Herein is presented a description of a Sresht Dharm from the Guru Granth Sahib (GSS) – a holy scripture of the Sikhs, ordained as Guru in 1708, contains Bani of 6 Sikh Gurus, Bhagats – both Hindus and Muslims notably among them are Bhagat Kabir Ji, Farid Ji, Ravidas Ji, Nam Deo Ji… and other Mahapurakhs belonging to low and high caste Hindus.
The authenticity of various compositions is well known and the Spiritual Truths were tested by a row of ten Sikh Gurus (all Indians), starting with Guru Nanak Dev Ji (born in in a Hindu family in 1469) for a period of about 239 years. This is a Granth that belongs to all Indians in the first place with Universal message to forge a sense of brotherhood, unity and prosperity for all.
Sreshat Dharam is described as follows:-
ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ॥ (Raag Gauri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, GSS. page 266-line 13).
Of all religions, the best religion is to chant the Name of the Lord and maintain pure conduct.
ਸਗਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਆ ਮਹਿ ਊਤਮ ਕਿਰਿਆ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਲੁ ਹਿਰਿਆ ॥
Of all religious rituals, the most sublime ritual is to erase the filth of the dirty mind in the Company of the Holy.
ਸਗਲ ਉਦਮ ਮਹਿ ਉਦਮੁ ਭਲਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜੀਅ ਸਦਾ ॥
Of all efforts, the best effort is to chant the Name of the Lord in the heart, forever.
ਸਗਲ ਬਾਨੀ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਜਸੁ ਸੁਨਿ ਰਸਨ ਬਖਾਨੀ ॥
Of all speech, the most ambrosial speech is to hear the Lord’s Praise and chant it with the tongue.
ਸਗਲ ਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਓਹੁ ਊਤਮ ਥਾਨੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਹ ਘਟਿ ਵਸੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ॥੮॥੩॥
Of all places, the most sublime place, O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides. ||8||3||
-The Guru Granth Sahib is not only for turbaned Sikhs but is for all human-beings irrespective of their religion at birth. It is rather unfortunate that Punjabi Hindus who should claim Guru Granth Sahib as their own Granth have mostly turned away from it and Punjabi language, which is their mother tongue.
May I invite those who have exploring minds to have a dip in Guru Granth Sahib – 100% Indian built as the first platform for Inter-faith dialogue by the participation of Sikh Gurus and elevated Hindu and Muslim Bhagats. They have common message:-
ਜਿਸੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਪੂਰੇ ਕਾਜਾ ॥ (Guru Arjan Dev Ji, GGS. 1155-17).
One who keeps the Naam in his heart – his tasks are perfectly accomplished.
One is free to criticise any religion but if you understand your own religion and then attempt to criticise other religion, you might find yourself lost as there may be a lot more in common than trivial differences. I find that there is a lot in common in Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), Christianity, Islam and Sikhism etc…
As per the Sikh doctrine as given in the Gurbani, a Gur-sikh is defined as one who chants the name and inspires others to do the same, as given below:-
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ (Raag Gauri Guru Ram Das, GGS, page & line 306-2)
Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it. ||2||
Naam is Divine connectivity, which brings bibek-budhi (sumat/sohjee/discerning intellect).
Guru Nanak Dev Ji says the following about the importance of Naam:-
ਤਾ ਤੂ ਮੁਲਾ ਤਾ ਤੂ ਕਾਜੀ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਖੁਦਾਈ ॥ (Sri Raag Guru Nanak Ji, GGS. 24-9).
You are a Mullah, and you are a Qazi, only when you know the Naam, the Name of God.
ਜੇ ਬਹੁਤੇਰਾ ਪੜਿਆ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਕੋ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਭਰੀਐ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥
You may be very educated, but no one can remain when the measure of life is full. ||2||
ਸੋਈ ਕਾਜੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਆਪੁ ਤਜਿਆ ਇਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਕੀਆ ਆਧਾਰੋ ॥
He alone is a Qazi, who renounces selfishness and conceit, and makes the One Name his Support.
