Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani Sahib  22

Shlok : He, who enshrines Lord’s Name in his heart and sees the Lord in everyone and remembers Him with his every breath (nimakh-nimakh -each and every moment). O Nanak, such a Saint need not to touch to emancipate.

(High caste Hindus particularly priest class Brahman do not like to be touched because they believe that touch can make them impure and they will have to take bath for purification. In caste classification there are several castes whose touch or even coming close and looking into eyes was prohibited). With this the whole concept of touch should be viewed. In Gurmat the pure (Succha) one is not the Pundit who keeps away from the touches of impure people but who behaves in the following manner that pleases the Lord.

Ashtapadi 9 begins; the one whose tongue doesn't even speak the falsehood and whose eyes are looking for a glance of the Pure Lord, whose eyes are not even looking at the beauty of the others’ wife, who serves the holy and bears love to them, whose ears cannot hear any slander, who deems himself to be the worst (manda), Who by Guru’s grace renounces the wickedness, banishes his desires, conquers the lust and frees himself from the five sins of senses. From amongst millions there will be such an untouchable (pure one) O Nanak (pad 1).

From Hindu trinity concept Vishnu is assigned the task of preserving the world. His followers are Vaishnav and he has many incarnations that perform the duties of preserving the world order. But the world is divided if you follow this concept. According to Gurmat true Vaishnavas are those who believe in the Oneness of God and preach others same.

 Vaishnav is the one with whom Lord is pleased, who perform his duties with righteousness and doesn’t expect rewards, who is devoted to the meditation of One Lord and singing His praises, whose body and mind are contemplating only on the Benevolent Lord of the Universe. He is equally kind to everyone. He is steadfast in his belief of the Lord and helps others do the same. O Nanak such a Vaishnav obtains the supreme salvation (pad 2).