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Creation Of The Universe As Expounded In Guru Nanak's Hymns (Part-II)

Dr. D. P. Singh

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SPNer
Apr 7, 2006
126
64
Nangal, India
Creation of the Universe
as Expounded in Guru Nanak’s Hymns
(Part-II)
Dr. D. P. Singh*
Vastness of Universe: The Sun, the Earth, the Moon, the stars, the satellites and the galaxies etc. form our universe. A wreath like arch of stars, stretching across the sky is the Milky Way. It is a part of our galaxy, which is an enormous system of clouds of glowing gas and 100 billion stars. Our universe contains about 100 billion galaxies. Our universe is vast. No one knows whether the universe is finite or infinite in size.
The observable universe is a few tens of billions of light years across. A light year is a distance traveled by light in one year, at the speed of 300,000 kilometers per second. It is equal to 9460 billion kilometers. The bright, unusual objects called quasars are the most distant objects in the universe found to date. Quasars may be as far as 16 billion light years from the earth. Even with all the latest scientific paraphernalia of radio telescopes, X-rays, observatories and space technology, our scientists are unable to find the edge of the universe. So until now, scientists could not find the limits of the creation.
There have been speculations about the extent of universe by religious persons as well. Christianity and Islam talk of fourteen regions, seven upper and seven nether. Hinduism believes in fourteen lokas or planes; the seven upper (Bhurloka, Bhuvarloka, Swarloka, Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapaloka and Satyaloka) and the seven nether (Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Gabhastimat, Mahatala, Sutala and Patala). Sometimes it talks of three regions known as Triloka viz. Heaven, Earth and the Netherworld. The earth has been further divided into nine regions known as Nav-Khand. Though in Sri Guru Granth Sahib there is a mention of nine continents, Triloka, 14 Lokas and four Khanis (meaning different ways of being born). But all these are just examples not convictions.
Guru Nanak in his ‘Jap(u) Ji’ (Santanza 22) talks of lakhs (million) of upper and nether regions.
There are nether worlds beneath nether worlds, and hundreds of thousands of heavenly worlds above.
The Vedas say that you can search and search for them all, until you grow weary.
Thousands scholars, 18 Puranas and Semetic books, also establish the same One principle.
If He could be accounted one would write, The writers finish but not His narration.
Nanak call Him “The Greatest”, He alone knows, all by Himself.
i.e. There are lakhs of nether worlds and skies. The ends were explored, the Vedas declare, but in vain. The Hindu and Muslim scriptures say the source is only One (The Creator). The creation is unaccountable. Whosoever takes account perishes. Only the creator knows the extent of his creation, says Nanak.
In 24th Santanza of ‘Jap(u) Ji’ Guru Nanak talks of an immeasurable expanse in the sense of ‘Neti, Neti’
The limits of the created universe cannot be perceived.
Its limits here and beyond cannot be perceived.
Many struggle to know His limits,
but His limits cannot be found.
No one can know these limits.
The more you say about them, the more there still remains to be said.

(SGGS, Jap(u) Ji, Page 5)

i.e. There is no limit of the created material world. There is no limit and no end. Several people wander for the knowledge of its limits. None can know this limit. The more we think of it, the more it goes ****her.
Guru Nanak in his verses of Jap(u) Ji (Santanza 34) describe our earth as Dharam Khand (the region to do the noble things as per His command) and elaborates about the natural phenomenon that occur on it.
Nights, days, weeks and seasons;
wind, water, fire and the nether regions
in the midst of these, He established the earth as a home for Dharma.
Upon it, He placed the various species of beings.
Their names are uncounted and endless.
By their deeds and their actions, they shall be judged.
God Himself is True, and True is His Court.
There, in perfect grace and ease, sit the self-elect, the self-realized Saints.
They receive the Mark of Grace from the Merciful Lord.
The ripe and the unripe, the good and the bad, shall there be judged.
O Nanak, when you go home, you will see this. ||34||
(SGGS, Jap(u) Ji, Page 7)

