Punjab is plagued with the with the spread of use of all kinds of intoxicants (alcoholic drinks or illicit drugs) by people of all ages and more so by the youths. All efforts by the sociologists have produced little effect to curb the use this menace so far. The successive Governments of the day are helpless in bringing necessary reforms as many of the politicians heavily benefit themselves by the revenues and dividends drawn in promoting such menaces.
Gurbani has a strong message to show the disgruntle members of our society to readjust our life styles to bring in some sanity for a progressive and meaningful life.
Gurmat View on Intoxication
Gurmat gives the following leads on the ill-use of all kinds of Intoxicants:-
Guru Nanak Sahib forbids the consumption of any such substance that harms mind and body:-
ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Sriraag M. 1, GGS. 16-13).
O Baba, the pleasures of other foods are false. Eating them, the body is ruined, and wickedness and corruption enter into the mind. ||1||Pause||
– ਬਾਬਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਤਵਾਰੋ ਨਾਮ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਸਹਜ ਰੰਗ ਰਚਿ ਰਹਿਆ ॥ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਬਨੀ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਨਾਹਦ ਗਹਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 1, GGS. 360-6).
O Baba, the mind is intoxicated with the Naam, drinking in its Nectar. It remains absorbed in the Lord’s Love. Night and day, remaining attached to the Love of the Lord, the celestial music of the Sabd resounds. ||1||Pause||
ਪੂਰਾ ਸਾਚੁ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਸਹਜੇ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਪੀਆਏ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਕਾ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਕਿਆ ਮਦਿ ਛੂਛੈ ਭਾਉ ਧਰੇ ॥੨॥
The Perfect Lord naturally gives the cup of Truth, to the one upon whom He casts His Glance of Grace. One who trades in this Nectar – how could he ever love the wine of the world? ||2||
ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਪੀਵਤ ਹੀ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ਭਇਆ ॥ ਦਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਕਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੈ ਕਰੈ ਕਿਆ ॥੩॥
The Teachings of the Guru, the Ambrosial Bani – drinking them in, one becomes acceptable and renowned. Unto the one who loves the Lord’s Court, and the Blessed Vision of His Darshan, of what use is liberation or paradise? ||3||
ਸਿਫਤੀ ਰਤਾ ਸਦ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਜੂਐ ਜਨਮੁ ਨ ਹਾਰੈ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਣਿ ਭਰਥਰਿ ਜੋਗੀ ਖੀਵਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰੈ ॥੪॥੪॥੩੮॥
Imbued with the Lord’s Praises, one is forever a Bairaagee, a renunciate, and one’s life is not lost in the gamble. Says Nanak, listen, O Bharthari Yogi: drink in the intoxicating nectar of the Lord. ||4||4||38||
Guru Amar Das Ji warns that the use of intoxicants simply means inviting madness in our minds:-
ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਮਤਿ ਦੂਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਬਰਲੁ ਪਵੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਈ ਖਸਮਹੁ ਧਕੇ ਖਾਇ ॥ (Raag Bihaagrhaa M. 3, GGS. 554-14).
Drinking the wine, his intelligence departs, and madness enters his mind; He cannot distinguish between his own and others, and he is struck down by his Lord and Master.
ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਖਸਮੁ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ ॥ ਝੂਠਾ ਮਦੁ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਪੀਚਈ ਜੇ ਕਾ ਪਾਰਿ ਵਸਾਇ ॥
Drinking it, he forgets his Lord and Master, and he is punished in the Court of the Lord. Do not drink the false wine at all, if it is in your power.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਸਚੁ ਮਦੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਇ ॥
O Nanak, the True Guru comes and meets the mortal; by His Grace, one obtains the True Wine.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji calls the users of intoxicants as fools and recommends instead one to get intoxicated in teachings of Gurmat:-
ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਦੁ ਜੋ ਪੀਵਤੇ ਬਿਖਲੀ ਪਤਿ ਕਮਲੀ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਰਸਾਇਣਿ ਜੋ ਰਤੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚ ਅਮਲੀ ॥੪॥੧੨॥੧੧੪॥(Raag Asa M. 5, GGS. 399-11).
