What Is Death?

[sadhu]

The phenomenon of death has always made me think alot, i would appreciate if someone can tell me the views of gurugranthsahib on death.

I would also appreciate, some personal opinions about death, if someone has any.

My primary point of concern here is, like what happens during death? like is there any rebirth? and then what happens in the period between the death and the rebirth?
AND ANOTHER IMPORTANT QUESTION,
At what point does the soul enters the womb of a mother? When the child comes out of the womb? , or just when it is an egg in the womb?

 

[Amarpal]

Dear Khalsa Ji,

Death is only a fear of not being and not knowing what awaits after one leaves the body.

We sleep every night. While sleeping we are totally unaware of our exsistance. Sine we are used to sleeping and we know that we will get up in the morning, there is no feer of sleeping.

Death too is a permanent sleep, we fear it because of our attachment to this world. Once these attachments are dissolved there will be no fear and in that way you have over come the idea of death.

Death like birth is a hukam of 'The Sat'

With love and respect for all.

Amarpal Singh

 

[Astroboy]

Our Creator made this whole phenomena of birth and death to give us a glimpse of his garden. This garden is just next to His home. From his home, we have stepped out to His garden. Of course there are many things to see in the garden and just like Adam it also distracts us from our mother's call to come back home. Or shall I call Him our father ? His watchful eye is always upon his children (us).

ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਸਭਨੀ ਥਾਈ ਤਾ ਭਉ ਕੇਹਾ ਕਾੜਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥
तूं मेरा राखा सभनी थाई ता भउ केहा काड़ा जीउ ॥१॥
Ŧūʼn merā rākẖā sabẖnī thā▫ī ṯā bẖa▫o kehā kāṛā jī▫o. ||1||
You are my Protector everywhere; why should I feel any fear or anxiety? ||1||

Ang 103

 

[Tejwant Singh]

Death is the second surest thing after birth. Nothing to fear. Something to celebrate.

 

[sadhu]

Does gurbani tells us to celebrate death?

 

[spnadmin]

The phenomenon of death has always made me think alot, i would appreciate if someone can tell me the views of gurugranthsahib on death.

I would also appreciate, some personal opinions about death, if someone has any.

My primary point of concern here is, like what happens during death? like is there any rebirth? and then what happens in the period between the death and the rebirth?

sadhu ji

A brave question in my opinion because modern people in modern societies tend not to want to talk about death.

What Gurbani says falls into more than one category of death: Death of self or ego, death of the body, death of death itself -- just to name a few.

My own opinion about the nature of physical death -- having sat with dying people up to their ending on this earth. Two things.

When a death is not sudden or violent, the person may have time to make peace with his/her passing life. If that is possible, then the death itself does not seem to be so final, but the end of a process that leads onward somewhere else. Life and death blend into each other -- where one stops and the other starts no longer seems to be a clear boundary. So death will be sad but not frightening.

The other thing I have experienced is this. Death makes sense of life. It is as if the meaning of a person's life all becomes clear at the end.

 

[dalbirk]

WHAT IS DEATH?
(Heaven, Hell, Dharm Raj, Jamdoot, Chitrgupt)
Death is an event when soul departs from its temporary residence called body. This separation occurs when the body is no more able to keep performing its function at optimum level, and the life is no more tenable. Jeev alma escapes from the physical being and enters either in another species or merge in the light divine.
Those who propagate materialism are of the opinion that coming together of elements means life while their separation is death. But the Sikh ideology is-
Ghaley aveh Nanaka, sadey uthi jahey. (Page 1239) So long the soul dwells in the body, the body is alive.
Soul is free from the encumbrances of the elements and therefore immortal.
What is the philosophy of life and death? The atheists are of the opinion that death means gone for ever. A believer of God opines that with the death of the body, the soul does not die. The flow of life continues.
How strange is death? Those who love a living being so dearly go and cremate the person with their own hands. Guru Tag Bahadur Ji says-
Ghar ki nar(i) bauhat(u) hit(u) ja sio(n) sada rahat sang lagi.
jab hi hans taji ih kaia, preyt preyt kar(i) bhagf.
(Page 634)
The body that an individual tries to preserve and maintain so laboriously, whether it is burnt or buried, it feels nothing. Death is uniform for all, whether a king or a pauper, foolish or a scholar, sinner or a religious person. A person goes to such a place from where he/she has never returned.

