Praise and Slander

What does Guroo Sahib say about Praise and Slander?

Guru sahib has said in Gurbaanee that praise is as bad as slandering, if not worse, the wise being looks at these as being the same.

How is praise so bad?

There are 3 types of praise, firstly praising a Human to his/her face; this is not good for both beings. We are lighting the inner fires of Ego when we praise people to their face, they automatically think they are better than you and everybody else around them. This could cause them to look down on others for a mistake we have made by praising them. Sometimes a pat on the back is good for great work, but a wise-man is compassionate and is aware the fire of Ego is close at hand, so the Gursikh will not even give the pat on the back. Some people will call this ignorant, but Guru Sahib calls it wise, as Guru Sahib teaches his followers to live in Bhaanaa (the sweet will)and let be.

(Ang 362)

ਮਨਮੁਖ ਮਰਹਿ ਮਿਰ ਮਰਣੁ ਿਵਗਾੜਿਹ ॥
munumukh murehi mar murun vigaarrehi
The self-willed manmukhs are dying; they are wasting away in death.

ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਆਤਮ ਸੰਘਾਰਹਿ ॥
dhoojai bhaae aathum sunghaarehi
In the love of duality, they murder their own souls.

ਮੇਰਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰ ਿਵਗੂਤਾ ॥
maeraa maeraa kar kar vigoothaa
Crying out, ""Mine, mine!"", they are ruined.

ਆਤਮੁ ਨ ਚੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਭਰਮੈ ਵਿਿਚ ਸੂਤਾ ॥੧॥
aathum n cheenuai bhurumai vich soothaa
They do not remember their souls; they are asleep in superstition. ||1||

ਮਰੁ ਮੁਇਆ ਸਬਦੇ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਇ ॥
mur mueiaa subudhae mar jaae
He alone dies a real death, who dies in the Word of the Shabad.

ਉਸਤਤਿ ਿਨੰਦਾ ਗੁਿਰ ਸਮ ਜਾਣਾਈ ਇਸੁ ਜੁਗ ਮਿਹ ਲਾਹਾ ਹਿਰ ਜਿਪ ਲੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ousuthath nindhaa gur sum jaanaaee eis jug mehi laahaa har jap lai jaae
The Guru has inspired me to realize, that praise and slander are one and the same; in this world, the profit is obtained by chanting the Name of the Lord. ||1||Pause||

ਨਾਮ ਵਿਹੂਣ ਗਰਭ ਗਿਲ ਜਾਇ ॥
naam vihoon gurubh gal jaae
Those who lack the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are dissolved within the womb.

ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਦੂਜੈ ਲੋਭਾਇ ॥
biruthaa junum dhoojai lobhaae
Useless is the birth of those who are lured by duality.

ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਣੀ ਦੁਿਖ ਜਲੈ ਸਬਾਈ ॥
naam bihoonee dhukh julai subaaee
Without the Naam, all are burning in pain.

ਸਤਿਗੁਿਰ ਪੂਰੈ ਬੂਝ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥੨॥
sathigur poorai boojh bujhaaee
The Perfect True Guru has given me this understanding. ||2||

mnu cMclu bhu cotw Kwie ]
mun chunchul buhu chottaa khaae
The fickle mind is struck down so many times.

ਏਥਹੁ ਛੁੜਕਿਆ ਠਉਰ ਨ ਪਾਇ ॥
eaethuhu shurrakiaa thour n paae
Having lost this opportunity, no place of rest shall be found.

ਗਰਭ ਜੋਨਿ ਿਵਸਟਾ ਕਾ ਵਾਸੁ ॥
gurubh jon visuttaa kaa vaas
Cast into the womb of reincarnation, the mortal lives in manure;

ਤਿਤੁ ਘਿਰ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਕਰੇ ਿਨਵਾਸੁ ॥੩॥
thith ghar munumukh kurae nivaas
in such a home, the self-willed manmukh takes up residence. ||3||

ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦਾ ਬਿਲ ਜਾਈ ॥
apunae sathigur ko sudhaa bal jaaee
I am forever a sacrifice to my True Guru;

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਿਤ ਿਮਲਾਈ ॥
gurumukh jothee joth milaaee
the light of the Gurmukh blends with the Divine Light of the Lord.

ਨਿਰਮਲ ਬਾਣੀ ਿਨਜ ਘਿਰ ਵਾਸਾ ॥
nirumul baanee nij ghar vaasaa
Through the Immaculate Bani of the Word, the mortal dwells within the home of his own inner self.

ਨਾਨਕ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਉਦਾਸਾ ॥੪॥੬॥੪੫॥
naanuk houmai maarae sudhaa oudhaasaa
O Nanak, he conquers his ego, and remains forever detached. ||4||6||45||

Guru Amardaas Jee explains in the above Shabad that praise and slander are alike, that profit will only come through the Name of the Lord, everything else comes through personal Ego including praise of another soul.

The second type of praise; we praise people when they are not present, one can use the excuse of saying they are not present and they will never know I have praised them. This is not the sign of a Gurmukh, a Gurmukh in who Japs Naam Athai Pehar (24,7) with every breath will not praise any being, a Gurmukh only does Ustat (praises)of the supreme Lord Akaal Purakh Sahib Jee, all other Ustat is of no value to the Gurmukh, as humans will always make mistakes, and Sache Pittaa Vaahiguroo (the true father, God) will always be pooraa (pure). The only being we can be certain of being pure is Akaal Purakh Vahiguroo, for this reason the wise-man only praises the Lord and nobody else, and strives to become one with the great Lord through the blessings of Akaal Purakh Vaahiguroos name. No matter how highly a Gursikh is spoken about or has lived their Jeevan witnessed by others we, as Gursikhs should not do their Ustat, as this is the command of our Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Jee. A Gurmukh will always have Satkaar (respect and honour) for any Shaheed, Naam and Gurbaanee Abhiyaasee Gursikh, and all beings in general, but the wise man will keep this love and respect in his Heart, as he has realised the Hukum (command) of his Guru and realises the damage that Ustat will cause to ones Jeevan (life), when Ustat and Ninda are treated in the same way the wise person will find Sehj (Nivaana).

