Sikh Concepts and Teachings - Sikh culture and Heritage

Question / Answers

(31) Question:-	Describe Guru Ji's journey to Banaras, Patna, Budh Gaya and Assam.
Answer:-	During his first journey (Udaasi), Guru Nanak also visited Banaras, the famous pilgrimage centre of Hindus. The chief Brahmin of the holy city was Pandit Chattur Dass. He along with other Pandits came to the Guru for a spiritual discourse. The Guru enlightened the Hindu Clergy about his concept of one God. It is believed that the Guru composed his composition known as Dakhni Onkaar at this place. In this composition of 54 stanzas in Raag Ram kali, the Guru described the transcendence and immanence of God. From Banaras, the Guru proceeded to Patna, where Saalas Rai Johri was instructed to devote himself to remembrance of God. When Guru Ji reached Budh Gaya, a famous place of pilgrimage for Budhists, a number of religious leaders met him and after hearing his Baani, found themselves liberated. After showing the right path of God to the Learned Persons there, the Guru went to Assam. In the city of Gauhati, a woman magician converted Mardana into a sheep. The Guru annihilated the malevolence of her black magic and she too fell on the path of simran. In Assam, Guru ii also visited Chittagaon, where he delivered the sermon to the king and Blessed him to simran.
(32) Question:-	In the course of his first Udaasi, Guru Ji visited Jagan Nath Puri in. Cuttack District. It was at this famous temple that the Guru composed a marvellous composition. Give information regarding his visit and the famous composition uttered by him.
Answer:-	When Guru Ji reached Jagan Nath Puri Temple, he found the priests performing Aarti. The Aarti meant the singing of hymn in front of deities by taking in hand a huge salver with many lamps of ghee, pearls. of temple and the offerings and incense. Guru Ji did not approve of their method of performing Aarti and explained to them that there was no need for all such rituals as a real Aarti was already going on in the universe created by God. He described in beautiful words in Raag Dhanaasri as how expanse of the firmament, the Sun and the Moon, the procession of stars. natural incense of Sandal, the winds and the forests were all engaged in the true worship of the one God, the creator of every thing. This description appears on page 663 of Shri Guru Granth Sahib in the following words:- ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ ਤਾਰਿਕਾ ਮੰਡਲ ਜਨਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥ ਧੂਪੁ ਮਲਆਨਲੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਚਵਰੋ ਕਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਬਨਰਾਇ ਫੂਲੰਤ ਜੋਤੀ ॥1॥ ਕੈਸੀ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਰਤੀ ॥ ਅਨਹਤਾ ਸਬਦ ਵਾਜੰਤ ਭੇਰੀ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹੈ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤੋਹੀ ॥ ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥2॥ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੁ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥3॥ ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਕਮਲ ਮਕਰੰਦ ਲੋਭਿਤ ਮਨੋ ਅਨਦਿਨੋ ਮੋਹਿ ਆਹੀ ਪਿਆਸਾ ॥ ਕ਼੍ਰਿਪਾ ਜਲੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਰਿੰਗ ਕਉ ਹੋਇ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਵਾਸਾ ॥4॥1॥7॥9॥ (ਅੰਗ 663) Gagan Mai thaal rav chand deepak bane taarka mandal janak moti. Dhoop malaanlo pawan chavaro kare sagal ban raae phoolant joti.1. Kaisi aarti hove Bhav Khandna teri aarti. Anhata sabad vaajant bheri.1 . Pause. Sehas tav nain nan nain hai tohe kau sehas moorat nana ek tohee. Sehas pad bimal nan ek pad gandh bin sehas tav gandh iv chalat mohee.2. Sabh meh jot jot hai soe. Tis de chaanin sabh meh chaanan hoe. Gur saakhi jot pargat hoe. Jo tis bhaave su aarti hoe.3. Har charan kaval makrand Iobhit mano andino mohe aahi piaasa. Kirpa jal deh Nanak Saaring kau hoe ja to terai Name vaasa.4.3. The sky is the salver, And on it placed are Sun and Moon lamps. The brightest luminous stars are the pearls. The scented air from the sandal-clad hills is the incense. The wind is the fly whisk. The entire vegetation is Your flower offerings What a wonderful aarti it is. This is your true aarti, O, Destroyer of dread. The celestical words are sounding music .I Pause. Thousands are your eyes, but you have no eye. Thousands are your forms but you are incorporeal. Thousands are your feet, but you have no feet, Thousands are your noses, but you are without nose. Your ways have fascinated me. His light is pervading among all. By His light, all are illuminated. By the grace of the Guru, the truth becomes manifest. This is His real aarti which pleases Him. O God.' I hunger for the fragrance of your lotus feet day and night. Grant a drop of water of your grace. Nanak the thirsty cuckoo, So that he could attune Himself with Your Name. "It is worth mentioning here that when Rabindra Nath Tagore was asked as what should he the National Anthem for the whole world, his reply was that if the whole world were a country, the best National Anthem for that will he the Aarti composed by Guru Nanak. In his view, it was the best ever composition in the entire body of the world literature which projected the entire creation dancing and playing in tune with the wonderful glory of the Lord (as quoted by Dr. KT. Lalvani in his book Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak at page 17)
(33) Question:-	Where did the leper live, who was redeemed by Guru Nanak in the course of his First Udaasi?
