Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib

Sukhmani  Sahib  32

The one who is blessed to recite the name of Almighty must not slander Guru Arjun Devji has called this as Ninda.

In Sikh philosophy Guru, Sadhu, Saint, Brahmgyani like terminologies are used for a man who is born perfect. Apart from possessing innate perfection, his birth is seen as medium to bring this perfection in others. He is born to make others perfect like him because this perfectness is inherent or within every one of us. The purpose of birth of all the above synonyms is thus to awaken the inherent capacity of so called ordinary people to come to perfectness and lead them to have direct connection with the Supreme Lord. Guru Nanak has denied the reincarnation of God and declared that God can never take birth. Approaching God is thus through these perfect men whom we call Guru, Sadhu, Saint or Brahmgyani. Guru Arjun Devji has taken a very serious note on this matter because certain people with vested interests try to slander these perfect persons who are trying to lead others to achieve perfectness so that the Almighty’s Will or Hukam prevails.

Shlok: the person who seeks shelter with Saints is saved. The person who slanders Saints, O Nanak, come into the cycle of rebirth and is born again and again.

Ashtapadi 13 begins: By accusing Saints a man’s life is shortened. By accusing Saints man cannot escape from the messengers of death. By accusing Saints man falls into hell. By accusing Saints the thoughts become impure. By accusing Saints man loses his own prestige. Dejected by Saints man cannot find any solace. By accusing the Saints the place is defiled. Nanak, even the slanderer is saved in the company of Saints if the compassionate Saints show the mercy (pad 1).

By slandering the Saints the face of man becomes distorted. By slandering Saints he crows like a raven. By slandering Saints man comes into an existence of a snake. By slandering Saints man comes into the existence of creepy worms. By slandering Saints man burns in fire of desire. By slandering Saints man deceives everyone. By slandering Saints all his glow vanishes by slandering Saints man becomes meanest of means. There is no place of rest for slanderers. Nanak if the Saint takes mercy such a slanderer can obtain salvation (pad 2).

The slanderer of a Saint is an evil monger and he cannot rest for a moment. The slanderer is a great murderer (he kills character) so he is dejected by the Lord. The slanderer of a Saint loses his Kingdom. The slanderer falls in sorrow and distress and become poor. The slanderer contracts all ailments. The slanderer suffers separation. Slandering a Saint is a sin of all sins. Nanak says if it pleases a Saint the slanderer still can be emancipated (pad 3).