Guru Amardas Ji : His Philosophy (Part-1)

25. His Philosophy (Part-1)

Guru Amardas laid down the universal highway for every seeker of Truth. In this connection, I have given in this section quotations from the hymns of the Third Guru. Guru Amardas learnt the Sikh way of life from his predecessors and emphasised the important role of the Guru in guiding the discipline. Fortunately, we have now the permanent guidance of Sri Guru Granth Sahab which contains the message and the instructions of the Gurus.

1. The Guru

According to Guru Amardas, the Guru is a kind of boat or ship to ferry man across the world's tempestuous ocean, or a ladder for spiritual ascent Guru Amardas says in this connection:

"Imbued with the Name, the True Guru is the ship in the Dark Age" (Page or Ang. 552)

"By serving the Guru, man saves his capital; the Guru is a ladder or boat of salvation. Nanak says, he who loves God receives the quintessence. The true Lord is attained through the true mind." (Page Ang. 1279)

The Guru destroys the disciple's ego through humility and service:

"Nanak says, by meeting the True Guru, man's self-will is destroyed, and the True Lord comes to dwell in his mind". (Page Ang. 560)

"Without the Guru, man cannot perform Bhakti and cannot love the Holy Word".

(Page Ang. 1417)

"Divine knowledge and the jewel of Naam are obtained from the Guru; after subduing desire, the mind remains stable within". (Page Ang. 1044)

The Guru holds the key to the spiritual treasure. Guru Amardas says in his connection:

"In the True Guru's hand is the key. None else can open the door. By perfect good luck, the Guru is met". (Page Ang. 124)

"Virtues are accumulated and vices disappear. With the Guru's help, one merges in the Holy Word". (Page Ang. 361)

Commenting on the Three-fold aspect of the Guru - God, the perfect man, the Shabad (Gurbani) - Guru Amardas concludes that all the three constitute a single Reality:

"There is one Bani (divine gospel) uttered by the only Guru and one Shabad (Holy Name) to reflect upon". (Page Ang. 646)

"Everyone talks of bliss, but bliss is obtained through the Guru". (Page Ang. 917)

"The perfect Guru showed me the Lord, and through the Guru's hymns, I realised him". (Page Ang. 592)

2. Sewa

The Guru also teaches the disciple the true way of service of all creation, without any show or motive. The disciple must submit himself to the guidance and the will of the Guru:

"When one does the service of the Guru, the mind becomes pure and finds refuge in the true Home". (Page Ang. 120)

"Through the service of the Guru, one gets real happiness, which cannot be found anywhere else". (Page Ang. 548)

"Nanak says, if one follows the will of the Guru, one naturally merges in the Truth".

(Page Ang. 1249)

3. Universal Love

The Guru recognised the validity of all religions and revelations and prayed for universal welfare.

"O God, do save this burning world through Thy Grace, Save it by whatever way it can be saved". (Page Ang. 853)

All men and women are equal, because they are the creation of the Lord:

"From the Unique Lord come all forms and colours. The air, water and fire are kept together amongst all." (Page Ang. 160)

"The whole world is made out of one clay, but the Potter has fashioned it into vessels of many kinds". (Page Ang. 1128)

4. Holy Company (SadhSangat)

The Company of the pious is beneficial to the disciple for his spiritual progress. The Guru calls mammon a snake and holy-men snake charmers. In the society of saints, man learns Sadhana (spiritual practice) and the secret or technique of Naam Simaron (Remembrance of the Holy Name). God's elixir is relished in the saint's congregation. The company of like minded pious persons strengthens the devotee's conviction and provides him a lot of moral support in his spiritual effort. Guru Amardas says in this connection:

"Come dear saints, let us speak of the gospel of the Ineffable God" (Page Ang. 918)

5. Detachment

Through the Sikh leads a family life, his mind does not get involved in worldly matters. He does not renounce the world, but rather its worldliness and mammon. Guru Amardas describes the life of the Gurmukh (God-orientated person) in the following words:

"The Guru-orientated becomes desireless and attain to supreme bliss.

