January – December 2020, Vol. 22, No. 1

UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIRST STANZA OF ARTICLE OANKAR (ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ) BANI Further Research on ੴ

ABSTRACT Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD Institute for Understanding Sikhism The first stanza of Oankar Bani is understood by Laval, Quebec, H7W 5L9 most of the Sikh theologians as the philosophy of Email: [email protected] Nanak. And Oankar is considered as Eternal Entity (God) being represented as a logo, ੴ, by INTRODUCTION Guru Nanak. The confusion started when Bhai The Oankar (ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ) bani is composed of 54 stanzas Gurdas, most respectable Sikh scholar, declared (pauris) and a Rahaoo (Pause). The first stanza is about ੴ as ਏਕੁ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Ek Oankar). Nevertheless, ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ Oankar, and Onam () being taught by the Pundit of the Omkareshwar temple in South . Rahaoo represents (Oankar) represents OM according to the the main theme of the bani. In rest of the 53 stanzas Guru Upanishads which represents Trinity of God: Nanak discusses the Eternal Entity (God) for which Guru , and . In fact, the first stanza Nanak designed a logo, ੴ , found in the beginning of is about the delusion of ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ (Oankar) being (arambic vaak) which has been translated as ਅਰੰਭਿਕ ਵਾਕ taught by the Pundit of Omkareshwar temple to his “Commencing Verse” in English language. The students. This article resolves the delusion of Commencing Verse is found in the beginning of the Aad Pundit about Oankar) being taught to his Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS). [1] It also appears as such on ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ( the beginning of each Raga (major sections) or in students. It also discusses that this ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ variously abbreviated forms in the beginning of sub- sections of the AGGS. (Oankar) has nothing to do with the logo, ੴ , of Eternal Entity (God). The first stanza (pauri) of Oankar bani is understood by

many Sikh theologians and researchers as God/Creator. Bhai Gurdas, the most respected theologian of the Sikh world, was the first who pronounced ੴ as ਏਕੁ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ Aykaa Aykankaaru Likhi Daykhaaliaa. (Ek Oankar) as is evident from his Pauri 15 of Vaar 3. ਊੜਾ5 ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ6 ਪਾਭਿ7 ਬਹਾਭਲਆ8। 15। ਵਾਰ।3। Thereafter, other Sikh theologians followed Bhai Gurdas’ Oorhaa Aoankaaru Paasi Bahaaliaa. pronunciation of ੴ. Let us discuss Bhai Gurdas’ Pauri 15 of Vaar 3 [2]: The heading of this Pauri indicates that the ‘Commencing Verse’ has been declared as ‘Mool ’ by Bhai Gurdas according to Vedic philosophy. Parma Nand [3] has endorsed ਮੂਲ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਦਾ ਗੁਹਝ ਿੇਦ that the ‘Commencing Verse’ is called ‘Mool Mantra’ Mool mantar da guhjh Baed. according to the rules of for declaring a word or The Deep Secret of Mool Mantra sentence as Mantra, Beej Mantra, or Mool Mantra. Mantra,

according to Vedas, is a word or sentence chanted 1 2 3 4 ਏਕਾ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ਭਲਭਿ ਦੇਿਾਭਲਆ । repeatedly under certain conditions that forces the deity or