Those fools, who drink in the wine of evil-mindedness, become the husbands of prostitutes. But those who are imbued with the sublime essence of the Lord, O Nanak, are intoxicated with the Truth. ||4||12||114||
Guru Nanak Sahib lists all the sins as simply means of enslaving oneself:-
ਨਾਨਕ ਅਉਗੁਣ ਜੇਤੜੇ ਤੇਤੇ ਗਲੀ ਜੰਜੀਰ ॥ ਜੇ ਗੁਣ ਹੋਨਿ ਤ ਕਟੀਅਨਿ ਸੇ ਭਾਈ ਸੇ ਵੀਰ ॥ (raag Sorath M. 1, GGS. 595-8).
O Nanak, as many as are the sins one commits, so many are the chains around his neck. If he possesses virtues, then the chains are cut away; these virtues are his brothers, his true brothers.
ਅਗੈ ਗਏ ਨ ਮੰਨੀਅਨਿ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਢਹੁ ਵੇਪੀਰ ॥੪॥੧॥
Going to the world hereafter, those who have no Guru are not accepted; they are beaten, and expelled. ||4||1||
Guru Nanak Ji goes on to suggest the use of a desirable food of Naam in place of Intoxicants in order to live a Gurmat oriented purposeful life:-
– ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਜਿ ਰਜਿ ਜਨ ਖਾਹੁ ॥ ਸਭਿ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਪਾਈਅਨਿ ਸਿਮਰਣੁ ਸਚੁ ਲਾਹੁ ॥ (Raag Bihaagrhaa. M1, GGS. 556-12).
The Name of the Lord is the ambrosial food; His humble servants eat their fill. All treasures are obtained – meditative remembrance on the Lord is the true profit.
– ਰੈਣਿ ਗਵਾਈ ਸੋਇ ਕੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਹੀਰੇ ਜੈਸਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਉਡੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ (Gauri M. 1, GGS. 156-17).
The nights are wasted sleeping, and the days are wasted eating. Human life is such a precious jewel, but it is being lost in exchange for a mere shell. ||1||
ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਕਾ ॥ ਮੂੜੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਛੁਤਾਹਿ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
You do not know the Name of the Lord. You fool – you shall regret and repent in the end! ||1||Pause||
Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Arjan Dev Ji draw our attention to our good fortune to become a human-being in present life and then how to make one’s life meaningfully worth living:-
– ਖਾਣਾ ਪੀਣਾ ਹਸਣਾ ਸਉਣਾ ਵਿਸਰਿ ਗਇਆ ਹੈ ਮਰਣਾ ॥ਖਸਮੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਖੁਆਰੀ ਕੀਨੀ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਜੀਵਣੁ ਨਹੀ ਰਹਣਾ ॥੧॥ (Raag Malar M. 1, GGS. 1254-8).
Eating, drinking, laughing and sleeping, the mortal forgets about dying Forgetting his Lord and Master, the mortal is ruined, and his life is cursed. He cannot remain forever. ||1||
ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵਹੁ ॥ ਅਪਨੀ ਪਤਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਵਹੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
O mortal, meditate on the One Lord. You shall go to your true home with honor. ||1 Pause||
– ਦੁਲਭ ਦੇਹ ਪਾਈ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਪਹਿ ਤੇ ਆਤਮ ਘਾਤੀ ॥੧॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 188-5).