How so ever big and famous a man may be, it seems he had never been there once he dies. Humans are born & ­die everyday like bubbles on water. There are very very from millions whose memory stays through the pages of history.

Any cause can be attributed to death. One may live full age and die. One could die of disease in childhood: youth, sudden death, heart failure or in an accident, committing suicide, consequent of physical or/and mental disturbance, death in the battlefield or sacrificing life for some higher ideals of religion and morality.

Whatever be the reason; the truth is, that death ­in the will of God. Without His command, no one can -­his physical body. He alone creates a cause for it.

Fear of Death. Why do the people fear death? Firstly ,they think the death would mean end of life. Secondly,they ­are disturbed by the thought of separation with wife, sons ,daughters, parents etc. Thirdly, the thought that they would not be able to enjoy the worldly pleasures anymore ;fourthly; the pathetic state of the person at the time of death .
By attaching a Sikh with Gurbanl, advising him to do

Nam Simran, partaking of Amrit, Guru Ji has made him ­fearless of death. For a Sikh, death is a change from a state of impermanence. Guru says-


Janam maran ke mitey andesey. SiidhiJ ke piJran updesai.
Shao chukii nirbhao hoey basey.
Sagal biiidh(i) man te khai nasey. (Page 287)

All is in His will. Separation results under His orders ­dialogue between body (wife) and atma (husband) is recorded as under-
Dhan kahai W(n) vas(u) mai(n) natey. Pria sukhvasi bat gupatey.
Tujhai bina hau(ri) kit hf na teykhai, vachan(u) deh(i) chhod(i) na jasa hey. Pir(i) kahia hau(n) hukamf banda.
Oh(u) bharo Thakur(u) jis(u) kan(i) na chhanda. Jichar(u) rakhai tichar(u) tum sang(i) rahna,
ja saddey ta Oth(i) sidhasa hey.
Jao pria bachan kahey dhan sachey.
Dhan kachhO na samjha4 chancha«~ kachey. Bauhar(i) bauhar(i) pir hf sang(u) mii(h)gai, oh(u) bat janai kar(i) hasa hey.
Af agya pirauh butaia.
Na dhan pOchhf na mata pakaia. Uth(i) sidhaio chhOtar(i) matf,
Dekh(u) Nanak mithan mohasa hey. (Page 1073)
Sat(i)guru Ji advise us that everything is perishable. God
alone is beyond destruction-
Dhart(i) akas(u) patat(u) hai chand(u) sOr(u) binasf. Badishah shah umrav khan dhahey derey jasf. Rang tung garib mast, sabh(u) tok(u) sidhasl.
Kajf sheikh masaika(n) sabhey uth(i) jasf.
Pir paika(m)bar autrey, ko thir(u) na rahasi.
Roja biJg nivaj kateb vin(u) bujhey sabh jasi.
Lakh chaurasfh medni sabh avai jasi.
Nihchat(u) sach(u) khudaey ek(u) banda abinasf.
(Page 1100)
The death that the people fear most, is considered a small transformation in Sikhism. The symbolic words used in Sikhism for a person who has died are Sachkhand nivas keeta (departed for Sachkhand) and charhai kar gia. Sachkhand is highest spiritual realm where the soul merges with supreme master. CharhiJimEans even after death, a Sikh is on road to prosperity. Going to the world hereafter is also prosperity for him.
Contd....

