CELIBACY/ਜਤੁ
ABSTRACT
Sikh philosophy does not consider celibacy as a means to spiritual progress. Guru Nanak prescribed the life of a house holder for a Sikh. But it was one of the basic foundation stones of Vedanta. There were six Celibates (ਛਿਅ ਜਤੀ) Hanuman, Bheesampatama, Lakshman, Bhairav, Gorakh, Datatreaj in mythological refrences in AGGS;
ਛਿਅ ਜਤੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੇ ਬੰਦਾ ॥ ਨਵੈ ਨਾਥ ਸੂਰਜ ਅਰੁ ਚੰਦਾ ॥
Cẖẖi▫a jaṯī mā▫i▫ā ke banḏā. Navai nāth sūraj ar cẖanḏā.
The six celibates are slaves of Maya. So are the nine masters of Yoga, and the sun and the moon. -----Kabir, Raag Bhario, AGGS, Page, 1160-15
Celibacy was prevalent in the Treta Yug. It was the chariot while the power was the charioteer as described by Guru Nanak and Guru Ramdas in Raag Asa, but in Kaljug Naam takes the priority;
ਤ੍ਰੇਤੈ ਰਥੁ ਜਤੈ ਕਾ ਜੋਰੁ ਅਗੈ ਰਥਵਾਹੁ ॥
Ŧarėṯai rath jaṯai kā jor agai rathvāhu.
In the Silver Age of Traytaa Yuga, celibacy was the chariot and power, the charioteer. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 470-2
ਤੇਤਾ ਜੁਗੁ ਆਇਆ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜੋਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਤੁ ਸੰਜਮ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥
Ŧėṯā jug ā¬i¬ā anṯar jor pā¬i¬ā jaṯ sanjam karam kamā¬ė jī¬o.
Then came the Silver Age of Treta Yuga, when men's minds were ruled by power, and they practiced celibacy and self-discipline. -----Guru Amardas, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 445-11 & 15
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Celibacy can be defined as a condition of being unmarried or abstinence from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows. The ideal of celibacy — abstaining from sexual activity for religious or spiritual reasons — is promoted in several religions.
Christian Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican monastic communities retain the ideal of celibacy to this day. It has been an ideal within Christianity from the earliest times. Jesus spoke of those who are ‘eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 19: 12), and Paul recommended celibacy as the best way of living, for it enabled a person to be free from distracting ‘worldly’ concerns, especially those related to household, children, and sex.
Judaism has generally not advocated celibacy, regarding marriage as important for the fulfillment of procreation as commanded in Genesis 1: 28. The High Priest at the Temple had to be married (Leviticus 21: 13) and the unmarried were barred from holding various public offices.
Buddhism ordains life-long celibacy for monks and nuns.
Hinduism following Vedanta Philosophy, makes celibacy part of the fourth and final stage of one’s development — samnyasa. In the domain of religious celibacy an interdiction serves to mythologize repression and energize lust.
Guru Ramdas in Raag Bilawal describes the practice of celibacy during earlier times as advised in Vedas;
ਜਤੁ ਸੰਜਮ ਤੀਰਥ ਓਨਾ ਜੁਗਾ ਕਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਲਿ ਮਹਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ॥ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਸੋਧਿ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨਾ ॥ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਿਨੀ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਗਿ ਤੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਪਰਵਾਨਾ ॥
Jaṯ sanjam ṯirath onā jugā kā ḏẖaram hai kal meh kīraṯ har nāmā. Jug jug āpo āpṇā ḏẖaram hai soḏẖ ḏėkẖhu bėḏ purānā. Gurmukẖ jinī ḏẖi¬ā¬i¬ā har har jag ṯė pūrė parvānā.
Celibacy, self-discipline and pilgrimages were the essence of Righteousness in those past ages; but in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Praise of the Akal Purkh's Name is the essence of Righteousness. Each and every age had its own essence of It. This can be confirmed by referring to the Vedas and the Puraanas. They are Guru willed, who meditate on the Infinite Akal Purkh; in this world, they are perfect and approved. ----- Guru Amardas, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 797-18
Sikhism does not believe in celibacy. It advises one to live an honest life of a house holder for progeny and spiritual progress as purpose of life. It does advocate subjugation of lower instincts -- lust, anger, greed, ego and attachment -- to escape harm done by them. Here is what Guru Nanak says about celibacy in Raag Asa & Sarang and Guru Arjan in Raag Dhanasari:
ਧਰਮੀ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਗਾਵਾਵਹਿ ਮੰਗਹਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥ਜਤੀ ਸਦਾਵਹਿ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਛਡਿ ਬਹਹਿ ਘਰ ਬਾਰੁ ॥
Ḏẖarmī ḏẖaram karahi gāvāveh mangeh mokẖ ḏu¬ār. Jaṯī saḏāveh jugaṯ na jāṇeh cẖẖad baheh gẖar bār.
