Guru Ji’s core message embraces three fundamental pillars for a meaningful life, such as 1. Naam Japo 2. Kirat Karo and 3. Vand Chacko.

Guru Ji gives priority to Naam Japna because Naam leads to a spiritual awareness necessary for a right choice of a profession (Kirat) that also enables a person to render Seva (Vand Chakna) not only in financial sense but more importantly becoming enlightened to be able to share one’s spiritual understanding (Gurmat) with others.

Keeping in view the importance of Naam Japna, Guru Ji alerts us:-

ਜਪਹੁ ਤ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮਾ ॥ ਅਵਰਿ ਨਿਰਾਫਲ ਕਾਮਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Suhi M. 1, GGS. 728-5).
Japahu Th Eaeko Naamaa || Avar Niraafal Kaamaa ||1|| Rehaao ||
Chant the Name of the One Lord. All other actions are fruitless. ||1||Pause||

Naam Japna leads to living in the presence of (Ik Oankar,ੴ ) Akalpurak with full faith and trust so as to embrace divine qualities as per the advice of Guru Nanak Dev Ji:-

– ਜੈਸਾ ਸੇਵੈ ਤੈਸੋ ਹੋਇ ॥੪॥ ਨਰ ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਾਉ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 1, GGS. 223-19).
Jaisaa Saevai Thaiso Hoe ||4|| Nar Nihakaeval Nirabho Naao ||
They become just like the One they serve. ||4|| The Name makes a man pure and fearless.

– ਜਿਨਿ ਜਾਤਾ ਸੋ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਜੇਹਾ ॥ ਅਤਿ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲੁ ਸੀਝਸਿ ਦੇਹਾ ॥ (Raag Raamkali Dakhni M. 1, GGS. 931-3).
Jin Jaathaa So This Hee Jaehaa || Ath Niramaaeil Seejhas Dhaehaa ||
One who knows the Lord, becomes like Him. He becomes absolutely immaculate, and his body is sanctified.

ਰਹਸੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਰਿਦੈ ਇਕ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਾਚਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥੧੦॥
Rehasee Raam Ridhai Eik Bhaae || Anthar Sabadh Saach Liv Laae ||10||
His heart is happy, in love with the One Lord.He lovingly centers his attention deep within upon the True Word of the Sbad. ||10||

So obviously on gaining spiritual strength, one is in a better position to find a right and appropriate profession, which helps one to sustain in one’s life as well as keeps the blissful Divine Union in place to draw the necessary guidance and strength needed to walk on Gurmat Path in daily life by studying Gurmat /Gur-Sabd (‘spiritual gian’) through an acquired degree of appropriate literacy (e. g. for a Sikh a knowledge of Gurmukhi helps a great deal in appreciating Gurmat).

In order to remain steady on Spiritual Path, one needs to be a literate, hardworking and ready to share one’s possession (be it be financial and/or spiritual wealth) with discern with the needy:-

– ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥ (Raag Sarang M. 1, GGS. 1245-19).
Ghaal Khaae Kishh Hathhahu Dhaee || Naanak Raahu Pashhaanehi Saee ||1||
One who works for Spiritual Awastha, and shares of what he has obtained to others – O Nanak, he knows the Path. ||1||

– ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥ ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥ (Sri Raag M. 1, GGS. 26-1).
Vich Dhuneeaa Saev Kamaaeeai || Thaa Dharageh Baisan Paaeeai ||
In the midst of this world, do seva, And you shall be given a place of honor in the Court of the Lord.

In a nutshell, ‘Naam Japo’/Gurmat Vichaar/Contemplation on Gurbani leads to right ‘Kirat’ and appropriate spirit of ‘Vand Chakna’. These pillars are interrelated and as such lead to 100% literacy; 100% employment followed by Seva/Service for others (sharing of both monetary and Spiritual Wealth) and bring solace in one’s life.

Kirpal Singh

Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com