GURU NANAK ON SPIRITUAL GROWTH

ABSTRACT

Guru Nanak advises and teaches how to progress on the path of spirituality through Naam by giving the example of God in Siri Raag; being a farmer, who first prepares the soil by plowing, weeding out stones, etc, leveling, fertilizing and then throwing the seed of Naam rather throwing it on barren land in Siri Raag;

ਆਪਿ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ਨ ਭੁਲਈ ਸਚਾ ਵਡ ਕਿਰਸਾਣੁ ॥

ਪਹਿਲਾ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਾਧਿ ਕੈ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇ ਦਾਣੁ ॥

ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਉਪਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਏਕੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਵੈ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥੨॥॥

Āp sujāṇ na bẖul▫ī sacẖā vad kirsāṇ. Pahilā ḏẖarṯī sāḏẖ kai sacẖ nām ḏe ḏāṇ Na▫o niḏẖ upjai nām ek karam pavai nīsāṇ. 

The True God Itself knows all; makes no mistakes, and is the Great Farmer of the Universe. First, It prepares the ground and then plants the Seed of the True Name. The nine treasures are produced from the Name of God. By God’s Grace, we obtain Its Banner and Insignia. -----Guru Nanak Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 19-1

ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਧਰਤੀ ਬੀਜੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਕਰੋ ਸਲਿਲ ਆਪਾਉ ਸਾਰਿੰਗਪਾਣੀ ॥

ਮਨੁ ਕਿਰਸਾਣੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਿਦੈ ਜੰਮਾਇ ਲੈ ਇਉ ਪਾਵਸਿ ਪਦੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਣੀ ॥

Ih ṯan ḏẖarṯī bīj karmā karo salil āpā▫o sāringpāṇī. Man kirsāṇ har riḏai jammā▫e lai i▫o pāvas paḏ nirbāṇī.

Make this body the field, and plant the seed of good actions. Water it with the Name of the Immortal God, who holds the entire world in Its Hands. Let your mind be the farmer; the God shall sprout in your heart, and you shall attain the state of Nirvana (Emancipation).-----Guru Nanak, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 23-15

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Similarly, he further advises in Siri Raag, Raag Sorath and the last Pauri 38 of Japji to improve the personal moral character by subjugating the lower instincts of Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Vanity, Sorrow, Regret, Arrogance, Self-pity, Guilt, Resentment, Inferiority, Lies, Superiority, False Pride and Ego; and developing the higher virtues of Truth, Contentment, Compassion, Faith in the existence of God, Fortitude, Joy, Peace, Love, Hope, Serenity, Humility, Benevolence, Empathy, Generosity, which are equal to preparing the land by making the mind farmer before implanting the seed of Naam and watering it with devotional love;

ਅਮਲੁ ਕਰਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਬੀਜੁ ਸਬਦੋ ਕਰਿ ਸਚ ਕੀ ਆਬ ਨਿਤ ਦੇਹਿ ਪਾਣੀ ॥

ਹੋਇ ਕਿਰਸਾਣੁ ਈਮਾਨੁ ਜੰਮਾਇ ਲੈ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਦੋਜਕੁ ਮੂੜੇ ਏਵ ਜਾਣੀ॥

ਮਤੁ ਜਾਣ ਸਹਿ ਗਲੀ ਪਾਇਆ॥

ਮਾਲ ਕੈ ਮਾਣੈ ਰੂਪ ਕੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਇਤੁ ਬਿਧੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥

Amal kar ḏẖarṯī bīj sabḏo kar sacẖ kī āb niṯ ḏeh pāṇī, Ho¬ė kirsāṇ īmān jammā¬ė lai bẖisaṯ ḏojak mūṛė ėv jāṇī. Maṯ jāṇ sėh galī pā▫i▫ā. Māl kai māṇai rūp kī sobẖā iṯ biḏẖī janam gavā▫i▫ā.

Make good deeds the soil, and let the Word of the Sabd be the seed; irrigate it continually with the water of Truth. Become such a farmer, and faith will sprout, and know it to be heaven and hell, you fool! Do not think that your Husband Immortal God can be obtained by mere words. You are wasting this life in the pride of wealth and the splendor of beauty.-----Guru Nanak, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 24

ਮਨੁ ਹਾਲੀ ਕਿਰਸਾਣੀ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਰਮੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਤਨੁ ਖੇਤੁ ॥

ਨਾਮੁ ਬੀਜੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਗਾ ਰਖੁ ਗਰੀਬੀ ਵੇਸੁ ॥

ਭਾਉ ਕਰਮ ਕਰਿ ਜੰਮਸੀ ਸੇ ਘਰ ਭਾਗਠ ਦੇਖੁ ॥

ਬਾਬਾ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥

ਇਨਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਗੁ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋਇ ॥

