Saachay saahibaa ki-aa naahee ghar tayrai.
Ghar ta tayrai sabh kichh hai jis deh so paav-ay.
Sadaa sifat salaah tayree naam man vasaava-ay.
Naam jin kai man vasi-aa vaajay sabad ghanayray.
Kahai naanak sachay saahib ki-aa naahee ghar tayrai. ||3||
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 917)
The blessed SatGuru incarnate Amar Das Ji (SatGuru the third Patshah Ji) showers immense GurKirpa (divine grace) and GurParsaad (eternal bliss and eternal grace) and reveals the magnificence of Naam (Truth as a manifestation of the Name of God) of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar (Truth, the Transcendent Lord and Creator of the Universe) for the salvation of the entire humanity in this supremely powerful Shabad (divine words; words of GurBani). The almost entire Sangat (congregation; body of followers) today only seeks to fulfil their worldly needs and demands in the pretext of Bandagi (submission before God) of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar. People visit Gurdwaras only to seek fulfilment of their worldly needs. People make Ardas (prayers) only to realize their worldly objectives. People read GurBani (God’s words; Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) only to succeed in their worldly endeavours. People visit places of pilgrimage only to accomplish the mission of seeking fulfilment of their desires. People perform Katha Kirtan (ritual reading and reciting of sacred texts) just to seek accomplishment of their domestic or business needs. The entire humankind indulges in religious rites and rituals merely to meet their selfish ends. It goes to say that the entire mankind is stuck in the morass of Maya (the worldly temptations; all physical perceptions are nothing but illusions created by Maya) and regards the worldly relationships and objects as making up their entire life. All prayers are done in order to gain worldly objects and to fulfil worldly objectives. The folly is, even after realizing the supremely essential truth that one’s fate is predetermined in accordance with the immutable divine Vidhan (constitution) of Karma (destiny determined by one’s good and bad deeds), and that the human being achieves worldly objects, pleasures and sufferings only in accordance with one’s past deeds, but still the entire humanity indulges in religious rites and rituals and in prayers to achieve these worldly objects and to meet their worldly objectives.
Only a rare being makes Ardas for bestowal of Naam, Bandagi and Seva (humble and selfless service to others). It is a rare being who prays to attain spirituality and seeks his or her spiritual growth. It is a rare being who toils after attainment of GurParsaad. Out of all the prayers made to achieve worldly objects and success in worldly affairs, hardly a few might get fulfilled because such prayers contain neither love nor devotion in Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar. Such prayers consist of nothing but selfishness of the human being. It is akin to making an earthly deal with Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar – such as I’ve engaged myself in religious acts (prayers and recitations) in exchange for success in a worldly affair. Or, I’ve read this much of Bani (GurBani) in expectation of success in a worldly mission. Or, I’ve performed Seva at Gurudwara in return for accomplishment of worldly objectives, etc. All this is mere selfishness, and bereft of any feeling of love or devotion. Where there is selfishness, devotion and love make an exit. Where there is human self-interest, love and devotion fade away. Where there is no love and devotion, there is no trust. Where there is no devotion, love or trust, there is no Bandagi.
The bonds of one’s Karma are broken only by acquiring GurParsaad of SatNaam. Only by directing one’s mind toward Sat Karams (the deeds of Sat; truthful deeds) and by engaging oneself in Sat Karams a human being comes to acquire GurParsaad. Until there is enlightenment by GurParsaad of SatNaam in one’s Hirda, the human being’s bonds of Karma remain unbroken. Only by practising SatNaam in one’s life, i.e. by absorbing oneself in SatNaam Simran, a human being achieves enlightenment of SatNaam in one’s Hirda, and only then are the bonds of the human being’s Karma broken and one’s future brightened. Thereafter the human being doesn’t need to pray anymore. All one’s sufferings and distresses come to an end. One’s Trishna (ardent desires) is extinguished, and the five Chandaals (lowlifes; these are lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride) come under one’s control. All the endeavours of the human being begin to bear fruit, and the human being finds lasting happiness in life. Therefore whenever we perform an act of religiosity, i.e. perform prayers, recitation and meditation etc. we must do so without expecting anything in return, so that such deeds are treated and accumulated as Sat Karams in our account, and enable us to receive GurParsaad. Whenever we perform any religious rite or ritual, we must do it with a feeling of selflessness. Whenever we pray, we must pray only for SatNaam, SatNaam Simran, SatNaam Di Kamai (practising SatNaam in life), Puran Bandagi (complete surrender before God) and Seva. Such a prayer – made with complete trust, devotion and love in Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar and with a feeling of selflessness, and which is only for GurParsaad of SatNaam, SatNaam Simran, SatNaam Di Kamai, Puran Bandagi and Seva – is invariably heard in Dargah (divine court) and proves extremely helpful in bestowal of GurParsaad upon the human being. A prayer made for satisfaction of one’s worldly desires might hardly be met, but a prayer made selflessly and with complete trust, devotion and love for receiving GurParsaad surely gets fulfilled.
The storehouses of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar are immense. Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar Himself is Daataa (the provider) and Kartaa (the doer). The home of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar is house to all bestowals, and these bestowals befall in the destiny of all the creatures of the entire Creation, as they earn them in accordance with their deeds. However only such human beings come to acquire GurParsaad of SatNaam, SatNaam Simran, SatNaam Di Kamai, Puran Bandagi and Seva upon whom Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar showers His grace. Only by the accumulation of selfless acts of religiosity, compassion, righteousness, contentment, forbearance, prayers, recitals and service of Sants (saints) the great-beings and other Sat Karams does Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar become gracious upon the human being, takes him or her under His patronage and blesses with GurParsaad; and this GurParsaad alone enables the human being to find “Sat” Guru (teacher and mentor; one who has accomplished Bandagi and attained Jeevan Mukti, and is divinely ordained to lead us on the path of Bandagi and Jeevan Mukti). GurParsaad implies that when fortune smiles upon the human being, he or she finds the way into the Sangat of a Puran Sant (perfect saint), where he or she is bestowed GurParsaad of SatNaam, SatNaam Simran, SatNaam Di Kamai, Puran Bandagi and Seva. Therefore only by selflessly meditating upon Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar, i.e. by accumulation of Sat Karams, do trust, devotion and love flow into the prayers of the human being and his or her prayer is granted in Dargah; by which he or she is accorded with GurParsaad. Therefore if you must ask something at the door of Sat PaarBraham, ask for the bestowal of SatNaam, ask for the bestowal of SatNaam Simran, ask for the bestowal of SatNaam Di Kamai, ask for Puran Bandagi and Seva – the bestowals that shall free you of the bondage of Maya and beget you Jeevan Mukti (deliverance from the cycle of births-and-deaths; salvation).
The bestowal of SatNaam is the highest eternal gift that any human being can achieve with GurParsaad:
Jayvad aap tayvad tayree daat.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 9)
By engaging ourselves in SatNaam Simran, we can realize this highest gift. Assimilated within this supremely powerful gift are Akaal Purakh (Immortal Being; God) Himself, all His divine treasures and all His spiritual and divine powers. Therefore why ask for or compromise with a lesser gift? By relentlessly engaging ourselves in Sat Karams we can obtain this highest gift. Day after day, keeping aside our materialistic and worldly demands, we should ask only for the gift of “SatNaam, SatNaam Simran, SatNaam Di Kamai, Puran Bandagi and Seva”, the gift wherein all His supreme powers and Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar Himself are assimilated. Once when we have made Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar our own, and we fully comprehend Him within ourselves, and surrender ourselves to Him and become one with Him, then all His wealth belongs to us. The magnificence of SatNaam is immense, eternal. The magnificence of SatNaam Simran is eternal, infinite. The magnificence of SatNaam Di Kamai is infinite, eternal. Such human beings, who accomplish their Bandagi while practising SatNaam in their lives, make their own magnificence eternal, infinite. Let’s contemplate more deeply this supremely powerful magnificence of SatNaam, in which we shall obtain Darshan (vision through our inner, spiritual eye) of a glimpse of Mansarovar (the eternal source of divine powers; the source of all life; Akaal Purakh Himself) and receive inspiration to immerse ourselves in Bandagi of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar.
The magnificence of SatNaam is eternal, infinite and the magnificence of a human being, whose Hirda is enlightened with SatNaam, too becomes eternal, infinite:
Kinkaa ayk jis jee-a basaavai.
Taa kee mahimaa ganee na aavai.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 262)
The magnificence of SatNaam is immense. Just as Akaal Purakh Himself, the magnificence of SatNaam is Agam (beyond human reach), Apaar (immeasurable and omnipresent), infinite and eternal. SatNaam is the prime basis of all Khand Brahamands (the inner spiritual realms and the outer physical worlds). SatNaam is from-the-beginning and throughout-the-ages Naam of Akaal Purakh, created by none other than Him. If one absorbs even an atom of SatNaam in one’s Hirda, the magnificence of such a soul becomes impossible to describe; because this one atom of Sat Tat (essence of Sat) alone is the womb to all Creation. The atom of Sat Tat is originated from Sunn (utter peace and calmness). Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar abides in Sunn itself. Therefore a human being, who worships Sat Tat, enters Sunn and is forever assimilated in Param Tat (divine essence). A human being who is forever assimilated in Param Tat – such a soul is transformed into Sant Hirda (saintly hearted), is assimilated in the almighty Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar and becomes immense, eternal. Such a soul is transformed into Pargateyo Jyot (a manifested divine light; a soul that becomes the pure divine light of God Himself), Puran Braham Gyani (possessing perfect divine wisdom), Puran Sant (perfect saint) and Puran Khalsa (pure soul in possessession of Puran Braham Gyan). SatNaam Simran brings us the delights of the highest order. All of our sufferings disappear and we enjoy complete happiness and everlasting bliss.
With the enlightenment of SatNaam in Hirda Kamal (lotus-like Hirda) the bonds of Karma are broken, and the human being attains deliverance from the cycle of births-and-deaths:
The paramount agony is being trapped in the cycle of births-and-deaths. We are all trapped in this cycle since a very long time. Countless times we have passed through the cycle of births-and-deaths and of 8.4 million Juni’s (lifetime in a particular species). SatNaam Simran bears such a supreme power that can extricate us from the agony of the cycle of births-and-deaths. That is, through SatNaam Simran we are able to attain Jeevan Mukti. Only GurParsaad of SatNaam alone is capable of breaking our chains of birth-and-death. Only GurParsaad of SatNaam can free us from Vidhan (constitution; laws) of Karma and break the bonds of our past deeds. GurParsaad of SatNaam manifests Param Jyot Puran Parkash (the perfect radiance of divine light; His aura; God Himself) in one’s Hirda, by which all bonds of the human being’s past deeds are broken and the human being attains Jeevan Mukti.
