Praises of Krishna in gurbani­ – misconceptions and answers – Part II

 

Part I      

Part III

 

ਅਮੋਘ ਦਰਸਨ ਆਜੂਨੀ ਸੰਭਉ ॥

ਅਮੋਘ ਦਰਸਨ – Your glimpse is priceless; 2) seeing You by doing bhagti is a way to liberation.

ਆਜੂਨੀ – He is unborn.

ਸੰਭਉ u – He is self-illuminated/self-existed.

How this shabad can be to describe/praise Vishnu is beyond my knowledge. Vishnu is born because of Maaya; Maaya created him. How these words are for him then?

I do not want to mortify those who claim it to be for Vishnu. But I just can’t stop now. I have to complete the translation of this shabad and then answer some questions raised by Baljit Singh ji. Maybe he can explain how this is for Vishnu.

 

ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਕਦੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਖਉ ॥

ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ – His existence is beyond time – imperishable; (ਮੂU+ਰਤਿ) I have priti (attachment/love? – don’t know what the exact translation is for this in English) with You will be.

ਜਿਸੁ ਕਦੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਖਉ – He will never be eradicated/destroyed.

He is Satt Chetan Anand.

On the other hand, Vishnu is under time and Maaya, and one day all the deities will go away only Waheguru will be there. It’s also mentioned in gurbani how it’s in the beginning.

 

ਕੇਤੇ ਜੁਗ ਵਰਤੇ ਗੁਬਾਰੈ ॥ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਈ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰੈ ॥

ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਿ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਬੈਠਾ ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਧੰਧੁ ਪਸਾਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੧॥

ਜੁਗ ਛਤੀਹ ਤਿਨੈ ਵਰਤਾਏ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਣਾ ਤਿਵੈ ਚਲਾਏ ॥

ਤਿਸਹਿ ਸਰੀਕੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਕੋਈ ਆਪੇ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰਾ ਹੇ ॥੨॥

 

ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥

ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ ॥੧॥

ਖਾਣੀ ਨ ਬਾਣੀ ਪਉਣ ਨ ਪਾਣੀ ॥ ਓਪਤਿ ਖਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਣ ਜਾਣੀ ॥

ਖੰਡ ਪਤਾਲ ਸਪਤ ਨਹੀ ਸਾਗਰ ਨਦੀ ਨ ਨੀਰੁ ਵਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੨॥

ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਮਛੁ ਪਇਆਲਾ ॥ ਦੋਜਕੁ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਨਹੀ ਖੈ ਕਾਲਾ ॥

ਨਰਕੁ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੰਮਣੁ ਮਰਣਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਇ ਨ ਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੩॥

ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹੇਸੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ॥

ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੪॥

ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਜਤੀ ਸਤੀ ਬਨ ਵਾਸੀ ॥ ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਸਿਧ ਸਾਧਿਕ ਸੁਖਵਾਸੀ ॥

ਜੋਗੀ ਜੰਗਮ ਭੇਖੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਨਾਥੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੫॥ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਨਾ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਪੂਜਾ ॥

ਨਾ ਕੋ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਆਪੇ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਪਾਇਦਾ ॥੬॥

ਨਾ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਤੁਲਸੀ ਮਾਲਾ ॥ ਗੋਪੀ ਕਾਨੁ ਨ ਗਊ ਗੁੋਆਲਾ ॥

ਤੰਤੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਵੰਸੁ ਵਜਾਇਦਾ ॥੭॥ ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਾਖੀ ॥

ਜਾਤਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ਆਖੀ ॥ ਮਮਤਾ ਜਾਲੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਥੈ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਿਸੈ ਧਿਆਇਦਾ ॥੮॥ ਨਿੰਦੁ ਬਿੰਦੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੀਉ ਨ ਜਿੰਦੋ ॥ ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗੋਰਖੁ ਨਾ ਮਾਛਿੰਦੋ ॥

ਨਾ ਤਦਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕੁਲ ਓਪਤਿ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਗਣਤ ਗਣਾਇਦਾ ॥੯॥

ਵਰਨ ਭੇਖ ਨਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਖਤ੍ਰੀ ॥ ਦੇਉ ਨ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਗਊ ਗਾਇਤ੍ਰੀ ॥

ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਨਹੀ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਾ ਲਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੦॥

ਨਾ ਕੋ ਮੁਲਾ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਾਜੀ ॥ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਸੇਖੁ ਮਸਾਇਕੁ ਹਾਜੀ ॥

ਰਈਅਤਿ ਰਾਉ ਨ ਹਉਮੈ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਨਾ ਕੋ ਕਹਣੁ ਕਹਾਇਦਾ ॥੧੧॥

 

ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਅਬਿਗਤ ਅਗੋਚਰ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਝ ਹੀ ਹੈ ਲਗਾ ॥੭॥

ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ – Imperishable.

ਅਬਿਗਤ – Waheguru can’t be fully fathomed; Whose darshan is hard to get.

ਅਗੋਚਰ – Waheguru is beyond senses; He’s Gyaan Saroop.

ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਝ ਹੀ ਹੈ ਲਗਾ – Everything is because of You; Everything is attached to You.

This’s same what I’ve been saying that Waheguru is everything, He is attached to us. There’s not even us but Him. But people just want to replace that with Vishnu. I can understand that you worship Vishnu, but that doesn’t give you the liberty to change the meanings according to your wish.

Waheguru is everything/everyone. He’s even in Vishnu, so the praises are of the jot of Waheguru. In Jaap Sahib, Guru Sahib mentions:

 

ਨਮੋ ਅੰਧਕਾਰੇ

Does it mean that Gur Sahib is worshipping Devil? Or Sikhs are worshipping Devil? Those who are changing the meanings of the words in gurbani, what will they say about this verse? Religion is not the topic that you should just get into if you do not have knowledge. You should just attach to worshipping of someone that you believe in, otherwise questions like these will take your sleep away at night, or shatter the very backbone of your core beliefs.

 

ਸ੍ਰੀਰੰਗ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਕੇ ਵਾਸੀ ॥

ਸ੍ਰੀਰੰਗ – Under Waheguru’s command, Maaya does its/her actions; In Mahan Kosh it is also translated to Vishnu, which should be fine too as it’s all about the jot of Waheguru.

ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਕੇ ਵਾਸੀ – You live in Baikunth (Sachkhand); (ਬੈ+ਕੁੰਠ) You live where the duality stops.

ਸਚਖੰਡਿ ਵਸੈ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥

 

ਮਛੁ ਕਛੁ ਕੂਰਮੁ ਆਗਿਆ ਅਉਤਰਾਸੀ ॥

ਮਛੁ ਕਛੁ ਕੂਰਮੁ – Avatars of Masshh, Kasshh, Kuram.

ਆਗਿਆ ਅਉਤਰਾਸੀ – Under Your command took the forms.

The Avatars of Vishnu (or other deities) took forms under the command of Waheguru.

 

ਕੇਸਵ ਚਲਤ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਰਾਲੇ ਕੀਤਾ ਲੋੜਹਿ ਸੋ ਹੋਇਗਾ ॥੮॥

ਕੇਸਵ – Parkash Saroop Waheguru; Beloved; Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha did two more translations of this word: first one is Vishnu because of his hair; second one is Krishan as he killed Kesh demon.

Whichever the word, the meaning will always be Waheguru. There are few shabads where Kesav word comes for Waheguru.

ਸਰਨਿ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨ ਪੁਰਖ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਰਵਣੁ ਜੈਸੇ ॥

ਕੇਸਵ ਕਲੇਸ ਨਾਸ ਅਘ ਖੰਡਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੀਵਤ ਦਰਸ ਦਿਸੇ ॥੨॥੯॥੧੨੫॥

Guru Sahib mentions Niranjan word too for Waheguru. Niranjan and Kesav words both can’t be for Vishnu/Krishan. Are we going to say that Niranjan is for Waheguru and Kesav for Vishnu? That’s not what Sikhi is. There’re praises of Waheguru in formless and in form, but it’s not for the deities.

While reading the tika of Dasam Guru Granth Sahib ji, I came across the translation of devi word which has been in discussions for a long time among Sikhs (mainly anti-panthic people). Had they visited any puratan samparda, they would have known that it’s not about some deity but Akaal Shakti which is doing all the things. All the praises are of Waheguru. Singhs often say that there’s no difference between Akaal Shakti and Akaal. Like there is no difference between the sun and sunlight – one can’t be separated from other.

ਨਿਰਹਾਰੀ ਕੇਸਵ ਨਿਰਵੈਰਾ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਜਨਾ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਪੂਜਹਿ ਪੈਰਾ ॥

 

ਸਗਲ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਅਸਟ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਾਮ ਮਹਾ ਰਸ ਮਾਹਿ ॥

ਸੁਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਭਏ ਕੇਸਵਾ ਸੇ ਜਨ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਹਿ ॥੪॥

ਚਲਤ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਰਾਲੇ – You do inexplicable miracles.

