ਗਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਗਰ ਤ ਜਾਤੀ ਿਜ ਸਬਿਦ ਰਤ ਰਗ ਲਾਇ : Bani of the Gur (Satigur) is understood from the Gur (Satigur, by) those

) those who lovingly remain attuned to the

Shabad (Shabad-Vichaar) - sggs 1346

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Gurbani Speaks of One Universal Dharma

of Virtues
by T Singh

The word Dharma comes from the Sanskrit root dhri, which means “to hold”. Therefore, Dharma refers to that innate
characteristic or Eternal Nature which constantly exists with a particular object — the Eternal function or True
Nature of all beings.

For example, heat is the natural Dharma of fire, liquidity is the natural Dharma of water, light is the natural Dharma
of sun, to produce plants is the natural Dharma of a seed, energy is the natural Dharma of electricity, and so
on. Hence, the word Dharma referrers to and expresses the vital or Essential Nature of men, animals, all other
creatures, metals, and so on. Dharma, therefore, is a comprehensive term that refers to the immutable Law of
Nature (Hukam, Sach…).

Accordingly, although, the worldly or organized religions are many and are man-made, however, the Sri Guru
Granth Sahib (SGGS) asserts that there is only one true Dharma — the Universal Dharma of Virtues (ਗਣ-Gun)!

This true, one universal Dharma is observed at the level of the mind (Surat, consciousness). It’s so because this
true Dharma is the Eternal function or Original Nature (Inner Nature) of all beings in relationship with “Sach” (Truth,
Giaan or Wisdom, Virtues).

ਏਕ ਧਰਮ ਿ ੜ ਸਚ ਕਈ : If some one grasps this – there is but one Dharma of Truth. (sggs 1188).
ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਿਹ ਸਟ ਧਰਮ ਹਿਰ ਕ ਨਾਮ ਜਿਪ ਿਨਰਮਲ ਕਰਮ : Of all Dharma, the best Dharma is “Naam(u) Japi”
(understand the Gurbani and obtain Giaan or Wisdom, Virtue…) and do Pure Karma (ਪਿਵ ਆਚਰਣ, conduct…).
(sggs 266).

To the contrary, all religions are man-made, and mostly observed at the level of the physical body-frame
(Karamkaand or rituals, etc.).

One of the things common among man-made or organized religions is their respective Pujaare system, their
religious paraphernalia, and their Karamkaand (rituals)!

Accordingly, there is the Pujaaree group (ਪਜਾਰੀ ਲਾਣਾ) in Sikhi; there is the Hindu Pujaaree Group; there is the
Muslim Pujaaree Group; there is the Christian Pujaaree Group, and so on. And this Pujaaree group is greedy,
corrupt, crafty, illiterate…

Dharma without Virtues (ਗਣ-Gun)

There can be no true Dharma without Virtues (ਗਣ-Gun) — Truth (ਸਤ), contentment (ਸਤਖ), mercy (ਦਯਾ), patience
(ਧੀਰਜ), Sahaj (ਸਹਜ-Natural State of Being), Wisdom (ਿਗਆਨ)…

Including ALL Sikhs (learners or students of the SGGS, ਿਸਿਖਆਰਥੀ), the SGGS teaches the entire mankind to follow
the ONE, Superb Dharma of Virtues (Giaan, Truth, Bhagti, Naam, or Hukam).

In fact, Giaan (Divine Wisdom, Spiritual Knowledge, Bibek…) is called Dharma and Gur(u) in the SGGS. Hence, the
SGGS asks us to build a fence of this Dharma around!

As a matter of fact, all terms like Giaan (Wisdom), Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ), Truth (Sach), Naam, Gurmat Bhagti, or
Hukam (Law of Nature) are synonymous. The Gurbani confirms it as follows:
 ਗਣ ਵੀਚਾਰ ਿਗਆਨੀ ਸਇ ਗਣ ਮਿਹ ਿਗਆਨ ਪਰਾਪਿਤ ਹਇ : (One who) contemplates the Divine Virtues is spiritually
Wise. Spiritual Wisdom is obtained through the Divine Virtues (sggs 931).
ਨਾਿਮ ਰਤ ਗਣ ਿਗਆਨ ਬੀਚਾਰ : Remaining attuned to the Naam, Virtues and spiritual Wisdom are reflected upon.
(sggs 941).
ਿਵਣ ਗਣ ਕੀਤ ਭਗਿਤ ਨ ਹਇ : Without acquiring Virtues, Bhagti can not be performed (sggs 4).
ਮਾਨ ਹਕਮ ਸਭ ਗਣ ਿਗਆਨ : (One who) accepts the Divine Hukam, he is blessed with all Divine Virtues and total
Spiritual Wisdom. (sggs 944).