In this bani, Guru Nanak while describing ‘Gian Khand,’ tells us:
So many winds, waters and fires; so many Krishnas and Shivas.
So many Brahmas, fashioning forms of great beauty, adorned and dressed in many colours.
Thus in the 35th Santanza of ‘Japu ji’ infinite nature of the creation becomes very obvious. Guru Nanak says: There are many airs, waters and fires, many Kaahans and many Maheshas. There are many Brahmas shaping forms of many colours and beauties. There are many earths and mountains for us to act. There are countless Dhrus, and their teachings. There are many Indras, Moons and Suns. Countless are the galaxies and the worlds.
Even scientific theories have not yet found the limits of the universe. Up to now, scientists have unrevalled only a very small portion of the universe. The vastness of the explored (yet only a small) portion of the universe can be understood from the fact that even if we use the speed of light at 300 km/s, to look at all the corners of the explored universe, it will take more than 16 billion years to cover this vastness.
In the holy SGGS, Guru Nanak has written about the extensive nature of the creation present inside the universe as :
There are countless worlds and nether regions; I cannot calculate their number.
You are the Creator, the Lord of the Universe; You create it, and You destroy it.
The 8.4 million species of beings issued forth from You. (SGGS, Page 1283)
He does not stop there. In 37t Santanza of Jap(u) Ji Guru Nanak talks about the abode of the creator and tells us about numerous universes…
In the realm of Truth, the Formless Lord abides.
Having created the creation, He watches over it. By His Glance of Grace, He bestows happiness.
There are planets, solar systems and galaxies.
If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end.
There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation.
Thus Guru Nanak points out that there are spheres, universes and galaxies. If one attempts to describe, there is no limit. There are worlds beyond worlds, creations beyond creations. Whatsoever is ordained, by the Creator happens there accordingly.
Even the present day scientists are talking about the possible existence of other universes. Such a mention is already there in several books of astronomy. It is obvious from the above discussion that the ideas of Guru Nanak (a sixteenth century mystic) are in fitness of the things of modern science.
ORIGIN OF LIFE
Philosophers and scientists have long attempted to learn how, when and where life originated, and the way in which the original life gave rise to the different kinds of animals and plants found in the world. Before the end of the 17th century, both scientists and philosophers held it that life originated spontaneously from non-living materials. Until the middle of the nineteenth century, life was generally thought to be created by some supernatural power, the Creator or God, out of nothing. According to Christian belief, God created the universe, plants, animals and human beings in six natural days. According to Hindu mythology, the creator created all the various kinds of plants and animals simultaneously.
According to modern science, about 10 billions years ago the ‘Big Bang’ occurred. About 5 billion years ago swirling clouds of cosmic dust began to condense. Our earth was extremely hot when it came into existence. There was a great volcanic activity on land and sun gave intense heat. The release of gases, from the womb of earth, lead to the formation of gaseous envelope (containing water vapours) around it. With time clouds took their shape. Then it rained on earth for several hundred years. The rainwater flooded the earth and cooled it. In the shallower parts of the earth water took the form of seas. Life, in the form of unicellular animals (e.g. Amoeba & Protozoa) is thought to have originated in the seawater. From seawater, many organisms later invaded fresh waters and land. The present complex animals and plants have been produced in the course of ages by a process of gradual change in the earlier simpler forms of life. Darwin’s theory of natural selection is today recognized as the main factor in the evolution of animal and plant life.
Guru Nanak in his hymn of ‘Siri Rag’ says;
From the True Lord came the air, and from the air came water.
From water, He created the three worlds; in each and every heart He has infused His Light. (SGGS, Page 19)
i.e. From the ultimate reality, air (mixture of gases) was produced. From the air, water came into being. Then from water the whole world of living beings came into existence. These ideas of Guru Nanak are in good agreement with the central theme of the prevalent scientific ideas about the origin of life on earth. It is important to note that the above scientific ideas became prevalent since the second half of the eighteenth century, whereas Guru Nanak had composed his hymn in early sixteenth century.
Similarly, in His hymns Guru Nanak describes about invaluable treasures of ‘Nature’ and their abundance and diversity. These natural treasures comprise of unlimited types of vegetation, animals and natural resources. Their magnificence, variety and vastness are also described. The different languages spoken by different people and animals are also mentioned.
Scientists believe that on our earth there exist a variety of creatures/forms. They have wide variety of colours and species. Based on rigorous data, a modern day estimate is that there are about 10-30 million types of vegetation and animals present on our earth. But we have the exact details of about 1.4 million of them till date.
In Gurbani there is a mention of 8.4 million creatures.
The 8.4 million species of beings issued forth from You. (SGGS: 1283)
Bhagat Naam Dev in his hymns, which have been enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, tells us that 4.2 million creatures live on land and the rest 4.2 million live their life in the water.