Answer:-	There was a very rich person, who suffered from leprosy. His family turned him out and set up a small cottage for him outside the city. When Guru Ji was touring the city of Deepalpur, he went to his hut. The leper was living a lonely life. He could not expect a visitor like Guru Nanak, whose graceful sight redeemed him from his suffering. The Guru advised him to engage himself in Naam Simran and this message filled the barren life of the leper with light.
(34) Question:-	Who was the prominent saintly personality, whom Guru Nanak met at Pak Pattan during his first Udaasi?
Answer:-	Guru Ji went to Pak Pattan twice. Both the times he met Sheikh Braham a prominent saint, in cumbent of the shrine of Shaikh Farid. Guru Ji had a spiritual discourse with him and dispelled his doubts. At the place of their meeting, there now stands a Gurdwara Nanaksar and there used to be a fair organized at this place on the Kartik full moon day before the partition of the country.
(35) Question:-	There was another famous Muslim Saint Sain Buddhan Shah. Give brief description about Guru Nanak's meeting with him.
Answer:-	Sain Buddhan, Shah was a Sufi faqir who used to live on a hillock at Kiratpur. There used to live with him lion and goats together. When the Sain told the Guru that he had selected a secluded place for the purpose of. meditation, the Guru explained to him that if a person's mind was secluded, anyone engrossed in Naam Simran remained united with God. In other words, it was not necessary to go to a secluded place for praying to God.
(36) Question:-	How did Guru Nanak show to Duni Chand the path of religion?
Answer:-	Duni Chand was a rich banker who lived in Lahore. He was fond of displaying his wealth. When Guru was in the city. he had extended an invitation to the Brahmins, Saints and Faqirs as a part of the observance of the Shraadh of his father. Shraadh is a ceremony that is observed by the Hindus believing that whatever things are offered to Brahmins reach the spirits of the deceased ancestors. The Guru explained the futility of such ceremonies and vulgar display of wealth. The Guru Loki him that the salvation was not obtained with all these things, but was the result of good actions of the person during his lifetime. The entire wealth earned by him will he left here and not even a needle could be taken to the next world. A person who performed good actions and prayed to God will obtain unification with the Divine. Duni Chand was highly impressed by the Guru's teachings and became his disciple. He converted his house into a Dharamsaal.
(37) Question:-	There goes a story of Guru Nanak visiting the two different villages where the people behaved differently. Narrate in brief tile said incident.
Answer:-	It is said that once during the course of this Udaasi, Guru and mardana sought shelter in a village, but the residents of that village did not behave in a decent manner. When the Guru left the village. he blessed that the villagers should remain there. In the next village, the inhabitants showed a lot of respect and hospitality. The Guru remained there for one night and at the time of departure next morning, he uttered that the inhabitants 01 this village should abandon the village and go elsewhere. Mardana could not appreciate the utterings of the Guru and enquired as what did he mean? The Guru then replied that if the people of the former village go to some other place, they will spoil the atmosphere there also. Therefore, they should not go to any other place but remain there. The people of the latter village must migrate to other places so that wherever they go they make all those places blissful.
(38) Question:-	Which were the places covered by Guru Nanak in the course of his second Udaasi?