The other reason we should not do Ustat when one is not present is; we tend to put people on very high pedestals according to Physical and Spiritual experiences with certain people. There will come a day when Gursikhs may not fall in their Jeevans (life’s practice) but they will fall in the eyes of our judgement, this will also cause us to fall in our Jeevans, as we thought the world of these people and placed them on very high pedestals. Guru Sahib tells us to only praise Akaal Purakh, as God will never fall and will always be Pooran. Guru Sahib also tells us in Gurbaanee to have faith in Guru Sahib and ourselves, and through Ardaas (prayer) and the repeated Mantraa of the Lords name we will also become pooran, SO WHY PRAISE OTHERS?

(Ang 685)

ਤਿਹ ਜੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਜੁਗਿਤ ਨ ਜਾਨਉ ॥
thih jogee ko jugath n jaano
That Yogi does not know the way.

ਲੋਭ ਮੋਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਮਤਾ ਫੁਨਿ ਿਜਹ ਘਿਟ ਮਾਿਹ ਪਛਾਨਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
lobh moh maaeiaa mumuthaa fun jih ghatt maahi pushaano
Understand that his heart is filled with greed, emotional attachment, Maya and egotism. ||1||Pause||

ਪਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਉਸਤਿਤ ਨਹ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਕੰਚਨ ਲੋਹ ਸਮਾਨੋ ॥
pur nindhaa ousuthath neh jaa kai kunchun loh sumaano
One who does not slander or praise others, who looks upon gold and iron alike,

ਹਰਖ ਸੋਗ ਤੇ ਰਹੈ ਅਤੀਤਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਤਾਹਿ ਬਖਾਨੋ ॥੧॥
hurukh sog thae rehai atheethaa jogee thaahi bukhaano
who is free from pleasure and pain - he alone is called a true Yogi. ||1||

ਚੰਚਲ ਮਨੁ ਦਹ ਦਿਿਸ ਕਉ ਧਾਵਤ ਅਚਲ ਜਾਿਹ ਠਹਰਾਨੋ ॥
chunchul mun dheh dhis ko dhaavuth achul jaahi thehuraano
The restless mind wanders in the ten directions - it needs to be pacified and restrained.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹ ਬਿਿਧ ਕੋ ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਮੁਕਿਤ ਤਾਿਹ ਤੁਮ ਮਾਨੋ ॥੨॥੩॥
kuhu naanuk eih bidh ko jo nur mukath thaahi thum maano
Says Nanak, whoever knows this technique is judged to be liberated. ||2||3||

Guru Sahib is talking about the technique of a true Yogee in this Shabad, Guru Jee says one will become a true Gurmukh Yogee and attain such qualities as above only through the technique of Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas.

The third type of Ustat we have talked about repeatedly in the other two types and this is, Ustat of Akaal Purakh Vahiguroo Jeeo. This is the only Ustat in which will liberate us, this is the only praise in which will find ever lasting peace, honour, respect and love. This praise has to be repeated with every breath, when this Ustat is repeated with every breath then the Ras (flavour) of any other Ustat will not enter the mind of a Gurmukh, as the Ras of Naam is an overpowering ecstasy, at this point the World falls at the feet of such amazing humble beings.

(Ang 1040)

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਸਬਿਦ ਪਤੀਜੈ ॥
gurumukh boojhai subadh putheejai
The Gurmukh understands, and is pleased with the Word of the Shabad.

ਅੁਸਤਤਿ ਿਨੰਦਾ ਿਕਸ ਕੀ ਕੀਜੈ ॥
ousuthath nindhaa kis kee keejai
Who does he praise or slander?

ਛੀਨਹੁ ਆਪੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜਗਦੀਸਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਗੰਨਾਥੁ ਮਿਨ ਭਾਇਆ ॥੧੩॥
cheenuhu aap jupuhu jugudheesur har jugunnaath man bhaaeiaa
Know yourself, and meditate on the Lord of the Universe; let your mind be pleased with the Lord, the Master of the Universe. ||13||

ੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡਿ ਖਮਿਡ ਸੋ ਜਾਣਹੁ ॥
jo brehumundd khundd so jaanuhu
Know the One who pervades all the realms of the universe.

ਘੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਸਬਿਦ ਪਛਾਣਹੁ ॥
gurumukh boojhuhu subadh pushaanuhu
As Gurmukh, understand and realize the Shabad.

ਘਟਿ ਘਿਟ ਭੋਗੇ ਭੋਗਣਹਾਰਾ ਰਹੈ ਅਤੀਤੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ॥੧੪॥
ghatt ghatt bhogae bhogunehaaraa rehai atheeth subaaeiaa
The Enjoyer enjoys each and every heart, and yet He remains detached from all. ||14||

ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਬੋਲਹੁ ਹਿਰ ਜਸੁ ਸੂਚਾ ॥
gurumath boluhu har jus soochaa
Through the Guru’s Teachings, chant the Pure Praises of the Lord.

ਘੁਰਮਤਿ ਆਖੀ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਊਚਾ ॥
gurumath aakhee dhaekhuhu oochaa
Through the Guru’s Teachings, behold the lofty Lord with your eyes.

ਸ਼੍ਰਵਣੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਣੈ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਿਰ ਰੰਿਗ ਰੰਗਾਇਆ ॥੧੫॥੩॥੨੦॥
sruvunee naam sunai har baanee naanuk har rung rungaaeiaa
Whoever listens to the Lord’s Name, and the Word of His Bani, O Nanak, is imbued with the color of the Lord’s Love. ||15||3||20||

Guru Sahib is telling us to be wise and to know ourselves if we want liberation in this life we are only to praise the Lord.

Guru Jee and the Bhagats were so amazing and humble, they were all Bhagats, Avtaars, and Pooran, but still told there followers not to praise them, we are only to praise Vahiguroo, just the same as slandering is awful and known as a vice.

(Ang 633)
ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਦੁਖ ਮੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
jo nur dhukh mai dhukh nehee maanai
That man, who in the midst of pain, does not feel pain,

ਸੁਖ ਸਨੇਹੁ ਅਰੁ ਭੈ ਨਹੀ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਕੰਚਨ ਮਾਟੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
sukh sunaehu ar bhai nehee jaa kai kunchun maattee maanai
who is not affected by pleasure, affection or fear, and who looks alike upon gold and dust;||1||Pause||

ਨਹ ਨਿੰਿਦਆ ਨਹ ਉਸਤਿਤ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਅਿਭਮਾਨਾ ॥
neh nindhiaa neh ousuthath jaa kai lobh mohu abhimaanaa
Who is not swayed by either slander or praise, nor affected by greed, attachment or pride;

ਹਰਖ ਸੋਗ ਤੇ ਰਹੈ ਨਿਆਰਉ ਨਾਿਹ ਮਾਨ ਅਪਮਾਨਾ ॥੧॥
hurukh sog thae rehai niaaro naahi maan apumaanaa
who remains unaffected by joy and sorrow, honor and dishonor;||1||

ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਸਗਲ ਤਿਆਗੈ ਜਗ ਤੇ ਰਹੈ ਿਨਰਾਸਾ ॥
aasaa munusaa sugul thiaagai jug thae rehai niraasaa
who renounces all hopes and desires and remains desireless in the world;

ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਜਿਹ ਪਰਸੈ ਨਾਹਿਨ ਿਤਹ ਘਿਟ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਿਨਵਾਸਾ ॥੨॥
kaam krodh jih purusai naahan thih ghatt brehum nivaasaa
who is not touched by sexual desire or anger - within his heart, God dwells. ||2||

ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਿਜਹ ਨਰ ਕਉ ਕੀਨੀ ਿਤਹ ਇਹ ਜੁਗਿਤ ਪਛਾਨੀ ॥
gur kirupaa jih nur ko keenee thih eih jugath pushaanee
That man, blessed by Guru's Grace, understands this way.

ਨਾਨਕ ਲੀਨ ਭਇਓ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਿਸਉ ਿਜਉ ਪਾਨੀ ਸੰਿਗ ਪਾਨੀ ॥੩॥੧੧॥
naanuk leen bhaeiou gobindh sio jio paanee sung paanee
O Nanak, he merges with the Lord of the Universe, like water with water. ||3||11||

Vah Vah Vahigurooooo, Guru Jee explains how a true Gurmukh lives his life in Sehj, please read this Shabad carefully and concentrate, as this Shabad teaches us how to be liberated from this body. Lets ask ourselves do we live such a Jeevan, if not why not? All desire will be eradicated from ones life through the blessing of Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas, then dust will feel like Gold, slander and praise will be the same, one will not be affected by joy, sorrow, ego attachment and slander.

(Ang 757)

ਅਖੀ ਕਾਢਿ ਧਰੀ ਚਰਣਾ ਤਿਲ ਸਭ ਧਰਤੀ ਿਫਿਰ ਮਤ ਪਾਈ ॥੭॥
akhee kaat dhuree churunaa thal subh dhuruthee fir muth paaee
Taking out my eyes, I place them at Your Feet; after travelling over the entire earth, I have come to understand this. ||7||

ਜੇ ਪਾਸਿ ਬਹਾਲਿਹ ਤਾ ਤੁਝਿਹ ਅਰਾਧੀ ਜੇ ਮਾਿਰ ਕਢਿਹ ਭੀ ਿਧਆਈ ॥੮॥
jae paas behaalehi thaa thujhehi araadhee jae maar kutehi bhee dhiaaee
If You seat me near You, then I worship and adore You. Even if You beat me and drive me out, I will still meditate on You. ||8||

ਜੇ ਲੋਕੁ ਸਲਾਹੇ ਤਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਪਮਾ ਜੇ ਨਿੰਦੈ ਤ ਛੋਿਡ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੯॥
jae lok sulaahae thaa thaeree oupumaa jae nindhai th shodd n jaaee
If people praise me, the praise is Yours. Even if they slander me, I will not leave You. ||9||

ਜੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਲਿ ਰਹੈ ਤਾ ਕੋਈ ਿਕਹੁ ਆਖਉ ਤੁਧੁ ਿਵਸਿਰਐ ਮਿਰ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੦॥
jae thudh val rehai thaa koee kihu aakho thudh visariai mar jaaee
If You are on my side, then anyone can say anything. But if I were to forget You, then I would die. ||10||

This is a very long and beautiful shabad by Guru Raamdaas Jee, Daas was attracted to these four lines simply because Guru Sahib says if people praise me the praise is yours. Only an Athai Pehar Swaas Swaas (breath-by-breath) Naam Abhiyaasee can use this line. What Guru Sahib is saying here is I have earned quality in character, respect and honor only through your name Vaahiguroo, I do not exist only you do and your Name is the cause of my personal praise.

LETS ALL DO ARDAAS AND ASK GUROO SAHIB TO BLESS US ALL WITH ATHAI PEHAR NAAM ABHIYAAS AND SEHJ JEEVAN, ONLY THIS WILL BRING PANTHIK CHARDEE KALLAA. VAHIGUROOOOOOO JEEEEEE

Next week: 'Life's just a Dream'

Praise and Slander article delay

Guroo Roop Saadh Sangat Jeeo,

Sorry for the inconvenience, but Praise and Slander article will go up next Monday instead of today.

Yogaa

Is Yoga a part of Sikhee?

(Ang 188)

pUrw mwrgu pUrw iesnwnu ]
pooraa maarug pooraa eisunaan
Perfect is the path; perfect is the cleansing bath.

sBu ikCu pUrw ihrdY nwmu ]1]
subh kish pooraa hirudhai naam
Everything is perfect, if the Naam is in the heart. 1

pUrI rhI jw pUrY rwKI ]
pooree rehee jaa poorai raakhee
One's honor remains perfect, when the Perfect Lord preserves it.

pwrbRhm kI srix jn qwkI ]1] rhwau ]
paarubrehum kee suran jun thaakee
His servant takes to the Sanctuary of the Supreme Lord God. 1Pause

pUrw suKu pUrw sMqoKu ]
pooraa sukh pooraa sunthokh
Perfect is the peace; perfect is the contentment.

pUrw qpu pUrn rwju jogu ]2]
pooraa thup poorun raaj jog
Perfect is the penance; perfect is the Raja Yoga, the Yoga of meditation and success. 2

hir kY mwrig piqq punIq ]
har kai maarag pathith puneeth
On the Lord's Path, sinners are purified.

pUrI soBw pUrw lokIk ]3]
pooree sobhaa pooraa lokeek
Perfect is their glory; perfect is their humanity. 3

krxhwru sd vsY hdUrw ]
kurunehaar sudh vusai hudhooraa
They dwell forever in the Presence of the Creator Lord.

khu nwnk myrw siqguru pUrw ]4]45]114]
kuhu naanuk maeraa sathigur pooraa
Says Nanak, my True Guru is Perfect. 445114

Guru Sahib states clearly in Gurbaanee that the true Yoga is the Yoga of Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas. Guru Sahib explains clearly in this Shabad peace, contentment, raj yoga, honor, glory will only come through Naam, Guru Sahib also explains everything we do in life will be perfect if it is blessed by Guru Sahibs Naam Abhiyaas through every breath.

