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Our Shabd Guru speaks on the issue of COUNTING & KEEPING COUNT.
Note: the Gurbani word for “counting” is “Ganntey” from the root ਗਿਣਤ Ginnet, or ਗਿਣਤੀ Ginnetti.
FIVE verses from our Shabd Guru.
ONE
॥ ਮ; ੪ ॥ ਗਣਤੈ ਸੇਵ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਕੀਤਾ ਥਾਇ ਨ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਸਬਦੈ ਸਾਦੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਸਚਿ ਨ ਲਗੋ ਭਾਉ ॥ SGGS 1246.
Mehla 4: Gantey Sev Na Hoveye Keeta Thaye Na Paye. Shabdey Saad Na Aiyo Sach Na Lago Bhao.
Meaning: Spirituality (Sev) does not get performed in keeping counts; such counting takes us no where (Thaye Na Paye). The essence of Shabd cannot be achieved (in such counting) and love for the Creator (Sach) cannot be inculcated (through keeping counts).
TWO
ਹਉਮੈ ਸਭਾ ਗਣਤ ਹੈ ਗਣਤੈ ਨਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਬਿਖੁ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵਣੀ ਬਿਖੁ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਹਿ ॥ SGGS 36.
Haumai Sabbha Ganat Hai Gantey Nao Sukh Nahey. Bikh Kee Kaar Kmavnee Bikh He Mahe Samaye.
Meaning: The practice of counting is an act in absolute (Sabbha) ego; there is no bliss (Sukh) and Virtue (Nao) in keeping count. It is an act that earns the poison (bikh) of ego and one ends up being immersed in the ego of it (Mahe Samaye).
THREE
ਤੂੰ ਗਣਤੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਸਚੇ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ ਪੜਿਆ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥ SGGS 140.
Tu Gantey Kinney Na Paiyo Sachey Alakh Apaara. Parihiya Moorakh Akhiyey Jis Labh Lobh Ahangkara.
Meaning: You cannot be realized through keeping counts/ counting O Creator; You are beyond measure and extent. Learned though - one is considered (Akkiyey) foolish should one indulge in acts (keeping counts) that inculcate ego and greed.
FOUR
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਗਣਤੈ ਘੁਸੀਐ ਦੁਖੇ ਦੁਖਿ ਵਿਹਾਇ ॥ SGGS 314
Satgur Kee Gantey Ghuseay Dukhey Dukh Vihaye.
Meaning: Indulging (Ghuseay) in keeping counts towards the Satguru is to end up being swept away (Vihaye) by spiritual sorrow.
FIVE
ਗਣਤੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਰਮੀਤਾ ॥ SGGS 510.
Gantey Prabhu Na Paiyeay Dujey Bharmeeta.
Meaning: The Creator is not attained by keeping counts; it (counting) takes one into the (dujey) realm of waywardness (Bharmeeta).
Sikhs are invited to decide if the Tsunami of Chanting will carry us on a tidal wave of Haumai, sweep us into the river of waywardness (Bharmeeta), and drown us in the ocean of spiritual foolishness.
Sikhs are invited to decide if they wish to “Ghussey” (Verse Four above) in practices rejected by our Shabad Guru – the Guru that is Enlightenment, the Guru that is the up-lifter of our minds; and the Guru that is liberating from the discarded and worthless rituals (chanting being one of them.
Reference: Sikhi Vichar Forum
Note: the Gurbani word for “counting” is “Ganntey” from the root ਗਿਣਤ Ginnet, or ਗਿਣਤੀ Ginnetti.
FIVE verses from our Shabd Guru.
ONE
॥ ਮ; ੪ ॥ ਗਣਤੈ ਸੇਵ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਕੀਤਾ ਥਾਇ ਨ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਸਬਦੈ ਸਾਦੁ ਨ ਆਇਓ ਸਚਿ ਨ ਲਗੋ ਭਾਉ ॥ SGGS 1246.
Mehla 4: Gantey Sev Na Hoveye Keeta Thaye Na Paye. Shabdey Saad Na Aiyo Sach Na Lago Bhao.
Meaning: Spirituality (Sev) does not get performed in keeping counts; such counting takes us no where (Thaye Na Paye). The essence of Shabd cannot be achieved (in such counting) and love for the Creator (Sach) cannot be inculcated (through keeping counts).
TWO
ਹਉਮੈ ਸਭਾ ਗਣਤ ਹੈ ਗਣਤੈ ਨਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਬਿਖੁ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵਣੀ ਬਿਖੁ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਹਿ ॥ SGGS 36.
Haumai Sabbha Ganat Hai Gantey Nao Sukh Nahey. Bikh Kee Kaar Kmavnee Bikh He Mahe Samaye.
Meaning: The practice of counting is an act in absolute (Sabbha) ego; there is no bliss (Sukh) and Virtue (Nao) in keeping count. It is an act that earns the poison (bikh) of ego and one ends up being immersed in the ego of it (Mahe Samaye).
THREE
ਤੂੰ ਗਣਤੈ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਸਚੇ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥ ਪੜਿਆ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਅਹੰਕਾਰਾ ॥ SGGS 140.
Tu Gantey Kinney Na Paiyo Sachey Alakh Apaara. Parihiya Moorakh Akhiyey Jis Labh Lobh Ahangkara.
Meaning: You cannot be realized through keeping counts/ counting O Creator; You are beyond measure and extent. Learned though - one is considered (Akkiyey) foolish should one indulge in acts (keeping counts) that inculcate ego and greed.
FOUR
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਗਣਤੈ ਘੁਸੀਐ ਦੁਖੇ ਦੁਖਿ ਵਿਹਾਇ ॥ SGGS 314
Satgur Kee Gantey Ghuseay Dukhey Dukh Vihaye.
Meaning: Indulging (Ghuseay) in keeping counts towards the Satguru is to end up being swept away (Vihaye) by spiritual sorrow.
FIVE
ਗਣਤੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਰਮੀਤਾ ॥ SGGS 510.
Gantey Prabhu Na Paiyeay Dujey Bharmeeta.
Meaning: The Creator is not attained by keeping counts; it (counting) takes one into the (dujey) realm of waywardness (Bharmeeta).
Sikhs are invited to decide if the Tsunami of Chanting will carry us on a tidal wave of Haumai, sweep us into the river of waywardness (Bharmeeta), and drown us in the ocean of spiritual foolishness.
Sikhs are invited to decide if they wish to “Ghussey” (Verse Four above) in practices rejected by our Shabad Guru – the Guru that is Enlightenment, the Guru that is the up-lifter of our minds; and the Guru that is liberating from the discarded and worthless rituals (chanting being one of them.
Reference: Sikhi Vichar Forum
