FUNCTION OF HUMAN BODY

ABSTRACT

We are spiritual beings having a human experience. The ultimate goal of a being is to learn, grow, and discover things about ourselves and spirituality. A life of ease probably is not a way to get there. Guru Nanak proclaimed that the purpose of human life is to earn merchandise/spiritual profit (ਖੇਪ) in this world to take along after death. This can only be accomplished in life through human conscience by spiritual progress in gaining Divine knowledge with final union of individual conscience with the Universal Conscience/God called liberation in a lay man’s language. Guru Nanak and Guru Arjan advise that with out understanding or use of the conscience one is like an animal:

ਜਹ ਜਹ ਦੇਖਉ ਤਹ ਤਹ ਸਾਚਾ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਝਗਰਤ ਜਗੁ ਕਾਚਾ ॥੪॥

ਗੁਰੁ ਸਮਝਾਵੈ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੋਈ ॥

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਈ ॥

ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਰਖਵਾਲੇ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਪਸੂ ਭਏ ਬੇਤਾਲੇ ॥

Jah jah ḏekẖ▫a▫u ṯah ṯah sācẖā.Bin būjẖe jẖagraṯ jag kācẖā. Gur samjẖāvai sojẖī ho▫ī. Gurmukẖ virlā būjẖai ko▫ī. Kar kirpā rākẖo rakẖvāle. Bin būjẖė pasū bẖa¬ė bėṯālė.

Wherever I look, there I find the True God. Without understanding, the world argues in falsehood. When the Guru instructs, understanding is obtained. How rare is that Guru willed who understands. Show Your Mercy, and save me, O Savior God! Without understanding, people become beasts and demons.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 224-9

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The conscience in the body experiences life and perceives acts, integrates and makes changes accordingly. On looking back over our lives, one has walked through many portals of intimidation, exciting or life threatening situations. Our inner fortitude and trust, the qualities of conscience, might have asked us to take these risks. Both of these are needed to follow the path of Divine Love guided by Divine Fear’s magnetic pull will land us on the spiritual path (ਮਾਰਗ) as described in AGGS. Love and devotion are necessary ingredients in life in our creative process which will make us move forward through this body towards spiritual growth by earning the required merchandize. The earned merchandise is gained by spiritual awakening or experience through the control of the mind obtained by the Grace of the Immortal God. The Grace is harnessed by:

1.      Recitation of the True Name, deliberation, reflection on the message in life with subjugation of lower instincts and development of virtues, leading to the evolvement of the character of the individual.

2.      Service of the humanity leads in earning the virtuous merchandise (Khyp/ਖੇਪ) by performing good deeds and self sacrifice. Such good acts of compassion leads to spiritual growth and is considered as service to the Creator Itself.

Guru Nanak and Kabir have considered human body and wealth as material things. The attachment of the spirit to the matter downgrades the spirit to the carnal, which can only be uplifted by spiritual progress through individual conscience. The following hymns of Sabd Guru clearly elucidate the value of human body:

ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਕਲਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਦੇਖੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨਾ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ॥

ਕੀਚਹਿ ਰਸ ਭੋਗ ਖੁਸੀਆ ਮਨ ਕੇਰੀ ॥

ਧਨੁ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਤਨੁ ਭਸਮੈ ਢੇਰੀ ॥

ਖਾਕੂ ਖਾਕੁ ਰਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਫੈਲੁ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਨਹੀ ਉਤਰੈ ਮੈਲੁ ॥

Tan Dhan Kalat Sabh Daykh Abhimaanaa, Bin Naavai Kichh Sang Na Jaanaa, Keecheh Ras Bhog Khusee-aa Man Kayree, Dhan LokaaN Tan Bhasmai Dhayree, Khaakoo Khaak Ralai Sabh Fail, Bin Sabdai Nahee Utrai Mail.

Gazing upon his body, wealth, wife and all his possessions, individual is proud. But without the Name of the Immortal God, nothing shall go along with him. He enjoys tastes, pleasures and joys in his mind. But his wealth will pass on to other people, and his body will be reduced to ashes. The entire expanse, like dust, shall mix with dust. Without the Word of the Sabd, his filth is not removed.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 832-2

ਮਨ ਤਨ ਧਨ ਤੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ॥

ਅੰਤਿ ਸਖਾਈ ਚਲਣਵਾਰਾ ॥

ਮੋਹ ਪਸਾਰ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਗਿ ਬੇਲੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੪॥

Man Tan Dhan Tay Naam Pi-aaraa, Ant Sakhaa-ee Chalanvaaraa. Moh pasār nahī sang belī bin har gur kin sukẖ pā▫i▫ā. 

