Is it necessary to understand entire Bani?

I may not be putting a very relevant question. But I have to clear my doubts I consider it appropriate to have the valuable opinion as to how the 'sangat' here feels about whether we or I should understand the entire Gurbani as a sikh. I don't have time and then I do not understand much Of the Paath That I do daily as a prayer. It is just mechanical. I just know that it has to be done so I do.

Will it be sufficient for me to know the essence of the 'paath' or should I understand the and read so much of Bani that runs so lengthy and is contained in so many granths and varans.
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Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327

Kindly advise.



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onkar ji, welcome to the forum.

I read both of your new posts and whatever my understanding is, the answer to your question in this post lies right there in your other post under poster-Meditation on God
if you love Bani, you will always find time

Onkar ji

Guru Pyaara has it right "if you love Bani, you will always find time."

Ways to make time when you are a student, work weird hours, or know you are going to have a hectic day. Buy a Nitnem that is small enough to carry in a knap-sack or briefcase (everything is together in one place). Xerox pages that you will want to read at a particular time - all of Anand Sahib for example-- so you can just take it out of your pocket and read it and chant softly in a quiet place where you won't be bothered. Put all your banis on an i-pod. Listen and read on the train, bus, etc. You won't be able to chant but are totally protected from distraction because of the earbuds.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327

Best of all organize your day around banis, which is better than not doing them at all when your schedule is too crazy. Amrit vela is always recommended but isn't always possible.

Remember this mantra - Banis Bring Bliss. All craziness will subside. You will smile more often without realizing you are smiling.

This is a brilliant excerpt from wikipedia's article on Guru Gar Rai.

Recitation of Gurbani
One day the Sikhs asked the Guru whether those who read the Gurus' hymns without understanding them derived any spiritual advantage from it. The Guru gave no reply at the time, and next morning went hunting. En route, the Guru came across a broken pot which had held butter. The rays of the sun were melting the butter on the broken pot fragments. The Guru took one of these fragments in his hand and said, "Look my Sikhs, broken pot shards - when they are heated, the butter that adhered to them readily melts. As the grease adheres to the potshards, so to do the Gurus' hymns to the hearts of his Sikhs. At the hour of death the Gurus' instruction shall assuredly bear fruit. Whether understood or not, it has within it the seed of salvation. Perfume still clings to a broken vase." The meaning of the parable is that whoseoever daily reads the Gurus shabads shall assuredly obtain peace. And even though he may not fully understand them, God will undoubtedly assist him.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327
Guru Ram Das has said: "The Word is the Guru, and the Guru in the Word, and in the Word is the essence of ambrosia."

Guru Har Rai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hope that helps!

Thank you Dear Brothers,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327

i am 22+,.did my engg and am now in job and want to study further and do my M.tech and doctorate from Uk. May be I settle there or go to US. I do not have parents so it shall be my own decision.I am quite good at studies..almost the through out a topper since my schooling ,studious type ,seriouis, non mixing and a introvert type, I am not sure if I shall be able to keep my hairs there as my cousins have almost become hindu/mona-sikhs. they have even removed the hairs and even changed their nick names .They say it makes thier life easier.But I am sticking to my mechanical routine of 'paath'.I am not sure if I will like to wear hair/turban that I have receontly started wearing.It sometiomes make me think that i look funny.Kindly let me be excused for offensive language but my other sikh coleagues have also removed their turbans and also do not do any paath etc.

I would advise you to remember that your actions should not be based on other people's. If your cousins have removed their hair, and other colleagues have, that doesn't mean that they are doing the right thing. A sikh has a distinct appearance because he should be distinguishable amongst thousands. By this, one will know that if they are in trouble and need help, they can go to Guru Gobind Singh Ji's "children" for aid. I, myself, am merely 17 years old and wouldn't consider myself an expert on anything but I would recommend coming to Canada. As I have seen, there are thousands of sikh, in apperance and sometimes actions, but also many monay. I can see you are from India and it seems the people there are beginning to lose sikhi. But here in Canada, I find that sikhism(when practiced) is pure
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Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327

It all also depends on the sangat you are in. If you live around people with cut hair, you MAY do the same. But if you are around people who are perhaps amridthari, then you may realize that we have been given a chance to attain salvation and that we should take it as it is more important than anything in life. Often I will sit here and do Simran instead of homework due to my permanent longing to break away from the life cycles but I then remember I need to make money and have a powerful job for the wellbeing of the people of the Earth and do my part in Vand Ke Chako.

I guess I started rambling on but I guess you see the essence of what I'm trying to say. Hopefully someone else, with more experience, can help you more.

Respected Onkar ji,

most welcome to the forum.
me neech humbly like to add a few words.

Onkar ji, for a topper like yourself, Dhan Dhan Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji has 1433 pages(that too in big print), a regular higher study book is usaually 1000 to 2000+ page ensamble in such tiny print. i dont think it can be a problem for such a briliant person like yourself to read and follow Gurbani. A regular students reads 6/7 big books + many more other references in one summester, just think that there is something MORE IMPORTANT to learn, that's all. and students do get break time, dont they, i hope they do in uk!!!!!! As you are not bound to any time limit for learning Dhan Dhan GurBani.

just a suggestion from me neech

humbly asking for everybody's forgiveness

Respected Sadh Sangat Ji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15327

Guru ji tell us again and again- READ, CONTEMPLATE, FOLLOW THE TRUTH, and also tells us about what is written in the scriptures (that there is nothing else true BUT THE 'NAAM').
and that too we are told to do with true love, unshakable faith and 100% humility. APNI MAT TYAAG KE, GURU DI MAT GRAHAN KARO, GURSIKH brothers and sisters.




jqu pwhwrw DIrju suinAwru ]
Ahrix miq vydu hQIAwru ]
Bau Klw Agin qp qwau ]
BWfw Bwau AMimRqu iqqu Fwil ]
GVIAY sbdu scI tkswl ]
ijn kau ndir krmu iqn kwr ]
nwnk ndrI ndir inhwl ]




swm khY syqMbru suAwmI sc mih AwCY swic rhy ] sBu ko sic smwvY ]
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irgu khY rihAw BrpUir ]
rwm nwmu dyvw mih sUru ]
nwie lieAY prwCq jwih ]
nwnk qau moKMqru pwih ]
juj mih joir ClI cMdRwvil kwn@ ik®snu jwdmu BieAw ]
pwrjwqu gopI lY AwieAw ibMdRwbn mih rMgu kIAw ]
kil mih bydu AQrbxu hUAw nwau KudweI Alhu BieAw ]
nIl bsqR ly kpVy pihry qurk pTwxI Amlu kIAw ]
cwry vyd hoey sicAwr ]
pVih guxih iqn@ cwr vIcwr ]
Bwau Bgiq kir nIcu sdwey ] qau nwnk moKMqru pwey ]


forgive me please

Onkar ji,

I thing Navroop Singh has given you a very valuable advice. You are, the Company you keep.

As Surinder ji has mentioned "READ, CONTEMPLATE, FOLLOW THE TRUTH".Read Bani and Understand it. Quality is important than quantity. You are young there is plenty of time. To read without understanding/contemplating? It is contemplation that will draw you closer to the Gurus. Alongside Bani also read the history of our Gurus, their lives and contribution to society. What kind of people they came across. When the Bani was recited and in which circumstances. This will assist you in understanding the context it was recited in and hence help you understand it better. Navroop Singh's example is good but you are an educated person. Guru ji were responding to simple minded people.

Your destiny will dictate where you go. Guru ji will guide you.

Good Luck with your journey.