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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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<blockquote data-quote="roopk" data-source="post: 55115" data-attributes="member: 4845"><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">God in Sikhism</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">God protects His saints and devotees from dangers, unless He wills that their sufferings and martyrdom should serve a higher purpose. To protect the righteous is His Sovereign Characteristic (Birdh). In the face of some acute dangers, saints have prayed for aid and intervention of God to help them in distress. God came to their help and protected them in a miraculous way. </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The stories of Prahlad, Dhru and others, and the autobiographic statements of Namdev and Kabir in Guru Granth Sahib, show His Sovereign Power to protect the righteous. Such miracles are part of the doctrine of divine Providence and Preservation. These supernatural miracles of God should be distinguished from the miracles of human beings performed by their occult powers, which in Sikhism are considered dangerous and unbecoming.</span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><u>As you sow, so shall you reap', leads to the theory of 'Karma', actions, good or bad, where a person is rewarded for his good actions and punished for his bad deeds. </u>Therefore, according to the theory of Karma, a worst sinner will always suffer for his deeds and can never attain salvation. Guru Nanak has rejected this stating that pardoning even the worst sinner is the Sovereign Characteristic (Birdh) of God:</span></span></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">"Patat pavan prabh birdh tumaro." </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">(Bilawal Mohalla 5, p-829)</span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><span style="color: darkorange">'Redeeming the repentant sinner, is Thy Characteristic.'</span></span></span><span style="color: blue"><br /> <span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">(Translation of the above)</span></span></li> </ul><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><u>The Guru emphasizes that the sinner whom no body affords protection in the whole world, if he surrenders before the Almighty, becomes pure, that is he is blessed by His Grace: </u></span></span></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">"Jis papi kau milai na dhoee Saran aawai ta nirmal hoee."</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><span style="color: darkorange">'The sinner who is patronless in the world When surrenders before God, gets deliverance.' </span></span></span><span style="color: blue"><br /> <span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">(Translation of the above) </span></span></li> </ul><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><u>The Guru reiterates that to save the saints, to protect the righteous, and even to redeem the repentant sinners is Paramount Characteristic of God.</u></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Concept of God in Sikhism[ summarised] </span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #0000ff"></span></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><strong>F</strong>ollowers of the Sikh faith believe that all life, including human life, comes from God. <u>God is the Creator of the universe and the force that keeps it in existence. God is purely spiritual, has no physical body and cannot be known or experienced through the five senses. God is infinitely above and beyond everything else that exists (transcendent). God is also within all creation, including human beings (immanent) and, therefore, Sikhs believe that all creation is part of God. [</u><span style="color: black">One may go through Jap ji Sahib thatis a completeeulogisation Of the creator. This has been translated by many philosphers and the religious personas. It is not necessary that all of themhave arrived at a uniform meaning.]</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="color: darkorange">Mukti</span></u></strong></a><strong><u><span style="color: darkorange"> or Salvation</span></u></strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">However, salvation (reunion with God </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Mukti</span></u></a><span style="color: blue">) cannot simply be gained by attention to physical, emotional and intellectual needs. The physical world may be real in the sense that it does actually exist, but it is not real in a lasting or ultimate sense. The only True Reality is God and the only truly lasting part of a human being is the soul (</span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Atma&action=edit" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue"><u>Atma</u></span></a><span style="color: blue">). If a person forgets this, and allows the physical world to become a barrier between God and the soul, he/she will lose the unique opportunity to reunite with God. Too much concentration on the material aspects of life (</span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Maya" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue"><u>Maya</u></span></a><span style="color: blue">) leads the soul further and further away from reunion with God (</span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue"><u>Mukti</u></span></a><span style="color: blue">). Human pleasures and needs pass, the human body eventually dies and only the soul remains – if a person forgets this he/she will have wasted the unique opportunity which is part of being born human. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Transmigration of the soul </span></span></strong></u></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Gurus" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Sikh Gurus</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> taught that existence in the universe involves the soul in a journey through many life forms. During this journey, provided the being perform good deeds, the soul travels towards ever-closer reunion with the Creator and One True Reality of which it is a part. The human form is only one of 8.4 million forms that the soul has inhabited during its existence in the physical world. The soul will have lived through many lives and will have inhabited many different forms before eventually being born in a human body. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: blue"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Being reborn in human form is regarded as a special blessing because human beings are different to all other forms of life and have a higher form of consciousness. Only human beings have this higher form of consciousness, awareness of a moral conscience and, as a result, free will. Humans should not be pure slaves of their instinct which is how lower life-forms are governed. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">The natural law of Karma </span></span></strong></u></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The law of </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Karma" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">karma</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> can be described simply as the belief that all actions have consequences for the person who acts. These consequences do not just involve the immediate physical results – for example, when someone uses violence against another person and he/she is injured as a result. There are also moral consequences which affect the soul on its journey towards reunion with God and determine the nature of further rebirths if reunion with God is not achieved. The law of Karma is exactly the same is is followed by Hindus. Even west has started leaning on this law of Cause and effect.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">If a person returns to the cycle of life, death and rebirth, it is not because God actively punishes that person for doing wrong. The </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Gurus" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Sikh Gurus</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> taught that a person moves closer to reunion with God or further away from reunion as a result of the natural law of </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Karma" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">karma</span></u></a><span style="color: blue">. The law of karma is part of God’s created order, not a force or power independent of God. </span></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The Gurus taught that it is not necessary to die in order to be free from </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Karma" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">karma</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> and </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Reincarnation" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">reincarnation</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> (rebirth). Anyone who chooses to live in complete harmony with God’s Will or </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Hukam" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Hukam</span></u></a><span style="color: blue">, and keeps God in mind at all times, no longer creates either positive or negative karma. Although, the Sikhs will avoid negative karma and try to create positive karma, this is not the main focus. The main focus is in listening to, and obeying, God’s Will or </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Hukam" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Hukam</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> and remaining open to God’s Grace at all times (</span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Kudrat&action=edit" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue"><u>Kudrat</u></span></a><span style="color: blue">). A person who constantly keeps God in mind and lives in harmony with God’s Will or Hukam is known as </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">gurmukh</span></u></a><span style="color: blue">. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><u><span style="color: darkorange"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Maya </span></span></u></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Maya" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue"><u>Maya</u></span></a><span style="color: blue"> is often translated into English as "illusion". In </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Sikhism</span></u></a><span style="color: blue">, however, the word maya is not used to suggest that the physical world is unreal or imaginary. </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Sikhs</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> believe that everything in the world is real and good because it has been created by, and is part of, God. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Maya, for Sikhs, is the part of human nature which misunderstands what is important in life and becomes attached to things that do not last. This attachment (</span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Moh" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue"><u>Moh</u></span></a><span style="color: blue">) can be to possessions, success, physical pleasure, a good name – even family and friends. Maya makes human beings forget that God is the only lasting or important part of everything that exists. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><u><span style="color: darkorange"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Developing virtues and controlling vices </span></span></u></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Gurus" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Sikh Gurus</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> taught that to achieve Salvation (</span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue"><u>Mukti</u></span></a><span style="color: blue">), it was important to work hard at developing positive human qualities which lead the soul closer to God. The Gurus taught that all human beings have the qualities they need to reunite with God but they must train their minds to make the most of these qualities. In order to reach the final goal of life, Sikhs believe that they must constantly develop their love for God by developing compassion for all God’s creation. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Five_Virtues" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Five Virtues</span></strong></u></a><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange"> - </span></strong></u><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sat" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Sat</span></strong></u></a><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">, </span></strong></u><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Santokh" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Santokh</span></strong></u></a><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">, </span></strong></u><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Daya" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Daya</span></strong></u></a><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">, </span></strong></u><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Nimrata" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Nimrata</span></strong></u></a><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange"> and </span></strong></u><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Pyare" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Pyare</span></strong></u></a></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue"><strong>S</strong>ikhs</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> believe that human beings must work at developing all the God-like qualities they have in order to truly love God. Love of God is not just a feeling but always involves showing love for God by selfless service to God’s creation. A person who is </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">gurmukh</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> does not act out of selfishness but, by focusing on God, acts out of