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Guru Granth Sahib
Composition, Arrangement & Layout
ਜਪੁ | Jup
ਸੋ ਦਰੁ | So Dar
ਸੋਹਿਲਾ | Sohilaa
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ | Raag Siree-Raag
Gurbani (14-53)
Ashtpadiyan (53-71)
Gurbani (71-74)
Pahre (74-78)
Chhant (78-81)
Vanjara (81-82)
Vaar Siri Raag (83-91)
Bhagat Bani (91-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਝ | Raag Maajh
Gurbani (94-109)
Ashtpadi (109)
Ashtpadiyan (110-129)
Ashtpadi (129-130)
Ashtpadiyan (130-133)
Bara Maha (133-136)
Din Raen (136-137)
Vaar Maajh Ki (137-150)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ | Raag Gauree
Gurbani (151-185)
Quartets/Couplets (185-220)
Ashtpadiyan (220-234)
Karhalei (234-235)
Ashtpadiyan (235-242)
Chhant (242-249)
Baavan Akhari (250-262)
Sukhmani (262-296)
Thittee (296-300)
Gauree kii Vaar (300-323)
Gurbani (323-330)
Ashtpadiyan (330-340)
Baavan Akhari (340-343)
Thintteen (343-344)
Vaar Kabir (344-345)
Bhagat Bani (345-346)
ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ | Raag Aasaa
Gurbani (347-348)
Chaupaday (348-364)
Panchpadde (364-365)
Kaafee (365-409)
Aasaavaree (409-411)
Ashtpadiyan (411-432)
Patee (432-435)
Chhant (435-462)
Vaar Aasaa (462-475)
Bhagat Bani (475-488)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੂਜਰੀ | Raag Goojaree
Gurbani (489-503)
Ashtpadiyan (503-508)
Vaar Gujari (508-517)
Vaar Gujari (517-526)
ਰਾਗੁ ਦੇਵਗੰਧਾਰੀ | Raag Dayv-Gandhaaree
Gurbani (527-536)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਹਾਗੜਾ | Raag Bihaagraa
Gurbani (537-556)
Chhant (538-548)
Vaar Bihaagraa (548-556)
ਰਾਗੁ ਵਡਹੰਸ | Raag Wadhans
Gurbani (557-564)
Ashtpadiyan (564-565)
Chhant (565-575)
Ghoriaan (575-578)
Alaahaniiaa (578-582)
Vaar Wadhans (582-594)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੋਰਠਿ | Raag Sorath
Gurbani (595-634)
Asatpadhiya (634-642)
Vaar Sorath (642-659)
ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ | Raag Dhanasaree
Gurbani (660-685)
Astpadhiya (685-687)
Chhant (687-691)
Bhagat Bani (691-695)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਤਸਰੀ | Raag Jaitsree
Gurbani (696-703)
Chhant (703-705)
Vaar Jaitsaree (705-710)
Bhagat Bani (710)
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ | Raag Todee
ਰਾਗੁ ਬੈਰਾੜੀ | Raag Bairaaree
ਰਾਗੁ ਤਿਲੰਗ | Raag Tilang
Gurbani (721-727)
Bhagat Bani (727)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ | Raag Suhi
Gurbani (728-750)
Ashtpadiyan (750-761)
Kaafee (761-762)
Suchajee (762)
Gunvantee (763)
Chhant (763-785)
Vaar Soohee (785-792)
Bhagat Bani (792-794)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ | Raag Bilaaval
Gurbani (795-831)
Ashtpadiyan (831-838)
Thitteen (838-840)
Vaar Sat (841-843)
Chhant (843-848)
Vaar Bilaaval (849-855)
Bhagat Bani (855-858)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੋਂਡ | Raag Gond
Gurbani (859-869)
Ashtpadiyan (869)
Bhagat Bani (870-875)
ਰਾਗੁ ਰਾਮਕਲੀ | Raag Ramkalee
Ashtpadiyan (902-916)
Gurbani (876-902)
Anand (917-922)
Sadd (923-924)
Chhant (924-929)
Dakhnee (929-938)
Sidh Gosat (938-946)
Vaar Ramkalee (947-968)
ਰਾਗੁ ਨਟ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ | Raag Nat Narayan
Gurbani (975-980)
Ashtpadiyan (980-983)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਲੀ ਗਉੜਾ | Raag Maalee Gauraa
Gurbani (984-988)
Bhagat Bani (988)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਰੂ | Raag Maaroo
Gurbani (889-1008)
Ashtpadiyan (1008-1014)
Kaafee (1014-1016)
Ashtpadiyan (1016-1019)
Anjulian (1019-1020)
Solhe (1020-1033)
Dakhni (1033-1043)
ਰਾਗੁ ਤੁਖਾਰੀ | Raag Tukhaari
Bara Maha (1107-1110)
Chhant (1110-1117)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕੇਦਾਰਾ | Raag Kedara
Gurbani (1118-1123)
Bhagat Bani (1123-1124)
ਰਾਗੁ ਭੈਰਉ | Raag Bhairo
Gurbani (1125-1152)
Partaal (1153)
Ashtpadiyan (1153-1167)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਸੰਤੁ | Raag Basant
Gurbani (1168-1187)
Ashtpadiyan (1187-1193)
Vaar Basant (1193-1196)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ | Raag Saarag
Gurbani (1197-1200)
Partaal (1200-1231)
Ashtpadiyan (1232-1236)
Chhant (1236-1237)
Vaar Saarang (1237-1253)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਲਾਰ | Raag Malaar
Gurbani (1254-1293)
Partaal (1265-1273)
Ashtpadiyan (1273-1278)
Chhant (1278)
Vaar Malaar (1278-91)
Bhagat Bani (1292-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਾਨੜਾ | Raag Kaanraa
Gurbani (1294-96)
Partaal (1296-1318)
Ashtpadiyan (1308-1312)
Chhant (1312)
Vaar Kaanraa
Bhagat Bani (1318)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਲਿਆਨ | Raag Kalyaan
Gurbani (1319-23)
Ashtpadiyan (1323-26)
ਰਾਗੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ | Raag Prabhaatee
Gurbani (1327-1341)
Ashtpadiyan (1342-51)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ | Raag Jaijaiwanti
Gurbani (1352-53)
Salok | Gatha | Phunahe | Chaubole | Swayiye
Sehskritee Mahala 1
Sehskritee Mahala 5
Gaathaa Mahala 5
Phunhay Mahala 5
Chaubolae Mahala 5
Shaloks Bhagat Kabir
Shaloks Sheikh Farid
Swaiyyae Mahala 5
Swaiyyae in Praise of Gurus
Shaloks in Addition To Vaars
Shalok Ninth Mehl
Mundavanee Mehl 5
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ, Raag Maalaa
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Avatars Of Vishnu And The Satguru
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<blockquote data-quote="Harjas Kaur Khalsa" data-source="post: 85333" data-attributes="member: 2125"><p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੇਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">guramukh naadhan guramukh vaedhan guramukh rehiaa samaaee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">The Guru's Word is the Sound-current of the Naad; the Guru's Word is the Wisdom of the Vedas; the Guru's Word is all-pervading.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਗੁਰੁ ਈਸਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਬਰਮਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਬਤੀ ਮਾਈ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">gur eesar gur gorakh baramaa gur paarabathee maaee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">The Guru is Shiva, the Guru is Vishnu and Brahma; the Guru is Paarvati and Lakhshmi.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਜੇ ਹਉ ਜਾਣਾ ਆਖਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">jae ho jaanaa aakhaa naahee kehanaa kathhan n jaaee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">Even knowing God, I cannot describe Him; He cannot be described in words.