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09/01/2019 Happy New Year!

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ਪਿੜਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭਦ ਬਿਝਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ : Not by reading (religious books), but through Understanding, is the Mystery Realized. - sggs, 148

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UNDERSTANDING THE GURBANI FROM THE GURBANI

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Happy New Year!


by T Singh

These days, a popular and common expression is: “happy new year”.

What’s so “new” or what’s so “happy” about such “Parpanch” (ostentation, deception, illusion…)? The Gurbani tells
us that the majority of us follow Pakhand – imitate what we see other people do, “Dekhaa Dekhee”, people see
people do!

The Gurbani indicates that the mind inflicted with duality or attached to Maya is “Parpanchee” (deceitful,
cunning, crafty, etc.)!

ਪਰਪਿਚ ਿਵਆਿਪ ਰਿਹਆ ਮਨ ਦਇ : The mind is engrossed in “Parpanch” and duality (sggs 153).
ਦਜ ਭਾਇ ਪਰਪਿਚ ਲਾਗ : In the love of duality, (by forgetting their Mool, Jeeva) remain attached to “Parpanch”
(sggs 842).

The illusion of time-space-causation comes into being only if we hold on to the memory of the past and anxiety of
the future.

However, the Gurbani also confirms that there are those in this world — although “rare” — who are NOT engrossed
in “Parpanch”!

ਨਾਨਕ ਿਬਰਲ ਪਾਈਅਿਹ ਜ ਨ ਰਚਿਹ ਪਰਪਚ ॥੫॥: O Nanak! Rare are those, who do not create “Parpanch”. ||5|| (sggs
297).

We consider it as the new year when — at the stroke of the midnight — the current year changes to the next.

This is an external change (worldly, material, Mayaic, business …), thus temporary, fleeting, illusory, unreal…

Hence, this is not the change the Gurbani would like us to bring about in life! Because, such temporary (Mayaic)
change cannot bring about a REAL (permanent) change or reversal in one’s life.

In other words, it would ONLY be a real New Year when we change within (the Real Change) — Positive change in
one’s illusioned mind, faulty thinking and understanding, corrupt nature, wicked habits, conditioned intellect (Budhi),
negative tendencies, Bikaar (lust, anger, greed, etc.), and so on! In other words:

It’s a change from a Manmukh lifestyle (engrossed in “Parpanch”, body-consciousness, self-will, Saakat-hood,
Mayadhaaree life…) to the Gurmukh Lifestyle (Divine Life, Un-Parpanchhee Lifestyle…).
It’s a change from untruth to Truth (Sach).
It’s a change from demerits to the Divine Virtues.
It’s a change from illusion (Bharam-Jaal or Maya-Jaal) to Reality or doubt free state.
It’s a change from false, ephemeral, fleeting, or temporary (Asatt) to the Permanent (Satt, Atall, etc.).
It’s a change from time-bound to Timelessness (Akaal).
It’s a change from unstable state (unnatural state, restlessness…) to Stable State (Stillness, Natural State of
Being, Sahaj, Whole, Saabat, etc.) — a change from impurity to Purity of the mind.
It’s a change from ignorant or doubt-ridden mind to the Divine Knowledge (Prachand Giaan or Wisdom, Giaan-
Avasthaa…).
It’s a change from corrupt intellect (Haumai or ego-ridden-Budhi) to Bibek-Budhi (discriminating or discerning
intellect…).
It’s a change from the memory and anxiety of the past and future to the Eternity of the present moment (NOW,
mindfulness…).

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It’s a change from NOT knowing to knowing one’s Mool (Source, Jot, Reality…), which is ever NEW (“ਗਣ ਿਨਧਾਨ
ਨਵਤਨ ਸਦਾ”).

Such positive change can begin Here and Now! No need to wait for the first of the year as the “Parpanchee” minds
do to make ambitious resolutions for the new year, only to forget few days later! Otherwise it’s all useless even if we
live 100 years!

ਜ ਸਉ ਵਿਰ੍ਹ੍ਹਆ ਜੀਵਣਾ ਭੀ ਤਨ ਹਸੀ ਖਹ ॥੪੧॥: Even if (one) lives for hundred years, (still, in the end) the body will
become dust (sggs 1380).
ਜ ਸਉ ਵਿਰ੍ਹਆ ਜੀਵਣ ਖਾਣ ਖਸਮ ਪਛਾਣ ਸ ਿਦਨ ਪਰਵਾਣ ॥੨॥: If (one) were to live and eat for hundred years, that day
(of one’s life) alone would be authentic (acceptable, approved, auspicious…), when (one) recognizes the Lord.
||2|| (sggs 349).

The Gurbani reminds us that the ultimate purpose of human life is to change it for better and make it Worthy while
incarnated in the human body and, ultimately, realize one’s Spiritual Nature (Mool, Source, Jot Saroop…) within.

