Understanding the Sikh Rehat Maryada
Sunday 20th of March 2005 Gurmukh Singh - Panthic Weekly Columnist
(KP)The Panthic Weekly Editors are proud to announce the launch of another column dedicated to the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Every week, our readers will be able to read a commentary on the Rehat Maryada, given by Bhai Gurmukh Singh Ji. - Editors.
Introduction
The Way of Life described is very hard indeed to practice in a world laden with deceit, illusion (maya) and temptation. But this is the challenge of being a Sikh; you will always stand out in a crowd due to the handsome/beautiful attire the Guru has blessed upon us with the Five Kakkaars and the distinct unique physical appearance of a Sikh.
The Rehat Maryada is a guide which if practiced will give us ever lasting peace, both in this world and the nether. We should accept the eternal truths described and learn from the experiences of our forefathers and not have to make these mistakes ourselves. We should forever be taking steps towards our goal of life which is to become one with Waheguru - our wonderful dispeller of darkness and fountain of knowledge. The Rehat Maryada loads us with the knowledge to attain peace, bliss and happiness.
We are all at different stages of development but we must not forget we are children of the same Father and Mother; we have a common heritage and lineage in the Khalsa. Our Eternal Parents Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee and Mata Sahib Kaur are forever looking over us, as we play, pray and grow old, they will, no doubt, guide us through the trials and tribulation of life, if we believe and know them explicitly.
It is only through practice that we can make the theory real and we must practice the essence of the Rehat Maryada and all the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. The Rehat Maryada is a summarised guide and all good Sikhs will know that many aspects of Sikh living are not described, but answers to all questions are contained within Gurbani our spiritual guide. Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the writings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji have all the answers to any questions, which may arise in our lives. Bhai Gurdaas Jee's writings and Bhai Nand Lal Jee's writings also give us in-depth insight and inspiration into Gurmat and the search for truth and truthful living.
We hope the Rehat Maryada helps you in your quest for eternal peace and the freeing of the transmigration of your soul. We are the creatures of God and should run after the Creator and not His Creation, which we forget far too easily. May the Great Guru and the Great Gursikhs bless us all with their grace so we may be able to become great like them and become the image of God like they have done and still do today.
Commentary on the Sikh Rehat Maryada
SECTION 1
CHAPTER 1 - SIKH DEFINED
ARTICLE 1: DEFINITION OF A SIKH
Any human being who faithfully believes in:
i. One Immortal Being,
ii. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib,
iii. The Guru Granth Sahib,
iv. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and v. the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.
ii. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib,
iii. The Guru Granth Sahib,
iv. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and v. the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh.
The definition of a Sikh highlights the fundamental beliefs an individual must have to identify himself or herself as a Sikh – which is a member of the Sikh faith.
(i)An atheist cannot be a Sikh because a Sikh a seeker of Truth. If you don’t faithfully believe in One Immortal Being, in Waheguru then you are not on the path of love to become one with Waheguru.
pauVI ] gurisKW min hir pRIiq hY guru pUjx Awvih ] hir nwmu vxMjih rMg isau lwhw hir nwmu lY jwvih ]
“Pauree: The minds of the Gursikhs are filled with the love of the Lord, Waheguru; (and as a blessing of that love) they come and serve Satguru, the True Guru. (Coming to the True Guru) they trade lovingly in the Lord's Name, and depart having earned the profit of the Lord's Name…” (Ang 590, SGGS)
pauVI ] gurisKW min hir pRIiq hY guru pUjx Awvih ] hir nwmu vxMjih rMg isau lwhw hir nwmu lY jwvih ]
“Pauree: The minds of the Gursikhs are filled with the love of the Lord, Waheguru; (and as a blessing of that love) they come and serve Satguru, the True Guru. (Coming to the True Guru) they trade lovingly in the Lord's Name, and depart having earned the profit of the Lord's Name…” (Ang 590, SGGS)
(ii)Without faithfully believing in your spiritual enlightener or Guru, you cannot learn anything. At school if you don’t respect the teacher, you don’t acknowledge the teacher or accept the teacher as your source of knowledge then you will not make progress on the road to education. To faithfully believe in Guru Nanak Sahib entails faithfully believing in Guru Gobind Singh Sahib as they shared the One Light are where all the embodiment of the Truth.