With Gurprasad of SatNaam the fear of death comes to an end:
The biggest fear of the human being is the fear of death. It is a wholly true and essential fact, which cannot be refuted. Such a fear comes to end only with SatNaam Simran. In fact when you are deep in meditation – in Samadhi (deep trance-like state, where there is no thought, nothing except pure consciousness) and in Sunn Samadhi (silent, deep meditation; a state free of thoughts, free even from the effects of time and space) – then you (your soul) have the experience of leaving the body and traversing other parts of the universe. During these experiences the soul in fact exits the body and, based on its spiritual state, traverses various cosmic regions of the universe and glimpses other regions, or Khands, of the higher spiritual world (There are five Khands or the spiritual realms as per GurBani: the Dharam Khand or the stage of seeking divine union, the Gyan Khand or the stage of seeking divine knowledge, the Saram Khand or the stage of making efforts towards spirituality, the Karam Khand or the stage of receiving divine benignity or grace, and the Sach Khand, or the realm of ultimate, absolute truth). These experiences make you realize the realm that your soul will attain after your physical death. This is how Sants and Braham Gyanis come to know in advance the post-demise fate of their soul.
With SatNaam, Maya is conquered:
SatNaam Simran carries the supreme power that safeguards us against our enemies. The biggest enemies of the human being are Trishna and the Panj Dhoots (the five Chandaals – lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride) instigating Trishna. A human being’s Trishna, seeking satiation, gives birth to these five Chandaals. These Panj Dhoots, playing the role of Chandaals, are the five deadly and grievous mental ailments. By SatNaam Simran a human being quenches one’s Trishna and brings Panj Dhoots under one’s control. Along with this, SatNaam Simran frees us from all other dreadful mental vices: slander, backbiting, backstabbing, lust for domination, youth, wealth, riches, beauty, taste, smell, speech and touch etc. SatNaam is a supremely powerful recipe to protect our disease-prone mind against these grave and fatal mental ailments. All these enemies of our soul act as an obstruction between us and the almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. SatNaam Simran is the biggest and the most powerful divine weapon to destroy these enemies. These enemies are a huge obstacle in our path to Sach Khand, and SatNaam Simran removes these obstacles. By keeping our mind alert and by stopping us from acting under the influence of these enemies, SatNaam Simran keep us safe from them. Our mind stays always vigilant. We achieve the ability to deal with these destructive enemies in our day-to-day activities. Thus defeating them every time, whenever they try to deceive us and steal Amrit (our essence or the life-element; the divine energy; pure soul) from us, we are able to thwart them. This is how we achieve triumph over Maya, and make ourselves one with Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam a human being conquers mind:
The human mind governs all five human sensory organs, and the human mind is governed by its own wisdom (Manmat; will of the mind, often given to temptations). The human wisdom (Manmat) is governed by the three attributes of Maya: Rajo, Tamo and Sato (also called as Trigun Maya or the three aspects of Maya: Sato – the goodness viz. charity, compassion, contentment; Rajo – the desires viz. hopes, expectations and yearnings; and Tamo – the vices viz. the lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride). By conquering Maya, the human mind is freed of the slavery of Maya. That is, the human mind transcends beyond Trigun Maya. Both mind and Manmat come to an end, and the mind is transformed into Param Jyot Puran Parkash. All the sensory organs of the human mind, because of the end of Manmat, come under the control of Param Jyot (the divine light; soul; God Himself). That is, all five sensory organs of the human being come to be governed under Puran Hukam (absolute will) of Param Jyot; and Puran Braham Gyan runs the five human sensory organs. The five sensory organs of the human being are no longer controlled by Maya. The five human sensory organs are freed of Maya. The human being conquers one’s mind. Victory over one’s mind itself is victory over Maya. Victory over one’s mind alone is victory over the world. Achieving perfect calm in one’s mind alone is achieving victory over mind, which is obtained only by GurParsaad of SatNaam. Only by SatNaam Simran does a human being thoroughly cleanse one’s mind. This supremely essential truth is manifested in GurBani:
Man toon jot saroop hai aapnaa mool pachhaan.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 441)
With GurParsaad of SatNaam all delusions and misconceptions are removed:
It is entirely true that any kind of Bharams (misconceptions; incorrect religious notions and superstitions) pose a very big obstacle in the progress of Bandagi of a Jigyasoo (seeker of divine truth). The destructive force of Bharams keeps Bandagi of a human being from advancing further. This supremely essential truth is repeatedly affirmed in GurBani, that a human being struck with Bharams does not attain spirituality.
The root cause of all Bharams is nothing but the web woven by Maya; which keeps every human being, be one a Jigyasoo or a common person, entangled in Bharams. The human mind, being a slave to Maya, remains forever struck with these Bharams and eventually meets its end; and – without even realizing this supremely essential truth – wastes away one’s life ensnared in this disastrous trap, and forever wanders in Chaurasi De Ged (cycle of births-and-deaths in 8.4 million Junis). It is solely because of the Bharams in one’s everyday life that a human being stays stuck throughout one’s life in the slavery of Maya. Even the root cause of distractions of the human being is nothing but Bharams. Therefore it is extremely essential to understand as to what Bharam is what it implies, and it is immensely easy to do so. That which is not Sat is Bharam. That which is Asat is Bharam. That which is untrue is Bharam. That which doesn’t pass the criterion of Sat is Asat, and is Bharam. GurBani is the scales of Puran Sat (absolute Truth). Therefore any fact that doesn’t hold true when weighed on these scales of Puran Sat of GurBani will be termed Asat, and such a fact, if adopted in one’s life, will cause the human mind to fall prey to Bharams and will ruin and destroy a human being by beleaguering him or her with sufferings and distresses.