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">~Jap Ji Sahib, Shri Guru Granth Sahib p. 2</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span> </p><p>I know I said I won't post but I can't resist to answer respected Pk70 ji. But I promise not to engage in debate. So answer freely or attack as you wish as I will likely not respond either way. Don't be too dogmatic and narrow in interpreting Jap Ji Sahib to fit your world-view. Open your eyes to read also it's hidden esoteric meanings. Nirguna isn't in some kind of jealousy conflict with sarguna for Supremacy or sole worship. Nirguna cannot possibly be a "jealous" or "exclusive" god.<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo">"One should not engage in theological disputes; there is room for many different viewpoints, and no single viewpoint is the final truth. One should reflect, instead, on the means to awaken devotion, and one should engage oneself in the practice of those means." ~Bhakti Sutras</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span> </p><p>In the world of human guru's and chelas from other traditions, I have learned one thing which is wise. Sometimes a guru will give conflicting advice. Not because the guru is conflicted, but because diffferent chelas are on different levels of spiritual development. Gurbani tells us the God is BOTH nirguna AND sarguna. This is actually an answer to a centuries long debate between Advaita and Dvaita schools, whether you are familiar with the philosophical history of these debates between sampradyas. Gurbani's answer... God is both impersonal AND personal. The Divine energy flows without form and within form and within all creation. Just as there are uncountable levels of life form, so there are millions of different levels of spirituality from lowest to highest until final merging. BHAKTI is fundamentally a love affair with the Sarguna which transcends both the object and the subject, purifies the ego defilements and ascends beyond the human nature into merging with the Nirguna, which is the hidden fullness of the Beloved One. Hence it is the easiest way for the soul to attain enlightenment, because it is open to the flow of energy through the transformative power of Divine Love.<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">ਨਿਰਗੁਣੁ ਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਆਪੇ ਸੋਈ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">niragun saragun aapae soee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">The Lord Himself is Unmanifest and Unrelated; He is Manifest and Related as well.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">ਤਤੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਸੋ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">thath pashhaanai so panddith hoee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">Those who recognize this essential reality are the true Pandits, the spiritual scholars.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">~SGGS Ji p. 128</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span> </p><p>The fact is, Buddhism is the philosophy of pure Advaita, and they have doctrinally rejected ALL manner of sarguna as being the ultimate, called Shunyata, or emptiness. We can harness the shakti, the energy, the anehad Shabad which vibrates out of the Primal Nada, like the Buddhists do. But we can't have personal relationship with formless energy. </p><p></p><p>That is why formless Pure Unborn Shakti-Jyoti, union of energy and light is the ground of creative potential. But how can you worship the Nothingness? How can you fall in love with the impersonal Energy? It is true, the Nothingness moves in the empty spaces between thoughts, words and feelings and enlivens the life force of our very being. But even Buddhists have a Primal root Guru in Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha, as a face, as a spoken voice derived from the Purity of the energy, so that the energy itself can become manifest to the world.</p><p></p><p>Nirguna is the Supreme reality. But not even Guru Nanak Dev Ji can describe it. Gurbani says the nirguna became the Guru, became the Shabad-Jyot of the Guru's Word. This is taking form, contrary to your assertion that we are advised to contemplate only that which cannot be contemplated per Gurbani. The fact that nirguna has become manifest in the sansaar as light and sound, as Guru and Guru's bani, or even as Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Parvati and Lakshmi is telling you that God has become those things which people's minds can perceive, in order that they might contemplate Him to the best of their ability.<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy">"Oh a man must be pervaded with the divine presence, and be shaped through and through with the form of the God he loves, and be present in Him, so that God's presence may shine out to him without any effort. What is more, in all things let him acquire nakedness [detachment], and let him always remain free of things." ~Meister Eckhart</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span> </p><p>The Primal Absolute is so humble, he slithers within the lowly worm. The Primal Absolute is so humble, He was born in a manger, allowed Himself to be reviled, crucified in order to teach a message of Love free of Hate. The Primal Absolute is so humble, He was born as a great Prince who renounced His kingdom in order to free the world from suffering and teach the LIGHT of Buddhist insight meditation and has given the world so many countless buddhas and bodhisattvas. Don't you understand veer ji, the Light of the World is all the time coming down to shine in darkness? The Primal Absolute is so humble, He was born as a true king in a kingdom under seige, and He sacrificed His father, His mother, and all His sons to save a nation from injustice, and to LIGHT a spark of liberation to elevate the oppressed to the heighths of Divine Dignity.