LOAK/ਲੋਕ AND PARLOAK/ਪਰਲੋਕ

ABSTRACT 

IMHO Loak/ਲੋਕ means people or this world and Parloak/ਪਰਲੋਕ means next world or heaven. The Sikh Gurus denied that beyond this earth, somewhere else in the universe, there existed any particular places known as Parloak/ heaven, with the earthly kind of comforts like air-conditioned bungalows, free flow of wine, women, meats, and slaves etc or a hell with drums of burning oil to which our souls were headed. The reason most of us believe in religion is that after death we want to get admission to heaven and are frightened of being thrown into hell. The goal of human life is not qualifying for admission in a non-existent heaven or being scared of a mythological hell but to become a better God fearing person. Hell and heaven are right here. Loss of contact with one’s conscious, the sense of justice, truth, and fair play is hell, while being one with God is heaven.

                            ਮੁਕਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਸਾਧ ਕੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਜਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਧਾਮ ॥੧॥

ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਥਾਤੀ ਕੋਟਿ ਸੂਖ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥

ਗੋਬਿੰਦੁ ਦਮੋਦਰ ਸਿਮਰਉ ਦਿਨ ਰੈਨਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ॥੨॥੧੭॥੪੮॥

Mukat Bakunth Sadh Ki Sangat, Jan Payeou Har Ka Dhaam. Cẖaran kamal har jan kī thāṯī kot sūkẖ bisrām.Gobinḏ ḏamoḏar simra▫o ḏin rain Nānak saḏ kurbān. ||2||17||48

The salvation and heaven are there in holy congregation; where the man of God abides in the Abode of the God. God's lotus feet are the treasure of His humble servant; in them, he finds millions of pleasures and comforts. He remembers God in meditation, day and night; Nanak is forever a sacrifice to him. ||2||17||48||-----Guru Arjan, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page 682-10

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Sikh philosophy does not believe in heaven after death but emphasizes to become a better human being and enjoy the God’s Word in the company of good & holy people. While living, one should aim to realize the God vibrating everywhere (Mother Nature) in the universe and in every living being. Living according to the Will of the God and singing Its virtues during the earthly life is living in Heaven.
                                      ਸੰਗਤਿ ਕਾ ਗੁਨ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਅਧਿਕਾਈ ਪੜਿ ਸੂਆ ਗਨਕ ਉਧਾਰੇ ॥

ਪਰਸ ਨਪਰਸ ਭਏ ਕੁਬਿਜਾ ਕਉ ਲੈ ਬੈਕੁੰਠਿ ਸਿਧਾਰੇ ॥੧॥

ਅਜਾਮਲ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਪ੍ਰਤਿ ਕੀਨੀ ਕਰਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਬੋਲਾਰੇ ॥

ਮੇਰੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਇ ਭਾਵਨੀ ਜਮਕੰਕਰ ਮਾਰਿ ਬਿਦਾਰੇ ॥੨॥
Sangaṯ kā gun bahuṯ aḏẖikā▫ī paṛ sū▫ā ganak uḏẖāre.Paras napras bẖa▫e kubijā ka▫o lai baikunṯẖ siḏẖāre. ||1||Ajāmal parīṯ puṯar paraṯ kīnī kar nārā▫iṇ bolāre.Mere ṯẖākur kai man bẖā▫e bẖāvnī jamkankar mār biḏāre. ||2||

The virtues of the Holy Congregation, are so very great. Even Ganka, the prostitute was saved, by teaching the parrot to speak the God's Name. Krishna was pleased, and so he touched the hunch-back Kubija, and she was transported to the heavens. ||1|| Ajaamal loved his son Narayan, and called out his name. His loving devotion pleased God, who struck down and drove off the Messengers of Death. ||2||-----Guru Ram Das, Raag Nut, AGGS, Page, 981-14

ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਜਹ ਸਾਧ ਪਗ ਧਰਹਿ ॥

ਤਹ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੁ ਜਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਚਰਹਿ ॥

