Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar

Guru Nanak Sahib describes the importance of the Sabd by giving a gist that without the Sabd the World will not be the same place:-

ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰਾ ਗਹਿਰ ਗੰਭੀਰਾ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਜਗੁ ਬਉਰਾਨੰ ॥ (Raag Sorath M. 1, GGS. 635-6).
The Word of the Shabad is his Guru and spiritual teacher, profound and unfathomable; without the Sbad, the world is insane.

According to Guru Nanak, Anhad Sabd is ringing day and night (Raag Raamkali M. 1, GGS. 879-7).

ਧੁਨਿ ਵਾਜੇ ਅਨਹਦ ਘੋਰਾ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਸਿ ਮੋਰਾ ॥(Raag Raamkali M. 1, GGS. 879-7).
The unstruck melody of the sound current resonates and resounds;
My mind is appeased by the subtle essence of the Lord.

ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 1, GGS. 943-1).
The Sbad is the Guru, upon whom I lovingly focus my consciousness; I am the chaylaa, the disciple.

Guru Nanak Sahib gives introduction of creation or receiving of ‘Sabd’ in Jap Ji Sahib as follows:-

ਜਤੁ ਪਾਹਾਰਾ ਧੀਰਜੁ ਸੁਨਿਆਰੁ ॥ ਅਹਰਣਿ ਮਤਿ ਵੇਦੁ ਹਥੀਆਰੁ ॥  (Guru Nanak Sahib, Jap Ji, GGS. 8-8).
Let self-control be the furnace, and patience the goldsmith. Let understanding be the anvil, and spiritual wisdom the tools.

ਭਉ ਖਲਾ ਅਗਨਿ ਤਪ ਤਾਉ ॥ ਭਾਂਡਾ ਭਾਉ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਤਿਤੁ ਢਾਲਿ ॥
WiThTheth the Fear of God as the bellows, fan the flames of tapa, the body’s inner heat. In the crucible of love, melt the Nectar of the Name,

ਘੜੀਐ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਚੀ ਟਕਸਾਲ ॥ ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਮੁ ਤਿਨ ਕਾਰ ॥
And mint the True Coin of the Shabad, the Word of God. Such is the karma of those upon whom He has cast His Glance of Grace.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥੩੮॥
O Nanak, the Merciful Lord, by His Grace, uplifts and exalts them. ||38||

According to Guru Nanak Sahib, the Sabd is an outcome of rigor of passing through the Dharam-, Gian-, Saram- and Karam Khands, which lead to Sach Khand. But over and above, Guru Ji emphasizes that only those who enjoy Divine Grace of Waheguru can have excess to the Sabd.

In the scriptures of most religions, Sabd is recognized as Creator of Universe (Sabd or Nad in Vedas, Kalma in Quran, Word in Bible, Tao in Chinese scriptures and Sharosha in Zend Avesta of Zarashtustra).

In Gurbani, Sabd is a link which connects everyone and everything with Waheguru. It is also used interchangeably for Name of Waheguru, Naam, and Hukum as well. The Sbad is a Divine Melody or Sound/Voice of Waheguru or Guru Bani or Gurbani is always resounding but because of our ego and pride we cannot hear it .

ਸਾਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਹਜ ਧੁਨਿ ਉਪਜੈ ਮਨਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥ ਅਗਮ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥੬॥  (Raag Sarang M.3, GGS. 1234-7).Through the True Word of the Sbad, the celestial melody wells up, and the mind is lovingly focused on the True Lord. The Immaculate Naam, the Name of the Inaccessible and Unfathomable Lord, abides in the mind of the Gurmukh. ||6||

ਏਕਸ ਮਹਿ ਸਭੁ ਜਗਤੋ ਵਰਤੈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਏਕੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਰੈ ਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੂਝੈ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਣੈ ॥੭॥
The whole world is contained in the One Lord. How rare are those who understand the One Lord. One who dies in the Sbad comes to know everything; night and day, he realizes the One Lord. ||7||

ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਜਨੁ ਬੂਝੈ ਹੋਰੁ ਕਹਣਾ ਕਥਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮਿ ਰਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਏਕ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥੮॥੨॥
That humble being, upon whom the Lord casts His Glance of Grace, understands. Nothing else can be said. O Nanak, those who are imbued with the Naam are forever detached from the world; they are lovingly attuned to the One Word of the Sbad. ||8||2||

All the Gurus say that Sabd is Naam/Waheguru and Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. It is only the Grace of Waheguru which tunes us to hear the Sbad:-

– Guru Nanak Sahib describes the true Word or Sabd as eternal truth – ‘Through the True Word one realizes the Truth, Through the the True Word one sings the praises of Waheguru.

ਸਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥ ਸਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ॥  (Raag Parbhati M. 1, GGS. 1342-8).
Through the True Word of the Shabad, one practices Truth. He sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord, through the True Word of His Bani.

ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਅਮਰ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਾ ਦਰਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਸੋਭਾ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੫॥
He dwells in the home of his own heart deep within, and obtains the immortal status. Then, he is blessed with honor in the Court of the True Lord. ||5||

The Guru’s Word (Sabd) is the panacea for all the ills. And is also the Sabd is His insignia:-

– ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਦਾਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਤੂ ਰਾਖਹਿ ਤਿਵੈ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Basant M.1, GGS. 1189-7).
The Word of the Guru’s Sbad, and the Lord’s Name are the cures. As You keep me, so do I remain.

– ਏਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਚਾ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਾਣੁ ॥੩॥ (Raag Basant M. 1, GGS. 1188-14).
The Sbad, the Word, is the Insignia of the One True Lord. Through the Perfect Guru, the Knowing Lord is known. ||3||

– ਸੁ ਸਬਦ ਕਉ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਵਾਸੁ ਅਲਖੰ ਜਹ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਹ ਸੋਈ ॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 1, 944-12).
That Sbad dwells deep within the nucleus of all beings. God is invisible; wherever I look, there I see Him.

– Guru Amar Das Ji further expands on varied other dimensions of the Sabd:-

ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਚਾਖਿ ਸਦਾ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿਆ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੁਣੀ ਅਘਾਇਆ ॥ (Raag Sorath M. 3, GGS. 602-13).
Tasting the sublime elixir of the Lord, his mind is satisfied and satiated forever; singing the Glories of the Glorious Lord, he is fulfilled and satisfied.

ਕਮਲੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਿ ਸਦਾ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਜਾਇਆ ॥
The lotus of his heart blossoms forth, he is ever imbued with the Lord’s Love, and the unstruck melody of the Sbad resounds within him.

ਸਚੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਚੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਹੈ ਜਾ ਸਚਿ ਧਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਹਉਮੈ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਨਿਵਾਰਿ ॥ (Sriraag M. 3, GGS. 33-17).
When you love the Truth, your words are true; they reflect the True Word of the Sbad. The Name of the Lord dwells within the mind; egotism and anger are wiped away.

Guru Amar Das Ji says – ‘Creation, dissolution and recreation are from the Sabd The practice of listening to the Sabd is the true spiritual practice. In the Iron-age of ignorance knowledge of the greatness of the Sabd enlightens, By devotion to Sabd, pride/ego can be removed”.

ਉਤਪਤਿ ਪਰਲਉ ਸਬਦੇ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਸਬਦੇ ਹੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਓਪਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 3, GGS. 117-8).
Creation and destruction happen through the Word of the Shabad. Through the Sbad, creation happens again.

ਕਲਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਨੁ ॥ ਏਹਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਚੂਕੈ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥  (Raag Asa M. 3, GGS. 424-1).
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, realize the Word of the Sabd. By this devotional worship, egotism is eliminated.

ਆਪੇ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਾਏ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਏ ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 3, GGS. 125-14).
The Creator Himself acts, and causes others to act. Through Him, the Word of the Guru’s Sbad is enshrined within the mind.

ਸਬਦੇ ਉਪਜੈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੩॥ (Raag Sarang M. 3, GGS. 1250-4).
The Ambrosial Word of the Guru’s Bani emanates from the Word of the Sbad. The Gurmukh speaks it and hears it. ||3||

ਜੀਆ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਸਬਦੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਹ ਮੇਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਜਗਿ ਆਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੇਰੁ ਹੈ ਸਬਦੇ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
The life within all living beings is the Word of the Sbad. Through it, we meet our Husband Lord. Without the Sbad, the world is in darkness. Through the Sbad, it is enlightened.

ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੋਨੀ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਥਕੇ ਭੇਖ ਥਕੇ ਤਨੁ ਧੋਇ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਦੁਖੀਏ ਚਲੇ ਰੋਇ ॥
The Pandits, the religious scholars, and the silent sages read and write until they are weary. The religious fanatics are tired of washing their bodies. Without the Sbad, no one attains the Lord; the miserable depart weeping and wailing.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਪਾਈਐ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥
O Nanak, by His Glance of Grace, the Merciful Lord is attained. ||2||

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਿਨਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਮੇਲਿ ਲਏ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਣਹਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ (Raag Sarang M. 3, GGS. 1250-10).
The Word of the Sbad abides in the mind of the Gurmukhs, who find the Gate of Salvation. O Nanak, the Lord Himself forgives them, and unites them in Union with Himself. ||1||

ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਸੇ ਅੰਨੇ ਬੋਲੇ ਸੇ ਕਿਤੁ ਆਏ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥(Raag Sorath M. 3, GGS. 601-6).
Those who do not know the Sbad are blind and deaf; why did they even bother to come into the world?