EARTH’S SUPPORT IN SPACE

Since the ancient times, people were curious to know the secret of earth’s support in space. There have been several different stories in vogue from time to time. Ancient Indian believed that the world is resting on an enormous turtle floating in a huge sea of milk. Four elephants stand on the turtle’s back. With their trunks raised in the air, the elephants face the four corners of the world, holding the flat, round earth on their mighty backs.
According to a tale described by David Evesevich, a mythical Russian scholar, in ‘The Deep Book’, the earth rests on the backs of three enormous whales, swimming in an ocean. Every thing remains alright while they were asleep, but as soon as they woke up and started moving, an earthquake begins.
Another ancient story is that the earth rests on the horns of a mythical bull. The bull is standing on the hood of a giant snake ‘Sheshnag’. The Sheshnag is sitting on the back of a huge turtle. When the mythical bull changes the position of the earth from one horn to the other, earthquakes occur.
Guru Nanak, with his scientific attitude, tried to find out the cause and the rational justification of the event objectively. He attempted to explain the cause-effect relationship about the earth’s support in space. He wrote in ‘Japu Ji’:
‘Dhaul dharam dia ka poot. Santokh thaap rakhia jin soot.
The mythical bull is righteousness, the off spring of mercy. Which keeps the earth balanced with the thread of patience.
Je ko bujhai hovai sachiar. Dhavalai upar keta bhaar.
If one learns this, realizes the truth, How much is the load on that bull.
Dharti hor parai hor hor. Tis te bhaar talai kavan jor’.
There is earth beyond the earth, more and more. It holds up the weight; who supports it beneath.
i.e. The creator’s law (hukam) is the mythical bull to provide support to the whole creation. Proper observance of the laws leads to suitable order of the things. If one learns this, one realises the truth.
Otherwise just think of it that how much is the load on that (mythical) bull. How can a poor bull support such a huge load? Also, if the bull is supporting the earth in space then it needs the support of something to stand on. This implies that there is earth under its feet. So under this earth again there will be a bull and so on. What will be the support for the last bull to stand on?
It is obvious that the natural laws set by the Creator are providing support to the earth in space. Guru Nanak has described these laws as hukam or will of the Creator. Talking about the effectiveness of the law or hukam, he says;
Hukam-e aandar sabh ko, bahir hukam na ko-e.
All are subject to His supreme Will, Nothing is outside the sphere of His Will.
Thus Nanak says that every thing is happening according to the Will (Natural laws) of the Creator.
Even the scientists talk about the existence of natural laws (e.g. the law of gravitation etc) to providesupport to the earth in space. It is obvious that Guru Nanak’s viewpoint about the earth’s support in space was definitely different from the contemporary prevalent concepts. Secondly, his ideas appear to be in tune with the scientifically correct viewpoints.
(Concluded)


* Dr. D. P. Singh M.Sc., Ph.D., P.E.S.1 is a senior faculty member at Govt. College, Dera Bassi-140507, Dist. Patiala, Punjab.
 