joiq Ehw jugiq swie sih kwieAw Pyir pltIAY ]
“They shared the One Light and the same way; the King just changed His body.” (Ang 966, SGGS)
(iii)The Divine Word, the Shabad Guru, Guru Granth Sahib is the speaking soul of the Ten Gurus, through whose teaching is the gateway to eternal bliss.
bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ] guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ]5]
(iv)Through the message of the Gurus, which is the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus we are able to realise God and live a life which blissful. Merely accepting the physical form of the Guru is not going to elevate your spirituality.
sbdu gurU suriq Duin cylw ]
“The Shabad is the Guru, upon whom I lovingly focus my consciousness; I am the chaylaa, the disciple.” (Ang 943, SGGS)
siqgur kI bwxI siq srUpu hY gurbwxI bxIAY ]
“The Word of the True Guru's Baani is the embodiment of Truth; through Gurbaani, one becomes perfect.” (Ang 304, SGGS)
(v)Through the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, ‘Khande Pahul da Amrit’ a Sikh becomes initiated and makes a commitment of his mind, body and soul, his life and allegiance is only to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Guru Granth Sahib Ji and no-one else. Taking Amrit and living the discipline is an act of love and dedication which all Sikhs should strive for if they consider the Ten Gurus as their Guru.
pRQm rihq Xih jwn KMfy kI pwhul Cky ] soeI isMG pRDwn Avr n pwhul jo ley ]
“To drink the Ambrosial Nectar of the Khanda (Amrit) is the primary instruction for the Sikh. He who abandons all other initiations is truly a great Sikh.”
(Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh)
SECTION 2joiq Ehw jugiq swie sih kwieAw Pyir pltIAY ]
“They shared the One Light and the same way; the King just changed His body.” (Ang 966, SGGS)
(iii)The Divine Word, the Shabad Guru, Guru Granth Sahib is the speaking soul of the Ten Gurus, through whose teaching is the gateway to eternal bliss.
bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ] guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ]5]
“The Divine Word, the Baani is Guru, and Guru is the Baani. Within the Baani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Divine Words of the Guru's Baani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him. ||5||” (Ang 982, SGGS)
(iv)Through the message of the Gurus, which is the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus we are able to realise God and live a life which blissful. Merely accepting the physical form of the Guru is not going to elevate your spirituality.
sbdu gurU suriq Duin cylw ]
“The Shabad is the Guru, upon whom I lovingly focus my consciousness; I am the chaylaa, the disciple.” (Ang 943, SGGS)
siqgur kI bwxI siq srUpu hY gurbwxI bxIAY ]
“The Word of the True Guru's Baani is the embodiment of Truth; through Gurbaani, one becomes perfect.” (Ang 304, SGGS)
(v)Through the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, ‘Khande Pahul da Amrit’ a Sikh becomes initiated and makes a commitment of his mind, body and soul, his life and allegiance is only to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Guru Granth Sahib Ji and no-one else. Taking Amrit and living the discipline is an act of love and dedication which all Sikhs should strive for if they consider the Ten Gurus as their Guru.
pRQm rihq Xih jwn KMfy kI pwhul Cky ] soeI isMG pRDwn Avr n pwhul jo ley ]
“To drink the Ambrosial Nectar of the Khanda (Amrit) is the primary instruction for the Sikh. He who abandons all other initiations is truly a great Sikh.”
(Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh)
CHAPTER 2 - Sikh Living
Articles II
A Sikh's life has two aspects:
individual or personal and corporate or Panthic.
A Sikh a not a hermit who lives detached from society, The Gurus lives are an example for us of how we can become one with God while living and interacting in society for the better good.