ਹਾਣੁ ਹਟੁ ਕਰਿ ਆਰਜਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਵਥੁ ॥

ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸੋਚ ਕਰਿ ਭਾਂਡਸਾਲ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿਸ ਨੋ ਰਖੁ ॥

ਵਣਜਾਰਿਆ ਸਿਉ ਵਣਜੁ ਕਰਿ ਲੈ ਲਾਹਾ ਮਨ ਹਸੁ ॥

ਸੁਣਿ ਸਾਸਤ ਸਉਦਾਗਰੀ ਸਤੁ ਘੋੜੇ ਲੈ ਚਲੁ ॥

ਖਰਚੁ ਬੰਨੁ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਮਤੁ ਮਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਕਲੁ ॥

ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਕੈ ਦੇਸਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਤਾ ਸੁਖਿ ਲਹਹਿ ਮਹਲੁ ॥

ਲਾਇ ਚਿਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਚਾਕਰੀ ਮੰਨਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਕੰਮੁ ॥

ਬੰਨੁ ਬਦੀਆ ਕਰਿ ਧਾਵਣੀ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਆਖੈ ਧੰਨੁ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਵੇਖੈ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਚਵਗਣ ਵੰਨੁ ॥

Man hālī kirsāṇī karṇī saram pāṇī ṯan kẖėṯ.Nām bīj sanṯokẖ suhāgā rakẖ garībī vės.Bẖā­o karam kar jammsī sė gẖar bẖāgaṯẖ ḏėkẖ. Bābā mā­i­ā sāth na ho­ė.In mā­i­ā jag mohi­ā virlā būjẖai ko­ė. Rahā­o.Hāṇ hat kar ārjā sacẖ nām kar vath.Suraṯ socẖ kar bẖāʼndsāl ṯis vicẖ ṯis no rakẖ.vaṇjāri­ā si­o vaṇaj kar lai lāhā man has. Suṇ sāsaṯ sa­uḏāgrī saṯ gẖoṛė lai cẖal.Kẖaracẖ bann cẖang­ā­ī­ā maṯ man jāṇeh kal.Nirankār kai ḏės jāhi ṯā sukẖ laheh mahal. Lā­ė cẖiṯ kar cẖākrī man nām kar kamm.Bann baḏī­ā kar ḏẖāvṇī ṯā ko ākẖai ḏẖan.Nānak vėkẖai naḏar kar cẖaṛai cẖavgaṇ vann.

Make your mind the farmer, good deeds the farm, modesty the water, and your body the field. Let God’s Name be the seed, contentment the plow, and your humble dress the fence. Doing deeds of love, the seed shall sprout, and you shall see your home flourish. O Baba, the wealth of Maya does not go with anyone. This Maya has bewitched the world, but only a rare individual understands this. Make your ever-decreasing life your shop, and make Immortal God's Name your merchandise. Make understanding and contemplation your warehouse, and in that warehouse, store the God's Name. Deal with the It's dealers, earn your profits and rejoice in your mind. Let your trade be listening to scripture, and let Truth be the horses you take to sell. Gather up merits for your traveling expenses, and do not think of tomorrow in your mind. When you arrive in the land of the Formless Immortal god, you shall find peace in the Mansion of Its Presence. Let your service be the focusing of your consciousness, and let your occupation be placing the faith in the Naam. Let your work be restraint from sin; only then will people call you blessed. O Nanak, God shall look upon you with Its Glance of Grace, and you shall be blessed with honor four times over.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 596

Bhai Gurdas writes on this topic about a conversation between Guru Nanak and Hajian;

ਪੁਛਨਿ ਗਲ ਈਮਾਨ ਦੀ ਕਾਜੀ ਮੁਲਾਂ  ਇਕਠੇ ਹੋਈ ।
ਵਡਾ ਸਾਂਗ ਵਰਤਾਇਆ ਲਖਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੋਈ ।
ਪੁਛਨਿ  ਫੋਲਿ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਨੋ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਵਡਾ ਕਿ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨੋਈ ।
ਬਾਬਾ ਆਖੇ ਹਾਜੀਆ ਸੁਭਿ ਅਮਲਾ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਦੋਨੋ ਰੋਈ ।
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਦੁਇ ਦਰਗਹ ਔਦਰਿ ਲਹਨਿ ਨ ਢੋਈ ।
ਕਚਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਕੁਸੰਭ ਦਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਧੋਤੈ ਥਿਰੁ ਨ ਰਹੋਈ ।
ਕਰਨਿ ਬਖੀਲੀ ਆਪਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਹੀਮ ਕੁਥਾਇ ਖਲੋਈ ।
ਰਾਹਿ ਸੈਤਾਨੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਗੋਈ ।

Puchan Gal Emaan De Kaji Mullan Ikathay Hoee. Vadda Sang Vartaa-eia Lakh Na Sakai Koee. Puchan Foal Kitab No Hindu Vadda Ke Muslmanoee. Baba Aakhay Haajia Subh Amlaa Vajoh Dono Roee. Hindu Muslaman Douey Dargah Andar Lehan Na Dhoee. Kacha Rang Kusanbh Da PaaNi Dhotai Thir Na Rahoee. Karan Bakheeli Aap Vich Raam Rahim Kuthaey Khloee. Raaeh Saitaani Dunia Goee.