(Ang 208)

jog jugiq suin AwieE gur qy ]
jog jugath sun aaeiou gur thae
I came to the Guru, to learn the Way of Yoga.

mo kau siqgur sbid buJwieE ]1] rhwau ]
mo ko sathigur subadh bujhaaeiou
The True Guru has revealed it to me through the Word of the Shabad. 1Pause

nau KMf ipRQmI iesu qn mih rivAw inmK inmK nmskwrw ]
no khundd prithumee eis thun mehi raviaa nimukh nimukh numusukaaraa
He is contained in the nine continents of the world, and within this body; each and every moment, I humbly bow to Him.

dIiKAw gur kI muMdRw kwnI idRiVE eyku inrMkwrw ]1]
dheekhiaa gur kee mundhraa kaanee dhrirriou eaek nirunkaaraa
I have made the Guru's Teachings my ear-rings, and I have enshrined the One Formless Lord within my being. 1

pMc cyly imil Bey iekqRw eyksu kY vis kIey ]
punch chaelae mil bheae eikuthraa eaekus kai vas keeeae
I have brought the five disciples together, and they are now under the control of the one mind.

ds bYrwgin AwigAwkwrI qb inrml jogI QIey ]2]
dhus bairaagan aagiaakaaree thub nirumul jogee theeeae
When the ten hermits become obedient to the Lord, then I became an immaculate Yogi. 2

Brmu jrwie crweI ibBUqw pMQu eyku kir pyiKAw ]
bhurum juraae churaaee bibhoothaa punth eaek kar paekhiaa
I have burnt my doubt, and smeared my body with the ashes. My path is to see the One and Only Lord.

shj sUK so kInI Bugqw jo Twkuir msqik lyiKAw ]3]
sehuj sookh so keenee bhuguthaa jo thaakur musuthak laekhiaa
I have made that intuitive peace my food; the Lord Master has written this pre-ordained destiny upon my forehead. 3

jh Bau nwhI qhw Awsnu bwiDE isMgI Anhq bwnI ]
jeh bho naahee thehaa aasun baadhiou singee anehuth baanee
In that place where there is no fear, I have assumed my Yogic posture. The unstruck melody of His Bani is my horn.

qqu bIcwru fMfw kir rwiKE jugiq nwmu min BwnI ]4]
thuth beechaar ddunddaa kar raakhiou jugath naam man bhaanee
I have made contemplation upon the essential reality my Yogic staff. The Love of the Name in my mind is my Yogic lifestyle. 4

AYsw jogI vfBwgI BytY mwieAw ky bMDn kwtY ]
aisaa jogee vuddubhaagee bhaettai maaeiaa kae bundhun kaattai
By great good fortune, such a Yogi is met, who cuts away the bonds of Maya.

syvw pUj krau iqsu mUriq kI nwnku iqsu pg cwtY ]5]11]132]
saevaa pooj kuro this moorath kee naanuk this pug chaattai
Nanak serves and adores this wondrous person, and kisses his feet. 511132


Guru Sahib was not against Yoga; Guru Sahib was against the Yogis way of living.
They did nothing for society, they meditated for powers which led to Ego, they did not meditate on the Name of the Lord Vahiguroo, they meditated through physically controlling the breathing, they never led a householders life, nor earned an honest living, they kept extreme rules and penances and lived as renunciates, which made their practice very difficult to follow and spread, e.g. walking around naked, shaving their heads. Their practices became very egotistical rather than humble.
Guru Sahib explains in this Shabad, one becomes a great Yogi only when one cuts the noose of Maayaa (materialistic pleasures) from the mind through the loving devotion of Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas (24,7 Simran).

YOG is the name for perfect technique and this perfect technique is only given by Guru Sahib in the form of Shabad.

(Ang 237)

gauVI mhlw 5 ]
gourree mehulaa 5
Gauree, Fifth Mehl:

jo iesu mwry soeI sUrw ]
jo eis maarae soee sooraa
One who kills this is a spiritual hero.

jo iesu mwry soeI pUrw ]
jo eis maarae soee pooraa
One who kills this is perfect.

jo iesu mwry iqsih vifAweI ]
jo eis maarae thisehi vaddiaaee
One who kills this obtains glorious greatness.

jo iesu mwry iqs kw duKu jweI ]1]
jo eis maarae this kaa dhukh jaaee
One who kills this is freed of suffering. 1

AYsw koie ij duibDw mwir gvwvY ]
aisaa koe j dhubidhaa maar guvaavai
How rare is such a person, who kills and casts off duality.

iesih mwir rwj jogu kmwvY ]1] rhwau ]
eisehi maar raaj jog kumaavai
Killing it, he attains Raja Yoga, the Yoga of meditation and success. 1Pause

Guru Sahib has gave a lot of respect to the word Yoga in Gurbaanee, as mentioned above in this Shabad, and mentioned in many more Shabads, Guru Sahib is talking about killing ones duality (doubts) in this Shabad, one who kills their doubts attains Raaj Yoga. Doubts will only lead to negative thinking, which in turn will cause negative actions. One cannot be called Gurmukh if one lives in doubt, as one is not living in Bhaanaa (accepting will) and lacks faith in Guru Sahib. If we do something wrong we should not regret it or doubt it, just learn from it and accept it, make sure we don’t do it again, never dwell as this means we are not in peace with Naam in this moment of time.

