What is Gurbani?: Sikhism

What is Gurbani? By Sat Kewal Singh © 11.8.08 "Gurbani is Everything" Gurbani is the sacred literature of the Sikhs. Gurbani can be translated as "God's Word." As I explain in detail elsewhere the wisdom and path of Sikhism was revealed through a series of ten holy masters beginning with Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539) and finalized with Guru Gobind Singh Dev (1666-1708). After Guru Gobind Singh the accumulation of the revealed teachings became the Guru in the form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is Gurbani: The Word of Waheguru (God). This Holy Word is a Song of Waheguru to existence and that Song is Gurbani. As I explain in my consideration of the Nature of God, one of God's Holy Names is Ek Onkar (Oankar), which is the Sound Omkara upon which all that exists is. Gurbani is this essential Sound Oankar, the One Reality upon which else is manifest. Ek Onkar is essential Oneness of Waheguru (the Wonderful Lord). Gurbani is the Bani (or Word) of Guru (the truth that dispels ignorance or maya). The role of Guru is to dispel ignorance and this is done by Bani, by the Word. The Sikh idea of Guru is therefore more specifically defined than the Hindu idea, although the Hindu includes this aspect as well. Therefore Guru and Bani are One (Ek) and Gurbani and Ek Onkar are One. People seek to dispel ignorance in so many ways but without True Guru (God) this can not be done and without Bani (Waheguru's Word) this can not be done. Therefore while Sikhs are people of great knowledge and learning, people who seek understanding as instructed by the Gurus, ultimately Truth is revealed by Gurbani alone. As one meditates and studies Gurbani one must allow the Word to enter into the consciousness as well as the ego-mind. In this way the Bani of the Guru can dispel the darkness of ignorance and illusion and draw the seeker of truth into the One Truth (Waheguru). Gurbani is powerful and elusive and only realized within by one whose heart is pure. It is for this reason that Sikhs seek purity within and without. For those who have the eyes to see and ears to hear, Gurbani is everywhere! As ones consciousness is purified by the Word, the Holy Name enters in and brings peace, understanding and enlightenment. Mere religious observance, rituals and dogma avail nothing if one does not transcend the outer forms. It is for this reason that Saint Kabir says: You do not care for others, you are a religious fanatic, and your life is of no account at all. Your holy scriptures say that Allah is True, and that he is neither male nor female. But you gain nothing by reading and studying, O mad-man, if you do not gain the understanding in your heart. Allah is hidden in every heart; reflect upon this in your mind. The One Lord is within both Hindu and Muslim... (Ang 483 of Guru Granth Sahib) Waheguru, the Wonderful Lord, is found in Gurbani and He is the cure for all of our many ills. He is the Source and our existence and the destination towards which we are all headed. Welcome to Sat Kewal Singh's Sikh Studies Visit my Sikh Studies Visit my Hindu Studies Contact Sat Kewal Singh