The righteous waste their righteousness, by asking for the door of salvation. They call themselves celibate, and abandon their homes, but they do not know the true way of life. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 469-3
ਮਨਹੁ ਜਿ ਅੰਧੇ ਕੂਪ ਕਹਿਆ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ॥ਮਨਿ ਅੰਧੈ ਊਂਧੈ ਕਵਲਿ ਦਿਸਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਿ ਖਰੇ ਕਰੂਪ ॥
Manhu je anḏẖė kūp kahi¬ā biraḏ na jāṇanĥī. Man anḏẖai ūʼnḏẖai kaval ḏisniĥ kẖarė karūp.
Those mortals whose minds are like deep dark pits do not understand the purpose of life, even when it is explained to them. Their minds are blind, and their heart-lotuses are upside-down; they look totally ugly. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Sarang, AGGS, Page, 1246-1
Guru Arjan in Raag Dhanasari ponders on it;
ਕਾਮਵੰਤ ਕਾਮੀ ਬਹੁ ਨਾਰੀ ਪਰ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਜੋਹ ਨ ਚੂਕੈ ॥ ਦਿਨ ਪ੍ਰਤਿ ਕਰੈ ਕਰੈ ਪਛੁਤਾਪੈ ਸੋਗ ਲੋਭ ਮਹਿ ਸੂਕੈ ॥
Kāmvanṯ kāmī baho nārī par garih joh na cẖūkai. Ḏin paraṯ karai karai pacẖẖuṯāpai sog lobẖ meh sūkai.
The lustful, lecherous man desires many women, and never stops peeking in to the homes of the others. Day after day, he commits adultery again and again, and then he regrets his actions; he wastes away in misery and greed.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 672-6
Celibacy is a way of life which excludes genital intercourse, although it may include appropriate levels of touching, feeling, and loving with one or more persons. Celibacy is not necessarily religious. All of us experience it at different times by accident, by choice, by a failed marriage, or by unsuccessful romance. You may accept it willingly, ruefully or with contentment, says Bhai Gurdas;
ਜਤੀ ਸਤੀ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਆ ਜਤ ਸਤ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਨ ਜਾਤੀ ।---ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖ ਫਲੁ ਪਿਰਮ ਪਿਰਾਤੀ ।
Jatee Sathee Santokhee-aa Jat Sat Jugat Santokh Na Jaatee----Gurmukh Sukh Fal Piram Pirati
The so-called celibates and virtuous ones have not understood contentment or the actual technique of celibacy nor in fact any other virtues. To Bhai Gurdas contentment with sex comes when it is not indulged in for a purpose other than progeny. The delightful fruit for Guru willed is his love for the Akal Purkh. -----Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 12, Pauri 12-1 & 7
Being self-contented means accepting and acknowledging who you are at the core of your being. One can become satisfied with all areas of one’s life, although he is not perfect in many of them. When one learns to better understand, to better appreciate and eventually to love oneself, one exudes a quiet confidence. This can open new doors to what one aspires in life.
One way to develop a strong sense of self-contentment is to give you the gift of self-appreciation. Offer yourself the same respect and kindness you give to the others that you care deeply for. In doing so, you will feel more at peace with yourself, be strong in your convictions. And you would more easily stand up for yourself. Here are three ways to support you in becoming more confident.
1. Silence your inner critic by resisting the temptation to be critical, by intentional acts of unlearning this tendency.
2. Surround yourself with positive environments emotionally and physically so that they educate, inspire and enrich your spiritual life.
