☀️ JOIN SPN MOBILE
Forums
New posts
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
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Videos
New media
New comments
Library
Latest reviews
Donate
Log in
Register
What's new
New posts
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!
Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
Sign up
Log in
Discussions
Sikh Sikhi Sikhism
Interpretation Of Gurbani
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Taranjeet singh" data-source="post: 120968" data-attributes="member: 10049"><p><strong>Interpretation of Gurbani- A scientific approach</strong></p><p>Prof. Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD</p><p>"<em>Religion without science is blind.Science without religion is lame."</em></p><p>Albert Einstein (21)</p><p></p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak through his ten forms (Guru Nanak 1469 . . . to Guru Gobind Singh . . . 1708) founded a religion, Sikhism, for the welfare of the humankind of this planet, the earth. Due to certain activities of unscrupulous Sikhs, Sikhism has been wrapped in a cocoon woven with the silken fibers of ancient writings based on mythology, unscientific and illogical concepts, traditions and stories. Consequently it has been represented as a ritualistic and mythic religion like others. Even today, in the Space Age and the Computer Age, Sikhism is being interpreted along the lines of these ancient writings without looking into their authenticity and validity according to the present day knowledge of science and Gurbani, the touchstones of the truth. Gurbani is the word revealed by the Sikh Gurus, which has been incorporated in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS) by the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan, and the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh. As Sikhism is based on Gurbani, therefore, it is imperative to adopt a scientific approach to interpret Gurbani in its real perspective to represent Sikhism.</p><p></p><p>Nevertheless, there are many conventional and conservative theologians who accept that the religion is a belief in spiritual and metaphysical phenomena and science has nothing to do with it. Because science deals with the physical matters, which can be seen and felt (20). They also feel that its application in religion will disrupt the fundamentals of Gurbani consequently will degrade Sikhism. Unfortunately they have absolutely wrong impression about science. Science deals with all types of matters: inanimates and animates and all the stages through which an inanimate becomes animate; all the invisible matters and all their stages through which they become visible and can be felt; and all the stages from nothingness to matter to existence. There is nothing in the universe that can escape the application of science. In fact the objective of science is to find the truth (21).</p><p></p><p><strong>The period of renaissance and Guru Nanak</strong></p><p></p><p>During the period of renaissance (14th - 17th century) the beginning of modern science challenged the existing fundamentals of church in Europe. Galileo (1564-1642) was imprisoned for life because he challenged the fundamental belief of the church that earth is the center of the universe. He proved the theory of Copernicus (1473-1543) that the earth is a planet of solar system and it revolves around the sun (23).</p><p></p><p>During the same period of renaissance, about a century before Galileo, Guru Nanak started the most modern and scientific religion, Sikhism - based on the Gurbani revealed by him. He challenged the misconceptions in the religions of Indian Subcontinent. The misconception that the earth is resting on the horns of a bull was removed by Guru Nanak by explaining that the earth is staying in the universe under the control of the Laws of the Almighty (Scientists call them Laws of Nature) (1, 19). Guru Nanak also explained about the creation of the universe by a process very similar to the "Big Bang" theory and expansion of the universe according to the Laws of the Almighty (Nature) (2, 19). The theory of "Big Bang" was propounded by scientists in 1921, i.e., about five centuries after Guru Nanak. I must explain here how are the Nature and the Almighty visualized by the scientists and by Guru Nanak? According to scientists "A creative and controlling force in the universe is a Nature." According to Nanak "The creative and controlling force in the universe is the Almighty." Moreover, Guru Nanak also considers the Nature as the creation as well as the creator (19).