harbhansj ji
The Sikh Missionary College in Ludhiana has written extensively that the Hindu imagery in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj should not be understood as "metaphors." Rather these are direct references, initially by Guru Nanak on his many travels, to people whom he observed conducting rituals to various Vedic gods and goddesses. When an entire Shabad is analyzed it is clear that he is addressing them directly and telling them that in spite of their worship and practice the only way to be liberated is through the Shabad Guru, attaching oneself to the Satguru. Later others of our Gurus adopted his images and continued his philosophy.
The idea that these various devta images are metaphors is wrong. For example,
Guru Nanak on Ang 1040/41 talks about the worship of Jagannatth, who is understood to be another name of narayan. his consort was Mahalaxmi. One line in the shabad seems to equate Jagannatth with The Lord of the universe, Akaal or Waheguru.
ਚੀਨਹੁ ਆਪੁ ਜਪਹੁ ਜਗਦੀਸਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਗੰਨਾਥੁ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਇਆ ॥੧੩॥
cheenahu aap japahu jagadheesar har jagannaathh man bhaaeiaa ||13||
Know yourself, and meditate on the Lord of the Universe; let your mind be pleased with the Lord, the Master of the Universe. ||13||
But Guru Nanak was inspired to say these words when he was literally preaching in Orissa. Knowing this and reading the entire shabad, it is clear that Guru Nanak is really rejecting the worship of Jagannath and saying assimilate this devotion into to something higher -- the true Guru who emancipates.
The reference to Jagannath, or to Rama in earlier lines, are not metaphors for the true Guru.
The lines that follow.
ਜੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡਿ ਖੰਡਿ ਸੋ ਜਾਣਹੁ ॥
jo brehamandd khandd so jaanahu ||
Know the One who pervades all the realms of the universe.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝਹੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਪਛਾਣਹੁ ॥
guramukh boojhahu sabadh pashhaanahu ||
As Gurmukh, understand and realize the Shabad.
ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਭੋਗੇ ਭੋਗਣਹਾਰਾ ਰਹੈ ਅਤੀਤੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ ॥੧੪॥
ghatt ghatt bhogae bhoganehaaraa rehai atheeth sabaaeiaa ||14||
The Enjoyer enjoys each and every heart, and yet He remains detached from all. ||14||
ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਬੋਲਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਸੂਚਾ ॥
guramath bolahu har jas soochaa ||
Through the Guru's Teachings, chant the Pure Praises of the Lord.
ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਆਖੀ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਊਚਾ ॥
guramath aakhee dhaekhahu oochaa ||
Through the Guru's Teachings, behold the lofty Lord with your eyes.
ਸ੍ਰਵਣੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਣੈ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੰਗਾਇਆ ॥੧੫॥੩॥੨੦॥
sravanee naam sunai har baanee naanak har rang rangaaeiaa ||15||3||20||
Whoever listens to the Lord's Name, and the Word of His Bani, O Nanak, is imbued with the color of the Lord's Love. ||15||3||20||
This is an important ine because it stresses the core of Guru Nanak's message. Whoever does not accept the teachings of Shabad Guru, and does not dwell upon the Lords' Name, is bound and bagged, and dragged into the City of Death.
ਜਿਸੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਮਤਿ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸੋ ਜਮ ਪੁਰਿ ਬੰਧਿ ਚਲਾਇਆ ॥੮॥
jis raam naam naahee math guramath so jam pur bandhh chalaaeiaa ||8||
Whoever does not accept the Guru's Teachings, and does not dwell upon the Lord's Name, is bound and bagged, and dragged into the City of Death. ||8||