IUSCANADA.COM page 21 UNDERSTANDING SIKHISM – The Research Journal deities to perform miraculous work to trained at Banaras, who do not fulfill the desires of the performers accept 5Ks and wear bhagwa (devotees). Under this influence, the (saffron-colored or ochre colored) ‘Commencing Verse’ is recommended clothes and were the first to by many Sikh preachers to be chanted translate the AGGS during 1980s repeatedly as Mool Mantra to fulfill under the influence of Vedas and their wishes. Vedanta philosophies. Their translation is called Faridkot Vala The exact date of writing of Vaaran by Teeka. [5] Since then Faridkot Vala Bhai Gurdas is not known. However, it Teeka became a prototype teeka Figure 1. Trinity of God in . could be considered as the first (exegesis) for further translations writing dealing with Gurbani in Sikh but trend remained the same under literature after the compilation of the the influence of Vedas and Vedanta The question is: AGGS in 1604. Therefore, his Vaaran philosophies till today. In fact, right Why did Guru Nanak compose the are considered next to the Gurbani by from the time of demise of Guru Oankar (ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ) Bani? many Sikh theologians. Moreover, his Nanak in 1539 the bani of Guru When Guru Nanak visited Vaaran have also been declared as Nanak was systematically Omkareshwar Temple he saw the the KEY to the Gurbani by Guru Arjun undermined by the so-called statue of Shiva (Fig. 2), one of the as reported by Bhai (Dr) Veer Singh. followers of Guru Nanak. Trinity of Omkar or Oankar or Om [2] Nevertheless, critical analysis of Vaaran of Bhai Gurdas indicates that Omkareshwar Temple (ॐ). However, according to none of the Vaar interprets any sabd During one of the travels of Guru Upanishads Om (ॐ) represents of Gurbani rather he used Gurbani in Nanak in he visited Trinity of God: Brahma, the Creator; his own way to discuss various topics. Omkareshwar Temple and had a Vishnu, the sustainer of the Universe; 1 dialogue with the Pundit of that Bhai Gurdas has pronounced ਏਕਾ and Shiva, the Destroyer. On the temple. The Omkareshar Temple is other hand, in Shaivite temples the ekaa) as 2 ekankar) and 5 ( ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ( ਊੜਾ named after the Hindu symbol. of Shiva (Fig.3) is often at the 5 6 ॐ Oora ) as 6 Oankar ). centre, surrounded by murtis (sacred ( ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ( The symbol is called OM or ॐ images of deities). However, Guru Therefore, ੴ should be pronounced Omkar or Oankar according to the Nanak had a dialogue with the Pundit as Ekankaar ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ( Upanishads. The Hindu ॐ symbol of Omkareshwar temple to know Oankaar) according to Bhai Gurdas’ represents Trinity of God: Brahma, what he was teaching about the interpretation. However, ੴ is being the Creator; Vishnu, the sustainer of Omkar or Oankar to his students. pronounced as Ek the Universe; and Shiva, the ਏਕੁ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ( Destroyer (Fig. 1.). The Oankaar) in general by the Sikhs at Omkareshwar temple is dedicated to large. Nevertheless, it becomes God Shiva. It is situated on an island evident that Bhai Gurdas was the first called or Shivapuri in the scholar – trained at Banaras, who ; the shape of the declared open Oora5 in ੴ as (ਓ) island is said to be like the Hindu ॐ 6 ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ6 (Oankaar ) and ਅਰੰਭਿਕ ਵਾਕ symbol. [6] It is is situated in the arambic vaak), Commencing Verse, as district of Madhya Pradesh ( state in India. It is about 12 miles (20 Mool Mantra thus interpolating the km) from Mortakka in Madhya bani of Guru Nanak with Vedic Pradesh. Figure 2. Shiva - God of Destruction philosophy. Consequently, ੴ, the logo of the Eternal Entity (God), lost its originality and uniqueness. [4] Thereafter, it were Nirmalas, also page 22 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2020, Vol. 22, No. 1

