SIKH PHILOSOPHY/ਉਪਦੇਸ ਤੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ
ABSTRACT
Guru Nanak’s philosophy revolves around Truth and the recitation of Naam of the Absolute Principle called God. That Absolute Principal is the law of all things and events. The Universal Laws of Mother Nature are the common ground of all creation. The Universal law is blind but even handed. All creation is a single whole, which works and unfolds according to that Principle.
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Truth was true before time is true now and will be for ever.
ਸਤਜੁਗਿ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸਰੀਰਾ ॥ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਗਹਿਰ ਗੰਭੀਰਾ ॥
Satjug Sat Santokh Sareeraa, Sat Sat Vartai Gehr Ganbheeraa.
In the Golden Age of Truth, Truth and contentment filled the bodies. Truth is pervasive, deep, profound and unfathomable. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1023-13 & 14
ਮਨਹਠ ਬੁਧੀ ਕੇਤੀਆ ਕੇਤੇ ਬੇਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ਕੇਤੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਜੀਅ ਕੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰ ॥ ਸਚਹੁ ਓਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਿ ਸਚੁ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥
Manhaṯẖ buḏẖī keṯī▫ā keṯe beḏ bīcẖār.Keṯe banḏẖan jī▫a ke gurmukẖ mokẖ ḏu▫ār. Sachoh Oorai Sabh Ko Ouper Such Aachaar.Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/24595-sikh-philosophy.html
There are so many stubborn-minded intelligent people, and so many who contemplate the Vedas. There are so many entanglements for the soul. Only as Guru willed do we find the Gate of Liberation. Truth is above all and above Truth is Truthful conduct. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Sri, AGGS, Page, 62-11
Guru Nanak stresses that it is only the Name that helps to cleanse the inside and external piety of any kind. Any other rituals are irrelevant to spiritual growth. No one person or one people are better than the rest of the humanity.
ਜਪਹੁ ਤ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮਾ ॥ ਅਵਰਿ ਨਿਰਾਫਲ ਕਾਮਾ ॥
Japahu Ta Ayko Naamaa, Avar Niraafal Kaamaa.
Chant the Name of the One Akal Purkh. All other actions are fruitless.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 728-5
ਏਹੁ ਅਹੇਰਾ ਕੀਨੋ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
Ayhu Ahayraa Keeno Daan, Nanak Kai Ghar Kayval Naam.
God has given this boon of the game of Naam solely for Nanak's home. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Bhairo, AGGS, Page, 1136-16
He further indicates that any living entity a human, a bird or even an insect reciting the Name is pleasing to that Absolute Principle.
ਅਧੁ ਗੁਲ੍ਹਾ ਚਿੜੀ ਕਾ ਚੁਗਣੁ ਗੈਣਿ ਚੜੀ ਬਿਲਲਾਇ ॥ ਖਸਮੈ ਭਾਵੈ ਓਹਾ ਚੰਗੀ ਜਿ ਕਰੇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਅਕ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਅਕ ਤਿਡਾ ਅਕ ਡਾਲੀ ਬਹਿ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਖਸਮੈ ਭਾਵੈ ਓਹੋ ਚੰਗਾ ਜਿ ਕਰੇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ
ਦੁਨੀਆ ਚਾਰਿ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਸੁਖਿ ਕੀਤੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਗਲਾ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੈਨਿ ਘਣੇਰੇ ਛਡਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕੋਈ ॥
Adh Gulha Chirhee Ka Chugan Gai-nn Charhee Bil-laaey, Khasamai Bhavai Ohaa Changee Jay Karay Khudda-ey Khudda-ey, Ak Seo Preet Karay Ak Tidaa Ak Daalee Beh Khaa-ey, Khasamai Bhavai Ohaa Changaa Jay Karay Khudda-ey Khudda-ey, Nanak Dunia Chaar Dihaarhay Sukh Keetai Dukh Hoyee, Galā vālė hain gẖaṇėrė cẖẖad na sakai ko¬ī.
The sparrow eats only half a grain, and then it flies through the sky and chirps. The good sparrow is pleasing to her God and Master, if she chirps Its Name. The insect loves the milkweed plant, perched on its branch, it eats it. It becomes good and pleasing to its God and Master, if it chirps Its Name. O Nanak, the world lasts for only a few days; indulging in pleasures, pain is produced. There are many who boast and brag, but none of them can remain detached from the world. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1286
ਕਬੀਰ ਅਲਹ ਕੀ ਕਰਿ ਬੰਦਗੀ ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਸਾਂਈ ਪਰਗਟੈ ਬੁਝੈ ਬਲੰਤੀ ਨਾਂਇ ॥
Kabir Allah Di Kar Bandgee Jeh Simrat Dukh Jaa-ey, Dil Meh Sanyee Pargatai Bujhai Balnatee Naaney.