ਾਣੀ ਤ ਆਇਆ ਲਾਹਾ ਲਿਣ : O mortal, you came to earn a (Spiritual) Profit. (sggs 43).

The Supreme Message of the Gurbani is (if we want to put it in words): We must change from not knowing oneself
to Knowing Oneself (Truth-abidance…).

ਵਲਾ ਸਚ ਪਰਵਾਣ ਸਬਦ ਪਛਾਣਸੀ ॥੪॥: True and acceptable is the time, when one recognizes the Shabad. ||4|| (sggs
422).
ਿਥਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਿਚ ਰਾਤ : (These) lunar and solar days are auspicious, when (mortals) get imbued with Truth
(sggs 842).
ਸਈ ਿਦਵਸ ਭਲਾ ਮਰ ਭਾਈ ਹਿਰ ਗਨ ਗਾਇ ਪਰਮ ਗਿਤ ਪਾਈ ਰਹਾਉ : O my brother! Only that day is auspicious (for a
person), when (he) obtains the supreme status (Highest Spiritual State…) by constantly remembering and living
the Divine Virtues. ||Pause|| (sggs 395).
ਚਚਾ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਗਰ ਲਾਗਾ ਧਿਨ ਧਿਨ ਉਆ ਿਦਨ ਸਜਗ ਸਭਾਗਾ : CHACHAA (an alphabet of the Gurmukhi): (When
one) got attached to the Gur-Lotus-Feet (i.e., when one got attached to the Gur-Virtues or Wisdom, consider)
those days blessed, and auspicious the conjuncture (sggs 254).
ਸ ਿਦਨ ਸਫਲ ਗਿਣਆ ਹਿਰ ਭ ਿਮਲਾਇਆ ਰਾਮ : That day is fruitful, (the day) Hari-Prabhoo (Mool, Source, Jot…) is
realized (sggs 547).

Therefore, the Gurbani asks how each one of us has changed the course of his/her life:

ਿਕਤ ਿਬਿਧ ਪਰਖਾ ਜਨਮ ਵਟਾਇਆ : O man, how have you changed the course of your life? (sggs 939).

In nutshell, changing the course of life is a revolution within —  intellect must Awaken to the Divine Knowledge…

ਕਿਹ ਕਬੀਰ ਬਿਧ ਹਿਰ ਲਈ ਮਰੀ ਬਿਧ ਬਦਲੀ ਿਸਿਧ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥੨੧॥੭੨॥: Says Kabeer (O Lord)! You have taken away my
(worldly) wisdom, (now that worldly) Budhi has transmuted, I have attained Spiritual Perfection. ||2||21||72||
(sggs 339).
ਸਾਚ ਕੀ ਮਿਤ ਸਦਾ ਨਉਤਨ ਸਬਿਦ ਨਹ ਨਵਲਓ : The intellect of Truth is EVER FRESH, and the love (for the Truth)
nurtured through the Shabad is ever NEW. (sggs 242).

When Awakened to the Divine Knowledge, people of all faiths live in ever NEW love and harmony (“ ਮ ਸਦਾ
ਨਉਰਗੀ”), peace and amity, higher mental and spiritual state; conduct themselves truthfully and righteously; live
without fear of injustice or oppression; respect each other; enjoy equality and human rights; see the same self in
everybody, and so on. The natural result of such inner change brings about overall prosperity and happiness.

However, according to the Gurbani, a “rare” one embarks on this Way of Inner Revolutionary. Such person is called
the Gurmukh, Bhagat, Daas, Jan, etc., in the Gurbani.

ਸਬਦੀ ਧਵ ਿਵਰਲਾ ਕਇ ਗਰਮਿਖ ਕਈ ਸਚ ਕਮਾਵ : A rare (person) washes (his mind) with the Shabad. A rare
(person), by becoming the Gurmukh, practices the Truth (sggs 1344).

The Gurbani wants each of its seeker (learner, student, Sikh) to mend the doubt-ridden mind by bathing it in the
pool of the Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) and become the “rare” Gurmukh, Here and Now. The
Gurbani asserts that the one without the Wisdom is plundered.

Otherwise, before we know, kaput! The end!

Helloooooooooo New Year!

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Filed Under: Change, Days, Months..., Gurbani

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20 Comments LEAVE A COMMENT

G Prakash S Bagga

Only Grace of Abinaasee Prabhu can initiate changes in the mind and one can become true Gurmukhi.

Reply

G T Singh Post author

Thank you Bhai Sahib Ji for taking the time to share your thoughts.

The Gurbani asserts:


• ਆਪਣ ਹਥੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੀਐ ॥੨੦॥: (So long there is breath-Praan) With own hands (with self-
efforts, ਉ ਦਮ ਕਰ ਕ…), resolve your own affair yourself. ||20|| (sggs 474).
• ਜ ਭ ਖਜਿਹ ਸਈ ਪਾਵਿਹ ਹਿਰ ਫਿਟ ਮਏ ਅਹਕਾਰੀ ॥੨੦॥: Those who seek Prabhu (i.e., Mool …), they obtain (i.e.,
realize their Mool within ); others die fragmented in their egotism (i.e., die without realizing their Mool). ||20||
(sggs 911).
• ਆਿਪ ਬੀਿਜ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਖਾਇ : As we plant, so we harvest and eat (sggs 25).
• ਮਨ ਸਮਝਾਵਨ ਕਾਰਨ ਕਛਅਕ ਪੜੀਐ ਿਗਆਨ ॥੫॥: To instruct the mind (to raise Consciousness to Higher
Dimension, one) ought to study Divine Knowledge to some extent. ||5|| (sggs 340).

Reply

G Baljit Soni

Enjoyed reading gurbani interpretation and the comments that followed. The impression I got after reading is it is
very difficult or even not possible in one lifetime to attain that state of divinity while you are alive. My experience is it
requires practice (P). P to be in remembrance and to practice peace. That’s when our understanding turns into
reality.

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank you brother Baljit Soni Ji for taking the time to respond. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

Reply

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G prakash S Bagga

The flow of money is equally important and all wordly celebarations (Purpuch) should be viewed in this context only.
Purpunch is also supported from THE CREATOR and only rares are one who are kept away from its Purpuch that is
also the game plan of THE CREATOR.

Reply

G J

Respected T Singh Ji

Fantastic article, thanks for keeping us focused on the task in hand.

J.

Reply

G Harbans Singh Kandola

MERE MANN EKAS SION CHIT LAEAE. EKAS BIN SABH DHANDH HAI SABH MITHIA MOH MAEAE. (SGGSJI
PANNA 44). Yes we need economic progress but inner peace , happiness, bliss and joy comes from living the
teachings of GURBANI. Living a balanced life is the key message of GURBANI.

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Tank you Bhai Sahib Harbans Singh Kandola Jeo.


We welcome you here at the Gurbani Blog.

Reply

G Sarbjit

Very true.

Reply

G T Singh Post author

Thank you Sarbjit Ji for taking the time to share your thoughts. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

Reply

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G Tarlok Singh Sahota

Dear T Singh Jeo;

How to achieve that status isn’t made explicitly clear by you. The spiritual change isn’t like a physical change
(switching on a light bulb and you remove darkness in an instant! Or a chemical change where you mix two
elements/chemicals and get the third one instantly!), its a long process, because “ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੀ ਇਸ ਮਨ ਕਉ ਮਲ ਲਾਗੀ
ਕਾਲਾ ਹਆ ਿਸਆਹ
The filth of countless incarnations sticks to this mind; it has become pitch black.” Ank 651. Param Pad is rising
above the three Gunas of Maya and five Viakaras (that are within Maya) and its not easy. Yatha Gurwak “ਏਕ ਨਗਰੀ
ਪਚ ਚਰ ਬਸੀਅਲ ਬਰਜਤ ਚਰੀ ਧਾਵ
In the one village of the body, live the five thieves; they have been warned, but they still go out stealing.

ਿ ਹਦਸ ਮਾਲ ਰਖ ਜ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਖ ਮਕਿਤ ਸ ਪਾਵ ॥੧॥


One who keeps his assets safe from the three modes and the ten passions, O Nanak, attains liberation and
emancipation. ||1||” Ank 503. Also, “ਪਚ ਪਤ ਜਣ ਇਕ ਮਾਇ The One Mother gave birth to the five sons,” Ank 865.
The solution is “ਰਹਤ ਰਹਤ ਰਿਹ ਜਾਿਹ ਿਬਕਾਰਾ
Your evil ways shall be slowly and steadily blotted out,
ਗਰ ਪਰ ਕ ਸਬਿਦ ਅਪਾਰਾ
by the Shabad, the Incomparable Word of the Perfect Guru.” Ank 259. The process can take more than one life. No
wonder Bhagat Kabir Ji told us about himself while addressing to the Lord “ਪਰਬ ਜਨਮ ਹਮ ਤਮ੍ਹਰ ਸਵਕ ਅਬ ਤਉ ਿਮਿਟਆ
ਨ ਜਾਈ
In my past life, I was Your servant; now, I cannot leave You.” Ank 970. It is clear that Bhagat Kabir Ji couldn’t reach
the Param Pad in one life. While your article is appreciated, I may say that you seemed to have solved the problem
in minutes/instantly!

Best Regards.
Guru’s Singh
Tarlok Singh…

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Nobody is saying it’s easy – it’s like “Chewing Iron”.


Nothing is easy!
As about quotations, the Gurbani is full of many more related verses, but all cannot be given from a space
point of view.
Thank you Bhai Sahib Jio for sharing. Welcome to the Gurbani Blog!

Reply

G Karamjeet Singh

Very well said Veer T Singh Ji,

The real newness lies ‘within’ and can perpetually stay ‘renewed’ by regular assimilation of Gurbani. I don’t exactly
recall the complete shabad but another gurbani ‘tuq’ reaffirms … ‘Sahib mera neet navaan, sadaa sadaa daataar ‘

Deep Regards

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

“ The real newness lies ‘within’ and can perpetually stay ‘renewed’ by regular assimilation of Gurbani.”
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ਸਾਿਹਬ ਮਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਦਾਤਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ (sggs 660).
Thank you Bhai Sahib Jio!

Reply

G Jang Mucker

After reading your all Shri Gurbani Ji’s explanation ma soul is fully satisfied within . Thank you all ma brothers ;
Happy Divine New Year Greetings .

Reply

G Bal singh

Excellent as usuall!

Reply

G Gurpreet Singh

Satkar jog gurmukh T.Singh jio


Sat bachan ji.
ਕਿਹ ਕਬੀਰ ਬਿਧ ਹਿਰ ਲਈ ਮਰੀ ਬਿਧ ਬਦਲੀ ਿਸਿਧ ਪਾਈ
It’s a change from Bharam-Jaal (illusion) to Brahm-Giaan (Divine Knowledge, Aatm-Giaan, etc.).
regards
Gurpreet Singh

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thank you Veer Ji so much.

Reply

G Bhai Harbans Lal

New Year is the time when greeting cards, gifts, and good wishes keep pouring in from friends and relatives. They
are believed to be expressing sentiments but with a lot of money exchanging hands. The expression of sentiments
is wrapped in expensive packages and psychological hang-ups…

While reading about birthday and ageing (avadh) in Sri Guru Granth Sahib I was made to realize that at the time of
any New Year or any birthday, when our circle of friends and relatives are expressing jubilation, we lose another
year from our given life span. And this loss may not be insignificant for many of us with graying of the hair.

As we grow older and amass wisdom and wealth, we proportionately give up opportunity to enjoy those treasures.
Bhagat Kabir, while writing in the Guru Granth (page 91) brings home this lesson as follows.
ਜਨਨੀ ਜਾਨਤ ਸਤ ਬਡਾ ਹਤ ਹ ਇਤਨਾ ਕ ਨ ਜਾਨ ਿਜ ਿਦਨ ਿਦਨ ਅਵਧ ਘਟਤ ਹ
jannee jaanat sut badaa hot hai itnaa ko na jaanai je din din avaDh ghatat hai.

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Every mother celebrates and takes pleasure in believing that her child is growing up with every birthday she
celebrates; she does not realize that, day by day, her son’s or daughter’s life is actually diminishing by a year per
birthday.

Guru Arjan brings this point home with another perspective on page 207 of the Guru Granth.

ਰਾਜ ਜਬਨ ਅਵਧ ਜ ਦੀਸ ਸਭ ਿਕਛ ਜਗ ਮਿਹ ਘਾਿਟਆ


raaj joban avaDh jo deesai sabh kichh jug meh ghaati-aa.
Power and authority, youth and possessions – whatever is seen in this world, all of them are continuously fading
away.

On page 247 of the Guru Granth, Guru Arjan further describes the plight of our shortsightedness in counting our
growing wealth and influence as something ever-increasing:

ਹਉ ਸਚਉ ਹਉ ਖਾਟਤਾ ਸਗਲੀ ਅਵਧ ਿਬਹਾਨੀ


ha-o sancha-o ha-o khaattaa saglee avaDh bihaanee. rahaa-o.
I think that I am earning profits and getting richer with advancing age, without realizing that my life span is declining
in similar proportions.

Then, should the New Year or a new birthday be an occasion for euphoria or introspection? The answer is neither
yes nor no. The answer may be qualified based on what aspect of our growth and our life span we look at.

A considerable amount of research, based on the foundational assumption of a finite human life span, has begun to
focus on the concept of life span independent of yearly calendars of events. It may be called life expectancy that is
spiritually rich and free of dependence on a calendar. It is rather a healthy life expectancy, an active life expectancy,
a disability-free life expectancy, an altruistic life span, a functional life expectancy, and a purposeful life expectancy.
A life that is gift to enjoy and that is opportunity to fulfill its fundamental objectives…

The New Year introspection may lead us to a solemn declaration that we will endeavor further to building inner
bridges to reality so that we may empower our own potential as well as help others to shift the global mind towards
eternal reality…

Reply

G G. Singh

Great!

Reply

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