Faridkot Vala Teeka: who in Hindu belief is the creator; (jin -i = who) Brahma (keeaa) keeps ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਰੂਪੁ ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮ拓 ਿਰੂਪ ਤ੍ੇ ਬਰਹਮਾ Oankaar (chit-i) in mind, i.e. acts by ਿੀ ਉਤ੍ਪਤ੍ ਹੋਏ ਹੈਂ ਕੈਿਾ ਹੈ ਬਰਹਮਾ ਿੀ directions of the Almighty. ਭਿਿਿੇ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮਾ ਕੋ (ਭਿਭਤ੍) Comments by Chahal: ਭਿਮਰਿ ਕੀਆ ਹੈ॥ If we look critically all the above (English: Oankar, a form of God, interpretations/translations of four created Brahma and Brahma kept different theologians it appears that Figure 3. Shiv_lingam_Tripundra - Oankar in his mind.) all of them are following the first from CC BY-SA 4.0 interpretation done by Nirmalas Prof Sahib Singh: under the influence of Vedas and Oankar (ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ) Bani (ਹੇ ਪ拓ਡੇ! ਤ੍ੁਿੀ ਮੰਦਰ ਭਵਿ ਅਿਥਾਪਿ Vedanta philosophies. However, interpretation of Prof Sahib Singh is a The Oankar ( bani is ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ) ਕੀਤ੍ੀ ਹੋਈ ਇਿ ਮੂਰਤ੍ੀਿੂੰ 'ਓਅੰਕਾਰ' ਭਮਥ little in details but conveys the same composed of 54 stanzas (pauris) and a ਰਹੇ ਹੋ, ਤ੍ੇ ਆਿਦੇ ਹੋ ਭਕ ਭਿਰਸ਼ਟੀ ਿੂੰ ਬਰਹਮਾ message. Rahaoo. The first stanza is about Oankar, and Onam (Om) being taught ਿੇ ਪੈਦਾ ਕੀਤ੍ਾ ਿੀ। ਪਰ 'ਓਅੰਕਾਰ' ਉਹ Almost all Sikh theologians think that by the Pundit of the temple. Rahaoo ਿਰਬ-ਭਵਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮਾ ਹੈ ਭਿਿ) the first stanza (pauri) of Oankar Bani represents the main theme of the - is the view of Guru Nanak. In fact, bani. In rest of the 53 stanzas Guru ਿਰਬ ਭਵਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮਾ ਤ੍ੋਂ ਬਰਹਮਾ ਦਾ Guru Nanak says that in this Stanza Nanak discusses the Eternal Entity for (ਿੀ) ਿਿਮ ਹੋਇਆ, ਉਿ ਬਰਹਮਾ ਿੇ ਿੀ the Panda (Pundit) of Oankar which Guru Nanak designed a logo, (Omkareshwar) Temple is explaining ਉਿ ਿਰਬ-ਭਵਆਪਕ ਪਰਿੂ ਿੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਿ ੴ , found in the beginning of ਅਰੰਭਿਕ to his students that Oankar is the ਭਵਿ ਵਿਾਇਆ। Creator. ਵਾਕ (arambic vaak), which has been (English: Hey Pundit! You are However, according to Upanishads translated as “Commencing Verse” in considering the statue/idol of Shiva, Oankar is the OM or Aum or Omkar or English language. installed in the temple as Oankar, Aumkar, which represents Trinity of

and saying that the Earth/Universe God: Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu, the

was created by Brahma. But Oankar sustainer of the Universe; and Shiva, First Stanza (Pauri) of ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ is pervading everywhere. From this the Destroyer. If it is so then who is this Oankar, who created Brahma? (Oankar) Bani Oankar Brahma was also created and

I am comparing interpretations/ that Brahma kept that God (Oankar) translations of three famous in his mind.) ਓਅੰਕਾਭਰ ਿੈਲ ਿੁਗ ਿਏ ॥ theologians (Faridkot Vala Teeka, Prof ਓਅੰਕਾਭਰ ਬੇਦ ਭਿਰਮਏ ॥ Sahib Singh, Manmohan Singh, SGPC, Manmohan Singh: Brahma was created through the O▫ankār sail jug bẖa▫e. and Dr Sant Singh Khalsa) from the O▫ankār beḏ nirma▫e. Web site of Dr Kulbir Singh Thind One Lord. That Brahma cherished the one Lord (www.srigranth.com). Besides, the Faridkot Vala Teeka: interpretation by Brig. Rawel Singh is in the mind. also included (personal ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮਾ ਿੇ ਿਾਰ ਪਰਬਤ੍ ਹੂਏ Communication): Sant Singh Khalsa: From Ongkaar, the One Universal ਭਪਰਥੀ ਕੇ ਮਰਿਾਦਾ ਕੇ ਲੀਏ ਉਦਾਿਲ

ਓਅੰਕਾਭਰ ਬਰਹਮਾ ਉਤ੍ਪਭਤ੍ ॥ Creator God, Brahma was created. ਅਿਤ੍ਾਿਲ ਭਬੰਧ੍ਯਾਿਲ ਮੰਦਰਾਿਲ ਅਰੁ ਿੁਗ He kept Ongkaar in his ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ਕੀਆ ਭਿਭਿ ਭਿਭਤ੍ ॥ ਿੀ ਿਾਰ ਿਭਤ੍ਿੁਗ ਆਦੀ ਹੂਏ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ O▫ankār barahmā uṯpaṯ. consciousness. O▫ankār kī▫ā jin cẖiṯ. ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮ拓 ਤ੍ੇ ਬੇਦ (ਭਿਰਮਏ) ਉਤ੍ਪਤ੍ ਹੂਏ Rawel Singh ਹੈਂ॥ (Oankaar-i) the all-pervasive (English: Oankar, the God, created Almighty (utpat-i) created Brahma –

IUSCANADA.COM page 23 UNDERSTANDING SIKHISM – The Research Journal four mountains on Earth: Oodachal, other hand, some Hindu scholars say Ongkaar saves the world through the Astachal, Bandyachal and Mandrachal that Vedas were written by Rishis Shabad. and four Yugas (Four Ages of Time, (sages) during various periods of Ongkaar saves the Gurmukhs. like Sat Yuga…) were also created. The time. Vedas were also created by Oankar, Rawel Singh: the God.) The creatures (udhrey) are ਓਅੰਕਾਭਰ ਿਬਭਦ ਉਧ੍ਰੇ ॥ emancipated with obedience (sabad-i Prof Sahib Singh: ਓਅੰਕਾਭਰ ਗੁਰਮੁਭਿ ਤ੍ਰੇ ॥ = with the word) by obedience to O▫ankār sabaḏ uḏẖre. commands, (oankaar-i) of Oankaar. ਇਹ ਿਾਰੀ ਭਿਰਸ਼ਟੀ ਤ੍ੇ ਿਮੇ ਦੀ ਵੰਡ ਉਿ O▫ankār gurmukẖ ṯare. (Gurmukh-i) those who follow the - ਿਰਬ ਭਵਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮਾ ਤ੍ੋਂ ਹੀ ਹੋਏ, ਵੇਦ guru to obey Oankaar (tarey = swim) Faridkot Vala Teeka: get across the world-ocean (oankaar- ਿੀ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਤ੍ੋਂ ਹੀ ਬਣੇ। i) to Oankaar – the all-pervasive (English: The whole Universe was ਓਅੰਕਾਰ (ਿਬਭਦ) ਬਰਹਮ ਕੀ ਉਪਾਿਿਾ Creator. created by the same God, Oankar; ਕਰਕੇ ਿੀਵ ਉਧ੍ਰੇ ਹੈਂ ਵਾ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਬਰਹਮ ਿੇ and the Ages of Time and Vedas were Comments by Chahal: created by Oankar.) ਦੈਂਤ੍ ਕਰ ਹਰੇ ਹੂਏ (ਿਬਭਦ)ਬੇਦ ਉਧ੍ਰੇ ਹੈ Prof Sahib Singh and Manmohan

ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਕੀ ਉਪਾਿਿਾ ਿੇ (ਗੁਰਮੁਭਿ) ਗੁਰ拓 Singh have intentionally avoided to Manmohan Singh: use Oankar. On the other hand Sant It is from the One Lord that ਦੁਆਰੇ ਿੰਿਾਰ ਿਮੁੰਦਰ ਿੇ ਿੀਵ ਤ੍ਰੇ ਹੈਂ॥ Singh Khalsa used ‘Ongkaar’ instead of mountains and ages have emanated. (English: Persons are liberated by ‘Oankar’ in the phrase. There is no It is the Lord who created the Vedas. praising Oankar (sabd) as Brahma or such word, Ongkaar’ either in the Oankar and ghosts have been AGGS or in Vedas or Upanishads. Sant Singh Khalsa: liberated through Vedas of Brahma. However, the main theme remains From Ongkaar, the mountains and the By praising Oankar, gurmukhs can the same as told by Pundit to his ages were created. cross the sea of life through the students. Ongkaar created the Vedas. .)

