{"id":7474,"date":"2009-07-16T15:41:19","date_gmt":"2009-07-16T14:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=7474"},"modified":"2009-07-16T15:41:19","modified_gmt":"2009-07-16T14:41:19","slug":"vaisnavism-in-sikhism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=7474","title":{"rendered":"Vaisnavism in Sikhism"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Radhikakrpa Devi Dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a cover story for recent Indian BTG and that would help preaching all over the world.<\/p>\n

———————<\/p>\n

As Arjuna was blessed with “Divya Chaksu” (special eyes to see Krsna) ;Srila Prabhupada blessed me to fathom the depth of scriptures with the special eyes of real knowledge.
\nFor me, accepting Krishna consciousness was not hard, but being in it became a challenge. I am a progeny of Sikh parents and married into a Hindu Punjabi family. My transformation from Randeep Anand to Radhika-kripa Devi Dasi was the most decisive moment of my life. I was quite apprehensive of taking a right path at that crossroad of life. Inspiration, courage, and determination played a vital role.
\nI had to confront queries, doubts, arguments that were often hit with a view to defy. Not ready to be defeated I stood the trial. I sought a solution which could pacify all, as I was amidst two different so-called man-made faiths. With the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and my spiritual master His Holiness Gopala Krishna Gosvami, I drowned myself into the ocean of scriptures.
\nI gravely engrossed myself in the study of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the religious scripture of Sikhs) as well as Bhagavad-gita As It Is. I prayed to Sri Sri Radha Syamasundar to let me derive a conclusion that would satisfy all the rivals. They answered my prayers enlightening me to fathom the depth of both the scriptures. I could now clear most of the doubts and suspicions quite authentically quoting from the scriptures.
\nHere are some enlightening thoughts and quotes I would like to share that reveal a lot for the common intelligentsia. <\/p>\n

The following are mystical lines unraveled from the sacred scripture of the Sikh faith Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This is a compilation of verses sung in the praise of Hari, Govinda, Rama and guru. The scripture recommends the human being to become a \u201cSikh\u201d (sishya), or a disciple of the spiritual master, in order to attain the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. Sri Guru Grantha Sahib is composed in a poetic form in various classical ragas.<\/p>\n

Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru, recites in the Raga Ramakali Mahala 1, Dakhni Omkar as follows:<\/p>\n

Ik omkara satgur prasada
\nOmkara brahma utpatti
\nOmkara kian jin cit
\nOmkara sail jug bhaya
\nOmkara ved nirmaya
\nOmkara sabad udraya
\nOmkara gurmukh taraya
\nOnam akhar suno bicara
\nOnam akhar tribhuvan sara
\nSun pandey kia likhau janjala
\nLikh rama nama gurmukh gopala<\/p>\n

Translation:
\nGod is one, realized by the grace of the guru.
\nAbsolute Truth Om is the creator of Brahma.
\nBrahma kept Om in his heart, in his consciousness.
\nAbsolute Truth is the creator of mountains, eras (yugas).
\nAbsolute Truth is the one from whom Vedasa come.
\nOmkara is the word that liberates.
\nOmkara liberates the ones who follow the instruction of their spiritual master.
\nOm is the word you listen and ponder.
\nOm is the word\u2014the essence of the three worlds.
\nListen O pandita! Why you pen down all worldly deeds
\nWrite only the name of Rama and Gopala attributed by the mercy of guru.<\/p>\n

Lord Krishna declares in Bhagavad-gita (7.8), pranavah sarva-vedeshu: \u201cI am syllable om in the Vedic mantras.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guru Grantha Sahib also mentions how Krishna is the source of Brahma.
\nNabh kamal tey brahma upjaya ved padaya mukh kantt sawar
\nTa ko antt na jai lakhna awat jat rahaye gubar
\nPritam kiu visrahaymeray prana-adhar
\nJaki bhagat karahay jan puray muni jan seway gur vicar||1|| Rahau
\nRavi sai dipak ja key tribhuvan eka jyot murari
\nGurmukh hoi su ahinis nirmal manmukh rain andhar<\/p>\n