ਕੀਤਾ ਲੋੜਹਿ ਸੋ ਹੋਇਗਾ – Whatever You wish/think, that will happen.

 

ਨਿਰਾਹਾਰੀ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥

ਨਿਰਾਹਾਰੀ – He doesn’t need anything to survive (like we humans need air/food/water/etc. to sustain ourselves.)

On the other hand, if it’s Vishnu, then he needs jot of Waheguru to live/survive. Maaya created by Waheguru is also required for his presence.

ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ – He has no Hatred.

ਸਮਾਇਆ – Omnipresent.

Again the word samaya (omnipresent) comes to portray Waheguru. Is it Waheguru who’s infused in the world or Vishnu?

 

ਧਾਰਿ ਖੇਲੁ ਚਤੁਰਭੁਜੁ ਕਹਾਇਆ ॥

ਧਾਰਿ ਖੇਲੁ – He created this world-like game

ਚਤੁਰਭੁਜੁ ਕਹਾਇਆ – (ਚਤੁਰ+ਭੁਜੁ u) He nurtures everyone in four directions; He Himself is called the four-armed – Vishnu.

ਕਿਆ ਜਪੁ ਕਿਆ ਤਪੁ ਕਿਆ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਰਿਦੈ ਭਾਉ ਹੈ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੧॥

ਰੇ ਜਨ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਧਉ ਸਿਉ ਲਾਈਐ ॥ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਨ ਚਤੁਰਭੁਜੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥

 

Some of you who are hearing other meaning apart from Vishnu might be shocked and will tell me that I am mistranslating it to prove my point. No. Sikhi is not to prove your or my point. Sikhi is all about to deliver the message of Guru Sahib to the world. It’s not about me or you, it’s about gurbani and what Guru Sahib is telling us.

In the above shabad, Bhagat Kabir ji also mentions Chaturbhuj, here its meaning is not Vishnu. Why? Because before that Kabir ji talks about that there’s no meaning of doings all the japs and taps if you are thinking of duality – that’s that there is someone else apart from Waheguru. Then again he uses the word Madho – (Husband/Creator of Maaya), all the words are for Waheguru, it’s His game and His world. There’s no way of bringing deities to prove that they are getting worshipped.

 

ਸਾਵਲ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਰੂਪ ਬਣਾਵਹਿ ਬੇਣੁ ਸੁਨਤ ਸਭ ਮੋਹੈਗਾ ॥੯॥

ਸਾਵਲ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਰੂਪ ਬਣਾਵਹਿ – You create bewitching forms; You Yourself took the black form of Krishna.

There might come some doubt to those who are reading the English translation of Guru Granth Sahib that there it’s mentioned about ‘blue-skinned Krishna’, then how I could write about ‘bewitching forms’. This is the problem of reading the English translation. I am not doubting the efforts put by Sant Singh Khalsa, no. It would have taken so much time to study and then translate, but that English translation will never deliver all the meanings. That’s why I always say if you want to translate gurbani to other languages, do the tika in other language. Create many volumes and translate the meanings of the words, all the meanings that can be there. We are doing the same (here), started from Jap Ji sahib, but it will take so many years to complete it.

ਏਕ ਜੋਤਿ ਏਕਾ ਮਿਲੀ ਕਿੰਬਾ ਹੋਇ ਮਹੋਇ ॥

ਜਿਤੁ ਘਟਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਊਪਜੈ ਫੂਟਿ ਮਰੈ ਜਨੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥

ਸਾਵਲ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਰਾਮਈਆ ॥ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਤੋਹਿ ॥੧॥

In this shabad, Kabir ji talks about Omnipresent One and uses the word saval too. Will it mean Krishna then? If yes, then why Ramayeya is written, which means omnipresent?

So, Khalsa ji, gurbani is not easy to understand, there have been many tikas available on the Internet and market, how many of you have read them? Or you just copy what’s written in the English translation? This’s not the way. Listen to the katha too because in there you get to know many more things. If you have already made your mind that you won’t change and believe that Sikhs are worshipping deities and all, then Waheguru save you!

ਬੇਣੁ ਸੁਨਤ ਸਭ ਮੋਹੈਗਾ – By listening to gurbani/praises of Waheguru, everyone gets captivated; In the form of Krishan by listening to the flute, everyone gets fascinated.

Let’s read the following verses if we are thinking that there shouldn’t be any other meaning of Beann.