compassion for others "… becomes the slave of the Lord’s slaves, then …. finds the Lord and eradicates ego from within". </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Maya" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">Maya</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> and </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Haumai" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">haumai</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> are overcome by focusing only on God while serving God in creation. Material wealth, fame and praise are unimportant because the </span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: blue">gurmukh</span></u></a><span style="color: blue"> is focused on the only thing of lasting value – God "The wealth of the Naam shall never be exhausted; no one can estimate its worth" </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: blue"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><strong>O</strong>ne of the most important virtues which Sikhs try to develop during life is that of truth (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sat" target="_blank"> <u>Sat</u></a>). God is Truth and by trying to practise truth, i.e. live a truthful life, Sikhs believe that they can live in accordance with God’s Will/Hukam. The other virtues are: Compassion (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Daya" target="_blank"> <u>Daya</u></a>), Contentment (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Santokh" target="_blank"> <u>Santokh</u></a>), Humility (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Nimrata" target="_blank"> <u>Nimrata</u></a>) and Love (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Pyare" target="_blank"> <u>Pyare</u></a>). </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange"><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Five_Evils" target="_blank"><u><strong>Five Evils</strong></u></a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><strong><span style="color: darkorange"> - </span></strong><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Kam" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Kam</span></strong></u></a><strong><span style="color: darkorange">, </span></strong><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Krodh" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Krodh</span></strong></u></a><strong><span style="color: darkorange">, </span></strong><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Lobh" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Lobh</span></strong></u></a><strong><span style="color: darkorange">, </span></strong><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Moh" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Moh</span></strong></u></a><strong><span style="color: darkorange"> and </span></strong><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Ahankar" target="_blank"><u><strong><span style="color: darkorange">Ahankar</span></strong></u></a></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="color: blue"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><strong>T</strong>he <a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib" target="_blank"><u>Guru Granth Sahib</u></a> often refers to <a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Five_Evils" target="_blank"><u>five evils</u></a>, vices or ‘thieves’ which human beings should try to control. By focusing on developing virtues, a Sikh hopes to control these five evils. These evils lead the soul away from God and steal the unique opportunity to reunite with God. Within this body dwell the five thieves: sexual desire (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Kam" target="_blank"> <u>Kam</u></a>), anger/rage (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Krodh" target="_blank"> <u>Krodh</u></a>), greed (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Lobh" target="_blank"> <u>Lobh</u></a>), emotional attachment (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Moh" target="_blank"> <u>Moh</u></a>) and egoism (<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Ahankar" target="_blank"> <u>Ahankar</u></a>). </span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="roopk, post: 55115, member: 4845"] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]God in Sikhism[/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]God protects His saints and devotees from dangers, unless He wills that their sufferings and martyrdom should serve a higher purpose. To protect the righteous is His Sovereign Characteristic (Birdh). In the face of some acute dangers, saints have prayed for aid and intervention of God to help them in distress. God came to their help and protected them in a miraculous way. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The stories of Prahlad, Dhru and others, and the autobiographic statements of Namdev and Kabir in Guru Granth Sahib, show His Sovereign Power to protect the righteous. Such miracles are part of the doctrine of divine Providence and Preservation. These supernatural miracles of God should be distinguished from the miracles of human beings performed by their occult powers, which in Sikhism are considered dangerous and unbecoming.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][U]As you sow, so shall you reap', leads to the theory of 'Karma', actions, good or bad, where a person is rewarded for his good actions and punished for his bad deeds. [/U]Therefore, according to the theory of Karma, a worst sinner will always suffer for his deeds and can never attain salvation. Guru Nanak has rejected this stating that pardoning even the worst sinner is the Sovereign Characteristic (Birdh) of God:[/COLOR][/FONT] [LIST] [*][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]"Patat pavan prabh birdh tumaro." [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange](Bilawal Mohalla 5, p-829)[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][COLOR=darkorange]'Redeeming the repentant sinner, is Thy Characteristic.'[/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT][COLOR=blue] [FONT=Georgia](Translation of the above)[/FONT][/COLOR][/LIST][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][U]The Guru emphasizes that the sinner whom no body affords protection in the whole world, if he surrenders before the Almighty, becomes pure, that is he is blessed by His Grace: [/U][/COLOR][/FONT] [LIST] [*][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]"Jis papi kau milai na dhoee Saran aawai ta nirmal hoee."[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][COLOR=darkorange]'The sinner who is patronless in the world When surrenders before God, gets deliverance.' [/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT][COLOR=blue] [FONT=Georgia](Translation of the above) [/FONT][/COLOR][/LIST][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][U]The Guru reiterates that to save the saints, to protect the righteous, and even to redeem the repentant sinners is Paramount Characteristic of God.