ਸੋ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਜੋ ਸਬਦੇ ਸੋਹੈ ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 3, 121-10).
Immaculate is the one who is adorned with the Shabad.

ਸੋ ਨਿਹਕਰਮੀ ਜੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ॥ (Raag Sorath M. 3, GGS. 128-15).
Those who reflect upon the Sbad are beyond karma.

ਸਚੁ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਪੂਰੈ ਗੁਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥ (Raag Majh M. 3, GGS. 114-10).
The practice of Truth is the essence of the Shabad. Through the Perfect Guru, the gate of salvation is found.

ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ ਸਚਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੰਗਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੪॥
So, night and day, listen to the Word of the Guru’s Bani, and the Sabd. Let yourself be colored by this love. ||4||

ਏ ਮਨ ਮਤ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਹੈ ਸਦਾ ਵੇਖੁ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਸਦ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਸਦ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਸਬਦਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 3, GGS. 429-1). O my mind, do not think of the Lord as being far away; behold Him ever close at hand. He is always listening, and always watching over us; the Word of His Saad is all-pervading everywhere. ||1||Pause||

– Guru Ram Das Ji says – ‘Inside of man is the Sabd. Whereby Waheguru can be realized’ ‘Attuned only to the Sabd, One abides in bliss day and night’:-

ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਈ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰਸਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਈ ॥(Raag Malar M. 4, GGS. 1265-8).
As Gurmukh, I have attained the Unfathomable Name of the Lord, with intuitive peace and poise. The treasure of the Naam abides deep within my heart. My tongue sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord.

ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦਿ ਰਹੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਏਕ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਸਹਜੇ ਪਾਇਆ ਇਹ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੩॥
I am forever in bliss, day and night, lovingly attuned to the One Word of the Shabad. I have obtained the treasure of the Naam with intuitive ease; this is the glorious greatness of the True Guru. ||3||

ਮਨਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਆਰਾਧਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ॥ ਸਭਿ ਇਛਾ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਪੂਰੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਚੂਕਾ ਡਰੁ ਜਮ ਕੇ ॥੧॥ (Raag Suhi M.4, GGS. 731-7).
My mind worships and adores the Lord’s Name,through the Guru,and the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. All the desires of my mind and body have been fulfilled; all fear of death has been dispelled. ||1||

– Guru Arjan Dev Ji advices – “O friend sing the praises of Waheguru. Always love the True Word (Sabd). ‘Waheguru is the Lord of all places. His Shabad rings everywhere”:-

ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਭਜਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਮੀਤ ॥ ਸਾਚ ਸਬਦ ਕਰਿ ਸਦਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Basant M. 5, GGS. 1192-15).
Meditate and vibrate forever on the Lord of the Universe, O my friend. Love forever the True Word of the Shabad. ||1||Pause||

ਸੁਨੀ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਸਚੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਕਾਥਾ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 5, GGS. 376-9).
He cannot hear the true ambrosial discourse.

ਅਨਹਦ ਬਾਣੀ ਪੂੰਜੀ ॥ ਸੰਤਨ ਹਥਿ ਰਾਖੀ ਕੂੰਜੀ ॥੨॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 5, GGS. 893-19).
In the Word of the Guru’s Bani is the wealth of the unstruck sound current. The Saints hold the key to it in their hands. ||2II

ਸਰਬ ਥਾਨ ਕੋ ਰਾਜਾ ॥ ਤਹ ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦ ਅਗਾਜਾ ॥ ( Raag Sorath M. 5, GGS. 621-11).
He is the King of all places. There, the unstruck melody of the Sbad resounds.

ਤਿਸੁ ਪਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥ ਮਿਲੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈ ॥੪॥੧॥੫੧॥
Of what use is cleverness when dealing with Him? Meeting with Him, O Nanak, one loses his self-conceit. ||4||1||51||

– Guru Gobind Singh Ji salutes the Divine Melody, ‘Nad’ (‘namo nad nade’ – Jaap Sahib verse 48).

Now the Sikh Gurus 1-5, 9 and 10 were able to hear/receive the Sabd whereas 6th, 7th and 8th Guru did not show evidence that they accessed the Divine Sabd on their own? Does this bring any parity in the spiritual heights of two sets of Gurus? The Gurbani resolves this as the following verses of Guru Amar Das Ji in Anand Sahib.