Hence, in nutshell, clearly, the Gurmat (Wisdom, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS) wants us to awaken the Divinie
Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ) within in order to be a true Dhaarmic person!

No wonder the SGGS asks all to share in the Divine Virtues!

For a Sikh can awaken within the Divine Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ) by remaining a good Sikh, a Hindu can awaken within
the Divine Virtues by remaining a good Hindu, a Muslim can awaken within the Divine Virtues by remaining a good
Muslim, a Bodhi can awaken within the Divine Virtues by remaining a good Bodhi, a Christian can awaken within
the Divine Virtues by remaining a good Christian, a Jew can awaken within the Divine Virtues by remaining a good
Jew, and so on.

However, the crafty Pujaaree system of the world religions will NOT let it happen! Instead, they will make sure the
people remain divided, ignorant, without the Divine Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ)…

Understandably, the SGGS breaks the corrupt Pujaaree system. They have turned their man-made religions into a
mundane business (ਧਧਾ)! Accordingly, for the betterment of the human society, all Gur Sahibaan and Bhagat tried
their best to break the corrupt and stagnant Pujaaree systems. They knew that without breaking these corrupt
Pujaaree systems, people cannot be steered away from the lifestyle of “Bhangaar” they propagate. The reality is
falsehood cannot propagate Truth.

Gurbani’s Superb Universal Dharma of Virtues

The Gurbani rejects all man-made religions. The Universal Dharma of Sach (Truth) that the SGGS reminds the
entire humankind of is for the good of the entire mankind.

ਬਲੀਐ ਸਚ ਧਰਮ ਝਠ ਨ ਬਲੀਐ : Speak the “Sachu” Dharma (i.e. to speak Truth is Dharma), and do not speak
falsehood (sggs 488).).
ਏਕ ਿਪਤਾ ਏਕਸ ਕ ਹਮ ਬਾਿਰਕ ਤ ਮਰਾ ਗਰ ਹਾਈ : There is One Divine-Father; we are the children of the One God. O
God, (then, also) you are my Gurbhaaee (a fellow spiritual brother, a fello seeker or learner or student…) (sggs
611).
ਨਾ ਹਮ ਿਹਦ ਨ ਮਸਲਮਾਨ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕ ਿਪਡ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥: We are neither Hindu, nor Muslim. Our body and breath of
life belong to (whom Muslim call) Allah and to (whom Hindus call) Raam. ||4|| (sggs 1136).

Currently, in Bhav Saagar, Jeev (individual beings) are in the cracked or split state (“ਦਤੜਾ”) — lacking Virtues
(Nirgun).

The Gurbani’s Universal Dharma wants the entire humanity to escape from Bhav Saggar to Sukh Saagar and
awaken the Divine Virtues (ਗਣ-Gun) or Giaan (Wisdom) within.

A Brahmin can do that; a Muslim can do that; a Yogi can do that, a Sikh can do that; a Khalsa can do that, list goes
on and on.

Bhagat Kabeer Sahib reminds the entire humanity of this universal Dharma of Virtues, Truth…

ਦੀਨ ਿਬਸਾਿਰਓ ਰ ਿਦਵਾਨ ਦੀਨ ਿਬਸਾਿਰਓ ਰ ਪਟ ਭਿਰਓ ਪਸਆ ਿਜਉ ਸਇਓ ਮਨਖ ਜਨਮ ਹ ਹਾਿਰਓ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ : O madman,
You have forgotten your Dharma; you have forgotten your Dharma. Like animals, you fill your belly and sleep;
you have wasted and lost this human life. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1105).

Let’s take a few examples from the Gurbani:

For example, a person who identifies himself as a Sikh or Khalsa can awaken the universal Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ)
within, without changing his man-made religion:

ਕਹ ਕਬੀਰ ਜਨ ਭਏ ਖਾਲਸ ਮ ਭਗਿਤ ਿਜਹ ਜਾਨੀ : O Kabeer! Those persons become “Khaalsae” (ਖਾਲਸ) who have
realized the Prem Bhagti (ਗਰਮਤ ਦਾ ਪਰਾ ਿਗਆਨ; Perfect Understanding of the Gur-Shabad, Gur-Giaan, or Divine
Wisdom of the Gurbani…). (sggs 655).
 ਸ ਿਸਖ ਸਖਾ ਬਧਪ ਹ ਭਾਈ ਿਜ ਗਰ ਕ ਭਾਣ ਿਵਿਚ ਆਵ : O brother! He alone is a Sikh, a friend, and a relative, who
walks in the Way of the Gur-Bhaanaa (Divine Hukam, Gurmat, the Gurbani’s Giaan or Wisdom…). (sggs 601).