[/U][/COLOR][/FONT] [COLOR=#0000ff][FONT=Georgia][B][COLOR=darkorange]Concept of God in Sikhism[ summarised] [/COLOR][/B][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][B]F[/B]ollowers of the Sikh faith believe that all life, including human life, comes from God. [U]God is the Creator of the universe and the force that keeps it in existence. God is purely spiritual, has no physical body and cannot be known or experienced through the five senses. God is infinitely above and beyond everything else that exists (transcendent). God is also within all creation, including human beings (immanent) and, therefore, Sikhs believe that all creation is part of God. [[/U][COLOR=black]One may go through Jap ji Sahib thatis a completeeulogisation Of the creator. This has been translated by many philosphers and the religious personas. It is not necessary that all of themhave arrived at a uniform meaning.][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Georgia][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti"][B][U][COLOR=darkorange]Mukti[/COLOR][/U][/B][/URL][B][U][COLOR=darkorange] or Salvation[/COLOR][/U][/B][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]However, salvation (reunion with God [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti"][U][COLOR=blue]Mukti[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue]) cannot simply be gained by attention to physical, emotional and intellectual needs. The physical world may be real in the sense that it does actually exist, but it is not real in a lasting or ultimate sense. The only True Reality is God and the only truly lasting part of a human being is the soul ([/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Atma&action=edit"] [COLOR=blue][U]Atma[/U][/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=blue]). If a person forgets this, and allows the physical world to become a barrier between God and the soul, he/she will lose the unique opportunity to reunite with God. Too much concentration on the material aspects of life ([/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Maya"] [COLOR=blue][U]Maya[/U][/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=blue]) leads the soul further and further away from reunion with God ([/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti"] [COLOR=blue][U]Mukti[/U][/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=blue]). Human pleasures and needs pass, the human body eventually dies and only the soul remains – if a person forgets this he/she will have wasted the unique opportunity which is part of being born human. [/COLOR][/FONT] [U][B][COLOR=darkorange][FONT=Georgia]Transmigration of the soul [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/U] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Gurus"][U][COLOR=blue]Sikh Gurus[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] taught that existence in the universe involves the soul in a journey through many life forms. During this journey, provided the being perform good deeds, the soul travels towards ever-closer reunion with the Creator and One True Reality of which it is a part. The human form is only one of 8.4 million forms that the soul has inhabited during its existence in the physical world. The soul will have lived through many lives and will have inhabited many different forms before eventually being born in a human body. [/COLOR][/FONT] [COLOR=blue][FONT=Georgia]Being reborn in human form is regarded as a special blessing because human beings are different to all other forms of life and have a higher form of consciousness. Only human beings have this higher form of consciousness, awareness of a moral conscience and, as a result, free will. Humans should not be pure slaves of their instinct which is how lower life-forms are governed. [/FONT][/COLOR] [U][B][COLOR=darkorange][FONT=Georgia]The natural law of Karma [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/U] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The law of [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Karma"][U][COLOR=blue]karma[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] can be described simply as the belief that all actions have consequences for the person who acts. These consequences do not just involve the immediate physical results – for example, when someone uses violence against another person and he/she is injured as a result. There are also moral consequences which affect the soul on its journey towards reunion with God and determine the nature of further rebirths if reunion with God is not achieved. The law of Karma is exactly the same is is followed by Hindus. Even west has started leaning on this law of Cause and effect.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]If a person returns to the cycle of life, death and rebirth, it is not because God actively punishes that person for doing wrong. The [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Gurus"][U][COLOR=blue]Sikh Gurus[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] taught that a person moves closer to reunion with God or further away from reunion as a result of the natural law of [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Karma"][U][COLOR=blue]karma[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue]. The law of karma is part of God’s created order, not a force or power independent of God. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The Gurus taught that it is not necessary to die in order to be free from [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Karma"][U][COLOR=blue]karma[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] and [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Reincarnation"][U][COLOR=blue]reincarnation[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] (rebirth). Anyone who chooses to live in complete harmony with God’s Will or [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Hukam"][U][COLOR=blue]Hukam[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue], and keeps God in mind at all times, no longer creates either positive or negative karma. Although, the Sikhs will avoid negative karma and try to create positive karma, this is not the main focus. The main focus is in listening to, and obeying, God’s Will or [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Hukam"][U][COLOR=blue]Hukam[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] and remaining open to God’s Grace at all times ([/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Kudrat&action=edit"] [COLOR=blue][U]Kudrat[/U][/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=blue]). A person who constantly keeps God in mind and lives in harmony with God’s Will or Hukam is known as [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh"][U][COLOR=blue]gurmukh[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue]. [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][U][COLOR=darkorange][FONT=Georgia]Maya [/FONT][/COLOR][/U][/B] [FONT=Georgia][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Maya"][COLOR=blue][U]Maya[/U][/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=blue] is often translated into English as "illusion". In [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism"][U][COLOR=blue]Sikhism[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue], however, the word maya is not used to suggest that the physical world is unreal or imaginary. [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][COLOR=blue]Sikhs[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] believe that everything in the world is real and good because it has been created by, and is part of, God. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Maya, for Sikhs, is the part of human nature which misunderstands what is important in life and becomes attached to things that do not last. This attachment ([/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Moh"] [COLOR=blue][U]Moh[/U][/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=blue]) can be to possessions, success, physical pleasure, a good name – even family and friends. Maya makes human beings forget that God is the only lasting or important part of everything that exists. [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][U][COLOR=darkorange][FONT=Georgia]Developing virtues and controlling vices [/FONT][/COLOR][/U][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Gurus"][U][COLOR=blue]Sikh Gurus[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] taught that to achieve Salvation ([/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mukti"] [COLOR=blue][U]Mukti[/U][/COLOR][/URL][COLOR=blue]), it was important to work hard at developing positive human qualities which lead the soul closer to God. The Gurus taught that all human beings have the qualities they need to reunite with God but they must train their minds to make the most of these qualities. In order to reach the final goal of life, Sikhs believe that they must constantly develop their love for God by developing compassion for all God’s creation. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Five_Virtues"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Five Virtues[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][U][B][COLOR=darkorange] - [/COLOR][/B][/U][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sat"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Sat[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][U][B][COLOR=darkorange], [/COLOR][/B][/U][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Santokh"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Santokh[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][U][B][COLOR=darkorange], [/COLOR][/B][/U][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Daya"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Daya[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][U][B][COLOR=darkorange], [/COLOR][/B][/U][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Nimrata"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Nimrata[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][U][B][COLOR=darkorange] and [/COLOR][/B][/U][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Pyare"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Pyare[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][COLOR=blue][B]S[/B]ikhs[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] believe that human beings must work at developing all the God-like qualities they have in order to truly love God. Love of God is not just a feeling but always involves showing love for God by selfless service to God’s creation. A person who is [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh"][U][COLOR=blue]gurmukh[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] does not act out of selfishness but, by focusing on God, acts out of compassion for others "… becomes the slave of the Lord’s slaves, then …. finds the Lord and eradicates ego from within". [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Maya"][U][COLOR=blue]Maya[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] and [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Haumai"][U][COLOR=blue]haumai[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] are overcome by focusing only on God while serving God in creation. Material wealth, fame and praise are unimportant because the [/COLOR][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh"][U][COLOR=blue]gurmukh[/COLOR][/U][/URL][COLOR=blue] is focused on the only thing of lasting value – God "The wealth of the Naam shall never be exhausted; no one can estimate its worth" [/COLOR][/FONT] [COLOR=blue][FONT=Georgia][B]O[/B]ne of the most important virtues which Sikhs try to develop during life is that of truth ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sat"] [U]Sat[/U][/URL]). God is Truth and by trying to practise truth, i.e. live a truthful life, Sikhs believe that they can live in accordance with God’s Will/Hukam. The other virtues are: Compassion ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Daya"] [U]Daya[/U][/URL]), Contentment ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Santokh"] [U]Santokh[/U][/URL]), Humility ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Nimrata"] [U]Nimrata[/U][/URL]) and Love ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Pyare"] [U]Pyare[/U][/URL]). [/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Five_Evils"][U][B]Five Evils[/B][/U][/URL][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Georgia][B][COLOR=darkorange] - [/COLOR][/B][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Kam"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Kam[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][B][COLOR=darkorange], [/COLOR][/B][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Krodh"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Krodh[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][B][COLOR=darkorange], [/COLOR][/B][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Lobh"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Lobh[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][B][COLOR=darkorange], [/COLOR][/B][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Moh"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Moh[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][B][COLOR=darkorange] and [/COLOR][/B][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Ahankar"][U][B][COLOR=darkorange]Ahankar[/COLOR][/B][/U][/URL][/FONT] [COLOR=blue][FONT=Georgia][B]T[/B]he [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib"][U]Guru Granth Sahib[/U][/URL] often refers to [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Five_Evils"][U]five evils[/U][/URL], vices or ‘thieves’ which human beings should try to control. By focusing on developing virtues, a Sikh hopes to control these five evils. These evils lead the soul away from God and steal the unique opportunity to reunite with God. Within this body dwell the five thieves: sexual desire ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Kam"] [U]Kam[/U][/URL]), anger/rage ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Krodh"] [U]Krodh[/U][/URL]), greed ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Lobh"] [U]Lobh[/U][/URL]), emotional attachment ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Moh"] [U]Moh[/U][/URL]) and egoism ([URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Ahankar"] [U]Ahankar[/U][/URL]). [/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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