Bharmay bhoolaa dukh ghano jam maar karai khulhaan.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 21)
It is the edict of GurBani that the human being, who is struck with Bharams, must face many sufferings and distresses. Because, struck with Bharams in the slavery of Maya, a human being commits Asat Karams, for which he or she has to face punishment in the court of Dharam Raj (divine judge who weighs our good and bad deeds and determines our next appropriate life form. Those who engage in Naam Simran are beyond his judgement. Instead, he escorts them to the higher realms of Truth) where one receives severe thrashing from the messengers of death. The human being is trapped in the web of Bharams constructed by Maya, and because of it he or she commits all Asat Karams. All the deeds performed under the Rajo and Tamo Birtis (tendencies) of Maya are Asat Karams. That is, all the deeds committed under the influence of lust, anger, greed, attachments and pride, in order to satisfy one’s Trishna, are Asat Karams. In accordance with the supremely powerful divine Vidhan of Karma, a human being has to settle the account of these Kur Karams (Asat Karams) by being destined to a life filled with sufferings and distresses. These sufferings and distresses in life alone are the rigorous sentence of the human being in accordance with the divine Hukam (will; command).
Bharmay bhoolaa tat na jaanai.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 113-114)
A human being, struck with Bharams, does not understand Sat Tat (essence of Sat). Neither does a human being trapped in Bharams realize Sat Tat. The basic reason behind this is that the human beings, distracted by Bharams, stay trapped in the web of Maya; and assuming this web itself to be Sat, they continue to indulge in Asat Karams. By indulging in deeds of Asat, one can never realize Sat Tat. Because realization of Sat Tat is GurParsaad, and GurParsaad is achieved only by those human beings who engage themselves in deeds of Sat. Sat Tat denotes GurParsaad of SatNaam, GurParsaad of SatNaam Simran, GurParsaad of SatNaam Di Kamai and GurParsaad of Puran Bandagi and Seva. Sat Tat denotes obtaining Darshan of Nirgun Saroop (God beyond the Trigun Maya; observed only through one’s spiritual eye) of Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar and realization of Puran Braham Gyan, Puran Tat Gyan and Atam Ras Amrit, and attainment of Param Jyot Puran Parkash in Hirda.
Bharmay bhoolaa dah dis dhaavai.
Nimakh maahi chaar kunt fir aavai.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 277)
The mind of a Bhramas-stricken human being strays every moment and every instant. The human mind never stays quiet. The human mind constantly chatters. There is never a pause in the thoughts and ideas in a human mind. These ideas, good or evil, never allow the human mind to be quiet. A human mind constantly drifts in all ten directions. It means that, wherever upon earth a human being might be, his or her mind is quick enough to instantly travel thousands of mile in every direction. For example, the mind of a person in America is able to travel to one’s old village and people in India, conceive several thoughts while there, and also be back in America all in an instant. All of us have similar experiences in life every day. This is the supreme and essential truth that SatGuru Sahib has revealed in this Shabad of GurBani. The reason behind this constant drifting of the human being is nothing but Bharams in the human mind, caused by the human slavery under Rajo and Tamo Birtis of Maya. The disastrous forces of Rajo and Tamo Birtis of Maya in themselves are a machine to constantly generate Bharams, which never allows the human mind to calm down. This is why this destructive force of Bharams is termed as the biggest obstacle in Bandagi of a Jigyasoo.
Bharmay bhoolaa sabh jag firai manmukh pat gavaa-ee. ||5||
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 425)
In this supremely powerful Shabad of GurBani, the destructive force of Bharams is explained in greater depth. The human beings who slave under Maya and destroy their lives in Bharams have been termed as Manmukh (self-willed; self-centred) in this Shabad. This Shabad also reveals the supremely true fact that the entire world is ensnared in the web of Bharams. That is, the entire humankind is abiding in Rajo and Tamo Birtis of Maya and is pursuing nothing but Bharams in life. Thus the entire humankind is Manmukh. Such human beings who adhere to Manmat are Manmukhs. The deeds committed by such human beings are Asat Karams. Their conduct constitutes nothing but deeds of Asat. Therefore they do not receive any honour in Dargah. Thus as the entire humankind is Manmukh, it receives no honour in Dargah. That is, the entire humankind is Bharams-stricken and Manmukh, and therefore bereft of any spiritual gains.
Bharam bhoolay nadar na aavnee manmukh andh agi-aanee.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 514)
Ih jagat bharam bhulaa-i-aa virlaa boojhai ko-ay. ||1||
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 558)
Bharmay bhoolaa saakat firtaa.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 739)
The Bharams-stricken human being fails to receive GurParsaad. A human being, who is destroying one’s life in Bharams, and being Bharams-stricken has turned oneself into Manmukh – such a Manmukh is engulfed in the darkness of ignorance, and being surrounded by this darkness of ignorance he or she is unable to receive Nadar (kind eye; divine grace and blessings) of Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. By Nadar is meant His benevolence, and bestowal of GurKirpa and GurParsaad. A Bharams-stricken human being is Sakat (unbeliever; believer in Maya and the worldly matters). Sakat denotes an unbeliever, a person who is out of touch with Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar; all whose deeds are Asat; who doesn’t see even a remote prospect of receiving GurParsaad in his or her life. Such a human being spends one’s entire life in Bharams, and wastes away one’s precious gem of life. Rare is a human being who becomes wise to this destructive power of Bharams. The web of Maya is so strong that it keeps a common person from acquiring this understanding. Only such a human being, who concentrates one’s mind upon Sato Birti, acquires awareness of this disastrous trap of Bharams by the grace of Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. Only such a human being receives GurParsaad and is able to accomplish one’s Bandagi by the grace of the supreme power of GurParsaad.
The Bharams prevalent in the world pose the biggest obstacle in the path of Bandagi. Bharams give rise to Dubidha (dilemmas; distortions and distractions of mind; disbeliefs) in a human being’s life. A person in the clutches of Dubidha never possesses complete devotion, love and trust in Gur (God) and Guru.
Bandagi of the person beset with Dubidha is not endorsed in Dargah. Seva performed by a Dubidha-afflicted human being, howsoever much he or she might indulge in Jap-Tap (recitations and meditation), is not accepted in Dargah. Because, Seva performed while being beset with Dubidha, isn’t performed single-mindedly and single-consciously (whole-heartedly), and therefore isn’t approved in Dargah. Thus such religious rites and rituals do not carry any value in Dargah, and do not deliver a human being from the bonds of births-and-deaths. A Dubidha-afflicted human being isn’t able to cleanse the grime off one’s mind. The disastrous grime of vices upon one’s mind doesn’t wash away, and therefore the human being isn’t delivered from the bonds of births-and-deaths. Only such a human being who receives kindness of Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar – He blesses him or her with His GurKirpa and GurParsaad, liberates by banishing Dubidha and transforms into Ik Drisht (seeing all as equal; non-discriminatory). Only an Ik Drisht human being attains Jeevan Mukti. Only an Ik Drisht human being acquires Puran Braham Gyan. Only an Ik Drisht human being obtains Atam Ras Amrit (the highest form or the essence of Amrit; eternal bliss).
Thus Bharams lead a human being away from Puran Sat. Bharams lead a human being away from Gurmat (divine wisdom; wisdom revealed in GurBani). Bharams lead a human being astray. As termite attacks and eats away the wood, in the same way Bharams destroy the supremely-purposeful life of a human being.
Kharay parakh khajaanai paa-ihi khotay bharam bhulaavani-aa. ||6||
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 119)
The Bharams-stricken human beings are disingenuous. The human beings, who come to recognize the supreme essence of Sat, extricate themselves from Bharams and become rightful claimants to the divine treasures. When a human being acquires GurParsaad of Naam, Naam Simran, Naam Di Kamai and Puran Bandagi, and absorbs oneself in Bandagi, then often he or she has to pass through several difficult trials of Maya in order to prove one’s devotion, love and trust in Gur and Guru. Those human beings who clear all their trials posed by Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar with their boundless devotion, love and trust are forever felicitated in Dargah. Those human beings who successfully pass all these trials of Maya find their Bandagi approved in Dargah, and they accomplish their Bandagi and receive honour in Dargah. It is true that many receive the grace of GurParsaad, but only a rare human being completely embraces it and adopts it in life. Those human beings – who despite having been bestowed with GurParsaad do not succeed in these trials of Maya and allow themselves to be led into Bharams by Maya – fail to accomplish their Bandagi. Many Jigyasoo’s even reach very close to accomplishing their Bandagi before stumbling and losing all the gains they had made. Therefore treading the path of Bandagi has been called as walking a double-edged sword. Only such human beings accomplish their Bandagi who have immeasurable devotion, love and trust in their Gur and Guru. If there is a breach in one’s boundless devotion, love and trust in Gur and Guru, this breach destroys all one’s gains. Many human beings, who stumble just before climbing the final steps of their Bandagi, do so because of having experienced the supreme powers of Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. They assume that they have now accomplished everything, and are no longer in need of Guru. With this assumption, they entangle themselves in these supreme powers of Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar and lose their devotion, trust and love in Guru. This breach in their devotion, love and trust further spurs their Suksham (of the soul) ego and thereby instead of giving all credit to Guru they – blinded by their ego – fritter away all their gains. Thus despite having attained such high states, these human beings fail in the trials of Maya and squander away all their advancements.
Gur poorai sabh bharam chukaa-i-aa.
Har simrat naanak sukh paa-i-aa. ||4||8||77||
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 178)
So satgur dhan dhan jin bharam garh torhi-aa.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 522)
Only a perfect Guru can banish all Bharams from the mind of a Jigyasoo. Only Satguru can refute all Bharams of a human being and can rid a human being of all Bharams. Only such a Guru, who is perfect in himself, has the capability to refute all Bharams of a Jigyasoo. Therefore those human beings who venerate a perfect Guru – SatGuru himself repudiates all their Bharams. Those human beings who dedicate their mind, body and worldly possessions at the feet of SatGuru – their devotion, love and trust in Guru reaches immensity, and this supreme eternal power of this immense trust, devotion and love earns them approval of Dargah. Confusions, distractions, doubts and all unholy forces that govern your mind and soul meet their end by SatNaam Simran. Your mind begins to find poise, and gradually you bring all such situations that distract your mind in your control. Your concentration of mind enhances with your spiritual growth, and as a result you rid yourself of Bharams of every kind and of the destructive powers distracting your mind.
