Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib  -  9

Shlok: I have been searching through all Shastras and Smritis ( Hindu religious scriptures), Nanak they are not worshipping equal to the Priceless Name of the Akal Purakh (Timeless Being).

Begin of Ashtapadi 3: recitation of religious books, penance, religious discussions and meditation, the exposition of all six Hindu philosophies and religious ceremonial books (Smritis), the practice of Yoga and religious rituals, the abandonment of everything and wandering into forests, performance of various acts like – giving away alms, oblation to fire,  bestowing jewels (for idols), cutting of the body into small pieces ( Acts of sacrifices of human and animals) and offering them to fire (hom), fasting and vows of many kind (sukhna) all these are not equal to the contemplation of Lord’s Name - Even if the Name be repeated only once in the company of a God-oriented (Gurmukh) O Nanak(Pad-1).

One may roam about in nine regions of this earth and obtain a long life, one may become a great ascetic by performing many penances, one may burn self in fire, one may give gifts of gold, horses of excellent breed and donate lands, one may make acts of inner washing and many meditative postures, one may adopt the mortifying acts of Jains like abstinence and renouncing for spiritual bliss and cut His body in to small pieces. All is in vain if a particle of filth of ego (haume) does not depart. There is nothing equal to the recitation of God’s Name by uttering which with the help of Gurmukh, O Nanak the salvation is obtained (pad 2).

 Many people who believe they are religious have a desire that they will leave this human body (die) at the place of pilgrimages and many Hindu pilgrimage places have lodgings for such people who wait there for death to come to go to heaven in the presence of God. In the next pad Guruji says; by giving up body at pilgrimage man’s minds desire, ego and conceit are not removed. Though man may perform acts of purification day and night but filth of the mind does not depart from his body. Though man may subject his body to much mortification yet evil passions never abandon his soul. Even though man may wash this transitory body with plenty of water, how can these frail walls will be cleansed? O soul highest is the praise of Lord’s Name that has emancipated the great sinners (pad 3).