pk70

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Feb 25, 2008
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DRDPSN JI

My special thanks for sharing this article with SPN viewers

With all due respect, I feel to add a few words here in this context.
What you are expressing a principle Guru Nanak firmly that believed in Him and His nature. As you quoted JapJi Sahib, the essence is that He is the infinite and what He has created is inexpressible, Guru Nanak also uses that base to open minds of the people who often circle themselves with the ego. He doesn’t accept any limited claims about the Infinite
In Sidhgost, there are many questions asked to Guru Nanak by Yogis about the soul, like during the time when this creation didn’t exist where it was. Guru ji answers that too.
Guru Nanak also points in Shabad in Raag Maru, Also Third Nanak in Guhri ki Vaar(SGGS508)what was in the beginning. Let me quote Guru Nanak’s both views here to clear what I am trying to say. In that Shabad Guru Nanak states when there was nothing, the Creator was in His own state, then He created planets etc to manifest in them to watch and to put His ordinance in place, and he comes back to the Ordinance of the Lord as he stressed it in JapJi. The Vital idea about His infinity, Guru Nanak keeps alive even while doing an attempt to express some thing about Him and His creation. The following Shabad is on SGGS1035 to 1036, I have posted it in short form though main idea is kept as a reference:
ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ
Mārū mėhlā 1.
Maaroo, First Mehl:
ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ
Arbaḏ narbaḏ ḏẖunḏẖūkārā.
For endless eons, there was only utter darkness.
ਧਰਣਿ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ
Ḏẖaraṇ na gagnā hukam apārā.
There was no earth or sky; there was only the infinite Command of His Hukam.
ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ (SGGS1035)
Nā ḏin rain na cẖanḏ na sūraj sunn samāḏẖ lagā▫iḏā. ||1||
There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound Samaadhi. ||1||

It is an expression He already expressed in Mool Mantra “swambh”, He is from Himself and was in Himself, a fact about His Mastery over His creation.
………………

Then what He did?

ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਅਰੰਭੇ ਗੁਪਤਹੁ ਪਰਗਟੀ ਆਇਦਾ ੧੫
Kẖand barahmand pāṯāl arambẖe gupṯahu pargatī ā▫iḏā. ||15||
He formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. ||15||
………………
Again Guru feels wonderstruck (This expression is very important to understand what Guru Nanak says and why his concept of the inexpressible is repeated.). All is created to permeate in it unlike Biblical God who is portrayed as separate from His creation like a man from others on this earth, Guru Nanak’s God pervades in it. How one can please Him with sacrifices of lives or hating lives that are not in align with one’s own concept of faith or order? If there is a conflict, it can be faced without hating others just as while in argument we don’t hate our dear friends. I mean, Guru Nanak gives a big concept where as others have created their own walls and declared” either come in or out”

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਬਿਸਮਾਦੀ ਬਿਸਮ ਭਏ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇਦਾ ੧੬੧੫
Nānak sācẖ raṯe bismāḏī bisam bẖa▫e guṇ gā▫iḏā. ||16||3||15||
O Nanak, those who are attuned to the Truth are wonderstruck; singing His Glorious Praises, they are filled with wonder. ||16||3||15||

Now look at SGGS 945(Sidhgost), after Yogi asked questions, he answers, it’s all about the soul and Lord before any thing ever existed
ਹਿਰਦਾ ਦੇਹ ਹੋਤੀ ਅਉਧੂ ਤਉ ਮਨੁ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਰਹੈ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਨਾਭਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਅਸਥੰਭੁ ਹੋਤੋ ਤਾ ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਬਸਤਉ ਪਵਨੁ ਅਨਰਾਗੀ ਰੂਪੁ ਰੇਖਿਆ ਜਾਤਿ ਹੋਤੀ ਤਉ ਅਕੁਲੀਣਿ ਰਹਤਉ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁ ਸਾਰੁ ਗਉਨੁ ਗਗਨੁ ਜਬ ਤਬਹਿ ਹੋਤਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਜੋਤਿ ਆਪੇ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਵਰਨੁ ਭੇਖੁ ਅਸਰੂਪੁ ਸੁ ਏਕੋ ਏਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਿਡਾਣੀ ਸਾਚ ਬਿਨਾ ਸੂਚਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਕਥ ਕਹਾਣੀ ੬੭
Hirḏā ḏeh na hoṯī a▫oḏẖū ṯa▫o man sunn rahai bairāgī. Nābẖ kamal asthambẖ na hoṯo ṯā nij gẖar basṯa▫o pavan anrāgī. Rūp na rekẖ▫i▫ā jāṯ na hoṯī ṯa▫o akulīṇ rahṯa▫o sabaḏ so sār. Ga▫un gagan jab ṯabėh na hoṯa▫o ṯaribẖavaṇ joṯ āpe nirankār. varan bẖekẖ asrūp so eko eko sabaḏ vidāṇī. Sācẖ binā sūcẖā ko nāhī Nānak akath kahāṇī. ||67||
A. [/FONT]83: O Yogi, when there were not heart and body, then the mind made abode in the Detached Lord. A. 84: When there was no support of the navel-lotus, the breath then stayed in its own home imbued with the Lord's love. A. 85: When there was no form, no sign and no caste, then in its quintessence form, the Name dwelt in the Unlineal Lord. A. 86: When there was no body tomb, no world and no firmament, then the light of the Formless Lord alone, pervaded the three worlds. A. 87: When the colour, garb and form of the One Lord were not seen, then all these resided in the one Wondrous Lord. Without the True Name, no one can become immaculate. Nanak, Ineffable is the Lord's anecdote.
Now Look, Third Nanak saying same thing in different way in context of being All in All
ਪਉੜੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੁ ਉਪਾਇਓਨੁ ਤਦਹੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਕੋਈ ਮਤਾ ਮਸੂਰਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਜੋ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਈ ਤਦਹੁ ਆਕਾਸੁ ਪਾਤਾਲੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਲੋਈ ਤਦਹੁ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਨਾ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਈ ਜਿਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਵੈ ਕਰੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਕੋਈ
Pa▫oṛī. Āpṇā āp upā▫i▫on ṯaḏahu hor na ko▫ī. Maṯā masūraṯ āp kare jo kare so ho▫ī. Ŧaḏahu ākās na pāṯāl hai nā ṯarai lo▫ī. Ŧaḏahu āpe āp nirankār hai nā opaṯ ho▫ī. Ji▫o ṯis bẖāvai ṯivai kare ṯis bin avar na ko▫ī. ||1||
Pauri. When the Lord created His ownself, then there was none else. He took counsel and advice with Himself and what he did that came to pass. Then there was no sky, no nether region, nor three worlds. Then was only the Formless Lord Himself and there was no creation. As it pleased Him so did He act, without Him there was not another.

Obliviously again His ineffability is expressed in the end of First Nanak's quoted Shabad, it shouldn’t be ignored what Guru says about His being inexpressible while pondering over other things Guru Nanak says about Him during the time when nothing was created.
Now, let’s go back to the point. His creation is beyond words to express; when there was nothing, the Lord was just by Himself. Then how it started as He created all to manifest in it, here it is what Guru Nanak says on SGGS 3
ਕੀਤਾ ਪਸਾਉ ਏਕੋ ਕਵਾਉ
Kīṯā pasā▫o eko kavā▫o.
You created the vast expanse of the Universe with One Word!
ਤਿਸ ਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਲਖ ਦਰੀਆਉ
Ŧis ṯe ho▫e lakẖ ḏarī▫ā▫o.
Hundreds of thousands of rivers began to flow.
ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਵਣ ਕਹਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ
Kuḏraṯ kavaṇ kahā vīcẖār.
How can Your Creative Potency be described?
ਵਾਰਿਆ ਜਾਵਾ ਏਕ ਵਾਰ (SGGS3)
vāri▫ā na jāvā ek vār.
I cannot even once be a sacrifice to You.