 

[pk70]

Death is a call from the Infinite, those who are in love with Him, it is an invitation for the union, for those who are engrossed in Maya, it is a brutal blow of separation from what they consider their world. Guru Nanak clarifies on SGGS 12, what is death for His devotees.
ਸੰਬਤਿ ਸਾਹਾ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਤੇਲੁ ॥ ਦੇਹੁ ਸਜਣ ਅਸੀਸੜੀਆ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ ॥੩॥
Sambaṯ sāhā likẖi▫ā mil kar pāvhu ṯel. Ḏeh sajaṇ asīsṛī▫ā ji▫o hovai sāhib si▫o mel. ||3||
The year and the day of wedding (recorded) is fixed. Meet together my mates and pour oil at the door. Giver me your blessings, O Friends! that I may attain union with my Master.
Attention Sadhu ji: here is the answer of your question, yes; SGGS says that Sikhs should celebrate it as a chance of union with the creator. Imagine the welcome shown on the call of the Creator; death loses its ordinary fear factor
(ਸਤਸੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਜਾ ਕੇ, ਹੇ ਜਿੰਦੇ! ਅਰਜ਼ੋਈਆਂ ਕਰਿਆ ਕਰ-) ਉਹ ਸੰਮਤ ਉਹ ਦਿਹਾੜਾ (ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ) ਮਿਥਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ (ਜਦੋਂ ਪਤੀ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ ਜਾਣ ਲਈ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਸਾਹੇ-ਚਿੱਠੀ ਆਉਣੀ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਸਤਸੰਗੀ ਸਹੇਲੀਓ!) ਰਲ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਂਈਏਂ ਪਾਓ, ਤੇ, ਹੇ ਸੱਜਣ (ਸਹੇਲੀਓ!) ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੋਹਣੀਆਂ ਅਸੀਸਾਂ ਭੀ ਦਿਓ (ਭਾਵ, ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਭੀ ਕਰੋ) ਜਿਵੇਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਪਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਿਲਾਪ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ।੩।
ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਏਹੋ ਪਾਹੁਚਾ ਸਦੜੇ ਨਿਤ ਪਵੰਨਿ ॥ ਸਦਣਹਾਰਾ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਦਿਹ ਆਵੰਨਿ ॥੪॥੧॥
Gẖar gẖar eho pāhucẖā saḏ▫ṛe niṯ pavann. Saḏaṇhārā simrī▫ai Nānak se ḏih āvann. ||4||1||
This summon is sent to every house and such calls do come daily. Meditate on the Summoner, O Nanak! That day is approaching near.
(ਪਰਲੋਕ ਵਿਚ ਜਾਣ ਲਈ ਮੌਤ ਦੀ) ਇਹ ਸਾਹੇ-ਚਿੱਠੀ ਹਰੇਕ ਘਰ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ, ਇਹ ਸੱਦੇ ਨਿਤ ਪੈ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। (ਹੇ ਸਤਸੰਗੀਓ!) ਉਸ ਸੱਦਾ ਭੇਜਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਪਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ (ਕਿਉਂਕਿ) ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! (ਸਾਡੇ ਭੀ) ਉਹ ਦਿਨ (ਨੇੜੇ) ਆ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।੪।੧।
Then death for others that brings wailing and cries
ਬਾਬਾ ਰੋਵਹੁ ਜੇ ਕਿਸੈ ਰੋਵਣਾ ਜਾਨੀਅੜਾ ਬੰਧਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ ਹੈ ॥ ਲਿਖਿਅੜਾ ਲੇਖੁ ਨ ਮੇਟੀਐ ਦਰਿ ਹਾਕਾਰੜਾ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ ॥ ਹਾਕਾਰਾ ਆਇਆ ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਇਆ ਰੁੰਨੇ ਰੋਵਣਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਪੁਤ ਭਾਈ ਭਾਤੀਜੇ ਰੋਵਹਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਅਤਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ॥ ਭੈ ਰੋਵੈ ਗੁਣ ਸਾਰਿ ਸਮਾਲੇ ਕੋ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਮੁਇਆ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਜਾਣ ਸਿਜਾਣਾ ਰੋਵਹਿ ਸਚੁ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥੪॥੫॥ (SGGS582)