ਆਦਿਤ ਕਰੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਆਰੰਭ ॥ ਕਾਇਆ ਮੰਦਰ ਮਨਸਾ ਥੰਭ ॥

ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਅਖੰਡ ਸੁ ਰਹੀ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਤਉ ਅਨਹਦ ਬੇਣੁ ਸਹਜ ਮਹਿ ਬਾਇ ॥੧॥

Here Bhagat Kabir ji talks about which flute then? There are other meanings too which Singhs do, but I never heard of saying it’s the flute of Krishna. Even the English translation by Sant Singh Khalsa doesn’t say it.

ਸਿੰਙੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਅਨਾਹਦਿ ਵਾਜੈ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ ॥੪॥

ਪਰਪੰਚ ਬੇਣੁ ਤਹੀ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਅਗਨਿ ਪਰਜਾਰੀ ॥੫॥

Then what about this shabad?

Your devotion to someone should not change the meaning of the scriptures of other religions. It’s okay, I have said it several times and again I am going to say, It’s OKAY if you worship someone according to your religion, but Sikhi doesn’t allow that. Doesn’t matter how hard you’re prattling, it will not be more than a mottle of lies over the truth, which will never mingle to become one.

That is the best thing that I love about Sikhi. Many fraudulent people tried their best to change the gurbani, but it never worked out for them. They are still trying, but this time they are changing the meaning of gurbani because they know they can’t just ask Sikhs to stop reading gurbani, so the ‘scholars’ were asked to write which’s never part of Sikhi.

 

ਬਨਮਾਲਾ ਬਿਭੂਖਨ ਕਮਲ ਨੈਨ ॥

ਬਨਮਾਲਾ – (ਬਨ (ਬਨ ਰੂਪੀ ਸੰਸਾਰ) + ਮਾ (ਮਾਇਆ) + ਲਾ (ਲਾਇਆ)) – You have put the world in the worldly matters.

ਬਿਭੂਖਨ – You are priceless (precious like jewellery.)

If the word Bibhukhan is used, it becomes jewellery as mentioned in the below verses.

ਮੁਖਿ ਝੂਠੁ ਬਿਭੂਖਨ ਸਾਰੰ ॥

 

ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਬਿਭੂਖਨ ਸੁਖ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਿਸੇਖੈ ॥

ਕਮਲ – You are nirlep (like lotus) – nothing can change You.

ਨੈਨ – You are eyes of all.

ਬਨਮਾਲਾ ਬਿਭੂਖਨ ਕਮਲ ਨੈਨ – You are wearing flowers, jewellery and have lotus eyes in the form of Krishan.

 

ਸੁੰਦਰ ਕੁੰਡਲ ਮੁਕਟ ਬੈਨ ॥

ਸੁੰਦਰ – You have a beautiful form (of Satt Chetan Anand).

ਕੁੰਡਲ – You created the world like the form of kundal (round).

ਮੁਕਟ – (ਮੁ+ਕਟ) You detach the worldly pleasures (from the hearts of devotees.)

ਬੈਨ – You created this whole world; Your words are beautiful.

ਸੁੰਦਰ ਕੁੰਡਲ – You are wearing ear-rings in the form of Krishan.

ਮੁਕਟ ਬੈਨ – He’s a crown on His head, and a garurr as a chariot.

 

ਸੰਖ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਗਦਾ ਹੈ ਧਾਰੀ ਮਹਾ ਸਾਰਥੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਾ ॥੧੦॥

ਸੰਖ – In Dasam Dwaar and Sachkhand, sankh-like shabads are sung.

ਪੰਚ ਸਬਦ ਨਿਰਮਾਇਲ ਬਾਜੇ ॥ ਢੁਲਕੇ ਚਵਰ ਸੰਖ ਘਨ ਗਾਜੇ ॥

ਚਕ੍ਰ – Command/death like chakar is on everyone.

ਅਚਿੰਤੁ ਜਾਲੁ ਕਾਲੁ ਚਕ੍ਰੁ ਪੇਲ ॥੧॥

ਗਦਾ ਹੈ ਧਾਰੀ – Humility like war club You are having.

ਗਰੀਬੀ ਗਦਾ ਹਮਾਰੀ ॥

ਮਹਾ ਸਾਰਥੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਾ – All the people are like Arjun and You are Chetan Saroop of senses like horses and run the bodies of ours with the reins like mind.

 

ਸੰਖ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਗਦਾ ਹੈ ਧਾਰੀ – In the form of Vishnu, You are carrying a conch, chakra and war club.

ਮਹਾ ਸਾਰਥੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਾ – You were the charioteer of Arjun, in the form of Krishan, and You are always with the saints.

See how many meanings come out while reading gurbani!

 

ਪੀਤ ਪੀਤੰਬਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਧਣੀ ॥

ਪੀਤ ਪੀਤੰਬਰ – He’s wearing love like yellow clothes; He’s wearing yellow clothes in the form of Krishna.

ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਧਣੀ – You are the Lord of the Three Worlds.

Waheguru is the only one who controls the whole world. If Vishnu were the Lord, then there wouldn’t have been millions of Vishnus in the whole world. There’s only One who is controlling everything in different forms and without form.

ਜਿਨਿ ਜਲ ਥਲ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਘਟੁ ਘਟੁ ਥਾਪਿਆ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥

ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਮਰਥ ਅਪਾਰਾ ਤ੍ਰਿਬਿਧਿ ਮੇਟਿ ਸਮਾਈ ॥

The One who created everything, will He be the lord or a deity who is one among millions?

ਏਕੋ ਤਖਤੁ ਏਕੋ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ॥ ਸਰਬੀ ਥਾਈ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥

ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਅਗਮੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ॥੫॥

 

ਜਗੰਨਾਥੁ ਗੋਪਾਲੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਭਣੀ ॥

ਜਗੰਨਾਥੁ – You are the Lord of the World.

This word is like the one which is used by people for Krishna. If I am not wrong then there’s a temple too in Orissa (or Jharkhand?) where a festival is held for Krishna.

Not only this word, but many are there whose meanings are not understood by the masses but the deities associated with them. A recent post that I read on Quora says that all the names like Gobind, Ram, Gopal etc. are for Vishnu because he’s the Supreme God in Sikh scriptures. I read it twice to make sure I was not dreaming or making things up, because that type of unawareness is lethal for the brain.

ਤੂ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਵਰਤਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਗੰਨਾਥੁ ॥

Can we translate this verse by thinking about Vishnu? No. It’s the Omnipresent One who’s infused in the whole world, and the word used for Him is Jagannath. The easy way to learn gurbani is to learn the meanings first. But people usually do the exact opposite. They get the translation and, if somehow, they are Punjabi and know Gurmukhi, they will see the words and feel the ecstasy without knowing the meaning. I can bet that many of these people are those who do not know the meanings at all. They are just the devotees of the deities and everything else looks same to them.

ਗੋਪਾਲੁ – (ਗੋ+ਪਾਲੁ) Nurturer of the earth (world); Nurturer of senses (indiriya).

This is again the word which’s mistranslated many times. It’s for Waheguru, not a deity. I am not saying that it can’t be used for something else, no. There are many meanings of this word, but while referring to Waheguru, it’s not for Vishnu or any other deity.

ਮੁਖਿ ਭਣੀ – I utter Your praises with my mouth.

On one side, gurbani is saying that all the deities are under Maaya, and on the other sides it will praise them? No way. Gurbani is not to praise the deities at all. We are writing a different post where the meanings of the words which came in gurbani for Waheguru are written.

Names of Waheguru

 

ਸਾਰਿੰਗਧਰ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ ਮੈ ਗਣਤ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਸਰਬੰਗਾ ॥੧੧॥

ਸਾਰਿੰਗਧਰ ਭਗਵਾਨ – You have earth in Your hand – You nurture the World; You have a bow made by rhino’s horns (in the form of Vishnu.)

ਬੀਠੁਲਾ – (ਬੀ+ਠੁ+ਲਾ) – (Bhai Kahn Singh ji Nabha wrote in Mahan Kosh that it’s a Marathi word whose translation is) One who enlightens even the foolish; Waheguru creates, sustains and destroys everything.

Some of the followers of Vishnu/Krishan translate this word into the name of the deity. They also use Bhagat Namdev ji’s name to support their claim. Following is the shabad of Bhagat Namdev ji and he’s saying that Waheguru is in everything. Is Vishnu?

ਐਸੋ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਇ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥ ਜੈਸੇ ਦਰਪਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਬਦਨ ਪਰਵਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਬਸੈ ਘਟਾ ਘਟ ਲੀਪ ਨ ਛੀਪੈ ॥ ਬੰਧਨ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਜਾਤੁ ਨ ਦੀਸੈ ॥੧॥

ਪਾਨੀ ਮਾਹਿ ਦੇਖੁ ਮੁਖੁ ਜੈਸਾ ॥ ਨਾਮੇ ਕੋ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬੀਠਲੁ ਐਸਾ ॥੨॥੧॥

 

ਮੈ ਗਣਤ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਸਰਬੰਗਾ – I can’t count all His limbs; Your attributes are uncountable.

If we want to go with the first meaning (and it’s also the same as written in the English translation that people usually use) and thinking that it’s for Vishnu, then he has only four arms, two legs, etc. … countable. Why is here mentioned that it’s uncountable then?

If you want to still have the first meaning, think of jot of Waheguru present in everyone and start counting the limbs now, countable or uncountable?

 

ਨਿਹਕੰਟਕੁ ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲੁ ਕਹੀਐ ॥

ਨਿਹਕੰਟਕੁ – You’ve no hatred; You are free of sorrows.

ਨਿਹਕੇਵਲੁ – You are Shudh Saroop – immaculate.

How Vishnu can be called Shudh Saroop, if he is under Maaya? Only Waheguru is Shudh Saroop. Vishnu and all other deities are jarhh without the jot of Waheguru.

ਕਹੀਐ – (You are) called (hatredless, sorrowless and immaculate.)

 

ਧਨੰਜੈ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਹੈ ਮਹੀਐ ॥

ਧਨੰਜੈ – You are the reason of prosperity; You took the Nar Avatar.

ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਹੈ ਮਹੀਐ – You are pervading in the water and lands.

Again, here it’s talking about the infusion of Waheguru in everything. Word after word, it talks about the same thing, talking about that Waheguru who is omnipresent, but I do not know why people want to have a blind eye to the meanings of the words.

Not only in this shabad, there are many others too where Guru Sahib talks about Waheguru present in everywhere, but due to the prejudices and devotion to the deities, people do not want to change their perception but use the gurbani for the manipulation of the minds of people. They are misleading the young minds and conveying the wrong meanings.

ਤੂ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਧਣੀ ॥

 

ਤੂ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਸਭ ਤੈ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥

 

ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਰਵਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥

 

ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸਰਬ ਨਾਥ ਅਪਾਰ ॥

 

ਤੂ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਗਗਨਿ ਪਯਾਲਿ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹੵਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਤੇ ਮੀਠੇ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਬਚਨਾ ॥

 

ਮਿਰਤ ਲੋਕ ਪਇਆਲ ਸਮੀਪਤ ਅਸਥਿਰ ਥਾਨੁ ਜਿਸੁ ਹੈ ਅਭਗਾ ॥੧੨॥

ਮਿਰਤ ਲੋਕ – You are present in this world.

ਪਇਆਲ – You are present in the underworld (ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲੋਕ).

ਸਮੀਪਤ – You live near to all (the ones who are in this world or another.)

ਅਸਥਿਰ ਥਾਨੁ u – Waheguru’s place is permanent.

ਜਿਸੁ ਹੈ ਅਭਗਾ – Your place/You are imperishable.

Here again the word is abhaga – imperishable. No one but Waheguru is imperishable.

ਏਕ ਹੀ ਕੀ ਸੇਵ ਸਭ ਜੀ ਕੋ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਏਕ ਏਕ ਹੀ ਸਰੂਪ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਜੋਤ ਜਾਨਬੋ ॥

 

ਪਤਿਤ ਪਾਵਨ ਦੁਖ ਭੈ ਭੰਜਨੁ ॥

ਪਤਿਤ ਪਾਵਨ – You purify the (hearts of) sinners.

ਦੁਖ ਭੈ ਭੰਜਨੁ – You destroy the pain/sorrow and fear (of the devotees.)

 

ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਨਿਵਾਰਣੁ ਹੈ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨੁ ॥

ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਨਿਵਾਰਣੁ – You eliminate the ego.

ਹੈ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨੁ – (With Your grace) the going and coming stops – reincarnation, cycle of birth and death; You’re the destroyer of the world.

According to what I know/heard of, Shivji is the destroyer, then here how could Vishnu be the destroyer? Isn’t it opposite of what people believe/is true? Or is it the jot of Waheguru which’s present in Shivji?

Think.

We’ve discussed the following verses from Dasam Guru Granth Sahib ji. Let’s read them again.

ਤੁਹੀ ਜੋਗ ਮਾਯਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਬਾਕ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਆਪੁ ਰੂਪਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਵਾਨੀ ॥

ਤੁਹੀ ਬਿਸੁਨ ਤੂੰ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਤੂੰ ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਰਾਜੈ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਬਿਸ੍ਵਮਾਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਜੈ ਬਿਰਾਜੈ ॥੨॥

ਤੁਹੀ ਦੇਵ ਤੂੰ ਦੈਤ ਤੈ ਜਛੁ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਰਕ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਜਗਤ ਮੈ ਬਨਾਏ ॥

ਤੁਹੀ ਪੰਥ ਹ੍ਵੈ ਅਵਤਰੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਮਾਂਹੀ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਬਕਤ੍ਰ ਤੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਬਾਦੋ ਬਕਾਹੀ ॥