This human body is so difficult to obtain; it is only obtained by great good fortune. Those who do not meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, are murderers of the soul. ||1||
ਮਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਹੀ ਜਿਨਾ ਬਿਸਰਤ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਨ ਜੀਵਨ ਕਉਨ ਕਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Those who forget the Lord might just as well die. Without the Naam, of what use are their lives? ||1||Pause||
ਖਾਤ ਪੀਤ ਖੇਲਤ ਹਸਤ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥ ਕਵਨ ਅਰਥ ਮਿਰਤਕ ਸੀਗਾਰ ॥੨॥
Eating, drinking, playing, laughing and showing off – what use are the ostentatious displays of the dead? ||2||
ਜੋ ਨ ਸੁਨਹਿ ਜਸੁ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦਾ ॥ ਪਸੁ ਪੰਖੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਗਦ ਜੋਨਿ ਤੇ ਮੰਦਾ ॥੩॥
Those who do not listen to the Praises of the Lord of supreme bliss, Are worse off than beasts, birds or creeping creatures. ||3||
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ॥ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਿਦ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੪੨॥੧੧੧॥
Says Nanak, the GurMantra has been implanted within me; The Name alone is contained within my heart. ||4||42||111||
There is growing need to educate masses and leaders in Punjab about Naam, which is the highest educational tool (Kalaa) obtained from Gurmat Education with a focus on study of Gurbani. Guru Nanak Dev Ji goes further to confirms his resolve about his highest education and possession to ferry across the world by saying that His name is my hope and support in life:-
ਤੇਰਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ਮੈ ਏਹਾ ਆਸ ਏਹੋ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Sri Raag, M1, GGS. 24-15).
Your Name alone, Lord, saves the worldThis is my hope; this is my support. ||1||Pause||
The way to receive the proper education is clearly indicated by Guru Nanak Sahib by turning to the Sabd-Guru for enlightenment:-
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 Shabad, the world is insane.
The Gurbani resounds that the education of Naam is the highest education. Although Gurmat and education in other disciplines are different yet there is some correlation between the two. I studied science and I find that are some scientific indicators that do unfold Truths, mysteries, lessons and promises highlighted in Gurbani. To say that the entire Gurbani follows science is, for now, an overstatement. However, there are scientific examples quoted in the Gurbani which lead a layman to get an insight into the Gurmat, which on its own appears somewhat complex:-
1. Washing of dirt from body parts and stained clothes with soap and water is understood and experimented by all of us. Guru Nanak Ji goes on to extend this example to explain that similarly a stained and polluted intellect can be cleansed by Naam.
Washing with soap can be easily explained and a mechanism of chemical cleansing can be forwarded by scientific minds. On the other hand, cleansing of intellect/mind is hard to explain without Gurmat, which is a subject of faith and trust in Guru who is giving a tip based on his own personal experience.
ਭਰੀਐ ਹਥੁ ਪੈਰੁ ਤਨੁ ਦੇਹ ॥ ਪਾਣੀ ਧੋਤੈ ਉਤਰਸੁ ਖੇਹ ॥ (Guru Nanak, Jap Ji, GGS. 4-11).
When the hands and the feet and the body are dirty, Water can wash away the dirt.
ਮੂਤ ਪਲੀਤੀ ਕਪੜੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ਦੇ ਸਾਬੂਣੁ ਲਈਐ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਇ ॥
When the clothes are soiled and stained by urine, Soap can wash them clean.
ਭਰੀਐ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਪੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈ ਰੰਗਿ ॥
But when the intellect is stained and polluted by sin, It can only be cleansed by the Love of the Name.
It is further emphasized that any amount of scientific/mechanical cleansing will not help to get rid of filth or duality of mind.
ਸੋਚ ਕਰੈ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਅਰੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਤਨ ਤੇ ਜਾਤਿ ॥ (Raag Gauhri M. 5, 265-17).
You may practice cleansing day and night, But the filth of your mind shall not leave your body.
2. An easily experimental example of mixing two samples of water to get one miscible sample is quoted to explain complex phenomenon of blending of divine-light:-
ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਜਲੁ ਆਇ ਖਟਾਨਾ ॥ ਤਿਉ ਜੋਤੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 278-4).
As water comes to blend with water, His light blends into the Light.
3. Gurmat supports/strengthens our mind and is compared with pillars that support a building. And also like a boat that helps stones to cross over a stretch of water.
ਜਿਉ ਮੰਦਰ ਕਉ ਥਾਮੈ ਥੰਮਨੁ ॥ ਤਿਉ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਮਨਹਿ ਅਸਥੰਮਨੁ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 282-16).
