<> siqnwmu krqw purKu inrBau inrvYru
Akwl mUriq AjUnI sYBM gurpRswid
One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace.
To start with lets keep in mind 'the ONE' we are discussing about as elucidated by Siri Guru Nanak.
Below I have listed a part of the text available at the link provided by brother CaramelChocolate.
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c`k® ichn Aru brn jwiq Aru pwiq nihn ijh ]
rUp rMg Aru ryK ByK koaU kih n skiq ikh ]
Acl mUriq AnBau pRkws Aimqoij kih`jY ]
koit ieMdR ieMdRwix swhu swhwix gix`jY ]
iqRBvx mhIp sur nr Asur nyq nyq bn iqRx khq ]
qv srb nwm kQY kvn krm nwm brnq sumiq ] 1 ]
chakar chehun ar burn, jati ar pati nehun jeh
roop rung ar raikh, bhaikh kohoo keh na skut keh
achul mooret anbho parkas ametoje kehjai
koti eindar eindran saho sahan gnejai
tirbhavn maheep sur nar asur naiti naiti bun tirun keht
tav sarb nam kathai kavan karm nam barnt sumati. (1)
O Lord, You are such a Being, Who has no physical appearance, such as form, color, shape, marks, symbols and garb. You do not belong to any caste, class, or lineage. You are Immutable (Unchanging). Self-luminous and shines everywhere in Your Splendor. You have Limitless Powers. You are the maker of billions of kings like Indira. You are the King of kings. You are the Master of all the three Spheres. Besides gods, humans and demons, even all the vegetative creation in woodlands say: You are Infinite, You are Infinite. Who can describe all Your Names. The wise men have mentioned Your Functional Names only. (1)
nmsqM inRnwmy ] nmsqM inRkwmy ]
nmsqM inRDwqy ] nmsqM inRGwqy ] 11 ]
namustun nirnamai , namustun nirkamai
namustun nirdhatai, namustun nirghatai (11)
O Lord, we salute You. You have no particular Name, and are Desireless. You are not made of five elements and none can inflict injury on You. (11)
For one, the meanings might be open to debate as I am of the firm belief that Gurbani is (AQwhu), an ocean with unrealizable depths or in otherwords an insurmountable mountain. We as seekers are only able to realize whatever we see, with our limited sight and as interpreted by our limited intelligence, at the level (depth or height as the case may be) we reach. So, it is unthinkable to have a final word. We can and should pray to the Lord to grant us the sight and mind to realize the Truth.
The fact that God has no 'particular name' might be interpreted in the negative as 'no name' or on the other hand as 'no single or specific (particular) name.' The latter inference, if seems more plausible, can stand the test of Gurbani also because nowhere has the exclusivity or patent of His Name been mentioned in Gurbani. While not entering into debate as to are we supposed to treat any other of the prevelant names as the 'Holy Naam' as preached in our Gurbani, it shouldn't be ignored that various bhagats whose baani features in SGGS attained the ultimate spiritual goals when they owed allegience to different relegions and names by way of there different faiths. So our Gurus never imparted any exclusivity to any particular 'name.' Definitely, this superficial ambiguity as might seem to a casual observer doesn't lead to any confusion in 'Sikhism' as to the true 'Naam.'
We can again go to the old-fashioned instance of 10 blind men and an elephant with the difference that in this context it is difficult to quantify the extent of one's 'blindness' and surely this 'elephant' is HUGE beyond imagination.
Also, as we grow spiritually we definitely even contradict ourself in as much the meanings we understand from any particular 'Shabad or Pankti'; and definitelyin most cases it isn't even noticed because quite natrually nobody attaches too much importance or keep track of mental, financial, and to a much greater extent Spiritual Progress.
A case in point would be that of a science student in a junior class who would explain an atom in very simple terms consisting of a nucleus with neutrons and protons with electrons revolving around the nucleaus. This same student if goes on to do postgraduation on Chemistry might explain the structure of atom at a very minute level with scores of components and theories.
The point being tried to convey is that given our limitations, we as seekers, are bound to have differences of perception and we need not attach much weight to these differences for one thing is sure that 'GURBANI IS NOT AND OUGHT NOT BE A SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY.'
Also our Faith is and ought to be tolerant enough to stand the tests of differences of interpretation because Truth is what it is - TRUTH. It has been there before us, remains, and will definitely be there when none of us remains.
hir jIau scw scu hY scI gurbwxI ] (515-15, gUjrI kI vwr, mÚ 3)
har jee-o sachaa sach hai sachee gurbaanee.
The Dear Lord is the Truest of the True; True is the Word of the Guru's Bani.[/font]
We as seekers should only try to support and help fellow seekers with some positive thoughts which might further strengthen their faith. Not in the least would we like to deviate from our love of God and enter into useless controversy where in addition to the two parties involved, we cause distraction to a number of other souls. Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we do not need to debate. Definitely we should but in light of our knowledge of Gurbani, with an open mind, and to the point where we are not forcing our views down others throats or creatining confusion or controversy.
Also, this is an observation in general and nothing to do with any of the posts in this thread or even this forum.
Last but not the least, I want to put forth my Extreme Ignorance and incompetence to comment on 'Gurbani' and the above views are just my personal expression of facts as I understand with my limited intelligence.
I would be really greatful to the englightened and accomplished Gursikhs to grant me with some of there 'hard-earned' knowledge and blessings and correct me wherever I am wrong.
