GURU-THE ENLIGHTENER

ABSTRACT

It is defined as the Teacher, who gives intellectual insight into spirituality. No one has progressed spiritually without the help of the Guru, who is a teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters. No one has progressed spiritually without the help of the Guru, who is a teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਵਣਿਆ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸਾਤਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਗੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਗੁਣੀ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥

Ha▫o vārī jī▫o vārī gur pūrā man vasāvaṇi▫ā. Gur ṯe sāṯ bẖagaṯ kare ḏin rāṯī guṇ kahi guṇī samāvaṇi▫ā.

I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to those who enshrine the Perfect Guru within their minds. From the Guru comes peace and tranquility; worship Him with devotion, day and night. Chanting His Glorious Praises, one merges into the God. -----Guru Amar Das, Raag Majh, AGGS, Page, 117-9,11

Sabd Guru is to help any individual, who so ever has a desire to progress spiritually? The relationship between Guru and the disciple has to be one to one and not through a third person. Its greatness lies in its universality and is all-inclusive. No rules or regulations are needed in this respect except righteousness and all interventions are crude and inappropriate by anyone including the Sikh hierarchy of corruption and ignorance. It is a treasure of truth containing prescriptions for growth in spirituality and how to become a better human.

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Discussion:

A question arises, could an individual become spiritually educated by bribing the Guru? We humans do have a habit to get the things made easy through corruption or buying it but it is not true in the spiritual world. It has to be an individual effort to learn directly from the Sabd Guru with understanding and actively following the message through living it. The rituals of “Akhand Path or even the path done by another person do not qualify the individual paying for to get any spiritual benefit from the ritual. It may give an individual satisfaction, by bribing the Guru for the fulfillment of the desire, which in turn may or may not be fulfilled. Therefore there is substantial variation between what religion says people should do and what they actually do. When it occurs, it results in doubt and duality.

ਬਿਖਿਆ ਕਦੇ ਹੀ ਰਜੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੂਰਖ ਭੁਖ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥

ਦੂਜੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਲਗਿ ਵਿਗੁਤਾ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੂਝ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥ 

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵੇ ਸੋ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਏ ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਰਜਾਈ ॥੨੦॥

Bikẖi▫ā kaḏe hī rajai nāhī mūrakẖ bẖukẖ na jā▫ī. Doojai Sabh Ko Laeg Vigutaa Bin Satgur Boojh Na Payee. Saṯgur seve so sukẖ pā▫e jis no kirpā kare rajā▫ī. 

No one is ever satisfied and fulfilled by evil and corruption. The hunger of the fool is not satisfied. Attached to duality, all are ruined; without the True Guru, there is no understanding. Those who serve the True Guru find peace; they are blessed with Grace by the Will of God.  -----Guru Nanak, Raag Parbhati, AGGS, Page, 1287-10

It is important to tell the simple, blunt truth than it is to say things that sound good. It is more important to react wisely to what is happening than to win any arguments. Being open and attentive is more effective than being judgmental. Whatever one achieves in life has always been helped by someone in their effort and in spiritual matters; It is “Sabd Guru”.

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਸੋਝੀ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ 

ਆਪੇ ਕਰੈ ਕਰਾਵੈ ਸੋਇ ॥੪॥ 

Bin gur sojẖī kisai na ho▫e.Āpe karai karāvai so▫e. ||4||

Without the Guru, no one understands. God Itself acts, and inspires all to act.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Parbhati, AGGS, Page, 1344-16, 17

ਕੁੰਭੇ ਬਧਾ ਜਲੁ ਰਹੈ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੁੰਭੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥

ਗਿਆਨ ਕਾ ਬਧਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੫॥

Kumbẖe baḏẖā jal rahai jal bin kumbẖ na ho▫e. Gi▫ān kā baḏẖā man rahai gur bin gi▫ān na ho▫e.

Water remains confined within the pitcher, but without water, the pitcher could not have been formed; just so, the mind is restrained by spiritual wisdom, but without the Guru, there is no spiritual wisdom.  -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 469-17

ਪੰਡਿਤ ਪੜਹਿ ਵਖਾਣਹਿ ਵੇਦੁ ॥

ਅੰਤਰਿ ਵਸਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਭੇਦੁ ॥

ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਸੋਝੀ ਬੂਝ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ 

ਸਾਚਾ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੪

Pandiṯ paṛėh vakāṇėh veḏ.Anṯar vasaṯ na jāṇėh bẖeḏ.Gur bin sojẖī būjẖ na ho▫e.Sācẖā rav rahi▫ā parabẖ so▫e. 

The Pundit reads and expounds on the Vedas (Hindu Scriptures), but he does not know the secret of the thing within himself. Without the Guru, understanding, and realization are not obtained; but still, God is True, pervading everywhere.  -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 355-14

But how does the inspiration come, it does through the blessing of Its Grace. Then how the Grace is blessed; it happens as a result of service to the Guru. Selfless service of humanity is the service of Guru and brings contentment leading to Its Grace. God serves those who serve God. Spiritual progress comes from knowing how to be lowly, empty, receptive, and of service. For selfless service; three qualities of simplicity, equality, and compassion are invaluable. Reflect the teaching in living it, but be still and feel the spiritual experience.