Kabir, worship the God Allah, meditating in remembrance on It, troubles and pains depart. It shall be revealed within your own heart and the burning fire within shall be extinguished by Iis Name. -----Kabir Sloke 186, AGGS, Page, 1374-10
To recite the name, one needs a complete and total focus on the Name. It requires controlling the mind, which is beyond the scope of the entity. Here again the entity needs the Grace of that Absolute Principle.
ਸੇ ਭਗਤ ਸੇ ਸੇਵਕਾ ਜਿਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਿਰਿ ਨਿੰਦਕ ਕੈ ਪਵੈ ਛਾਰਾ ॥
Se bẖagaṯ se sevkā jinā har nām pi▫ārā. Tin Kee Sayvaa Tay Har Paa-ee-ai Sir Ninḏak Kai Pavai Cẖẖārā.
They alone are devotees, and they alone are selfless servants, who love the Akal Purkh's Name. By their selfless service, they find It, while ashes fall on the heads of the slanderers. -----Guru Ramdas, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 733-17
ਦਸ ਦਿਸ ਖੋਜਤ ਮੈ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਜਤ ਦੇਖਉ ਤਤ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਬਸਿ ਆਵੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜੇ ਪੂਰਨ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
Das Dis Khojat Main Firio Jat Dekhou Tat Soey, Man Bus Aavai Nanaka Jay Pooran Kirpa Hoey.
I have tried to find in all ten directions for a way to control the mind but could not trace any means of controlling the mind. The mind comes to be controlled, O Nanak, if the Akal Purkh blesses with Its Perfect Grace. -----Guru Arjan, Thiti Gauri, AGGS, Page, 298-17
ਸਰਬੰ ਸਾਚਾ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਜਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸੋ ਕਰੇ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ॥
Sarbaʼn sācẖā ek hai ḏūjā nāhī ko▫e. Taa Kee Sayvaa So Karay Jaa ka-o Nadar Karay.
In the entire world, there is only the One True Akal Purkh; there is no other at all. He alone serves the It, upon whom the It casts Its Glance of Grace. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 660-7
When the Grace of the Akal Purkh is finally received, we become selfless in spite of the selfishness at biological level. The grace brings up the hidden spiritual dimension to the fore, and into our personality. It brings out necessary refinement in the intellect, it sharpens the reason, leads us to an intuitive realization of the virtues of selfless behavior and attitude. But this process is rather slow and calls for conscious and deliberate efforts on the part of the individual as well. Guru Nanak’s philosophy of service is closely linked with moral, ethical and social codes. There is a two-way exchange. To become selfless one has to engage in service, and more a person becomes selfless, the more one enjoys serving the others. Meditation in silence with utmost devotion, a form of contemplative meditation, can lead to mental tranquility. Manifestation comes from our dedication of our work to God, humanity, or meditation in action, which is serving the divinity in humanity.
For a selfless service to the divinity, each living entity needs devotion.
ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਮਨੁ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਜਿਹਵਾ ਰਤੀ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਚੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਰਸਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਏਹੁ ਰੰਗੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਰਜਾਇ ॥ ਸਚੀ ਭਗਤੀ ਮਨੁ ਲਾਲੁ ਥੀਆ ਰਤਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
Gur sabḏī man mohi▫ā kahṇā kacẖẖū na jā▫e. Jihvā raṯī sabaḏ sacẖai amriṯ pīvai ras guṇ gā▫e Gurmukẖ ehu rang pā▫ī▫ai jis no kirpā kare rajā▫e.Sachee Bhagtee Man Laal Thee-aa Rataa Sahj Subhaa-ay.
The mind is fascinated by the Word of the Guru's Sabd, which cannot be described. The tongue imbued with the True Word of the Sabd enjoys the Amrit with delight, singing Its Glorious Praises. The Guru willed obtains this love, when the Akal Purkh, in Its Will, grants Its Grace. In true devotion, the mind is dyed in the deep crimson color of the Akal Purkh's Love, with intuitive peace and poise. -----Guru Amardas, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 36-13
Devotion is an ardent, pious, selfless affection or dedication, to a person, Principle, zeal and love for religious observance. It is an addiction to bringing eager feelings towards God and is expressed by acts of worship in devoutness. It is one of the necessary perfections required in Sikhism for growth in spirituality. It requires real dedication in Naam Simran, Truth, Rigorous honesty, Willingness and its reflection in daily day to day life. This has to be done with humility, from the core of the heart, with a focus on attaining God’s Grace.
Devotion resulting in Grace needs Divine Love to be effective.
ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਕੈ ਜਾਟਰੋ ਉਠਿ ਭਗਤੀ ਲਾਗਾ ॥ਮਿਲੇ ਪ੍ਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਸਾਈਆ ਧੰਨਾ ਵਡਭਾਗਾ ॥
Ayh Bidh Soun Kai JaaTro Outh Bhagtee Laagaa, Milay Partakh Gusaayeeaa Dhannaa Vadbhaagaa.