</p><p></p><p>Don't you understand veer ji, that no ordinary human can do these things? The True Light isn't shining in only one corner of the world for one race or religion. It is UNIVERSAL LIGHT of the One universal soul, Paramatman, Parameshvara. There is only One truth spoken in many dialects, and that is the universal truth of sanatana Dharma. The Divine Beloved is in all these forms, all these expressions, all these Naams. Why should we act like we're allergic to them? Why should we act like burned with fire to see some humble painting of devta which has so much meaning for so many millions of humble people, and miss the true symbolic beauty hiding there, of a God of PRESENCE for the suffering who conceive Him in every possible way? Who could despise the CLOSENESS implied by a picture of the Virgin Mary or a bhajan sung to the Devi Mata?<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">"The man who has 'God essentially present to him grasps God divinely, and to him God shines in all things; for everything tastes to him of God, and God forms Himself for the man out of all things." ~Meister Eckhart</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p><p><span style="color: Blue"> </span></p><p><span style="color: Blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: Blue"></span><p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="color: DarkOrchid">"</span></span><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Sentient beings wish to return to their origin where their nature will be in perfect unity." ~Surangama Sutra</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p><p><span style="color: Blue"> </span></p><p><span style="color: Blue"></span></p><p> </p><p>Don't be so dogmatic to presume to know what Guruji is teaching every individual heart. Spirituality isn't a cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all organizational intolerance of anyone who thinks/learns/understands differently. Gurbani is spiritually alive, and therefore has multidimensional and multiple meanings while never in contradiction. It speaks to EVERY heart. I find the people who think they have the "one true way" usually are the most hard, and the most lost. The Truth is One. But the ways to reaching truth are multiple.<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal">"In the same way, no one can hinder this man, for he intends and seeks and takes delight in nothing but God, for God has become one with the man in all his intention. And so, just as no multiplicity can disturb God, nothing can disturb or fragment this man, for he is one in that One where all multiplicity is one and is one multiplicity." ~Meister Eckhart</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkRed">"The distinction between the persons does not impair the oneness of nature, nor does the shared unity of essence lead to a confusion between the distinctive characteristics of the persons. Do not be surprised that we should speak of the Godhead as being at the same time both unified and differentiated. Using riddles, as it were, we envisage a strange and paradoxical diversity-in-unity and unity-in-diversity." ~St Gregory of Nyssa</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Teal"></span> </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo">ਏਕੁ ਤੂ ਹੋਰਿ ਵੇਸ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo">eaek thoo hor vaes bahuthaerae ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo">You, O Lord, are the One, but You have so many Forms.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo">~SGGS Ji p. 356</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span> </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkSlateGray"><span style="color: DarkGreen">ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਨੇਕਾ ਰੂਪ ਅਨੰਤਾ ਕਹਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਹੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁਣ ਕੇਤੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ </span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkSlateGray"><span style="color: DarkGreen">thaerae naam anaekaa roop ananthaa kehan n jaahee thaerae gun kaethae ||1|| rehaao ||</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkSlateGray"><span style="color: DarkGreen">Your Names are so many, and Your Forms are endless. No one can tell how many Glorious Virtues You have. ||1||Pause||</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkSlateGray"><span style="color: DarkGreen">~SGGS Ji p. 358</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkSlateGray"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkSlateGray"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkSlateGray"></span> </p><p>Who do we think we are, to despise forms of God? Who are we to call obscene when our own body mirrors these same sense organs depicted in the devtas, along with the same kaam, the same krodh, the same karam, and the same originating creative shakti which when liberated becomes DARSHAN OF THE DIVINE BELOVED who we belong to as soul brides? Don't you see all of this is a Divine story, a lesson in how the soul, through the heroic demi-gods gets lost in ego, and transcends ego? These stories flow, because they are mirrors of ourselves. How we get lost, and by what means we are found in the true home of our Essential Nature, Self-Realization. We are all kings, and we are all beggars. We are all devas and we are all asuras. But only when we become the ONE will we ever be FREE. This powerful Shavaite spirituality is also known in the Christian West as "Spousal Prayer." It is the journey of the soul away from the infidelity of false loves, false affairs, deluding lovers to the heart of RAW TRUTH, intimacy with God Himself as Kundalini Shakti, the energy which flows into the crowned knot of fire at the top of our heads, and away from the pubicoccygeal chakra which is energized by the sensuality of the Maya Earth. To approach God sublimating and vigorously denying sexuality is to deny the truth of how the human being is created. Even to enjoy the rhythm of the tabla...is a form of sensuality. And even samadhi and kundalini shakti are the purified sexual potency of the body itself, ascended to mind and atma, and then to Paramatma. And if this yoga were worthless teaching, Guruji would not have included the bhagat bani of Kabir ji into Gurgaddhi.<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy">"All men are made in God's image; but to be in His likeness is granted only to those who through great love have brought their own freedom into subjection to God. For only when we do not belong to ourselves do we become like Him who through love has reconciled us to Himself. No one achieves this unless he persuades his soul not to be distracted by the false glitter of this life.