gurmuiK inbhY sprvwir ]
“In the midst of his family, the Gurmukh lives a spiritual life.” (Ang 941)
jYsy jl mih kmlu inrwlmu murgweI nY swxy ] suriq sbid Bv swgru qrIAY nwnk nwmu vKwxy ] rhih iekWiq eyko min visAw Awsw mwih inrwso ] Agmu Agocru dyiK idKwey nwnku qw kw dwso ]5]
“The lotus flower floats untouched upon the surface of the water, and the duck swims through the stream; with one's consciousness focused on the Word of the Shabad, one crosses over the terrifying world-ocean. O Nanak, chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord. One who lives alone, as a hermit, enshrining the One Lord in his mind, remaining unaffected by hope in the midst of hope, sees and inspires others to see the inaccessible, unfathomable Lord. Nanak is his slave. ||5||” (Ang 938, SGGS)
“In the midst of his family, the Gurmukh lives a spiritual life.” (Ang 941)
jYsy jl mih kmlu inrwlmu murgweI nY swxy ] suriq sbid Bv swgru qrIAY nwnk nwmu vKwxy ] rhih iekWiq eyko min visAw Awsw mwih inrwso ] Agmu Agocru dyiK idKwey nwnku qw kw dwso ]5]
“The lotus flower floats untouched upon the surface of the water, and the duck swims through the stream; with one's consciousness focused on the Word of the Shabad, one crosses over the terrifying world-ocean. O Nanak, chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord. One who lives alone, as a hermit, enshrining the One Lord in his mind, remaining unaffected by hope in the midst of hope, sees and inspires others to see the inaccessible, unfathomable Lord. Nanak is his slave. ||5||” (Ang 938, SGGS)
CHAPTER III – A Sikh's Personal Life
Article III
A Sikh's personal life should comprehend:-
i. Meditation on Nām (Divine Substance, also translated as the God's Attributed Self) and the scriptures,
ii. Leading life according to the Gurus' teachings and
iii. Altruistic voluntary service.
ii. Leading life according to the Gurus' teachings and
iii. Altruistic voluntary service.
Sikhism is founded on three principles, which work in harmony with one another and ensure a balance to keep the mind, body and soul in harmony.
1)Naam Japna (Simran) – through Simran we accumulate the wealth and treasure of NAAM (God’s Name), we increase our energy, become closer to Waheguru and elevate our spirituality. Naam is the ocean of peace.
2)Dharam Di Kirat Kamayee – living and earning a honest and truthful living.
kyqy bMDn jIA ky gurmuiK moK duAwr ] schu ErY sBu ko aupir scu Awcwru ]5]
“There are so many entanglements for the soul. Only as Gurmukh do we find the Gate of Liberation. Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living”
(Ang 62, SGGS).
3)Sewa – Some people through doing lots of meditation and Simran they get an ego because they think that they are great, no-one else has done as much penance as them or that they are very close to Waheguru unlike others. This is happened to the yogis and hermits which Guru Nanak Sahib met on his travels living in the Himalayan Mountains. Therefore though they accumulate the wealth of Naam they cannot become one with Waheguru because the ego acts as a veil of illusion between the soul and the Supreme Soul.
siqgur kI syvw sPlu hY jy ko kry icqu lwie ] min icMidAw Plu pwvxw haumY ivchu jwie ]
“Service to the True Guru is fruitful and rewarding, if one performs it with his mind focused on it. The fruits of the mind's desires are obtained, and egotism departs from within.” (Ang 644, SGGS)
2)Dharam Di Kirat Kamayee – living and earning a honest and truthful living.
kyqy bMDn jIA ky gurmuiK moK duAwr ] schu ErY sBu ko aupir scu Awcwru ]5]
“There are so many entanglements for the soul. Only as Gurmukh do we find the Gate of Liberation. Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living”
(Ang 62, SGGS).
3)Sewa – Some people through doing lots of meditation and Simran they get an ego because they think that they are great, no-one else has done as much penance as them or that they are very close to Waheguru unlike others. This is happened to the yogis and hermits which Guru Nanak Sahib met on his travels living in the Himalayan Mountains. Therefore though they accumulate the wealth of Naam they cannot become one with Waheguru because the ego acts as a veil of illusion between the soul and the Supreme Soul.
siqgur kI syvw sPlu hY jy ko kry icqu lwie ] min icMidAw Plu pwvxw haumY ivchu jwie ]
“Service to the True Guru is fruitful and rewarding, if one performs it with his mind focused on it. The fruits of the mind's desires are obtained, and egotism departs from within.” (Ang 644, SGGS)
To be continued..
Gurmukh Singh can be reached at gurmukh.singh@panthic.org.
Source:Panthic Weekly: Understanding the Sikh Rehat Maryada
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