OBLIGATIONS OF A SIKH TO THE GURU
ABSTRACT
A Sikh is one who follows the teachings of Sabd Guru in thought, word, deed, and spirit as a way of life. He/she needs to delibrate, with contemplation, and reflection on the teachings willingly, and truth fully with rigorous honesty. Equality of all human beings is one of the cardinal principle of Sikh Faith.
ਜੋ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਏਕ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮੋਈ ਜੀਉ ॥
Jo Antar So Baahar Daykhhu Avar Na Doojaa Ko-ee Jee-o, Gurmukh Ayk Darisat Kar Daykhhu Ghat Ghat Jot Samo-ee Jee-o.
Akal Purkh is within - see It outside as well; there is no other than The Creator. As Guru willed,
look upon all with the single eye of equality as Divine Light is contained in each and every heart. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 599-2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sabd Guru is the present Guru of Sikhs as ordered by Guru Gobind Singh. The teachings in AGGS revolve around Akal Purkh’s Grace to be blessed on the Guru willed as a way to salvation.
ਸਿਖੀ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਲਘਾਏ ਪਾਰਿ ॥
Sikhee Sikhiaa Gur Veechaar, Nadree Karam Laghaa-ay paar.
Reflecting on Guru’s teachings is the path for a disciple. Granting the Grace, Akal Purkh carries the servants across. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 465-10 & 11
Reflection on the teachings in daily life is called Veechar. The word Veechar – ਵੀਚਾਰੁ/ਬੀਚਾਰ – appears in Sabd Guru many times in one form or another. Mahan Kosh describes it as ਵਿਚਾਰ, ਖਿਆਲ (2) ਚਿੰਤਨ, ਸੋਚ ਵਿਚਾਰ (3) ਭਾਵ ਸਮਝ, ਸੂਝ (4) ਭਾਵ ਗਿਆਨ (5) ਭਾਵ ਬਿਆਨ, ਕਥਨ (6) ਸੋਚ, ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰ. This is translated in English as intuitive understanding, contemplation and dwelling upon the philosophical studies. It involves reflecting on the Sabd, the True Word, and the real Truth. Most faiths practice their faith quite different than what is written in their sacred scriptures. Guru Ramdas ponders on the ways to understand the real meaning or essence of reality, in Raag Dhanasari, as follows:
ਸੇਵਕ ਸਿਖ ਪੂਜਣ ਸਭਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਊਤਮ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ਗਾਵਿਆ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਵੈ ਜਿਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੀ ॥ ਬੋਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਭਵਜਲ ਤੀਰਥਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਿ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਊਤਮ ਬਾਤ ਹੈ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਜਿਨ ਜਨਹੁ ਜਾਨੀ ॥
Sayvak Sikh PoojaN Sabh Aaveh Sabh Gaaveh Har Har Ootam Baanee, Gaave-aa SuNe-aa Tin Ka Har Thaa-ey Paavai Jin Sat Gur Ki Aage-aa Sat Sat Kar Maanee, Bolhu Bhaa-ee Har Keerat Har Bhavjal Tirath, Har Dar Tin Kee Ootam Baat Hai Santahu Har Kathaa Jin Janhu Jaanee.
All the disciples and servants come to worship and adore You; they sing the sublime Bani of the Akal Purkh and Master. Their singing and listening is approved by the It; they accept the Order of the True Guru as True, totally True. Chant the It's Praises, O Siblings of Destiny; the Akal Purkh is the sacred shrine of pilgrimage in this terrifying world-ocean. They alone are praised in Its Court, O Saints, who know and understand the God's sermon. -----Guru Ramdas, Raag Dhanasari, AGGS, Page, 669-14 & 15
Guru Amardas points on the subject in Raag Vadhans and Siri Raag;
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਜੇਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਚੁਕਈ ਨਾਮਿ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
Satgur No Sabh Ko Vaykhda Jayta Jagat Sansaar, Dithai Mukat Na Hova-ee Jichar Sabd Na Karay Veechaar, Ha-umai Mail Na Chuk-ee Naam Na Lagai Pi-aar.
All the living beings of the world behold the True Guru. One is not liberated by merely seeing Him, unless one contemplates the Word of His Sabd. Without it the filth of ego is not removed, and he does not enshrine love for the Naam. -----Guru Amardas, Raag Vadhans, AGGS, Page, 594-11
For full article, please find in the archives of the Forum or paste the subject on Google search.
Cordially,
Virinder