</span><span style="color: Navy">" ~Philokalia</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: DarkOrchid">"Wherever there are two, there is fear, there is danger, there is conflict, there is strife. When it is all One, who is there to hate, who is there to struggle with? When it is all He, with whom can you fight? This explains the true nature of life; this explains the true nature of being. This is perfection, and this is God. As long as you see the many, you are under delusion." ~Swami Vivekananda</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Navy"></span> </p><p>The truth is, the sarguna is as much the God as the nirguna. Difference is, we can PERCEIVE it. Just imagine going to Gurdwara and trying to bow to the nirguna. In what direction? Why in Gurdwara only? There would be no Babaji, no Palki, no Shabad Gurbani, no Kirtan, no Naam to jap. Nirguna is quite beyond our vain imaginings. We don't despise the humbleness of the sarguna of the inked pages on which is printed words which our brains interpret as Gurbani so vulnerable to tearing, aging, and physical abuse of the angs of Guru. </p><p></p><p>But can't you see, without this sarguna of pages and words and concepts, and even Naams to jap we could not come close to approach that which is without thoughts, without name, without language. The nirguna is beyond the comprehension of the human brain. It is unapproachable without form. This is why IT (because beyond even descriptives of He or She), takes on form. The nirguna assumes form in order to REACH us, and not only you, but other people, with different understanding. He comes to us according to our capacity and need. He is just as real in form of Jagannath or Rudra as in form of Gurudev. Only the sarguna can ACT in the world in a visible way to change the minds and hearts of men by EXAMPLE! The nirguna is not even perceived.<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo">"God and the Godhead are as different from each other as heaven and earth... If-creatures speak of God -- but why do they not mention the Godhead? Because there is only unity in the Godhead and there is nothing to talk about. God acts. The Godhead does not. ... The difference between God and the Godhead is the difference between action and non-action." ~Meister Eckhart</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Indigo"></span> </p><p>This is the real meaning of only One God, because all forms are only Him. Don't despise the ways in which your brother worships. The Love exists within all praise. Just dance with that Love in your heart veer ji. Because that Love is dancing in all hearts, in all ways, in all paths, in all approaches, in all understandings. Not one word could ever speak or touch or be pure enough to touch nirguna. But in our littleness, the Divine has become little in order that we might speak His praise with ALL our voices. If creation teaches you anything, it is multiplicity and incredible individuality. How can anyone put a limit on God and say HE cannot be born or take form? Gurbani utters both as Truth. He is Unborn and without form. He is many countless avataras and many uncountable forms.<p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹਹਿ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤ+ਹੀ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">sehas thav nain nan nain hehi thohi ko sehas moorath nanaa eaek thuohee</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥੨॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">sehas padh bimal nan eaek padh gandhh bin sehas thav gandhh eiv chalath mohee ||2||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. ||2|| </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">sabh mehi joth joth hai soe ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">ਤਿਸ ਦੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">this dhai chaanan sabh mehi chaanan hoe ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">gur saakhee joth paragatt hoe ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple">~SGGS Ji p. 13</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"> </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Purple"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green">"The more I am able to affirm others, to say 'yes' to them in myself, </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green">by discovering them in myself and myself in them, the more real I am. </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green">I am fully real if my own heart says yes to everyone...If I affirm myself </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green">as a Catholic merely by denying all that is Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green">Hindu, Buddhist, etc., </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green">in the end I will find that there is not much left for me as a Catholic: </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green">and certainly no breath of the Spirit with which to affirm it." ~Fr. Thomas Merton</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Green"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਤਾ ਕੇ ਰੂਪ ਨ ਜਾਹੀ ਲਖਣੇ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੨॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">thaa kae roop n jaahee lakhanae kiaa kar aakh veechaaree ||2||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">His beauteous forms cannot be comprehended; what can anyone accomplish by discussing and debating? ||2|| </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਤੀਨਿ ਗੁਣਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੁਗ ਹੀ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਚਾਰੇ ਤੇਰੀਆ ਖਾਣੀ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">theen gunaa thaerae jug hee anthar chaarae thaereeaa khaanee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">Throughout the ages, You are the three qualities, and the four sources of creation.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਕਰਮੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਤਾ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਕਥੇ ਅਕਥ ਕਹਾਣੀ ॥