GurParsaad of SatNaam makes a human being fearless:
SatNaam Simran makes us Nirbhao (fearless) in our day to day activities. By SatNaam Simran we make ourselves Puran Sachyara (in complete compliance with Sat) towards us, towards others and towards the almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. We come to possess the supreme power to speak Sat, hear Sat, serve Sat and act Sat. We are no longer afraid of speaking Sat or acting Sat. We begin to discriminate between Sat and Asat, and keep ourselves from committing Asat deeds. We are freed of the burden of Asat. We are freed of the allure of Maya. That is, we are freed of the attachments of the world and of our near and dear ones. Here it is very essential to reaffirm this supremely true and essential fact that only such a human being who is freed of the worldly and household attachments has the capacity to speak Sat, hear Sat, serve Sat and act Sat – because such a human being becomes Nirbhao. Thus only such a human being attains Puran Sachyari Rehat (total compliance with Sat) who has turned Nirbhao and who serves Puran Sat and acts Puran Sat.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam all sufferings, distresses and ailments come to an end:
Sarab rog kaa a-ukhad naam.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 274)
SatNaam Simran puts an end to all suffering and distress in our life. We become so strong mentally that we are able to withstand all kinds of sufferings and grievous maladies. We are purged of all our mental ailments. That is, we are rid of such grave mental ailments as the lust, anger, greed, attachments, pride, desires, lust for domination, youth, wealth, riches, beauty, taste, fragrance, speech, touch, slander, backstabbing, backbiting, jealousy, malice, animosity etc. All the physical maladies of a human being are largely caused due to the abuse of the human body. A human being – carrying out every deed under the slavery of Maya – puts one’s body to abuse due to which all these mental ailments, after afflicting one’s mind, make the human body disease-stricken. As soon as SatNaam enlightens Hirda of the human being, all one’s vices and sins are eradicated and Hirda is imbued with all divine virtues.
GurParsaad of SatNaam makes us Nirvair (without hate; amiable):
Our Hirda is rid of the disastrous vices such as jealousy, malice, enmity, hate etc. We are able to perceive clearly the supreme power of Nirgun functioning within the entire Creation. We glimpse Nirgun in Sargun (Sargun is the divine power in every creation that sustains it. Nirgun-Sargun becoming one describes the state where one realizes that all physical creations are part of Sargun, but are created and run by Nirgun – this realization is Puran Braham Gyan and Puran Tat Gyan). Nirgun and Sargun become one to us. Our Hirda is suffused with immense love. There is nothing but love. There is love and only love manifesting for every creation in the whole universe. We become Ik Drisht and enjoy pure and sacred bliss – Sat Chit Anand – which is Nirgun Saroop of Param Jyot Puran Parkash – Akaal Purakh.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam we come to acquire divine and eternal treasures:
SatNaam Simran places all divine treasures and supreme heavenly powers – composed of nine Ridhi’s and eighteen Sidhi’s – at our feet (Ridhi-Sidhis are supernatural powers – a human being acquires them in early stages of Bandagi, but if indulged in, these powers stop any further spiritual progress and become a major obstacle in the path to Sach Khand. These powers are used by Akaal Purakh for administration of the universe, and use of such powers by individuals is a violation of His Hukam). Please bear it firmly in mind that these treasures endow us with all kinds of powers to perform miracles, which draws a large number of people toward us. By employing these powers we can fulfil worldly desires of the people, earn fame, amass great wealth and acquire all types of worldly pleasures and comforts. But keep it firmly in mind that if we use these powers even once, our spiritual growth comes to immediate halt, and we are no longer able to ever attain Mukti (salvation). Those who use these powers for their own selfish purposes – such human beings become rivals to Akaal Purakh. When you attain higher stages of Bandagi, at such times Akaal Purakh Himself employs these powers to work miracles for you. Such miracles were often performed by the almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar during the lifetimes of Guru Sahiban (the ten SatGuru Patshah Ji’s). When Bandagi of a human being is accomplished and acknowledged in Dargah, all these powers place themselves at the feet of such great beings and serve these great beings in accordance with Hukam of Akaal Purakh.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam a human being acquires Puran Braham Gyan and Puran Tat Gyan:
SatNaam Simran brings divine wisdom and divine understanding within a human being. The human being begins to listen to and grasp GurBani. At this stage the human being is inspired to practise the teachings of GurBani in one’s everyday life. The human being develops more and more trust and resolve in SatGuru, GurBani and Akaal Purakh. All kind of worship and devotion towards almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar is assimilated in SatNaam Simran itself. It implies that SatNaam Simran is the service of the highest order of almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. With SatNaam Simran the human being comes to realize, and becomes fully convinced, that there is no power as almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar, and that He is above all, He is the creator of the whole universe. The human being develops complete resolve and belief in almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar in one’s Hirda. With SatNaam Simran, all Bajjar Kapaats (divine doors that, once opened, channel Amrit into the body) of the human being are opened. The human being’s Dassam Duaar (the tenth door – the Crown Chakra – once opened establishes a connection between the human being and the Akaal Purakh) becomes ajar. All seven Sat Sarovars (the seven sources of Amrit, or of the spiritual energy, inside the human body) are illuminated. The human being transcends Trigun Maya and obtains Darshan of Akaal Purakh, and along with Darshan the human being obtains Puran Braham Gyan and Puran Tat Gyan (the entire divine knowledge; understanding of the divine ways).
With GurParsaad of SatNaam the inner pilgrimage of the human being is accomplished:
The real pilgrimage is the pilgrimage of one’s inner self, and it comes about by SatNaam Simran. It means that, when in Samadha we pass through different stages of SatNaam Simran, when we cross different stages of spirituality as revealed in Jap Ji Bani – Dharam Khand, Gyan Khand, Saram Khand, Karam Khand and Sach Khand – then we experience divinity, we experience Puran Parkash (the supreme light; His aura; aura around the enlightened ones) and we experience Darshan of Guru, Darshan of Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar and Darshan of Sach Khand. Our Hirda attains Puran Sachyari Rehat and, renouncing all vices, becomes suffused with divine virtues. Attainment of Puran Sachyari Rehat in Hirda itself is the inner pilgrimage, and the real pilgrimage. When we pass through these stages of spirituality and abide in Samadhi and in Sunn Samadhi, we are acknowledged in Dargah for this highest service of almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. We are patient and content in all situations, and everything happening around us appears to us as following Hukam of Parmatma (the supreme soul; God). It means that we are now able to fathom Hukam of Akaal Purakh. We do not complain under any circumstance, and thus keep calm in all situations. By so doing, we become capable of realizing our spiritual objective. When all five sensory organs and the action organs are subjected to Puran Hukam, it is then that one attains Param Padvi (the highest spiritual status). This is why GurBani elucidates this supremely essential truth:
Hukam boojh param pad paa-ee.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 292)
SatNaam Simran is a priceless gift, which we acquire by the blessings of Akaal Purakh. There is no deed higher than SatNaam Simran. We should always bow our heads before such souls who have acquired the blessing of SatNaam Simran.
SatNaam Simran is the highest service of the omnipotent Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar
Parabh kaa simran sabh tay oochaa.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 263)
The blessed SatGuru incarnate Arjan Dev Patshah Ji (SatGuru the fifth Patshah Ji) has made clear in Sukhmani Sahib (composition comprising of 24 Astpadis) that SatNaam Simran is the highest service towards Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. Therefore no human being should harbour any doubt in one’s mind about this supreme truth that “SatNaam Simran is the highest service to Akaal Purakh”. It implies that all other rites and rituals are services of lower order than SatNaam Simran. Many among Sangat, while realizing this supreme truth, are still tangled with lesser rites and rituals. All Chunch Gyanis (possessing superficial knowledge) and the imperfect preachers, while knowing this supreme truth, encourage Sangat to perform only the low-level service of reading Bani. Mere reading of GurBani is not sufficient. According to what GurBani tells us, SatNaam Simran is the highest service for almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. It is essential to acquiring Puran Braham Gyan, and Puran Bhagati (complete devotion). Those who do not follow this Puran Braham Gyan and engage themselves in lesser services of other rites and rituals – it is very essential for such people to understand this completely true and essential fact. Therefore it is a humble prayer at the feet of those who believe in mere reading or listening of GurBani or in other rites and rituals to submit themselves to SatNaam Simran.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam a human being acquires extreme humility and humbleness in Hirda:
Humility, in its extreme, is the key to Dargah. Humility is the divine weapon that destroys the ego of a human being. SatNaam Simran makes our Hirda filled with the supremely powerful and divine virtue of extreme humility. The soul that stays absorbed in SatNaam Simran becomes brimful with humility, and the Hirda of such a soul is wrapped in humbleness. Extreme humility and humbleness of Hirda of such souls carries them to the peaks of spirituality.
Barahm gi-aanee sagal kee reenaa.
Aatam ras barahm gi-aanee cheenaa.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 272)
Those human beings who practise humbleness of Hirda and treat themselves as dust at the feet of all Creation are the ones who acquire Puran Braham Gyan and Atam Ras Amrit. All of us should bow our heads at the feet of such souls. Such humility is attained only by SatNaam Simran. Such humility is the key to Dargah of Akaal Purakh. Therefore the greatest treasure is the name of Akaal Purakh *Ik-Onkaar SatNaam* (“One Universal Creator whose Name is Truth”):
Amrit naam nidhaan hai mil peevhu bhaa-ee.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 318)
When we abide in SatNaam Simran, we come in possession of *Ik-Onkaar SatNaam*, the priceless treasure of Akaal Purakh. When we adorn ourselves with this priceless jewel it is assimilated in our mind and in our spiritual Hirda, and we are accorded recognition in Dargah. A Sant (saint), a Braham Gyani who possesses this priceless jewel of SatNaam turns into the richest soul in the entire universe. There is nothing greater than this supremely powerful treasure of SatNaam. Such a soul:
- Becomes worthy of admiration
- Earns respect throughout the universe
- Accomplishes one’s inner pilgrimage
- Is acclaimed in Dargah
- Forever attains a high spiritual state
- Attains immensity, eternality
- Rules over the entire universe and its 14 Lok-Parloks (this world and hereafters; physical and metaphysical worlds)
- Has everything that one speaks come true; his or her words are honoured by almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar
- Becomes immortal – attains eternal bliss and eternal calm.
