Why should we read or listen to Gurbani daily ?

Waheguru ji ka khalsa
Waheguru ji ki fateh

Why should we read or listen to Gurbani daily ?

An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading Gurbani (Nitnem).

His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Nitnem just like you but I don't understand it and what I do understand I forget. What good does reading the Nitnem do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. Son, that's what happens when you do your Nitnem.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/20517-why-should-we-read-listen-gurbani.html
One might not understand or remember everything, but when one read's Gurbani, both body & soul will become pure. That is the work of WAHEGURU jeeo in our lives.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa
Waheguru ji ki fateh

 
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My humble opinion, and I love the stories and parables you post --

We do not HAVE to read Gurbani or recite Gurbani daily! No one is making anyone do it. But once it becomes part of your life, the change in outlook and attitude starts almost immediately. And over time the benefits are huge. It begins to affect even the people around us all in good ways.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20517

Gurbani is unlike other scripture -- the message is never in the form of threats and warnings from on high. Guruji is never speaking in anger. Never. The message is always a message of hope and a message that lifts us up and teaches a better way.

After a while, the basket will get soggy, and will become useless. Then it would be thrown out. What good does that do?

Bhagat ji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20517

Not sure what you mean in your comment. Sometimes I need a little more information. Hope you don't mind elaborating.

Not so hip bhenj

not if the basket is made of steel...

nice one!! wait... then it might rust...

Well, I was quite serious actually. That's the "hole" in that analogy of why we should read gurbani. Get it hole? Hole in the basket, hole in the analogy... uh.. never mind. Anyway, I think we can come up with better stories/ better reasoning. How about, read Gurbani so we can learn about our religion? Simple and to the point. So what I really meant was the the analogy doesn't really work as one could say too much water (gurbani) will make basket (you) soggy, and worthless.

...
my dad gave me a basket to get water...
The water kept falling out... but it cleaned the basket...
People that take everything literally (like some members on SPN) won't understand this. If this was gurbani they will think they are baskets made of plant material. Second, they will get another reason to be vegetarians and put down non-vegetarians. "Gurbani says were are baskets, which are made of plants, so we should only eat plants!"

Bhagat ji

I understand now. Actually I am one of those people who frequently doesn't get the point of fables and allegories. In any cultural tradition. Sometimes I do. Rarely! Kind of not even on the continuum from literal to figurative in the fable and allegory department. So thanks for explaining your point of view.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20517

As for your other comments-- Frequently the problem is not always a literal turn of mind. Sometimes the reasoning goes like this. Guruji says that the soul-bride adorns herself with ornaments, yet still she does not please her Husband Lord. Then some will conclude that Sikhs should not wear jewelry. When they see a 3HO lady wearing bangle bracelets on both arms, the reaction is one of total horror. That kind of thing. as if it goes against Gurbani to wear jewelry.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20517

But those are arguments I try to avoid because it is really hard to discuss these things with someone against their will and understanding. Just my thoughts.

Agreed on the soul bride thing. That's whats called taking the sentence out of context. It happens quite often actually, and you definetly cannot argue (or very hard to argue) with these people because the context they put their sentence in, would be interpreted how they have done it.