A person who identifies himself Brahmin can also awaken the universal Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ) within, withut changing
his man-made religion:

ਬਹਮਣ ਬਹਮ ਿਗਆਨ ਇਸਨਾਨੀ ਹਿਰ ਗਣ ਪਜ ਪਾਤੀ : He alone is a Brahmin, who takes his cleansing bath in the
Brahm-Giann (spiritual wisdom), and whose leaf-offerings in worship are the Divine Virtues. (sggs 992).

A person who identifies himself Muslim can also awaken the universal Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ) within, withut changing his
man-made religion:

ਪਿਜ ਿਨਵਾਜਾ ਵਖਤ ਪਿਜ ਪਜਾ ਪਜ ਨਾਉ ਪਿਹਲਾ ਸਚ ਹਲਾਲ ਦਇ ਤੀਜਾ ਖਰ ਖਦਾਇ ਚਉਥੀ ਨੀਅਿਤ ਰਾਿਸ ਮਨ ਪਜਵੀ ਿਸਫਿਤ ਸਨਾਇ
ਕਰਣੀ ਕਲਮਾ ਆਿਖ ਕ ਤਾ ਮਸਲਮਾਣ ਸਦਾਇ : There are five prayers and five times of day for prayer; the five have
five names. Let the first be truthfulness, the second honest living, and the third good will for all (Sarbatt Da
Bhalaa). Let the fourth be the pure intent and mind, and the fifth the the Divine Praise. (With these five Namaaj)
utter the creed of good deeds, and then, you may call yourself a Muslim. (sggs 141).

A person who identifies himself Yogi can also awaken the universal Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ) within, withut changing his
man-made religion:

ਮਦਾ ਸਤਖ ਸਰਮ ਪਤ ਝਲੀ ਿਧਆਨ ਕੀ ਕਰਿਹ ਿਬਭਿਤ ਿਖਥਾ ਕਾਲ ਕਆਰੀ ਕਾਇਆ ਜਗਿਤ ਡਡਾ ਪਰਤੀਿਤ ਆਈ ਪਥੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਮਾਤੀ
ਮਿਨ ਜੀਤ ਜਗ ਜੀਤ : Make contentment your ear-rings, humility your begging bowl, and meditation the ashes you
apply to your body. Let (the remembrance) of death be the patched coat you wear, let the body free of Bikaar be
your skill in the world, and let knowledge (conviction, confidence, faith) be your walking stick. See the
brotherhood of all mankind as the highest order of Yogis; if you conquer the mind, you conquer the material
world. (sggs 6).

If all this happens, then, regardless of what worldly religion a person identifies with, everybody will have the same
Divine Virtues (ਗਣ-Gun) — Oneness, Sameness, universal Love, universal Brotherhood, universal Citizenship…

The Divine Virtues (Gun-ਗਣ) build a fence of Dharma around a person. As a result, there will be more love, less
hatered and bloodshed in the name of religion or god.

However, the Gurbani’s this universal Dharma of Virtues requires people to change and see the world with spiritual
eyes.

ਿਜਿਨ ਕਿਰ ਉਪਦਸ ਿਗਆਨ ਅਜਨ ਦੀਆ ਇਨ੍ਹੀ ਨ ੀ ਜਗਤ ਿਨਹਾਿਲਆ : He taught me and given me the healing eyedrops
of spiritual Wisdom so that with my spiritual eyes, I visualize the world (sggs 470).

That’s where the problem is — people don’t want to change or mend their thinking. Since the organized religions
see no material gain in teaching their followers to change, they stick to their antagonistic adherents and engage in
foolish acts in the name of their religion and god.

Dharma revealed by the SGGS is universal

First off, Dharma of the Gurmat is Dharma of GIAAN (Divine Wisdom or Knowledge, Virtues…). It’s NOT a Dharma
of AGIAANEE (ignorant, unvirtuous…)!

ਕਬੀਰਾ ਜਹਾ ਿਗਆਨ ਤਹ ਧਰਮ ਹ ਜਹਾ ਝਠ ਤਹ ਪਾਪ ॥ ਜਹਾ ਲਭ ਤਹ ਕਾਲ ਹ ਜਹਾ ਿਖਮਾ ਤਹ ਆਿਪ ॥੧੫੫॥: O Kabeer! (Within a
person, if) there is Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom, Divine Knowledge, Aatm–Giaan…) there is Dharma; (if within him)
there is falsehood, there is sin (corrupt thinking). (Within a person, if) there is greed, there is “Kaal(u)” ( thoughts-
ਫਰਨ, imagination, fancy, death of spiritual life-ਆਤਮਕ ਮਤ…); and (if within him) there is forgiveness, there is
one’s True Self. (sggs 1372).