Translation:
\nAfter appearing from the lotus stem originating from Vishnu\u2019s naval Brahma cleared his
\nthroat and got absorbed in the Vedas. But he could not fathom the mysteries of the Supreme and was entangled in the cycle of coming and going (birth and death). O my beloved Lord! How can one forget the Supreme on whom all are dependant? The devotees are absorbed in His devotion. The sages, the saints under their guru’s instructions are engrossed in serving the Supreme. Sun, moon and stars all belong to Him and in all the three worlds only Murari is pervading. Only one who follows guru’s instruction is purified but the one who is a mental speculator always wander in darkness.
\nThe lines below quite clearly portray the Supreme Lord leaving nothing to wild imagination. <\/p>\n

\u201cKanval nain madhur bain kot sang sai sobh kahat ma yasoda jisaih dahi bhata khai jiu
\n\tDekh rupa ati anupa moh maha mug bhai kinkni
\nSabad jhanatkara khayl pahi jiu<\/p>\n

kala kalam hukam hatha kahuhu kaun mayt sakai eis braham jnana dhiyana dharat hiay chaeh jiu
\nsat sac srinivasa adi purukh sada tuhi vaha guru vaha guru vaha guru vaha jiu ||1||6||<\/p>\n

Rama naam parama dhama sudh budh nireekar baysumar sarbar ka-o kahi jio
\nSuthar cit bhagat hit bhekh dhari-o hirnaksha hari-o nakh bidara jiu<\/p>\n

sankha-cakra-gada-padma- apa ki-o chadama aprama para parbhrama a lakha-ee kaun tahey jiu<\/p>\n

sat sac srinivasa \u2026 ||2||7||<\/p>\n

pita basan kund dasan priya sahit kanth mala mukuta sisa mor pankh cahih jiu<\/p>\n

bey vazir bade dhira dharma ang alakh agam khel kia apna-i uchah jiu<\/p>\n

akath katha na ja-i tina lok rahiya samae sutah sidh rupa dhario sahan kai sah jiu<\/p>\n

sat sac srinivasa \u2026 ||3||8||<\/p>\n

Translation:
\nLord has lotus eyes, speaks sweet words like honey, millions are in His congregation, glorifying Him and Mother Yasoda feeds Him with curd and cooked rice.
\nSeeing the beauty of most beautiful and listening to the melodious sound of anklets and the waistband, she (Yasoda) captivated by the motherly love plays with Him.
\nThe pen that writes the order of death is in Your hand O Lord!
\nTell! Who can escape it? Siva and Brahma with a happy heart learn knowledge and want to meditate upon You.<\/p>\n

You are the Absolute Truth. Goddess Laxmi is Your maidservant and You are the oldest person (adi purusha) parabrahman and I glorify You. You are vaha guru vaha guru vaha guru. ||1||6||<\/p>\n

Rama\u2019s name is the ultimate abode. You are pure wisdom, You are infinite and can take any form. Who can match You?<\/p>\n

For the love of Your devotee You disguised to kill Hiranyakasipu with Your nails.<\/p>\n

You created the conch, disc, mace, lotus to bind by Your spell. O Infinite Supreme God who can know You ?<\/p>\n

You are the Absolute Truth\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026||2||7||<\/p>\n

You wear yellow clothes, Your teeth look like jasmine buds; You enjoy with Your consort (Srimati Radharani).You wear a long garland and a crown decorated with peacock feathers.<\/p>\n

You require no minister to render advice, most patient; You are inaccessible, creator of the whole play O Lovable!<\/p>\n

O king of the kings, lovable, Your story cannot be narrated; You are pervading in the three worlds, and You can adopt any form You desire. <\/p>\n

You are the\u2026 ||3||8||<\/p>\n

Nestled in the Swayyaa Mahalley 4 on page 1402 of the scripture these lines quoted above define and glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord is addressed here as vaha guru. <\/p>\n

The meaning of word vaha guru is well put forth by Bhai Gurdasa ji who is a contemporary of the fifth Sikh guru Arjun Dev ji. He is the one who penned down the Granth Sahib while the fifth guru recited it.
\n Bhai Gurdasa has authored a book called \u2018Vaara\u2019 where he elaborates on the compilation of the mantra vaha guru.
\n In his book in the section of 1 Varaa, Pauri 49 he says:<\/p>\n

Satyuga satgur vasdev va-va vishna nama japavey
\nduapara satgur hari krishna ha ha hari hari nama japavey
\ntrete satgur rama jii ra ra rama jape such pavey
\nkaliyuga nanak gur govinda ga ga govinda nama alavey
\ncare yagi cahu yugi panchin vic jai samavey
\ncaro akshara ik kar vahaguru jap mantara japavey
\nJaha te upjia phir taha samavey<\/p>\n

Translation:<\/p>\n

In Satyayuga to attain the Lord, meditation on the Vasudeva form is advocated. The letter \u2018v\u2019 of vaha guru reminds of Vishnu. In Dvapara yuga Hari Krishna appeared; the letter \u2018h\u2019 of vaha guru reminds of Hari. In Treta yuga Rama appeared; the letter \u2018r\u2019 of vaha guru reminds of Rama. In Kali yuga came Nanak as a guru to make others chant Govinda. The letter \u2018g\u2019 of vaha guru reminds of Govinda.
\nThus the four yugas have concluded this.
\nThe four letters combined together to form this mantra (vaha guru)
\nBy chanting this mantra the living entity goes back from where he has come.<\/p>\n

Holy name
\nNon different to the maha-mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare\/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, the Granth Sahib describes the glories of singing: \u201cHari Hari Hare \u2026Hare Hrishikesa Hare…,Hare Govinda Hare Govind…,Hare Nar Narhare Nar Narhare…is the highest devotion.
\nThe Granth Sahib in Var, Raga Kanra Mahalla: 4 recites;<\/p>\n

Rama nama nidhan hai hari gurmat rakh ur dharad
\ndasan dasa hoay rahu hau-may bikhi-a mara
\njanam padarath jiti-a kaday na avai hara
\ndhan dhan vadbhagi nanka jin gurmat hari rasa sara
\ngovinda govinda govinda hari govinda guni nidhan
\ngovinda govinda gurmat dhiai-ai ta dargah pai-ai mana<\/p>\n

govinda govinda govinda jap much ujla para dhana
\n\u2026 Sabh kahhu mukhahu hari hari hare hari hari hare hari bolat sabh papa lahogia<\/p>\n

Translation:
\nThe name of Rama is the treasure; in the wisdom of the guru keep it in mind
\nLive as a servant of His (Rama\u2019s) servants, and kill the poison of false ego from within. Thus you will win the wealth of life and never face defeat
\nNanak says, \u201cThose deeply blessed are greater than the great and who in wisdom of the spiritual master enjoy the nectar of Hari.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recite Govinda Govinda Govinda, one gains purity and radiance\u2026
\nAll join together to chant Hari\u2019s (Krishna\u2019s) name and Hare (His internal potency) as this would lead to the forgiveness of the past sins.<\/p>\n

Further it says:<\/p>\n

hari hari hari hari nama hai gurmukh pavai ko-ay
\nhau-may mamta nasa ho-ay durmat kadhay dho-ay
\n..sabh kahhu mukhahu hrishikesa hare hrishikesa hare jit pavahi sabh fal falna<\/p>\n

Translation:
\nOnly some are fortunate enough to be blessed by the spiritual master with the name of Hari Hari Hari Hari as this is the only name.
\nBy chanting this, the false ego, worldly ties and bad qualities get cleansed\u2026Let us all chant Hrishikesa (one of the many names of Krishna) and Hare (His consort) so as to obtain all rewards.<\/p>\n