The Name of God, is dearer to me than my mind, body and wealth. In the end, when I must depart, it shall be my only help and support. In this world of love and attachment, no one is anyone else's friend or companion; without the God, without the Guru, who has ever found peace? -----Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1042-19

ਇਸੁ ਤਨ ਧਨ ਕਾ ਕਹਹੁ ਗਰਬੁ ਕੈਸਾ ॥

ਬਿਨਸਤ ਬਾਰ ਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਬਵਰੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਗਰਬਿ ਖਪੈ ਜਗੁ ਐਸਾ ॥

Iss tan Dhan Kaa Kahhu Garab Kaisaa. Binsat Baar Na Laagai Bavray Ha-umai Garab Khapai Jag Aisaa.

Tell me - why are you so proud of your body and wealth? They shall vanish in an instant; O madman, this is how the world is wasting away, in egotism and pride.-----Guru Nanak Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1273-16

ਭਾਈ ਰੇ ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਾਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੋਇ ॥

Bẖā¬ī rė ṯan ḏẖan sāth na ho¬ė. Rām nām ḏẖan nirmalo gur ḏāṯ kare parabẖ so▫e.

O Siblings of Destiny, this body and wealth shall not go along with you. The God's Name is the pure wealth; through the Guru, God bestows this gift.-----Guru Nanak, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 62-18

ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਿ ਗਏ ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਕਲਤੁ ਨ ਸਾਥਿ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਧਨੁ ਬਾਦਿ ਹੈ ਭੂਲੋ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਆਥਿ ॥

ਸਾਚਉ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸੇਵੀਐ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਅਕਥੋ ਕਾਥਿ ॥

Mėrī mėrī kar ga¬ė ṯan ḏẖan kalaṯ na sāth. Bin nāvai ḏẖan bāḏ hai bẖūlo mārag āth. Sācẖa▫o sāhib sevī▫ai gurmukẖ aktho kāth.

Crying out, "Mine! Mine!” they have departed, but their bodies, their wealth, and their wives did not go with them. Without the Name, wealth is useless; deceived by wealth, they have lost their way. So serve the True God; become Guru willed, and speak the Unspoken.-----Guru Nanak, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 59-14

ਅਉਗਣੀ ਭਰਿਆ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਹੈ ਕਿਉ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗੁਣ ਵੇਹਾਝੀਅਹਿ ਮਲੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਢੈ ਧੋਇ ॥

ਸਚੁ ਵਣੰਜਹਿ ਰੰਗ ਸਿਉ ਸਚੁ ਸਉਦਾ ਹੋਇ ॥

ਤੋਟਾ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਲਾਹਾ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋਇ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨ ਸਚੁ ਵਣੰਜਿਆ ਜਿਨਾ ਧੁਰਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥

A-uganee Bhari-aa Sareer Hai Kiou Santahu Nirmal Ho-ay, Gurmukh GouN Vayhaajhee-ah Mal Ha-umai Kadhai Dho-ay, Sach VanaNjahi Rang Siou Sach Sa-udaa Ho-ay,Totaa Mool Na Aavee Laahaa Har Bhaavai So-ay, Nanak Tin Sach Vananji-aa Jinaa Dhur Likhi-aa Paraapat Ho-ay.

The body is full of mistakes and misdeeds; how can it become pure, O Saints? The Guru willed purchases virtues, which wash off the sin of egotism. True is the trade which purchases the True God with love. No loss will come from this, and the profit comes by the God's Will. O Nanak, they alone purchase the Truth, who is blessed with such pre-ordained destiny.-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 311

ਕਰਤੂਤਿ ਪਸੂ ਕੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਾਤਿ ॥

ਲੋਕ ਪਚਾਰਾ ਕਰੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ॥

ਛਪਸਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਕਛੁ ਕਰੈ ਛਪਾਇਆ ॥

ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਮਲੁ ਮਾਇਆ ॥

ਬਾਹਰਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨ ਇਸਨਾਨ ॥

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਲੋਭੁ ਸੁਆਨੁ ॥

Karṯūṯ pasū kī mānas jāṯ.. Lok pacẖārā karai ḏin rāṯ. Cẖẖapas nāhi kacẖẖ karai cẖẖapā▫i▫ā.  Bāhar bẖekẖ anṯar mal mā▫i▫ā. Bāhar gi▫ān ḏẖi▫ān isnān. Anṯar bi▫āpai lobẖ su▫ān.