(Ang 939)

drsnu ByK krhu joigMdRw muMdRw JolI iKMQw ]
dhurusun bhaekh kuruhu jogindhraa mundhraa jholee khinthaa
"Wear the robes of the sect of Yogis who follow Gorakh; put on the ear-rings, begging wallet and patched coat.

bwrh AMqir eyku sryvhu Ktu drsn iek pMQw ]
baareh anthar eaek suraevuhu khutt dhurusun eik punthaa
Among the twelve schools of Yoga, ours is the highest; among the six schools of philosophy, ours is the best path.

ien ibiD mnu smJweIAY purKw bwhuiV cot n KweIAY ]
ein bidh mun sumujhaaeeai purukhaa baahurr chott n khaaeeai
This is the way to instruct the mind, so you will never suffer beatings again.""

nwnku bolY gurmuiK bUJY jog jugiq iev pweIAY ]9]
naanuk bolai gurumukh boojhai jog jugath eiv paaeeai
Nanak speaks: the Gurmukh understands; this is the way that Yoga is attained. 9

AMqir sbdu inrMqir mudRw haumY mmqw dUir krI ]
anthar subudh nirunthar mudhraa houmai mumuthaa dhoor kuree
Let constant absorption in the Word of the Shabad deep within be your ear-rings; eradicate egotism and attachment.

kwmu k®oDu AhMkwru invwrY gur kY sbid su smJ prI ]
kaam krodh ahunkaar nivaarai gur kai subadh s sumujh puree
Discard sexual desire, anger and egotism, and through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, attain true understanding.

iKMQw JolI Birpuir rihAw nwnk qwrY eyku hrI ]
khinthaa jholee bharipur rehiaa naanuk thaarai eaek huree
For your patched coat and begging bowl, see the Lord God pervading and permeating everywhere; O Nanak, the One Lord will carry you across.

swcw swihbu swcI nweI prKY gur kI bwq KrI ]10]
saachaa saahib saachee naaee purukhai gur kee baath khuree
True is our Lord and Master, and True is His Name. Analyze it, and you shall find the Word of the Guru to be True. 10


Guru Nanak Dev Jee had a conversation with Gorakh, the spiritual Guru of the Siddhs and Yogis, Gorakh said to Guru Sahib “ours is the best philosophy to instruct the mind, if you follow this philosophy you will never suffer again”. Guru Sahib replied, “if you analyze the Name of the Lord you will find the word of the Guru to be true. There is no larger faith than the faith of Naam, no faith can compare unless they dwell in Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas with every breath and this Yog is only given by Guru Sahib.

(Ang 1353)

<> siq nwmu krqw purKu inrBau inrvYru Akwl mUriq AjUnI sYBM gur pRswid ]
ik ounkaar sath naam kuruthaa purukh nirubho niruvair akaal moorath ajoonee saibhun gur prusaadh
One Universal Creator God. Truth Is The Name. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying. Beyond Birth. Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace:

slok shsik®qI mhlw 1 ]
sulok sehusakiruthee mehulaa 1
Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl:

piV@ pusok sMiDAw bwdM ]
parr ipusok sundhiaa baadhun
You study the scriptures, say your prayers and argue;

isl pUjis bgul smwDM ]
sil poojas bugul sumaadhun
you worship stones and sit like a crane, pretending to meditate.

muiK JUTu ibBUKn swrM ]
mukh jhooth bibhookhun saarun
You speak lies and well-ornamented falsehood,

qRYpwl iqhwl ibcwrM ]
thraipaal thihaal bichaarun
and recite your daily prayers three times a day.

gil mwlw iqlk illwtM ]
gal maalaa thiluk lilaattun
The mala is around your neck, and the sacred tilak mark is on your forehead.

duie DoqI bsqR kpwtM ]
dhue dhothee busuthr kupaattun
You wear two loin cloths, and keep your head covered.

jo jwnis bRhmM krmM ]
jo jaanas brehumun kurumun
If you know God and the nature of karma,

sB Pokt inscY krmM ]
subh fokutt nisuchai kurumun
you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless.

khu nwnk inscO iD´wvY ]
kuhu naanuk nisuchu dhiaavai
Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith.

ibnu siqgur bwt n pwvY ]1]
bin sathigur baatt n paavai
Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. 1

inhPlµ qs´ jnms´ jwvd bRhm n ibMdqy ]
nihufulun thusu junumusu jaavudh brehum n bindhuthae
The mortal's life is fruitless, as long as he does not know God.

swgrM sMswrs´ gur prswdI qrih ky ]
saagurun sunsaarusu gur purusaadhee thurehi kae
Only a few, by Guru's Grace, cross over the world-ocean.

krx kwrx smrQu hY khu nwnk bIcwir ]
kurun kaarun sumuruth hai kuhu naanuk beechaar
The Creator, the Cause of causes, is All-powerful. Thus speaks Nanak, after deep deliberation.

kwrxu krqy vis hY ijin kl rKI Dwir ]2]
kaarun kuruthae vas hai jin kul rukhee dhaar
The Creation is under the control of the Creator. By His Power, He sustains and supports it. 2

jog sbdM igAwn sbdM byd sbdM q bRwhmxh ]
jog subudhun giaan subudhun baedh subudhun th braahumuneh
The Shabad is Yoga, the Shabad is spiritual wisdom; the Shabad is the Vedas for the Brahmin.

K´qRI sbdM sUr sbdM sUdR sbdM prw ik®qh ]
khuuthree subudhun soor subudhun soodhr subudhun puraa kirutheh
The Shabad is heroic bravery for the Khshaatriya; the Shabad is service to others for the Soodra.

srb sbdM q eyk sbdM jy ko jwnis Byau ]
surub subudhun th eaek subudhun jae ko jaanas bhaeo
The Shabad for all is the Shabad, the Word of the One God, for one who knows this secret.

nwnk qw ko dwsu hY soeI inrMjn dyau ]3]
naanuk thaa ko dhaas hai soee nirunjun dhaeo
Nanak is the slave of the Divine, Immaculate Lord. 3

eyk ik®s~M q srb dyvw dyv dyvw q Awqmh ] AwqmM sRI bwsÍdyvs´ jy koeI jwnis Byv ]
eaek kirusuun th surub dhaevaa dhaev dhaevaa th aathumeh
The One Lord is the Divinity of all divinities. He is the Divinity of the soul.

nwnk qw ko dwsu hY soeI inrMjn dyv ]4]
naanuk thaa ko dhaas hai soee nirunjun dhaev
Nanak is the slave of that one who knows the Secrets of the soul and the Supreme Lord God. He is the Divine Immaculate Lord Himself. 4


Guru Sahib has made it clear in Salokh Sehiskritee only the Shabad of Guru Sahib prevails the Universe, this is the true Yoga there is no other Yoga, Naam is Yoga and Yoga is Naam.

If one wants to practice the exercises of Yoga for physical stability and posture one should feel free to do so, but one should not get in to the breathing techniques of Yoga, as this is not Gurmat. Any breathe without they name of the Lord is a breath wasted in evil thoughts. One should meditate Athai Pehar (24/7) with every breath in order to be liberated in this life. (Please remember this.)

The Yogic teachers of this day and age are using the philosophy of our 1st master Guru Nanak Sahib Jee to spread the teachings of Yoga. One of them teaches on Aasthaa International TV, he looks young with black beard and long black hair, he wears an orange 'Baana'(picture at the top of page), Daas does not know his name, Daas heard he was called Raamdev.

He uses the Name of the Lord as his breathing technique, Daas heard that he uses various names like Vahiguroo, Allah hoo, Raam etc. He earns money through curing illness by prescribing his own medicine, and also charges a fee for attending, he also teaches posture and explains about the various Veins, Limbs and Arteries in the Body, (the Yogis usually have a lot of knowledge on the Anatomy of the body).

Using the Lords name is not the Yogic philosophy, as Daas has explained above and in previous articles, the Yogic philosophy is controlling breathing for a longer life span and spiritual powers, through this one cannot be liberated, one will suffer through the fire of personal Ego.

The upsetting side is he has millions of viewers a lot of them being old Amritdhaaree Gursikhs, he also has Amritdhaaree Gursikhs attending his camps. What is the reason for this? The reason for this is lack of faith in Guru Sahib, he is using Guru Sahibs teachings to spread spirituality, but we cannot go directly to Guru Sahib to find our answers, we need a middleman.

Another reason is lack of Spiritual Parchaar, we decide to keep our Spiritual earnings and profit to ourselves rather than helping our brothers and sisters out there to strengthen Guru Sahibs Panth.

If one wants to learn about the body, posture etc one should feel free to do so through these programmes. Daas' personal opinion is one should Japna Naam Athai Pehar and Gyaan will ponder around the feet of such soul, let us search inside not outside, let us purify our mind and not look for answers, as this will only slow down progression in spirituality. If we search Gurbaanee we will be amazed about the things Guru Sahib talks about, lets use Guru Sahib and personal effort and not search for answers off people who are not Pooran (pure), we can only be sure of Guru Sahib being Pooran and no Human-being, this is the reason we never follow any Human being no matter how spiritual, earn a direct link through Naam to Guru Sahib.

However, Guru Sahib has mentioned the body being a temple, if this temple breaks down it becomes very difficult to meditate, so it is very important for one to look after ones health, posture etc. If we look in the Guroodwaare we see many Punjabee Sikhs slouching and struggling to sit. If we have to take up Yogic exercises to improve in posture this is not a bad thing, as long as the breath is accompanied by Naam and nothing else. Also in Sikhee there is no wrong and right the subconscious mind needs to be positive through Naam, this is why in Gurbaanee Guru Sahib mentions a Bhagat (Saint) who had many twists in his body. (Sorry cannot remember the name).

A little paragraph about Singh Sahib Yogi Harbhajan Jee. Yogi Bhajan, phd, has been a pioneer in bringing the timeless wisdom of India to the west. Master of Kundalini Yoga and white tantric yoga, spiritual director of 3ho foundation, and chief religious authority for the Sikh religion in the west, Yogi Bhajan was awarded a doctrate degree in the field of humanistic phychology for his ground breaking work in exploring the dynamics of human communication. Through his teachings on Yoga, meditation and conscious living, Yogi Bhajan had helped hundreds of thousands to live more full and healthy lives.

Yogi Bhajan was blessed by Guru Sahib, as he only taught Yoga through Shabad and united his followers with Gurbaanee, Gurmat and Shabad, very rarely do Gurmukhs like this come to Earth and change the lives of many thousands for the better. His followers speak very highly of him, as they believe he was blessed by Guru Jee to bring them closer to God.

(Ang 185)

hm DnvMq BwgT sc nwie ]
hum dhunuvunth bhaaguth such naae
I am prosperous and fortunate, for I have received the True Name.

hir gux gwvh shij suBwie ]1] rhwau ]
har gun gaaveh sehaj subhaae
I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, with natural, intuitive ease. 1Pause

pIaU dwdy kw Koil ifTw Kjwnw ]
peeoo dhaadhae kaa khol ddithaa khujaanaa
When I opened it up and gazed upon the treasures of my father and grandfather,

qw myrY min BieAw inDwnw ]1]
thaa maerai man bhaeiaa nidhaanaa
then my mind became very happy. 1

rqn lwl jw kw kCU n molu ] Bry BMfwr AKUt Aqol ]2]
ruthun laal jaa kaa kushoo n mol
The storehouse is inexhaustible and immeasurable, overflowing with priceless jewels and rubies. 2

Kwvih Krcih ril imil BweI ]
khaavehi khuruchehi ral mil bhaaee
The Siblings of Destiny meet together, and eat and spend,

qoit n AwvY vDdo jweI ]3]
thott n aavai vudhudho jaaee
but these resources do not diminish; they continue to increase. 3

khu nwnk ijsu msqik lyKu ilKwie ]
kuhu naanuk jis musuthak laekh likhaae
Says Nanak, one who has such destiny written on his forehead,

su eyqu KjwnY lieAw rlwie ]4]31]100]
s eaeth khujaanai laeiaa rulaae
becomes a partner in these treasures. 431100


Guru Sahib explains in this Shabad through constant meditation and sharing ones earnings of Naam profit with siblings who are yearning for Guru Sahibs lotus feet, ones profit of Naam will only increase and not diminish.

One has to be very careful when sharing ones profit of Naam, the warrior ego is always waiting to attack. This does not give anyone the excuse to share personal spiritual experiences unless they are Gupt (secret), as this could very easily lead to ego. This means one should guide another being through the spiritual journey Guru Sahib has put us together on through the spirits earnings of divine-knowledge which comes from Guru Sahibs blessings of Naam.

WE ARE VERY BLESSED TO BE SIKHS SOMETHING IN WHICH WE HAVE NOT REALIZED WE WILL ONLY BE LIBERATED THROUGH NAAM, GURU, REHIT AND AMRIT WE NEED NO VICHOLAA (middle man), AS THIS DUTY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO GURU SAHIB BY AKAAL PURAKH VAHIGUROO, AND SHABAD.

LET US PURIFY OUR MINDS AND LIBERATE OUR SOULS THROUGH THE BLESSINGS OF GURU SAHIB JEES SHABAD.

This article was written for a Gursikh Veer who asked the question on e-mail, Daas deleted your question by mistake, please forgive Daas for delaying in trying to answer your question, Daas hopes this article has answered your question, if not please e-mail.

IS YOGA A PART OF SIKHEE? SIKHEE IS A YOGA OF ITS OWN. SHABAD IS THE YOG.

Next weeks article praise and slander

Education

Why do we further our Education?

Most of the time we further our studies is due to the fact, we want our Children to be happy in the near future, we don’t want them to struggle in any way, we have large Houses we need good income to help pay the mortgage. We always think about the future, we want to stay content and happy through Money, this will resolve all our worldly affairs. Some study so that people do not call them illiterate. Some study thinking life will become easier through a high position. Some study because; they are forced to by their worldly Parents. Some study for praise and a name. Some spend their entire life in education. Some study to support their Parents, because they have seen a hard life.

SOME STUDY FOR THE WELFARE AND BETTERMENT OF THE UNIVERSE AND PANTH. IS THIS TRUE? There are many more reasons we further our education.

For all the reasons of studying Daas has mentioned above, one will never find contentment and liberation. One has not learnt how to live in the great will of the Lord Vahiguroo. One becomes wise (SiaaNaa) and tries to predict the future. One has lost many breaths and years of the profit of Naam.

After furthering our education we expect life to become much easier and less stressful, but in reality life becomes more difficult and stressful, this is due to the fact with power comes great responsibility. With high flying jobs comes much more commitment and most of the time we physically and mentally have to take work home with us, in which causes us to spend less time with our Family and Kids furthering their education on Gurmat, and most of all loosing profit of Naam. Life in general can become an uphill battle.

What does Bhagat Kabeer Jee say about Bhagat Prehalaad Jee when, he was sent to School by his Parents?

(Ang 1194)

ਪ੍ਰਹਲਾਦ ਪਠਾਏ ਪੜਨ ਸਾਲ ॥
prehulaadh puthaaeae purrun saal
Prahlaad was sent to school.

ਸੰਗਿ ਸਖਾ ਬਹੁ ਲੀਏ ਬਾਲ ॥
sung sukhaa buhu leeeae baal
He took many of his friends along with him.

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਹਾ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਵਸਿ ਆਲ ਜਾਲ ॥
mo ko kehaa purruaavas aal jaal
He asked his teacher, ""Why do you teach me about worldly affairs?
ਮੇਰੀ ਪਟੀਆ ਲਿਿਖ ਦੇਹੁ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗਪਾਲ ॥੧॥
maeree putteeaa likh dhaehu sree guopaal
Write the Name of the Dear Lord on my tablet.""1

ਨਹੀ ਛੋਡਉ ਰੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ॥
nehee shoddo rae baabaa raam naam
O Baba, I will not forsake the Name of the Lord.

ਮੇਰੋ ਅਉਰ ਪੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਨ ਸਿਉ ਨਹੀ ਕਾਮੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
maero aour purruun sio nehee kaam
I will not bother with any other lessons. 1Pause

ਸੰਡੈ ਮਰਕੈ ਕਹਿਓ ਜਾਇ ॥
sunddai murukai kehiou jaae
Sanda and Marka went to the king to complain.

ਪ੍ਰਹਲਾਦ ਬੁਲਾਏ ਬੇਗਿ ਧਾਇ ॥
prehulaadh bulaaeae baeg dhaae
He sent for Prahlaad to come at once.

ਤੂ ਰਾਮ ਕਹਨ ਕੀ ਛੋਡੁ ਬਾਨਿ ॥
thoo raam kehun kee shodd baan
He said to him, ""Stop uttering the Lord's Name.

ਤੁਝੁ ਤੁਰਤੁ ਛਡਾਊ ਮੇਰੋ ਕਹਿਓ ਮਾਿਨ ॥੨॥
thujh thuruth shuddaaoo maero kehiou maan
I shall release you at once, if you obey my words.""2

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਹਾ ਸਤਾਵਹੁ ਬਾਰ ਬਾਰ ॥
mo ko kehaa suthaavuhu baar baar
Prahlaad answered, ""Why do you annoy me, over and over again?

ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਜਲ ਥਲ ਿਗਿਰ ਕੀਏ ਪਹਾਰ ॥
prabh jul thul gir keeeae pehaar
God created the water, land, hills and mountains.

ਇਕੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਛੋਡਉ ਗੁਰਹਿ ਗਾਿਰ ॥
eik raam n shoddo gurehi gaar
I shall not forsake the One Lord; if I did, I would be going against my Guru.

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਘਾਲਿ ਜਾਿਰ ਭਾਵੈ ਮਾਿਰ ਡਾਿਰ ॥੩॥
mo ko ghaal jaar bhaavai maar ddaar
You might as well throw me into the fire and kill me.""3

ਕਾਢਿ ਖੜਗੁ ਕੋਿਪਓ ਿਰਸਾਇ ॥
kaat khurrug kopiou risaae
The king became angry and drew his sword.

ਤੁਝ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰੋ ਮੋਹਿ ਬਤਾਇ ॥
thujh raakhunehaaro mohi buthaae
"Show me your protector now!"
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਥੰਭ ਤੇ ਨਿਕਸੇ ਕੈ ਿਬਸਥਾਰ ॥
prubh thunbh thae nikusae kai bisuthaar
So God emerged out of the pillar, and assumed a mighty form.
ਹਰਨਾਖਸੁ ਛੇਦਿਓ ਨਖ ਿਬਦਾਰ ॥੪॥
hurunaakhus shaedhiou nukh bidhaar
He killed Harnaakhash, tearing him apart with his nails. 4

ਓਇ ਪਰਮ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੇਵਾਧਿ ਦੇਵ ॥
oue purum purukh dhaevaadh dhaev
The Supreme Lord God, the Divinity of the divine,
ਭਗਤਿ ਹੇਿਤ ਨਰਿਸੰਘ ਭੇਵ ॥
bhugath haeth nurasingh bhaev
for the sake of His devotee, assumed the form of the man-lion.

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਕੋ ਲਖੈ ਨ ਪਾਰ ॥
kehi kubeer ko lukhai n paar
Says Kabeer, no one can know the Lord's limits.

ਪ੍ਰਹਲਾਦ ਉਧਾਰੇ ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ॥੫॥੪॥
prehulaadh oudhaarae anik baar
He saves His devotees like Prahlaad over and over again. 54

Vahiguroo, only if Guru Sahib blesses us with the Preetee (love) in which he blessed Prehalaad. Prehalaad was not interested in School, as he realised through studying he would loose the profit of Naam. Prehalaad had realized he could not let go of the Lords name, Vahiguroo, for a second, as this would cause suffering to his Soul, so he decided not to study, he was not interested in any worldly affairs, and he feared nobody apart from the great Lord. The great Lord came to his rescue through Nar-Singh (half lion, half man) and rescued his loving devotee Prehalaad, as his Father wanted him to meditate on his Name not the Lords Name, Prehalaad disagreed and left the rest in the will of God.

Don’t we want to become Saints like Bhagat Prehalaad Jee and numerous more mentioned in Gurbaanee? Don’t we want to spread the teachings of the Great Lord like these great Saints did? Lets ask ourselves what is the reason we are here? Why are we loosing the profit of Naam? Why are we spending most our time in worldly affairs? Why do we even let go of Naam for a second? This is not Guru Sahibs Hukum.

(Ang 524)

ਮੁਸਿ ਮੁਿਸ ਰੋਵੈ ਕਬੀਰ ਕੀ ਮਾਈ ॥
mus mus rovai kubeer kee maaee
Kabeer's mother sobs, cries and bewails

ਏ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਕੈਸੇ ਜੀਵਿਹ ਰਘੁਰਾਈ ॥੧॥
eae baarik kaisae jeevehi rughuraaee
- O Lord, how will my grandchildren live? 1

ਤਨਨਾ ਬੁਨਨਾ ਸਭੁ ਤਜਿਓ ਹੈ ਕਬੀਰ ॥
thununaa bununaa subh thajiou hai kubeer
Kabeer has given up all his spinning and weaving,

ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਿਲਿਖ ਲੀਓ ਸਰੀਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
har kaa naam likh leeou sureer
and written the Name of the Lord on his body. 1Pause

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਤਾਗਾ ਬਾਹਉ ਬੇਹੀ ॥
jub lug thaagaa baaho baehee
As long as I pass the thread through the bobbin,

ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਬਿਸਰੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਸਨੇਹੀ ॥੨॥
thub lug bisurai raam sunaehee
I forget the Lord, my Beloved. 2

ਓਛੀ ਮਤਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਿਤ ਜੁਲਾਹਾ ॥
oushee math maeree jaath julaahaa
My intellect is lowly - I am a weaver by birth,

ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਿਹਓ ਮੈ ਲਾਹਾ ॥੩॥
har kaa naam lehiou mai laahaa
but I have earned the profit of the Name of the Lord. 3

ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਈ ॥
kehuth kubeer sunuhu maeree maaee
Says Kabeer, listen, O my mother

humuraa ein kaa dhaathaa eaek rughuraaee
- the Lord alone is the Provider, for me and my children. 42

Bhagat Kabeer Jee was a weaver by trade, weaving takes very little concentration and thinking. The occupation of a Doctor, Solicitor, Director and so on takes a lot more thought and concentration. Even living the life of a simple weaver Bhagat Kabeer Jee was still upset saying, when I pass the thread through the bobbin I forget the Lords name for a second. Bhagat Kabeer Jees Mother was also worried about the future, but Kabeer Jee lived in the Lords command, and had realized only having faith in the great Lord will resolve all my worldly affairs, and God will provide for my Children. Why do we worry after reading the pure Bachan (words) of great Saints like Kabeer Jee? Sorry to say we have very little faith in God, faith only increases and gets stronger through the profit of Naam.

(Ang 467 Asa Di Vaar)

ਪੜਿ ਪਿੜ ਗਡੀ ਲਦੀਅਿਹ ਪਿੜ ਪਿੜ ਭਰੀਅਿਹ ਸਾਥ ॥
parr parr guddee ludheeahi parr parr bhureeahi saath
You may read and read loads of books; you may read and study vast multitudes of books.
ਪੜਿ ਪਿੜ ਬੇੜੀ ਪਾਈਐ ਪਿੜ ਪਿੜ ਗਡੀਅਿਹ ਖਾਤ ॥
parr parr baerree paaeeai parr parr guddeeahi khaath
You may read and read boat-loads of books; you may read and read and fill pits with them.

ਪੜੀਅਹਿ ਜੇਤੇ ਬਰਸ ਬਰਸ ਪੜੀਅਿਹ ਜੇਤੇ ਮਾਸ ॥
purreeahi jaethae burus burus purreeahi jaethae maas
You may read them year after year; you may read them as many months are there are.

ਪੜੀਐ ਜੇਤੀ ਆਰਜਾ ਪੜੀਅਹਿ ਜੇਤੇ ਸਾਸ ॥
purreeai jaethee aarujaa purreeahi jaethae saas
You may read them all your life; you may read them with every breath.
naanuk laekhai eik gul hor houmai jhukhunaa jhaakh
O Nanak, only one thing is of any account: everything else is useless babbling and idle talk in ego. 1

In this Shabad Guru Nanak Dev Jee has made it quite clear through education one will not be liberated, this can be the root cause of Ego and looking down on others. One has to realize the root cause of this rebirth in to human incarnation, the root cause is liberating our Soul through the pure substance of Naam Abhiyaas, so the noose of life and death is cut.

A few Gursikhs will argue that we need educated Gursikhs to fight political battles, Daas agrees, but this Sevaa given to these particular Gursikhs by Guru Sahib will not be Parvaan in the Lords court until every breath is full with the loving devotion of Guru Sahibs name, only then this political Sevaa gifted by Guru Sahib will be fulfilled in Chardee Kallaa (high spirits).

Athai Pehar (24,7) Naam Abhiyaas is Guru Sahibs Hukum, if we do not meditate Athai Pehar we are turning our back on Guru Sahib Physically and Spiritually. We spend more time in Asool (rules) and discipline and forget the only substance, which will purify the mind and please Guru Sahib, which is Athai Pehar Naam Abhiyaas. This is mandatory in a Gursikhs life without this Guru Sahib says, one does not show enough interest in the love of the Lord, and Guru Sahib goes on to say Sikhee was only created by the Lords name, Shabad.

If one has Asool (rules) it is amazing for ones personal Jeevan, but one has to remember Vahiguroo. Guru Sahib says through and through in Baanee, any Karam or Asool in which the Lords Name does not abide are worthless to ones Jeevan and Guru Sahib.

SO THEREFORE THE FIRST ASOOL AFTER AMMRIT IS ATHAI PEHAR NAAM ABHIYAAS, PLEASE DO NOT LOOK ON NAAM LIGHTLY, SIKHEE IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT THE KAMAEE (PROFIT) OF NAAM.

Next Weeks article will be on Yoga.