ਹੈ ਭੀ ਹੋਸੀ ਜਾਇ ਨ ਜਾਸੀ ਸਚਾ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰੋ ॥੩॥
The True Creator Lord is, and shall always be. He was not born; He shall not die. ||3||
ਪੰਜ ਵਖਤ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਹਿ ਪੜਹਿ ਕਤੇਬ ਕੁਰਾਣਾ ॥
You may chant your prayers five times each day; you may read the Bible and the Koran.
ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖੈ ਗੋਰ ਸਦੇਈ ਰਹਿਓ ਪੀਣਾ ਖਾਣਾ ॥੪॥੨੮॥
Says Nanak, the grave is calling you, and now your food and drink are finished. ||4||28||
-Guru Nanak Sahib further makes no secret when he says that Oh Lord, your name alone is my hope and support in life:-
ਤੇਰਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੈ ਏਹਾ ਆਸ ਏਹੋ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Sri Raag, Guru Nanak Ji, GGS.24-15).
Your Name alone, Lord, saves the world.This is my hope; this is my support. ||1||PauseII
Importance of Naam and names of Waheguru (Ram, Har, Allah and God …..etc) are highlited in holy Vedas, Bible and Quran as well, such as:-
ਵੇਦਾ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਤਮੁ ਸੋ ਸੁਣਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਜਿਉ ਬੇਤਾਲਿਆ ॥ (Raag Raamkali Guru Amar Das Ji, GGS. 919-14).
In the Vedas, the ultimate objective is the Naam, the Name of the Lord; but they do not hear this, and they wander around like demons.
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜਿਨ ਸਚੁ ਤਜਿਆ ਕੂੜੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਤਿਨੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਜੂਐ ਹਾਰਿਆ ॥੧੯॥
Says Nanak, those who forsake Truth and cling to falsehood, lose their lives in the gamble. ||19||
-Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Chief-Editor of Adi Granth Sahib (which was renamed as Guru Granth Sahib after incorporating the Bani of 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bhadur Ji), after a considerable research of various Shashtras and Vedas concluded that there is nothing in spiritual path that equals the Lord’s name:-
ਬਹੁ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਬਹੁ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤੀ ਪੇਖੇ ਸਰਬ ਢਢੋਲਿ ॥ ਪੂਜਸਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਅਮੋਲ ॥੧॥(Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 265-8).
The many Shaastras and the many Simritees – I have seen and searched through them all.
They are not equal to Har, Haray – O Nanak, the Lord’s Invaluable Name. ||1||
-Gur Arjan Dev Ji further flavors Naam over other religious practices, which are subordinate to Naam:-
ਵਰਤ ਨ ਰਹਉ ਨ ਮਹ ਰਮਦਾਨਾ ॥ਤਿਸੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਜੋ ਰਖੈ ਨਿਦਾਨਾ ॥੧॥ (Raag Bhairo Guru Arjan Dev Ji, GSS.1136-9).
I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan. I serve only the One, who will protect me in the end. ||1||
ਏਕੁ ਗੁਸਾਈ ਅਲਹੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੁਹਾਂ ਨੇਬੇਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah. He administers justice to both Hindus and Muslims. ||1||Pause||
ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਉ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਸੇਵੀ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੨॥
I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines.
I serve the One Lord, and not any other. ||2||
ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਉ ਨ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਉ ॥ ਏਕ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਲੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਉ ॥੩॥
I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers.
I have taken the One Formless Lord into my heart; I humbly worship Him there. ||3||
ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥
I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim. My body and breath of life belong to Allah – to Raam – the God of both. ||4||
If you happen to visit a Sikh Gurduara, you will hear various names of God familiar in Hinduism and Islam being recited with equal devotion with Waheguru. If someone says Waheguru in a Hindu temple, people around will raise eyebrows. If some speaks out Waheguru in a mosque, one may not be surprised that some people will come forward to show you the door. It is no different in Church or Synagogue either.
Some examples of recitations of various Divine Names in Gurduara are given hereunder:-
ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ਕੋਈ ਸੇਵੈ ਗੁਸਈਆ ਕੋਈ ਅਲਾਹਿ ॥੧॥ (Raag Raamkali Guru Arjan Dev Ji, GGS. 885-8).
