ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਤਰੇ ਮੁਨਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਾਦਿਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾਦਿ ਤਰੇ ॥
ਸਨਕ ਸਨੰਦਨ ਤਪਸੀ ਜਨ ਕੇਤੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਪਾਰਿ ਪਰੇ ॥੧॥
ਭਵਜਲੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਕਿਉ ਤਰੀਐ ॥
ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਜਗੁ ਰੋਗਿ ਬਿਆਪਿਆ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਡੁਬਿ ਡੁਬਿ ਮਰੀਐ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1125
These verses prove that the liberation of all kinds of beings is only possible through the Guru’s Word; it cannot happen in any other way. The Word is obtained solely from the house of Guru Nanak Sahib. In previous lifetimes, sages and ascetics who struggled on their own through practices like yoga and austerities attained salvation only when they took birth in Guru Nanak’s house and became followers of the Guru.
Many sages, including Brahma, Sanak, and Sanandan, whenever they sought liberation or crossed the worldly ocean, did so by receiving the Gur-Shabad as taught by Guru Nanak. This truth is evident from the well-known story of Gurughar.
When the Santokh Sar pond was being excavated, a yogi’s shrine emerged from within it. The devotees immediately informed Guru Sahib. Upon Guru Sahib’s arrival, when the shrine was opened, the yogi’s first question was “Which era is this?” When he was told that it was the Kaljug, the yogi was filled with great joy.
Then, the second question was asked: “Has Guru Nanak Sahib manifested?” Upon receiving the answer “yes,” the yogi’s happiness knew no bounds. He joyfully expressed that his time of salvation had arrived. He explained that by falling at the feet of the Guru and receiving the Guru’s initiation, the welfare of the yogi, who had been stuck from the Treta Yuga, was accomplished. The auspicious seed of his past good deeds had sprouted.
In this way, according to the past actions, all the sages and deities who will fall at the Guru’s feet or have already done so, will receive initiation from the Gurughar and attain salvation. There is no other way. Salvation from this worldly ocean (Bhavjal) could not have happened without the Guru’s word (Shabad). Without receiving the Guru-shabad and initiation, even the great sages and deities are engulfed in the diseases of ego and doubt, and this condition will continue. The entire world, gripped by the disease of doubt, will drown and perish.
ਅਨ ਕੋ ਦਰੁ ਘਰੁ ਕਬਹੂ ਨ ਜਾਨਸਿ ਏਕੋ ਦਰੁ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਪਰਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹੈ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ॥੪॥੩॥੪॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1126
There is no other door (other than the Gurmat) through which one can realize Waheguru. Only this single door (the gateway of Guru Nanak Sahib) is true, through which one can attain Waheguru, the invisible Supreme Lord. Guru Nanak Sahib emphasizes this principle, stating that only through the grace of the True Guru can one reach the ultimate state of liberation.
ਡਗਰੀ ਚਾਲ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਫੁਨਿ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਸਬਦ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਨਹੀ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਬੇਦ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਹੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਅੰਧੁਲਉ ਧੰਧੁ ਕਮਾਈ ॥੩॥
ਖੋਇਓ ਮੂਲੁ ਲਾਭੁ ਕਹ ਪਾਵਸਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਵਿਹੂਣੇ ॥
ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ਰਾਮ ਰਸੁ ਚਾਖਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਪਤੀਣੇ ॥੪॥੪॥੫॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1126
People who follow their own will and do not listen to the Guru’s teachings stay confused and ignorant all their lives. They never experience true knowledge, and the wisdom of the divine word (Shabad) doesn’t reach them. They don’t understand the true meaning of the Shabad. Real wisdom only comes from the Guru’s teachings. People who study books like the Vedas still get caught up in worldly matters and remain ignorant. Reading these books is nothing but a useless effort.
ਜਗਨ ਹੋਮ ਪੁੰਨ ਤਪ ਪੂਜਾ ਦੇਹ ਦੁਖੀ ਨਿਤ ਦੂਖ ਸਹੈ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਪਾਵਸਿ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲਹੈ ॥੧॥
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਿਰਥੇ ਜਗਿ ਜਨਮਾ ॥
ਬਿਖੁ ਖਾਵੈ ਬਿਖੁ ਬੋਲੀ ਬੋਲੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਿਹਫਲੁ ਮਰਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਪੁਸਤਕ ਪਾਠ ਬਿਆਕਰਣ ਵਖਾਣੈ ਸੰਧਿਆ ਕਰਮ ਤਿਕਾਲ ਕਰੈ ॥
ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਹਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਉਰਝਿ ਮਰੈ ॥੨॥
ਡੰਡ ਕਮੰਡਲ ਸਿਖਾ ਸੂਤੁ ਧੋਤੀ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਗਵਨੁ ਅਤਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਨੁ ਕਰੈ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁ ਪਾਰਿ ਪਰੈ ॥੩॥
ਜਟਾ ਮੁਕਟੁ ਤਨਿ ਭਸਮ ਲਗਾਈ ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਛੋਡਿ ਤਨਿ ਨਗਨੁ ਭਇਆ ॥
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਕਿਰਤ ਕੈ ਬਾਂਧੈ ਭੇਖੁ ਭਇਆ ॥੪॥
ਜੇਤੇ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਜਤ੍ਰ ਕਤ੍ਰ ਤੂ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇ ਜਨ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਝੋਲਿ ਪੀਆ ॥੫॥੭॥੮॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1126
These verses clearly proves that salvation is achieved only through the Gurughar by receiving the Guru’s initiation in the form of the Guru-mantra. Faiths other than Sikhi lead the world into pointless struggles. The various rituals, sacrifices, charity, austerities, and worship prescribed by these other faiths bring only suffering to the body. By engaging in such hypocrisy, people endure endless pain and sorrow. Without meditating on the Name of the Lord, “Waheguru,” the eternal and timeless Creator, liberation cannot be attained.
