Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar

There is an unbreakable connection between a Guru and a Sikh on one hand and the Guru and Akalpurakh (Waheguru) on the other hand. According to the Gurbani, the Guru is a necessary force/media for a Sikh to follow to connect with Waheguru.

In defining a Sikh or in order to determine that who is a Sikh like, we can first look for definition of the Sikhi in the Guru Granth Sahib. According to Gurbani, definition of Sikhi can be traced to the Mool Mantar in which Guru Nanak Ji defines his Gur in the very outset in the Jap Ji Sahib.

In the following Tuk, Guru Nanak Ji gives a glimpse of Sikhi in the light of Guru Ji’s Gur (Akalpurakh) :-

ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਘਾਏ ਪਾਰਿ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 1, GGS. 465).
Contemplating the Gur, I have been taught teachings of Sikhi. Granting His Grace, He carries His servants across.

Here Gur Veechar is the Divine Wisdom (budh-bibek) received from the Supreme Gur i. e. Waheguru as a gift of Naam by His Grace.

Guru Nanak Ji further again confirms the supreme support of Naam as a main thrust of his life in the following Tuk:-

ਤੇਰਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੈ ਏਹਾ ਆਸ ਏਹੋ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Sri Raag M. 1, GGS. 24).
Your Name alone, Lord, saves the world. This is my hope; this is my support. ||1||Pause||

The entire Bani of the Sikh Gurus (1st-5th and 9th; and including that of the 10th Guru), Bhagat Bani and of Bhatts revolves around the “Mool Mantar” and they all unanimously acknowledge the support of Naam in their respective Banis and the same truth is reflected in their lives.

The 6th, 7th and 8th Gurus did not compose any Bani of their own but exhibited an ardent support as Naami by leading exemplary life in upholding the Truth underlined in the Bani of other Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatts in keeping the with the spirit of Truth proclaimed by Guru Nanak Ji .

ਸਚਹੁ ਓਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਿ ਸਚੁ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥੫॥ (Sri Raag M. 1, GGS. 62).
Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living. ||5||

The most common denominator possessed by all the Guru, Bhagats and Bhatts is the presence of a Divine Connection with Akalpurakh (Waheguru), which they made well known through their writings and/ or through their lives full of Divine devotion.

Therefore, a Sikh has to be one who is simply striving to connect with Akalpurkh (Waheguru) with full faith and trust in his/her Guru (Sabd Guru).

Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com