A group of devoted Sikhs, Bhai Moola, Bhai Sooja, Bhai Chandu, Bhai Raamdaas Bhandaari, Bhai Baala, and Bhai Sayeen Daas, once approached Siri Guru Arjun Dev Ji Maharaj with a very deep and practical question. They asked how the system of karma works for Gursikhs.
Their question was simple yet profound. Are paap (sins) and punn (good deeds) counted separately, or are they balanced against each other? For example, if a person performs one hundred punns and sixty paaps, does the jeev experience the fruits of all one hundred and sixty actions, or only the remaining forty after adjustment?
Four kinds of Sikhs according to Guru Sahib
In response, Siri Guru Arjun Dev Ji explained that karma does not affect all Sikhs in the same way. For the purpose of karmic accountability, Guru Sahib described four kinds of Sikhs:
Sehkaam karmi
Nihkaam karmi
Upaashna waale
Gyani
When the Sikhs humbly asked Guru Sahib to explain all four categories, Guru Sahib blessed them with a beautiful explanation, later recorded by Bhai Mani Singh Ji in Sikhan di Bhagatmala.
A worldly example to understand karma
Guru Sahib first gave a worldly example. In a king’s kingdom, there are four types of citizens:
Some must pay full taxes no matter what.
Some pay a small fixed amount, even if they earn a lot.
Some are close to the king and give gifts, so they enjoy tax-free income and special privileges.
Some are extremely close to the king, travel with him, and instead of paying taxes, receive payment from the state.
In the same way, Guru Sahib explained, there are four kinds of Sikhs, and karma applies differently to each.
Sehkaam karmi Sikhs
Sehkaam karmi Sikhs are Sikhs in outer form, but their inner priorities are fully centered on maya. Even when they do paath, simran, or religious actions, it is usually for selfish goals such as wealth, status, or comfort.
For such Sikhs, paap and punn are counted separately. Nothing is cancelled out. If they commit eighty punns and eighty paaps, they receive the fruits of all one hundred and sixty actions. Because of this, they experience both rewards and punishments, enjoying heaven and suffering hell according to their karma.
Due to their connection with Sikhi, they may be born into rich or comfortable homes in future lives and are occasionally given chances to engage in Naam simran and Gurbani. Over many lifetimes, they slowly progress toward liberation.
Nihkaam karmi Sikhs
Nihkaam karmi Sikhs follow Sikhi because they genuinely like dharam. They do good deeds naturally and take pleasure in righteous living. However, because they are not deeply absorbed in Naam and Gurbani, they still fall under the influence of maya and the five vikaars, and therefore commit sins as well.
For these Sikhs, paap and punn are netted against each other. If they have one hundred punns and sixty paaps, only the remaining forty karmas bear fruit. Their sins are mostly cancelled out by their good deeds, and they rarely experience hell.
Such Sikhs are often born into the homes of sant Gursikhs and receive strong opportunities to do Naam simran and Gurbani paath in future lives.
Upaashna waale Sikhs
Upaashna waale Sikhs place their main focus on Naam abhyaas and Gurbani paath. Their natural tendency is toward bhagti and punn. Even so, due to past destiny or sudden influence of vikaars, they may occasionally commit paaps.
Guru Sahib forgives their sins. If they do not reach full spiritual realization in one lifetime, they are given another birth in the homes of sant Gursikhs. Through continued bhagti, they eventually attain gyaan and are freed from the cycle of birth and death.
Gyani Gursikhs
Gyani Gursikhs are those who have realized both the self and Vaheguru. For them, the world is mithiya, temporary and unreal. They do not live under the system of karma at all. They rely only on Naam and remain free from haume.
Just as darkness cannot approach the sun, paap and vikaars cannot approach a Gyani. Their actions do not bind them. They are not rewarded for punn, nor punished for mistakes. In reality, they do not commit sins, but even if an unintentional mistake occurs, as described in Gurbani:
ਜੇ ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਭੁਲਿ ਚੁਕਿ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਭੀ ਖਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਣੇ ॥
they are not held accountable.
Guru Sahib further revealed something very striking. The punns done by a Gyani are given to those who serve them. Those who slander or oppose a Gyani receive the fruits of the Gyani’s unintentional mistakes. The Gyani remains nirlep, untouched by all karmic effects.
Future of the four kinds of Sikhs
Sehkaam karmi Sikhs enjoy pleasures in higher realms, then return to earth in wealthy families. Over many lives, they slowly rise toward liberation.
Nihkaam karmi and upaashna waale Sikhs reach higher spiritual realms and are reborn among sant Gursikhs. Through repeated chances for bhagti and sangat, they eventually become Gyani and attain sachkhand.
Gyani Gursikhs, after completing their time on earth, naturally reside in sachkhand.
Gurmat understanding of karma
In some belief systems, karma works automatically and independently. In Gurmat, karma exists, but it is not independent. Vaheguru is always actively present as witness and judge. The fruits of karma are given according to the spiritual state of the jeev.
Just as a worldly judge treats a repeat offender more strictly than a first-time offender, Vaheguru also differentiates. A Gursikh deeply involved in Naam and Gurbani receives much lighter consequences for rare mistakes than someone fully absorbed in maya.
Conclusion
This updesh of Guru Sahib inspires us to rise spiritually. The goal is to become Gyani Gursikhs, but at the very least, we should strive to live as upaashna waale Gursikhs, eager for Naam abhyaas, Gurbani paath, and kirtan.