Reading Gurbani alone can truth be obtained ?

[angy15]

I want to discuss and have opinion  of the sangat .

Can Reciting  Gurbani(doing Nitnem, Sukhmani Sahib  etc) alone truth can be obtained ? Or the message  which is conveyed in them is to be undersatood and  followed

For example if we study the first asthpadi 1  of sukhmani sahib it shows importance of doing  naam simran.My view  is instead of doing JAp  of sukhmani sahib we should do naam simran which guruji indicts us to do.And studying  gurbani and try to understand it what its telling us to do

As Zen Quotes "Teachings  are like a finger pointing at the moon. The finger is useful because of what it points us toward, not as an object of study for its own sake."

 

 

[angy15]

This  shabad explains importance of doing simran rather then just  reciting Gurbani or other scriptures

ਕਿਆ ਪੜੀਐ ਕਿਆ ਗੁਨੀਐ ॥

Kiaa Parreeai Kiaa Guneeai ||

What use is it to read, and what use is it to study?

 ਕਿਆ ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨਾਂ ਸੁਨੀਐ ॥

Kiaa Baedh Puraanaan Suneeai ||

What use is it to listen to the Vedas and the Puraanas?

   ਜਉ ਸਹਜ ਨ ਮਿਲਿਓ ਸੋਈ ॥੧॥

Jo Sehaj N Miliou Soee ||1||

If celestial peace is not attained? ||1||   

ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਪਸਿ ਗਵਾਰਾ ॥

Har Kaa Naam N Japas Gavaaraa ||

The fool does not chant the Name of the Lord. 

ਕਿਆ ਸੋਚਹਿ ਬਾਰੰ ਬਾਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Kiaa Sochehi Baaran Baaraa ||1|| Rehaao ||
So what does he think of, over and over again? ||1||Pause||

[paapiman]

2 hours ago, angy15 said:

I want to discuss and have opinion  of the sangat .

Can Reciting  Gurbani(doing Nitnem, Sukhmani Sahib  etc) alone truth can be obtained ? Or the message  which is conveyed in them is to be undersatood and  followed

For example if we study the first asthpadi 1  of sukhmani sahib it shows importance of doing  naam simran.My view  is instead of doing JAp  of sukhmani sahib we should do naam simran which guruji indicts us to do.And studying  gurbani and try to understand it what its telling us to do

As Zen Quotes "Teachings  are like a finger pointing at the moon. The finger is useful because of what it points us toward, not as an object of study for its own sake."

Reading Gurbani or listening to Kirtan/Katha, etc, can also be classified as Simran.

The word Simran is derived from a Sanskrit word, which means to remember or think about. Therefore, whenever one is thinking/remembering the Almighty Waheguru (with love/devotion/concentration), one is engaging in Simran.

 

Bhul chuk maaf

[paapiman]

And obviously, Sikhs must study Gurbani, understand its essence and follow the teachings given in it.

 

Bhul chuk maaf

[sarabatam]

Good topic, whilst reading and listening gurbani in repetitive cycle has many benefits as it purifies the surti-mind and antiskaran,  as per gurbani reading scriptures without thoroughly following the teachings of gurbani doesn't guarantee acquisition of absolute truth, so its  imperative following the teaching, go further in stages in the truth as mentioned in gurbani such as follow what gurbani is pointing towards when gurbani talks about one should do naam jaap and abiding the gyan of the self- this should not be ignored. It should be properly contextualized in -sarvan, manan, nidashan. In fact, right off the bat- japji sahib which is summary of whole sri guru granth sahib ji has puaris focuses on three  development states of seeker - sarvan -listening of truth-mahavak*, manan-following the truth-mahavak and nidasahan - abidance in the truth-mahavak, sarvan, manan and nidasahn has three pauri dedicated to it one after another. 

*Mahavak- 

 

 

[sarabatam]

Just like to add, I am not discounting reading or listening as per gurbani it says sunaie lagaie sehaj dhyan , deep listening to gurbani truth has great immense power, it could provide paradigm shift in one consciousness but usually sarvan has to be followed by manan and nidsahan to be in naturally effortless abidance and realization of truth.

 

Love to hear views from other members too @Lucky, @bhagatsingh and @Sat1176

[Sat1176]

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[paapiman]

On 2/3/2018 at 5:06 AM, paapiman said:

Reading Gurbani or listening to Kirtan/Katha, etc, can also be classified as Simran.

The word Simran is derived from a Sanskrit word, which means to remember or think about. Therefore, whenever one is thinking/remembering the Almighty Waheguru (with love/devotion/concentration), one is engaging in Simran.

 

Bhul chuk maaf

IMHO (correct me if Daas is wrong), a person should never go against his own natural spiritual instincts*.

If someone likes Kirtan, keep listening to it.

If you like doing Paath(s) keep doing that.

If you like Katha, keep listening to that.

If you are more into "Waheguru" simran, keep doing that.

If you like reciting a certain Shabad, keep doing that.

and so on.

The keys are love, devotion, concentration, correct pronunciation, firm belief in Waheguru, etc.

Don't force yourself to do something which you are not really interested in. 

At the end of the day, this journey is primarily of Grace. A person's own efforts can only take to a certain level, rest all is Gurparsaad.

Also, your instincts might change too. For instance, it is possible that now a person in currently into Kirtan, but in the future he might start doing more Gurmantar simran. Therefore, the bottom line is to follow your spiritual instincts.

"Waheguru" is our Gurmantar, but Gurbani is Mantar roop too. It is meant to studied, recited and applied in our practical lives.

 

* - Exceptions apply when Mahapurakhs give us specific instructions

 

Bhul chuk maaf

[sarabatam]

Here are sarvan, manan and nidasahan stages in details