Some call Him, ‘Raam, Raam’, and some call Him, ‘Khudaa-i’. Some serve Him as ‘Gusain’, others as ‘Allaah’. ||1||
ਕਾਰਣ ਕਰਣ ਕਰੀਮ ॥ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਰਹੀਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
He is the Cause of causes, the Generous Lord He showers His Grace and Mercy upon us. ||1||Pause||
ਕੋਈ ਨਾਵੈ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਕੋਈ ਹਜ ਜਾਇ ॥ਕੋਈ ਕਰੈ ਪੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ਸਿਰੁ ਨਿਵਾਇ ॥੨॥
Some bathe at sacred shrines of pilgrimage, and some make the pilgrimage to Mecca.|
Some perform devotional worship services, and some bow their heads in prayer. ||2||
ਕੋਈ ਪੜੈ ਬੇਦ ਕੋਈ ਕਤੇਬ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਓਢੈ ਨੀਲ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਪੇਦ ॥੩॥
Some read the Vedas, and some the Koran. Some wear blue robes, and some wear white. ||3||
ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਹਿੰਦੂ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਬਾਛੈ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਰਗਿੰਦੂ ॥੪॥
Some call themselves Muslim, and some call themselves Hindu. Some yearn for paradise, and others long for heaven. ||4||
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੯॥
Says Nanak, one who realizes the Hukam of God’s Will. Knows the secrets of his Lord and Master. ||5||9||
Kabir Ji has the following to say in Guru Granth Sahib:-
ਹਜ ਹਮਾਰੀ ਗੋਮਤੀ ਤੀਰ ॥ ਜਹਾ ਬਸਹਿ ਪੀਤੰਬਰ ਪੀਰ ॥੧॥ (Raag Asa Bhagat Kabir, GGS. 478-17).My pilgrimage to Mecca is on the banks of the Gomati River The spiritual teacher in his yellow robes dwells there. ||1||
ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਖੂਬੁ ਗਾਵਤਾ ਹੈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵਤਾ ਹੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Waaho! Waaho! Hail! Hail! How wondrously he sings. The Name of the Lord is pleasing to my mind. ||1||Pause||
ਨਾਰਦ ਸਾਰਦ ਕਰਹਿ ਖਵਾਸੀ ॥ ਪਾਸਿ ਬੈਠੀ ਬੀਬੀ ਕਵਲਾ ਦਾਸੀ ॥੨॥
Naarada the sage, and Shaarada the goddess of knowledge, serve the Lord. The goddess Lakhshmi sits by Him as His slave. ||2||
ਕੰਠੇ ਮਾਲਾ ਜਿਹਵਾ ਰਾਮੁ ॥ ਸਹੰਸ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੈ ਲੈ ਕਰਉ ਸਲਾਮੁ ॥੩॥
The mala is around my neck, and the Lord’s Name is upon my tongue. I repeat the Naam, the Name of the Lord, a thousand times, and bow in reverence to Him. ||3||
ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਰਾਮ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਉ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੋਊ ਸਮਝਾਵਉ ॥੪॥੪॥੧੩॥
Says Kabeer, I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. I teach both Hindus and Muslims. ||4||4||13||
I find it very disheartening to note that most learned Indians (Hindus and Muslim) on International or National Forums when they discuss various religions fail even to mention about Sikhism, which is the fifth largest religion in the World with origin on the Indian Continent, home to all the Sikh Gurus and Bhagats. This could be either due to their ignorance or due to some bias. Particularly it is misfortune for most Punjabi Hindus who are drifting away from their glorious spiritual tradition..
I invite you to read the Guru Granth Sahib as your own Granth. I have a working knowledge of Punjabi and Hindi (I cannot write a letter in either language) but I can understand 75% of the Gurbani without difficulty. If you know a little bit of Urdu (or Hindustani, the language of Bollywood) and Sanskrit, the comprehension of Gurbani of Guru Granth Sahib becomes relatively easy. The translation of Guru Granth Sahib in Punjabi, English and Hindi is available on the Internet – http://gurbani search/. There are some ‘teekas’ or help-books available in Punjabi/Hindi/English from bookstores near major Gurduaras in various cities in India and overseas.
Reference: ‘Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar’ by Kirpal Singh, Sanbun Publishers, New Delhi, 2014.
Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com
Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar 