Dear All,
Q. Can God/Guru be disrespected by any one or by not covering the head?
A. No- Bot God is omnipresent in the Higher Self of the individual veiled by lower self, which is Haoumai. Removal it with humility one can have a vision of It.
Guru Nanak in Raag Asa and Kabir in Raag Gauri answer;
ਜੇ ਸਭਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਕੈ ਆਖਣ ਪਾਹਿ ॥ ਵਡਾ ਨ ਹੋਵੈ ਘਾਟਿ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
Je sabẖ mil kai ākẖaṇ pāhi. vadā na hovai gẖāt na jā▫e.
Even if they all meet together and recount the Naam, Akal Purkh or Guru would not be made any greater or lesser. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 9,-18 & 349-9
ਨਾ ਓਹੁ ਬਢੈ ਨ ਘਟਤਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਅਕੁਲ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਏਕੈ ਭਾਇ ॥
Nā oh badẖai na gẖatṯā jā¬ė, Akul niranjan ėkai bẖā¬ė.
God does not increase or decrease, and is unknowable and immaculate; It does not change. -----Kabir, Raag Gauri Thiti, AGGS, Page, 343
The only way one can disrespect God/Guru is by not following the instruction inscribed in to become a better human (Gurmukh) and carry on the life as spiritually ignorant.
ਗਿਆਨ ਹੀਣੰ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਪੂਜਾ॥ ਔਧ ਵਰਤਾਵਾ ਭਾਉ ਦੂਜਾ ॥
Gi¬ān hīṇaʼn agi¬ān pūjā. Anḏẖ varṯāvā bẖā¬o ḏūjā.
With out spiritual wisdom, the people worship ignorance. They grope in the darkness, in the love of duality. -----Guru Nanak, Sloke Vaaran To Vadheek, AGGS, Page, 1412-4
On The other hand respecting others feelings are a sign of character, which is a perquisite to progress in spirituality;
Respect for others is based on self-respect and is summed up: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. It is the value that makes the world a more decent, humble, and civilized place. Humility perceives one’s place in the world, not according to one’s own accomplishments but according to the intrinsic value of all individuals. Humility is an essential attitude for success in spiritual life.
ਸਰਮ ਖੰਡ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਰੂਪੁ॥
Saram Khand Kee BaaNee Roop.
In the realm of humility, the Word is beauty. -----Guru Nanak, Japji, AGGS, Page, 8-1
It is one of the foundation stone of Sikhism.
ਮਿਲਿਆ ਮਾਣੁ ਨਿਮਾਣਿਐ ਪਿਰਮ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਪੀਇ ਪਤੀਣੀ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖ ਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਮਸਕੀਣੀ॥
Milia MaaN NimaNia Piram Piala Pee-a Pateenee, Gurmukh Sukh Fal Hai MaskeeNee.
Only the humble get adorned with glory quaffing the cup of the love of God gets satiated. The saintly person perceive happiness only while practicing humility-----Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 4, Pauri, 2
People show respect in many ways. They speak and act civilly—avoiding insults, cruel remarks and rude or crude language. They are courteous and considerate of others, including family members and friends, and care about their rights, beliefs and well-being. They treat others fairly as individuals, regardless of race, sex, age or ethnic group. They display tolerance for people who do not share their personal beliefs and likes—so long as those people do not harm others.
ਮਿਠਤ ਨੀਵੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਗੁਣ ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਤਤੁ॥ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਨਿਵੈ ਆਪ ਕਉ ਪਰ ਕਉ ਨਿਵੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥
Mithat Neevee Nanaka GouN Changiaa-eeaa Tatt, Sabh ko Nivai Aap Ka-o Par Ka-o Nivai Na Ko-ay.
Sweetness and humility, O Nanak, are the essence of virtue and goodness, but arrogance and ego makes everyone bows down to himself; no one bows down to another.-----Guru Nanak, Asa Di Var, AGGS, Page, 470-14
>Fullness of knowledge always and necessarily means some understanding of our ignorance that is always conducive to both humility and reverence.
>Plenty of people wish to become devout but no one wishes to be humble.
ਬੁਧ ਗਰੀਬੀ ਖਰਚੁ ਲੈਹ ਹਉਮੈ ਬਿਖ ਜਾਰਹੁ॥ ਸਾਚਾ ਹਟੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਸਉਦਾ ਵਖਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਾਪਾਰਹੁ ॥
Budh Gareebee Kharch Lai-oh Haumai Bikh Jaaroh, Saachaa Hat Pooraa Sa-udaa Vakhar Naam Vaapaarahu.
Take wisdom and humility as your supplies, and burn away the poison of pride. True is that shop, and perfect the transaction; deal only in the merchandise of the Naam, the Name of the Akal Purkh. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 399-9
Research indicates that persons learn to respect others when they are treated with respect themselves. Criticism of a person, negative comments about him/her and failure to praise his/her achievements can lead the individual to be disrespectful to others. Treating others with respect pays large dividends both sides and to societies as a whole.
Humility in showing respect, and for honoring elders goes a great way in the formation of character, which itself is a pre-requisite to growth in spirituality.
Self-respect means taking satisfaction in appropriate behavior and hard—won accomplishments. People with self-respect also respect others. They do not need to disparage others or build themselves up by bragging or exaggerating their abilities or talents.
People who respect others have inner strength and are unwilling to let others use or manipulate them. They know that showing patience or tolerance does not mean allowing others to mistreat them. One should treat colleagues and others with whom we interact with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
The way we treat others shows how we value them as people and as brothers and sisters. The need for respect is readily apparent when we look at the effect our actions have on behavior by posing the question, "What if everyone in society did this?"
Conclusion;
Be beautiful if you can, Wise if you want to... But be respectful-that is essential. Individuals are respectable only as they respect. Reputation is what the world thinks a individual is; character is what he/she really is. Respect a person, and he/she will do all the more.
ਗਰੀਬੀ ਗਦਾ ਹਮਾਰੀ॥ ਖੰਨਾ ਸਗਲ ਰੇਨ ਛਾਰੀ॥ ਇਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਕੋ ਨ ਟਿਕੈ ਵੇਕਾਰੀ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਏਹ ਗਲ ਸਾਰੀ॥
Gareebee Gadda Hamaree, Khanna Sagal Rayn Chaari, Iss Aagai Ko Na Tikai Vaykaaree,
Gur Pooray Ayh Gal Saaree.
Humility is my mace, and being the dust of the dust of all men’s feet is my two edged sword. These no evildoer can withstand. The perfect Guru has arranged this matter.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Sorath, AGGS, Page, 628-13
Respectfully submitted.
Virinder S. Grewal
Williamston, MI
