January – December 2015, Vol. 17, No. 1

SABD ( ਸਬਦ) SEMINAR Presentation THE OF NANAK 2 015

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD Two words, ‘sabd’ and ‘guru’ and their com- Institute for Understanding bination as ‘sabd guru’ have been extensive- Laval, Quebec, H7W 5L9 ly used in the Aad Email: [email protected] (AGGS). It is usually understood that the word ‘sabd’ is derived from and is INTRODUCTON spelled as ‘sabda’ in English, however, in In Wikipedia the word ‘Sabda’ has been discussed under this paper it will be spelled as ‘sabd’. In Hin- ‘shabda’ as ‘sabda’ is the Sanskrit word for "speech duism every person or spiritual leader must sound". In Sanskrit grammar, the term refers to an have a Guru. For example, in the Bhagavad utterance in the sense of linguistic performance. “It is Gita, Arjun, a Kshatriya prince, accepts further described that “ shabda is a Sanskrit word that was as his Guru on the battlefield. The first used as a religio-philosophic term in the context Siddhas had Gurakh as their Guru and of . It refers to the verbal testimony (of revealed Bhagat had Ramanand as his Guru. scriptures - shruti ) that is indispensable to gain knowledge Many Hindu families have their own personal of the ultimate , ”. [1] . In the same sense, the Siddhas want- ed to know the Guru of Nanak during a dis- Dr Jagadanand Das, my French neighbour, in Laval, course (Siddh Gost) between Nanak and Sid- Quebec, Canada, who lives in India, is expert in . dhas. Nanak replied that his ‘guru’ is ‘sabd’ (sabda). This paper will discuss the in- According to his view basic word sabd ( is ਸਬਦ) trinsic meanings of ‘guru’ and ‘sabd’ (sabda): spelled in Devanagari script as (sabd ) but spelled as what is that ‘sabd, which is the ‘guru’ of Na- sabda in the classical scholarly transliteration system. He nak, and how did ‘sabd’ become ‘sabd guru’ also agrees that sabd has many different meanings in and how did ‘sabd guru’ become ‘granth Vedanta from one Holy Scripture to that of others. guru’. This paper will also discuss implica- (Personal Communication.) tions of accepting the ‘granth’ as the ‘guru’ instead of ‘sabd, as the ‘guru’? Prof Muthu Mohan, Center for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Studies, Dev University, ਸਬਦੇ, ਸਬਦੈ, ਸਬਦੋ, ਸਬਦੌ keeping the AGGS. Most of the time both the Amritsar spells ਸਬਦ as sabad . words occur together as ‘sabd guru’ in view the grammar and poetic or ‘gursabd ’. Therefore, to (personal Communication.) form of the sentence/verse. [2] The understand gurbani in its real In the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS), irony is that Sikh theologians, perspective it is necessary to published by the Shiromani writers , kathakaars (those who teach understand the intrinsic meanings of Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Sikhism through stories) and ‘sabd’, ‘guru’ and ‘sabd guru’. Amritsar, the basic word, ਸਬਦ Kirtanias (hymn singers) pronounce

it as shabad instead of sabd . sabd ), is found with many spellings, SABD ( Jodh Singh ([3] p 64) says that e.g. The word, ‘sabd’, is very closely ਸਬਿਦ, ਸਬਦੁ, “sabad has been accepted as Guru” connected with another word, based on the Siddh Gost of Guru ਸਬਦੰ, ਸਬਦਾਹ, ਸਬਦੀ, ਸਬਦ , ‘guru’, in gurbani incorporated in Nanak. He further says that “This IUSCANADA.COM page 37 UNDERSTANDING SIKHISM – The Research Journal conception of Shabada as and other hand, ‘sabda’ in Maitri Katha Upanishad in verse 1.2.8 Guru by Guru Nanak is consistent Upanishad occurs in two types: declares the ‘guru’ as indispensable to also with the Indian religious ‘sabd Brahman’ and ‘ asabd the acquisition of knowledge. tradition, in which Shabda-brahman Brahman’ meanings with sound and principle has been widely without sound Brahman, Information in and Upanishads accepted.” (Note: The original respectively. But according to indicates that a person must have a spellings of ‘Sabd’ used by Jodh Tantric system ‘sabd’ stands for Guru to attain knowledge. The Singh have been kept intact. ‘power’ ( Shakti ). importance of finding a guru, who can Similarly, the different spellings of Analysis of gurbani by McLeod [6] impart transcendental knowledge ‘sabd’ used by different authors have indicates that for Guru Nanak and (vidy ā), is emphasized in Hinduism. been kept intact.) his successor Gurus ‘sabd’ means One of the main Hindu texts, the ‘Word of Divine revelation’. the Bhagavad Gita , is a dialogue Jodh Singh [3], Manmohan Singh [4] Moreover, interpretation of most of between God in the form and some other authors follow the quotes from gurbani used to of Krishna and his friend Arjun, Faridkote Vala Teeka and interpret explain different meanings of ‘sabd’ a Kshatriya prince, who accepts ‘ਸਬਦੁ’ (sabd) as ‘God’ under the is almost very much comparable to Krishna as his guru on the battlefield. many of the Sikh theologians. I will Krishna advised Arjun about finding a influence of Indian religious tradition. try to find out the meanings of ‘guru’ “guru”: On the other hand Prof Sahib Singh and ‘sabd ’from gurbani as close to “Acquire the transcendental [5] took courage to reject ‘ ਸਬਦੁ’ as reality as possible. knowledge from a Self-realized ‘God’ instead transliterated ‘ ਸਬਦੁ’ as master by humble reverence, by GURU sincere inquiry, and by service. The ‘sabd’ in his Punjabi translation and wise ones who have realized the Truth Manmohan Singh also transliterated Guru in Hinduism will impart the Knowledge to you .” ‘ਸਬਦੁ’ as ‘sabd’ in his English The word Guru is mentioned in - Bhagavad G ītā, c4 s34 [7] translation. Moreover, whenever the Vedas as follows [7]. Therefore, in Hinduism every person word ‘ ਸਬਦੁ’ (sabd) appears in गशदव धकारःु or spiritual leader must have a Guru. Gurbani most of the time it is just यात ् शदति नरोधकः। For example, Arjun had Krishna as transliterated as ‘sabd’ by many अ धकारनरोधवात ् गु रयभधीय his Guru, Siddhas had Gurakh Nath as authors. The irony is that neither Prof their Guru and Bhagat Kabir had Sahib Singh nor any other author has ते॥ १६॥ Ramananda as his Guru. Similarly, ever tried to explain what this The syllable gu means darkness, the many Hindu families have their own ‘ਸਬਦੁ’ (sabd) means. syllable ru , he who dispels darkness, personal Gurus. Now the are because of the power to dispel McLeod [6], a Christian Missionary not lagging behind to have various darkness, the guru is thus named. and a Historian, had discussed ‘ sabd ’ persons, Sants or Babas, as their — Advayataraka Upanishad, Verse in much details than any Sikh Gurus. They celebrate their 16. theologian or Sikh scholar. He also anniversaries in with great spelled ‘sabd’ as ‘shabad’ as is being pump and show all over the world Etymologically the term "guru" is spelled by many Sikh theologians and where the Sikhs reside. pronounced by kirtanias (hymn based on the syllables gu (ग)ु Guru in [7] singers) and kathakaars (those who and ru (), which stand for teach Sikhism through stories). He In the Tibetan tradition, the ‘ guru ’ is “darkness” and "light that dispels it", interpreted ‘sabd’ as sound, voice or seen as the Buddha, the very root of respectively as described in tone, word, utterance, speech but in spiritual realization and the basis of Advayataraka Upanishad , Verse gurbani it means ‘hymn’ or ‘sacred the path. In Tibetan texts, great 16 . The ‘guru’ is seen as the one word’ revealed by Guru. emphasis is placed upon praising the who ‘dispels the darkness of virtues of the guru. Blessed by the ignorance’. Chandogya Upanishad He has further added that according to guru, whom the disciple regards as a in chapter 4.4 says that it is only Nyaya and Vaisesika systems, ‘sabda’ ‘Bodhisattva ’ or the embodiment of through ‘guru’ that one attains the means ‘knowledge’ but according ‘Buddha’ , the disciple can continue knowledge that matters, the insights Yaska, Panini and Katyayana ‘sabda’ on the way to experiencing the true that lead to Self-knowledge. The is unite of language or speech. On the nature of reality. page 38 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2015, Vol. 17, No. 1

Guru in Sikhism Namashakaar Hai Taahi Hamaara Who is your Guru? In general, ‘guru’ is a teacher/leader. ॥384 ॥ ਕਵਣ ਮੂਲੁ1 ਕਵਣ ਮਿਤ 2 ਵੇਲਾ 3॥ Traditionally, the spiritual authority in The Temporal Lord who fashioned Sikhism has always been on the word, ਤੇਰਾ ਕਵਣੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਿਜਸ ਕਾ ਤੂ ਚੇਲਾ ॥ the entire world; I salute the same sabd , of Sikh Gurus and which has Lord. 384. Kava ṇ m ūl kava ṇ ma ṯ vel ā. been preserved in the AGGS. Ŧer ā kava ṇ gur ū jis k ā ṯū c ẖel ā. ॥ However, all the ten Sikh religious ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਸਭ ਜਗਤ ਬਨਾਯੋ ਦੇਵ ਦੈਤ AGGS, M 1, p 943. [2] 1 teachers/leaders are also called the ਜ(ਛਨ ਉਪਜਾਯੋ ॥ What is the source of beginning and ‘Guru’. Moreover, the AGGS was which type of philosophy 2 is of this Javana Kaal Sabha Jagata Banaayo ॥ also declared as the ‘Guru’ of the Age 3? Sikhs by the Tenth Guru, Gobind Deva Dait Jachchhana Aupajaayo ॥ Who is that ‘guru’ of whom you are Singh, in 1708. Consequently, there The Temporal Lord, who created the his disciple? (Note # 1) are 11 Gurus for the Sikhs. whole world; who created , demons and yakshas; Guru Nanak answers about his ‘guru’ But Guru Gobind Singh says in ਆਿਦ ਅੰਿਤ ਏਕੈ ਅਵਤਾਰਾ ॥ ਸੋਈ ਗੁਰੂ as follows: Chaupai that his Guru is God [8], ਪਵਨ 1 ਅਰੰਭੁ2 ਸਿਤ 3 ਗੁਰ 4 ਮਿਤ 5 ਵੇਲਾ 6 ॥ who created , , ਸਮਿਝਯਹੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੩੮੫ ॥ 7 8 9 10 and created the world and everything Aadi Aanti Eekai Avataara ॥ Soeala ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਿਤ ਧੁਿਨ ਚੇਲਾ 11 ॥ and is One and Only. However, there Guroo Samajhiyahu Hamaara ॥385 ॥ Pavan aramb ẖ sa ṯgur ma ṯ vel ā. is a controversy whether this Chupai Saba ḏ gur ū sura ṯ ḏẖ un c ẖel ā. He is the only one from the was composed by Guru Gobind The air 1 is the beginning 2 of every life beginning to the end; I consider Singh? and this is the Age 6 of enlightrenment 5 Him only my Guru. 385. ॥ through True 4 Guru 3. ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਬਹਮਾ ਬਪੁ ਧਰਾ ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ Who is that true guru? ॥ On the other hand Bhai Kahn Singh ਿਸ਼ਵਜੂ ਅਵਤਰਾ It has been explained in the second [9, 10] defines ‘guru’ as follows: Kaal Paaei Barahamaa Bapu Dharaa ॥ sentence: The word ‘guru’ (spelled differently Kaal Paaei Shivajoo Avataraa ॥ The sabd 7 is the guru 8 (enlightener) in Gurmukhi – ਗੁਰ, ਗੁਰੁ. ਗੁਰੂ, ਗੁਿਰ) 10 9 In due time Brahma appeared in and my keen conscience is its 11 physical form; in due time Shiva comes from Sanskrit word ‘ gri ’, disciple . (Note 2) incarnated; which means to engulf, to make understand, the one which removes Which is that ‘Sabd’ that is the ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਕਿਰ ਿਬਸ਼ਨ ਪਕਾਸ਼ਾ ॥ ਸਕਲ ignorance. ‘Guru’ of Nanak? ਕਾਲ ਕਾ ਕੀਯਾ ਤਮਾਸ਼ਾ ॥੩੮੩ ॥ (ਸੰ. ਗੁਰੂ. ਸੰਗ2ਾ . ਇਹ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਗੀ ( ृ Guru Nanak himself in stanza #38 of Kaal Paaei Kari Bishana Parakaashaa Jap Bani has described that ‘sabd’ as ਧਾਤੁ ਤ3 ਬਿਣਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਦੇ ਅਰਥ ਹਨ ॥ Sakala Kaal Kaa Keeyaa follows: , ਜਤੁ1 ਪਾਹਾਰਾ 2 ਧੀਰਜੁ3 ਸੁਿਨਆਰੁ4 ॥ Tamaashaa ॥383 ॥ ਿਨਗਲਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਮਝਾਉਣਾ ਜੋ ਅਗ2ਾਨ ਨੂੰ 5 6 7 8 In due time Vishnu manifested ਖਾ ਜ6ਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਿਸ(ਖ ਨੂੰ ਤਤ7ਗ2ਾਨ ਅਹਰਿਣ ਮਿਤ ਵੇਦੁ ਹਥੀਆਰੁ ॥ himself; all this is the play of the ਸਮਝਾ8ਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ. ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਿਵ(ਚ Ja ṯ p āhārā ḏẖī raj suni ▫ā r. Temporal Lord. 383 . Ahra ṇ ma ṯ ve ḏ hath ī▫ā r. 1 2 ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਜੋਗੀ ਿਸ਼ਵ ਕੀਯੋ ॥ ਬੇਦ ਰਾਜ ਗੁਰ , ਗੁਰੁ, ਗੁਰੂ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਿਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਇ(ਕ ਹੀ Self-control should be the furnace , and patience 3 of the goldsmith 4. ਅਰਥ ਿਵ(ਚ ਆਏ ਹਨ , ਯਥਾ- "ਗੁਰੁ ਅਪਨ< ਬਹਮਾ ਜੂ ਥੀਯੋ ॥ Wisdom 6 should be the anvil 5 and Javana Kaal Jogee Shiva Keeyo ॥ ਬਿਲਹਾਰੀ". ) knowledge 7 should be the tools 8. Beda Raaja Barahamaa Joo Theeyo ॥ In Hinduism every person or 9 10 11 The Temporal Lord, who created spiritual leader must have a ‘guru’ as ਭਉ ਖਲਾ ਅਗਿਨ ਤਪ ਤਾਉ ॥ Shiva, the ; who created Brahma, discussed earlier. For example, 12 13 14 15 16 ਭ6ਡਾ ਭਾਉ ਅੰਿਮਤੁ ਿਤਤੁ ਢਾਿਲ ॥ the Master of the Vedas ; Siddhas had Gurakh Nath as their 17 18 19 ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਸਭ ਲੋਕ ਸਵਾਰਾ ॥ ਨਮਸ਼ਕਾਰ ਹੈ ‘guru. Under this very system the ਘੜੀਐ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਚੀ ਟਕਸਾਲ ॥ Siddhas posed following questions Bẖa▫o k ẖal ā agan ṯap ṯā▫ o. ਤਾਿਹ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੩੮੪ ॥ to know the ‘guru’ of Nanak: Bẖāʼn dā b ẖā▫ o amri ṯ ṯiṯ d ẖā l. Javana Kaal Sabha Loka Savaara ॥ Gẖaṛī▫ ai saba ḏ sac ẖī taks āl.

