XIV. Salient Features of Sikh Way of Life
(ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਰਹਿਣੀ ਦੇ ਮਹੱਤਵ-ਪੂਰਣ ਤੱਤ)
Having performed the transformation of a worldly man into a Godly man (Sikh), Guru lays down the routine of his daily life ordained in the foloowing Holy Hymns:
1.
ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ
ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ {305}
Having become a Sikh of the Satguru one should get up very early in the morning (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ) and absorb himself in saying the Holy Name (ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ) that was administered to him by the Panj Piaras.
2.
ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥
After getting up in the earliest hours of the morning the disciple should ease himself and have full bath – from head to foot.
3.
ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ
ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
After taking bath and dressing comfortably and neatly, he should say Gur-Mantar (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ) repeatedly as direted by the Panj Piaras (ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ) at baptization. This will result in his sins and troubles being washed off.
4.
ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ
ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
At dawnhe should sing or say Holy Hymns (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ). Whether he sits or stands (i.e. while busy in his work he should keep on saying Gur-Mantar.
5.
ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ
ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
That Sikh who says Waheguru (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ) with his respiratory frequency, is very much liked by Guru Sahib.
6.
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ
ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥
The Guru administers the Holy Name of God only to that individual to whom he (the former) is kind and benevolent.
7.
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ
ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥2॥
Guru Nanak, praising such a disciple says that he (the former) wishes for the foot-dust (ਚਰਨ ਧੂੜਿ) of the Sikh who himself says the Gur-Mantar (vwihgurU) and persuades others to do like-wise after getting it administered by the Panj Piaras under the command of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
8.
Guru Gobind Singh Sahib had included the Holy Name of God in the Greeting slogan ordained for the Khalsa. i.e., Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹ ॥).
9.
The Holy Name of God is also brought to light by Bhai Gurdas Ji, the greatest Sikh scholar in his writings as follows:
(i) ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਹੈ, ਜਪਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਖੋਈ ।
The word “Waheguru” is Gur-Mantar; (Guru’s Charged-word) and its repetition destroys all ego.
(ii) “ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ” ਸਾਲਾਹਣਾ, ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਅਲਾਏ ।
The real praise of the Almighty is to say “Waheguru” repeatedly.
(iii) “ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ” ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਲੈ, ਪਿਰਮ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਚੁਪਿ ਚਬੋਲਾ ।
The real Sikh remains calm and quiet after being initiated with the Charged-word of the Guru “Waheguru”.
(iv) “ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ” ਵਡੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ।
The word “Waheguru” is the greatest attribution for God’s greatness.
(v) ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪੁਰਖ ਦਇਆਲ ਹੋਇ, “ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ” ਸਚੁ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ ।
Satguru, the Eternal Being bestowed His Grace on the seeker through His Charged-word “Waheguru”.
To be continued...