Answer:-	Guru Ji's second Udaasi was towards Deccan. It was undertaken from 1557 to 1571 Vikrami. Guru Ji passed through Bikaner and Vindyachal forests and went up to Rameshwaram. From Rameshwaram, he crossed the sea and reached Sangladeep Lanka. This place was being ruled by Raja Shivnabh. It is said that when Guru entered the barren garden of the Raja, the same became green. When the king came to see the Guru, he was highly impressed by his teachings. On his return journey, Guru Ji passed through Mysore, Vijapur, and forests and mountains on the western Ghat up to Bahawalpur. It was in the forest Of Vindhyachal that Guru Ji came across Koda who was virtually a man-eater. Mardana had lost his way and fallen into the hands of Koda. Koda started Preparing to put Mardana into the boiling oil in his cauldron so that he could fry & eat him. However, he could not light the fire in spite of his trying time and again. Koda then realized the spiritual power of Guru Nanak who appeared there to save Mardana and to put Koda on the right path Guru Ji preached him to become a better person and to sing the praises of the Almighty. Koda asked for forgiveness and entered the path of discipleship. in the forests of Kazli Ban, Guru Nanak met a number Of yogis including Bharthari Yogi. The Guru apprised them that there was no new to torture one's body for obtaining the grace of God. One could obtain salvation even while staying as a house-holder by praying to God and singing his praises. A house-holder attuned to God could only achieve the position of Rajyog. When bharthari told the Guru that the Yogis took intoxications and wine for the purpose of concentration and samadhi (a pose of sitting in meditation), Guru Ji explained that there was no need of any intoxication or taking samadhi to reach God. Mere singing of his praises and to be imbued with his love was sufficient for achieving the goal. The Divine love was itself an intoxicant for the devotees. The hymn composed by Guru Nanak at that time figures in Raag Aasa on page 360 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the following words:- ਗੁੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਧਾਵੈ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਸੁ ਪਾਈਐ।। ਭਾਠੀ ਭਵਨੁ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕਾ ਪੋਚਾ ਇਤੁ ਰਸਿ ਅਮਿਉ ਚੁਆਈਐ।। ਬਾਬਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਤਵਾਰੋ ਨਾਮ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਸਹਜ ਰੰਗ ਰਚਿ ਰਹਿਆ।। ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਬਨੀ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਨਾਹਦ ਗਹਿਆ।।ਰਹਾਉ।। (ਅੰਗ 360) Gurh kar giaan dhiaan kar dhaavai kar karni kas paaia Bhaathi bhavan prem ka pocha it ras amio chuaaiai. Baba man matvaaro Naam ras peevai sehaj rang rack rehiaa Aehnis bani prem liv laagi sabad anaahad gahiaa. Let Gnosis be the molasses and concentration Mama flowers Let deeds be the bark of the Acacia. Let faith be the distilling pot and love the plaster, In this way the nectar of life is distilled. My brother with the essence of Lord's Name, The mind is intoxicated and one is dayed in the colour of poise. Thus one love Lord ever attuned to Him, And imbibes the celestial music of word in the mind.
(39) Question:-	Did Guru Nanak go to Cylone?
Answer:-	There is a divergence of opinion among the scholars regarding Guru Nanak's visit to Cylone. Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha tells us that Guru Nanak's visit to Cylone found a mention for the first time in a work "Haqeekat Mukam Raja Shivnabh Ki". It is stated to have been written by Bhai Paira. According to Bhai Santokh Singh, Bhai Paira was sent by Guru Arjan to Cylone to bring from there a book named Praan Sangli, which is believed to have been a composition of Guru Nanak. After that Guru's visit to Cylone was also mentioned in Janam Sakhies. Gradually, the story of this visit was interpolated with various such details involving miracles that some of the scholars starting doubting the genuineness of the story. It was in view of this position that W.H. Maclod came to the conclusion that Guru Ji had not gone to Cylone. However, this conclusion of Maclod does not appear to be correct on the basis of modern research. It is true that miraculous stories have been exaggeratedly added in this context. But, the fact remains that Guru had gone to Cylone, as becomes evident from ample evidence found there. A number of scholars in Cylone have written articles and books on this aspect of the matter. For example, a notable book, "An Outline History and Principles of Hindus" written by Dr. Sewa Rattan was published in Colombo in 1964, 'and the same supports the view that the Guru had visited Cylone.
(40) Question:-	Give a brief idea regarding the work "Praan Sangli".
Answer:-	Praan Sangli literally mean the chain of breath. This is a composition dealing with yogic practices particularly Praanayaama. The original work which was small in size, is generally attributed to Guru Nanak, but this position is not accepted by the Scholars of the Sikh Religion. As the chapters in the said book deal with questions raised by Raja Shivnabh of Sangla Deep, it is believed that it was composed there. It is also stated that Guru Arjan had sent Bhai Paira Mokha, a learned Sikh to Sangla Deep to bring a copy of the manuscript from there. It is further believed that the manuscript was scrutinised by Guru Arjan, but was rejected as spurious. This is evidenced by the fact that on page 1 of the original Kartarpuri Bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib only, the title Praan Sangli has been inscribed in Arabic character and there is nothing more in this respect. The present available recension of Praan Sangli edited by Sant Sampuran Singh was published in 1898 in Devnaagri script in three volumes by Bhai Mohan Singh Vaid. Apart from yoga, there are certain compositions addressed to Hindu Saints contained in it. For example, there is a Gosht i.e. dialogue with Rama Nand and Kabir on devotional Bhagti. There is a chapter, recounting the Hindu theories about yugas. One part of the book written in Persianised Punjabi is addressed to Muslim divines and kings. It includes such compositions as "Nasihat Nama or an epistle of admonitions, Haazar Naamah or discourse on the importance of being alert; Paak Naamah or an address on pure living and Karni Naamah or an address on the importance of good conduct."