ਤੁਹੀ ਬਿਕ੍ਰਤ ਰੂਪਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਚਾਰੁ ਨੈਨਾਂ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਰੂਪ ਬਾਲਾ ਤੁਹੀ ਬੱਕ੍ਰਬੈਨਾਂ ॥

ਤੁਮੀ ਬੱਕ੍ਰ ਤੇ ਬੇਦ ਚਾਰੋ ਉਚਾਰੇ ॥ ਤੁਮੀ ਸੁੰਭ ਨੈਸੁੰਭ ਦਾਨੌ ਸੰਘਾਰੇ ॥੪॥

Can anyone tell me which incarnation took place of which deity who was Brahma, Vishnu, Shivji, Durga, Maaya? Which one is the one? What logic are you people going to give who are screaming that there’re praises of deities in Guru Granth Sahib or Dasam Guru Granth sahib? When strike with the truth, you hide behind your own ignorance because of the unintelligent behaviour of your debating.

Waheguru Himself is writing gurbani and He will be praising some deities which are in millions. Seriously?

ਕੋਟਿ ਬਿਸਨ ਕੀਨੇ ਅਵਤਾਰ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਧ੍ਰਮਸਾਲ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਮਹੇਸ ਉਪਾਇ ਸਮਾਏ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਜਗੁ ਸਾਜਣ ਲਾਏ ॥੧॥

ਐਸੋ ਧਣੀ ਗੁਵਿੰਦੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥ ਬਰਨਿ ਨ ਸਾਕਉ ਗੁਣ ਬਿਸਥਾਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਜਾਕੈ ਸੇਵਕਾਇ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਜੀਅ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਸਿਹਜਾਇ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਉਪਾਰਜਨਾ ਤੇਰੈ ਅੰਗਿ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਭਗਤ ਬਸਤ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ॥੨॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਛਤ੍ਰਪਤਿ ਕਰਤ ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਠਾਢੇ ਹੈ ਦੁਆਰ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਨਾਮ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੩॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਪੂਰੀਅਤ ਹੈ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਨਾਦ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਅਖਾਰੇ ਚਲਿਤ ਬਿਸਮਾਦ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਸਕਤਿ ਸਿਵ ਆਗਿਆਕਾਰ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਜੀਅ ਦੇਵੈ ਆਧਾਰ ॥੪॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਚਰਨ ਮਝਾਰ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਜਪਤ ਨਾਮ ਚਾਰ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਪੂਜਾਰੀ ਕਰਤੇ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਬਿਸਥਾਰਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੫॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹੰਸ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਉਸਤਤਿ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਕਰਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਸ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਪਰਲਉ ਓਪਤਿ ਨਿਮਖ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਗੁਣਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਗਣੇ ਨ ਜਾਹਿ ॥੬॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਥਹਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਧਿਆਨੀ ਧਰਤ ਧਿਆਨੁ ॥

ਕੋਟਿ ਤਪੀਸਰ ਤਪ ਹੀ ਕਰਤੇ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਮੁਨੀਸਰ ਮੁੋਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਤੇ ॥੭॥

ਅਵਿਗਤ ਨਾਥੁ ਅਗੋਚਰ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ

 ਜਤ ਕਤ ਦੇਖਉ ਤੇਰਾ ਵਾਸਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਗੁਰਿ ਕੀਓ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਾ ॥੮॥੨॥੫॥

This’s how great Waheguru is, but we are just so small creatures that we twist the meanings to have our conclusions. Millions of Vishnu, Shivji, Brahma, Bhagats, etc. are there who are in the whole world. But we stick our nose to one deity that ‘seems’ powerful than others, and we forget, in the process, that there’re millions of like him, then why don’t you worship all those millions, why only one?

 

ਭਗਤੀ ਤੋਖਿਤ ਦੀਨ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲਾ ਗੁਣੇ ਨ ਕਿਤ ਹੀ ਹੈ ਭਿਗਾ ॥੧੩॥

ਭਗਤੀ ਤੋਖਿਤ ਦੀਨ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲਾ – With worshipping, You are pleased (with Your devotees) and You are kind to the meek.

ਗੁਣੇ ਨ ਕਿਤ ਹੀ ਹੈ ਭਿਗਾ – You can’t be pleased by other qualities (Bhagti is the main way of achieving Oneness, chanting Waheguru, Waheguru, doing simran and selfless-service is when Waheguru gets pleased with us)

Even the deities are trying to please Waheguru with their devotional songs. In Japji Sahib and Rehraas Sahib, we read it every day.