</p><p></p><p>On the front of sociology and theology, Guru Nanak challenged the caste system created by the Jogis and Brahmans and explained that the whole humankind belongs to one class (3, 4, 5); and challenged the Brahmans that the Almighty takes neither birth nor dies, is not reincarnated into human form (6, 7, 8), can never be structured into any shape in stone or any other material (9), and neither has father, nor mother, nor son, nor relative, nor wife nor any lust (10).</p><p></p><p><strong>Space Age and Gurbani</strong></p><p></p><p>Mr. Bestien (18) reported that thirty years ago only one percent of people said they were of no religion. Now about 10% of people say they have no religion. And forty years ago 70% people regularly attended weekly worship service, now only 20% do so. His comments on this information were: The main reason of decreasing population of believers in religion is that teaching of religion is too stodgy and stern for modern man swiftly changing knowledge of science. Very similar situation is developing in Sikhism throughout the world including India. The young Sikhs of Space Age/Computer Age are not interested in Sikhism and visiting Gurdwaras as they do not get the real picture of Sikhism, because of its presentation by quoting mythic, unscientific and illogical stories.</p><p></p><p>Recently Dr. Mann (22) has pointed out that even very reputed Sikh scholars, e.g., Dr. Gopal Singh, and Dr. G. S. Talib, have not been able to free themselves from the dominance of Hindu mythology while rendering the translation of stanza 37 of Jap. They could not resist bringing Prince Rama and his wife, Sita, into the picture. The word 'sito-sita' has been confused with Prince Rama's wife, Sita, and the word 'Ram' which actually stands for the Almighty, for Prince Rama. However, in common Punjabi folklore 'sito-sita' means fully sewn or stitched. Interpretation of Gurbani under the influence of ancient mythology is very common with many theologians.</p><p></p><p>Dr. Mann (22) has again expressed his disappointment in the interpretation of 'Gur Prasad' in the UNESCO Collection (24) by the most reputed theologians, e.g., Bhai Jodh Singh, Kapur Singh, Trilochan Singh and Bawa Harkrishan Singh and a Sikh historian, Khushwant Singh. They have translated 'Gur Parsad' inMoolmantra as: "By the Grace of the Guru made known to man." This interpretation is accepted by almost every Sikh theologian. But Dr. Mann interpreted it as: Gur = Great and Prasad = Bountiful/merciful. However, logically Gur Prasad stands for "Grace of the Almighty" with which Guru Nanak revealed the Moolmantra (11). Unfortunately, it is termed as Moolmantra by almost all the Sikh scholars and they justify its title by quoting the verses where the word 'mantra' has been used, forgetting that 'mantra' has been used as simile or metaphor in such verses. In fact there is no place of mantra in the Gurbani. Scientific and logical analysis of this verse clearly indicates that it is a definition of the Almighty not a Moolmantra (19, 20). Similarly, scientific and logical interpretation of the first verse of Jap (12) is as: "The Almighty was in existence before the time, during the times, at present, and will exist forever." The word 'such' is usually translated as 'true' in this verse. Actually'such' here means 'existence'.</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately almost all the theologians have interpreted or translated two words, 'sanjog' and 'vijog', as union/separation of families or union/separation of man with/from God. In fact 'sanjog' is: The union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantity of energy, i.e., fusion. Release of energy from sun is by fusion. The simple meanings are union of two things into one. And 'vijog' is: Splitting of an atomic nucleus resulting in the release of a large amount of energy, i.e., fission. An atom bomb is the result of a fission (splitting) of an element to release energy. The simple meanings are splitting of a thing into two parts. Thus in 'sanjog vijog duey kar chlaweh' (13) is interpreted on the fact that here Guru Nanak is talking about the control (nathi) of all the actions and reactions, i.e., the work (kar) and its control rests with the Almighty (Nath) in this stanza. Thus, its interpretation is: "The work (kar) is done by the energy released by fusion and by fission." In another verse it has the same meanings: "He Himself initiates the fusion (sanjog), He Himself initiates the fission (vijog), He Himself creates, and He himself reverses the creation" (14).