“The Necessity of the Guru in Our Everyday Life” (S. Jagmohan Singh)
S. Jagmohan Singh: “The necessity of the Guru in our everyday life”
Many of us associate money, success and worldly comforts with happiness. But Gurbani tells us that fame and glory, power, wealth and all the comforts of the world — none of these will go with us or help us in the end. For true lasting happiness, we really need Guruji in our everyday life.
GUR BIN GHOR ANDHAR GURU BIN SAMAJH NA AAWAI…….
It was fascinating to listen to discussion on,’Gur bin ghor andhhaar’.
S. Jagmohan Singh Ji’s anbhav in Gurbani is deep indeed.
Guru ferries us in life by enlightening through Gurbani (as Gurparsad)..
ਗੁਰੁ ਬੋਹਿਥੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਬੇੜੀ ਤੁਲਹਾ ਮਨ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਪਾਰਿ ਲੰਘਾਇ ਆ ॥੧॥ (Raag Maaroo M. 1, 1040-14).
Gur Bohithh Gur Baerree Thulehaa Man Har Jap Paar Langhaaeiaa ||1||
The Guru is the boat, the ship, the raft; meditating on the Lord in your mind, you shall be carried across to the other side. ||1||
The Gurmat puts a lot of emphasis to have a Guru for enlightenment as given in the following tuks:
1. ਕੁੰਭੇ ਬਧਾ ਜਲੁ ਰਹੈ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ (Raag Aasaa M. 1, GGS. 469).
kunbhae badhhaa jal rehai jal bin kunbh n hoe ||
Water remains confined within the pitcher, but without water, the pitcher could not have been formed;
ਗਿਆਨ ਕਾ ਬਧਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥
giaan kaa badhhaa man rehai gur bin giaan n hoe ||5||
just so, the mind is restrained by spiritual wisdom, but without the Guru, there is no spiritual wisdom. ||5||
2. ਮਤਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਤਨ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਮਾਣਿਕ ਜੇ ਇਕ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣੀ ॥ (Guru Nanak, Jap, GGS. 2).
math vich rathan javaahar maanik jae eik gur kee sikh sunee ||
Within the mind are gems, jewels and rubies, if you listen to the Guru’s Teachings, even once.
ਗੁਰਾ ਇਕ ਦੇਹਿ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥
guraa eik dhaehi bujhaaee ||
The Guru has given me this one understanding:
ਸਭਨਾ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਇਕੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਸੋ ਮੈ ਵਿਸਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੬॥
sabhanaa jeeaa kaa eik dhaathaa so mai visar n jaaee ||6||
there is only the One, the Giver of all souls. May I never forget Him! ||6||
3. ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਾਇ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰਿਅਨੁ ॥ (Raag Goojree M. 5, GGS. 517).
gur kee pairee paae kaaj savaarian ||
Falling at the feet of the Guru, our works are embellished with perfection.
4. ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਤੂੰ ਲੇਹਿ ਇਆਨੇ ॥(Raag Gauhree M. 5, GGS. 288).
gur kee math thoon laehi eiaanae ||
Take the Guru’s advice, you ignorant fool;
ਭਗਤਿ ਬਿਨਾ ਬਹੁ ਡੂਬੇ ਸਿਆਨੇ ॥
bhagath binaa bahu ddoobae siaanae ||
without devotion, even the clever have drowned.
5. ਆਪੁ ਛਡਿ ਸਦਾ ਰਹੈ ਪਰਣੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਏ ॥(Raag Raamkalee M. 3, GGS. 919-20).
aap shhadd sadhaa rehai paranai gur bin avar n jaanai koeae ||
Renouncing selfishness and conceit, he remains always on the side of the Guru; he does not know anyone except the Guru.
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਨਮੁਖੁ ਹੋਏ ॥੨੧॥
kehai naanak sunahu santhahu so sikh sanamukh hoeae ||21||
Says Nanak, listen, O Saints: such a Sikh turns toward the Guru with sincere faith, and becomes sunmukh. ||21||
Who is the Guru after all and how can one have full confidence in such a Guru? The Gurbani explains beautifully and guides as:-
ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋਧੇ ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਬੇਦ ॥(Raag Bhairo M. 5, GGS. 1142).
naanak sodhhae sinmrith baedh ||
Nanak has studied the Simritees and the Vedas.
ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਹੀ ਭੇਦ ॥੪॥੧੧॥੨੪॥
paarabreham gur naahee bhaedh ||4||11||24||
There is no difference between the Supreme Lord God and the Guru. ||4||11||24||
Now according to the Gurbani when the Waheguru and Guru are the same and the power of Waheguru is behind the Guru, then it makes a lot of sense that we trust in Gursbd, which is the voice (Truth) conveyed by Waheguru through the Guru:-
ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਰਤੰਨੁ ਹੈ ਕਰਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਆਪਿ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ॥ (Raag Malaar M. 1, GGS. 1290).
gur kaa sabadh rathann hai kar chaanan aap dhikhaaeiaa ||
The Word of the Guru’s Shabad is a jewel, through which the Lord shines forth and reveals Himself.