Guru Amar Das Ji confirms that Satguru (Waheguru) is all pervading and so His Divine Melody the Sabd. And goes on to add that both the listeners and speakers are pure (1st to 5th, 9th and the10th Gurus were listeners and speakers and the 6th, 7th and 8th Guru were speakers of Sabd of other Gurus).

ਸੁਣਤੇ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਕਹਤੇ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰੇ ॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 3, GGS. 922).
Pure are the listeners, and pure are the speakers; the True Guru is all-pervading and permeating.

ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਲਾਗੇ ਵਾਜੇ ਅਨਹਦ ਤੂਰੇ ॥੪੦॥੧॥
Prays Nanak, touching the Guru’s Feet, the unstruck sound current of the celestial bugles vibrates and resounds. ||40||1||

Guru Ji further beautifully links the significance of Hukum/Sabd in immersing a Gurmukh with His Liv that makes all the difference in life:-

ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਵਰਤਾਏ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਵਰਤਾਏ ਆਪਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਕਿਸੈ ਬੁਝਾਏ ॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 3,GGS. 920-13).
He Himself created Shiva and Shakti, mind and matter; the Creator subjects them to His Command. Enforcing His Order, He Himself sees all. How rare are those who, as Gurmukh, come to know Him.

ਤੋੜੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤੁ ਸਬਦੁ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਏ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਆਪਿ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਏਕਸ ਸਿਉ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥
They break their bonds, and attain liberation; they enshrine the Shabad within their minds. Those whom the Lord Himself makes Gurmukh, lovingly focus their consciousness on the One Lord.

ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਬੁਝਾਏ ॥੨੬॥
Says Nanak, He Himself is the Creator; He Himself reveals the Hukam of His Command. ||26|

Guru Ji again stresses all those who enshrine the Sabd in their minds as speakers or listeners are equally pure. The need is to is to remember Waheguru all the time:-

ਕਹਦੇ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਸੁਣਦੇ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਸੇ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਇਆ ॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 3, 919-9).
Pure are those who speak, and pure are those who listen; those who enshrine it within their minds are pure.

ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸੇ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥੧੭॥
Says Nanak, pure and holy are those who, as Gurmukh, meditate on the Lord, Har, Har. ||17||

The Sabd is Guru-Sikhia as said by Guru Nanak Sahib in JapJi Sahib – ‘mat vich ratan jawahar manik, je ik Gurki Sikh sunee’ (the Sabd imports jewels of wisdom). This was proved by all successive Gurus after Guru Nanak Sahib who primarily thrived on the Bani of their predecessor (s) and were able to listen to Divine Sabd in original. The very fact that all in all six Gurus were able to directly catch the Divine Melody over a long period of time suggest that the Sabd is always there in the environment – only His Grace is needed to get tuned to receive it.

The Sabd like Naam is all over in the Gurbani and is not easy to fully discuss in one go. Though one thing is clear that Naam and the Sabd are closely linked and help in the growth of each other:-

ਨਾਮੁ ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਵਾਜੇ ਸਬਦ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥ (Raag Raamkali M. 3, GGS. 917-8).

The divine melody of the Shabad vibrates for those, within whose minds the Naam abides..

Further, importance of Sabd is obvious from the Gurbani:-

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਨ ਸੇਵਿਓ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕੀਤੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਮਿਰਤਕੁ ਹੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥ (Sri Raag M. 3, GGS. 88-9).
Those who do not serve the True Guru, and who do not contemplate the Word of the Sabd -spiritual wisdom does not enter into their hearts; they are like dead bodies in the world.

ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਫੇਰੁ ਪਇਆ ਮਰਿ ਜੰਮੈ ਹੋਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸੋ ਕਰੇ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਾਏ ਸੋਇ ॥
They go through the cycle of 8.4 million reincarnations, and they are ruined through death and rebirth. He alone serves the True Guru, whom the Lord Himself inspires to do so.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਸਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਸਿਉ ਤਿਨ ਸਚੀ ਸਦਾ ਲਿਵ ਹੋਇ ॥
The Treasure of the Naam is within the True Guru; by His Grace, it is obtained. Those who are truly attuned to the Word of the Guru’s Shabad-their love is forever True.

ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਮੇਲੇ ਨ ਵਿਛੁੜੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥
O Nanak, those who are united with Him shall not be separated again. They merge imperceptibly into God. ||1||

It proves that “Gurbani eis jag mein chanan”, (Gurbani is divine lighthouse) isn’t it?

Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com