੩॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">karam hovai thaa param padh paaeeai kathhae akathh kehaanee ||3||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">If You show Your Mercy, then one obtains the supreme status, and speaks the Unspoken Speech. ||3||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਤੂੰ ਕਰਤਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਕਰੇ ਪਰਾਣੀ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">thoon karathaa keeaa sabh thaeraa kiaa ko karae paraanee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">You are the Creator; all are created by You. What can any mortal being do?</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਤੂੰ ਅਪਣੀ ਸਾਈ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥੪॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">jaa ko nadhar karehi thoon apanee saaee sach samaanee ||4||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">He alone, upon whom You shower Your Grace, is absorbed into the Truth. ||4||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਲੇਤੁ ਹੈ ਜੇਤੀ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">naam thaeraa sabh koee laeth hai jaethee aavan jaanee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">Everyone who comes and goes chants Your Name.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਜਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਹੋਰ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਫਿਰੈ ਇਆਣੀ ॥੫॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">jaa thudhh bhaavai thaa guramukh boojhai hor manamukh firai eiaanee ||5||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">When it is pleasing to Your Will, then the Gurmukh understands. Otherwise, the self-willed manmukhs wander in ignorance. ||5|| </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਚਾਰੇ ਵੇਦ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਕਉ ਦੀਏ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">chaarae vaedh brehamae ko dheeeae parr parr karae veechaaree ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">You gave the four Vedas to Brahma, for him to read and read continually, and reflect upon.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਤਾ ਕਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਬੂਝੈ ਬਪੁੜਾ ਨਰਕਿ ਸੁਰਗਿ ਅਵਤਾਰੀ ॥੬॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">thaa kaa hukam n boojhai bapurraa narak surag avathaaree ||6||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">The wretched one does not understand His Command, and is reincarnated into heaven and hell. ||6||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਜੁਗਹ ਜੁਗਹ ਕੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਕੀਏ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਅਵਤਾਰੀ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">jugeh jugeh kae raajae keeeae gaavehi kar avathaaree ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">In each and every age, He creates the kings, who are sung of as His Incarnations.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਤਿਨ ਭੀ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੭॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">thin bhee anth n paaeiaa thaa kaa kiaa kar aakh veechaaree ||7||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">Even they have not found His limits; what can I speak of and contemplate? ||7||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">ਤੂੰ ਸਚਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਦੇਹਿ ਤ ਸਾਚੁ ਵਖਾਣੀ ॥ </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">thoon sachaa thaeraa keeaa sabh saachaa dhaehi th saach vakhaanee ||</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">You are True, and all that You do is True. If You bless me with the Truth, I will speak on it.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue">~SGGS Ji p. 423</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"> </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="color: Blue"></span> </p><p>I promise to go away now and only bother you all on occasion <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /> And thank you for sharing the wonderful katha.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green"> "...in my opinion we all would do well not to be one of those people Yogananda referred to </span></p><p><span style="color: Green">who can only love their own chosen ideal by hating everyone else's." ~Rick Archer</span></p><p></p><p></p><p>~bhul chak maaf karni ji</p><p><span style="color: Blue"><strong></strong></span></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><strong>This thread was started by forum moderation on August 21, 2008. This date occurs after the date and time of the first post in this thread. All comments moved from other threads to this thread are organized in chronological order according to the day and time of their posting. Therefore, Post 1 has a date and time that precedes the start date of the thread. Thank you</strong></span>.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Harjas Kaur Khalsa, post: 85333, member: 2125"] [INDENT][COLOR=Blue]ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੇਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਈ ॥ guramukh naadhan guramukh vaedhan guramukh rehiaa samaaee || The Guru's Word is the Sound-current of the Naad; the Guru's Word is the Wisdom of the Vedas; the Guru's Word is all-pervading. ਗੁਰੁ ਈਸਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਬਰਮਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਬਤੀ ਮਾਈ ॥ gur eesar gur gorakh baramaa gur paarabathee maaee || The Guru is Shiva, the Guru is Vishnu and Brahma; the Guru is Paarvati and Lakhshmi. ਜੇ ਹਉ ਜਾਣਾ ਆਖਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥ jae ho jaanaa aakhaa naahee kehanaa kathhan n jaaee || Even knowing God, I cannot describe Him; He cannot be described in words. ~Jap Ji Sahib, Shri Guru Granth Sahib p. 2 [/COLOR] [/INDENT]I know I said I won't post but I can't resist to answer respected Pk70 ji. But I promise not to engage in debate. So answer freely or attack as you wish as I will likely not respond either way. Don't be too dogmatic and narrow in interpreting Jap Ji Sahib to fit your world-view. Open your eyes to read also it's hidden esoteric meanings. Nirguna isn't in some kind of jealousy conflict with sarguna for Supremacy or sole worship. Nirguna cannot possibly be a "jealous" or "exclusive" god.