A few quotes which might be in context with the discussion.
gurbwxI chu kuMfI suxIAY swcY nwim smwiedw ]3] (1065-3, mwrU, mÚ 3)
gurbaanee chahu kundee sunee-ai saachai naam samaa-idaa. ||3||
The Word of the Guru's Bani is heard throughout the four corners of the world; through it, we merge in the True Name. ||3||
gurbwxI vrqI jg AMqir iesu bwxI qy hir nwmu pwiedw ]3] (1066-4, mwrU, mÚ 3)
gurbaanee vartee jag antar is banee tay har naam paa-idaa. ||3||
The Word of the Guru's Bani prevails throughout the world; through this Bani, the Lord's Name is obtained. ||3||
[/font] gurbwxI sunq myrw mnu dRivAw mnu BInw inj Gir AwvYgo ] (1308-10, kwnVw, mÚ 4)
gurbaanee sunat mayraa man darvi-aa man bheenaa nij ghar aavaigo.
Hearing the Word of the Guru's Bani, my mind has been softened and saturated with it; my mind has returned to its own home deep within.
ijnw AMdir nwmu inDwnu hY gurbwxI vIcwir ] (1422-14, slok vwrW qy vDIk, mÚ 4)
jinaa andar naam niDhaan hai gurbaanee veechaar.
Those who have the Naam within, contemplate the Word of the Guru's Bani.
jn nwnk nwmu ADwru tyk hY hir nwmy hI suKu mMfw hy ]4]4] (13-13, gauVI pUrbI, mÚ 4)
jan naanak naam aDhaar tayk hai har naamay hee sukh mandaa hay. ||4||4||
Servant Nanak takes the Sustenance and Support of the Naam. In the Name of the Lord, he enjoys celestial peace. ||4||4||
Aihinis ihrdY riv rhY inrBau nwmu inrMkwr ] (32-18, isrIrwgu, mÚ 3)
ahinis hirdai rav rahai nirbha-o naam nirankaar.
Day and night, the Name of the One Lord, the Fearless and Formless One, dwells within the heart.
[/font] myry mn hir kw nwmu iDAwie ] (35-6, isrIrwgu, mÚ 3)
mayray man har kaa naam Dhi-aa-ay.
O my mind, meditate on the Name of the Lord.
[/font] hir nwmu slwhin nwmu min nwim rhin ilv lwie ] (42-3, isrIrwgu, mÚ 4)
har naam salaahan naam man naam rahan liv laa-ay.
They praise the Lord's Name, they keep the Naam in their minds, and they remain attached to the Love of the Naam.[/font]
ijn kau msqik iliKAw iqn pwieAw hir nwmu ]1] (45-14, isrIrwgu, mÚ 5)
jin ka-o mastak likhi-aa tin paa-i-aa har naam. ||1||
Those who have such destiny written upon their foreheads obtain the Name of the Lord. ||1||
kir ikrpw pRiB myilAw dIAw Apxw nwmu ] (46-7, isrIrwgu, mÚ 5)
kar kirpaa parabh mayli-aa dee-aa apnaa naam.
In His Mercy, God unites us with Himself, and He blesses us with the Naam.
[/font] eyko nwmu hukmu hY nwnk siqguir dIAw buJwie jIau ]5] (72-2, isrIrwgu, mÚ 1)
ayko naam hukam hai naanak satgur dee-aa bujhaa-ay jee-o. ||5||
The One Name is the Lord's Command; O Nanak, the True Guru has given me this understanding. ||5||
[/font] kIAw Kylu bf mylu qmwsw vwihgurU qyrI sB rcnw ] (1403-18, sveIey mhly cauQy ky, gXMd)
kee-aa khayl bad mayl tamaasaa vaahiguroo tayree sabh rachnaa.
You have formed and created this play, this great game. O Waahay Guru, this is all You, forever.
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vwihgurU vwihgurU vwihgurU vwih jIau ] (1402-11, sveIey mhly cauQy ky, gXMd)
kvl nYn mDur bYn koit sYn sMg soB khq mw jsod ijsih dhI Bwqu Kwih jIau ] (1402-12, sveIey mhly cauQy ky, gXMd)
dyiK rUpu Aiq AnUpu moh mhw mg BeI ikMknI sbd Jnqkwr Kylu pwih jIau ] (1402-13, sveIey mhly cauQy ky, gXMd)
kwl klm hukmu hwiQ khhu kaunu myit skY eIsu bMm´ü g´wnu D´wnu Drq hIAY cwih jIau ] (1402-14, sveIey mhly cauQy ky, gXMd)
siq swcu sRI invwsu Awid purKu sdw quhI vwihgurU vwihgurU vwihgurU vwih jIau ]1]6] (1402-14, sveIey mhly cauQy ky, gXMd)
vaahiguroo vaahiguroo vaahiguroo vaahi jee-o.
kaval nain maDhur bain kot sain sang sobh kahat maa jasod jisahi dahee bhaat khaahi jee-o.
daykh roop at anoop moh mahaa mag bha-ee kinknee sabad jhanatkaar khayl paahi jee-o.
kaal kalam hukam haath kahhu ka-un mayt sakai ees bamm-yu ga-yaan Dhayaan Dharat hee-ai chaahi jee-o.
sat saach saree nivaas aad purakh sadaa tuhee vaahiguroo vaahiguroo vaahiguroo vaahi jee-o. ||1||6||
Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Jee-o.
You are lotus-eyed, with sweet speech, exalted and embellished with millions of companions. Mother Yashoda invited You as Krishna to eat the sweet rice.
Gazing upon Your supremely beautiful form, and hearing the musical sounds of Your silver bells tinkling, she was intoxicated with delight.
Death's pen and command are in Your hands. Tell me, who can erase it? Shiva and Brahma yearn to enshrine Your spiritual wisdom in their hearts.
You are forever True, the Home of Excellence, the Primal Supreme Being. Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Guru, Waahay Jee-o. ||1||6||
Bhullan Chukkan Di Khima
God Bless All
Guru Rakha
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