Liberation can only be attained through the Gurmat Naam. Without the Naam, a person’s birth in this world is meaningless. Such a person consumes poison, speaks poisonous words of materialism, and their life without the Naam is futile. Without the Naam, they repeatedly die and are reborn, endlessly wandering through different life forms. True peace cannot be achieved without practicing the Gurmat Naam. Only those fortunate souls who meditate on the Gurmat Naam will find salvation and cross over the worldly ocean.
Reading scriptures of other faiths, reciting Vedantic philosophies, or chanting mantras like Gayatri achieves nothing. Without the Guru’s word (Shabad), O being, where is true liberation or salvation? Without practicing the true Name of the Lord, one remains entangled and ultimately dies in confusion. Those who follow other faiths will never find true peace unless they receive the Naam from the Gurughar.
Their salvation can only be achieved through the practice and devotion to the Gurmat Naam. Simply growing long dreadlocks, tying them on their heads as crowns, smearing their bodies with ashes, or roaming naked without clothes are all misleading appearances. These external displays of asceticism will never bring true satisfaction. True fulfillment can only be found in the Name of the Lord.
Their past actions are such that they are bound to adopt only external appearances and hypocrisy. O Waheguru! You pervade all living beings, everywhere—in water, land, and the skies. However, through the grace and blessings of the Guru, You protect the Gurmukh (devoted soul) from this cycle of confusion. This is the one who, by seeking guidance from Guru Nanak’s house, has abundantly enjoyed the divine nectar of Your Naam.
ਜੋਗੀ ਗ੍ਰਿਹੀ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਭੇਖਧਾਰੀ ॥ ਏ ਸੂਤੇ ਅਪਣੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ॥੧॥
ਮਾਇਆ ਮਦਿ ਮਾਤਾ ਰਹਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਜਾਗਤੁ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਮੂਸੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਸੋ ਜਾਗੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤ ਓਹੁ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਕਰੈ ॥੨॥
ਸੋ ਜਾਗੈ ਜੋ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੈ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਮਰੈ ਅਵਰਾ ਨਹ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੩॥
ਸੋ ਜਾਗੈ ਜੋ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਪਰਕਿਰਤਿ ਛੋਡੈ ਤਤੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥੪॥
ਚਹੁ ਵਰਨਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਜਾਗੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਜਮੈ ਕਾਲੈ ਤੇ ਛੂਟੈ ਸੋਇ ॥੫॥
ਕਹਤ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਨੁ ਜਾਗੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਨੇਤ੍ਰੀ ਹੋਇ ॥੬॥੨॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1126
All yogis, householders, pandits influenced by other faiths are trapped in their own ego and remain asleep to the true purpose of life. They are entirely unaware of the true spiritual wisdom taught by Gurmat. The whole world is intoxicated by materialism and lies asleep. Only those blessed by Waheguru’s grace remain awake, and they never fall back into ignorance. True awakening comes only to those who meet the True Guru. The Gurmukh who connects with the True Guru conquers the five vices—lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego. All ascetics of other faiths are intoxicated by the illusion of materialism. Only the fortunate and wise individual awakens from this intoxication of Maya and becomes alert. Such a person reflects deeply on the essence of the Gurmat Naam (the true Name).
The true warrior is the one who conquers their own self, not the one who harms or troubles others. Only such a person awakens to the essence of Gurmat, realizing that Waheguru, the Eternal Creator, is ever-present. They renounce the illusion of materialism (Maya) and recognize the true essence of the Lord’s Name. Among all the castes, only a rare soul truly awakens, and that person is forever freed from the cycle of death and rebirth. Guru Nanak Sahib teaches that only the Gurmukh, who is blessed with the ointment of true knowledge through the Guru’s grace, truly awakens to the essence of life.
ਸਿੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਪੜਹਿ ਮੁਨਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥
ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਸਭੇ ਰੋਗਿ ਵਿਆਪੇ ਮਮਤਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਗਵਾਈ ॥੨॥
ਏਕਸੁ ਕੀ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਾਰ ਏਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਰੁਦ੍ਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਏਕੋ ਨਾ ਓਹੁ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੫॥੧॥੧੧॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1126
Many sages and learned individuals read the Smritis and Shastras, but they never attain true liberation or salvation. Without the Guru’s Shabad, they cannot comprehend the essence of true liberation. These scriptures of other faiths are entirely rooted in the three qualities of nature (Trigunas) and are filled with their associated afflictions. They lack true spiritual understanding and the essence of higher knowledge.