[INDENT][COLOR=Indigo]"One should not engage in theological disputes; there is room for many different viewpoints, and no single viewpoint is the final truth. One should reflect, instead, on the means to awaken devotion, and one should engage oneself in the practice of those means." ~Bhakti Sutras [/COLOR] [/INDENT]In the world of human guru's and chelas from other traditions, I have learned one thing which is wise. Sometimes a guru will give conflicting advice. Not because the guru is conflicted, but because diffferent chelas are on different levels of spiritual development. Gurbani tells us the God is BOTH nirguna AND sarguna. This is actually an answer to a centuries long debate between Advaita and Dvaita schools, whether you are familiar with the philosophical history of these debates between sampradyas. Gurbani's answer... God is both impersonal AND personal. The Divine energy flows without form and within form and within all creation. Just as there are uncountable levels of life form, so there are millions of different levels of spirituality from lowest to highest until final merging. BHAKTI is fundamentally a love affair with the Sarguna which transcends both the object and the subject, purifies the ego defilements and ascends beyond the human nature into merging with the Nirguna, which is the hidden fullness of the Beloved One. Hence it is the easiest way for the soul to attain enlightenment, because it is open to the flow of energy through the transformative power of Divine Love.[INDENT][COLOR=Teal]ਨਿਰਗੁਣੁ ਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਆਪੇ ਸੋਈ ॥ niragun saragun aapae soee || The Lord Himself is Unmanifest and Unrelated; He is Manifest and Related as well. ਤਤੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਸੋ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ thath pashhaanai so panddith hoee || Those who recognize this essential reality are the true Pandits, the spiritual scholars. ~SGGS Ji p. 128 [/COLOR] [/INDENT]The fact is, Buddhism is the philosophy of pure Advaita, and they have doctrinally rejected ALL manner of sarguna as being the ultimate, called Shunyata, or emptiness. We can harness the shakti, the energy, the anehad Shabad which vibrates out of the Primal Nada, like the Buddhists do. But we can't have personal relationship with formless energy. That is why formless Pure Unborn Shakti-Jyoti, union of energy and light is the ground of creative potential. But how can you worship the Nothingness? How can you fall in love with the impersonal Energy? It is true, the Nothingness moves in the empty spaces between thoughts, words and feelings and enlivens the life force of our very being. But even Buddhists have a Primal root Guru in Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha, as a face, as a spoken voice derived from the Purity of the energy, so that the energy itself can become manifest to the world. Nirguna is the Supreme reality. But not even Guru Nanak Dev Ji can describe it. Gurbani says the nirguna became the Guru, became the Shabad-Jyot of the Guru's Word. This is taking form, contrary to your assertion that we are advised to contemplate only that which cannot be contemplated per Gurbani. The fact that nirguna has become manifest in the sansaar as light and sound, as Guru and Guru's bani, or even as Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Parvati and Lakshmi is telling you that God has become those things which people's minds can perceive, in order that they might contemplate Him to the best of their ability.[INDENT][COLOR=Navy]"Oh a man must be pervaded with the divine presence, and be shaped through and through with the form of the God he loves, and be present in Him, so that God's presence may shine out to him without any effort. What is more, in all things let him acquire nakedness [detachment], and let him always remain free of things." ~Meister Eckhart [/COLOR] [/INDENT]The Primal Absolute is so humble, he slithers within the lowly worm. The Primal Absolute is so humble, He was born in a manger, allowed Himself to be reviled, crucified in order to teach a message of Love free of Hate. The Primal Absolute is so humble, He was born as a great Prince who renounced His kingdom in order to free the world from suffering and teach the LIGHT of Buddhist insight meditation and has given the world so many countless buddhas and bodhisattvas. Don't you understand veer ji, the Light of the World is all the time coming down to shine in darkness? The Primal Absolute is so humble, He was born as a true king in a kingdom under seige, and He sacrificed His father, His mother, and all His sons to save a nation from injustice, and to LIGHT a spark of liberation to elevate the oppressed to the heighths of Divine Dignity. Don't you understand veer ji, that no ordinary human can do these things? The True Light isn't shining in only one corner of the world for one race or religion. It is UNIVERSAL LIGHT of the One universal soul, Paramatman, Parameshvara. There is only One truth spoken in many dialects, and that is the universal truth of sanatana Dharma. The Divine Beloved is in all these forms, all these expressions, all these Naams. Why should we act like we're allergic to them? Why should we act like burned with fire to see some humble painting of devta which has so much meaning for so many millions of humble people, and miss the true symbolic beauty hiding there, of a God of PRESENCE for the suffering who conceive Him in every possible way? Who could despise the CLOSENESS implied by a picture of the Virgin Mary or a bhajan sung to the Devi Mata?[INDENT][COLOR=Blue]"The man who has 'God essentially present to him grasps God divinely, and to him God shines in all things; for everything tastes to him of God, and God forms Himself for the man out of all things." ~Meister Eckhart[/COLOR] [/INDENT][COLOR=Blue] [/COLOR][INDENT][COLOR=Blue][COLOR=DarkOrchid]"[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=DarkOrchid]Sentient beings wish to return to their origin where their nature will be in perfect unity." ~Surangama Sutra[/COLOR] [/INDENT][COLOR=Blue] [/COLOR] Don't be so dogmatic to presume to know what Guruji is teaching every individual heart. Spirituality isn't a cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all organizational intolerance of anyone who thinks/learns/understands differently. Gurbani is spiritually alive, and therefore has multidimensional and multiple meanings while never in contradiction. It speaks to EVERY heart. I find the people who think they have the "one true way" usually are the most hard, and the most lost. The Truth is One. But the ways to reaching truth are multiple.[INDENT][COLOR=Teal]"In the same way, no one can hinder this man, for he intends and seeks and takes delight in nothing but God, for God has become one with the man in all his intention. And so, just as no multiplicity can disturb God, nothing can disturb or fragment this man, for he is one in that One where all multiplicity is one and is one multiplicity." ~Meister Eckhart [/COLOR][/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=DarkRed]"The distinction between the persons does not impair the oneness of nature, nor does the shared unity of essence lead to a confusion between the distinctive characteristics of the persons. Do not be surprised that we should speak of the Godhead as being at the same time both unified and differentiated. Using riddles, as it were, we envisage a strange and paradoxical diversity-in-unity and unity-in-diversity." ~St Gregory of Nyssa[/COLOR] [/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=Teal] [/COLOR] [/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=Indigo]ਏਕੁ ਤੂ ਹੋਰਿ ਵੇਸ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ॥ eaek thoo hor vaes bahuthaerae || You, O Lord, are the One, but You have so many Forms. ~SGGS Ji p. 356 [/COLOR] [/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=DarkSlateGray][COLOR=DarkGreen]ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਨੇਕਾ ਰੂਪ ਅਨੰਤਾ ਕਹਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਹੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁਣ ਕੇਤੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ thaerae naam anaekaa roop ananthaa kehan n jaahee thaerae gun kaethae ||1|| rehaao || Your Names are so many, and Your Forms are endless. No one can tell how many Glorious Virtues You have. ||1||Pause|| ~SGGS Ji p. 358[/COLOR] [/COLOR] [/INDENT]Who do we think we are, to despise forms of God? Who are we to call obscene when our own body mirrors these same sense organs depicted in the devtas, along with the same kaam, the same krodh, the same karam, and the same originating creative shakti which when liberated becomes DARSHAN OF THE DIVINE BELOVED who we belong to as soul brides? Don't you see all of this is a Divine story, a lesson in how the soul, through the heroic demi-gods gets lost in ego, and transcends ego? These stories flow, because they are mirrors of ourselves. How we get lost, and by what means we are found in the true home of our Essential Nature, Self-Realization. We are all kings, and we are all beggars. We are all devas and we are all asuras. But only when we become the ONE will we ever be FREE. This powerful Shavaite spirituality is also known in the Christian West as "Spousal Prayer." It is the journey of the soul away from the infidelity of false loves, false affairs, deluding lovers to the heart of RAW TRUTH, intimacy with God Himself as Kundalini Shakti, the energy which flows into the crowned knot of fire at the top of our heads, and away from the pubicoccygeal chakra which is energized by the sensuality of the Maya Earth. To approach God sublimating and vigorously denying sexuality is to deny the truth of how the human being is created. Even to enjoy the rhythm of the tabla...is a form of sensuality. And even samadhi and kundalini shakti are the purified sexual potency of the body itself, ascended to mind and atma, and then to Paramatma. And if this yoga were worthless teaching, Guruji would not have included the bhagat bani of Kabir ji into Gurgaddhi.[INDENT][COLOR=Navy]"All men are made in God's image; but to be in His likeness is granted only to those who through great love have brought their own freedom into subjection to God. For only when we do not belong to ourselves do we become like Him who through love has reconciled us to Himself. No one achieves this unless he persuades his soul not to be distracted by the false glitter of this life.[/COLOR][COLOR=Navy]" ~Philokalia [/COLOR][/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=DarkOrchid]"Wherever there are two, there is fear, there is danger, there is conflict, there is strife. When it is all One, who is there to hate, who is there to struggle with? When it is all He, with whom can you fight? This explains the true nature of life; this explains the true nature of being. This is perfection, and this is God. As long as you see the many, you are under delusion." ~Swami Vivekananda[/COLOR] [/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR] [/INDENT]The truth is, the sarguna is as much the God as the nirguna. Difference is, we can PERCEIVE it. Just imagine going to Gurdwara and trying to bow to the nirguna. In what direction? Why in Gurdwara only? There would be no Babaji, no Palki, no Shabad Gurbani, no Kirtan, no Naam to jap. Nirguna is quite beyond our vain imaginings. We don't despise the humbleness of the sarguna of the inked pages on which is printed words which our brains interpret as Gurbani so vulnerable to tearing, aging, and physical abuse of the angs of Guru. But can't you see, without this sarguna of pages and words and concepts, and even Naams to jap we could not come close to approach that which is without thoughts, without name, without language. The nirguna is beyond the comprehension of the human brain. It is unapproachable without form. This is why IT (because beyond even descriptives of He or She), takes on form. The nirguna assumes form in order to REACH us, and not only you, but other people, with different understanding. He comes to us according to our capacity and need. He is just as real in form of Jagannath or Rudra as in form of Gurudev. Only the sarguna can ACT in the world in a visible way to change the minds and hearts of men by EXAMPLE! The nirguna is not even perceived.