Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Review of ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ (saṯ nām)

ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ

Phonetics:saṯ nām

ArQ /Meaning:

ਸਤਿਨਾਮੁ : ijs dw nwm 'hoNd vwlw' hY.

saṯ nām : The Name Is Truth.

Application: So one naturally wonders what is the name of the creator? Can it all be known? Would there be more of truth known as time passes from generation to generation?

Even though culturally and otherwise we commonly have references for a name for the creator like God (great danger in reference to the Abrahmnic connotation) ਰੱਬ/rub, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ/vāhigurū, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ/ parabẖū , etc.
The unencumbered name for such is ਸਤਿ / saṯ. Since ਸਤਿ / saṯ is a word, to ensure its usage to refer to creator the whole combination of the two words ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ/ saṯ nām provides a clear way to clarify that one is talking about or mentioning the one creator in ੴ /Ik▫oaʼnkār.

So can we know all about ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ (saṯ nām). The Gurbani tells us about some possible characteristics but also guides us that such a truth is infinite in nature. So complete description, search for the same with time frames, and all such is a bit futile. Some people in order to show reverence for Sri Guru Granth Sahib will postulate that all the specific details and answers are in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This is a very myopic and dangerous stance and is not the guidance that our Guru ji taught or what Sri Guru Granth Sahib stands for. So do we throw up our hands in despair and say like “I will never know!”. The answer is that every little bit more that you understand and help others with is a thing to cherish and relish. Since ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ/ saṯ nām pervades through all creation and everywhere, once you get tired of just scratching your head, reading books or philosophizing in forums, go out and search for the truth in creation that surrounds us in animals, plants, the dirt and the mountains and galaxies beyond and relish/cherish all you find truthfully.

So over time more and more will be known and Sikhism teaches us to update our understanding of ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ/ saṯ nām continuously and endlessly. Sikhism gives you an evergreen path and you can never be stuck in dogmas, falseness and beliefs that get shattered but would always be in search of and in consonance with the truth. If that is not a basis of beautiful living, I don’t know much more that is.

ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ/ saṯ nām vāhigurū , the creator named ਸਤਿ/ saṯ we remember and we are enthralled (ਵਾਹਿ/vāhi) at our teacher(s) (ਗੁਰੂ / gurū ) for the help/guidance.

Any comments welcome and all errors are mine and I stand corrected.

Sat Sri Akal.

 
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This is wonderful seva. I thank you.

And me
Thanks so much Ambarsaria JI
I look forward to learning through this and other threads in the series

Veer Ji We could say truthfully that all the answers are there because it is the categorical imperative.Just as during the Second World War, a code was needed to decipher what the message meant,so it is with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji,we could regard it as a form of Code Breaker.It 'all 'because it is at the heart of the matter and explains that at the periphery.

Grateful if this could be expanded in the context of Sargun and Nirgun

Is one referring to the formless Onkar whereas the other is referring to the manifestation of Onkar in all creation?

Thanks

Seekr9 ji this being part of Gurmat Vichaar section, I suggest you post complete shabad(s) so that we can review it together in terms of your question regarding "Sargun and Nirgun". I will be more than happy to participate, contribute, review and provide my input as appropriate.

Sinner veer, wonderful analogy. I agree in most part except that I have not sufficiently and personally used the code to be able to do so. I don't believe I have enough of a time left to do so in this abode. I can fully agree in it as a belief but Sikhism tells us to learn ever more and believe less let understanding more be the "Raison d'être". At least that is how I tend to approach.

Sat Sri Akal.

Ambarsariah Ji..Thnaks for starting this Thread...just wonderful...May the Blessings from Guru Ji flow you way...and give you the strength to post daily....

SAT in our Daily LIFE..is to be TRUTHFUL..always..no matter at what cost....Thats How SAT changes US....

More on Sargun and Nirgun as requested
Thanks
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(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Page 290)

ਸਲੋਕੁ ॥
सलोकु ॥
Salok.
Shalok:

ਸਰਗੁਨ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧੀ ਆਪਿ ॥
सरगुन निरगुन निरंकार सुंन समाधी आपि ॥
Sargun nirgun nirankār sunn samāḏẖī āp.
He possesses all qualities; He transcends all qualities; He is the Formless Lord. He Himself is in Primal Samaadhi.

ਆਪਨ ਕੀਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਜਾਪਿ ॥੧॥
आपन कीआ नानका आपे ही फिरि जापि ॥१॥
Āpan kī▫ā nānkā āpe hī fir jāp. ||1||
Through His Creation, O Nanak, He meditates on Himself. ||1||
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/gurmat-vichaar/37240-sri-guru-granth-sahib-review-sa.html

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(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Page 387)

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
आसा महला ५ ॥
Āsā mėhlā 5.
Aasaa, Fifth Mehl:

ਆਪੇ ਪੇਡੁ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੀ ਸਾਖ ॥
आपे पेडु बिसथारी साख ॥
Āpe ped bisthārī sākẖ.
He Himself is the tree, and the branches extending out.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37240

ਅਪਨੀ ਖੇਤੀ ਆਪੇ ਰਾਖ ॥੧॥
अपनी खेती आपे राख ॥१॥
Apnī kẖeṯī āpe rākẖ. ||1||
He Himself preserves His own crop. ||1||

ਜਤ ਕਤ ਪੇਖਉ ਏਕੈ ਓਹੀ ॥
जत कत पेखउ एकै ओही ॥
Jaṯ kaṯ pekẖa▫o ekai ohī.
Wherever I look, I see that One Lord alone.

ਘਟ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਸੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
घट घट अंतरि आपे सोई ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
Gẖat gẖat anṯar āpe so▫ī. ||1|| rahā▫o.
Deep within each and every heart, He Himself is contained. ||1||Pause||

ਆਪੇ ਸੂਰੁ ਕਿਰਣਿ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੁ ॥
आपे सूरु किरणि बिसथारु ॥
Āpe sūr kiraṇ bisthār.
He Himself is the sun, and the rays emanating from it.

ਸੋਈ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਸੋਈ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥੨॥
सोई गुपतु सोई आकारु ॥२॥
So▫ī gupaṯ so▫ī ākār. ||2||
He is concealed, and He is revealed. ||2||

ਸਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਥਾਪੈ ਨਾਉ ॥
सरगुण निरगुण थापै नाउ ॥
Sarguṇ nirguṇ thāpai nā▫o.
He is said to be of the highest attributes, and without attributes.

ਦੁਹ ਮਿਲਿ ਏਕੈ ਕੀਨੋ ਠਾਉ ॥੩॥
दुह मिलि एकै कीनो ठाउ ॥३॥
Ḏuh mil ekai kīno ṯẖā▫o. ||3||
Both converge onto His single point. ||3||

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਭ੍ਰਮੁ ਭਉ ਖੋਇਆ ॥
कहु नानक गुरि भ्रमु भउ खोइआ ॥
Kaho Nānak gur bẖaram bẖa▫o kẖo▫i▫ā.
Says Nanak, the Guru has dispelled my doubt and fear.

ਅਨਦ ਰੂਪੁ ਸਭੁ ਨੈਨ ਅਲੋਇਆ ॥੪॥੧੭॥੬੮॥
अनद रूपु सभु नैन अलोइआ ॥४॥१७॥६८॥
Anaḏ rūp sabẖ nain alo▫i▫ā. ||4||17||68||
With my eyes, I perceive the Lord, the embodiment of bliss, to be everywhere. ||4||17||68||

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Source: http://www.srigranth.org/