ਗਾਵਹਿ ਤੁਹਨੋ ਪਉਣੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੁ ਗਾਵੈ ਰਾਜਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਦੁਆਰੇ ॥

ਗਾਵਹਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਲਿਖਿ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਲਿਖਿ ਧਰਮੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ॥

ਗਾਵਹਿ ਈਸਰੁ ਬਰਮਾ ਦੇਵੀ ਸੋਹਨਿ ਸਦਾ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥

ਗਾਵਹਿ ਇੰਦ ਇਦਾਸਣਿ ਬੈਠੇ ਦੇਵਤਿਆ ਦਰਿ ਨਾਲੇ ॥

 

ਆਖਹਿ ਬਰਮੇ ਆਖਹਿ ਇੰਦ ॥ ਆਖਹਿ ਗੋਪੀ ਤੈ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ॥

ਆਖਹਿ ਈਸਰ ਆਖਹਿ ਸਿਧ ॥ ਆਖਹਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਬੁਧ ॥

ਆਖਹਿ ਦਾਨਵ ਆਖਹਿ ਦੇਵ ॥ ਆਖਹਿ ਸੁਰਿ ਨਰ ਮੁਨਿ ਜਨ ਸੇਵ ॥

The deities are also worshipping Waheguru. Those who are worshipping Waheguru, and are under Maaya, we are saying gurbani is worshipping them! What gets inside our brains that makes us believe in that? Is it just the plain ignorance of the meanings of the words or the devotion to the deities? Or is there a bigger plan by anti-panthic people to do a propaganda to merge Sikhism into Hinduism?

 

ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਅਛਲ ਅਡੋਲੋ ॥

ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ – You are formless.

If it’s for Vishnu, then how this word comes for him? Don’t people say he’s limbs and all?

ਅਛਲ – Waheguru is undeceivable.

ਸਰਪਨੀ ਤੇ ਊਪਰਿ ਨਹੀ ਬਲੀਆ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹਾਦੇਉ ਛਲੀਆ ॥੧॥

The above verses show that Vishnu, Brahma and Shivji were deceived by Maaya. If the devotees of Vishnu are bringing the logic that Achhal word is for Vishnu, then why he’s deceived by Maaya then?

I really want to request you all people who are mistranslating gurbani, please stop that. To prove your point, you do not need to take the verses from gurbani otherwise your unintelligence in the matter will come out and show how you are just a person whose emotions took over and logic failed.

ਅਡੋਲੋ – He’s unchangeable. (He can’t be changed. The only thing that make people change is Maaya, but Waheguru is the only One who is above Maaya, who’s controlling Maaya.)

 

ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਮਉਲੋ ॥

ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੀ – You are Parkash Saroop.

This we talked in the first part too that Waheguru is Parkash (Jot) Saroop, and the whole shabad is talking about the jot of Waheguru, but the benighted men do not understand what I’ve been saying for so long. They just bring the tiny argument which can be debunked with some reasoning. But are these questions be answered? Why Vishnu is called Parkash Saroop here? Is it the jot of Waheguru which is discussed?

ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਮਉਲੋ – The whole world is playing in the hands of You.

 

ਸੋ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ਆਪਹੁ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਪਾਵੈਗਾ ॥੧੪॥

ਸੋ ਮਿਲੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਪਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ – Only with His grace, someone can achieve Oneness.

ਆਪਹੁ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਪਾਵੈਗਾ – Nobody can achieve that by himself.

 

Seven more pauria are there that we will cover in the next part. So far, we have discussed that Waheguru is worshipped in this shabad. If someone because of his uneducated behaviour says that it’s for a deity, then he doesn’t understand the meanings of the words came in this shabad.

At last, I will say that your devotion to a deity is not a problem for Sikhi, but your mistranslation of gurbani is.

 

Questions:

1.    Is Vishnu unborn?

2.    Is Vishnu self-existed?

3.    Under whose command Vishnu took the incarnations?

4.    Who is in all the world – omnipresent?

5.    Whose place will not be perished at last?

6.    Who is formless?

7.    Who is Parkash Saroop?

8.    Who is undeceivable?

9.    Who’s uncountable limbs?

10. Who is Shudh Saroop?

11. Does Vishnu destroy the world at last?

12. Is Vishnu timeless; if yes, why is he under Maaya?

13. Will Vishnu perish one day?

11+13=24. Total 24 questions I have asked in these two parts, there will be more to come in the third part, after which we will answer the questions raised by Baljit Singh ji. I am hoping someone will answer all these questions and enlighten me that the praises are of Vishnu.