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Love 9 for Eternal Entity (God) should AGGS, M 1, p 1027. the Siddhas continued to pose other be the bellows 10 to blow air into fire 11 Man was born 4 into this world 3 with questions to Guru Nanak: to make it super-hot. four 1 characteristics 2: The body (mind), full of love 13 , is the (Seeing, hearing, sensation and What is your philosophy? 12 melting pot where the above- thinking/capability to analyse the ਕਵਣ ਕਥਾ 4 ਲੇ ਰਹਹੁ ਿਨਰਾਲੇ5 ॥ mentioned self-control, patience, data collected.) 6 15 ਬੋਲੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਬਾਲੇ ॥ wisdom and knowledge as matter to In fact, all these characteristics of be melted 16 together to coin 17 the sabd humans 6 are based 7 on Universal Kava ṇ kath ā le rahhu nir āle. (idea/philosophy) 18 as an Amrit Energy 5. Bolai N ānak su ṇhu ṯum b āle. (elixir) 14 in the mint 19 of truth. If one forgets 9 about these four Question 42 b: 5 4 characteristics 8 then that innocent What type of unique philosophy do 20 21 22 (human) 12 loses 11 all his study/ you have? ਿਜਨ ਕਉ ਨਦਿਰ ਕਰਮੁ ਿਤਨ ਕਾਰ ॥ 6 capabilty 10 and also forgets 14 to use Speak out, O child Nanak, we are 23 24 25 ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਨਦਿਰ ਿਨਹਾਲ ॥੩੮ ॥ Laws of Nature 13 for betterment of ready to listen to you. Jin ka ▫o na ḏar karam ṯin k ār. one’s life. And Nānak na ḏrī na ḏar nih āl. ||38|| What is that Sabd, which can help Such type of work 22 to coin sabd In the above stanza # 38 Guru Nanak us to cross the dreadful sea of life? 7 8 (idea/philosophy) can only be done by explains how a sabd (idea/ ਏਸੁ ਕਥਾ ਕਾ ਦੇਇ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ 21 those who have the capability of philosophy) is coined (formulated) ਭਵਜਲੁ9 ਸਬਿਦ 10 ਲੰਘਾਵਣਹਾਰੁ11 ॥੪੩॥ vision 20 . as the Amrit (life-giving elixir) – the Ės kath ā k ā ḏe▫e b īcẖā r. 25 way of living, which will mould a The Eternal Entity (God) is happy Bẖavjal saba ḏ lang ẖā va ṇhār. ||43|| for such people who have this type of person to be highly moral and 23, 24 Question 42c: vision . progressive. Guru Amardas 8 38. Could you, please, deliberate on your explained about the Amrit (idea/ AGGS, Jap # 38, p 8. (Note 3) unique philosophy 7? philosophy), which is already What is that sabd 10 (your idea/ present in the body (mind) but one This stanza # 38 of Jap Bani clearly philosophy) which could help 11 us to has to be awakened to that Amrit indicates that the word, ‘sabd’, cross the dreadful 9 sea of life? (See note 3). However, Guru Nanak means that ‘idea’ or ‘philosophy’ continues to explain further that which enlightens a person to Guru Nanak answers as follows: body and mind have the four discover the right path of life. 1 2 3 4 5 Therefore, ‘sabd’ is interpreted as faculties: seeing, hearing, sensation, ਸੁਰਿਤ ਸਬਿਦ ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਤਰੀਐ ਨਾਨ thinking/capability to analyse the ‘Enlightening idea/philosophy’. ਕ ਨਾਮੁ6 ਵਖਾਣੇ7 ॥ data collected. In spite of the above Guru Nanak further explains that teachings of Guru Nanak the Sikhs Sura ṯ saba ḏ b ẖav s āgar ṯar ī▫ ai N ānak continue to follow Eastern nām vak ẖāṇ e. human inherit four characteristics, e.g. 7 seeing, hearing, sensation, thinking philosophy that a personal human Nanak explains that understanding the Laws of Nature 6 and turning one’s and finally analysing the data Guru is necessary to guide a person 1 2 to achieve a moral life, to meet God conscience towards such sabd (as collected. I would interpret the 5 mukati described above) will help to cross following stanza by keeping in view and (). That is why 3 4 the involvement of various sciences - many Sants/Babas have appeared in the dreadful sea of life . Biology, Neurosciences, Physiology, the Punjab, who are brainwashing AGGS, M 1, p 938. Physics and Chemistry: their followers to be dependent upon their advice rather than to use their Guru Nanak continues to explain that that ‘sabd’, as explained in Stanza #38 ਚਾਿਰ 1 ਪਦਾਰਥ 2 ਲੈ ਜਿਗ 3 ਆਇਆ 4 ॥ own intellect to coin that sabd taught by Guru Nanak. Of course, some of Jap Bani , is answer to various ਿਸਵ ਸਕਤੀ 5 ਘਿਰ 6 ਵਾਸਾ 7 ਪਾਇਆ ॥ persons may need a Guru (teacher) problems of the life: to teach those qualities to coin that ਿਗਆਨ 1 ਿਵਹੂਣੀ 2 ਭਵੈ3 ਸਬਾਈ 4 ॥ ਏਕੁ8 ਿਵਸਾਰੇ9 ਤਾ ਿਪੜ 10 ਹਾਰੇ11 ਅੰਧੁਲੈ12 ਨਾ ‘sabd’ and to develop four qualities ਸਾਚਾ 5 ਰਿਵ 6 ਰਿਹਆ ਿਲਵ 7 ਲਾਈ ॥ ਮੁ13 ਿਵਸਾਰਾ 14 ਹੇ ॥੬॥ discussed earlier to resolve their 8 9 10 11 Cẖā r pa ḏā rath lai jag ā▫ i▫ā . problems to across the so-called ਿਨਰਭਉ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਚੁ dreadful sea of life. Siv sak ṯī g ẖar v āsā p ā▫ i▫ā . ਜਾਤਾ 12 ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਿਤ 13 ਿਮਲਾਇਦਾ 14 ॥੮॥ Ėk vis āre ṯā pi ṛ h āre an ḏẖ ulai n ām vis ārā he. ||6|| During the discourse ( Siddh Gost ) Gi ▫ā n vih ūṇī b ẖavai sab ā▫ī . page 40 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2015, Vol. 17, No. 1

Sācẖā rav rahi ▫ā liv l ā▫ī . Amal kar ḏẖ ar ṯī b īj sab ḏo kar sac ẖ k ī AGGS, M 5, p 630. Nirb ẖa▫o saba ḏ gur ū sac ẖ j āṯā jo ṯī jo ṯ āb ni ṯ ḏė h p āṇī . mil ā▫ iḏā . ||8|| Ho ▫e kirs āṇ īmān jamm ā▫ e lai b ẖisa ṯ In all the above phrases Guru Arjan is A person, without 2 using intellect 1, is ḏojak m ūṛ e ev j āṇī . ||1|| endorsing that ‘sabd’ is the ‘guru’ as wandering 3 all around 4 to understand Make good deed 1 as the soil 2 to sow described by Guru Nanak in Jap the Eternal Entity (God). the seed 3 of that sabd 4 (idea/ Stanza # 38. That person could not understand that philosophy realized) and always 7 Eternal Entity 5, which is prevailing 6 water that seed with the water 8 of Finally, Guru Nanak sums up that everywhere as if imbibed 7 in habit 6 of speaking truth 5. ‘sabd’, as explained in Stanza 38 of everything. Be such a type of farmer. Jap Ban i, helps to become and A person, who is not afraid 8 of If one accepts 10 to be such type of enlightened person: 12 9 11 anybody/anything, can understand farmer , then it will become clear to ਏਕੁ1 ਸਬਦੁ2 ਿਜਤੁ ਕਥਾ 3 ਵੀਚਾਰੀ 4 ॥ that Eternal Entity (God) 11,12 that innocent one 14 (farmer) about through 14 the enlightening the meanings of heaven 12 and hell 13 . ਗੁਰਮੁਿਖ 5 ਹਉਮੈ6 ਅਗਿਨ 7 ਿਨਵਾਰੀ 8 ॥੪੪ ॥ philosophy 13 (sabd guru). AGGS, M 1, p 24. (Note 4) Ėk saba ḏ ji ṯ kath ā v īcẖā rī. AGGS, M 1, p 1034. Gurmuk ẖ ha ▫umai agan niv ārī. ||44|| Guru Arjan has also used ‘sabd The one, who deliberates 3, 4 on that Many of the interpreters translate guru’ in the same sense as used by one 1 sabd 2, can eliminate 8 fire-like 7 ‘sabd’ as ‘sabd’ and ‘guru’ as ‘guru’. Guru Nanak: ego 6, to become an enlightened 5 But nobody tries to explain the ਹਿਰ ਹਮਰਾ ਹਮ ਹਿਰ ਕੇ ਦਾਸੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬ person . (Note 7) meaning of ‘guru’ and of ‘sabd’ as AGGS, M 1, p 943. explained above. ਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਚੁ ਦੀਨਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੧੪ ॥੨੧ ॥ Har hamr ā ham har ke ḏā se N ānak IS MEANING OF “SABD” AS Guru Nanak further explains that that saba ḏ gur ū sac ẖ ḏī nā j ī▫ o. “GURU” BEING LOST ‘sabd’ is the real ‘guru’ in life: ||4||14||21|| Guru Nanak has explained the ਘਘੈ ਘਾਲ 1 ਸੇਵਕੁ2 ਜੇ ਘਾਲੈ3 ਸਬਿਦ 4 ਗੁਰੂ5 ਕੈ Guru Arjan claims that Eternal meanings of ‘sabd’ and also how to Entity (called Har) belongs to him coin that “Sabd”. 6 ॥ ਲਾਿਗ ਰਹੈ and he is the servant of that Eternal Let us examine if the “sabd” is being ਬੁਰਾ 7 ਭਲਾ 8 ਜੇ ਸਮ 9 ਕਿਰ ਜਾਣੈ10 ਇਨ Entity (God). This has happened understood the same way as explained by Guru Nanak? 11 12 13 through the sabd as the Guru (as ਿਬਿਧ ਸਾਿਹਬੁ ਰਮਤੁ ਰਹੈ ॥੮॥ taught by Nanak). (Note 5) Gẖag ẖai g ẖā l sevak je g ẖā lai saba ḏ AGGS, M 5, p 100. We have to go back to the time of gur ū kai l āg rahai. 1604 when the bani of Sikh Gurus Bur ā b ẖal ā je sam kar j āṇ ai in bi ḏẖ ਨਾਮ* ਿਨਧਾਨ ਿਤਸਿਹ ਪਰਾਪਿਤ ਿਜਸੁ ਸਬ was compiled by Guru Arjan into a sāhib ṯ rahai. ||8|| Pothi or Bir (book or volume). If a dedicated 1 devotee 2 remains ਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਨ ਵੂਠਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ According to Prof Sahib Singh [11] 3 6 devoted , to the concept of Nām ni ḏẖā n ṯis ėh par āpa ṯ jis saba ḏ Guru Arjan received the bani of Guru 5 4 enlightening philosophy (sabd) and gur ū man v ūṯẖā j ī▫ o. ||2|| Nanak, Guru Angad, and Guru 10 7 considers bad and good days The Naam* treasure can be achieved Amardas from his father, Guru 9 equally as a part of life that person by those who have understood the Ramdas, when he looked into this 12 understands that Eternal Entity sabd as the Guru. (Note 6) treasure he exclaimed as follows: 11 through this method and remains AGGS, M 5, p 101. ਪੀਊ 1 ਦਾਦੇ2 ਕਾ ਖੋਿਲ ਿਡਠਾ ਖਜਾਨਾ 3॥ attached 13 to That Eternal Entity. * ਨਾਮ ( Naam): Laws of Nature. 4 5 AGGS, M 1, p 432. ਤਾ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਿਨ ਭਇਆ ਿਨਧਾਨਾ ॥੧॥...

ਖਾਵਿਹ 6 ਖਰਚਿਹ 7ਰਿਲ 8 ਿਮਿਲ 9 ਭਾਈ 110 ॥ Guru Nanak continues to advise about ਜੈ ਜੈ ਕਾਰੁ ਹੋਤੁ ਜਗ ਭੀਤਿਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਰ the use of ‘sabd’ and its use in life: ਤੋਿਟ 11 ਨ ਆਵੈ ਵਧਦੋ12 ਜਾਈ ॥੩॥ ਸੁ ਚਾਖੈ ॥੧॥ ਅਮਲੁ1 ਕਿਰ ਧਰਤੀ 2 ਬੀਜੁ3 ਸਬਦੋ4 ਕਿਰ ਸ Pī▫ū ḏāḏ e k ā k ẖol di ṯẖā k ẖaj ānā. Jai jai k ār ho ṯ jag b ẖīṯ ar saba ḏ gur ū Ŧā merai man b ẖa▫i▫ā ni ḏẖā nā. ||1|| ਚ5 ਕੀ ਆਬ 6 ਿਨਤ 7 ਦੇਿਹ ਪਾਣੀ 8 ॥ ras c ẖā kẖai. ||1|| Kẖā vėh k ẖarc ẖė h ral mil b ẖā▫ī . 9 10 11 The One who has understood the ਹੋਇ ਿਕਰਸਾਣੁ ਈਮਾਨੁ ਜੰਮਾਇ ਲੈ ਿਭਸਤੁ Ŧot na āvai va ḏẖ▫ḏ o j ā▫ī . ||3|| sabd as the Guru gets honor in the When I opened up the inherited 1, 2 12 13 14 ਦੋਜਕੁ ਮੂੜੇ ਏਵ ਜਾਣੀ ॥੧॥ whole world. treasure 3 of bani of my forefathers IUSCANADA.COM page 41 UNDERSTANDING SIKHISM – The Research Journal then my mind 4 was illumined 5. this is the enlightening-bani 5 in the following rahao (phrase/pause), in Oh Brothers 10 ! Let us understand 6 its which the Laws of Nature 7 of that it : philosophy together 8, 9 and Eternal Entity (God) 6 are found 8. 7 disseminate it to others (Note 9) ॥ 11 ਪੋਥੀ ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਕਾ ਥਾਨੁ By doing so it will not be exauhsted Note: ਬਾਣੀ 4 (bani): Utterance. instead it will be increasng 12 when it ਸਾਧਸੰਿਗ ਗਾਵਿਹ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਿਬੰਦ ਪੂਰਨ ਬਹਮ It is evident from Guru Ramdas’ reaches to others at places far and ਿਗਆਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ wide.3. (Note 8) bani that ‘ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ’ ( gurbani) is the AGGS, M 5, p 186. utterance of Guru Nanak. On the Poth ī parmesar k ā th ān. other hand, Bhai Kahn Singh [10] Sāḏẖ sang g āvahi gu ṇ gobin ḏ p ūran Guru Nanak declared that ‘sabd’ is his says that besides the bani of Guru barahm gi ▫ā n. ||1|| rah ā▫ o. ‘guru’, therefore, it should also be the Nanak all other bani of Sikh Gurus, This phrase is invariable interpreted ‘guru’ of everybody. However, Guru who succeeded to the ‘House of by many scholars as follows: Ramdas declared ‘bani’ is ‘guru’ and Nanak’, is also called gurbani. Bhai This Holy Book is the home of the vice versa: Gurdas [12] still goes further to say Transcendent Lord God. Whoever sings the Glorious Praises of ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਿਵਿਚ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਿਮਤੁ that all the bani (including of Bhagats and Bhatts) in the AGGS is the Lord of the Universe in the Saadh ਸਾਰੇ ॥ ‘gurbani’. It appears that there is Sangat, the Company of the Holy, has no unanimity about explanation of the perfect knowledge of God. ਗੁਰੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਮਾਨS ਪਰਤਿਖ ||1|| Pause|| (Translation by Sant ‘ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ’ ( gurbani)’. ਗੁਰੂ ਿਨਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੫॥ Singh Khalsa from Web site of Dr KS Thind [4] ). Ba ṇī gur ū gur ū hai ba ṇī vic ẖ ba ṇī On receiving bani of predecessors, amri ṯ s āre. Guru Arjan decided to compile all Faridkot Vala Teeka says that this Gur ba ṇī kahai sevak jan m ānai bani of his forefathers (first four pothi (Holy Scriptures) is a place of par ṯak ẖ gur ū nis ṯā re. ||5|| Gurus) and his own into a pothi or God. However, Prof Sahib Singh Bani is Guru and Guru is bani and in bir (book or volume). It is also suggests that Gurbani is a place to this bani is the elixir of life. accepted in the history of the Sikhs meet God. Most English speaking Guru says bani and the followers that he included the bani of Bhagats, Sikh scholars interpret the ( Aad) accept it. Sufis, of some Sikhs and also added Granth as the abode (dwelling) of Thus that Guru will help the follower the bani of Bhatts in this pothi . Its God. Because of such interpretations to across the sea of life. title as Pothi (granth , book) is many Sikhs treat the Holy Scriptures AGGS, M 4, p 982. evident in the index of the original as the Parmesar (God). With such Almost every theologian interprets Pothi : ਸੰਮਤ 1661 ਿਮਤੀ ਭਾਦੋਉ ਵਦੀ types of interpretations, however, ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ (Ba ṇī gur ū gur ū Sikh theologians and scholars have ਏਕਮ (1) ਪੋਥੀ ਿਲਿਖ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ। ( Samat hai ba ṇī ) as “ The bani is the guru and ignored the characteristics of ੴ. the guru is the bani ” but without 1661 miti Bhadoo vidi akam (1) The ੴ captures Guru Nanak's vision defining ‘ bani ’ and ‘g uru ’. Scholars pothi likh pohnchai ). The writing of are also silent about; “who is that Pothi was completed on first Bhadoo of that Eternal Entity (God) which represents “One and Only That is ‘guru’ who says ' bani ' ( ਗੁਰੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ - of second fortnight (dark half of Moon) of Samat 1661, which Infinite” and prevails everywhere but Gur ba ṇī kahai).” It was Guru Ramdas corresponds to August 16, 1604 not at any particular place. again, who has very clearly identified according to the Nanakshahi that it is Guru Nanak, who says Calendar. However, it was installed However, the real message of Guru ‘bani’: (parkash ) in the Darbar Sahib, Arjan in this phrase is as follows: 1 2 3 4 ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਗੁਣ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ Amritsar on September 1, 1604 ਪੋਥੀ 1 ਪਰਮੇਸਰ 2 ਕਾ ਥਾਨੁ3 ॥ according to Nanakshahi Calendar 5 6 7 8 ॥ ॥ ॥ 4 5 6 7 ਹਿਰ ਨਾਿਮ ਸਮਾਇਆ ੪ ੫ after its binding done at Lahore. The ਸਾਧਸੰਿਗ ਗਾਵਿਹ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਿਬੰਦ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ Jan N ānak bole gu ṇ ba ṇī gurb āṇī har manuscript prepared by Guru Arjan ਹਮ 8 ਿਗਆਨੁ9 ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ nām sam ā▫ i▫ā . ||4||5|| is believed to be in the possession of AGGS, M 4, p 494. the Sodhi family of Kartarpur (near Poth ī parmesar k ā th ān. 2 1 4 Nanak , the person , speaks bani of Jalandhar). Guru Arjan, during Sāḏẖ sang g āvahi gu ṇ gobin ḏ p ūran 3 distinctive wisdom ; compilation of this Pothi, included barahm gi ▫ā n. ||1|| rah ā▫ o. This granth 1 is place (source) 3 where- page 42 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2015, Vol. 17, No. 1 in one can find the attributes of that after the Ardaas () as follows Recently the Indian Supreme Court Eternal Entity (God) 2. [16]: has also recognized the Aad Guru Therefore, Guru Arjan is advising: Aagiya bhaee Akal kee tabhai Granth Sahib (AGGS) as a juristic By sitting in the company of noble chalaaio panth. person [18]. The AGGS was declared people 4 try to comprehend 5 the Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru as a juristic person to avoid conflict attributes 6 of that Entity (God) 7 and maanio Granth. on holding the properties attached to great knowledge 9 about the Universe Guru Granth ko maanio pragat the AGGS and Gurdwaras. However, and social life 8 from this pothi guran ki deh. it is a matter of pride for all the Sikhs (granth/book). Jo Prabh ko milbo chahe khoj sabad that Supreme Court thinks in the right AGGS, M 5, p 1226. mein leh. (Note 10) direction when it also declared very This phrase clearly indicates that Literal English translation: clearly that the AGGS should never Guru Arjan is explaining that this When the command came (to Guru be taken as an idol because idol pothi (granth) is a source of attributes Gobind Singh) from the Akal (God), worship is rejected in Nanakian of Eternal Entity (God) and great then (he) initiated a (new) panth philosophy. knowledge about the Universe and the (religion). social life. (Now Guru Gobind Singh) A controversy on the declaration of commands to the Sikhs (the panth) to Granth as Guru was started by ‘Sabd Guru’ Changed to ‘Granth accept Granth as the Guru. McLeod [19]. He believed that it was Guru’ (And also) accept Guru Granth as a later addition after the execution of Since the pothi has been equated to the living-body of the Gurus (10 Banda Bahadur the Granth was Parmesar (God) ( ਪੋਥੀ ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਕਾ Gurus). declared as Guru as a cohesive force (Guru Gobind Singh also says) for the leaderless community. Prof ਥਾਨੁ ) by Guru Arjan, therefore, bani Those who desire to meet God Madanjit Kaur [20] wrote a detailed was preached from this pothi (granth) should search in the SABD . article entitled, "The Guru-ship and by Guru Arjan himself and by all Succession of Guru Granth" to justify other Gurus, who succeeded to the According to Giani Gian Singh [16], that Granth is Guru and Guru-ship House of Nanak, and that view has Guru Gobind Singh issued three was bestowed by Guru Gobind Singh been expressed in the early writings, i. distinct commands: in 1708. She stated that this article e. Sri Gur Sobha [13] and Gurbilas The Granth is the Guru. was written to refute the following Patshahi 6 [14]. The Granth is the living-body of the statement of McLeod: "...tradition Gurus. which conferred his (Guru Gobind Thereafter, according to the Rehit To meet God search It in the sabd. Singh's) personal authority upon the Nama of Bhai Prahlad Singh the Many Sikh theologians and the Sikhs sacred scripture and the corporate Granth was declared as Guru by Guru at large are accepting the first two Panth may perhaps be a retrospective Gobind Singh [15]: commands very sacredly but rare are interpretation, a tradition which owes ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੇ ਬਚਨ ਿਸ8 ਪਗਟ ਚਲਾਯੋ the Sikhs who care to look into the its origin not to an actual third command. pronouncement of the Guru but to an ਪੰਥ । insistent need for maintaining the Recitation of this phrase (in Panth's cohesion during the later ਸਭ ਿਸਖਨ ਕੋ ਬਚਨ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਾਨੀਅਹੁ ਗੰਥ variously modified forms) in every period." [19] । 30। Gurdwara has lead the Sikhs to treat Grewal [21] had also pointed out Akal Purakh ke bachan sion pargat the ‘Guru Granth’ (Aad Guru Granth about the contention of McLeod as chalao panth. Sahib – AGGS) as a deity for follows: "He (Justice Gurdev Singh) Sab Sikhan ko bachan hai Guru worshiping, although recitation of thinks it is unfair on McLeod to maneo Granth. such phrase is not recommended in suggest that Granth Sahib was With the order of God, the Panth was the Sikh Rehit Maryada (SRM) installed as Guru to serve as a created. published by the Shiromani cohesive force for the leaderless It is ordained to all the Sikhs to Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee community after the execution of accept the Granth as their Guru. (SGPC), Amritsar. [17] (See Note 10 Banda Bahadur and not because of for the modified form of the above injunction of Guru Gobind Singh." Now the Sikhs recite the following stanza.) In response to the above contention of phrase as modified by Giani Gian McLeod, Harbans Singh [22] has also Singh every day in the Gurdwaras proven historically that it was Guru

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Gobind Singh, who bestowed Guru- Guru Khalsa maneo pargat guran ki [680) ship to the Granth in 1708 CE at the d eh. Granth Guru to Visible Body of the time of his demise. Jo Sikh mo milbai chehe khoj inhi Guru Historical Aspect about Guru-ship main leh. 21. According to Munshi Sant Singh's to Granth “Accept the Khalsa as the ‘guru’ and Bayan-i-Khandan-i-Nishan-i-Bedian According to Giani Gian Singh [23] Khalsa as the body of the ‘guru’. (account of the Bedi family of Una), in his ‘ Panth Parkash’ the Damdami If any Sikh wants to meet the ‘guru’ when Guru Gobind Singh was about Bir (which is based on ‘ Kartarpuri should search in the Khalsa.” to die at Nander in the Deccan ( Katik Bir ’ in which the bani of Guru Teg (See Note # 2 for variation in the Sudi 5, 1765 Bikrami (1708 CE)), all Bahdur was added) was declared as above stanza.) the Singhs and disciples asked him as the ‘Guru’ of the Sikhs on October to who would be the future Guru. The 20, 1708 according to Nanakshahi According to Bhai Prahlad Singh Guru replied; ' Guru Khalsa, Khalsa Calendar: there are two Gurus: Guru' . Then the Guru, with five paise ਗੁਰੂ ਗੰਥ ਜੀ ਮਾਨਓ ਪਗਟ ਗੁਰ6 ਕੀ ਦੇਿਹ । ‘Khalsa Guru’ and ‘Granth Guru’ and a coconut in his hand, bowed instead of ‘Sabd Guru’. Moreover, if before the Guru Granth Sahib and (Guru Granth ji maneo pargat guran a Sikh wants to meet the ‘guru’ said, 'Ye all community should ki deh.) should search in Khalsa but not in recognize the Granth Sahib as the Accept the Guru Granth as the visible the ‘sabd’. Guru after me and obey the body of the Gurus. commandments contained therein.' Another work, which we may refer Then he uttered the following couplet: On the other hand Madanjit Kaur [20] to here, is Bansavalinama of Kesar "Recognize the Guru Granth as the and Ganda Singh [24] have accepted Singh Chhibbar (completed in 1770 Visible Body of the Guru ." as stated the following statement of Bhai CE, i.e. 62 years after the demise of by Madanjit Kaur [20] and Ganda Prahlad Singh as true without testing Guru Gobind Singh). Kesar Singh's Singh [24]. its authenticity with the Nanakian ancestors had been in the service of philosophy: Guru Gobind Singh as diwan . He Granth Guru to Darshan Guru ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੇ ਬਚਨ ਿਸ8 ਪਗਟ ਚਲਾਯੋ claimed to have seen and consulted Sohan Lal Suri tells us in Umdat-u- in his early days a vehi (account Tawarikh that during the last । ਪੰਥ book) of the ‘House of the Guru’. moments of Guru Gobind Singh's life ਸਭ ਿਸਖਨ ਕੋ ਬਚਨ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਾਨੀਅਹੁ ਗੰਥ The tenth chapter of Bansavalinama a disciple of his asked him as to deals with the life of Guru Gobind whom he had appointed as Guru after । 30। Singh. In stanzas 678-683, the author him. Thereupon, the Guru replied Akal Purakh ke bachan sion pargat mentions the death of the Guru and that, the ‘ Guru is Granthji ’. There is chalao panth. his last commandment in reply to the no difference between the Granth and Sab Sikhan ko bachan hai Guru question of the Sikhs: The Granth is the Guru. By the darshan (seeing/ maneo Granth. the guru, you hold the garment glancing) of Granthji one shall have With the order of God, the Panth was (seek the protection) of the Timeless the happy darshan of the Guru Sahib. created. God (ਗੰਥ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਲੜਪ ਕਰਹੁ ਅਕਾਲ (Cited from Ref.[20]). I think the It is ordained to all the Sikhs to above information is based on accept the Granth as their Guru. 679) as stated by Madanjit Kaur [20] following stanza from Gurbilas (Rehit Nama Bhai Prahlad Singh [15]) and Ganda Singh [24]. The irony is Patshahi 6 ([25] - p 84): that both the scholars, Madanjit Kaur ਗੁਰੂ ਿਗੰਥ ਕਿਲਜੁਗ ਭਯੋ ਸੀ ਗੁਰ ਰੂਪ In the same Rehit Nama Bhai Prahlad and Ganda Singh, have ignored to Singh has also declared ‘Khalsa as mention that Kesar Singh Chhibbar ਮਹਾਨ । Guru’ and ‘Khalsa as the Body of the also reported that “ The Guru is Guru’ in the following phrase: ਦਸ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀਆਂ ਰੂਪ ਇਹ ਗੁਰ ਿਗੰਥ Khalsa, the Khalsa is Guru ” ( ਗੁਰੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੂ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਮਾਨੀਅਿਹ ਪਰਗਟ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਸੁਖਖਾਨ । ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਖਾਲਸਾ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੁ) and “ Accept । ਗੁਰੂ ਦਰਸ ਿਜਹ ਦੇਖਨਾ ਸੀ ਗੁਰ ਿਗੰਥ ਦੇਹ the command of Granth Sahib but ਝੋ ਿਸਖ ਮੋ ਿਮਲਬੈ ਚਿਹਹ ਖੋਜ ਇਨਹੁ ਮਿਹ discover the value of the command ਦਰਸਾਏ । by researching the Sabd .” ( ਆਿਗਆ ਲੇਹੁ ।21। ਬਾਤ6 ਕਿਰ ਗੁਰ ਸ3 ਚਹੈ ਪੜWੈ igRMQ ਮਨੁ ਗੰਥ ਸਾਿਹਬ ਦੀ, ਕਰਨੀ ਸਬਦ ਦੀ ਖੋਜਨਾ page 44 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2015, Vol. 17, No. 1

ਮਾਇ । ordained by Guru Nanak in response institutionalised religion like others. to the question of Siddhas. And it is Guru Granth Kaljug bheao sri gur rup that ‘sabd’ which has been explained The Sikh intelligentsia needs to look mahan. in details in stanza #38 of Jap Bani . into if ‘Sabd is Guru’ or the ‘Granth is Das patshahian rup eh gur granth Since this ‘sabd’ is enshrined in the Guru’ or ‘Living Body of Ten Gurus’; sukhkhan. Granth, ipso facto, the Granth is and what was the SIKHI founded by Guru dars jeh dekhna sri gur granth Guru. Guru Nanak. darsai. The critical examination of phrase, Batain kar gur seaon cheheh parai ਪੋਥੀ ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਕਾ ਥਾਨੁ ॥ Poth ī REFERENCES granth man maiai. 1. Shabda (https://en.wikipedia.org/ parmesar k ā th ān.), clearly indicates Guru Granth came like a Great Guru wiki/Shabda). that Guru Arjan is demonstrating in the Kaljug (the present Age). 2. AGGS (1983) Aad Guru Granth that pothi (granth) is a source of This Guru Granth, the image of 10 Sahib (Amritsar, Punjab, India, attributes of God and great kings (Gurus), is mine of pleasure Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak knowledge about the Universe and (bliss). Committee). (M = Mahla, i.e., social life rather than a dwelling If you want to see the Guru, then see succession number of the Sikh place of God. Therefore, one should Sri Guru Granth. Gurus to the House of Nanak, M sit in an assembly of noble people to If you want to talk to Guru, then read is replaced with the name of comprehend those attributes. the Granth attentively. Bhagat/ Bhatt for their Bani, p = According to Giani Gian Singh [16], Page of the AGGS). Guru Gobind Singh issued three The irony is that many Sikhs believe 3. SINGH , J. (1990) A Few Sikh distinct commands: in seeing the ‘granth’ rather than Doctrines Reconsidered (Delhi, The Granth is the Guru. reading the ‘granth’. National Book Shop). The Granth is the living-body of the 4. THIND , K. S. www.srigranth.org . Guru. CONCLUSIONS 5. SINGH , S. (1972) Sri Guru Granth To meet God search It in the sabd. Sahib Darpan (Punjabi). Vols 10 Now many Sikh theologians and the ‘Sabd’ is the Guru of Nanak. (Jallandhar, India, Raj Sikhs at large are accepting the first Guru Nanak has explained in stanza Publishers). two commands very sacredly but (pauri ) #38 of JAP Bani the process 6. MCLEOD , W. H. (1998) Shabad, rare are the Sikhs who care to look for coining that ‘sabd’ (idea/ in: Singh, H. (Ed.) The into the third command. philosophy) through self-control, Encyclopaedia of Sikhism having patience and use of wisdom (Patiala, Punjabi University). IMPLICATIONS IN and knowledge as an Amrit (elixir) in 7. Guru (https://en.wikipedia.org/ ACCEPTING GRANTH AS the mint of truth. wiki/Guru). GURU Etymologically the term ‘guru’ is 8. Sri Sahib. http:// based on the syllables gu (ग)ु means searchgurbani.com/ Since the ‘granth’ is accepted as the dasam_granth/page/1466/line/9 ‘darkness/ignorance’ and ru () ‘Guru’ and/or ‘Living Body of Ten 9. SINGH , K. (1981) Mahan Kosh Gurus’, therefore, it is treated and means ‘light that dispel darkness’- (Patiala, India, Bhasha Vibagh worshiped as a deity. enlightenment that removes Punjab). ignorance.’ Under these circumstances, the 10. SINGH , K. (1996) Gurmat meaning of ‘sabd’ as the ‘Guru’ has Therefore, ‘sabd’ means that idea or Martand (Punjabi) (Patiala, been lost. philosophy coined as explained by Language Department Punjab). Guru Nanak is the ‘guru’, who will There is no unanimity about the 11. SINGH , S. (1970) Aad Bir Barai definition of ‘Gurbani’ among the remove the ignorance to lead a (Amritsar, Singh Brothers). virtuous life. Sikhs. 12. SINGH , V. (1984) Vaaran Bhai The above three statement raises a Although the ‘granth’ is the ‘guru’ in Gurdas Steek (Punjabi) (Hall question: What is the status of the all the commandments of Guru Bazar, Amritsar, Khalsa bani of Bhagats and Bhatts? Gobind Singh but there is emphasis to Samachar). discover the value of the command by Under these circumstances, the 13. SINGH , G. (1996 (1967)) Sri Gur SIKHI founded by Guru Nanak has research on the ‘Sabd’ in one of the Sobha by Sainapat (Patiala, also lost its originality and has commands. Therefore, it is evident Punjabi University). that the ‘sabd’ is the ‘guru’ as become a ritualistic and