Above all, it is only Waheguru’s power that operates everywhere. It is this same Waheguru who created Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and others. Guru Nanak Sahib teaches that Waheguru alone is eternal, unchanging, and beyond birth and death.
ਵਰਤ ਨ ਰਹਉ ਨ ਮਹ ਰਮਦਾਨਾ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਜੋ ਰਖੈ ਨਿਦਾਨਾ ॥੧॥
ਏਕੁ ਗੁਸਾਈ ਅਲਹੁ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੁਹਾਂ ਨੇਬੇਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਉ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਪੂਜਾ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਸੇਵੀ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੨॥
ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਉ ਨ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਉ ॥ ਏਕ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਲੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਉ ॥੩॥
ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥
ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਕੀਆ ਵਖਾਨਾ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਖੁਦਿ ਖਸਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੫॥੩॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1136
This Gurvak establishes that in Gurmat, worship of the One Formless Waheguru, the Eternal Creator, is supreme and accepted. For Gurmukhs who follow the Gurmat way of life, the practices and rituals prescribed by other faiths are considered misguided and rejected. Sikhs are not required to observe fasts or adhere to rituals like fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Serving only the One Eternal Creator, Waheguru, is of utmost importance, as this service becomes the ultimate support for the servant at the end of life. For Gursikhs, Waheguru alone is worthy of worship. There is no need to believe in the Hindu concept of Gosain or to worship Allah as prescribed by Muslims. Gursikhs have distanced themselves from both the Hindu and Muslim faiths. They neither need to go on the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca nor perform Hindu rituals of pilgrimage and worship. The supreme duty of Gursikhs is solely to serve and worship the One Eternal Waheguru.
Apart from this, no other faith is to be followed. Neither is there a need to perform Hindu worship nor to observe the Muslim prayers (namaz). Bowing is only to the Formless One (Waheguru), kept in the heart. The conflicting practices of Hindus and Muslims should be set aside. The shared essence of both Allah and Ram, as understood through Gurmat, is the support of a Gursikh’s life.
It is through devotion to Waheguru’s Name alone that the unique spiritual understanding of Gurmat arises. This understanding surpasses the Muslim devotion to Allah and the Hindu devotion to Ram. Sri Kabir Sahib explains that meeting the Guru leads one to recognize Waheguru, the true Master, which is the distinct path and ultimate duty of a Gursikh.
ਪਾਥਰ ਕਉ ਬਹੁ ਨੀਰੁ ਪਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਨਹ ਭੀਗੈ ਅਧਿਕ ਸੂਕਾਇਆ ॥੨॥
ਖਟੁ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਮੂਰਖੈ ਸੁਨਾਇਆ ॥ ਜੈਸੇ ਦਹ ਦਿਸ ਪਵਨੁ ਝੁਲਾਇਆ ॥੩॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1136
Idol worship is considered both meaningless and ineffective in Gurmat. Just as a stone, no matter how much water is poured over it, remains dry and does not absorb the water, similarly, worshipping a stone yields no spiritual benefit.
Shaastras may contain some wisdom but are only useful for fools. Just as the wind blows aimlessly in all directions, providing no benefit to anyone, similarly, the reading and recitation of such scriptures do not bring any true benefit to the readers or the wise ones.
ਗੰਗਾ ਜਲੁ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨਾਮ ॥
ਜੋ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਤਿਸ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਪੀਵਤ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਜੋਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1137
For Gursikhs, the Guru has shown that the Naam of Waheguru is like the sacred Ganga water. There is no place in Gurmat for the worship of any other Ganga water or rituals. It is by meditating on this Naam that Gursikhs find their salvation, and no other external ritual or practice from other faiths brings true benefit to them. By drinking the elixir of the Guru’s Naam, the cycle of birth and death is completely eradicated for Gursikhs. There is no need for Gursikhs to fall into the illusion of drinking Ganga water or other such rituals. Those who engage in these practices, without the Guru’s guidance, remain lost in illusions and gain nothing from them.
ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਜਪ ਤਪ ਸਭਿ ਸੰਜਮ ਤਟਿ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਮਿਟਿਆ ਆਪੁ ਪਏ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗਤੁ ਤਰਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੪॥
Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 1139
This Gurvāk clearly rejects the practices of other faiths. The rituals and practices, such as fire offerings and the various forms of meditation, asceticism, and control of the senses followed by those of other faiths, are all refuted. These practices are ultimately ineffective and do not lead to the true realization of Waheguru. However, through the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib and following the path of Gurmat, by practicing the Gurmat Naam, one can attain liberation immediately. Those Gurmukhs who follow the Gurmat path and take refuge in the true Guru Nanak Sahib, find that the duality and ego within them are completely eradicated.
References: Gurmat Gauravta – Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji
