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ਪਿੜਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭਦ ਬਿਝਐ ਪਾਵਣਾ : Not by reading (religious books), but through Understanding, is the Mystery Realized. - sggs, 148

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Gurbani Rescinds Eclipse Rituals

by T. Singh

On August 21, 2017, there was a memorable event in the U.S. — a total eclipse of the sun was visible from within
a narrow corridor that traverses the United States from west to east through parts of the many states.

From time immemorial, cultures have all sorts of responses to an eclipse, mainly fright or  fear. Therefore, in
general, eclipses have been considered inauspicious events for thousands of years. They have been viewed as
very negative omens.

Rituals related to eclipses

Although the recent event of total eclipse wasn’t seen in India, however, in India eclipses or Grahan (“ਗਹਨ”)
generally are considered to be inauspicious according to the mythology propagated by Brahmins/Pandits. As a
result, there are many rituals, traditions, superstitions, misconceptions, etc. that are observed before and after
eclipses. They were in practice at the time of Baabaa Nanak, and they still are.

For example, people are directed to take a bath after the eclipse is over, and changing into fresh and clean clothes.
Sprinkling of Ganga water or taking a dip in the Ganga is also supposed to wash away the evil done by the eclipse.
The belief is that — after an eclipse — taking holy dip in holy rivers like Ganga, and Teeraths like Brahma Sarover in
Kurukshetra will help in:

Washing away sins of this birth and previous births

Attaining liberation (Moksha) – escape from cycle of birth and rebirth.
Washing away negative energy which spreads fast during the eclipse
Removing the stains of wicked activities (Adharmic) performed in this birth and previous births.
Another belief is that this solar eclipse – the alignment of sun, moon and earth – generates curative properties
in holy waters of the rivers and ponds (Srovars of Teerath or places of pilgrimage).

There are also many other rituals and superstitions observed during an eclipse. To mention a few, not worshiping
gods or touching idols during eclipse, abstaining from cooking, observing fast, barring a pregnant woman from
going out and forcing her take shower every couple of hours whole night, and so on.

The Gurbani rejects rituals (Karamkaand)

The Gurbani makes reference to people bathing after an eclipse and, understandably, bluntly repudiates (ਖਡਨ)
it. Because, there is no place for Karamkaand (rituals) in the Divine Wisdom of the Gurbani. They further bind
people in egotism.

ਹਿਰ ਹਿਰ ਨਾਿਮ ਮਜਨ ਕਿਰ ਸਚ ਕਿਟ ਗਹਣ ਪਨ ਫਲ ਮਚ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ਹਿਰ ਕ ਚਰਣ ਿਰਦ ਮਿਹ ਬਸ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕ ਿਕਲਿਵਖ ਨਸ
॥੧॥: Taking cleansing bath in the (Teerath of) Hari Naam, (the life is rendered) pure. Reward (of bathing in the
Naam-Teerath) surpasses the giving of charity at millions of solar eclipses. ||1||Pause|| With the “Hari Kae
Charan” (Spiritual Knowledge, Brahm-Giann…) abiding in the Heart, the sins of many births are removed (sggs
197).
ਜ ਓਹ ਗਹਨ ਕਰ ਕਲਖਿਤ ਅਰਪ ਨਾਿਰ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਸਮਿਤ ਸਗਲੀ ਿਸਿਮਿਤ ਵਨੀ ਸਨ ਕਰ ਿਨਦ ਕਵਨ ਨਹੀ ਗਨ ॥੨॥: Someone
may bathe at Kurukshetra during aa eclipse, and give his wife along with ornaments in offering, and listen to all
the Simritees (Hindu scriptures), but if he indulges in slander, these are of no account. ||2|| (sggs 875).

During his journey that he undertook for the sake of Enlightening all the people, Guru Amar Das Sahib first visited
Kurukshetra on the occasion of the Abhijit festival and preached to the thousands of pilgrims gathered there that
the eclipse was a natural phenomenon and there was no merit gained by fasting and bathing on this occasion.

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Because we cannot cleanse our inner selves (minds, souls, thoughts, etc.) by pilgrimages and bathing in so called
holy “waters”.

ਨਾਵਣ ਪਰਬ ਅਭੀਚ ਗਰ ਸਿਤਗਰ ਦਰਸ ਭਇਆ॥ ਦਰਮਿਤ ਮਲ ਹਰੀ ਅਿਗਆਨ ਅਧਰ ਗਇਆ : The fruits of ritual bathing and
“Abheechu” (i.e., Abhijit festival) were naturally obtained when the blessed vision of the Satigur (i.e., the
spiritual Wisdom from the Guru was received and lived). The filth of wickedness is washed off, and the
darkness of ignorance is dispelled (by the Light of the spiritual Wisdom of the Satigur). (sggs 1116).

Thus, according to the Gurbani, the true Teerath in Sikhi is Naam Teerath (i.e, Shabad-Teerath, Giaan-Teerath,
Teerath of Divine Wisdom or Spiritual Knowledge…):

ਤੀਰਿਥ ਨਾਵਣ ਜਾਉ ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਮ ਹ ਤੀਰਥ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਅਤਿਰ ਿਗਆਨ ਹ : Go bathe at the Teerath, (and that Teerath is)
the Naam-Teerath. To Reflect on the Shabad (Shabad-Vichaar…) is the Teerath, (because of this) Spiritual
Wisdom arises within (sggs 687).
ਗਰ ਿਗਆਨ ਸਾਚਾ ਥਾਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਦਸ ਪਰਬ ਸਦਾ ਦਸਾਹਰਾ : The Gur-Wisdom is Eternal sacred shrine of pilgrimage (for
me, which is equal to) the congregation of ten (Holy days or festivals for me). (sggs 687).

Thus, according to the Gurbani, a Sikh (student or learner of the SGGS) is always supposed to wash off the
filth of his mind through the Shabad-Vichaar (Naam, Divine Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad…). Therefore, the
Gurbani tells us that visiting so called Teerath is nothing but “worldly affairs”, “egotistical displays”,
oblivion in “doubt”, mundane business, acts of pleasing and appeasing other people, etc.!

ਮਨ ਤਨ ਧਵਿਹ ਸਬਿਦ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ : (Pure and unique Bhagti is) to wash the mind, and the body (i.e., senses: eyes,
ears, etc.) with Shabad-Vichaar (sggs 1059).
ਭਰਮ ਭਲਾ ਸਿਭ ਤੀਰਥ ਗਹ : Deluded by doubt (he) visits all Teerath (external shrines of pilgrimage). (sggs 1142).

The Gurbani rejects belief in astrology (Jotish)

As the ancient Indian legend goes (according to mythology as given in Puraan), an eclipse occurs when the
shadowy demon Rahu Ketu gets his revenge on the Sun and the Moon by consuming them and stealing their
luminous rays.

In nutshell, according to astrology, eclipses can be a bad time to start or end jobs, projects, relationships, or any
other important stuff.

The Gurbani repudiates both Jotish (also spelt Jyotish – astrology) and such belief.

The Jotish holds that it can help alleviate the unfavorable results of past actions through special measures, rituals,
etc. However, Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) holds that the permanent and foolproof solutions to our fear and
suffering is through Realizing our Mool within (ਮਲ, Origin, Source, Jot…), through the Shabad-Vichaar.

The SGGS teaches that all calculations (imaginations-ਫਰਨ…) are in egotism (Mayaic mind). Sri Guru Granth Sahib
also teaches that the Dynamic Divine Power is beyond any calculations, while the entire world is within the realm
of calculations.

ਪਿਡਤ ਪੜਦ ਜਤਕੀ ਨਾ ਬਝਿਹ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ : Pandits and the astrologers study their books, but they do not understand
the “Veechaar” (of the Creator’s Play). (sggs 948).
ਝਠ ਨ ਬਿਲ ਪਾਡ ਸਚ ਕਹੀਐ ਹਉਮ ਜਾਇ ਸਬਿਦ ਘਰ ਲਹੀਐ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ਗਿਣ ਗਿਣ ਜਤਕ ਕ ਡੀ ਕੀਨੀ ਪੜ ਸਣਾਵ ਤਤ ਨ ਚੀਨੀ
ਸਭਸ ਊਪਿਰ ਗਰ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਹਰ ਕਥਨੀ ਬਦਉ ਨ ਸਗਲੀ ਛਾਰ ॥੨॥: O Pandit! Do not tell lies, speak the Truth. When
egotism is eradicated through the Gur-Shabad, then (one) finds that Home (of Spiritual Joy). ||1||Pause||
Calculating and counting, the astrologer draws the hroscope. (He) reads it and announces it (to his client), but
(he) does not Understand the Reality (ਅਸਲੀਅਤ). (sggs 904).
ਹਉਮ ਸਭਾ ਗਣਤ ਹ ਗਣਤ ਨਉ ਸਖ ਨਾਿਹ : All accounting is in egotism, in these, there is no Peace (sggs 36).
ਤ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਿਪ ਅਗਣਤ ਹ ਸਭ ਜਗ ਿਵਿਚ ਗਣਤ : O Creator! You are incalculable, while the entire world is within the
realm of calculation (sggs 314).
ਸਉਣ ਸਗਨ ਬੀਚਾਰਣ ਨਉਂ ਗਹ ਬਾਰਹ ਰਾਿਸ ਵੀਚਾਰਾ ਕਾਮਣ ਟਣ ਅਉਸੀਆਂ ਕਣ ਸਹੀ ਪਾਸਾਰ ਪਾਸਾਰਾ : The life led in the light
of omens, the nine planets, the twelve signs of the zodiac; incantations, magic divination by lines and by the
voice is all futile (Bhai Gurdaas, Vaar: 5 Pauree: 9).

There is no counting (imaginations-ਫਰਨ…) for the one who has become the Gurmukh (one who understands and
lives the Shabad-Giaan, Divine Wisdom, Hukam, Naam…); because he knows he is not separate from the Divine
Essence.

ਗਰਮਿਖ ਸਗਲੀ ਗਣਤ ਿਮਟਾਵ : The Gurmukh erases all calculations (sggs 942).

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So the Gurbani urges us to become the Gurmukhi, so the fearless mind can leave the “Trikutee-ਿ ਕਟੀ” and
come to rest into the Heart (“Hirdaa-ਿਹਰਦਾ” or “Ghat-ਘਟ” or “Dasavaa Duaaru-ਦਸਵਾ ਦਆਰ“).

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Filed Under: Gurbani, Ishnan, bath, wash, Chulle, Naam, Shabad, Hukam, Pilgrimage, Ablutions, Rituals, Karamkaand
Tagged With: astrology, eclipse, Jotish, naam, Teerath

COMMENTS LEAVE A COMMENT

G Prakash s Bagga

THE MOOL is a WAVE (TARANG) of Hari and or GOBINDu, this should be observed from within gurbaanee.

Reply

G Gurjeet Singh

Gurbani is Braham Gian

The terms Sun (Sooraj, Bhan, Soor) and the Moon (Chand) are to be under stood from within the context of
Gurbani not from the ideology of Simrat and Shasters which is deeply embedded in our Teekaas.

In Raag Raamkali M:3 has indicated

” Chand Sooraj Ki Paayeh Gandh
‘Tis Udasi Ka Parey Na Khanduja”

As per Gurmat
Our Mool is our Sun
Our Nanh is our Moon

Utilising the Braham Gian of Gurbani we need to Bring the Manh from Trukuti into its usual place of abode the
Hirda.

The Mool is our Hari or Gobind but not WahGuru.

At this time there is a continuous Eclipse (Grahan) caused by the Manh (Moon) on our Chit (Sun)

When it travels to the Hirda to do Aatam Darshan under the instructions of Budhi

A sangam takes place there.

The association breaks the Wall (Kandh) of Koorh.

There are three compositions under the name of Thiti

Two Baramahas to clarify this Spirtual Riddle.

Till the Manh is in Trukuti there is a constant State of eclipse.

Kaho Kabir Manh Payeah Pargasa

Uhai Bhaan Jab Cheena.

The Budhi which is also referred as Gopi has todotjis research (Chin Na)

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To get rid of this Spirtual Eclipse

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thanks Veer Ji for taking the time to respond to this post.

Thank you for further addition to the post.

Reply

G prakash s bagga

The driving force of the world is IGNORANCE.

Ignorance is going to stay as it is rather expands with increase in population.
Such is the character of this world under the influence of Trinity(Tree gunee Maayaa)
Only rare ones graced from Prabhu shall escape from this effect of Maayaa and merge with the infinite Jotee.

Reply

G T. Singh Post author

Thanks Veer Ji for taking the time to respond to this post.

Thank you for further addition to the post. The Gurbani agrees with what you said:
• ਮਾਇਆ ਮਿਹ ਪਲਿਟਆ ਅਤਿਰ ਅਿਗਆਨ ਗਬਾਰ : (O my mind! You) are wrapped up in Maya’s attachment, within
(you) is the darkness of ignorance (sggs 1418).

Reply

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