ਸਰਬ ਅਨੰਦ ਜਬ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥

ਰਾਮ ਗੁਣਾ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਹਰਿ ਗਾਈਐ ॥੩॥

Aṯẖsaṯẖ ṯirath jah sāḏẖ pag ḏẖarėh. Ŧah baikunṯẖ jah nām ucẖrahi. Sarab anand jab ḏarsan pā▫ī▫ai.Rām guṇā niṯ niṯ har gā▫ī▫ai. ||3||

Wherever the saint puts his feet, there are 68 pilgrim stations, It is heaven, where God’s Name is uttered. All bliss comes, when one sees the Blessed Vision of the God. I sing continuously & daily, the Glorious Praises of God. ||3||-----Guru Arjan Raag Ram kali, AGGS, Page 890-14

ਰੇ ਮਨ ਓਟ ਲੇਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ॥

ਜਾ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਨਾਸੈ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਪਦੁ ਨਿਰਬਾਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਬਡਭਾਗੀ ਤਿਹ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵੈ ॥   

ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਪਾਪ ਖੋਇ ਕੈ ਫੁਨਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠਿ ਸਿਧਾਵੈ ॥੧॥

Re man ot leho har nāmā.Jā kai simran ḏurmaṯ nāsai pāvahi paḏ nirbānā. ||1|| rahā▫o.Badbẖāgī ṯih jan ka▫o jānhu jo har ke gun Gaavai.Janam janam ke pāp kẖo▫e kai fun baikunṯẖ siḏẖāvai. ||1||

O mind, take the sheltering support of the God's Name. Remembering Him in meditation, evil-mindedness is dispelled, and the state of salvation is obtained. ||1||Pause|| Know that one who sings the Glorious Praises of the God is very fortunate. The sins of countless incarnations are washed off, and he attains the heavenly realm. ||1||-----Guru Tegh Bahadur, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, page 901

Bhagat Kabir clearly states that for a man of God Heaven is the place in Holy congregation, where the name and praises of God are sung.

ਜੋ ਜਨ ਪਰਮਿਤਿ ਪਰਮਨੁ ਜਾਨਾ ॥

ਬਾਤਨ ਹੀ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਸਮਾਨਾ ॥

ਨਾ ਜਾਨਾ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਕਹਾ ਹੀ ॥

ਜਾਨੁ ਜਾਨੁ ਸਭਿ ਕਹਹਿ ਤਹਾ ਹੀ ॥

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਮਨਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਕੀ ਆਸ ॥

ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਹੋਇ ਨਹੀ ਚਰਨ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹ ਕਹੀਐ ਕਾਹਿ ॥

ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੈ ਆਹਿ ॥

Jo jan parmiṯ parman jānā, Bāṯan hī baikunṯẖ samānā, Nā jānā baikunṯẖ kahā hī, Jān jān sabẖ kaheh ṯahā hī, Jab lag man baikunṯẖ kī ās, Kaho Kabīr ih kahī¬ai kāhi, Sāḏẖsangaṯ baikunṯẖė āhi.

That mortal who claims to know the Infinite God, is beyond measure and beyond thought. By mere words, he plans to enter heaven. I do not know where heaven is. Everyone claims that he plans to go there. As long as the mind is filled with the desire for heaven, he does not dwell at God's Feet. Says Kabir, unto whom should I tell this? The Company of the Holy is heaven.-----Kabir, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 325

ਸਭੁ ਕੋਈ ਚਲਨ ਕਹਤ ਹੈ ਊਹਾਂ ॥

ਨਾ ਜਾਨਉ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੁ ਹੈ ਕਹਾਂ ॥

ਆਪ ਆਪ ਕਾ ਮਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਾਂ ॥

ਬਾਤਨ ਹੀ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੁ ਬਖਾਨਾਂ ॥

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਮਨ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਕੀ ਆਸ ॥

ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਚਰਨ ਨਿਵਾਸ ॥

ਖਾਈ ਕੋਟੁ ਨ ਪਰਲ ਪਗਾਰਾ ॥

ਨਾ ਜਾਨਉ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਦੁਆਰਾ ॥

ਕਹਿ ਕਮੀਰ  ਅਬ ਕਹੀਆ  ਕਾਹਿ ॥

ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੈ ਆਹਿ ॥

Sabẖ ko¬ī cẖalan kahaṯ hai ūhāʼn, Nā jān¬o baikunṯẖ hai kahāʼn, Āp āp kā maram na jānāʼn, Bāṯan hī baikunṯẖ bakẖānāʼn, Jab lag man baikunṯẖ kī ās, Ŧab lag nāhī cẖaran nivās. Kẖā¬ī kot na paral pagārā, Nā jān¬o baikunṯẖ ḏu¬ārā“Keh Kamir Ub Kaheyai Kaaeh, Sadh Sangat Baikunth Aaeh.

Everyone speaks of going there. But I do not even know where heaven is. One who does not even know the mystery of his own self? He speaks of heaven, but it is mere talk. As long as the mortal hopes for heaven, he will not dwell at the God's Feet. Heaven is not a fort with moats and ramparts, and walls plastered with mud. I do not know what heaven's gate is like. Says Kabir, now what more can I say? The Company of the Holy is heaven itself.-----Kabir, Raag Bhairo, AGGS, Page, 1161-10, 12,13

ਸੁਰਗ ਬਾਸੁ ਨ ਬਾਛਇਐ ਡਰੀਐ ਨ ਨਰਕਿ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥

ਹੋਨਾ ਹੈ ਸੋ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਮਨਹਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ਆਸ ॥

Surg Baas Na Bacheyai Darai Na Narik Nivaas, Hona Hai So Hoyee Hai Maneh Na Keejai Aas.

Don't wish for a home in heaven, and don't be afraid to live in hell. Whatever shall be will be?  So don't let your hopes go up too high in your mind.-----Kabir, Gauri Poorbi, AGGS, Page, 337-10

ਨਿੰਦਾ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਬੈਕੁੰਠਿ ਜਾਈਐ ॥

ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਮਨਹਿ ਬਸਾਈਐ ॥

Ninḏā ho¬ė ṯa baikunṯẖ jā¬ī¬ai, Nām paḏārath maneh basā¬ī¬ai.

If I am slandered, I go to heaven; because wealth of the Name of God, abides within my mind.-----Kabir, Gauri, AGGS, Page, 339-3

ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਹੋਇ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥

ਜਾਹਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠਿ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥

ਨਿਰਭਉ ਕੈ ਘਰਿ ਬਜਾਵਹਿ ਤੂਰ ॥

ਅਨਹਦ ਬਜਹਿ ਸਦਾ ਭਰਪੂਰ ॥੧॥

Jih simran ho▫e mukaṯ ḏu▫ār.Jāhi baikunṯẖ nahī sansār.Nirbẖa▫o kai gẖar bajāvėh ṯūr.Anhaḏ bajėh saḏā bẖarpūr. ||1||

Remembering God in meditation, the door of liberation is found. You shall go to heaven, and not return to this earth. In the home of the Fearless God, the celestial trumpets resound. The unstruck sound current will vibrate and resonate forever. ||1||-----Kabir. Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 971

ਭਨਤਿ ਨਾਮਦੇਉ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੁਮਤਿ ਭਏ ॥

ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਕਹਿ ਕੋ ਕੋ ਨ ਬੈਕੁੰਠਿ ਗਏ ॥੨॥
Bẖanaṯ nāmḏe▫o sukariṯ sumaṯ bẖa▫e.Gurmaṯ rām kahi ko ko na baikunṯẖ ga▫e. ||2||

Prays Namdev, I have become a man of good deeds and good thoughts. Chanting the God's Name, under Guru's Instructions, who has not gone to heaven? ||2||2||------Namdev, Raag Todi, AGGS, page, 718

Conclusion:

Hell and heaven are right here on this earth, depending upon how one is leading his life.  Once someone is on the spiritual path and the veil of illusion of the lower self is lifted through God’s Grace, and one visualizes the Higher Self, life on earth becomes a life in heaven.  Divine Knowledge makes this possible with the eradication of doubt and duality.  Harmonies of heaven resound in one’s divine nature.  Otherwise one lives in hell, detached from God’s name hidden by the veil of illusion of lower instincts.