Sant Singh Khalsa pronounce Oankar The Pundit again says: as Ongkaar. Prof Sahib Singh: Oankar saves the world through the

ਿੀਵ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਭਵਿ ਿੁੜ ਕੇ ਉਿ sabd. Rawel Singh: - Oankar also saves the Gurmukh. (Sail = rocks) physical existence and ਿਰਬ ਭਵਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤ੍ਮਾ ਦੀ ਿਹੈਤ੍ਾ

(jug = ages) time (bhaey) were ਿਾਲ ਹੀ ਿੰਿਾਰ ਦੇ ਭਵਕਾਰ拓 ਤ੍ੋਂ ਬਿਦੇ ਹਿ, Contradiction: created by Oankaar. (Beyd) the Vedas ਤ੍ੇ But according to Vedas and Vedanta were (nirmaey) created (oankaar-i) by Vishnu saves or preserves or sustains Oankaar. ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਦੱਿੇ ਰਾਹ ਉਤ੍ੇ ਤ੍ੁਰ ਕੇ ਿੰਿਾਰ- the world.

ਿਮੁੰਦਰ ਭਵਿੋਂ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘਦੇ ਹਿ। Comments by Chahal: (English: A person by connecting All the above interpretations/ ਓਿਮ ਅਿਰ ਿੁਣਹੁ ਬੀਿਾਰੁ ॥ with the sabd of Guru and with the translations again follow the Faridkot help of God can be liberated from ਓਿਮ ਅਿਰੁ ਭਤ੍ਰਿਵਣ ਿਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ Vala Teeka except that the details vices; and following the way of the Onam akẖar suṇhu bīcẖār. about sail jug) has been ਿੈਲ ਿੁਗ ( Guru one can cross the sea of life.) Onam akẖar ṯaribẖavaṇ sār. ||1|| omitted by all other theologians. ਅਗਗਿ, ਮ: 1, ਪੁੰਿਾ 929-930. Pundit continues to teach that: Manmohan Singh: AGGS, M 1, p 929-930. Oankar created mountains and It is through the One Lord, that the different Periods of Ages (jug). world is saved. Oankar created the Vedas. It is through the Lord, that the God- Faridkot Vala Teeka:

conscious beings are emancipated. ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਿੋ ਿਮਿਕਾਰ ਕਰਿੇ ਿੋਗ ਅਬਿਾਿੀ But Hindu philosophy says that Brahma created the Vedas. On the Sant Singh Khalsa: ਹੈ ਔ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਹੀ ਭਤ੍ਰਲੋਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਿਾਰ ਰੂਪ ਹੈ page 24 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2020, Vol. 22, No. 1

between the sky and earth - space) Brahma started to find9 the limit8 of ਭਤ੍ਿ ਕਾ ਬੀਿਾਰ ਤ੍ੁਮ ਿੁਿੋ ॥੧॥ the whole world. 1. the Eternal Entity (God) in that (English: listen to the attributes of tubular stem of lotus flower for many Oankar, Who is worth praising and is 10 Comments by Chahal: Ages of Time still could not find Its ever-existing in the three mythical 11 Faridkot Vala Teeka translates limit and remained in darkness . worlds.) ਓਿਮ