3. Acknowledge your achievements by accepting the fact that someone helped you in making these achievements.
Patience is the key to contentment. ---Mohammed
He who is not contented with what he has would not be contented with what he would like to have. ----Socrates
Health is the greatest gift, Contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. ----Buddha
I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Bible, [Philippians 4:11]
Contentment is accepting the fact with positive attitude. Our attitude tells the world what we expect in return. If it's a cheerful, expectant attitude, it says to everyone with whom we come in contact that we expect the best in our dealings with the world. This is because we tend to live up to our expectations. Our attitude is something we can control ourselves. We can establish our attitude each morning when we start our day--in fact, we do just that, whether or not we realize it. And the people in our family--all the people in our world--will reflect back to us the attitude we present to them. It is, then, our attitude toward life that determines life's attitude toward us. Everything we say or do will cause a corresponding effect. If we're cheerful, glad to be experiencing this miracle of life, others will reflect that good cheer back to us. We become the kind of people others enjoy being around by living the life according to the guidance given to us by Gurbani as expressed by Guru Arjan in Raag Gauri;.
ਪੂਰਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ॥ ਪੂਰਾ ਤਪੁ ਪੂਰਨ ਰਾਜੁ ਜੋਗੁ ॥
Pūrā sukẖ pūrā sanṯokẖ. Pūrā ṯap pūran rāj jog.
Once the mind rests in peace, one feels perfect bliss of life, with perfect contentment and patience, and the worship is considered perfect.
ਬਿਨਾ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਜੈ ॥ਸੁਪਨ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੇ ਸਭ ਕਾਜੈ ॥
Binā sanṯokẖ nahī ko¬ū rājai. Supan manorath barithė sabẖ kājai.
Without contentment of mind through patience and continence, no one gets satiated, and all his efforts are fruitless like the one in a dream.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page 188 & 279
Guru Ramdas in Raag Gauri similarly gives precedence to Naam instead of celibacy.
ਸੰਨਿਆਸੀ ਬਿਭੂਤ ਲਾਇ ਦੇਹ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥ਪਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਅ ਤਿਆਗੁ ਕਰੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਚਾਰੀ ॥ਮੈ ਮੂਰਖ ਹਰਿ ਆਸ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ ॥
Sani¬āsī bibẖūṯ lā¬ė ḏėh savārī. Par ṯari¬a ṯi¬āg karī barahamcẖārī. Mai mūrakẖ har ās ṯumārī.
The Sannyaasee smears his body with ashes; renouncing other men's women, he practices celibacy. I am just a fool, God; I place my hopes in You!-----Guru Ramdas, Raag Gauri Guarari, AGGS, Page, 164-1
Contentment is a sense of gratification, satisfaction, and pleasure but it is rare commodity today. The contentment is never achieved, for we never have enough. Things never satisfy us except momentarily. Such is this worldly thinking. In a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot, whatever it may be, one can conquer the world as Kabir says in Raag Maru:
ਜਟਾ ਭਸਮ ਲੇਪਨ ਕੀਆ ਕਹਾ ਗੁਫਾ ਮਹਿ ਬਾਸੁ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਜੀਤੇ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤਿਆ ਜਾਂ ਤੇ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਤੇ ਹੋਇ ਉਦਾਸੁ ॥
Jatā bẖasam lėpan kī¬ā kahā gufā meh bās. Man jīṯė jag jīṯi¬ā jāʼn ṯė bikẖi¬ā ṯė ho¬ė uḏās.
What is the use of wearing matted hair, smearing the body with ashes, and living in a cave? Conquering the mind, one conquers the world, and then remains detached from corruption. -----Devotee Kabir, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1103-7
Guru Arjan and Kabir ponder on Nudity, Spirituality, Celibacy, and Liberation in Raag Suhi, Maru and Gauri;
ਨਗਨ ਫਿਰਤ ਰੰਗਿ ਏਕ ਕੈ ਓਹੁ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਏ ॥ਪਾਟ ਪਟੰਬਰ ਬਿਰਥਿਆ ਜਿਹ ਰਚਿ ਲੋਭਾਏ ॥ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹਰੈ ਹਾਥਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਾਏ ॥ਸਾਸਿ ਸਾਸਿ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਰਹਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਨੁ ਪਾਏ ॥
Nagan firaṯ rang ėk kai oh sobẖā pā¬ė. Pāt patambar birthi¬ā jih racẖ lobẖā¬ė. Sabẖ kicẖẖ ṯumĥrai hāth parabẖ āp karė karā¬ė. Sās sās simraṯ rahā Nānak ḏān pā¬ė.
