This is another big illusion that the masses are living in that the moment anybody takes the Sikh Initiation ceremony (“Khandy Ki Pahul”) becomes a baptized or holder of ambrosial nectar (“Amritdhari”). Let us look at what is the real divine meaning behind this highly elevated spiritual state of a soul:
The word baptized or holder of nectar ( “Amrit-Dharee”) literally means The one who has the manifested presence of Immortal God inside them. However over the last three centuries it has been grossly misunderstood and misinterpreted among the Sikh congregation (“Sangat”). This word signifies a very high spiritual state of a soul, and should be used for a soul, which has been eternally blessed with God’s Eternal Grace and Guru’s Blessings (“GurKripa”) and is enjoying a very high spiritual state at least in the Realm of Grace (“Karam Khand”).
My Beloved Lord’s presence is the Ambrosial Nectar.
Don’t hold it back from my mind,
even for an instant. ||1||
(“hamaaree piaaree anmrith dhhaaree gur nimakh n man thae ttaaree rae”)||1||
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Let us look at what is the real divine meaning behind this highly elevated spiritual state of a soul:
The word “Amrit”(Ambrosial Nectar) means the One God who
- Doesn’t die,
- Is always alive
- Will remain alive so for all Ages to come
- Was alive in all previous ages.
What is Ambrosial Nectar (“AMRIT”)?
It is the complete pure and pious, it is The Truth.
What is The Truth?
It is Great, great, dear, love filled, Supreme Transcendental Timeless Lord of all Lords (“Dhan Dhan Paar Braham”) himself and His Ageless Name (“Aad Jugadi”) –Truth Name (“SATNAAM”), as defined in the Seed (“MUL”) Mantra. It is the Eternally Blessed by Guru Name of Timeless Lord of All lords. It is also described as original primal name (“Para Purbla Naam” ) of Great, great, dear love filled, Supreme Transcendental, Lord of all Lords (“Dhan Dhan Paar Braham Parmesar”): –
With my tongue I describe You with the praise names.
But, the name TRUTH ("SAT") is Your perfect, primal one.
(“kirtam naam kathay tayray jihbaa. Sat naam tayraa paraa poorbalaa”)
“.GURU ARJUN DEV”-King of kings
The only one who is Eternal is the (“Ik Oankar Satnaam” ) One God Truth Name – the Eternal One God
- Whose name is “Truth”,
- Who is the Creator and The only Doer of everything (“Karta”)
- Who is the Immortal Timeless (“Akaal”),
- The Unborn (“Ajunie”),
- The Self-Illumined (“Sabhung”).
Except for One God Truth Name (“IK OANKAR SATNAAM”), everything else is perishable, is recycling and reincarnating, will remain recycling, and involved in the cycle of life and death forever.
The word Ambrosial Nectar (“AMRIT”) is the Guru’s eternally, blessed, blessed always blessed & divine Gift (“GURPARSADI”) Name – Truth Name (“SATNAAM”) of Great greatest, love filled dear & near ,Supreme Transcendental ,Omnipresent ,Lord of all Lords, always away from limits of universe, timeless being –God (“Dhan Dhan Paar Braham Parmesar”)
I am a sacrifice to the Blessed Vision of Your sight.
By the Pleasure of Your Will,
You have blessed me with the Ambrosial, immortal nectar of Your Name, the Name of the Lord. ||1||
(“thaerae dharasan ko balihaaranai thus dhithaa anmrith naam ||1||”)
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The ambrosial nectar Name “Naam Amrit”) – “One God Named Truth ” (“Ik Oankaar Satnaam”) is Guru’s eternally blessed divine gift (“Gurparsadi”) and can only be blessed and given by a Complete Saint Truth Guru (“Puran Sant Satguru”) – a Complete Knower of universal wisdom (“Puran Braham Gyani”), who is completely merged in greatest, love filled, Lord of all, One God – Timeless Lord of Lords (“Dhan Dhan Akal Purakh”)
The Name (“Naam”) is a Priceless Jewel; it is with the Perfect True Guru.
(“naam amolak rathan hai poorae sathigur paas ||”)
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He True Guru gives His disciple the wealth of the Name.
(“sathigur sikh ko naam dhhan dhaee”)
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He, Ambrosial nectar of the Name, the Name of the Lord, is within the True Guru.
(“sathigur vich anmrith naam hai anmrith kehai kehaae “)
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Holder of Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit-Dharee”) is therefore a soul who has reached that level in spirituality where this ambrosial nectar (“Amrit”) has gone in to the heart center (“Hirda”) and mind consciousness (“Surat”). Such a soul who is constantly and continuously drinking this divine nectar of Guru’s eternally divine blessed, blessed, gifted Name (“Gurparsadi Naam”) – God Named Truth (“SATNAAM”) .
Such a condition of spirituality comes only in realm of Grace (“Karam Khand”) and above stages of devotional, loving spirituality (“Bhagtee”) when the soul goes into stage of Auto Mode (“AJAAPA”) of recitation of name (“JAAP”)
He possesses all qualities; He transcends all qualities;
He is the Formless Lord. He Himself is in Primal Deepest Meditation.
Through His Creation, O Nanak, He meditates on Himself (Auto mode of recitation). ||1||
(“saragun niragun nirankaar sunn samaadhhee aap”)
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And eventually
The True Disciple of Truth Guru meditates on the Lord with every hair (i.e. every particle) of his body.
(“guramukh rom rom har dhhiaavai”)
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This means that every bit of the body and soul gets drenched in Name. Every bit of the body and soul recites Name on a continuous basis, and such a condition comes in Realm of truth. This is when a soul becomes completely truthful and comes under completely truthful conduct. This completely truthful conduct is when one has:
- Conquered over the Five Thieve and Hopes Desires and Wishes,
- Won over Mammon (“Maya’) completely,
- Won over the mind
- Come under Gods Perfect Command (“Puran Hukam”) ,
- Eliminated the mind of its own wisdom and lets only divine wisdom prevails.
Such is the state of a soul who completely merges in, Universal, Truth Lord Of all Lords and becomes one with the Almighty. There remains no difference between such a soul and GOD Himself. Such a soul is called “Holder of Amrosial Nectar” (“Amrit-Dharee”) who then becomes Giver of ambrosial Nectar (“ Amrit Ka Data”) Himself.
This is the Praise of a Holder of ambrosial Nectar( “Amrit Dhari”) in a very few words, otherwise the entire Guru’s word wisdom (” GurBani”) is the Praise of: –
- Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit”)
- Giver Of Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit Ka Data”), and
- Souls saturated in Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit Dhari”)
Becoming A Soul saturated in ambrosial nectar( “Amrit Dhari”) :
The Mind in which God , the Ambrosial Nectar is present (“Amrit-Dharee” ) , spiritual stage comes with the God and Guru’s eternal blessings (“Gurparsad” ) and grace( “GurKirpa”) and after a lot of (earning of the devotional worship (“Bhagti Kamai”) and for reaching this stage and become a Holder of Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit-Dharee”) a normal soul has to go through the sequence as follows:-
1. Repetition of the Name with the tongue( “JAAP”)
My tongue chants Your Name, Your Name.
(“rasanaa japathee thoohee thoohee”)
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This happens in Realm of Religion (“Dharam Khand”). This is a stage when one gets to know what the purpose of life is. And that one has to do something to achieve this purpose. This is when one realizes that he has to achieve liberation while alive in this life. For most Sikhs this is when they receive Initiation of The Sword (baptism) (“Kahde ki Pahul”) from the “Five Beloved” (“Panj Pyara”). This is when one gets onto the first step towards the journey to realm of truth (“Sachkhand”).
The reading and listening of Guru’s divine word wisdom ( “Gurbani”) brings more enlightenment inside the soul and one starts to realize the divine wisdom of the Guru’s word . The key here is to bring the Guru’s word (“GurBani”) into the daily life, whatever little we understand we should bring the same divine wisdom inside us by practicing in our daily life. If we do so then we will keep on getting more and more enlightenment inside us and we will understand more and more Guru’s word (“Gurbani”). Then we continue to practice more and more Guru’s word (“Gurbani”). This stage in spiritual progression is called Realm of Divine Knowledge (“GyanKhand”).
When we are familiar with what divine knowledge of Guru’s word (“Gurbani”) is telling us to do then as a result we become ready to commit ourselves to a concerted effort to meet our objective. This is when we start putting more and more effort into our spiritual side. This stage is called Realm of Effort (“Saram Khand”). We start to work very hard in our Devotional worship.
2. Repetition(“Jaap”) with Breathing(“Swaas”).
With each and every breath,
meditate in remembrance on the Lord of the Universe.
(“saas saas simarahu gobindh”)
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The next stage in devotion (“Bhagati”) is when repetition(“Jaap”) of the Name (“Naam”) goes into the breathing and one does the Chanting (“Jaap”) along with the breathing– this happens in Realm of efforts (“Saram Khand”) A lot of the people get stuck here and can’t move to the next higher stage. The reason behind this roadblock is due to if it is their great good fortune “Seeds of previous lifetimes” (“Purbley Janam Key Ankur”) This means that at this point onwards the progress on the spiritual path is a Guru’s Divinely blessed (” Gurparsadi”) Game (requires Eternal Blessings and Grace of God through the Guru). With out the eternal blessings of great, great, greatest love, Supreme Guru – Timeless Lord of all Lords (“Dhan Dhan Gur – Akal Purakh”) it is not possible to move further, so most people get stuck over here. This divine wisdom has been very clearly presented in dearest dear, great love filled divine Guru “Granth” King Of kings(“ Dhan Dhan Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”) , some examples are as under:
If we meet the Perfect Truth Guru, we obtain the Treasure of the Word.
Please grant Your Grace, God that we may meditate on Your Ambrosial Nectar Name.
The pains of birth and death are taken away;
we are intuitively centered on His Meditation. ||1||
(“pooraa sathigur jae milai paaeeai sabadh nidhhaan
kar kirapaa prabh aapanee japeeai amrith naam
janam maran dhukh kaatteeai laagai sehaj dhhiaan||1||”)
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Wondrous! Wondrous! is the Ambrosial Nectar of the Name obtained by the “Gurmukh”(One who’s face is truly towards Guru).
(“vaahu vaahu anmrith naam hai guramukh paavai koe ”)
.
Wondrous! Wondrous! His Grace realizes this, as He Himself grants His Grace.
(“vaahu vaahu karamee paaeeai aap dhaeiaa kar dhaee”)SGGS 515
The Ambrosial Name is within the Truth Guru.
Following the Guru’s Teachings,
one meditates on the Immaculate Name,
the Pure and Holy Name.
The Ambrosial Nectar Word is the true essence.
It comes to abide in the mind of the one whose face is towards Guru.
The heart-lotus blossoms forth, and one’s light merges in the Light.
O Nanak, they alone meet with the Truth Guru,
who has such pre-ordained destiny inscribed upon their foreheads. ||25||
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The next stage of spirituality comes only after Guru’s blessed, blessed eternal divine gift(“GurParsadi”) and Guru’s Blessed kindness (“GurKirpa”) as described in above verses of divine wisdom. There is something more to know about the Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit”) over here; the highest Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit”) is Inner Soul Bliss (“Atam Rus”), which is enjoyed by a Complete Knower of Universal Wisdom (“Puran BrahamGyani”) only.
The God-conscious being enjoys the spiritual bliss of the soul .
“Aatham ras brehamgiaanee cheenaa”
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The second highest Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit”) is Name (“Naam”) – Guru’s eternally divine gifted (“Gurparsadi”) Name (“Naam”) – (“EK ONKAAR SATNAAM”) One God Truth Name; the next Ambrosial Nectar (“Amrit”) is One drop of Nectar (“IK BOOND AMRIT”) –
The Guru has blessed me with the one drop of Ambrosial Nectar,
and so I have become stable, unmoving and immortal – I shall not die.
(“eaek boondh gur amrith dheeno thaa attal amar n muaa.”)
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3. Repetition (“simran”) in mind / consciousness (“Surat”).
O mind, meditate on the Name of the Lord
(“simar manaa raam naam chithaarae”)
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This happens when with Guru’s Eternal Gifted Divine Gift (“Gurparsadi”), Guru’s Kind Blessing (“GurKirpa”) based on our deeds from the previous lives as presented in the above verses of divine wisdom, Guru’s divine, eternal gifted Name (“Gurparsadi Naam”)– Truth Name (“SATNAAM”) is blessed by a Complete Saint Truth Guru, at this time the Guru Blessed Divine Gift– Truth Name is instituted in the Mind consciousness (“Surat”) and sometimes directly in Heart Center (“Hirda”) by a Complete Saint Truth Guru (“Puran Sant Satguru”). This is the stage when Repetition (“Jaap”) becomes Remembrance (“Simran”) – this is a very high spiritual state – this happens when the soul is instituted in Realm of Grace (“Karam Khand”) – at this stage the soul goes into deep meditation (“Smaadhi”) and then deepest meditation (“Sun smaadhi”). The word Grace (“Karam”) signifies Guru’s eternal divine blessed gift (“Gurparsadi”), Guru’s Grace (“Gurkirpa”), which is an essential and mandatory element of advancement in spirituality (“bhagati”). This is the stage when a Devotee’s Account is opened in the Court (“Dargah”) of Great, great, dear, love filed, beyond universal limits Supreme Transcendental Being-Timeless Lord of All Lords ( “Dhan Dhan Paar Braham Parmesar”).
4. Remembrance ( “Simran” ) in Heart Center (“Hirda”)
The lotus blossoms deep within the heart, and filled with Nectar, one is satisfied.
(“anthar kamal pragaasiaa anmrith bhariaa aghaae”)
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The next stage is when Remembrance (“simran”) goes into Heart Center (“Hirda”) – this one is even much higher stage when Name ( “Naam”)goes into Heart ( “Hirda”) – this is where it goes on an automatic mode, which is also known as Auto mode (“Ajaapa”) of repetition (“Jaap”), this is where the worship ( “Bhagtee”), devotion, spirituality goes higher. This continues in deep meditation (“smaadhi”) and deepest meditation (“Sun Smaadhi”)– realm of grace (“karam Khand”). When we do devotion with Name repetition(“Naam Simran”) in Heart center (“Hirda”), and eventually the Priceless Diamond jewel(“Anmolak Rattan Hira”) – Guru’s eternal divine blessed gift Name (“Gurparsadi Naam”) – Truth Name (“Satnaam”) is carved in our Heart center (“Hirda”).
No one has found the worth of the ruby of the heart;
its value cannot be estimated. ||1||
(“keemath kinai n paaeeai ridh maanak mol amol ||1||”)
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The next stage is when Remembrance (“simran”) goes into Heart Center (“Hirda”) – this one is even much higher stage when Name ( “Naam”)goes into Heart ( “Hirda”) – this is where it goes on an automatic mode, which is also known as Auto mode (“Ajaapa”) of repetition (“Jaap”), this is where the worship ( “Bhagtee”), devotion, spirituality goes higher. This continues in deep meditation (“smaadhi”) and deepest meditation (“Sun Smaadhi”)– realm of grace (“karam Khand”). When we do devotion with Name repetition(“Naam Simran”) in Heart center (“Hirda”), and eventually the Priceless Diamond jewel(“Anmolak Rattan Hira”) – Guru’s eternal divine blessed gift Name (“Gurparsadi Naam”) – Truth Name (“Satnaam”) is carved in our Heart center (“Hirda”). No one has found the worth of the ruby of the heart;its value cannot be estimated. ||1||(“keemath kinai n paaeeai ridh maanak mol amol ||1||”)SGGS 22
These are the stages of spirituality in realm of grace (“Karam Khand”) when a soul becomes a ambrosial nectar holder (“Amrit-Dharee”) & does the complete Devotional loving worship (“Puran bhagtee”)and eventually becomes “Giver of Ambrosial Nectar Name” (“Amrit Ka Data”) after reaching Truth realm (“Sach Khand”), inner soul stage(“Atamik Awastha”) as described in the following text.
5. Navel Lotus Door (“Nabhi Kamal”):
The next stage is when Remembrance (“Simran”) travels to navel(“Nabhi”) door, when Navel Lotus(“Nabhi Kamal”) blossoms – Realm of grace (“Karam khand”).
The breath is seated in the home of the navel;
the “one who face is towards Guru” searches, and finds the essence of reality.
(“naabh pavan ghar aasan baisai guramukh khojath thath lehai”)
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6. Kundalini:
The next Stage is when Remembrance (“Simran”) goes into “Kundalini” – Seed Base door (“MoolDhaar Chakra”) and spine – Realm of grace (“Karam Khand”)
The circles (“Chakras”) of the coiled “Kundalini” energy have been opened,
(“baedhheealae chakr bhuangaa”)
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The “Kundalini” rises in the Holy congregation(“SatSangat”), the Congregation of Truth;
through the Word of the Guru, they enjoy the Lord of Supreme Bliss.
(“kunddalanee surajhee satsangat paramaanand guru mukh machaa”)
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7.Divine Knowledge Eye (“Gyan Nettar”)- Third Eye (“Trikuti”) and Tenth Door (“Dassam Duar”);:
The next stage is when Remembrance (“Simran”) travels through the spine to the brain, and back to mind consciousness (“Surat”) where it completes the cycle, thereby blossoming all the Seven Seas (“Sat Sarovar”) – – seven doors ( “Seven Chakra”) – 7 energy centers of the spiritual body. This is what the real rosary bead garland (“Mala”) of Name (“Naam”) is.
Take your bath in the seven seas,
O my mind, and become pure.