Onam) as Oankar. Prof Sahib Singh ( And Prof Sahib Singh: and Rawel Singh use Onam as ‘Om’ ਪਵਣੁ1 ਪਾਣੀ2 ਅਗਭਿ3 ਭਤ੍ਭਿ ਕੀਆ ਬਰਹਮਾ4 (ਹੇ ਪ拓ਡੇ! ਤ੍ੁਿੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਿਾਟਭੜਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ and also as Akal Purakh while Manmohan Singh and Sant Singh ਭਬਿਿੁ5 ਮਹੇਿ6 ਅਕਾਰ7 ॥ ਪੱਟੀਆਂ ♱ਤ੍ੇ ਲਫ਼ਜ਼ 'ਓਅੰ ਿਮਹ' ਭਲਿਦੇ ਹੋ, uses Onam as ‘Lord’. 8 9 10 11 12 ਿਰਬੇ ਿਾਭਿਕ ਤ੍ੂੰ ਪਰਿੁ ਦਾਤ੍ਾ ਦਾਭਤ੍ ਪਰ ਇਿ ਮੂਰਤ੍ੀ ਿੂੰ ਹੀ 'ਓਅੰ' ਿਮਝ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ) However, the Pundit simply says: Listen to the word OM (Onam) and ਕਰੇ ਅਪੁਿੈ 13 ਬੀਿਾਰ14 ॥੪॥ ਉਿ ਮਹਾਿ ਹਿਤ੍ੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਬਤ੍ ਿੀ ਗੱਲਿੁਣੋ try to understand that it pervades in AGGS, M 1, p 504. ਭਿਿ ਦੇ ਵਾਿਤ੍ੇ ਤ੍ੁਿੀ ਲਫ਼ਜ਼ 'ਓਅੰ ਿਮਹ' the three mythical worlds. Pavaṇ pāṇī agan ṯin kī▫ā barahmā However, according to Nanakian bisan mahes akār. ਭਲਿਦੇ ਹੋ। ਇਹ ਲਫ਼ਜ਼ 'ਓਅੰ ਿਮਹ' ਉਿ Philosophy there are no such three Sarbe jācẖik ṯūʼn parabẖ ḏāṯā ḏāṯ kare (ਮਹਾਿ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਿ) ਵਾਿਤ੍ੇ ਹਿ ਿੋ ਿਾਰੀ mythical worlds in this Universe. apunai bīcẖār. ||4|| Guru Nanak says according to Hindu ਭਿਰਸ਼ਟੀ ਦਾ ਕਰਤ੍ਾ ਹੈ।੧। However, ੴ does pervade in the Philosophies as follows: (English: Hey Pundit! You are writing The Eternal Entity (God) first created the word ‘Om’ as praise to Him and whole Universe and living beings. air1, water2 and agni (energy)3 from think that the idol (Shiva) in the these three That (Eternal Entity) temple is ‘Om’. What is Brahma in Hindu created7 Brahma4, Vishnu5 and Shiva6. Listen to the teachings of that great Philosophies? Thereafter, Guru Nanak says: Entity for which you are writing as What is the difference between All of them8 are the beggars9 and the ‘Om’. The praise to the word ‘Om’ is Brahma mentioned in the above Eternal Entity10, benevolent11 is the for that (Great Akal Purakh) who stanza and the Brahma explained by only One who rewards12 according to created the whole world.) Guru Nanak as accepted in Hindu Its own13 thoughts (evaluation)14. Philosophies?