ਸੇਵ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਈਂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਸਚੋ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥ 

 ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਮੰਦੈ ਪੈਰੁ ਨ ਰਖਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥

ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਤੋੜੇ ਬੰਧਨਾ ਅੰਨੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਥੋੜਾ ਖਾਇਆ ॥ 

  ਤੂੰ ਬਖਸੀਸੀ ਅਗਲਾ ਨਿਤ ਦੇਵਹਿ ਚੜਹਿ ਸਵਾਇਆ ॥

ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵਡਾ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੭॥

Sev kīṯī sanṯokẖī▫īʼn jinĥī sacẖo sacẖ ḏẖi▫ā▫i▫ā.Onĥī manḏai pair na rakẖi▫o kar sukariṯ ḏẖaram kamā▫i▫ā.Onĥī ḏunī▫ā ṯoṛe banḏẖnā ann pāṇī thoṛā kẖā▫i▫ā.Ŧūʼn bakẖsīsī aglā niṯ ḏevėh cẖaṛėh savā▫i▫ā.vadi▫ā▫ī vadā pā▫i▫ā. 

Those who serve our content. They meditate on the Truest of the True. They do not place their feet in sin, but do good deeds and live righteously in Dharma. They burn away the bonds of the world and eat a simple diet of grain and water. You are the Great Forgiver; You give continually, more and more each day. His greatness, the Great God is obtained. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 466-19

Sabd Guru is a treasure to help humanity and to find their own success in spiritual growth through reflection with understanding the facts written in it. It teaches people to let go of their superficial mental chatter and obsessions. To let go of in order to achieve should be the motto. It is not very holy to point out how holy you are. All these behaviors come from insecurity and security comes from Guru.

ਜੇ ਸਉ ਚੰਦਾ ਉਗਵਹਿ ਸੂਰਜ ਚੜਹਿ ਹਜਾਰ ॥ 

 ਏਤੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਹੋਦਿਆਂ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ  ਘੋਰ ਅੰਧਾਰ ॥੨॥ 

Je sa▫o cẖanḏā ugvahi sūraj cẖaṛėh hajār.Ėṯe cẖānaṇ hiḏi▫āʼn gur bin gẖor anḏẖār. 

If a hundred moons were to rise, and a thousand suns appeared, even with such light, there would still be pitch darkness without the Guru. -----Guru Angad, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 463-1

  There is a lot of pertinent hymns about the subject in AGGS and some are referred here:

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਤੇ ॥ 

ਤਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਗਤੇ ॥੧੯॥

Bin gur kinai na pā▫i▫o har nām har saṯe.Ŧaṯ gi▫ān vīcẖāri▫ā har jap har gaṯe. 

Without the Guru, no one finds the Naam, the Name of the True God. One who contemplates the essence of spiritual wisdom and meditates on God is saved.  -----Guru Amar Das, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1093-7

ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਹੈ ਮਰਤਾ ਤਿਉ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੫॥

ਜਿਉ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੋਭ ਕਰੇ ਜਲੁ ਬਰਸੈ ਤਿਉ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਬਿਗਸਾਈ ॥੧੬॥ 

Ji▫o parāṇī jal bin hai marṯā ṯi▫o sikẖ gur bin mar jā▫ī. Ji▫o ḏẖarṯī sobẖ kare jal barsai ṯi▫o sikẖ gur mil bigsā▫ī. 

Just as the mortal dies without water, so does the Sikh die without the Guru.  Just as the earth looks beautiful when the rain falls, so does the Sikh blossom forth meeting the Guru. -----Guru Ram Das, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 757-15 - 758-16

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਤ ਕਪਟੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਹਿਰਦਾ ਸੁਧੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ 

ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਕਰਮ ਕਰਹਿ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ਸੁਪਨੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥

ਗਿਆਨੀ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ 

ਕੋਰੈ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਚੜੈ ਜੇ ਲੋਚੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਜਪੁ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਵਰਤ ਕਰੇ ਪੂਜਾ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥

 ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰੋਗੁ ਮਹਾ ਅਭਿਮਾਨਾ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਖੁਆਈ ॥੨॥

ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭੇਖ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਮਨੂਆ ਦਹ ਦਿਸਿ ਧਾਵੈ ॥

ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਆਪਿਆ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਚੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੂਨੀ ਆਵੈ ॥੩॥ 

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਸੋ ਬੂਝੈ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਏ ॥|| 

ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਏਕੋ ਬੂਝੈ ਏਕਸੁ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਏ ॥੪॥੪॥