Hearing this, Dhanna the Jaat applied himself to devotional worship. The Akal Purkh of the Universe met him personally; Dhanna was so very blessed. ------Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 488
God’s love is obtained through Its fear;
ਭੈ ਬਿਚਿ ਭਾਉ ਭਾਇ ਕੋਊ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪਾਵੈ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਜੇਤੇ ਘਟ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਮਹਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਪੀਆਈ ॥
Bhai Bich Bhaou Bhaaey Ko-ou Boojheh Har Ras Paavai Bhaaee, Jaytay Ghat Amrit Sabh Hee Meh Bhaavai Tiseh Pee-aa-ee.
In the Fear of God, is the Love of God? Only those few who understand Its Love obtain the sublime essence of It, O Siblings of Destiny. The Akal Purkh fills as many hearts with Its Ambrosial Nectar as many as It is pleased with. -----Bhagat Kabir, Raag Kedara, AGGS, Page, 1123-15
Sikhism advises staying detached from Maya in its entire three, as well as abandoning the empty meaningless rituals. Bhai Gurdas summarizes this thought in his Vaar 18, Pauri, 19
ਜਪ ਤਾਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਲਖ ਲਖ ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਨਈਵੇਦ ਕਰੋੜੀ ॥-----------------ਉਪਰਿ ਸਚੁ ਅਚਾਰੁ ਚਮੋੜੀ ॥
Jap Tap Sanjam Lakh Lakh Hoam Jag Na-eevayd Krorhee---Ouper Sach Aachaar Chamorhee.
Millions of rituals of recitation, penances, continence, burnt offerings and millions of oblations are performed. There is plethora of fasts, rules, controls, activities but they all are like a weak thread. Many are pilgrimage centers, anniversaries, and mullions of virtuous acts, and forms of charities’ and altruisms. There are also millions of kinds of worship of gods and goddesses, combinations, detractions, boons, curses. Many are the philosophies, Varna’s, non-Varna and many are the persons who do not bother about the unnecessary brands of hundreds of thousands of worships and oblations. Many are the expressions of public behavior, virtues, renunciation, indulgence and other covering devices but all these craft-man ships do not even close to the truth. Not can they touch it. Higher than truth is truthful living. -----Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 18, Pauri 19
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਚਾਰਿ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਸੁਖਿ ਕੀਤੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ਗਲਾ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੈਨਿ ਘਣੇਰੇ ਛਡਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕੋਈ ॥
Nānak ḏunī¬ā cẖār ḏihāṛė sukẖ kīṯai ḏukẖ ho¬ī, Galaa Vaalay Hainn Ghanaray Chad Na Sakai Koyee.
O Nanak, the world lasts for only a few days. Indulging in the pleasures, produces only pain. There are many who boast and brag, but none of them can remain detached from the world. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1286
Kabir stresses further the value of Naam, which relieves all the stresses in the mind.
The danger to the Sikh philosophy comes from degeneration of morals, from beclouding one's mental horizon and from the atrophy of moral and spiritual nature. Individuals put their vested interest first, and truths and ideals go begging. Moral life cannot be lived in aloof. Morality is the nurse of spirituality.
All the present problems are self-inflicted in ignorance. Ignorance of reality is no excuse. The only cure is self-knowledge; by making the individual's conscious of his infinite worth to progress spiritually towards God.
For the truly faithful, no miracle is necessary, but for those who doubt, no miracle is sufficient.
Conclusion:
The core of Guru Nanak’s philosophy is an inner cleanliness. This is attained by developing Divine virtues and service of the Guru/the service of the Absolute Principle. This principle is an integral part of every thing. Its Grace is an expression of Divine Benevolence and is a cardinal doctrine in Sikhism. It occurs as karam, nader, mehr, baksheesh, parsad, daya, or kirpa. It is sought through prayer and devotion. Its descent is the ultimate Divine mystery and mercy. No amount of austerities, no amount of intellectual search or performance or ritual or yogic praxis or Akhand Paths or any such devices can force it out of God’s hand. One can only prepare himself to receive this grace by becoming pleasing to God. This is a pre-requisite for spiritual growth.
ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਗਲੀਈ ਢੂਢੀਐ ਕਥਨਾ ਕਰੜਾ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਕਰਮਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਤਾ ਪਾਈਐ ਹੋਰ ਹਿਕਮਤਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥
Gi▫ān na galī▫ī dẖūdẖī▫ai kathnā karṛā sār. Karam Milai Ta Paa-eeai Hoar Hikmat Hukam Khuaar.
Wisdom cannot be found through mere words. To explain it is as hard as iron. When the Akal Purkh bestows Its Grace, then alone it is received; other tricks and orders are useless. -----Guru Nanak, Asa Di Var, AGGS, Page, 465-1
Sikhism is a simple philosophy of leading an honest, truthful life of a householder and doing selfless service of humanity without seeking any rewards, which might invalidate the service.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24595
Virinder S. Grewal
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