(“kar majano sapath sarae man niramal maerae raam”)SGGS 437
The seven seas are overflowing with the Ambrosial Water;
the one whose face is towards Guru are not stained with filth. ||2||
(“saaeir sapath bharae jal niramal gurmukh mail n laaeidhaa”)||2||
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When this happens then the divine inner third eye (“Gyan Nettar”) and tenth door (“Dassam Duar”) opens and you form a permanent connection with Great, great, dear,eternal, love, Timeless Lord Of All Lords (“Akal Purakh”), you start to get divine knowledge (“Braham Gyan”). This happens in Realm of truth (“Sach Khand”)
Control of the breath and positioning of the tongue,
focusing at the third eye and wearing garland(‘Mala”) of rosary(“Tulsi”) beads,
are all obtained through Guru’s Grace.
(“khaechar bhoochar tulsi mala gur parasadee paaeiaa”)
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There are nine doors (openings in the body),
but the taste of these nine doors is bland and insipid.
The Essence of Ambrosial Nectar trickles down through the Tenth Door.
(“no ghar thhaapae thhaapanehaarai ||
(“dhasavai vaasaa alakh apaarai ||”)
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The hard and heavy spiritual doors are closed and locked.
Through the Word of the Guru’s wisdom, they are thrown open. ||2||
(“bajar kapaatt jarrae jarr jaanai gur sabadhee kholaaeidhaa”)
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Enjoyment in Deep Meditation and Deepest Meditation is beyond description. That is why the Great Beings go into very deep meditation some time for days together. You experience a lot of things during your Deep Meditation and Deepest Meditation, see a lot of things, meet a lot of Saints, Gurus, see Supreme Light, conversation with the Saints and Graet,great,Dear ,Eternal,Love,Timeless Lord Of All Lords and what not, it is beyond description what happens and through what you go when you go into deep meditation.
8. Remembrance (“simran”) by Every Hair (“Rom”) and cell:
The Remembrance (“Simran”) in Deep Meditation (“Smaadhi”) and Deepest Meditation (“Sun Smaadhi”) continues until Quality-less (“NIRGUN”) AND Quality -Full (“ SARGUN”) becomes one, at this point Remembrance (“Simran”) goes into every cell – every bit(“rom-rom”) of your body does Name remembrance (“Naam Simran”), your astral body (“Suksham Dehi”) becomes as pure as gold, your entire body is filled with Name Ambrosial Nectar (“Naam Amrit”) all the time. You become one with universe(“Barhm Leen”), and stable un distractible state (“Atal Awastha”). These stages are beyond description.
When my Beloved came to live in my house, I began to sing the songs of bliss.
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The one who’s face is towards Guru(“Gurmukh”) meditates on the Lord with every hair (every bit) of his body.
(“Gurmukh rom rom har dhhiaavai”)
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He possesses all qualities; He transcends all qualities;
He is the Formless Lord. He Himself is in Primal deepest meditation.
Through His Creation, O Nanak, He meditates on Himself (Auto mode repetition). ||1||
(“Saragun niragun nirankaar sunn samaadhhee aap ,
aapan keeaa Nanakaa aapae hee fir jaap”) ||1||
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One lives in Complete Divine Light (“Puran Parkash”) all the time and listens to God’s and his creations Loving-singing praises– limitless Vocals (“Illahi Kirtan”) and tunes (“Anhad Naad Dhunis”) all the time. It is just incredible experience. This is when one becomes God’s Truth Slave and is directed by the Almighty to serve the congregation (“Sangat”). And this is what your target should be when you have been prompted to move on the path(“Marg”) of loving, devotion worship (“bhagati”).
The above description is Guru’s eternal divine blessed gift (“Gurparsadi”) and is based on the actual physical spiritual experiences of this dog(“Kookar”) of the Supreme Guru (“Gur”), Guru and Guru’s holy congregation (“Gursangat”).
Let us take a few minutes to make a self evaluation of our own self in light of above divine wisdom (“Barham Gyan”), and compare a commonly used perception of the word Holder of Ambrosial Nectar (“AMRIT-DHARI”) with the divine description of this highly elevated state of a eternally blessed soul, who is either completely absorbed in the Almighty, or very near to be so soon. We are sure to find a way to become a divinely eternally blessed Drinker of Ambrosial Nectar Name (“Amrit Dhari”), then do complete Loving, Devotional Worship (“Puran Bhagati”) and become one with the Almighty and eventually become Giver of Ambrosial Nectar (“AMRIT-KA-DATA”).