They belong to the human species, but they act like animals. They curse others day and night. Outwardly, they wear religious robes, but within is the filth of Maya. They cannot conceal this, no matter how hard they try. Outwardly, they display knowledge, meditation and purification, but within clings the dog of greed.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 267-11

ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਕਲਤੁ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ॥

ਹੈਵਰ ਗੈਵਰ ਚਾਲਨਹਾਰ ॥

ਰਾਜ ਰੰਗ ਰੂਪ ਸਭਿ ਕੂਰ ॥

ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਇ ਜਾਸੀ ਧੂਰ ॥

Tan Dhan Kalat Mithi-aa Bisthaar, Haivar Gaivar Chaalanhaar, Raaj Rang Roop Sabh Koor. Naam Binaa Ho-ay Jaasee Dhoor.

Body, wealth, spouse and ostentatious displays are false. Horses and elephants will pass away. Power, pleasures and beauty are all false. Without the Naam, everything is reduced to dust.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 888-12

Guru Arjan explains the chronology and function of the body:

ਪੁਤਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਿਧਿ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਟੀ ॥

ਜਾਨੁ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਹੋਇਗੀ ਮਾਟੀ ॥

ਮੂਲੁ ਸਮਾਲਹੁ ਅਚੇਤ ਗਵਾਰਾ ॥

ਇਤਨੇ ਕਉ ਤੁਮ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕਿਆ ਗਰਬੇ ॥

ਤੀਨਿ ਸੇਰ ਕਾ ਦਿਹਾੜੀ ਮਿਹਮਾਨੁ ॥

ਅਵਰ ਵਸਤੁ ਤੁਝ ਪਾਹਿ ਅਮਾਨ ॥

ਬਿਸਟਾ ਅਸਤ ਰਕਤੁ ਪਰੇਟੇ ਚਾਮ ॥

ਇਸੁ ਊਪਰਿ ਲੇ ਰਾਖਿਓ ਗੁਮਾਨ ॥

ਏਕ ਵਸਤੁ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਤਾ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਪਾਕ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਬੂਝੇ ਤੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਨਾਪਾਕ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੁ ॥

ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਪਾਈਐ ਹਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸੁਜਾਨੁ ॥

Puṯrī ṯėrī biḏẖ kar thātī, Jān saṯ kar ho¬igī mātī, Mūl samālahu acẖėṯ gavārā. Iṯnė ka¬o ṯumĥ ki¬ā garbė, Ŧīn sėr kā ḏihāṛī mihmān. Avar vasaṯ ṯujẖ pāhi amān.  Bistā asaṯ rakaṯ parėtė cẖām. Is ūpar lė rākẖi¬o gumān. Ėk vasaṯ būjẖeh ṯā hoveh pāk. Bin būjẖė ṯūʼn saḏā nāpāk. Kaho Nānak gur ka¬o kurbān. Jis ṯė pā¬ī¬ai har purakẖ sujān.

The puppet human body is designed very carefully, which is going to last for few days only.  Why do you not realize the basic truth of the origin of this body and wasting your time in egoism? Your daily requirement is 3 kilos of food grains and other things are entrusted to you temporarily. All its constituents of bones, blood etc. wrapped up in skin will become dust after death i.e. the truth.  You are proud of this mass of filth in your human frame? This whole body is impure until and unless it understands God through Guru’s instructions with spiritual attainment and thus purifying it. Nanak is a sacrifice to the Guru through whose Grace I have attained the All-knowing Primal God.------Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 374

The human body after death is useless and one should make use of it during life, while the animal body is useful in ten different ways as expressed by Kabir in Raag Gond:

ਨਰੂ ਮਰੈ ਨਰੁ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥

ਪਸੂ ਮਰੈ ਦਸ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੈ ॥

Narū marai nar kām na āvai, Pasū marai ḏas kāj savārai.

When a man dies, he is of no use to anyone, but when an animal dies, it is used in ten ways.-----Kabir, Raag Gond, AGGS, Page, 870-5

ਚੋਆ ਚੰਦਨ ਮਰਦਨ ਅੰਗਾ ॥

ਸੋ ਤਨੁ ਜਲੈ ਕਾਠ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਾ ॥

ਇਸੁ ਤਨ ਧਨ ਕੀ ਕਵਨ ਬਡਾਈ ॥

ਧਰਨਿ ਪਰੈ ਉਰਵਾਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥

Cho-aa Chandan Mardan Angaa, So Tan Jalai Kaath Kai Sangaa, Is Tan Dhan Kee Kavan Badaa-ee, Dharan Parai Urvaar Na Jaa-ee.