Manmohan Singh: 1 2 3 4 5 ਿਾਭਿ ਕਮਲ ਤ੍ੇ ਬਰਹਮਾ ਉਪਿੇ ਬੇਦ 1 2 3 4 5 Hear thou the account of the ਬਰਹਮਾ ਭਬਿਿੁ ਮਹੇਿ ਇਕ ਮੂਰਭਤ੍ ਆਪੇ 6 7 imperishable Lord, worthy of ਪੜਭਹ ਮੁਭਿ ਕੰਭਿ ਿਵਾਭਰ ॥ ਕਰਤ੍ਾ6 ਕਾਰੀ7 ॥੧੨॥ obeisance. 8 9 ਤ੍ਾ ਕੋ ਅੰਤ੍ੁ ਿ ਿਾਈ ਲਿਣਾ ਆਵਤ੍ AGGS, M 1, p 908. The eternal Lord is the essence of the 10 11 Barahmā bisan mahes ik mūraṯ āpe three worlds. ਿਾਤ੍ ਰਹੈਗੁਬਾਭਰ ॥੧॥ karṯā kārī. ||12|| AGGS, M 1, p 489. Guru Nanak says that: Sant Singh Khalsa: Nābẖ kamal ṯe barahmā upje beḏ Although in Hindu philosophies there Listen to the Message of the paṛėh mukẖ kanṯẖ savār. Universal, Imperishable Creator Lord. Ŧā ko anṯ na jā▫ī lakẖ▫ṇā āvaṯ jāṯ are Brahma1, Vishnu2 and Shiva3 have The Universal, Imperishable Creator rahai gubār. ||1|| different duties - creation, Lord is the essence of the three Guru Nanak explains the Brahma as preservation and destruction, worlds. ||1|| accepted in Hindu Philosophies as respectively but Guru Nanak says that follows: all these duties are under7 the Rawel Singh: It is accepted fact that Vedas5 were 6 4 control of ONE , ੴ, the Eternal written by Brahma and Pundits (Akhar-u) the word Onam stands for Entity5 the Almighty who is (saar-u) the recite6 the Vedas5 in melodious . essence or Creator/Sustainer of voice7 and this Brahma3 was born4 in (tribhavan = three regions – jal = the tubular stem of lotus flower2, The above discussion indicates that water, thal = land, maheeal – which grew from the naval1 of there are different philosophies in Vishnu. Hinduism:

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According to Upanishads Oankar or Nature/Universe8 for your students. - beant) for ਓ (That), i.e. for the ੧ Omkar represents AUM or OM, Finally, the Rahaoo (pause) of One). which further represents Trinity of Oankar Bani confirms that the Pundit ( God: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. of Omkareshwar Temple is deluding If it is so, then we can infer that the Hindu philosophy also says as his student about Brahma and ‘੧’ (Ek – One) in ੴ, is That ( ਉਹ – explained by the Pundit of Oankar since he himself is not aware Oh), where matter/Energy - space/ Omkareshwar Temple that Oankar what the Eternal Entity ੴ)( is. time are in an infinitely small unit created Brahma and Brahma created (Singularity), which looks like Vedas, different worlds and Ages. The Eternal Entity has been described Nothingness, Sunn), but In another Hindu philosophy Brahma ਿੁੰਿੁ ( by Guru Nanak in a logo, ੴ . was born in tubular stem of lotus expanded into the Universe after the flower from the naval of Shiva. What is this logo, ੴ ? Big Bang. The above analysis clearly In Omkareshwar temple the idol is of Chahal [4, 7-11] has described this indicates that the logo ੴ designed Shiva and Its Lingam instead of logo, ੴ, many times for over 20 by Guru Nanak, can be pronounced as OANKAR or OMKAR (ॐ). years, but nobody has tried to ‘ਇਕੁ ਉਹ ਬੇਅੰਤ੍ (Ek Oh Beant)’ in Under these delusions, the Sikh at understand it. They always fall back Punjabi. It can be pronounced as 'The large and theologians have accepted to pronounce ੴ as Ek Oankar after One and Only That is Infinite' in the pronunciation of ੴ as Oankar Bhai Gurdas and insist that Guru English. as first declared by Bhai Gurdas and Nanak has used Oankar in Oankar Bani many times as Creator. CONCLUSIONS ੴ is erroneously interpreted as Nevertheless, the above discussion It can be easily concluded from the “One Creator”. clearly indicates that the Pundit of whole discussion as follows: However, ੴ is the logo of the Omkareshwar temple is in delusion The logo, ੴ of the Eternal Entity has Eternal Entity quite different than , and Hindu philosophies are nothing to do with “Oankar”. that Oankar or Om or Omkar. contradicting each other in The should be pronounced ‘ describing Oankar, Omkar or OM. ੴ ਇਕੁ It becomes evident from the above Chahal has summarized the ਉਹ ਬੇਅੰਤ੍ (Ek Oh Beant)’ in Punjabi discussion that Pundit of description ofੴ as follows: and 'The One and Only That is Infinite' Omkareshwar Temple is in delusion in English. about the functions/duties of Brahma and Oankar. And there are different The logo, ੴ , has been dissembled Therefore. ੴ should not be philosophies in Hinduism which for explanation as follows: pronounced as OANKAR or OMKAR or contradict each other. OANGKAR. ੴ = ੧ + ਓ +