The Giaan or spiritual Knowledge of the SGGS is meant to raise conditioned consciousness to the level of Immortal
Consciousness. Thus the the SGGS puts the entire mankind back on the path (Panth) of the True Dharma (“ਸਚ
ਧਰਮ – Sachu Dharamu”). Its Divine Guidance and Universal Message is for the improvement and welfare of the
whole mankind.

ਹਿਰ ਕ ਨਾਮ ਲ ਊਤਮ ਧਰਮਾ : Obtain the Divine Naam (Spiritual Knowledge, Virtue…), this is the Highest Dharma
(sggs 834).
However, the members of the Gurdwara committees and the illiterate and crafty Pujaaree-Vaad (Raagees, Bhais,
Kathaakaar, preachers, Deraavaad Baabaa, etc.) have shamelessly hijacked and tortured the real Gurmat and its
Supreme Message with concocted Karamkaand (rituals), plundering masses in the process. The wicked Pujaaree
system has connected people to mere body-consciousness (Maya) instead of the Gur-Giaan (spiritual Knowledge of
the Gurbani…) or Naam.

Regardless of religion, the Pujaaree of every religion firstly wants to close people’s minds shut — make
them dead! Also, they make people emotional so they don’t think logically. As a result, people believe
whatever the Pujaaree-Vaad tattles (ਗਪ) in the name of dharma and god.

Pujaaree, thus, plunder people by confusing theme, entangling them, selling them the fake or counterfeit
dharma or god (ਨਕਲੀ ਧਰਮ ਅਤ ਰਬ)…

What a tragedy! To reverse this situation in Sikhi, we must read the Gurbani ourselves, churn it through Shabad-
Vichaar to understand its true meanings, and then apply it in daily life.

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9 Comments LEAVE A COMMENT

G Inderjit kaur

Thanks for posting this enlightening truth from Gurbani.

Reply

G T Singh

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

Reply

G Ranjit Singh Oberoi

The author is unduly harsh on the Pujarees.

We need our Kirtanias and BhaiSahibs. They are an essential part of Saadh Sangat, and the Sikh Musical
Experience.

Reply
 G T Singh

Thanks Veer Ji for taking the time to reply. Welcome to the Gurbani blog!

Brother, to put it gently, we need to understand the Gurbani FROM the Gurbani (SGGS), NOT from the
NON-Gurbani sources like the illiterate, greedy, or corrupt Pujaaree system — “ਗਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਗਰ ਤ ਜਾਤੀ”.

Here is what the Gurbani says about the Pujaare group:

• ਪਿਡਤ ਮਲ ਜ ਿਲਿਖ ਦੀਆ ਛਾਿਡ ਚਲ ਹਮ ਕਛ ਨ ਲੀਆ ॥੩॥: Whatever the Pandit and the Mullaan have written
(the path of Karamkaand, Shariyat…), I have abandoned (all of that); I have not taken any of it ||3||. (sggs
1159).
• ਹਮਰਾ ਝਗਰਾ ਰਹਾ ਨ ਕਊ ਪਿਡਤ ਮਲ ਛਾਡ ਦਊ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ : (Now) I have no quarrel with anyone anymore;
because I have abandoned both the Pandit and the Mullaan (ਦਹ ਦ ਦਸ ਰਸਤ ਨਾਲ ਮਰਾ ਕਈ ਵਾਸਤਾ ਨਹ – the
path of Karamkaand, Shariyat…). |1|| Pause || (sggs 1158).

After reading the above declaration of the SGGS, your mind may conclude that the SGGS is also “unduly
harsh on the Pujarees”! But, what the conditioned minds think do not make any difference to the SGGS!

The content of your reply suggests the Pujaaraae system has brain washed you and watered down your
understanding of the Gurbani’s Upadesh — terms like Kirtan, Saaddh Sangat…

Obviously, you think Kirtan is just singing with harmonium, tabla, Dholak, Raag, etc. That’s not the Gurbani’s
definition of the Kirtan.

Reply

G Sonik

Thank you for doing this work. Your Gurbani website and blog have been a source of wisdom and comfort to me for
many years now. I hope the Gurbani blog will continue to bring good tidings to all who read it.

Reply

G T Singh

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

Reply

G J

Excellent post T Singh Ji, thanks for showing the truth.

Reply

G T Singh

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

Reply
 G J

Excellent post T Singh Ji, thank you for showing the truth !

Reply

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