As a palace is supported by its pillar. So does the Guru’s Word support the mind.
ਜਿਉ ਪਾਖਾਣੁ ਨਾਵ ਚੜਿ ਤਰੈ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਲਗਤੁ ਨਿਸਤਰੈ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 282-17).
As a stone placed in a boat can cross over the river, So is the mortal saved, grasping hold of the Guru’s Feet.
4. Gurmat brings light of bliss just like a lamp dispels darkness.
ਜਿਉ ਅੰਧਕਾਰ ਦੀਪਕ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖਿ ਮਨਿ ਹੋਇ ਬਿਗਾਸੁ ॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 282).
As the darkness is illuminated by the lamp, So does the mind blossom forth, beholding the Blessed Vision of the Guru’s Darshan.
5. The Guru’s advice (Gurmat) is not limited to scriptures (including Guru Granth Sahib) rather it is based on Guru’s personal experience with his own Guru’s advice (Gurmat) and its implementation in his life (ref to 6th, 7th and 8th Sikh Gurus). – ਸਾਧ ਕੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਬੇਦ ਨ ਜਾਨਹਿ ॥ ਜੇਤਾ ਸੁਨਹਿ ਤੇਤਾ ਬਖਿਆਨਹਿ ॥ (Gauri M. 5, GGS. 272-7). The glory of the Holy people is not known to the Vedas. They can describe only what they have heard.
6. How far one has comprehended Gurumat is also revealed through ‘Gurmat- symptoms’, like:
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਬਸਹਿ ਸਾਧ ਕੀ ਰਸਨਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਕਾ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਸਨਾ ॥੪॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 263-4).
God abides upon the tongues of His Saints. Nanak is the servant of the slave of His slaves. ||4||
A person engrossed in Gurmat lives in presence of Waheguru and enjoys ‘Humility’, the highest virtue that comes with experimentation with Gurmat.
Reading, reciting and contemplation on Gurbani is gathering information about Gurmat. These stages are not the same as experimenting with Gurmat. Experimentation in Gurmat starts when you start accepting Gurmat directions as ‘two plus two equals four’ without questioning (in full faith and trust).
Nadr/Grace belong to a realm full of experimentation on Gurmat while passing through various Khands and the four steps as explained in Jap Ji Sahib and Lavaan respectively.
Bhatts had had the first hand experience of Gurmat on the strength of which Kahl Ji was able to narrate the following:-
ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਦਾਸੀ ॥ (Bhatt Kalh, GGS. 1397-12).
Nav Nidhh Naam Nidhhaan Ridhh Sidhh Thaa Kee Dhaasee ||
The Naam is the wealth of the nine treasures; prosperity and supernatural spiritual powers are His slaves.
Guru Nanak Ji sums up beautifully:
ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਮੁ ਤਿਨ ਕਾਰ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥੩੮॥(Guru Nanak, Jap Ji , GGS. 8-9).
Such is the karma of those upon whom He has cast His Glance of Grace.
O Nanak, the Merciful Lord, by His Grace, uplifts and exalts them. ||38||
The state of “ਨਦਰੀ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲ’ is beyond description and its attributes are many folds – that is it is not only help to attract divine vision to be able to receive/compose Bani but also a ‘grant of a higher living’ as experienced by the 6th, 7th, and 8th Sikh Gurus.
Science does help in gearing up towards Gurmat. But Gurmat is certainly not a pure science but a lot more than that. Real Gurmat understanding comes with practicing on Gurmat directions given in the Gurbani – this exercise amounts to enjoying Nadr/grace/blessings.
An essential scientific step does involve in transforming of matt of an individual with Gurbani:-
ਅਹਰਣਿ ਮਤਿ ਵੇਦੁ ਹਥੀਆਰੁ ॥(Guru Nanak, Jap Ji, GSS. 8,-8).
Let understanding be the anvil, and spiritual wisdom the tools.