Now read the last Guru Vaak”, ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਵਣ ਕਹਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ Kuḏraṯ kavaṇ kahā
How can Your Creative Potency be described?”
Obviously Guru repeats his firm belief that it is just not possible to say exactly how He created all this, its better to understand that He did as He willed.
Science was not promoted or taught by Guru Nanak at all, any of his Shabad if used to impress others how much Guru Nanak knew about all this (which is being explored by today’s science), justice will not be done to his theory and concept of the Creator and His creation. For Guru Nanak, mortals can keep boasting about their knowledge, or keep exploring about His creation, they will never ever fathom the vastness of His infinity. All the other religions if boast about it, unfortunately their claims appears just laughable after reading Guru Nanak and Science and would remain like this in the future because there is no way to express accurately about His infinity. Guru Nanak sealed the truth so that his followers should never assume any thing unlike others did and do about it and boast about it; this alone elevates Guru Nanak’s observation above all about Him and His creation and he stands superior to all those who make claims depending on guesses, , Guru Nanak will stand tall as he is today. :)
 

Dr. D. P. Singh

Writer
SPNer
Apr 7, 2006
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Nangal, India
Dear PK70 ji,
Thanks for sharing your views about the 'Creation of the Universe as expounded in Guru Nanak's Hymns'. Some of the Hymns as pointed out by you, have already been discussed in the first part of the article. However I am of the opinion that a lot of work is yet to be done, to bring out the extraordinary scientific outlook provided by the Great Gurus in SGGS, to light, and for all of us to understand the Ultimate Reality (GOD). Your contribution toward the same deserves appreciation.Regards.
drdpsn
 

Tejwant Singh

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Jun 30, 2004
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Dr. D.P. Singh ji,

Guru Fateh.

Thanks for your insights which are quite enlightening. Many Sikh Scholars, historians, intellects etc. etc are afraid to use the word Science with Sikhi, perhaps they want to embrace Sikhi has one more dogmatic religion of cans and can nots rather than will and will nots like many other religions in the crowded market of " My God is better than yours".

Many of the people mentioned above claim that 'GURBANI DOES NOT NEED VERIFICATION, AUTHENTICATION OR VALIDATION BY REAL OR PERCEIVED SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OR BY PROVEN OR YET TO BE PROVEN SCIENTIFIC THEORIES'.


It seens they have no idea what the definition of Science is. It
is just an observaitonal tool. Nothing else.

Science according to American Heritage dictionary

1. The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.
2. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.
3. Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study.

The objective of science is not to prove anything but to observe it and show the results sans bias. In other words many of us take science as a lab test which it is not in this case. Science is used to create the faculty of reasoning and common sense in human beings.Hence one can name it as a scientific observation.

The best example of scientific observation was by Guru Nanak when he started throwing water towards the west while the Hindus were throwing it towards the Sun in the east. He wanted to prove them that reason does not allow us to conclude that water can ever reach the Sun. We can repeat the same example of Janieo as a scientific observation. We can go further and talk about the episode in Mecca where the Mullah asked Guru Nanak not to direct his feet where Allah is. And Guru Nanak with his approach of reason requested the Mullah to move his feet towards the direction where Allah is not.

In recent years, the Scientists have discovered billions of planets. Guru Nanak the True Scientist discovered them all without the help of any telescope more than 500 years ago.

Hubble hints at billions of planets in Milky Way

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4237131.html

Astronomers hail `new age’ of planet discovery

http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/304539

Galaxy has 'billions of Earths

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7891132.stm

So we should not be afraid to use the word Scientific in Sikhi as you have done so eloquently.

Thanks and regards.

Tejwant Singh
 

pk70

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Feb 25, 2008
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Dear PK70 ji,
Thanks for sharing your views about the 'Creation of the Universe as expounded in Guru Nanak's Hymns'. Some of the Hymns as pointed out by you, have already been discussed in the first part of the article. However I am of the opinion that a lot of work is yet to be done, to bring out the extraordinary scientific outlook provided by the Great Gurus in SGGS, to light, and for all of us to understand the Ultimate Reality (GOD). Your contribution toward the same deserves appreciation.Regards.
drdpsn

drdpsn Jio
Thanks for understanding the idea I tried to add to your article.
As a student of science, none other than you can understand more the fact that when we use logic in our day today life, we do not become scientists. Spiritual Masters go above this cat race of “to be some thing” and only their focus remains on what they promote. That is the precious gem that transforms the lives of millions. In their divine experience they can go ahead of time in describing a lot of stuff that others fail to perceive; still that do not make them scientist; to be a scientist is very limited title for a spiritual Master Guru Nanak. Perceiving his message other than the eternity it carries and vast application it holds is nothing more than mind-set –commotion highly likely to die as a short lived day that begins with lot a of light.
Thanks again, kindly keep posting your insightful articles.:)
 

Dr. D. P. Singh

Writer
SPNer
Apr 7, 2006
126
64
Nangal, India
S. Tejwant Singh Ji,
Thanks for your observations/comments about Science and Sikhism. I agree with you concerning your observations. The incidents, which you have pointed out, from the life of Guru Nanak, do convey the Great Guru's scientific attitude. I have discussed these incidents in detail in a booklet titled 'Guru Nanak's Scientific Attitude', published by Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana. Thanks for sending me the links to some very good scientific topics. Regards.
drdpsn
 

Tejwant Singh

Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jun 30, 2004
5,028
7,188
Henderson, NV.
S. Tejwant Singh Ji,
Thanks for your observations/comments about Science and Sikhism. I agree with you concerning your observations. The incidents, which you have pointed out, from the life of Guru Nanak, do convey the Great Guru's scientific attitude. I have discussed these incidents in detail in a booklet titled 'Guru Nanak's Scientific Attitude', published by Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana. Thanks for sending me the links to some very good scientific topics. Regards.
drdpsn

Dear Doctor Sahib,

Guru Fateh.

Thanks for your response. I am glad you have written a booklet regarding the scientific approach/attitude of the founder of this beautiful way of life called Sikhi. When I mentioned Guru Nanak as a True Scientist it was not in any demeaning way as It seems PK70 ji took it. The name- the title GURU which He did not give himself includes his Scientific approach and all other titles one may think of. He was the true enlightener as the word GURU means and He keeps on enlighening me daily through SGGS. Guru Nanak teaches us how to develop our reasoning faculties through Gurbani so that we can lead the life of Miri- Piri by finding the Gurmat fulcrum within.

I will get hold of the book and read it.

Once again, Thanks for sharing.

Regards

Tejwant Singh
 
Apr 20, 2009
2
3
SSA to all,

Would like to share some thoughts on this issue.

The science thus far only explains about 6 percent of the universe (from a recent talk by Dr. Tyson, Astrophysicist). Another NASA scientist recently said that we may never ever find how life actually originated from simpler molecules (although we understand the circumstances that are conducive to life and we understand how life has evolved once it was formed).

Although we have made a lot of progress, the physical sciences as we know them are quite limited as of today, but the science of Guru Nanak is eternal, universal and ultimate-it is the science of the soul. So, the two cannot be equated directly, although we can say that the physical sciences are a dimension of the big picture, and therefore are quite important for us to study in order to make sense of the physical world around us.

Having said that, I must humbly submit that I still have to figure out how to converge these two on certain aspects that I might share with you eventually, because my tiny brain doesn't comprehend a lot of things. I have been trained as a scientist myself and I have come to the realize that the more I think I know the more I come to know that I don't know anything ( I must admit that I might have unintentionally stolen this last line from a poet or an old saying and I am sorry for that)

I highly appreciate your taking some time to read this.

regards to all,
:)
 

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