॥੧॥
ab hum thum eaek bheae hehi eaekai dhaekhuth mun putheeaahee
Now, You and I have become one; seeing this, my mind is content. 1



Guru Sahib also says in this Shabad, they are so brave they are men of their word, just like Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh, Bhai Fauja Singh, Bhai Amreek Singh, Bhai Dalbeer Singh Abhiyaasee, Bhai Surinder Singh Sodhee and many more amazing Gursikhs. These Gursikhs only lived for the Panth, by sacrificing the whole of their lives in Panthik Seva and Shaheedee.


(Ang 18)

ਕਲਪ ਤਿਆਗੀ ਬਾਿਦ ਹੈ ਸਚਾ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥੧॥
kulup thiaagee baadh hai suchaa vaepuruvaahu
I have renounced my useless schemes, by the Grace of the True, Carefree Lord. 1

ਮਨ ਰੇ ਸਚੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਭਉ ਜਾਇ ॥
mun rae such milai bho jaae
O mind, meeting with the True One, fear departs.

ਭੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਿਨਰਭਉ ਿਕਉ ਥੀਐ ਗੁਰਮੁਿਖ ਸਬਿਦ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
bhai bin nirubho kio theeai gurumukh subadh sumaae
Without the Fear of God, how can anyone become fearless? Become Gurmukh, and immerse yourself in the Shabad. 1Pause


One will only become fearless and gain true leadership qualities through loving devotion of the Lords Name, as explained in the Shabad above, all Siaanap (useless schemes) will be renounced and one will become a Panthik Sevaadaar without realizing, as one will feel one does not exist. One will be guided by Guru Sahib always in the right direction, as one has learnt to live in and except Bhaana.

PANTHIK SEVAA WILL COME TO US THROUGH NAAM AND BLESSING OF GURU SAHIB. OUR SEARCH WILL STOP, AS WE WILL BE BLESSED AND GUIDED.


ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਚਲਦੀਆ ਨਾਮੇ ਸਹਿਜ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥੨॥
sathigur kai bhaanai chuludheeaa naamae sehaj seegaar
They live in harmony with the Sweet Will of the True Guru, naturally adorned with the Naam. 2

ਸਦਾ ਰਾਵਹਿ ਿਪਰੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਸਚੀ ਸੇਜ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
sudhaa raavehi pir aapunaa suchee saej subhaae
They enjoy their Beloved forever, and their bed is decorated with Truth.
(Ang 426)


One can only do such Sevaa through the support of Naam and Baanee. This is what every Gursikh in the Panth should be striving for, as we left our Sees (head) with Guru Sahib on the day of re-birth (Ammrit). Only then will we be blessed with true Panthik Sevaa, and change the lives of many.

Next weeks article is an extract from Subedar Dharam Singh Sujjons book, 'Gurbani & Science'.