- Vanquishes Maya, conquers mind, achieves victory over the whole world
- Keeps oneself forever absorbed in almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar
All of us should pray for the dust under the feet of such souls. By so doing, we are blessed by Akaal Purakh and included in this GurParsaadi Khel (an endeavour that carries the blessings of the Guru and God; the entire process of bestowal of SatNaam is described as a GurParsaadi Khel). It all comes to occur only by GurKirpa. We should pray for GurKirpa and ask for the eternal treasures of SatNaam. We should ask for SatNaam Simran, SatNaam Di Kamai, Puran Bandagi and Seva.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam Hirda is filled with divine virtues:
The eternal treasures of SatNaam Simran make our Hirda strong and vast, and imbues our mind and heart with the highest virtues – selfless service, sacrifice, help for the needy, Parupkaar (selfless acts for benefaction of humanity) and Maha Parupkaar (guiding mankind on the path to Jeevan Mukti), caring for others, living for others rather than for ourselves, capacity to forgive every wrong, utter compassion, Sat Santokh (divine contentedness; state where there is humility and an absence of desires) and immensity of Hirda. We attain perfect calm and certitude. The mind finds rest. Such supremely powerful virtues make our life meaningful and greatly beneficial for the society. Just think and imagine if everyone is transformed this way (i.e. filled with all divine virtues) – it will surely transform this Kal Yuga (the age of darkness) into Sat Yuga (the age of truth). These are some of the important virtues and characteristics of Sant Hirda (saintly Hirda), and such souls are always acclaimed in Dargah. They find within themselves supreme bliss and eternal repose of the highest order. Such souls conquer their mind and their life turns pure and sacred, truthful and worth admiring. Such souls, immersed in SatNaam Simran, make themselves one with the almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar and forever abide in Sat Chit Anand.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam Trishna is quenched and worries are quelled
A soul and mind that stays absorbed in SatNaam Simran no longer has any need to fulfil worldly desires, and one’s Trishna is extinguished. Hirda attains perfect Sat Santokh. One abides all the time in complete contentment and in Sat Santokh. One no longer has any want. One isn’t swayed by any worldly pleasure or comfort. All one’s worries come to an end. It is so because he or she is conscious of all one’s actions and reactions, and abides within Hukam of Akaal Purakh. In fact one’s mind and soul are perfectly anchored. It is a very high spiritual state where the soul abides, and such a state is attained only in Sach Khand when the human being has turned Puran Sachyara and speaks Sat, hears Sat and serves nothing but Sat. Such a soul is constantly immersed in the magnificence of Akaal Purakh and in the service of Guru and Sangat. Such a soul is always calm and absorbed in almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. Nothing can disturb such a soul that perpetually abides in perfect, eternal calm and blissful state. One’s Hirda is constantly in blossom as a lotus flower. Such souls enjoy eternal music at their Dassam Duaar on constant basis, and forever abide in the eternal Sat Chit Anand. Only such human beings, who are blessed by Akaal Purakh, acquire this eternal treasure of SatNaam Simran.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam the day-to-day life of the human being undergoes change and turns delightful
With SatNaam Simran things begin to take the right turn in everyday life of the human being. All your troubles begin to disappear, and things begin to happen in accordance with your pure and benign desires. Your life turns tidy and smooth. There are no more difficulties in your path. The people around you begin to understand you well and to cooperate with you. Your work-environment and family life turn pleasant. Everything begins to appear simple and easy to you. The discords in the family and other trouble begin to gradually disappear and your surroundings turn pleasant and fine. All your efforts automatically begin to bear fruit.
With GurParsaad of SatNaam a human being attains peaks of spirituality
All of the Sants and Bhagats (devotees) in all religions became Sants and Bhagats only by engrossing themselves in SatNaam Simran. Such souls attained these peaks of spirituality only by the eternal treasure of SatNaam that they faithfully practised all through their lives. This is how these souls became spiritually such strong, and became one with almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar. There are many souls whose Bani (composition) is entered in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji along with those of the Guru Sahiban. Some of these are Sant Kabir Ji, Bhagat Ravidas Ji, Bhagat Namdev Ji, Bhagat Baba Farid Ji, Bhagat Pipa Ji, Bhagat Sain Nai Ji, Bhagat Beni Ji, Bhagat Trilochan Ji etc. All these souls reached the peaks of spirituality and became one with Akaal Purakh, attained Param Padvi and emerged as Puran Braham Gyani. Such souls are also called as Pargateyo Jyot Puran Braham Gyanis. Such souls continued to appear upon earth even after the tenth Patshah Ji, some of these being Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji, Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji, Sant Baba Harnam Singh Ji and Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji. Even now such souls are present upon earth and absorbed in the highest service toward almighty Sat PaarBraham Pita Parmeshar – SatNaam Simran, Parupkaar and Maha Parupkaar. In the coming ages too they will continue to gratify the Sangat with the supreme spiritual power; some of them existing even in the present time. They are carrying on with the service of the Sangat, and in the coming ages too such souls will continue to arrive upon earth.
There are no bounds to all the divine treasures in the house of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar. The greatest of all divine treasures is GurParsaad of SatNaam. Along with GurParsaad of SatNaam, one also obtains the divine treasures of SatNaam Simran, SatNaam Di Kamai, Puran Bandagi and Seva of Maha Parupkaar. Those human beings who are imbued with the colour of SatNaam find acceptance in Dargah. Those human beings, who have SatNaam manifest itself in their Hirda and in every cell of their body, find recognition in Dargah. They vanquish Maya and become one with the Nirgun Saroop of Akaal Purakh. Param Jyot manifests itself in their Hirda. Their Hirda becomes brimful with all divine virtues. Such great beings have all their Bajjar Kapats opened up, the seven Sat Sarovars illuminated, and they receive Anhad Shabad Amrit (incessant fall of Amrit along with Anhad Naad, the divine un-struck music of five primal sounds) at their Dassam Duaar. They obtain Puran Braham Gyan, Puran Tat Gyan and Atam Ras Amrit. Therefore SatNaam Simran alone is the highest service of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar. Immersed in SatNaam Simran, a human being is transformed into Sat Roop (Sat in a human form) and is assimilated in the Nirgun Saroop of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar. Such great beings represent the greatest magnificence of Sat PaarBraham, and in the form of Pargateyo Jyot Puran Braham Gyanis, they bestow Amrit, bestow GurParsaad and bestow Maha Parupkaar upon earth. This is why SatGuru Patshah Ji is imparting the wisdom upon us to pray and – if we are to ask Him for something – to ask for SatNaam of Sat PaarBraham Parmeshar, to ask for Bandagi and to ask for Seva which shall bring us salvation.