Bābā rovhu je kisai rovṇā jānī▫aṛā banḏẖ paṯẖā▫i▫ā hai. Likẖi▫aṛā lekẖ na metī▫ai ḏar hākāraṛā ā▫i▫ā hai. Hākārā ā▫i▫ā jā ṯis bẖā▫i▫ā runne rovaṇhāre. Puṯ bẖā▫ī bẖāṯīje rovėh parīṯam aṯ pi▫āre. Bẖai rovai guṇ sār samāle ko marai na mu▫i▫ā nāle. Nānak jug jug jāṇ sijāṇā rovėh sacẖ samāle. ||4||5||
O friend, weep if some one must weep, as the beloved soul is goaded on bound down. The Lord's writ cannot be erased. The summons have come from the Lord's court. The messenger comes, when it pleases Him and the mourners begin to weep. Wail, the sons, brothers, nephews and the very dear intimates. None dies with the dead. Blessed is he, who cherishing the Lord's merits, weeps in fear. Nanak, they who wail( in His separation) by remembering the True Lord, are deemed wise all the ages through.
ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! (ਜਿਸ ਜੀਵ ਦੇ ਇਥੋਂ ਚਲਾਣੇ ਦਾ ਸੱਦਾ ਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਰੋ ਰੋ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਸੱਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਟਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕੀਦਾ, ਇਹ ਅਟੱਲ ਨਿਯਮ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਫਿਰ ਭੀ) ਜੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੇ (ਇਸ ਸੱਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਟਾਲਣ ਲਈ) ਰੋਣਾ ਹੀ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਰੋ ਕੇ ਵੇਖ ਲਵੋ। ਪਿਆਰਾ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਤੋਰ ਲਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। (ਉਸ ਦੇ ਇਥੋਂ ਕੂਚ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਦਰਗਾਹ ਦਾ) ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੁਕਮ ਮਿਟਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕੀਦਾ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਦਰ ਤੋਂ ਸੱਦਾ ਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ (ਉਹ ਸੱਦਾ ਅਮਿੱਟ ਹੈ)। ਜਦੋਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੂੰ (ਆਪਣੀ ਰਜ਼ਾ ਵਿਚ) ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ (ਜੀਵ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਕੂਚ ਦਾ) ਸੱਦਾ ਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਰੋਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ ਰੋਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਪੁੱਤਰ, ਭਰਾ, ਭਤੀਜੇ, ਬੜੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ (ਸਭੇ ਹੀ) ਰੋਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜੀਵ (ਕੂਚ ਕਰ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਵਾਪਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੁੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ) ਸਹਮ ਵਿਚ ਰੋਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ (ਸੁਖਾਂ) ਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਮੁੜ ਚੇਤੇ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਕਦੇ ਭੀ ਕੋਈ ਜੀਵ ਮੁਏ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮਰਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ (ਜੀਊਣਾ ਹਰੇਕ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਈ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੋਈ ਮਰ ਭੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ)। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! (ਇਹ ਮਰਨ ਤੇ ਜੰਮਣ ਦਾ ਸਿਲਸਿਲਾ ਤਾਂ ਜਾਰੀ ਹੀ ਰਹਿਣਾ ਹੈ) ਉਹ ਬੰਦੇ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਮਹਾ ਸਿਆਣੇ ਹਨ ਜੋ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਵਸਾ ਕੇ ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਲੋਂ ਉਪਰਾਮ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ।੪।੫।

 

[Gyani Jarnail Singh]

and rest assured a SIKH will never meet any "monstrous demon with blood shot eyes and hot cauldrons of boiling oil just waiting to plunge you into it or pull out your entrails in a macbre horror movie...the so called DharamRaj..or King of the Nether Regions.....not on your life... "DharamRaj" of Gurbani is Sitting right inside each of us...He is the CONSCIENCE...the INNER VOICE that has been COMMANDED by the CREATOR...to be seated inside us..and WHISPER unto us...the SACHA DHARAM...the Correct thing to do..the religious action to take...and AVOID the irreligious..the bad actions..the cruelty..the greed etc.
The biggest FEAR of "DEATH" is this so called Demon DharamRaj...waiting for us "after death"..to torture us....Gurbani speaks of THIS WORLD..THIS LIFE..and the DHARAMRAJ..our conscience..the inner voice of reason is there to advise us not to commit wrong..AND if WE DO...then we suffer the CONSEQUENCES HERE..in this life..no waiting for the "death"...
Thus a SIKH loses any fear of death..Kabeer says.Jis marneh te Jagg DAREH....merte mann ANAND..Death is feared by the world..but to me its BLISS...



ਧਰਮਰਾਇ ਨੋ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਬਹਿ ਸਚਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ॥
ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਦੁਸਟੁ ਆਤਮਾ ਓਹੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ॥
ਅਧਿਆਤਮੀ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣਤਾਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਜਪਹਿ ਏਕ ਮੁਰਾਰਿ॥
ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਧਰਮਰਾਇ ਕਰੈ ਧੰਨੁ ਸਵਾਰਣਹਾਰੁ॥
ਸਿਰੀ ਰਾਗ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਪੰਨਾ ੩੮
AND
ਦੂਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਰੈਣਿ ਕੈ, ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ, ਭਰਿ ਜੁਆਨੀ ਲਹਰੀ ਦੇਇ॥
ਬੁਰਾ ਭਲਾ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਈ, ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤ੍ਰਾ, ਮਨੁ ਮਤਾ ਅਹੰਮੇਇ॥
ਬੁਰਾ ਭਲਾ ਨ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਆਗੈ ਪੰਥੁ ਕਰਾਰਾ॥
ਪੂਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਸਿਰਿ ਠਾਢੇ ਜਮ ਜੰਦਾਰਾ॥
ਧਰਮਰਾਇ ਜਬ ਪਕਰਸਿ ਬਵਰੇ ਤਬ ਕਿਆ ਜਬਾਬੁ ਕਰੇਇ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੂਜੈ ਪਹਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਭਰਿ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਲਹਰੀ ਦੇਇ॥
ਪੰਨਾ ੭੭:happy:

 

[Astroboy]

Death is the second surest thing after birth. Nothing to fear. Something to celebrate.

ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਰਨੇ ਤੇ ਜਗੁ ਡਰੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨਿ ਆਨੰਦੁ ॥
कबीर जिसु मरने ते जगु डरै मेरे मनि आनंदु ॥
Kabīr jis marne ṯe jag darai mere man ānanḏ.
Kabeer, the world is afraid of death - that death fills my mind with bliss.

ਮਰਨੇ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਪੂਰਨੁ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦੁ ॥੨੨॥
मरने ही ते पाईऐ पूरनु परमानंदु ॥२२॥
Marne hī ṯe pā▫ī▫ai pūran parmānanḏ. ||22||
It is only by death that perfect, supreme bliss is obtained. ||22||

 

[Gyani Jarnail Singh]

YES..if this is not CELEBRATING DEATH....then what is ??

2. It is mandatory to READ the ANAND SAHIB..Gurbani of BLISS...at EACH and EVERY Occasion in a SIKH's LIFE....Birth..sickness..wellness..marriage..death... ALL CEREMONIES END with the ANAND SAHIB !!!
It doesnt matter if the Path da Bhog/Ardass is to celebrate a birth or a death...the Anaand Sahib is READ.

3. ANAND SAHIB is in the SAME RAAG (RAMKLI) and is NEIGHBOUR to Ramkali SADD ) Call of DEATH" in the SGGS. In times of DEATH..the SADD by Bhai Sun der Ji is read and then followed by Anand Sahib. Guru Ji has palced the Sadd stretegically even in the SGGS !! Also the SADD May or may Not be read..BUT the ANAND SAHIB is COMPULSORY.

any further proof needed ?? To a SIKH..all is in His HUKM....Ghalley aweh nanaka SADDEH itth jayeh..In his Hukm we arrive (birth) and at His Call we depart (death). Only the world laughs at birth and crioes/wails at death....the SIKH rejoices at BOTH. - Birth is admittance to the School Life according to t he Hukm of Akal purakh..and DEATH is passing the final exam with flying colours:happy:

 

[dalbirk]

contd..
According to Sikhism, human birth is God's blessings and the death is His command.

Jaman(u) mama hukam(u) hai,
bhiinai avai jaey. (Page 472)
Pavanai meh pavan smaia,
Joti meh jot(i) ral(i) jaia.
Mati mati hoi ek. Rowanharey kl kavan teyk. Kaon(u) mua re, kaon mua.
Brahmgianl mil(i) karauh blchara,
ih tao chalat(u) bhaia. (Page 885)
Nah kichh(u) janmai, nah kichh(u) marai.
Apan chalit(u) ap hI karai. (Page 281)
SURAG·NARK (Heaven-Hell)
What happens after death? This is a very significant question. This question can best be answered by a person who has been to the world hereafter and in his full consciousness. But no one has returned from there till date. Guru Sahibs have given his decision on their experience. As different views prevail on the subject of Atma and Mukti, similarly different views are held on the subject of life after death. Those who profess karm philosophy believe in re-incarnation theory. The ancient scriptures of Hinduism believe in the existence of Shiv Lok, Brahm Lok, Inderpuri and Swarg (heaven), Nark (hell) whe-re human beings go­ and live according to their karms performed.
Of the semetic religious, Christians believe that a person does not go to heaven or hell immediately after death. There is an inter- mediate stage that is called Hades Life. The human soul stays there. The influence of Christ, Church and higher spiritual state remains intact in a person in this region. One can go to heaven in this state as believed by Christians since it is against the will of God to send a person
to hell who holds faith on His son-Jesus.
Islam is of the view that all souls were created by the Almighty when He created the Universe. He sends these souls in various bodies according to His will. Those who die after spending their fixed time in this world are buried. All buried will get out of their graves on Dooms Day and they will be assigned heaven or hell according to their deeds or actions. Before the period of Dooms Day, all souls live in Almey Barzakh. It is an imaginary place between Earth and Sky. Those souls who would hold faith on the prophet of God (meaning-Hazrat Muhammad Sahib) would be sent to heaven. The remainder will burn in the fire of hell.
Pauranic Hinduism have described heaven and hell in fair details. For all virtues, one goes to heaven while the hell is reserved for evil doers, sinners and those who live life in vices. Nark (hells) are many in number and each of them have their own kinds. Mannu has mentioned 21 Narks in his Simritls. But Prakritl Khand (Chapter 27) of Brahm Vaivart states presence of 86 Narks. According to these books, Nark is that region where sinners are sent to bear the fruits of their evil deeds.
Swarg Lok is also called by the name of Oev Lok. There are many puns in-Oev Lok. But most commonly known are Inderpuri, Brahm puri and Shiv Puri. Gurbanl considers these puris no better than the trickery and deceit of maya which is destructible.
In comparison to Swarg and Nark, Islam has accepted Bahisht and Oaozakh. According to them, the muslims would be sent to Jahnnat (heaven) by the order of God after the dooms day. Its ground is covered with greenery. The rivers and brooks are of honey. Juicy dates and other fruits fully ripe would be available freely. One would get to drink cup full of Tahoora wine. Young boys and beautiful damsels will ever be in one's service.

Guru Sahibs have offered no avarice of heaven nor any 'ear of hell to their Sikhs. There is no place for hell or heaven n Sikhism. Gurmat(i) consider both as bandages. The aim of Gurmat(i) oriented life is to achieve oneness and final '1lergence with God.
According to Gurmat(i) there could be two types of life after death. For those who have committed evil deeds, they are put through the cycle of birth and rebirth and those souls .vho have purified themselves and are pious reside in the Lord. There is total mergence with Brahm One resides in the holy feet of the Lord. We have already learnt that the eason of our life is haumaiti. As long as a human being Narks and live in his 'my', mine and 'I', he will remain in die grip of haumain. All his deeds are performed in the will of the Lord. When the life is spent according to His mmand, the haumaifJ is got rid of. Then the birth and death cycle through eighty four lakh species come to an end. A person engrossed and caught in the shackles of haumain remain entrapped in repeated births.
Gurmat(i) does not accept existence of any such place mere good people will enjoy life of pleasures and luxuries while bad would be put through torture. According to Gurmat(i) such places do not exist any where. Wherever mention of Avagavan has been made in G urbani, the existence of Nark and Swarg have not been stated. though the words Nark and Swarg have been used at various places in Gurbani, they are either indicator towards other religions or when Guru Sahib are addressing sermons to the people of other religions. They have always been preaching their message to the others in the language and terms they were most familiar with. Becoming one with Akal
contd...

 

[dalbirk]

Purakh and achieving indistinction with Lord is the heaven for Sikhs. Coming to this world repeatedly is Nark according to Gurmat(i). Guru Sahib have also used the words Nark and Swarg as figurative expressions, to express the good and bad states of this life.

Baikunth nagar(u), jaha(n) sant vasa.
Prabh cham kamal rid mahey nivasa. (Page 742)
Taha baikunth(u) jah kfrtan tera,
tUrn) apey sardhii laheyh. (Page 749)
Tah baikunth(u) jah nam uchareh. (Page 890)
The wordly meanings of the word 'Swarg' are 'Swai' (own) and arg (house). That is to say, to reach one's real place of a living being, to dwell in Akal Purakh from whom, he has been separated, To re-unite with Him is the real 'Swarg' of Sikhism.
'Nark' means a house where enmity, hatred, rancour and malice etc are rampant. Thus it signifies separation. To remain separated from God and wandering in repeated births is considered Nark in Gurmat(i). Therefore, we must keep these meanings in mind while deliberating on Gurbani.
The desires of Nark-Swarg are haun (self) oriented.
Every act how so ever good it may be, performed in haumai is considered a vice. Guru Sahib says-
Ham jag thirath kiey, bich(i) haumai(n) badhai bikar. Nark(u) surag(u) duey bhunchana,
hoey bauhar(i) bauhar(i) avtar.
Shiv purl, Brahm, Indr purl,
nihchal(u) ko thao(n) nahey.
Bin(u) Her(i) sevii sukh(u) nahi ho sakat aveh jahey. Jaiso gur(i) updesia mai(ti) taiso kahia pukar(i). Nanak(u) kahai sun(i) re mana,kar(i) kirtan(u) hoey udhar(u) (Page 214 )
Thus a Gursikh gives no place to the thoughts of Nark-Swarg in his mind. He sheds his hau(n) and spends his life in the welfare of the others and marches on towards his objective. His objective is to become one with Lord.
Dhan(u) nahf bii(iJ)chheh, surag na iichheh.
At(i) pria prft(i) siidh raj riicheh.4. (Page 251)

Shiv biranch ar Indr 10k ta meh jaltao phiria. Simar(i) simar(i) suamibhaey
seetal dukh(u) dard(u) bhram hiria.15. (Page 1219)
Bhagat Kabir Ji also say the same thing-
Kavan(u) nark(u) kiii surag(u) bichiira
santan doD riidey.
Hum kahD kf kiin(i) na kadhtey,
apney gur parsiidey. (Page 969)
Kabir surg nark te mai(n) rahio , satgur kai parsad(i)

Cham kamal kf mauj meh rahao ant(i) ar(u) ad(i).
(Page 1370)
Sach Khand : A spiritual high point has been described .11 Jap(u) banI by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He says, "Sachkhand vasai Nirankar". This is the state of meeting with the Lord. Then a Sikh reaches this state of spiritual high, he sees
od all around him. He sits, sleep, eat, walks does everything in the lap of his eternal father. Such a person, .vhether he reaches this state while alive or dead is addressed as Sach Khand Vasi. What does Sach Khand mean? It is not a separate region on the lines propagated and claimed by other religions where the souls reside. This is the ultimate state of spiritual progress. This is a special state of spiritual bliss that one reaches after making progress through Dharm Khand, Gian Khand, Saram
Khand, Karam Khand. The next step is into the realms of Sachkhand where a man reaches after death or when still alive. Guru Ji tell us more about this stage in the following words-




Sukh sahaj iinand bhavan. Sadh sang(i) bais(i) gun giiveh, tah rag sag nahi janam maran.

(Page 888)

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