Har har karahi niṯ kapat kamāvėh hirḏā suḏẖ na ho▫ī.An▫ḏin karam karahi bahuṯere supnai sukẖ na ho▫ī. ||1||Gi▫ānī gur bin bẖagaṯ na ho▫ī.Korai rang kaḏe na cẖaṛai je locẖai sabẖ ko▫ī. rahā▫o.Jap ṯap sanjam varaṯ kare pūjā manmukẖ rog na jā▫ī.Anṯar rog mahā abẖimānā ḏūjai bẖā▫e kẖu▫ā▫ī. Bāhar bẖekẖ bahuṯ cẖaṯurā▫ī manū▫ā ḏah ḏis ḏẖāvai.Ha▫umai bi▫āpi▫ā sabaḏ na cẖīnĥai fir fir jūnī āvai..Nānak naḏar kare so būjẖai so jan nām ḏẖi▫ā▫e.Gur parsādī eko būjẖai ekas māhi samā▫e. 

One who chants the Name of God, Waheguru while constantly practicing deception, shall never become pure of heart. He may perform all sorts of rituals, night and day, but he shall not find peace, even in dreams.  O wise ones, without the Guru, there is no devotional worship. The untreated cloth does not take up the dye, no matter how much everyone may wish it. The self-willed may perform chants, meditations, austere self-discipline, fasts, and devotional worship, but his sickness does not go away. Deep within him is the sickness of excessive egotism; in the love of duality, he is ruined. Outwardly, he wears religious robes and he is very clever, but his mind wanders in the ten directions. Engrossed in ego, he does not remember the Word of the Sabd; over and over again, he is reincarnated. O Nanak, that mortal who is blessed with God's Glance of Grace, understands Him; that humble servant meditates on the Naam, the Name of God. By Guru's Grace, he understands the one God and is absorbed into One God. -----Guru Ram Das, Raag Suhi, AGGS, Page, 732-7

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਕੈਸੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਪੇਖੇ ਕਹੁ ਕੈਸੋ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥

Bin gur ḏīkẖi▫ā kaise gi▫ān.Bin pekẖe kaho kaiso ḏẖi▫ān.

Without the Guru's Teachings, how can anyone obtain spiritual wisdom? Without seeing tell me: how can anyone visualize in meditation?-----Guru Arjun, Raag Bhairo, AGGS, Page, 1140-14,15

Conclusion:

The absolute Principle behind all creation teaches us that true benefit blesses everyone and diminishes no one when an honest effort is put in. The Guru knows that the reward for doing the work arises naturally out of work. Someone prayed to God to grant him patience and the reply was that it is not granted but learned. Sharing success in spiritual progress with others is contagious in finding their own success with individual effort. One should practice a way of life with conscious cooperation with the teachings so that individual behavior is wholesome and effective. If it works, you influence others, which ripple outward from you.

ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਰਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥
ਸਚ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਖੀ ਮੂਲੋ ਨ ਬਾਕੀ ॥

Gur bin gi▫ān ḏẖaram bin ḏẖi▫ān. Sacẖ bin sākẖī mūlo na bākī.

Without the Guru, there is no spiritual wisdom; without Dharma (Righteousness), there is no meditation. Without Truth, there is no credit; without capital, there is no balance.-----Guru Nanak, Sloke Varan To Vadheek, AGGS, Page, 1412-5

ਜੋ ਹਮਰੀ ਬਿਧਿ ਹੋਤੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਾ ਸਾ ਬਿਧਿ ਤੁਮ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਆਪੇ ॥
ਹਮ ਰੁਲਤੇ ਫਿਰਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਬਾਤ ਨ ਪੂਛਤਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਕੀਰੇ ਹਮ ਥਾਪੇ ॥
ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨ ਕੇਰਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਮਿਲਿਐ ਚੂਕੇ ਸਭਿ ਸੋਗ ਸੰਤਾਪੇ ॥

Jo hamrī biḏẖ hoṯī mere saṯigurā sā biḏẖ ṯum har jāṇhu āpe. Ham rulṯe firṯe ko▫ī bāṯ na pūcẖẖ▫ṯā gur saṯgur sang kīre ham thāpe. Ḏẖan ḏẖan gurū Nānak jan kerā jiṯ mili▫ai cẖūke sabẖ sog sanṯāpe.

My condition, O my True Guru - that condition, O God, is known only to You. I was rolling around in the dirt, and no one cared for me at all. In the Company of the Guru, the True Guru, I, the worm, have been raised up and exalted. Blessed, blessed is the Guru of servant Nanak; meeting Him, all my sorrows and troubles have come to an end. -----Guru Ram Das, Raag Gauri Bairagan, AGGS, Page, 167-10

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਦੀਖਿਆ ਕੈਸੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥

ਬਿਨੁ ਪੇਖੇ ਕਹੁ ਕੈਸੋ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥

Bin gur ḏīkẖi▫ā kaise gi▫ān.Bin pekẖe kaho kaiso ḏẖi▫ān.

Without the Guru's Teachings, how can anyone obtain spiritual wisdom? Without seeing - tell me: how can anyone visualize in meditation?-----Guru Arjun, Raag Devgandhari, AGGS, Page, 532-11,12