Vaishnava
\nA Vaishnava has the topmost human consciousness as described in the scriptures. Same has been advocated in the Granth Sahib. In the 9th verse (Astapati) of a hymn Sukhmani Sahib composed by Guru Arjun Dev, the word vaishnava has been well defined: \u201cwho is bound to attain parama gati, the highest destination.\u201d<\/p>\n

It recites as:<\/p>\n

mitha nahi rasna paras
\nmann mein prita niranjan daras
\npar stri rupa na pekhey netr
\nsadha ki tahal satsang heyt
\nkaran na suneh kahu ki ninda
\nsabh tay janay apas ko manda
\ngur prasad bhikhi-da parharay
\nmann ki vasna mann tey taray
\nindrijita panch dokh tey rahata
\nnanak kotmadhay ko aisa apras ||1||
\nvaishnava so jis upara suparsan
\nbishan ki maya tay ho-ay bhinn<\/p>\n

karma karat hovai nihkarama
\ntis vaishno ka nirmal dharma
\nkaho phal ki ichcha nahi ba-cacai
\nkayval bhagat kirtana sung rachay
\nmann tan antar simran gopala
\nsabh upar hovat kirpala
\napa driya avroh nama japavai
\nnanaka oh vaishnava parama gati pavay<\/p>\n

bhag ut bhagvant bhagat ka rung
\nsagal tiagay dusat ka sung
\nmann tay binsaisagla bhrahm
\nkar pujay sagla parbhraham
\nsadh sung papa mal khovay
\ntis bhagat ki mat utam hovay
\nbhagvant ki tahal kay nit nita
\nmann tan arpay bishan ki parita
\nhari kay carana hridaya basavay
\nnanak aisa bhag uti bhagvant ko pavaya<\/p>\n

Translation:
\nA vaishnava is the one whose tongue does not touch falsity.
\nIn mind who loves the Lord and longs for His glimpse.
\nWhose eyes don\u2019t see the beauty of other women.
\nWho serves the saints and remains in their association.
\nWho doesn\u2019t do or listen to any criticism.
\nBy the grace of the spiritual master he is able to remove the covering of illusion.
\nLust leaves his mind as he conquers his senses and saves oneself from those five enemies (the senses).
\nNanak says, \u201cOne among millions is such a detached soul\u201d.
\nSuch a Vaishnava is the one with whom the Lord is pleased.<\/p>\n

He is untouched by the worldliness created by the Lord .
\nHe acts without any worldly motive.
\nVaishnava religion is purity.
\nHe works with no aspiration for fruits.
\nHe is engrossed in devotion and kirtana of the Supreme.
\nIn his mind and body always resides Gopala.
\nHe is compassionate to all.
\nHe himself chants and makes others also to so.
\nNanaka says, \u201cSuch a Vaishnava attains the holy abode\u201d.<\/p>\n

The devotee is engrossed in the Lord\u2019s love\u2014the adorable
\nHe abdicates the company of the wicked.
\nAll doubts vanish from his mind.
\nHe performs puja (worship) of the Lord .
\nIn the association of saints he washes the dirt of his sins.
\nOn such a devotee, the wisdom shall reign.
\nHe always serves the Lord .
\nHe surrenders his mind, body at the altar of the love of Vishnu.
\nHe adorns Hari\u2019s lotus feet in his heart.
\nNanaka says, \u201cSuch a devotee is blessed to meet the Lord\u201d.<\/p>\n

These revelations put at rest all the antagonistic sentiments; instilling thus a novel, innovative approach. Vaishnavism is no wonder the language of Sikhism. Such literary endeavors build up bridges and break walls leading to communal harmony resulting in peace and universal brotherhood, with no doubt the core being Krishna consciousness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"HareBy Radhikakrpa Devi Dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

For me, accepting Krishna consciousness was not hard, but being in it became a challenge. I am a progeny of Sikh parents and married into a Hindu Punjabi family. My transformation from Randeep Anand to Radhika-kripa Devi Dasi was the most decisive moment of my life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7474\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}