[INDENT][COLOR=Indigo]"God and the Godhead are as different from each other as heaven and earth... If-creatures speak of God -- but why do they not mention the Godhead? Because there is only unity in the Godhead and there is nothing to talk about. God acts. The Godhead does not. ... The difference between God and the Godhead is the difference between action and non-action." ~Meister Eckhart [/COLOR] [/INDENT]This is the real meaning of only One God, because all forms are only Him. Don't despise the ways in which your brother worships. The Love exists within all praise. Just dance with that Love in your heart veer ji. Because that Love is dancing in all hearts, in all ways, in all paths, in all approaches, in all understandings. Not one word could ever speak or touch or be pure enough to touch nirguna. But in our littleness, the Divine has become little in order that we might speak His praise with ALL our voices. If creation teaches you anything, it is multiplicity and incredible individuality. How can anyone put a limit on God and say HE cannot be born or take form? Gurbani utters both as Truth. He is Unborn and without form. He is many countless avataras and many uncountable forms.[INDENT][COLOR=Purple]ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹਹਿ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤ+ਹੀ ॥ sehas thav nain nan nain hehi thohi ko sehas moorath nanaa eaek thuohee You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one. ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥੨॥ sehas padh bimal nan eaek padh gandhh bin sehas thav gandhh eiv chalath mohee ||2|| You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. ||2|| ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ sabh mehi joth joth hai soe || Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light. ਤਿਸ ਦੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ this dhai chaanan sabh mehi chaanan hoe || By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all. ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ gur saakhee joth paragatt hoe || Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth. ~SGGS Ji p. 13 [/COLOR][/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=Green]"The more I am able to affirm others, to say 'yes' to them in myself, by discovering them in myself and myself in them, the more real I am. I am fully real if my own heart says yes to everyone...If I affirm myself as a Catholic merely by denying all that is Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Hindu, Buddhist, etc., in the end I will find that there is not much left for me as a Catholic: and certainly no breath of the Spirit with which to affirm it." ~Fr. Thomas Merton [/COLOR][/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=Blue]ਤਾ ਕੇ ਰੂਪ ਨ ਜਾਹੀ ਲਖਣੇ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੨॥ thaa kae roop n jaahee lakhanae kiaa kar aakh veechaaree ||2|| His beauteous forms cannot be comprehended; what can anyone accomplish by discussing and debating? ||2|| ਤੀਨਿ ਗੁਣਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੁਗ ਹੀ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਚਾਰੇ ਤੇਰੀਆ ਖਾਣੀ ॥ theen gunaa thaerae jug hee anthar chaarae thaereeaa khaanee || Throughout the ages, You are the three qualities, and the four sources of creation. ਕਰਮੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਤਾ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਕਥੇ ਅਕਥ ਕਹਾਣੀ ॥੩॥ karam hovai thaa param padh paaeeai kathhae akathh kehaanee ||3|| If You show Your Mercy, then one obtains the supreme status, and speaks the Unspoken Speech. ||3|| ਤੂੰ ਕਰਤਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਕਰੇ ਪਰਾਣੀ ॥ thoon karathaa keeaa sabh thaeraa kiaa ko karae paraanee || You are the Creator; all are created by You. What can any mortal being do? ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਤੂੰ ਅਪਣੀ ਸਾਈ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥੪॥ jaa ko nadhar karehi thoon apanee saaee sach samaanee ||4|| He alone, upon whom You shower Your Grace, is absorbed into the Truth. ||4|| ਨਾਮੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਲੇਤੁ ਹੈ ਜੇਤੀ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥ naam thaeraa sabh koee laeth hai jaethee aavan jaanee || Everyone who comes and goes chants Your Name. ਜਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਹੋਰ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਫਿਰੈ ਇਆਣੀ ॥੫॥ jaa thudhh bhaavai thaa guramukh boojhai hor manamukh firai eiaanee ||5|| When it is pleasing to Your Will, then the Gurmukh understands. Otherwise, the self-willed manmukhs wander in ignorance. ||5|| ਚਾਰੇ ਵੇਦ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਕਉ ਦੀਏ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥ chaarae vaedh brehamae ko dheeeae parr parr karae veechaaree || You gave the four Vedas to Brahma, for him to read and read continually, and reflect upon. ਤਾ ਕਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਬੂਝੈ ਬਪੁੜਾ ਨਰਕਿ ਸੁਰਗਿ ਅਵਤਾਰੀ ॥੬॥ thaa kaa hukam n boojhai bapurraa narak surag avathaaree ||6|| The wretched one does not understand His Command, and is reincarnated into heaven and hell. ||6|| ਜੁਗਹ ਜੁਗਹ ਕੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਕੀਏ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਅਵਤਾਰੀ ॥ jugeh jugeh kae raajae keeeae gaavehi kar avathaaree || In each and every age, He creates the kings, who are sung of as His Incarnations. ਤਿਨ ਭੀ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਆਖਿ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ॥੭॥ thin bhee anth n paaeiaa thaa kaa kiaa kar aakh veechaaree ||7|| Even they have not found His limits; what can I speak of and contemplate? ||7|| ਤੂੰ ਸਚਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਦੇਹਿ ਤ ਸਾਚੁ ਵਖਾਣੀ ॥ thoon sachaa thaeraa keeaa sabh saachaa dhaehi th saach vakhaanee || You are True, and all that You do is True. If You bless me with the Truth, I will speak on it. ~SGGS Ji p. 423 [/COLOR][/INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=Blue] [/COLOR] [/INDENT]I promise to go away now and only bother you all on occasion :p And thank you for sharing the wonderful katha. [COLOR=Green] "...in my opinion we all would do well not to be one of those people Yogananda referred to who can only love their own chosen ideal by hating everyone else's." ~Rick Archer[/COLOR] ~bhul chak maaf karni ji [COLOR=Blue][B] This thread was started by forum moderation on August 21, 2008. This date occurs after the date and time of the first post in this thread. All comments moved from other threads to this thread are organized in chronological order according to the day and time of their posting. Therefore, Post 1 has a date and time that precedes the start date of the thread. Thank you[/B][/COLOR]. [/QUOTE]
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Avatars Of Vishnu And The Satguru
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