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14. VEDANTI , J. S. & SINGH , A. 25. VEDANTI , J. S. & SINGH , A. visions of power and wealth: (1998) Gur Bilas Patshahi 6 (in (1998) Gurblas Patshahi 6 farsightedness - the ability to Punjabi) (Amritsar, Dharam (Punjabi) (Amritsar, Shiromani anticipate possible future events Parchar Committee, Shiromani Parbandhak Committee). and developments. These Gurdwara Parbandhak meanings are same as given for Committee). Notes: the Arabic word: 3 3 15. PADAM , P. S. (1984) Rehit Namai 1. ਵੇਲਾ (Age ): A distinct period of ਨਦਿਰ (nadar ) is from ‘nazar’ (Punjabi) (Patiala, Kalam history. For example, the Stone from the Arabic language. There Manda). Age, the Copper Age, the Bronze are two different meanings of this 16. SINGH , G. G. (1987) Panth Age, the Iron Age, the Middle Prakash (Patiala Bhasha Vibhag word: Ages (1066 -1485), the Atomic a. Nazar Punjab). : Vision as explained Age, the Space Age, and the above, critical examination, sight, 17. (1945) Sikh Rahit Maryada Computer and Information Age. (Amritsar, Shiromani Gurdwara see, Thus, the Siddhas were b. Nazar Parpandhak Committee). : Gift, present given to a questioning: What is that ‘Age’ higher authority, Paying under 18. SINGH , K. (2000) Aad Guru we are passing through and who the table (corruption) Granth Sahib: A Juristic Person, is the ‘guru’ of Nanak? Understanding Sikhism Res. J. , 2 ਕਰਮੁ (karam ) means ਕੰਮ , ਅਮਲ , 2. ਸਿਤ 3 ਗੁਰ 4 ਮਿਤ 5 ਵੇਲਾ 6 = this is the (2), p 24. ਕਰਨੀ , ਕਰਤ(ਬ , ਕਰਤ(ਵ , ਕਾਰਜ , 19. MCLEOD , W. H. (1975) The ‘Age of Enlightenment’ found Evolution of the Sikh Community through the ‘true guru’. And the ਿਕਿਰਆ , ਿਕਰਤ -ਕਮਾਈ , ਿਨੱਤ ਦੀ ਕਾਰ , (New Delhi, Oxford University ‘true Guru’ is the ‘Sabd’. ਚਾਲ ਚਲਨ , ਆਚਾਰ , ਆਚਰਨ , which Press). 20. KAUR , M. (1988) The Guruship 3. In the above stanza almost all of mean work, capability, method, and Succession of Guru Granth the theologians and researchers daily work, routine, etc. in Sahib, in: Mann, J. S. a. S., H. S. under the heavy influence of English. (Ed.) Advanced Studies in ancient philosophy interpret ਕਰਮੁ (karam ) is also an Arabic Sikhism (Irvine, CA, Sikh ਨਦਿਰ (nadar ) as “Grace/ word having the same meanings. Community of N America). ਅੰਿਮਤੁ (Amrit) here also means 21. GREWAL , J. S. (1998) Contesting Blessing of God” and ਕਰਮੁ Interpretation of the Sikh (karam ) as the “effect of deeds idea/philosophy as is that for Sabd. Guru Amardas explains that Tradition (New Delhi, Manohar). of the last life”. Since there are the Amrit is already present in the 22. SINGH , H. (1986) The Guru many meanings of each word body (mind) but it has to be Granth Sahib: Guru Eternal for whether it is of English or of realized: the Sikhs, in: Singh, G. (Ed.) Punjabi language, therefore, it is Perspectives on the Sikh very important to apply most ਘਰ ਹੀ ਮਿਹ ਅੰਿਮਤੁ ਭਰਪੂਰੁ ਹੈ Tradition (Patiala, Sidharth appropriate meaning of nadar ਮਨਮੁਖਾ ਸਾਦੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥ Publication for Academy of the and karam to interpret the bani in ẖ ī ė ṯ ẖ ū Sikh Religion and Culture). order to understand the message G ar h m h amri b arp r hai manmuk ẖā s āḏ na p ā▫ i▫ā . 23. Guru Maneo Granth, p. Gianai of Guru Nanak in its real Gian Singh wrote about Guru perspective. It is only the SGGS ਿਜਉ ਕਸਤੂਰੀ ਿਮਰਗੁ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਭਮਦਾ Maneo Granth in his Panth Punjabi to Punjabi Dictionary of ਭਰਿਮ ਭੁਲਾਇਆ ॥ Parkash. http:// Gurbachan Singh [4] and also www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/ Bhai Kahn Singh’s Mahan Kosh Ji ▫o kas ṯū rī mirag na j āṇ ai Guru_Maneo_Grant [4] which gives the meanings of bẖarma ḏā b ẖaram b ẖul ā▫ i▫ā . 24. SINGH , G. (1986) Guru Gobind these words, other than usually The body / mind is full of Amrit Singh designated Guru Granth accepted under the influence of (Sabd- ideas/philosophy) but the Sahib to be the Guru, in: Singh, ancient philosophy, as follows: ignorant is unable to recognise it. G. (Ed.) Perspectives on the Sikh This case is very similar to a musk nadar ) means Tradition (Patiala, Sidharth ਨਦਿਰ ( ਨਜ਼ਰ dear who does not know that Publication for Academy of the (nazar ) which means ‘vision’ in fragrance is coming from his own Sikh Religion and Culture). musk but he is looking for its English. Vision means an image source somewhere else. or concept in the imagination; page 46 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2015, Vol. 17, No. 1

AGGS, M 3, p 644. (forefathers). (Kasturi) : Musk is a substance 9. Here Nanak is a person not a pen with a persistent odor. It is name for Guru Ramdas. Nanak obtained from a gland of the with Onkar means Nanak male musk deer situated in its himself not as a pen name. back/rectal area. However, at some places Nanak 4. ਆਬ ( āb): Although in Persian it with mukta is also person but it means ‘water, but according to all depends on the context in Bhai Kahn Singh ਆਬ (āb) also which Nanak has been used.

means Habit , Character ( ਆਦਤ. 10. Dr Joginder Singh Ahluwalia (personal discussion) says that ਸੁਭਾਉ. "ਸਚ ਕੀ ਆਬ ਿਨਤ ਦੇਿਹ the following modified form of ਪਾਣੀ"). Here it means habit. that phrase is as follows (Personal Communication): Aagiya bhaee Akal kee tabhai Nanak Here Nanak is not 5. ਨਾਨਕ ( ): chalaaio panth. a pen name of Guru Arjan but Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru Guru Nanak himself. maanio Granth. Guru Granth ko maanio pragat 6. ਨਾਮ ( Naam) hear means guran ki deh. understanding about the working Jo Prabh ko milbo chahe khoj of Laws of Nature. sabad mein leh. (From Giani Gian Singh's Panth Prakash, 1987, Bhasha Vibhag 7. ਸਬਦੁ ( Sabd): Here it is that ‘sabd’ Punjab, p. 353. Giani Gian Singh described by Guru Nanak in Jap wrote it first in 1874). Bani Stanza # 38. ਗੁਰਮੁਿਖ Dr Ahluwalia further adds as follows: (Gurmukh): Gur = enlightenment The troubling line is : Guru + mukh = Oriented – The one who Granth ko maanio pragat guran is oriented towards ki deh . Although the next line ‘enlightenment’. clearly says: Jo Prabh ko milbo chahe khoj sabad mein leh, the 8. ਪੀਊ ਦਾਦੇ ਕਾ ਖਜਾਨਾ has been notion of "deh" still persists. We treat the Granth as if it were a interpreted as the bani of Guru living person, in flesh and blood, Ramdas, the father and of Guru sensitive to heat and cold, who Amardas, the grandfather, in has to be put to bed for rest etc.” Goindwal Vali Pothi received from Mohan Ji by some writers.  However, Guru Ramdas was not the son of Guru Amardas. It means names of Guru Nanak and Guru Angad have been omitted. However, here ਪੀਊ ਦਾਦੇ ਕਾ ਖਜਾਨਾ is a Punjabi idiom meaning “inherited treasure” (bani) of first four Gurus – Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amardas and Guru Ramdas

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