‘ Ek – One) represents Oneness Rahaoo ੧’ ( ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am grateful to Dr. Kulbir Singh Thind 1 2 3 4 5 ॥ (Singularity) – the ਭਿਗੁਣ (nirgun) ਿੁਭਣ ਪਾਡੇ ਭਕਆ ਭਲਿਹੁ ਿੰਿਾਲਾ for granting me permission to copy Suṇ pāde ki▫ā likẖahu janjālā. state of the Eternal Entity (God). 1 2 3 and paste the Unicode Gurmukhi Listen , O Pundit! Why are you ‘ਓ’ (open oora) represents ‘ਉਹ’ (Oh scripts from the Aad Guru Granth writing4 the deluding5 concepts about -That) for ੧ (One) since there is no Sahib and its transliteration in Roman the Eternal Entity (ੴ) ? alphabet from his Web site: descriptive/specific name for the ੧ www.srigranth.com. However, ਭਲਿੁ6 ਰਾਮ7 ਿਾਮ8 ਗੁਰਮੁਭਿ9 ਗੋਪਾਲਾ10 (One). This ੧ (One) is not a interpretations of bani is mine unless ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ numerical one rather it is a physical specified. I am also grateful to Brig Likẖ rām nām gurmukẖ gopālā. ||1|| “Singularity”. Rawel Singh for providing his rahā▫o. interpretation of first stanza of 9 Oankar . My thanks are due to Dr Oh Pundit! Be an enlightened person (Extended end of the open and write6 the truth about the Eternal Devinder Pal Singh, Center for Entity, which pervades everywhere oora - ‘ਓ’) represents infinity ਬੇਅੰਤ੍ ( Understanding Sikhism for critical and in everything7,10 and the Laws of examination of the manuscript. page 26 IUSCANADA.COM January – December 2020, Vol. 22, No. 1

REFERENCES 4. Chahal, D. S. (2011) ੴ : The Nanak, Understanding Sikhism 1. AGGS (1983) Aad Guru Granth Unique Logo Understanding Res. J., 7 (2), p 17. Sahib (Amritsar, Punjab, India, Sikhism Res. J. , p. 18. http:// 9. Chahal, D. S. (2018 (Revised Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak www.iuscanada.com/journal/ Version)) JAP: The Essence of Committee). (M = Mahla, i.e., archives/2011/j1312p18.pdf Nanakian Philosophy (a scientific succession number of the Sikh 5. Singh, B. (1883) Faridkot Wala and Logical Interpretation) http:// Gurus to the House of Nanak, M Teeka. https:// iuscanada.com/books/2018/JAP- is replaced with the name of searchgurbani.com/ 2018-%20Final-filtered.html Bhagat/ Bhatt for their Bani, p = faridkot_wala_teeka 10. Chahal, D. S. (2019) PHILOSOPHY Page of the AGGS). 6. Omkareshwar Temple. https:// OF GURU NANAK IN THE EYES OF 2. Singh, V. (1984) Vaaran Bhai en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ A SCIENTIST, Understanding Gurdas Steek (Punjabi) (Hall Omkareshwar_Temple Sikhism Res, J, 21 (1), p 29. http:// Bazar, Amritsar, Khalsa 7. Chahal, D. S. (2002) A Unique iuscanada.com/journal/ Samachar). Concept of God in Nanakian archives/2019/j2101p29.pdf. 3. Nand, P. (1985) Ek - Aumkar, in: Philosophy, Understanding 11. Chahal, D. S. (2019) Cosmology Singh, P. (Ed.) Sikh Concept of Sikhism Res. J., 4 (2), p 5. According to Guru Nanak II, The Divine p. 32 (Amritsar, Guru 8. Chahal, D. S. (2005) Oankaar or Sikh Review, 66 (2), p 10. Nanak Dev University Press). Omkaar: The Misunderstood Word - Annotation by Guru

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