You may anoint your limbs with sandalwood oil, but in the end, that body will be burned with the firewood. Why should anyone take pride in this body or wealth? They shall end up lying on the ground; they shall not go along with you to the world beyond.-----Kabir, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 326-12

ਜਿਹ ਸਿਰਿ ਰਚਿ ਰਚਿ ਬਾਧਤ ਪਾਗ ॥

ਸੋ ਸਿਰੁ ਚੁੰਚ ਸਵਾਰਹਿ ਕਾਗ ॥

ਇਸੁ ਤਨ ਧਨ ਕੋ ਕਿਆ ਗਰਬਈਆ ॥

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਾਹੇ ਨ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹ੍ਹੀਆ ॥

ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ॥

ਇਹੀ ਹਵਾਲ ਹੋਹਿਗੇ ਤੇਰੇ ॥

Jih Sir Rach Rach BaaDhat Paag, So Sir Chunch Savaareh Kaag. Iss Tan Dhan Ko Ki-aa Garab-ee-aa. Raam Naam Kaahay Na Darirh-ee-aa. Kahat Kabir Sunhu Man Mayray. Ihee Navaal Hohigay Tayray.

That head which was once embellished with the finest turban -upon that head, the crow now cleans his beak. What pride should we take in this body and wealth? Why not hold tight to the God's Name instead? Says Kabir, listen, O my mind: this may be your fate as well!-----Kabir, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 330-2

ਭਜਹੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਭੂਲਿ ਮਤ ਜਾਹੁ ॥

ਮਾਨਸ ਜਨਮ ਕਾ ਏਹੀ ਲਾਹੁ ॥

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਜਰਾ ਰੋਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਆਇਆ ॥

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਕਾਲਿ ਗ੍ਰਸੀ ਨਹੀ  ਕਾਇਆ ॥

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਬਿਕਲ ਭਈ ਨਹੀ ਬਾਨੀ ॥

ਭਜਿ ਲੇਹਿ ਰੇ ਮਨ ਸਾਰਿਗਪਾਨੀ ॥੨॥

Bhajo Gobind Bhool Mat Jaoh, Manus Janam Ka Ehi Laaoh. Jab lag jarā rog nahī ā▫i▫ā.Jab lag kāl garsī nahī kā▫i▫ā.Jab lag bikal bẖa▫ī nahī bānī.Bẖaj lehi re man sārigpānī. 

Vibrate, and meditate on the Creator of the Universe, and never forget It. This is the blessed opportunity of this human birth. As long as the disease of old age has not come to the body, and as long as death has not come and seized the body, and as long as your voice has not lost its power, O mortal being, vibrate and meditate on the God of the World. -----Kabir, Raag Bhairo, AGGS, Page 1159-8

Body after death:

ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਐਸਾ ਜੈਸੇ ਘਾਸ ਕੀ ਟਾਟੀ ॥

ਜਲਿ ਗਇਓ ਘਾਸੁ ਰਲਿ ਗਇਓ ਮਾਟੀ ॥

Ih ṯan aisā jaisė gẖās kī tātī, Jal ga¬i¬o gẖās ral ga¬i¬o mātī.

This body is like a house of straw. When it is burnt, it mixes with dust.-----Ravidas, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 794-5

ਹਾਡ ਜਲੇ ਜੈਸੇ ਲਕਰੀ ਕਾ ਤੂਲਾ ॥

ਕੇਸ ਜਲੇ ਜੈਸੇ ਘਾਸ ਕਾ ਪੂਲਾ ॥

Hād jalė jaisė lakrī kā ṯūlā. Kės jalė jaisė gẖās kā pūlā.

The bones burn, like a bundle of logs; his hair burns like a bale of hay.-----Kabir, Raag Gond, AGGS, Page, 870-7

Conclusion:

The function of the human body is to earn the profits of serenity during life by understanding and acting honestly and truthfully on the instructions of the Sabd Guru to attain spiritual progress. It is gained through the wisdom of consciousness provided for this purposes otherwise there is no difference between an animal and human body. After death as the light (conscience), part of the Universal light leaves it; the body is just a lump of flesh and becomes dust. It has served its purpose through conscience; becoming a better person by subjugating the lower animal instincts and development of higher instincts with attainment of union with God and should be respectfully disposed off in an efficient and hygienic mode.

ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥

ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥

Bẖa¬ī parāpaṯ mānukẖ ḏėhurī¬ā, Gobinḏ milaṇ kī ih ṯėrī barī¬ā.

This human body has been given to you. This is your chance to meet the Creator of the Universe.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 12-6