In house-hold, they remain unattached and imbibe affection for the Lord. Sorrow and separation cling not to them and they remain happy in the Lord's Will. Nanak says, they ever remain imbued with their God and He blends them with Himself". (Page Ang. 1249)

The disciple does actions but they are done without the ego or the self and as such, these "detached" actions brings no reactions:

"He alone is above actions who reflects over the Guru's hymns. Within his mind is the divine knowledge and thereby he effaces his ego". (Page Ang. 128)





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				25. His Philosophy (Part-1) Guru Amardas laid down the universal highway for every seeker of Truth. In this connection, I have given in this section quotations from the hymns of the Third Guru. Guru Amardas learnt the Sikh way of life from his predecessors and emphasised the important role of the Guru in guiding the discipline. Fortunately, we have now the permanent guidance of Sri Guru Granth Sahab which contains the message and the instructions of the Gurus. 1. The Guru According to Guru Amardas, the Guru is a kind of boat or ship to ferry man across the world's tempestuous ocean, or a ladder for spiritual ascent Guru Amardas says in this connection: "Imbued with the Name, the True Guru is the ship in the Dark Age" (Page or Ang. 552) "By serving the Guru, man saves his capital; the Guru is a ladder or boat of salvation. Nanak says, he who loves God receives the quintessence. The true Lord is attained through the true mind." (Page Ang. 1279) The Guru destroys the disciple's ego through humility and service: "Nanak says, by meeting the True Guru, man's self-will is destroyed, and the True Lord comes to dwell in his mind". (Page Ang. 560) "Without the Guru, man cannot perform Bhakti and cannot love the Holy Word". (Page Ang. 1417) "Divine knowledge and the jewel of Naam are obtained from the Guru; after subduing desire, the mind remains stable within". (Page Ang. 1044) The Guru holds the key to the spiritual treasure. Guru Amardas says in his connection: "In the True Guru's hand is the key. None else can open the door. By perfect good luck, the Guru is met". (Page Ang. 124) "Virtues are accumulated and vices disappear. With the Guru's help, one merges in the Holy Word". (Page Ang. 361) Commenting on the Three-fold aspect of the Guru - God, the perfect man, the Shabad (Gurbani) - Guru Amardas concludes that all the three constitute a single Reality: "There is one Bani (divine gospel) uttered by the only Guru and one Shabad (Holy Name) to reflect upon". (Page Ang. 646) "Everyone talks of bliss, but bliss is obtained through the Guru". (Page Ang. 917) "The perfect Guru showed me the Lord, and through the Guru's hymns, I realised him". (Page Ang. 592) 2. Sewa The Guru also teaches the disciple the true way of service of all creation, without any show or motive. The disciple must submit himself to the guidance and the will of the Guru: "When one does the service of the Guru, the mind becomes pure and finds refuge in the true Home". (Page Ang. 120) "Through the service of the Guru, one gets real happiness, which cannot be found anywhere else". (Page Ang. 548) "Nanak says, if one follows the will of the Guru, one naturally merges in the Truth". (Page Ang. 1249) 3. Universal Love The Guru recognised the validity of all religions and revelations and prayed for universal welfare. "O God, do save this burning world through Thy Grace, Save it by whatever way it can be saved". (Page Ang. 853) All men and women are equal, because they are the creation of the Lord: "From the Unique Lord come all forms and colours. The air, water and fire are kept together amongst all." (Page Ang. 160) "The whole world is made out of one clay, but the Potter has fashioned it into vessels of many kinds". (Page Ang. 1128) 4. Holy Company (SadhSangat) The Company of the pious is beneficial to the disciple for his spiritual progress. The Guru calls mammon a snake and holy-men snake charmers. In the society of saints, man learns Sadhana (spiritual practice) and the secret or technique of Naam Simaron (Remembrance of the Holy Name). God's elixir is relished in the saint's congregation. The company of like minded pious persons strengthens the devotee's conviction and provides him a lot of moral support in his spiritual effort. Guru Amardas says in this connection: "Come dear saints, let us speak of the gospel of the Ineffable God" (Page Ang. 918) 5. Detachment Through the Sikh leads a family life, his mind does not get involved in worldly matters. He does not renounce the world, but rather its worldliness and mammon. Guru Amardas describes the life of the Gurmukh (God-orientated person) in the following words: "The Guru-orientated becomes desireless and attain to supreme bliss. In house-hold, they remain unattached and imbibe affection for the Lord. Sorrow and separation cling not to them and they remain happy in the Lord's Will. Nanak says, they ever remain imbued with their God and He blends them with Himself". (Page Ang. 1249) The disciple does actions but they are done without the ego or the self and as such, these "detached" actions brings no reactions: "He alone is above actions who reflects over the Guru's hymns. Within his mind is the divine knowledge and thereby he effaces his ego". (Page Ang. 128)

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