CONCLUSION
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Chief Editor of Adi Granth Sahib, after reviewing the various Spiritual Paths comes to the following conclusion:-
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||
Guru Nanak Sahib gives us his insight as to how to receive the necessary Divine Education of Naam :-
ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮਨੁ ਰਹਸੀਐ ਨਾਮੇ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਆਈ ॥ ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੀਐ ਸਭ ਦੁਖ ਗਵਾਈ ॥(Raag Sarang M. 1, GGS. 1240-3).
Hearing the Name, the mind is delighted. The Name brings peace and tranquility. Hearing the Name, the mind is satisfied, and all pains are taken away.
ਨਾਇ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਨਾਉ ਊਪਜੈ ਨਾਮੇ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥ ਨਾਮੇ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਜਾਤਿ ਪਤਿ ਨਾਮੇ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥
Hearing the Name, one becomes famous; The Name brings all honor and status; through the Name, salvation is obtained.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥੬॥;
The Gurmukh meditates on the Name; Nanak is lovingly attuned to the Name. ||6||
Thus, Naam is the Divine Kalla (Tool) of Education that a Sikh asks for in his/her Daily supplication (Ardas) to serve the Humanity and make a difference in different professions in life.
“Nanak naam chardi kalla tere bhane sarbat da bhalla”
According to the Gurbani ‘Prab ka Simran’ builds self courage when duality is removed i.e.by ‘ਬਿਨਸੈ ਦੂਜਾ.’
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥(Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 262).
By Lord’s meditation man obtain devotion, penance and worship. By remembering the Lord, duality is removed.
And to surrender to Waheguru with full faith is the highest degree of courage and is the simplest short cut to Waheguru-realization:-
ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਚੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਤਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਸਚਿ ਸਮਾਤਾ ॥੮॥੧੫॥ (Raag Gauri M. 5, GGS. 283).
He who recognizes the Supreme Lord as True, Nanak that man gets absorbed in the True Being.
Faith in Waheguru and Simran breed great courage and one who seeks Waheguru is among the greatest hereos. Our Sikh leaders and masses have led the Community down in the past mainly for lack of vision and courage needed to stand up in the current political set up where unity and strength of number matters.
Finally the advice of an anonymous Gur-sikh: “My greatest purchase was a Nit-nem Gutka (costing less than Rs. 10/-) at young age, which has counted more than anything else in my life. I wish every Sikh boy and girl have a Nit-nem Gutka of their own. An investment in Guru Granth Sahib and Gurbani books is a safe and sure to bring plenty of dividends. Daily reading, contemplating and experiencing on a part of the Guru Granth Sahib amounts to attending the best university, offering a collection of good and divine courses. Reading/studying writings of Gursikhs and other enlightened persons (including of other religions and beliefs) for which they have labored so hard amounts to inviting extra blessings.
Sikhs in Punjab and elsewhere should be encouraged to have personal libraries of Gurmat related books in their homes and every big Gurduaras in major cities should set up Gurmat Libraries to inculcate Sikhi Values among the members of the Sikh Community.
I recommend every Sikh house-hold to subscribe to the Gurmat Parkash – a monthly publication of the SGPC, Amritsar. Both carry a wealth of information on Gurmat every month (www.sgpc.net; E-mail: gurmatparkashmonthly@gmail.com, and the Sikh Review, Kolkata (www.sikhreview.org); E-mail: sikhreview@gmail.com.
“Gurbani eis jag mein channan” needs to be accepted as our motto and a recognized path to ‘Chardi Kalaa’. Gurbani is the sure path to combat drug and alcohol use and corruption among Sikh leaders and masses in Punjab/India. To make progress on Gurmat Marg,we must recognize that knowledge of Gurmukhi and Punjabi language are indispensable to invite spirit of Gurbani in to our daily-life.
All Gurduara should be equipped to serve as GURMAT TEACHING CENTERS; and all jails should have Gurbani Gutkas made available to inhabitants in different languages to bring about Gurmat Mat (Divine Sojhi).
References: Guru Granth Sahib as quoted in the text. Translations from the Internet.
Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com
Wellington, New Zealand
kirpal2singh@yahoo.com
Gurmat Saachi Saacha Vichaar 