Qazis and Maulvis got together and began discussing religion. A great fantasy has been created and no one could understand its mystery. They asked Baba Nanak to open and search in his book whether Hindu is great or the Muslim. Baba replied to pilgrim Hajjis, that, without good deeds, both will have to weep and wail. Only by being a Hindu or a Muslim one cannot get accepted in the court of God. As the color of safflower is impermanent and is washed away in water, likewise the colors of religiosity are also temporary. In their exposition followers of both religions denounce Ram and Rahim. The whole world is following the way of Satan. ------Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 1, Pauri, 33

Guru Nanak summarizes his philosophy in the last Pauri # 38 of Japji:

ਜਤੁ ਪਾਹਾਰਾ ਧੀਰਜੁ ਸੁਨਿਆਰੁ ॥

ਅਹਰਣਿ ਮਤਿ ਵੇਦੁ ਹਥੀਆਰੁ ॥

ਭਉ ਖਲਾ ਅਗਨਿ ਤਪ ਤਾਉ ॥

ਭਾਂਡਾ ਭਾਉ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਤਿਤੁ ਢਾਲਿ ॥

ਘੜੀਐ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਚੀ ਟਕਸਾਲ ॥

ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਮੁ ਤਿਨ ਕਾਰ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥

Jaṯ pāhārā ḏẖīraj suni▫ār. Ahraṇ maṯ veḏ hathī▫ār. Bẖa▫o kẖalā agan ṯap ṯā▫o. Bẖāʼndā bẖā▫o amriṯ ṯiṯ dẖāl. Gẖaṛī▫ai sabaḏ sacẖī taksāl. Jin ka▫o naḏar karam ṯin kār. Nānak naḏrī naḏar nihāl.

Let your continence be the workshop, patience the goldsmith, awakened mind the anvil, spiritual wisdom the tools, God’s fear as the bellows, austerity the heat and fire; loving devotion the crucible, and forge the Immortal Essence of Nectar. In such a mint shape the Holy Word and this fulfillment come to those blessed with Divine Grace. Says Nanak: blessed are those who get the Divine gracious glance.-----Guru Nanak, Japji, Pauri # 38

ਕਿਰਸਾਣੀ ਕਿਰਸਾਣੁ ਕਰੇ ਲੋਚੈ ਜੀਉ ਲਾਇ ॥

ਹਲੁ ਜੋਤੈ ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪੁਤੁ ਧੀ ਖਾਇ ॥

ਤਿਉ ਹਰਿ ਜਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਕਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਛਡਾਇ ॥

Kirsāṇī kirsāṇ kare locẖai jī▫o lā▫e. Hal joṯai uḏam kare merā puṯ ḏẖī kẖā▫e. Ŧi▫o har jan har har jap kare har anṯ cẖẖadā▫e.

The farmers love to work their farms; they plow and work the fields, so that their sons and daughters may eat. In just the same way, God's humble servants chant the Eternal Name of the God, and in the end, God shall save them.-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Gauri Guareri, AGGS, Page, 166-7  

Conclusion:

Finally Guru Nanak describes the way of life in Raag Sarang:

ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੀਤ ॥

ਭੁਖੇ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਘਰੇ ਮਸੀਤਿ ॥

ਮਖਟੂ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਕੰਨ ਪੜਾਏ ॥

ਫਕਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਾਤਿ ਗਵਾਏ ॥

ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਸਦਾਏ ਮੰਗਣ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਤਾ ਕੈ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਲਗੀਐ ਪਾਇ ॥

ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥

Gi▫ān vihūṇā gāvai gīṯ. Bẖukẖe mulāʼn gẖare masīṯ. Makẖtū ho▫e kai kann paṛā▫e. Fakar kare hor jāṯ gavā▫e. Gur pīr saḏā▫e mangaṇ jā▫e. Ŧā kai mūl na lagī▫ai pā▫e. Gẖāl kẖā▫e kicẖẖ hathahu ḏe▫e. Nānak rāhu pacẖẖāṇėh se▫e.

The one who lacks spiritual wisdom sings religious songs. The hungry Mullah turns his home into a mosque. The lazy unemployed has his ears pierced to look like a Yogi. Someone else becomes a      panhandler, and loses his social status. One who calls himself a guru or a spiritual teacher, while he goes around begging- don't ever touch his feet. One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has, O Nanak, he knows the Path.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Sarang, AGGS, Page, 1245-19