</p><p></p><p>At another place these words have entirely different meanings: "Splitting (vijog) and pairing (sanjog) of chromosomes are performed according to the already decided laws. By putting together five elements, a new body is formed" (15). Here the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan, has explained the conception and birth of new body (baby). Here vijog means splitting of pairs of chromosomes of sex cells of a man and of a woman. And sanjog means combination or pairing of one set of n-number of chromosomes from the man sex cell with the n-number of chromosomes of woman sex cell resulting in a zygote of 2n-chromosomes. This zygote continues to divide resulting into a multicellular organism that develops into a new human being.</p><p>Some fundamentals of some religions are being continuously attacked by science since the advent of the period of the renaissance. A controversy is going on between the scientists and the church about the evolution theory. The children of the Space Age/Computer Age, who have studied the theory of evolution in schools are not going to believe in church that Adam and Eve were created as a man and woman as such to procreate on the earth. Because the scientific evidence indicates that the man came into existence as modern man (Homo sapiens sapiens) of today only 35,000 years ago after passing through a long process of evolution of millions of years (23). However, Guru Nanak declared about 340 years before the famous naturalist, Charles, R. Darwin (1809-1882), that the present status of man was achieved by him after passing through a long process of evolution (16, 17). Thus, a religion based on unscientific and illogical principles will not survive very long.</p><p>It is crystal clear from the above very brief discussion that Gurbani has stood the test of the time so far. And it is my strong conviction that there is no test in the world that could challenge its truth, if it is presented scientifically and logically in its real perspective.</p><p></p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>AGGS = Aad Guru Granth Sahib. 1983 (reprint) 1430 p. Publishers: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar. (M = Mahla, i.e., succession number of the Sikh Gurus to the House of Guru Nanak, P = Page of the AGGS).</p><p>1. AGGS, Jap 16, p 3 : dhoal dharm day-a ka poot. Santokh thaap rakhia jin soot.</p><p>2. AGGS, Jap16, p 3 : keeta pasao eko kawao.</p><p>3. AGGS, Jap 28, p 6 : a-ee panthi sagal jamati.</p><p>4. AGGS, Jap 33, p 7 : Nanak utam neech na koay</p><p>5. AGGS, M 1, p 62 : sab ko ucha akhiey neech na deesey koey</p><p>6. AGGS, M 1, p 931 : janam maran nahi dhandha dhore.</p><p>7. AGGS, M 5, p 1095 : tu parbrahm parmesar jonn na awey.</p><p>8. AGGS, M 5, p 1136 : janam maran te rehit narain. so mukh jallu jit kahey thakur jonni.</p><p>9. AGGS, Jap 5, p 2 : thapea na jaey keeta na hoey.</p><p>10. AGGS, M 1, p 597 : na tiss matt pita sut bandhap na tiss kaam na naari.</p><p>11. AGGS, Manglacharan, p 1 : ek oankar sat nam karta purkh nirbhao nirvair akal murit ajuni sabhangh gur parsad.</p><p>12. AGGS, Jap 1, p 1 : aad such jugad such hai bhi such Nanak hosi bhi such.</p><p>13. AGGS, Jap 29, p 6 : sanjog vijog duay kar chlawey</p><p>14. AGGS, M 3, p 1045 : aapey jor wichorey aapey. aapey thap uthapey aapey.</p><p>15. AGGS, M 5, p 1007 : sanjog vijog dhurh hee hua.</p><p>16. AGGS, M 1, p 20 : sachey tey pawana ....</p><p>17. AGGS, M 5, p 176 : kai janam bhaey keet patanga.</p><p>18. Bestien, Mark. 1991. Most Canadians shun religion as relic of the past. The Gazette, Montreal, November 19.</p><p>19. Chahal, D. S. 1992. Philosophy: Scientific interpretation of the Sikh scriptures. The Sikh Review, Vol. 40 (July): 5-20.</p><p>20. Chahal, D. S. 1993. Debate: Scientific interpretation of Gurbani. The Sikh Review, Vol. 41 (December): 23-35.</p><p>21. Davies, P. 1983. God and the New Physics. J. M. Dent and Sons Ltd., Toronto. (Quote on the inside title page of this book).</p><p>22. Mann, T. S. 1995. Problems of decoding Gurbani: The revealed Word. Abstracts of Sikh Studies, Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh.</p><p>23. Reader's Digest History of Man: The Last Two Million Years. The Reader's Digest Assoc., Montreal, 1973.</p><p>24. Singh, Trilochan; Singh, Bhai Jodh; Singh, Kapur; Singh, Bawa Harkrishan; Singh, Khushwant. 1973. Selections from the Sacred Writings of the Sikhs. Samuel Weiser, Inc., New York.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Taranjeet singh, post: 120968, member: 10049"] [B]Interpretation of Gurbani- A scientific approach[/B] Prof. Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD "[I]Religion without science is blind.Science without religion is lame."[/I] Albert Einstein (21) [B]Introduction[/B] Guru Nanak through his ten forms (Guru Nanak 1469 . . . to Guru Gobind Singh . . . 1708) founded a religion, Sikhism, for the welfare of the humankind of this planet, the earth. Due to certain activities of unscrupulous Sikhs, Sikhism has been wrapped in a cocoon woven with the silken fibers of ancient writings based on mythology, unscientific and illogical concepts, traditions and stories. Consequently it has been represented as a ritualistic and mythic religion like others. Even today, in the Space Age and the Computer Age, Sikhism is being interpreted along the lines of these ancient writings without looking into their authenticity and validity according to the present day knowledge of science and Gurbani, the touchstones of the truth. Gurbani is the word revealed by the Sikh Gurus, which has been incorporated in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS) by the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan, and the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh. As Sikhism is based on Gurbani, therefore, it is imperative to adopt a scientific approach to interpret Gurbani in its real perspective to represent Sikhism. Nevertheless, there are many conventional and conservative theologians who accept that the religion is a belief in spiritual and metaphysical phenomena and science has nothing to do with it. Because science deals with the physical matters, which can be seen and felt (20). They also feel that its application in religion will disrupt the fundamentals of Gurbani consequently will degrade Sikhism. Unfortunately they have absolutely wrong impression about science. Science deals with all types of matters: inanimates and animates and all the stages through which an inanimate becomes animate; all the invisible matters and all their stages through which they become visible and can be felt; and all the stages from nothingness to matter to existence. There is nothing in the universe that can escape the application of science. In fact the objective of science is to find the truth (21). [B]The period of renaissance and Guru Nanak[/B] During the period of renaissance (14th - 17th century) the beginning of modern science challenged the existing fundamentals of church in Europe. Galileo (1564-1642) was imprisoned for life because he challenged the fundamental belief of the church that earth is the center of the universe. He proved the theory of Copernicus (1473-1543) that the earth is a planet of solar system and it revolves around the sun (23). During the same period of renaissance, about a century before Galileo, Guru Nanak started the most modern and scientific religion, Sikhism - based on the Gurbani revealed by him. He challenged the misconceptions in the religions of Indian Subcontinent. The misconception that the earth is resting on the horns of a bull was removed by Guru Nanak by explaining that the earth is staying in the universe under the control of the Laws of the Almighty (Scientists call them Laws of Nature) (1, 19). Guru Nanak also explained about the creation of the universe by a process very similar to the "Big Bang" theory and expansion of the universe according to the Laws of the Almighty (Nature) (2, 19). The theory of "Big Bang" was propounded by scientists in 1921, i.e., about five centuries after Guru Nanak. I must explain here how are the Nature and the Almighty visualized by the scientists and by Guru Nanak? According to scientists "A creative and controlling force in the universe is a Nature." According to Nanak "The creative and controlling force in the universe is the Almighty." Moreover, Guru Nanak also considers the Nature as the creation as well as the creator (19). On the front of sociology and theology, Guru Nanak challenged the caste system created by the Jogis and Brahmans and explained that the whole humankind belongs to one class (3, 4, 5); and challenged the Brahmans that the Almighty takes neither birth nor dies, is not reincarnated into human form (6, 7, 8), can never be structured into any shape in stone or any other material (9), and neither has father, nor mother, nor son, nor relative, nor wife nor any lust (10). [B]Space Age and Gurbani[/B] Mr. Bestien (18) reported that thirty years ago only one percent of people said they were of no religion. Now about 10% of people say they have no religion. And forty years ago 70% people regularly attended weekly worship service, now only 20% do so. His comments on this information were: The main reason of decreasing population of believers in religion is that teaching of religion is too stodgy and stern for modern man swiftly changing knowledge of science. Very similar situation is developing in Sikhism throughout the world including India. The young Sikhs of Space Age/Computer Age are not interested in Sikhism and visiting Gurdwaras as they do not get the real picture of Sikhism, because of its presentation by quoting mythic, unscientific and illogical stories. Recently Dr. Mann (22) has pointed out that even very reputed Sikh scholars, e.g., Dr. Gopal Singh, and Dr. G. S. Talib, have not been able to free themselves from the dominance of Hindu mythology while rendering the translation of stanza 37 of Jap. They could not resist bringing Prince Rama and his wife, Sita, into the picture. The word 'sito-sita' has been confused with Prince Rama's wife, Sita, and the word 'Ram' which actually stands for the Almighty, for Prince Rama. However, in common Punjabi folklore 'sito-sita' means fully sewn or stitched. Interpretation of Gurbani under the influence of ancient mythology is very common with many theologians. Dr. Mann (22) has again expressed his disappointment in the interpretation of 'Gur Prasad' in the UNESCO Collection (24) by the most reputed theologians, e.g., Bhai Jodh Singh, Kapur Singh, Trilochan Singh and Bawa Harkrishan Singh and a Sikh historian, Khushwant Singh. They have translated 'Gur Parsad' inMoolmantra as: "By the Grace of the Guru made known to man." This interpretation is accepted by almost every Sikh theologian. But Dr. Mann interpreted it as: Gur = Great and Prasad = Bountiful/merciful. However, logically Gur Prasad stands for "Grace of the Almighty" with which Guru Nanak revealed the Moolmantra (11). Unfortunately, it is termed as Moolmantra by almost all the Sikh scholars and they justify its title by quoting the verses where the word 'mantra' has been used, forgetting that 'mantra' has been used as simile or metaphor in such verses. In fact there is no place of mantra in the Gurbani. Scientific and logical analysis of this verse clearly indicates that it is a definition of the Almighty not a Moolmantra (19, 20). Similarly, scientific and logical interpretation of the first verse of Jap (12) is as: "The Almighty was in existence before the time, during the times, at present, and will exist forever." The word 'such' is usually translated as 'true' in this verse. Actually'such' here means 'existence'. Unfortunately almost all the theologians have interpreted or translated two words, 'sanjog' and 'vijog', as union/separation of families or union/separation of man with/from God. In fact 'sanjog' is: The union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantity of energy, i.e., fusion. Release of energy from sun is by fusion. The simple meanings are union of two things into one. And 'vijog' is: Splitting of an atomic nucleus resulting in the release of a large amount of energy, i.e., fission. An atom bomb is the result of a fission (splitting) of an element to release energy. The simple meanings are splitting of a thing into two parts. Thus in 'sanjog vijog duey kar chlaweh' (13) is interpreted on the fact that here Guru Nanak is talking about the control (nathi) of all the actions and reactions, i.e., the work (kar) and its control rests with the Almighty (Nath) in this stanza. Thus, its interpretation is: "The work (kar) is done by the energy released by fusion and by fission." In another verse it has the same meanings: "He Himself initiates the fusion (sanjog), He Himself initiates the fission (vijog), He Himself creates, and He himself reverses the creation" (14). At another place these words have entirely different meanings: "Splitting (vijog) and pairing (sanjog) of chromosomes are performed according to the already decided laws. By putting together five elements, a new body is formed" (15). Here the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan, has explained the conception and birth of new body (baby). Here vijog means splitting of pairs of chromosomes of sex cells of a man and of a woman. And sanjog means combination or pairing of one set of n-number of chromosomes from the man sex cell with the n-number of chromosomes of woman sex cell resulting in a zygote of 2n-chromosomes. This zygote continues to divide resulting into a multicellular organism that develops into a new human being. Some fundamentals of some religions are being continuously attacked by science since the advent of the period of the renaissance. A controversy is going on between the scientists and the church about the evolution theory. The children of the Space Age/Computer Age, who have studied the theory of evolution in schools are not going to believe in church that Adam and Eve were created as a man and woman as such to procreate on the earth. Because the scientific evidence indicates that the man came into existence as modern man (Homo sapiens sapiens) of today only 35,000 years ago after passing through a long process of evolution of millions of years (23). However, Guru Nanak declared about 340 years before the famous naturalist, Charles, R. Darwin (1809-1882), that the present status of man was achieved by him after passing through a long process of evolution (16, 17). Thus, a religion based on unscientific and illogical principles will not survive very long. It is crystal clear from the above very brief discussion that Gurbani has stood the test of the time so far. And it is my strong conviction that there is no test in the world that could challenge its truth, if it is presented scientifically and logically in its real perspective. [B]References[/B] AGGS = Aad Guru Granth Sahib. 1983 (reprint) 1430 p. Publishers: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar. (M = Mahla, i.e., succession number of the Sikh Gurus to the House of Guru Nanak, P = Page of the AGGS). 1. AGGS, Jap 16, p 3 : dhoal dharm day-a ka poot. Santokh thaap rakhia jin soot. 2. AGGS, Jap16, p 3 : keeta pasao eko kawao. 3. AGGS, Jap 28, p 6 : a-ee panthi sagal jamati. 4. AGGS, Jap 33, p 7 : Nanak utam neech na koay 5. AGGS, M 1, p 62 : sab ko ucha akhiey neech na deesey koey 6. AGGS, M 1, p 931 : janam maran nahi dhandha dhore. 7. AGGS, M 5, p 1095 : tu parbrahm parmesar jonn na awey. 8. AGGS, M 5, p 1136 : janam maran te rehit narain. so mukh jallu jit kahey thakur jonni. 9. AGGS, Jap 5, p 2 : thapea na jaey keeta na hoey. 10. AGGS, M 1, p 597 : na tiss matt pita sut bandhap na tiss kaam na naari. 11. AGGS, Manglacharan, p 1 : ek oankar sat nam karta purkh nirbhao nirvair akal murit ajuni sabhangh gur parsad. 12. AGGS, Jap 1, p 1 : aad such jugad such hai bhi such Nanak hosi bhi such. 13. AGGS, Jap 29, p 6 : sanjog vijog duay kar chlawey 14. AGGS, M 3, p 1045 : aapey jor wichorey aapey. aapey thap uthapey aapey. 15. AGGS, M 5, p 1007 : sanjog vijog dhurh hee hua. 16. AGGS, M 1, p 20 : sachey tey pawana .... 17. AGGS, M 5, p 176 : kai janam bhaey keet patanga. 18. Bestien, Mark. 1991. Most Canadians shun religion as relic of the past. The Gazette, Montreal, November 19. 19. Chahal, D. S. 1992. Philosophy: Scientific interpretation of the Sikh scriptures. The Sikh Review, Vol. 40 (July): 5-20. 20. Chahal, D. S. 1993. Debate: Scientific interpretation of Gurbani. The Sikh Review, Vol. 41 (December): 23-35. 21. Davies, P. 1983. God and the New Physics. J. M. Dent and Sons Ltd., Toronto. (Quote on the inside title page of this book). 22. Mann, T. S. 1995. Problems of decoding Gurbani: The revealed Word. Abstracts of Sikh Studies, Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh. 23. Reader's Digest History of Man: The Last Two Million Years. The Reader's Digest Assoc., Montreal, 1973. 24. Singh, Trilochan; Singh, Bhai Jodh; Singh, Kapur; Singh, Bawa Harkrishan; Singh, Khushwant. 1973. Selections from the Sacred Writings of the Sikhs. Samuel Weiser, Inc., New York. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Discussions
Sikh Sikhi Sikhism
Interpretation Of Gurbani
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top