Someone may wander around naked, but if he loves the One Akal Purkh, he receives honor and respect. Silk and satin clothes are worthless, if they lead to greed. Everything is in Your Hands, God. You Yourself are the Doer, the Cause of causes. With each and every breath, may I continue to remember You? Please, bless Nanak with this gift. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 745-9
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਚਾਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਚਜੁ ਕੀਨਾ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਭਇਆ ਗੁਮਾਨਾ॥ਸੰਨਿਆਸੀ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਿਓ ਉਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਬਿਗਾਨਾ ॥
Barahmcẖār barahmcẖaj kīnā hirḏai bẖa¬i¬ā gumānā. Sani¬āsī ho¬ė kai ṯirath bẖarmi¬o us meh kroḏẖ bigānā.
The celibate practices celibacy, but his heart is filled with pride. The Sannyaasi wanders around at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, but his mindless anger is still within him. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1003-3
ਨਗਨ ਫਿਰਤ ਜੌ ਪਾਈਐ ਜੋਗੁ ॥ਬਨ ਕਾ ਮਿਰਗੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਸਭੁ ਹੋਗੁ ॥ਕਿਆ ਨਾਗੇ ਕਿਆ ਬਾਧੇ ਚਾਮ ॥ਜਬ ਨਹੀ ਚੀਨਸਿ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮ ॥ ------ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਰਾਖਿ ਜੌ ਤਰੀਐ ਭਾਈ ॥ਖੁਸਰੈ ਕਿਉ ਨ ਪਰਮ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
Nagan firaṯ jou pā¬ī¬ai jog. Ban kā mirag mukaṯ sabẖ hog. Ki¬ā nāgė ki¬ā bāḏẖė cẖām. Jab nahī cẖīnas āṯam rām. ----- Binḏ rākẖ jou ṯarī¬ai bẖā¬ī. Kẖusrai ki¬o na param gaṯ pā¬ī.
If Yoga could be obtained by wandering around naked, then all the deer of the forest would be liberated. What does it matter whether someone goes naked, or wears a deer skin, if he does not remember the Akal Purkh within his soul? If someone could save himself by celibacy, O Siblings of Destiny, why then haven't eunuchs obtained the state of supreme dignity? -----Kabir Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 324-5 & 7
Conclusion:
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures. Celibate life is a real struggle in a day and age when people so casually separate sexuality from spirituality. Celibacy is like the fly in the heart of an apple. It dwells in perpetual sweetness, but sits alone confined to a singularity. Marriage like the useful bee, builds a house, and gathers sweetness from every flower, and labors to unite the individual with the Akal Purkh as advised by Guru Amardas in Raag Vadhans;
ਸੇਵਾ ਲਾਗੇ ਸੇ ਵਡਭਾਗੇ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਤਾ ॥ਜਤੁ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਈ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸ ਨੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੁਝਾਏ ਜੋ ਜਾਇ ਪਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥
Sėvā lāgė sė vadbẖāgė jug jug ėko jāṯā. Jaṯ saṯ sanjam karam kamāvai bin gur gaṯ nahī pā¬ī. Nānak ṯis no sabaḏ bujẖā¬ė jo jā¬ė pavai har sarṇā¬ī.
Those who are engaged in serving the Akal Purkh are very fortunate.
Throughout the ages, they know the One Creator. You may practice celibacy, truth, austerity self-discipline and rituals, but without the Guru, you shall not be emancipated. O, Nanak, he alone understands the Word of the Sabd, who goes and seeks the Sanctuary of Akal Purkh. -----Guru Amardas, Raag Vadhans, AGGS, Page, 571-16
ਬੇਦ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਜਨ ਧਿਆਵਹਿ ਤਰਣ ਕਉ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਅਨੇਕ ਕਿਰਿਆ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਚਾਰੁ ॥
Bėḏ sāsṯar jan ḏẖi¬āvahi ṯaraṇ ka¬o sansār. Karam ḏẖaram anėk kiri¬ā sabẖ ūpar nām acẖār.
One may meditate on the Vedas and the Shaastras, to swim across the world-ocean. He may perform many religious rituals, do good deeds of karma and do Dharmic worship. But above all of these is the Naam, the Name of the Akal Purkh. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 405-9
Virinder S. Grewal