On receiving the Divine light from the Guru, one gets enlightenment and emancipation and the darkness of ignorance is dispelled:-
ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਧੇਰ ਬਿਨਾਸੁ ॥ (Raag Gauhree M. 5, Sloak 23, GGS. 293).
giaan anjan gur dheeaa agiaan andhhaer binaas ||
The Guru has given the healing ointment of spiritual wisdom, and dispelled the darkness of ignorance.
ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਸੰਤ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੧॥
har kirapaa thae santh bhaettiaa naanak man paragaas ||1||
By the Lord’s Grace, I have met the Saint; O Nanak, my mind is enlightened. ||1||
So for a Sikh it is a must to seek shelter in the Guru Granth Sahib where Waheguru incarnate Guru lives who can bring enlightenment by reading, reciting and contemplating and living according to Gurbani (Gursbd).
Guru Amar Das Ji’s message on “Gurmat sachi sacha vichaar” clearly guides us on the path of Sikhi that includes on the importance of Naam, contemplation on Gurbani and loss of self conceit, as given below:-
ਨਾਵੈ ਕੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਮਿਤਿ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 3, GGS. 666-1).
Naavai Kee Keemath Mith Kehee N Jaae ||
The value and worth of the Lord’s Name cannot be described.
ਸੇ ਜਨ ਧੰਨੁ ਜਿਨ ਇਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
Sae Jan Dhhann Jin Eik Naam Liv Laae ||
Blessed are those humble beings, who lovingly focus their minds on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸਾਚੀ ਸਾਚਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸੇ ਦੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥੧॥
Guramath Saachee Saachaa Veechaar || Aapae Bakhasae Dhae Veechaar ||1||
True are the Guru’s Teachings, and True is contemplative meditation.
God Himself forgives, and bestows contemplative meditation. ||1||
ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਚਰਜੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ ॥ ਕਲੀ ਕਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਏ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Har Naam Acharaj Prabh Aap Sunaaeae || Kalee Kaal Vich Guramukh Paaeae ||1|| Rehaao ||
The Lord’s Name is wonderful! God Himself imparts it.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Gurmukhs obtain it. ||1||Pause||
ਹਮ ਮੂਰਖ ਮੂਰਖ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਭ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥
Ham Moorakh Moorakh Man Maahi || Houmai Vich Sabh Kaar Kamaahi ||
We are ignorant; ignorance fills our minds. We do all our deeds in ego.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਹੰਉਮੈ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸੇ ਲਏ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥੨॥
Gur Parasaadhee Hanoumai Jaae || Aapae Bakhasae Leae Milaae ||2||
By Guru’s Grace, egotism is eradicated. Forgiving us, the Lord blends us with Himself. ||2||
ਬਿਖਿਆ ਕਾ ਧਨੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਿ ਡੂਬੈ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
Bikhiaa Kaa Dhhan Bahuth Abhimaan || Ahankaar Ddoobai N Paavai Maan ||
Poisonous wealth gives rise to great arrogance. Drowning in egotism, no one is honored.
ਆਪੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਸਚੁ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥
Aap Shhodd Sadhaa Sukh Hoee || Guramath Saalaahee Sach Soee ||3||
Forsaking self-conceit, one finds lasting peace.
Under Guru’s Instruction, he praises the True Lord. ||3||
ਆਪੇ ਸਾਜੇ ਕਰਤਾ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ II
Aapae Saajae Karathaa Soe || Tis Bin Dhoojaa Avar N Koe ||
The Creator Lord Himself fashions all. Without Him, there is no other at all.
ਜਿਸੁ ਸਚਿ ਲਾਏ ਸੋਈ ਲਾਗੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਆਗੈ ॥੪॥੮॥
Jis Sach Laaeae Soee Laagai || Naanak Naam Sadhaa Sukh Aagai ||4||8||
He alone is attached to Truth, whom the Lord Himself so attaches.
O Nanak, through the Naam, lasting peace is attained in the hereafter. ||4||8||
With Waheguru’s blessings.
Excerpts from: “Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar” by Kirpal Singh, Sanbun Publishers, New Delhi, April 2014 (a compilation of 41 Gurmat articles).
Gurparsad matters in Gurmat:-
ਗੁਰੁ ਜਹਾਜੁ ਖੇਵਟੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਤਰਿਆ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
Gur Jehaaj Khaevatt Guroo Gur Bin Thariaa N Koe ||
The Guru is the Boat, and the Guru is the Boatman. Without the Guru, no one can cross over.
(ਸਵਈਏ ਮਹਲੇ ਚਉਥੇ ਕੇ (ਭਟ ਗਯੰਦ) ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੪੦੧ ਪੰ. ੧੧)
ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
Gur Prasaadh Prabh Paaeeai Gur Bin Mukath N Hoe ||
By Guru’s Grace, God is obtained. Without the Guru, no one is liberated.
Thank you, Jagmohan Veerji, for explaining everything so thoroughly and patiently. Thank you, Inder Mohan Veerji, for continuing to bring Vichaar to us.